CATALYST NEWS

Eva Dahm, CPCC, MA

April, 2004

Dedicated to your growth and exploration

SECOND INNOCENCE

"Second Innocence is a choice to see the world with the same eyes of wonder and faith with which we first viewed the world. It is a conscious choice to see the world with the perspective of goodness." John Izzo

I am reading Second Innocence by John Izzo after hearing him speak at the monthly Coach's meeting. His book is about an approach to life that focuses on joy and wonder and hope.

HOPE IN THE FACE OF SADNESS

Sometimes it is hard to be hopeful in this world of wars, natural disasters, fires, murders, etc. If the political party in charge is making decisions you don't agree with, how can you be positive? When you watch the news filled with places of war and violence, how can you be joyful? Knowing what you know of the world and its tough reality, how can you harken back to childish views?

Izzo is not suggesting a childish or naive view of the world. He is suggesting a shift in where we look. Izzo asks us to focus on the wonder of a sunset or the pink clouds of early sunrise or the beauty in the colors of a mallard. (We have a mallard couple who visit us twice daily to search for extra corn. The colors on the male are so shiny and bright.)

We all know that death and dying are on this planet with us. Sometimes death comes closer, and we are reminded how uncomfortable we are with it. However, a continual focus on the grim news of war and death changes us into fearful, cynical spirits.

NEW PERSPECTIVE

Shifting our perspective means making a conscious choice of where to look. A choice to move our eyes, our perspective from the hurtful, violent places to the comforting, peaceful spaces. I recall Michael Moore's tenet in Bowling for Columbine that some people choose violence and many of us react fearfully to others because we spend so much time listening to fear-raising stories of events in other places.

I am not encouraging people to do dumb or risky things in less than friendly places. But just ask, what is the general attitude that you live in? Hopefully, it is one of safety and hope.

This is also a reminder of my high school favorite F. Scott Fitzgerald who said in The Great Gatsby that the ability to hold to contradictory beliefs was a measure of intelligence. I believe it is also a measure of maturity. So we recognize that there are violent happenings, and we hold that the world is a wonderful, beautiful place to walk and thrive.

What moments of wonder do you recall in your life? More than a year ago we spent five days in Puerto Villarta and I still recall the sunsets shading the sky from barely blue to deep indigo in the view from the patio dining room. For the life of me, I can't remember what newsletter topic I wrote about that month. We all allow the minute pressures to rob us of the daily sensual pleasures of being on this earth.

How can you create more moments of hope and wonder?

FRESH LOOK

Taking a fresh look at the parts of our lives is a key suggestion in Izzo's book. He encourages us to look anew at our relationships, our jobs, our volunteer activities, and any other places where life has become HO-HUM.

Where can you make a shift in viewpoint and see your daily life differently?
How can you rekindle your romantic relationship?
What can you do to refresh your work?

Izzo describes how he shifted his work purpose at a post office years ago to brightening the days of the customers rather than just selling stamps. This shift changed his life. For the past few years, when I run errands I focus on brightening the day of the people who wait on me at the bank or grocery. Even the medical tech drawing blood today was pleased to hear about the sun and anticipate her lunch outside.

Izzo suggests we ask, "What can I give to life and the world today?"

A SIMPLE CHOICE

The bottom line is that it is a choice to be negative, fearful and cynical or be positive and hopeful. Want to guess which one makes you feel happier? Take a wild guess, which one makes for a longer, healthier life?

David R. Hawkins in Power vs. Force…The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior says that certain words make communications and us stronger. Positive words are stronger and create strength. While negative words create weakness.

"Love, compassion, and forgiveness, which may be mistakenly thought of as submissive by some, are, in fact, profoundly empowering. It's a simple clinical fact that in the long run, the weak cannot prevail against the strong."

Izzo also describes how we choose this outlook daily in each situation that we greet.

"Second innocence is a turning point, a simple choice, but it also involves a good deal of hard work and discipline to integrate this way of being into your life. Each day we much find ways to choose innocence over cynicism. This book is an exploration of the turning points we must experience as well as some of the practices we must embark upon, to integrate innocence more deeply into our lives."

FURTHER EXPLORATION

What childhood passions can be brought into your life today?
Where can you notice the wonder of the world in your daily commute?
What relationship can you refresh with new energy and a new outlook?
Where can you release your negative attitude?
Listen and observe your comments to others. Have courage and choose differently for your spirit.

Second Innocence: Rediscovering joy and wonder, John Izzo, 2004.