Release: What Is It?

So…I have this pet peeve.

It comes up for me a lot when I dive into personal development work and learning.

It boils down to use of language and how it can become a serious obstacle to accessibility.

Let me try to explain.

I love language and words, and I think it’s super important to find the right words to describe whatever it is we’re talking about.

It’s critical to clear communication, which is…you know, also critical.

What naturally happens as people get deeper and deeper into any field or area of study or topic, is that they search for language to define and explain what they’re learning and observing in increasingly precise and refined ways.

Which I totally get and 100% agree is important.

But.

What I see happen again and again is that when those folks who’ve been eyeballs deep in whatever their subject is finally come up for air and talk to anyone who hasn’t been in so deep, they use words that leave the average layperson completely flummoxed.

And maybe sometimes that’s fine.

But more often, it’s not.

At best, someone who may have benefited from what that person had to share missed out because they simply didn’t fully grasp the full meaning.

At worst, the person confused by the language feels excluded and “outside” or intimidated and turned off from the entire subject altogether.

Language intended to create more clarity, left undefined and without context, can become an obstacle that actually prevents the message from being able to be heard and received and absorbed.

Which, you know, sort of defeats the entire purpose, right?

One of the values I hold most dear in life as a whole, but especially in my coaching practices, is that of accessibility.

I want anyone from any background to be able to feel included in every discussion, every workshop, every retreat, to feel as though what I’m teaching can and does apply in their real lives, that it’s applicable to them in a tangible and meaningful way.

This is a core value to me and one that I’m continuously striving to improve and do better with.

One of the ways that this shows up for me is that I want the language I use to be simple and straightforward and to always come with definitions and examples.

Sometimes we need to use vocabulary that is specific and refined because that’s how we ensure accuracy or correctness. And that’s great!

It also means that discussion around meaning and application is likely warranted.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot as we move into the last two months of the year and as I prepare for my upcoming Say The Word retreat in December.

As we move toward closing 2020, the word “release” comes up a lot.

It’s a powerful word, an important one, and one that initially seems straightforward.

But is it?

It can be a feeling or sensation. It can be an action. It can be a process.

It can be momentary or ongoing.

It can be superficial or go right to the deep center.

What does the word “release” conjure for you?

What does that word illicit as your initial reaction and what do you think of when you hear it?

Do you know right away if there is something you need or want to release? Does it make you think of a time that you did release something and are glad you did, or wish you hadn’t, or felt it made no difference at all?

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

And of course, if you want to explore this with me and how it looks and feels and applies in your life and for 2020 in particular, be sure to join me for Say The Word: A Retreat For Release & Invitation on December 5. Early bird pricing ends this Saturday and space is limited, so don’t wait to register!