Justine Ickes | Explore what's possible

Why you need your own personal talisman

Some people talk about “putting on your big girl panties” when you’re nervous or face a challenge. For me, that means putting on my sankofa bracelet, a gift from my father. The symbol is an ostrich reaching back for its egg.⁣
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A dear Ghanian friend taught me that in “twi”, one of the native languages of Ghana, “sankofa” literally means “go back and take” and symbolizes the importance of how our past and history informs our present and future.⁣
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This particular talisman has a special significance for me because for years I told myself a negative story – that I was somehow lacking in some way because I did not know my true full heritage because I never met my biological father. ⁣
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With time, I have come to deeply appreciate the lessons of my search for wholeness and I now recognize that knowing your genealogy is only a small fraction of what makes you who you are. ⁣
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I am forever grateful that the man who raised me and loved me — my soul father — chose and gifted me with this bracelet, without even knowing its meaning. I can still picture us together in a little shop in Brooklyn, NY where my dad had spotted the bracelet.

I cherish it because it helps me choose which parts of my history I want to elevate and which part of my “story” I can set aside. ⁣
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In my work as a coach I support my clients in the same way — honoring our past, yes, and also intentionally choosing our way forward.⁣
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If you want to write your own story, reach out to see how we can work together.⁣

Which direction are you headed?

Whoa! There is so much going on in this mosaic tile that I spotted in Málaga, Spain. First up – the compass rose smack dab in the field of blue.⁠⁣

Also known as a wind rose or rose of the winds this symbol indicates the four cardinal directions. Look at any compass, map, or nautical chart and you’ll probably see a compass rose. ⁠⁣
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For over 600 years people have used tools like this to figure out where they are and what direction they are going.⁠⁣⁠⁣

Even wanderers like me. And I’m guessing you, too.

While we might not use an actual physical compass, we all need resources to help us navigate life.
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Because, let’s face it, a lot can happen.⁠⁣

A change in a relationship.
A child leaving home. ⁠⁣
A new job. ⁠⁣
A pandemic.⁠⁣

The good news is with awareness and intention you can stay true to you.

⁠So, today I invite you to consider⁠:
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What are the important points on your personal compass rose? ⁠⁣
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How do you feel about the orientation of your life right now?⁠⁣
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Which actions will you take to keep yourself aligned with your inner compass?⁠⁣
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Want help moving in the direction of your dreams? Reach out to me to get started!⁣

an illuminated Ferris wheel shines in the late summer sky with the full moon glowing in the distance

What Is Taking Your Breath Away Today?

What’s taking your breath away today?⁠
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For me, it’s the ⁠quiet and steady fall of leaves as we transition more fully into a new season.
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Some are already nestled on the forest floor. Others are only just now beginning to let go and drift to earth.⁠
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What about you? Are you allowing yourself to move at your own pace and change in your own way?
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Whatever you’re working toward, you will get there in your own sweet time.

Believe it.
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a photo of a handprinted mandala with a butterfly in the center created by Justine Ickes copyright 2022

How to be merry all year long!

Did you know that “merry” comes from an Old German word for “slow” or “leisurely”?

I know! Not the vibe we typically associate with the end of the year, right?

In the holiday hoopla, we forget all too easily that relaxing, reminiscing, savoring moments alone or with family and friends, and simply BEING are what give us energy.

Nature takes breaks and so can – and so should – we!

So, as this year winds down, I hope you’ll give yourself the gift of downtime and rest!

Perhaps like many people – me included! – you might find yourself not measuring up to your own expectations when you take stock of the year.

Remember, no matter how much you did or did not achieve in (insert whatever year you’re reading this :-)), you are still worthy. So, go easy on you!

Here are some affirmations that might help.

🪬 I have done enough.

🪬 I created enough.

🪬 I offered my best to this year.

🪬 I am allowed to take time to rest.

🪬 Other people’s accomplishments have no bearing on my own worth.

Would you like some support in making those affirmations stick? Coaching can help!

a photograph of a pink and white wooden mail box with an image of a white envelope and a red heart painted on it

Slow Starts and Sweet Surprises

To be honest, it always takes me some extra time to warm up to the new year. What about you?

Luckily, I’ve learned that, if you bundle up well, go for a wander, and get curious, you may stumble on a nice surprise.

I sure did, thanks to this sweet Love Letter box I found in the little town of Norfolk, aka the “icebox of Connecticut.”

A note on the box invited people to “write a love letter to someone unknown and to take a note for yourself.”

Imagine my delight when I pulled out this message! –>>> “You are singular and spectacular!”

I mean, c’mon! How great is that?!

Did I keep the note?

Well, I wanted to. But in the end I decided to leave it for the next lucky person.

Because here’s the thing: Every one of us is singular and spectacular.

To be clear: “Every one” includes you.

Even if you haven’t chosen your word of the year, yet. Or ever.

Even if you’ve already bailed on your New Year’s resolutions.

And even if you still aren’t sure what to make of the year ahead and your goals for the year have yet to come into focus.

Trust that they will in time.

Meanwhile, repeat after me: “I am singular and spectacular!”

Who is your Mrs. Frizzle or Dumbledore?

Why am I asking? Because it’s important to give props to the educators* and mentors in your life.

In my experience, the best gift you can give (and receive) is a thank you note (A+ if it’s handwritten).

Even better if you take the time to specifically acknowledge the person AND how they impacted your life.

Is there someone in your life you’d like to show appreciation to? Here are some fill-in-the-blanks to get you started:

Thank you. Because of you I’ve come to love…

You gave me the strength / skills / encouragement I needed to take the next steps toward my dream of…

You inspired me to…

I’ll always remember being in class and that one time we…

I’m grateful for knowing you because you taught me…

You made an impact on my life. What I learned from you is…

Research shows that consistently practicing gratitude has lasting positive effects on our mental health and our relationships.

Pro tip: Make it a habit to practice and express gratitude!

*Special shout-out to all my classroom teachers and also the folks who have taught me extracurricular “life lessons”. You know who you are! 🙂

a quote by author Karen Blixen that says "We must leave out mark on life while we have it in our power."

What are you doing here?

What did you come here to do? In other words, what’s your life purpose?⁣
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Not sure? ⁣
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Here are some ways to find out:⁣
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* Help other people. – Studies have shown that being of service can help you feel a sense of purpose. ⁣
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* Seek feedback. – Ask people what they think of when you enter their mind. What they notice about you can give you insights into your purpose.⁣
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* Take note of topics that interest you. Do you regularly post about certain things on social media? Is there an injustice that deeply bothers you? These could be clues to your life purpose.⁣
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Identifying a clear sense of purpose — aka the mark you’re here to make — can help you lead a better, happier, healthier life.⁣
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So, ask yourself: What’s the mark I’m making?⁣ And is that what I really came here to do?

large boulder painted with a bright yellow smiley face in the shape of the sun

Go Big or Go Home!

Ain’t that the truth?

I love seeing people’s creative expressions on this Block Island landmark. The messages and images change on the daily, sometimes even hourly. I’ve spotted folks happily making their mark in broad daylight and by flashlight.⁣
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The thing is you don’t need spray paint or a boulder to speak your mind.⁣
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Every day you are making a statement with your words and actions.⁣
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Tell me: If you could express your truth big and bold, what would you say?⁣
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Need help figuring that out? I’ve got spots opening right now for new coaching clients. Reach out and let’s work together!

close up photo of a large sculpture made of wrought iron letters of the English alphabet

What’s your personal alphabet?

Did you know that the word “alphabet” comes from the first two letters of the Greek language?⁠
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And that way back in the day, speakers of Latin created the word “abecedarius” (aka the “ABCs”)?⁠
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I didn’t and I’ve been a word nerd and language geek my whole life! :-)⁠
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Which just proves you can always learn (and make!) something new.⁠
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All this got me thinking: If you could create your own ABCs, what would the letters stand for? ⁠
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I’d probably choose words that express what most matters to me:

A for art.

B for becoming.

And C for creativity (and coaching)! No surprises there, right? ;-)⁠
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How about you? What would your personal alphabet say about you and what you value? Want help figuring this out? Schedule a complimentary conversation to see what coaching can do for you!

Let your dreams take flight!

Do you ever get all pumped up about a new goal and then a week later your energy has fizzled?

Me too.

And often it’s because we get in our own way.

How? Here’s a recent example: For the first time since I’ve been in business, I set an actual revenue goal for this year. Yes, with real actual numbers! LOL

A couple days later I spotted this “Moneyfly Mandala” by artist Arthur Becker in a lobby in Boston.

I was starting to get excited that this might be some sort of “message from the universe” about my financial goal.

And then my inner critic/doubter piped up, “Nah! Can’t you see this is just a tongue in cheek observation about money!?” Cue sinking feeling…

Then I noticed an installation called “Moneyflies” on the opposite wall of the lobby. Now I felt even more deflated. “Okay, so my conjecture was correct – this is about the fleeting nature of money”, I told myself.

Guess what?! 5 minutes after I took these photos, I got an inquiry about my coaching and 5 minutes after that, someone reached out to ask about my workshops!

Who knows whether either will pan out?! What I do know is the stories that we tell ourselves really matter. A lot. They can clip our wings. Or they can lift us up and help our dreams take flight.

What story are you telling yourself? I can help you flip that script and move toward you the life you want. Schedule a free consult with me here.