“Life is not a problem to be solved; it is a mystery to be lived” -Kierkegaard
Greetings!
My name is Marcus F. Walton, and I am very curious about Life, the people who experience it, and the seemingly limitless number of scenarios that we create when we interact. This curiosity has led me down many paths of exploration over the years, from the study of Ancient African Civilizations to Eastern Philosophy, sociology to cultural anthropology, from careers in community organizing, philanthropy, and coaching.
From childhood, I have actively pursued answers to mysteries of Life, such as its purpose, its length, the types of relationships we develop, how to achieve happiness, why we struggle, poverty, wealth and privilege, sex, love, why we eat and what is death. Additionally, I have hurt people despite having good intentions; I have done things that I knew may have negative consequences, and I have doubted myself countless times as a result of judgment, perfectionism, and a lack of joy and intimacy in my life. Yet, people have consistently connected with a quality within me that I struggled to embrace for over 20 years.
For years, I listened as people from various experiences over the years commented about my potential to serve others. At first grateful for the compliment, over time I became frustrated when I could not seem to realize this potential that was so obvious to everyone else. Then, one day a Catholic nun, who was a supervisor of mine at the time, told me that I am at my best when I take time to reflect. Those simple words continue to resonate today! As a result, I have applied her observation in several ways.
This weekly discourse, Coach's Corner, is one of many expressions of my commitment to the ongoing practice of personal reflection, toward self-mastery, as well as my personal contribution to supporting the physical, spiritual, emotional, and intellectual well-being of Black and Afro-Latino communities.
So let’s begin with a quick fact sheet about the Coach’s Corner.
What is the Coach’s Corner?
A virtual supportive space in which I facilitate real coaching conversations and exercises for participants to join as a community of learners.
Why now?
Now is the time because all action occurs in the present! As a result, I will share a methodology – Ontological Coaching (derived from “ontology”, the science of being) – which focuses on generating awareness around how use of language (linguistics), emotions, and body postures (physiology) converge to produce or inhibit results in a person's life.
Why coaching?
Coaching has proven that we can cultivate the necessary sense of presence, body awareness, behavioral patterns (habits), speech practices, and emotional intelligence to produce the desired results in our professional and personal relationships. It is a tool that allows us to thrive, not just survive.
Why Black and Afro Latino Communities?
Black and Afro-Latino communities disproportionately suffer from a range of physical, mental and emotional health issues that show up as internalized self-hate, low self-esteem, and various self-defeating behaviors and beliefs. These are internally focused and can be corrected by any willing and open-minded individual or group.
Likewise, our communities uniquely suffer from inherited pain and dysfunctional coping mechanisms related to how we relate to each other. These are proven remnants of slavery, immigration, imperialism, and oppression. Examples include but are not limited to various social dynamics such as how we view authority; how we express love, care, or anger; our capacity to disagree; being judgmental; male machismo and female sassiness/independence; hyper-sexuality; self-medication; chosen beauty standards (i.e. light skin, thin body features, straight or long hair); and how we define success (i.e. accumulation of wealth, educational attainment, power over others, character development).
Ontological Coaching emphasizes that regardless of the situation, how we are is a result of learned responses to situations and environments. This means that all behaviors can be unlearned with practice. The only requirement is a willingness to change.
What is the difference between this and consulting or counseling?
Ontological Coaching is the process in which we support another to increase his/her awareness by examining the observers we are, and how that impacts the decisions we make, the actions we take, and the extent to which we live life authentically, as whole beings who bring the full benefit of their experiences and perspectives into their endeavors. Ontological coaching involves more than just creating new skills and competencies; it provides a practical process for achieving personal transformation.
In short, coaching (as opposed to counseling) will allow us to effectively experience what the Danish Philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard, expressed. We will experience the mystery of life together, without judgment, as whole beings that do not need to be fixed but can shift their perspective to reveal new possibilities for living a fuller life, today.
I’ll see you next week!
Your coach,
Marcus
Marcus is a Newfield Network trained Ontological Coach, which serves as an ideal vehicle to further realize his personal empowerment objectives. Marcus, his wife and four year-old-son live in New Jersey
He can be reached at marcus@blackandbrownnews.com
2009 copyright blackandbrownnews.com
