“The sign of a wise man is one who holds
two opposing views in his mind at the same time.”
– Thomas Jefferson

February / March 2006

Welcome again to The Artful Professional , a free newsletter for people who wish to bring greater creativity and meaning to their work. As always, the goal of this issue is to share creative practices and an insight or two, and to generally encourage the Artful Professional in you.

This issue encourages you keep your mind flexible – simultaneously open to many possibilities and to the truths contained in diverse perspectives – including your own.  Enjoy!

Sue Lebeck, M.S.,M.A.
Founder and Principal
www.working-arts.com

Exercising your Mind

Artful imagery is a rich medium – concrete while ambiguous, specific while containing endless possibilities.   Every image conveys or suggests story – story that may appear to be self-evident, but in truth is created largely in the mind of the perceiver.

Exploring the story element within cultural and fine art imagery is a powerful mental exercise. 

We invite you to sit with some imagery now – and whenever you have the opportunity.   What possibilities do you see?   How open and curious can you remain, in the face of wanting to know quickly what is happening, what is intended?   How can multiple and diverse views retain their truths, even in the face of paradox and apparent conflict?

 

A book sits on a surface with its pages standing open.

 

Beyond this, what stories does this image hold?

A man is facing toward us, as he walks upright over a pedestrian bridge.  His left arm is outstretched and he has something dark over his eyes.

Beyond this, what stories does this image hold?

Where might he be?   In what way is his location important?  In what way is it not?  What might he be looking at?  Is he looking at anything?  What is the darkness over his eyes and why is it there?

Does he walk away from something?  Toward something?  Both?  Neither?    What is his pace?  His mood?   His intention?   Does he have an intention?

What just happened?   What is about to unfold?

 

 

A white sphere is surrounded by a blue field.

 

Beyond this, what stories does this image hold?

A human-looking character holds a long stick and raises an arm, while moving close to winged creatures.

Beyond this, what stories does this image hold?

Who are these characters?   What are their intentions?  Do they have intentions?

What just happened?  What is about to unfold?

See how many stories you can see.   Share and compare your stories with a friend.

Why do this exercise?     Besides being potentially enjoyable, this practice reminds us that what appears to be simple may in fact be complex.   That what seems to be self-evident in our own view, may or may not exist in another's.  That the meaning we give to our experience is our individual and collective creation.   And that whatever is visible in the present moment also connects us to a tapestry of past, future, and timeless possibilities.  

A Lifetime of Perspectives

Whatever your age, experience, and current activities, chances are that you have played – and continue to play – many different and changing roles.   Each role that you play allows you to connect with and bring out an inner character which lives within you – a character with particular views, distinct needs, and special knowledge, a character who plays or has played a part in your being the whole person that you are.  

My own list of inner players includes such characters as:  Daughter,  Wife,  Mother,  Child, Adult, Editor,  Party Planner,  Program Manager,  Software Designer,  Mentor ,  Therapist,  Shopper,  Traveler, Teacher,   Student, Playmate,  Runner,  Writer, Facilitator, Reveler,  Performer, Audience Member, Driver, Passenger.    Each of these characters views situations somewhat differently, and each contributes to the person that I am.

What inner characters are on your list?   Take a moment to remember all that you are.

Each character who is a part of you is also a constantly available resource to you.

The next time you have a difficult or otherwise important situation to consider – at work, at home, in a volunteer role, in a relationship with a colleague or friend or family member – you may wish to consult with all of your characters  – the “inner team” that you are.   As you consider your problem or situation:

Review your list of inner characters.   Step into the perspective of each.  From each view –

What do you see?   What do you know?  What advice might you have? 
What does success look like?

What do you need?  What can you offer? 

As you sit with the broad set of perspectives that results:

* You may notice that some views may conflict, yet each may seem to know a piece of what is true.  
* You may notice that together your inner team of characters is able to create a larger picture of your situation and of your opportunities for success

* You may notice that your inner characters can support one another, can be effective as a team.

* You may notice that you need additional support, from outside your immediate team.
* You may notice that there is still information you need to know.   Do any particular questions emerge?   Who might you ask for more information?   What additional perspectives do you need to create a more complete picture?

Ultimately, the inner character who “owns” the problem or situation may be the one to draw the picture, to decide what information to include as it is drawn, to decide what success looks like, and what actions to take or what circumstances to most attend to in order to maximize success.  Or, you may find it useful for your entire “inner team” to take ownership. 

In any case, we invite you to view your inner team -- your whole person, all that you are – as a constant and creative resource to you. 

Write Us

Share with us your artful insights. We'd love to read them and learn from you.  To write us, e-mail sue@working-arts.com.

Pass it On

Share this newsletter freely to encourage the Artful Professional who lives within your friends and colleagues.  To subscribe, unsubscribe, or ask a question, e-mail info@working-arts.com .

Working-Arts® Services

Working-Arts offers a range of artful professional services for you or your organization.   Applications range from leadership, visioning and team-building to problem-solving, decision-making, and product and service design.  Go to www.working-arts.com and click on The Artful Professional .

Working-Arts offers free public workshops. Called Ask Art , these workshops invite you to consult fine art for insights into your important questions.   As a recent participant describes it, Ask Art   is  “Somewhere between a party game and an interactive Zen experience… It had the effect of drawing the participants out of themselves, and lowering interpersonal barriers." 

For information on free public workshops, or to plan an artful offsite for your professional team at a gallery of your choice, e-mail sue@working-arts.com.

About the Founder

Sue Lebeck, M.S.,M.A., is Founder and Principal program designer and consultant for Working-Arts. Sue is a faculty member for the Creative Expression graduate program at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (www.itp.edu), and is on the Board of the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (www.ieata.org).

Working-Arts® programs and perspectives are informed by Sue's background in both the arts and the sciences.  With Working-Arts, thinking is informed by feeling, and creative inquiry is facilitated through model and method.

Sue holds graduate degrees in diverse fields, including computer science, and clinical psychology and creative expression.  Her professional career includes nearly fifteen years in networking communications technology leadership and program management, and five years in expressive arts program development, education and counseling.

Clients and colleagues describe Sue as intelligent, sensitive, and a deep listener, able to synthesize information and offer supportive feedback and constructive re-framing. She offers a range of helpful activities, valuable insights, and a sense of humor.