Monday, Dec 19, 2016

I went running this morning. Nothing new to report…and I’ll just leave it at that. 😉

I met with one of my coaching clients. I’m stretching myself in ways to focus, be present, and listen better. I’m exploring different methods to help my clients discover usable insights about themselves. There is no formula here. Most things are in the moment and how they are handled can create insight for the client, or can be a missed opportunity.

Coaching conversations are tricky in the sense I have to be vigilant to not let “my stuff” cloud, or influence the process of discovery the client goes through to get the results he is after. And, I have to remain connected and authentic enough to my own self to take the risk to ask questions that push the client to his learning edge. It is a really cool dance.

When I was finished working, we all left for El Centro. We needed lunch, some things at the market, and to do some errands. This included taking my phone to Smart Repair to have them install the new port Chase brought back from the States for me.

After lunch the sunny day was gone and big, single rain drops started to fall. Dark billowy gray clouds were moving in fast. I was dressed in flip-flops, shorts and a tee-shirt, and the chill in the wind was significant.

We decided to forgo everything except the Mercado so we headed that way. We just made it inside when the rain began to fall in earnest. We shopped in the protected market and when we were finished we stood at the entrance looking outside.

Rain was of the Noah’s Ark proportions. Thunder was rumbling, and lightning flashed. What to do? We waited a bit and then decided that we were just going to have to try to flag down a taxi, and odds were better for that across the street.

Since Heidi was the only one with an umbrella, and I was holding the eggs, I thought she should give it a go to get the taxi. The rain started coming down in sheets and the thunder boomed and shook the old buildings in El Centro. The lightning cracked in straight rods across the sky overhead. Chase, Easton, and I were staying dry in the entry way of a pharmacy.

Chivalry is not dead however. Once the sheeting rain began, the thunder felt like an earthquake, and the lightning strikes were getting closer, I told Heidi she could come inside, hold the eggs, and I will try to flag a cab. Taxi after taxi drove by without stopping. The rain was blowing sideways at this point, so my shorts were getting soaked.

I took a break and Chase went and gave it a try. After his pants were soaked I walked out and took back the umbrella. Finally, a taxi driver stopped and we all got in. I think I have never been so happy to be in a taxi since I’ve been in Ecuador.

By the time we got home the rain had stopped. Isn’t that how it goes?

Chase and Heidi made a great chicken pasta dinner. While we enjoyed our meal we played a Christmas DVD, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. It was fun watching this late 80’s flick. I haven’t seen it in a long time. I have to admit, I had a bit of Clark Griswold in me as I decorated our house with lights through the years.

The world seemed less complicated then.

Chau.