“It’s all about how you show up, isn’t it?” my coach had said that morning. I had felt so inspired thinking about the chance we get at every moment to reframe what happens to us, that we get to choose the meaning we give it, and our response.
Now I was watching one person after another cancel this evening’s call. They were working late, camping with rubbish internet, family were finally visiting, recovering from an injury. No problem. I would just go and sit in front of a blank screen while the storm howled outside and wonder if, after the first flurry of interest, this group had run out of steam. Was I wasting my time trying to bring these ladies together? I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel miserable as the ‘Sorry, can’t make it tonight!’ notes kept coming in.
I had just finished one call and had a breather before the next, so I took myself for a brisk walk, wondering if I would be rained on. There is something about watching gale-force winds blow clouds across the vista of London I have on my doorstep that never fails to uplift me. As I huffed and puffed up the hill to get to my beloved view, I thought about this sudden flurry of no’s. Last month there had been so much chat, we’d had an extra call because everyone wanted to connect. Was this just August, or a sign?
These weren’t just any women, either, they were fellow pilots, so a group after my own heart. A passion project. It had taken a lot to get them talking.
I was thrilled to get a group going, as much for my own sake as anything else. It does you the world of good to hear what other women are doing with their flying, and so many of them have inspired me along the way. Mentally, I shrugged. I would go online anyway, because it was what I had committed to do. I would show up, without feeling sorry for myself, and not take any of this personally. With an open mind to the outcome, who knows what would happen.
Suddenly I stopped. There were two names on the list I hadn’t seen. Both fellow pilots who seemed far more adventurous than I was. I had been trying to set up interviews with them for my flying blog for some time. What a great chance to really connect.
In the end one of them couldn’t get away from work in time, but Cath and I had a fantastic chat and I got the chance to learn all about her flying journey, so different to mine. It was a magical moment of connection, and I will be there next month, with a smile. It really is about how you show up.
Reframe Coaching 