Happy Holidays Dear Friends,
The holiday season is in full swing and with it comes all the last minute changes to even our best-laid plans. As transformative change specialists we have come to understand that it requires the stamina of the Elk to keep going in times of challenge, disappointment or uncertainty. So our intention with this enews is to offer the gift of reassurance, support and perhaps a vibrant perspective to sustain you through the holidays and to inspire you to keep doing your good work in your families, organizations and communities.
Understanding the change process and why it sometimes seems so arduously taxing to be a steward of change is important. Because dear friends, change is inevitable. It is happening all the time, literally in this very moment. In fact, it is at those times when we are most unsettled and uncertain that we are actually engaged in groundbreaking and transformative inner work. And the way we navigate this inner work reinforces our integrity and ability to inspire others.
So perhaps now would be a good time to get a cup of tea or hot chocolate, imagine yourself enjoying the warmth of a cozy fire and our revised version of the 3 Billy Goats Gruff (generously given to us by our mentor trainer Dr. Stephen Schiuvoerder) The 3 Elk Brothers…A Change Story.
Once upon a time there lived 3 Elk brothers. They lived in a desolate and bleak place; a place they believed they had always known. They couldn’t remember the time when they had not lived there. They didn’t really know why they lived there but in fact they had never questioned or even entertained the idea of living anywhere else. They thought that this territory, the craggy rocks, the dry terrain was all there was because it was familiar, known and usual. They didn’t live there because it was all that fulfilling or sustainable. In fact, there was little to eat and it was very uninspiring, but they knew it well and they believed it was all there was.
Then one day, the 3 Elk brothers looked up and noticed that across the river, on the other side there was beautiful grassland and forests filled with vegetation and beauty. For whatever reason they had never noticed it before. They just had not seen it. But now that they became aware and saw it they started to chat amongst themselves and realized how much they all wanted to get over there. The new territory was an attractor and such a contrast to the unsustainable territory of the craggy rocks.
They were even more excited when they saw that there was a lovely stone bridge spanning the river that would easily take them into this new and exciting territory! They were so thrilled and ready to transition! As they approached the bridge fully prepared to get over to the new territory they were shocked to find their way was actually completely blocked. Unfortunately beneath the bridge lived a very large, amazingly ugly and incredibly frightening Troll. The brothers pulled back and even considered giving up on their plan to cross over into new territory. But they really wanted to know what it would be like to live over there, they could practically see, smell, taste and feel the new way of living. They just had not thought it was going to be so hard to get to where they wanted to go.
But as they discussed their fear of the troll and the strong desire they had to get to the other side of the river they began to formulate a plan that would get them all over safely to the other side. Mustering up all the courage they had this is what they did.
The youngest and smallest of the Elk brothers went first…clip, clop, clip, clop he began taking his tiny steps across the bridge…and out jumped the troll saying, “Come over here so I can eat you!” The little Elk replied in a tiny voice, “No, No, No please don’t eat me Mr. Troll…I am so small and thin, very boney, no meat to speak of and wouldn’t even be worth your while, but I have an idea…let me pass and wait for a few minutes and my bigger brothers will be coming. They will be far more meaty and juicy, definitely worth the effort.”
The troll looked at the little Elk and considered his idea and thinking he did appear to be a little bag of bones he stepped aside and let him pass. The littlest brother had made it.
Next came the middle Elk brother and he began to cross in much the same way….only his footsteps had a little more authority and were a little heavier…Clip, Clop, Clip, Clop….out jumped the troll saying, “There you are, come over here so I can eat you for lunch!” The middle brother quickly replied in a louder and more convincing voice saying, “You know if I were you I wouldn’t waste my time on someone my size. A smart troll like you should save your energy for my biggest brother because I know he is coming along any minute now. He will definitely be a worthy feast for a fine troll such as yourself”.
The troll took a good look at the middle Elk brother and noticed that he was indeed bigger and clearly intelligent and thought that he was probably right. Certainly the next brother would be even bigger and worthy of his efforts. And so he stepped aside and let the middle Elk pass while he waited and saved his energy for the bigger feast to come.
Finally, along came the largest of the Elk brothers…and as with the others he started across the bridge but his steps were heavy and sure, filled with purpose….CLIP, CLOP, CLIP, CLOP….out jumped the troll ready to block the biggest Elk’s way but the powerful Elk simply lowered his head, charged the troll and knocked him off the bridge and joined his brothers on the other side where they all lived happily and enjoyed abundance….until they realized it was time for a new adventure that lay on the other side of another river…and off they went.
So there is the story of the Elk brothers and Change….we would love to share the teachings about change that are embedded in the story. We would love to hear from you dear friends and what you think this story is teaching, reminding, inspiring. Stay tuned, join us on our Facebook page to unfold the lessons of change and how to be a powerful and strategic change agent in your own life, your families, your communities and organizations.
Warmest wishes for a holiday filled with wisdom and love,
Tereasa, Denise and Tasha
What's New...
Chameleon had the great pleasure and new challenge of leading our very first video conference.
The UBC Learning Circle, a partnership among the UBC Division of Aboriginal People's Health, the First Nations Health Council and First Nations and Inuit Health, collaborated with Chameleon to deliver a presentation on Lateral Violence to 25 communities from throughout BC. As we grow so does our audience and it's such a privilege to be able to share our message with so many grass roots folks doing good work in their communities. The video conference allowed us to reach a wider audience in a very efficient and cost effective way. A big thanks to Jamie Witt, Division of Aboriginal People's Health University of British Columbia for her collaborative efforts on making this event a huge success.
As you know Chameleon is all about helping YOU find YOUR voice.
Well, we embarked on a change process of our own last month when we attended an incredible workshop called "Release Your Voice", held by speaking and presentation expert Pamela Hart. This 2 day boot camp infused us with inspiration and gave us some excellent skills in regards to our message delivery of your message. As a result we have made some incredibly impactful changes to our Crab In the Bucket presentation and are continuing to work on utilizing our voices to affect change with the groups we work with.
Did you know that only 6% of our message is conveyed through words and the rest through tone and body language?
Good to know when working to convey important messages. We are enjoying the integration of our new learning's and the way it's taken our work to a new level. We are excited to share the changes we are making with our clients.
Chameleon is excited to now be offering inspiration and informative keynote speeches and presentations. We are currently booking for the new year. Call us today at 604-987-5455 we are happy to discuss the possibilities with you!
In October Chameleon travelled to Darcy, BC to facilitate a Crab In the Bucket for the leaders and staff of N'Quatqua Indian Band.
What a wonderful experience. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the mountains and few wandering cows, horses and sheep we made yet another transformation journey. Laughs, tears and meaningful dialogue took place for this group of friends, family and co-workers. It really is a matter of new tools meets old ways. The magic of the workshop! We are not really teaching anybody anything they don't already now in their hearts. A return to a remembered way of being brings us back to a more sustainable way of living and working together.
This Just In!
I  my community t-shirts - $20
Lateral Violence Free Zone Wristbands - $3
Medicine Skills - $29
 The Medicine Skills™ are an indigenous relationship-building tool designed by Chameleon Strategies for individuals, partners and groups. If you are seeking to increase positivity and want to explore creative and time honoured ways of working through issues the Medicine Skills™ can provide fresh perspectives, shift emotions, increase balance, spark creativity and offer intuitive insights. Each set includes 9 beautifully illustrated cards, instructions and customized tape.
Thank you, we sincerely appreciate your support of this very important work and ask that you forward this on to those you in your circle of influence!
Warmest wishes,
Denise, Tereasa and The Chameleon Strategies Team
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N'Quatqua Band Office workshop
"I liked that the workshop identified the negative actions, but didn't dwell on them. The focus was on what can we do now!"
-- Angie Lewis, Squamish Nation
"Amazing lessons and tools to help anyone grow for the better!"
-- Mandy Root, Selkirk College Practicum Student
"I liked that the workshop identified the negative actions, but didn't dwell on them. The focus was on what can we do now!"
-- Angie Lewis, Squamish Nation
"Amazing lessons and tools to help anyone grow for the better!"
-- Mandy Root, Selkirk College Practicum Student
"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change."
-- Charles Darwin
The Crab In The Bucket Workshop
We are very excited to announce that we will be hosting a public Crab In The Bucket workshop in Vancouver March 2 - 4th 2012. Cost for the workshop is $349/person register before January and receive a complimentary set of Medicine Skills™
Click here to register
Lateral Violence Mentoring Project
A cost effective way to maintain momentum in YOUR community. Join us on January 19th at 10:30 for this innovative 90 minute webinar. Our goal is to deepen your understanding and build your capacity to transform Lateral Violence in YOUR community.
Register for our Mentoring Project today!
Or for more information download our Mentoring Project Brochure
We are now taking bookings for February 2012. Chameleon Strategies would be pleased to work with you to design a customized workshop that meets the specific needs of your organization or community. Book a FREE consultation with Denise and Tereasa today to discuss your unique challenges and goals by emailing
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. Or for more information download our Crab In The Bucket workshop Brochure
Research shows that healthy relationships contribute to the following things:
- Live longer
- Responsive immune systems
- Fewer emotional or mental health issues
- Less violence on self or others
- 35% less illness
Neuroscience and Relationship, Dr. Athena Staik
Children with parents who maintain a healthy relationship have….
- Fewer emotional issues
- Fewer health problems
- Perform better academically
- Better able to regulate their emotions in conflict
- More social skills
Neuroscience and Relationship, Dr. Athena Staik
Did you know that children who are living amongst adults with a healthy emotional climate in their relationship have fewer emotional issues and health problems, perform better academically, are better able to regulate their emotions in conflict and have more social skills. The investment into improving our relationships is a worthwhile one according to relationships experts such as Dr. John Gottman and Dr. Athena Staik. Many of our social problems stem from relationship dysfunction and our inability to communicate with each other effectively. Our children need these skills in order to thrive and be successful and fulfilled in life. The good news is we can always improve our relationships. Change your behavior and others will change their behavior towards you.
  
Chameleon Strategies
604.987.5455
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www.chameleonstrategies.ca
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