3/09
Letting Go: Emptying Self of the Practice

One of my teachers said that in yoga we move towards “emptying self of the practice.” I was not sure what she was talking about. Does emptying oneself mean letting go of my attachments? Is it being in the here and now, so that I’m not carrying excess baggage? Is it detaching so that I can fully engage in the beauty of this moment? Is it letting go of my own ego and seeing myself from other perspectives? I think it may be all of these things. I find in my own life’s journey and in accompanying my clients, letting go of my ego is powerful.

I was working with a client helping him see events from three different perspectives: from his own eyes, through a person he works with and then in the third person viewpoint. When he stepped into the last position, he said, “Oh now you’re making me care about this person,” (-the person he works with). I laughed and said, “No one else is really in this room, but you can choose what you want to do with any information that you gain from these perspectives.”

Reflecting about how this type of perspective shift occurs, I realized that “emptying myself of the practice,” can help me see from a different lens. For myself, this is the kind of continual transformation and insight that I desire.

Questions to reflect upon:

What are you attached to?
What has holding onto your perspective or point of view given you?
In this particular situation, what is it that you really want or feel called to do?

2/09
Transitions

In my coaching practice, I am continually reminded that we are going through transition. Transition means some things are “ending”, and we may be going through a “middle zone” of psychological change before we can move on to “new beginnings.” I was listening to a client speak about how his schedule was changing for the third time this year, only three months before the regular annual change. Schedule changes cause uncertainty about which shift or floating shifts each person will have and affect the employee configurations within departments. They can produce feelings like “loss of control,” typical during transition. I’ve seen how disruptive and stressful this change has been for the entire organization. My client said he was trying to not focus so much on it, not worry about it, even though he knew everyone was pretending that it didn’t bother them.

I suggested that he might want to use different language instead of negative language like “not focus” in his thinking, as the brain has difficulty processing the negative and tends to filter around it, subconsciously viewing it as the affirmative command of “focus,” which is what the person is trying to avoid. I asked him if he’d like to set an intention about what he wants to focus upon, instead of what he wants to not focus on. He replied, “No, I’ve sent a memo about which extra week-end shifts I can work and know that I’ll speak up for myself if the new schedule simply won’t work with my family needs.” He basically was telling me that he’ll do what he needs to do and seemed to have a healthy attitude about it. He and his fellow supervisors had collectively put together suggestions for schedules with each change, including this time. He wouldn’t know when the new schedules would come—it could be anytime within the next two weeks before the new shifts were implemented. He had told me that he hadn’t wanted to come to work that day, but did so, anyway because of additional workload that had been piled upon him. He was also eagerly awaiting a week-end trip which he felt would be a good distraction for him.

I realized that he was moving himself in a very positive direction by focusing on his trip. My statement about using the negative, might have been helpful, but didn’t address the crux of the situation. My query about setting an intention had the result of focusing on an outcome for his schedule. Being in transition about his schedule, he didn’t need to focus on the outcome of his schedule because he really didn’t have any control over this change. I remembered William Bridges, a guru of transition, outline four principles of transition: show up, be present, tell the truth and let go of outcomes. My client was following all of them. Once I realized that my client knew what was best for him during this transition, it was a matter of asking specific questions for him to continue to access resources that help him through transition.

Questions to reflect upon:
Do you remember a time in your life that you realized that you were going through a transition?
Reflecting back, what were the positive factors that helped you through your transition? What would you do differently now, having the resources that you learned from past experiences?

1/09
Hope in our Leadership

"Black Man Given Nation’s Worst Job,” Onion, November 5, 2009.

“This is the first time I’ve ever felt proud to be an American.”-Donald Gerard, principal of Prism Coaching, a culturally-aware coaching collective, on Veterans’ Day, November 11, 2008.

“State Jobless Rate hits 9.3%--A 15 year High, SF Chronicle, January 24, 2009.

We were there—all 2 million of us. My family stepped onto the Metro subway at 5 am, moved with wall-to-wall persons in the dark, claimed a spot on the Washington mall in the 20 degree weather at 6:15. We became friends with the diverse group of people around us, felt grateful to make space and sit down for a couple of hours, huddling next to each other, gaining warmth.

The jumbotron (large TV screens) came on about 8 a.m., replaying the star-studded concert from the Sunday before at the Lincoln memorial. They handed out flags to everyone. People got up and danced, and moved around to keep warm and enjoy the celebratory mood. Being rather short, and with the movement and flag-waving, I could see glimpses of the ceremony through the jumbotron. Finally, about noon, our President, the first African American, (that we know of) took oath. I cried, along with millions of others, sharing in the moment, cognizant of the historic moment, while understanding how the impact of this process has strengthened persons feeling of belonging to this country.

After the election of President Obama, a colleague of mine shared with us the pride he had in being an American, something he hadn’t particularly noticed before. I think I understand how he feels. I also think everybody else in the National Mall felt the inclusiveness that this administration is building. I believe the trek we made to Inauguration is a continuation of the grass-roots organizing of his campaign and a journey of service towards building a better nation and world. Amidst these difficult and uncertain economic times, I feel hope.

Questions to reflect upon:
Electing Obama as President has given us hope in our own leadership, in the possibility of being a leader, and making a difference in our community and nation.

Community leadership is not limited to traditional roles such as elected officials, bank presidents and executive directors. It can mean roles such as journalists, teachers, organizers, parents and volunteers. Fill in the blanks:

If I shut my eyes, and let go of my fear, my dream leadership role in the community of _______ would be ___________. I know I have skills related to this area, which are ___________, and I want to learn more about __________. I can create change within myself and influence everything around me.*

*Thanks to Coro Foundation and Niel Tam for the idea for these reflection questions."

12/08
Gift Of Ourselves

Holidays with the family is a period of transitions. In a way it is like stepping back to the past, but at the same time noticing the subtle change in the present. Some of the habits are deeply embedded, yet new habits continue to manifest themselves. It is a period where we can reflect, observe and at the same time be thankful for where we are today and to enjoy the present, and be present with new eyes, new ears and new feelings, and being thankful of the opportunities that happened this year.—Nielsen Tam

I was listening to a speaker talk about Alzheimer’s and how it causes persons to lose short-term memory while retaining things from their past and how almost childlike, persons with Alzheimer’s live their lives “in the moment.” I remembered how I marveled at my kids when they were young and how living in the moment brought us so much joy. The boys were playing, fully enjoying each other’s company and we needed to go somewhere so that we would “be on time” and celebrate with extended family. I had been focused on getting things in the car and leaving. For a moment, when I was able to stop and share in their happiness, something within me shifted. Their lives were a wonderful cue for realizing what was important to them and how I could refocus my life to experience the same kind of joy. Their presence and sharing of themselves were bigger gifts than I could ever ask for. Moreover, being in the present was the best gift I could give them. These thoughts coalesced and I began thinking about how during the holiday season, amidst the hustle and bustle we all can give and receive this gift. Hearing the speaker on Alzheimer’s reminded me that living in the present can provide a perspective of the past, while opening up the potential for new discoveries.

This year many persons are saying they would rather not exchange presents, even if in the past they were exchanges of simple, baked or hand-made things. We know the economy is slow and donations are down, therefore focusing away from the materialism of our lives and giving more to people and communities in need may be different ways that we can celebrate with meaning. These actions also remind me that being present in the moment, giving fully of myself with this moment, may be the most meaningful gift. And it’s something that I have the opportunity to give and to receive everyday.

Questions to reflect upon:
What does being present with a person look like, sound like and feel like for you?
How does the past affect how you act in the present?

11/08
Harvest Time on the Farm

I grew up a Japanese American Christian farming community. Thanksgiving was a time to celebrate the bountiful harvest and the advent of a slower winter pace. Most of my first cousins were scattered throughout the East coast so we didn’t see them but it was a time when many of my second cousins from Los Angeles and Oakland/San Francisco areas of California, all came to celebrate with us. My grandmother spent the night before making huge plates of “o”sushi. Aunts and uncles and my cousins, who were a little older than my sisters and I, helped with preparation, setting the tables and cleaning up. My mother, who actually grew up in a city (Oakland), seemed to give great thought as to including things in the meal that were grown on the farm: almonds, walnuts and kuri (chestnuts) in the stuffing; oranges, lemons, grapefruits, apples in the fresh cranberry relish, and sweet potatoes, sometimes in the casserole dish with marshmallows, but often baked in the skins, so that each person could add butter and brown sugar by themselves.

As I think back upon it now, my cousins were so kind to play with us and make us feel included in their social activities. We often played into the night, and if there was no fog, they could stay later. My sisters and I always looked forward to seeing them and spending time with them. From when we were little, we helped with many different things, but I just remember the fun we had. That was my perspective about Thanksgiving until I grew up and learned how Thanksgiving isn’t necessarily such a thankful time for Native Americans. After learning about how Native Americans must be insulted by our myth about how settlers “discovered” America, “taught” the Indians how to be at peace with them, I see that celebration around Thanksgiving can be complicated. And yet, if there really was a Thanksgiving celebration like we were taught in school and in church, we should be thankful for the cooking and farming skills that the Native people passed onto the Europeans. Perhaps that is the point of Thanksgiving—to be filled with gratitude which opens our hearts and minds towards more peaceful ways to live together. With thanksgiving of the harvest, perhaps this is a time to thank the land, the earth and it’s inhabitants for what it gives to us. Thanksgiving may be the time to recognize the interdependence and stewardship we are given for the earth and for each other.

In this season, I am thankful for my health, the health of my extended family and community. With my 96 year-old auntie and the pastor of my church, a social justice activist, both recently suffering from heart attacks, many of us are very thankful for their healing and the limited damage that was incurred by both of them. I am also truly thankful for the coaching clients I have who continue to teach me about learning, loving, resiliency and healing.

Questions to reflect upon:
What do I notice about the experience of Thanksgiving? What do I now know that I didn't know a year ago? Five years ago?

10/08
A New Set of Eyes

Have you ever had really good insight that you knew would be helpful for your child, friend, colleague or client?
Have you ever had the best advice for someone else, and either didn’t realize it or couldn’t follow that advice for yourself?

I have had repeated times where I’ve thought that if my clients were willing to experiment with finding a third person perspective that they could give themselves the insight needed to shift from feeling helpless to understanding what’s true and necessary to move through the situation. Creating a movie where you view yourself interacting with someone else can often help illuminate a deeper meaning of the situation. Then it hit me, that I’ve had limited practice of doing this for myself. For years, I’ve used the technique of second person perspective, or “stepping into the other person’s shoes” by role-playing the situation, discussing issues with the other person, and/or asking for the advice of a third party to listen to the situation and help me understand other possible perspectives. This has been helpful. But, the third person perspective takes the process one step further, providing a different kind of information where I can gain insight into my own needs and expectations. Interestingly enough, I had the perfect situation to try and learn more about my own perspective.

I came away from this experience with a new set of eyes. I realized that there were many things that I logically accepted. But on an emotional level, I was unconsciously holding onto a certain aspect of the relationship that may never have been there. I was clinging onto a desire for things to be a certain way. I’m learning that my expectations in all arenas of my relationships, whether they are business, community or familial can affect how I respond. In reflecting upon this, I gained two powerful lessons: practice what I preach, and after identifying what I’m clinging onto, be willing to let go or not.

Questions to reflect upon:
Have you ever experienced a new perspective, an “aha” moment?
What experience gave you that moment that all of a sudden you could “see” the tree that was always there?
What does this profound moment look like, sound like and feel like?

09/08
Fall Transitions: Moving the “Fire in the Mind”

I have had such a full summer. Both of my sons were living in our home during the summer—a rare occurrence in the past several years. One child graduated from college and was preparing in August to move for a job, and the other child planning his life after he finishes college in a couple of years. Since this would be the third year that both boys would return to their own routines away from our home, I expected that the typical flurry with the onset of Fall would no longer be a major transition time for me. Fall began and life has been busy with work, business and personal travel, music, community and other family gatherings. It’s all been good. And yet, I have found myself and several of the other people I work with feeling engulfed by noticeable transitions and carrying the highs and lows of our clients’ lives.

I continued my regular meditation, exercise, healthy eating, but the schedule was not as routine. The work rhythms especially have been unavoidably frenetic and I felt like I was expending a great deal of time to keep my energy from being frantic. After sessions with an acupuncturist and a healer, I realized that I’m out of balance--my mind is too full. The acupuncturist told me that our bodies are just energy and there’s too much fire in my mind. I was encouraged with my work, community and family to give what I need to and then let it go. I am beginning to envision how to empty my mind. I’m working with moving this fire out of my mind, fully emptying myself. I’m recognizing the dynamic flow of energy. Like the falling of the leaves, the emptying of my energy clears the way for new energy and new growth to take its place.

Questions to reflect upon:
Are there noises in your mind, maybe like a tape that keeps playing even after you have done some problem-solving?
If your body is only energy, what is it telling you? Or, what do you notice about your body with relation to its dynamic state of energy?

08/08
Attachment

Attachment is that which rests on pleasant experiences. Aversion is that which rests on sorrowful experience. –Yoga Sutra 2:7-8

Recently a client remarked how attachment to work had been keeping her from being happier. She has been pondering whether to pursue some other career. She began to create new challenges in her work and be fully present with the processes. She felt lighter and happier at work.

Interestingly enough, she was offered a promotion at work. She believes that when she was not so attached to her expectations, her attitude changed. Serendipitously a new opportunity opened up. She finds the new job more interesting. Simultaneously, she is in a better place to consider changing careers, returning to school and pursuing something else if that is where her path leads her.

The wisdom I draw from my client’s experience is that one can expend a great deal of energy reacting to something. One can choose whether to be controlled by an outcome. By letting go of the attachment one experiences the fullness of what is unfolding, whether it be sorrowful or joyful.

Attachment and Aversion Practice:

Do you find ever find yourself feeling irritated because things don’t seem to be going the way you want them to? Try this experiment.

In Living Your Yoga, Judith Lasater suggests counting the number of times that you become frustrated because things don’t go as planned or anticipated.

Questions to reflect upon:
What was the last time you had this kind of attachment? What would you do differently?

PREVIOUS THOUGHTS

BALANCE--HEALTH & WHOLENESS

Do not Worry
12/07

Much of what my clients are searching for is congruency: when the physical, mental and spiritual are aligned. Although alignment can be dynamic, if one thinks about something else or physically moves, that state of congruency can be elusive. One of the ways we can maintain alignment is by being in the present moment, not letting any other thoughts or distractions cloud our connection with what is unfolding before us, right in this very moment.

This past Thanksgiving I was visiting my family on the farm. It was a wonderful spirit of everyone--adults and kids helping with the meals, house and outside work. As we were laying concrete to the walkway towards the outside laundry/Japanese bathhouse, I felt very present. In reflection upon this, I realized that the work, the land and the company—the community of my extended family, were collectively grounding all of us. Of course, my family cannot be on the farm, especially on holidays, without also feeling the presence of my grandparents, relatives and all of our ancestors. It was the same feeling as when we’re out in the fields and receiving the energy from the earth, feeling nurtured and spent, all at the same time.

In returning to my home and work, I have begun meditating on the principles of reiki, healing through touch. The first one, “For today, do not worry.” I’m realizing that this is a great way to “be present.” For my daily practice, I am focusing on this principal, engaging in energy (ki) exercises to ground myself.

Questions to reflect upon:
What grounds you?
How do you know you are centered and balanced? What does it feel like, taste like, look like, sound like?

Congruence
03/08

I am learning and re-experiencing through the stories of my colleagues, friends, and children how being congruent, or in alignment can be transformative. I first heard about congruence in connection with the type of confidence and personal power that leaders display. As I work with coaching clients, I understand more clearly how congruence, or the embodiment of mind, body and spirit in the moment seems to emit a type of clarity, coupled with determination and simplicity. Recently a colleague told me of how she was on the platform to board the BART (transit) train, in the middle of the day with about 30 persons in the vicinity. Someone bumped into her. She looked through her purse and realized her wallet was gone. She began chasing him, which by this time, allowed the person to get a good lead. She spoke aloud, “He’s stolen my wallet and there he goes.” She ran as fast as she could, down the stairs. Strangely enough, the man stopped, which gave her a chance to catch up to him. By the time she reached him, he had the wallet visible in his hands. “What the >>>>?” she said, as he stretched out his hand to return the wallet. He responded, saying she had dropped it and he was returning it to the station agent. Calmly and resolutely, my friend walked back to the platform and boarded the train. There was silence; none of the other bystanders said a word.

My friend was not afraid, nor had she desired for the wallet snatcher to be punished. In her congruence, she confronted him, put out energy communicating that, of course, he knew better and she expected better of him. She reported feeling peaceful and powerful.

Questions to reflect upon:
How do you experience congruence—when your mind, body and spirit are aligned?
Can you think of a time when you had expected there to be some questioning or refuting or your ideas or action and there was none? What did that feel, look, hear, smell, or taste like?
How do we access that congruence,incorporate it into our daily lives and move forward to more effectively accomplish our vision and callings in life?

Hustle and Flow
05/08

“I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river in my soul”-African American Spiritual

Like a river, I can experience peace. Currently, in my life, I’ve been “working” at going with the flow and recognizing how “letting go” can allow energy to move in, provide tranquility and a sense of peace. So much of my earlier life has been about intensely attacking a goal or fixing something. I had become good at problem solving in this manner, often feeling the need to rush and hurry. This morning I opened a deck of angel spiritual cards, and randomly selected the card: “Hustle and Flow”. I thought this was an interesting pairing of ideas and wondered if I could be in alignment with the two concepts at the same time. The word hustle means “to work or act rapidly or energetically” (Webster’s College Dictionary). I generally think of tranquility and peace as being a sign of a spiritual flow of energy, but continued to ponder the juxtaposition the word “hustle” with “flow”. Hustle or quick movement of energy doesn’t necessarily have to be oppositional to a sense of peace. Hustle need not mean harried or frenetic. Hustle can mean intensity or quick energetic movement. Like a river, I can experience peace, whether the flow is tranquil and slow or rapid and intense.

Question to reflect upon:
Do you notice a “flow” in your life?

TRANSFORMATION

Your Transitions/Transformations
11/07

The crane in my logo depicts the Japanese children's story about a man, who, instead of spending money for blankets, gives it to some young men in return for releasing a crane from their trap. The crane returns to the man's house, as a young orphaned girl, asking to spend the night. The couple adopts the girl. Eventually the girl offers to weave cloth throughout the night, for the poor couple, requesting that they not disturb her. The cloth is beautiful and is sold. The young woman continues to weave cloth until the couple becomes very comfortable. Curiosity gets the best of the man, who opens the door while the girl is weaving. What he sees is not a girl, but a crane, who is using her feathers to weave cloth. "I am the crane you set free. Now I must return to the sky."

You may know that I've been coaching for the past seven years, finding fulfillment in accompanying clients in envisioning and achieving their goals. Life is a journey and through coaching, the client's unique stories spring forth. Aspects of service, reciprocity, receiving comfort, love, healing and livelihood, transformation and moving on are all embodied in the crane story. The story contains many aspects of transformation and transition that my clients resonate with. Coaching can help persons move through the transformation and transition portions of their life stories.

Questions to reflect upon:
How do you relate to the crane story?
What are transitions that you are going through in your life?
What transformations do you wish to experience?
What transformations have you experienced? How are they giving you deeper meaning in your life?

Appreciating and Valuing Beauty and Brilliance
04/08

Ap-pre’ci-ate, v., 1. valuing the act of recognizing the best in people or the world around us, affirming past and present strengths, successes, and potentials, to perceive those things that give life (health, vitality, excellence) to living systems 2. to increase in value, e.g., the economy has appreciated in value. Synonyms: VALUING, PRIZING, ESTEEMING, AND HONORING

Inquire’(kwir), v., 1. the act of exploration and discovery. 2. To ask questions; to be open to seeing the new potentials, and possibilities. Synonyms: DISCOVERY, SEARCH AND SYSTEMATIC EXPLORATION, STUDY.

-From A Positive Revolution in Change: Appreciative Inquiry, Cooperrider & Whitney.

A client related an experience of being at a spiritual retreat, watching the night sky, seeing the stars and noticing how immensely beautiful they were against the pitch black sky. She described the sensation created by the experience as a sense of fullness and awe that brought her great peace. She slept deeply that night and woke with the same feeling of gratitude and groundedness. Another night she was watching the sky and then thought to herself how wonderful it would be if she could see a shooting star. Then she caught herself and said, “No, it’s perfect just the way it is. Thank you for this magnificence.” At that moment a star shot across the sky, in a flash of brilliance.

I took three lessons from her story: 1) So often the simple act of noticing and appreciating beauty can bring peace that we often feel is lacking in our daily life. 2) In these moments it feels like the universe is conspiring with our highest intentions to help us create the best of what is possible. “Magic” happens. 3) So often when we’re able to let go of what we’re desiring, it comes to us.

With Appreciative Coaching (see appreciativecoaching.com), inquiry taps into our experiences. Appreciative coaching reveals our positive core and reminds us that there is much that is “right and true” about oneself that can guide future possibilities. I am continually amazed and inspired by the creativity and growth that my clients exhibit in moving towards envisioning and achieving their goals.

Questions to reflect upon:
What are past experiences of beauty that helped you appreciate your life?
What was your new or renewed perspective?
What did you come to value about yourself as a result of your experience?
How might these things you value help you face challenges you’re currently facing?

LEADERSHIP & LEADING OUR LIVES

Leading and Following within a Group
06/08

"A good leader must know how and when to lead and how and when to follow." --Wendy C. Horikoshi

I participate in musical groups with voice and a little bit of flute and piano. Recently during the instrumental solo part, the musical director asked me to play claves—the sticks that become the beat of the music. The director has always maintained that all of the instruments get their rhythm from the claves. In the band, I had been accustomed to letting the drums, conga, rhythmic guitar, piano or bass lead the music. The rhythmic instruments provide a foundation or core for the music. For that short portion of the solo, I was learning that the claves need to lead the music. The claves contain a concentrated energy. They can be quite loud and powerful. They provide the pulse.

Another person was also playing the claves, but the other claves had a different sound, making the combined output stronger and more interesting. When we came to the solo part, the rhythmic pattern of 2-3 came naturally for me and I could hear that the other clave player was not quite in synch, but then very quickly we were altogether. These were magical moments, all of the instruments aligned--breathing and sounding as one. I kept listening and then heard the other person just slightly miss the first beat of the pattern. I thought we were enough in a flow that we’d be fine. But, by the end of the pattern I was off the beat.

Listening for me has two parts: it helps me feel the whole and it also helps me hear the quality of my own output. And yet, there’s a special tension between listening and what the musical director terms “being there,” being ready to play, essentially, being ready to lead. Within the music, I believe that it’s the same balance between laying back into the music and being right there to move the music forward. Leading a group can be akin to this tension: asking questions and listening for different perspectives and needs of the individual members balanced with critical moments of moving the group forward to make decisions or initiate action. Returning to the story about the claves and music, I began to ask myself, what do I need to do to stay in balance between listening and being there? What’s my balance between leading and following? The lesson I took from this is: it’s important to blend with a group, to mix in and follow appropriately. And yet, when it’s my turn, I need to keep my focus on leading.

Questions to reflect upon:
Are you conscious of when you’re leading?
What is your balance between leading and following, being there and relaxing?
How do you know when you need to listen or follow?

LEARNING FROM LIFE'S STORIES

The Stories in our Life
01/08

Have you ever watched a movie or TV program, or read a book where you knew the story and didn’t like the ending? Or watched/read something and quit watching because you felt like it’s the same old story?

What storylines are we living? Do we keep repeating the same story and action lines, hoping that the outcomes will change? As we start the new year, what story might set a course for you in the journey you want to live?

A wise coach shared with me her practice of choosing an annual theme—a concept that might link together one’s dreams and focus for the year. Just as in identifying a storyline, a theme can give direction and intension. Choosing an annual theme has a timeline, while also providing a built-in rhythm or schedule to review one’s outcomes. I’ve found that selecting a theme has been very fruitful and meaningful, especially in comparison with a New Year’s resolutions, which often seem to go unfulfilled.

Questions to reflect upon:
What is your overall quest this year?
What is a theme that might link together your dreams and desired focus?
What guiding concept gives you more meaning, simplifies your life, helps you feel more whole, or calls you closer to your vision?

Making Meaning of Our Life Stories
07/08

I recently decided to revamp my bio that appeared in Prism, a multicultural coaching collective for which I'm a founder. The brochure and website concisely explain the culturally-aware approach that each of the six principal coaches employ in our own practices and then offers some individual information about us. My bio seemed like a boring list of education, employment and training. I was depending upon the previous text to convey who I am. I realized that I had to tell my own story.

I started my rewrite with a quote which expresses the journey of my coaching clients. My story then flowed. It was as if I’ve been wanting to tell this “story” and the act of writing helped me synthesize the meaning in my life right now. My bio reads as follows:

Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength, mastering yourself is true power.--Lao Tsu

Wendy Chiyo Horikoshi, MS, Certified Coach is a guide for knowing and mastering others and oneself. Mastering oneself is a discipline that can lead to transformation. Growing up as the second daughter within a Japanese American farming community, Wendy learned the discipline of hard work and the value of family and community support. From these experiences she understands the importance of the collective. How people learn new things and work together as a group has always intrigued her. The economic, cultural and historical milieu of each individual’s life is a fascinating way to understand the insights, wisdom, capacity and strengths that each person has to offer the world. Wendy helps people envision and achieve their goals, whether they be personal or organizational. She has trained and coached for more than 20 years. Her community-building experiences include facilitating multicultural group discussions at Children’s Hospital in Oakland, helping Washington Elementary School on the west side of Alameda create a more caring learning community, spearheading multicultural leadership training programs/antiracism seminars; administrating, developing programs and relationships for the University of California Youth Program; codirecting the Migrant Education Summer School Program and teaching at JFK University in the Cross Cultural Counseling and Graduate School of Psychology Departments. Wendy holds a MS in Multicultural Curriculum, serves as adjunct faculty for the Association of Type’s Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® program. Wendy has published several articles on leadership, diversity and human development and has also coauthored Teamwork Tools: A Revolutionary Approach for Managers and Trainers (Kagan, 2007)

Questions to reflect upon:
What is your story?
What is the short bio for you in your work? In your community life? In your home/family life?