CIRCLES & COACHING

You be *YOU* do you
A Purpose-Discovery Program to Mindfully Navigate the Gap Be’Tween

In addition to packing extra long twin sheets, a laptop and other necessities, what if we also sent our teenagers to college with a meaningful purpose plan they designed and a mindfulness toolkit of practices to support them as they navigate this tough transition?

   Moving into a brand new community is challenging at any age. With accelerating college costs and intensifying pressure to know your major/career, stress weighs heavy on our young people. What if—instead of being driven by expectations—our youth were inspired to live lives designed by their desires to contribute their unique gifts to make the world a better place? Many students I have worked with cannot articulate why they are going to college; fewer have a clear support structure in place. As a result, many of our kids struggle needlessly through their first year.

We need to ask students why—not where—they want to go to college. What are their strengths? What is their vision for solving the biggest problems in the world? How do they define what it means to live a meaningful life of purpose?

   A lack of personal goals and perceived irrelevance of the college curriculum cause surprisingly high rates of student attrition (Levitz & Noel, 1989). In the wake of falling retention and graduation rates across the US, colleges are scrambling to help students make learning relevant to their life goals. In fact, students with a purposeful mindset are far more likely to persevere (http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/08/18/how-a-bigger-purpose-can-motivate-students-to-learn/). My recent training at UNC-Greensboro with an amazing group of people in higher ed empowered and inspired me to develop this unique program so our teens can successfully navigate the gap!

If you don’t know WHY you’re here, how are you supposed to know WHAT to do and HOW to do it? – Bill Johnson

   This summer, I am excited to offer the Life Design Catalyst™ Program. Through an enjoyable exploration into discovering their own unique purpose, students will design a practical plan for becoming the best version of themselves and living their best lives. They will dive in deep to clarify their own values, strengths, and vision. Instead of being pressured by “What SHOULD I do with my life?” we will explore and create “What’s POSSIBLE?” so they can engage their college experience purposefully.

   Imagine what’s possible when our talented young people are empowered to use their unique gifts and talents to make positive contributions in service to the world. By BEING our best selves, we can LIVE our best lives. I can’t think of anything needed more right now on our planet than more of us aware of, and activated to contribute, our unique genius!

What is it that only YOU can do? — Brian Johnson

LIFE DESIGN CATALYST™ WORKSHOPS
Dates and Times TBD
   A few hours of preparation will be required in advance of the Workshop to answer questionnaires/online assessments so we can be more efficient in our time together. During our time together, we will explore a variety of interactive group exercises and experiences and engage in individual projects. Each student will create their own Life Design Plan including insights and tools to last a lifetime! $400 includes all materials, healthy snacks and a personal 1:1 follow-up with me (to be scheduled at a mutually convenient day/time). Space is limited to provide personalized attention.

Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? —Mary Oliver

CIRCLES are WIDE OPEN:
We are widening the CIRCLE -- so drop in as often as you like. Come, change the conversation from doom and gloom to imagining what's possible. You will feel inspired and energized, connected with other amazing women. What kind of conversations do you want to be in? JOIN a CIRCLE:
signUPwithSUSANLUCCI.as.me/

An excerpt from expert Christina Baldwin:
"We are facing new terrain and disasters we can hardly imagine. No one has come this way before, yet we stand at the front edge of the long and winding path of our human heritage. The greater the number of people who understand where circle can take us, the more empowered we will be to create the kind of world on which our ultimate survival depends. Excerpt from The Circle Way

What is the practice of CIRCLE?  A soulful, mindful practice of listening from the heart, offering nonjudgmental compassion and genuine support. In Circle, we turn off distractions to tune into what matters most.... We hold space for each other and enjoy being held. Circle is a practice of slowing down to the speed of the soul to reflect and connect with our wise selves and... a time out of time to be courageously vulnerable together in a brave space. We gather regularly to align with what matters most. Circle includes: a rich, facilitated conversation, ritual, mindfulness practices, and time for individual reflection. We leave Circle energized, with more clarity, feeling seen and heard and deeply supported. There is absolutely no place like Circle! Come home to yourself right here in your own neighborhood.

WE CANNOT BECOME OURSELVES BY OURSELVES.

     CIRCLES operate much like SALONS did during the Enlightenment period in Europe, where people committed to reaching their own potential and helping others do so came together regularly to thoughtfully practice the art of conversation -- where being a good listener was as important as being a good orator.
     Read more about this fascinating chapter of history here: www.publicspheresalons.com/whysalons/.

    BESIDES -- healthy conversations create healthy communities. And in this era where CIVIL DISCOURSE is nearly extinct, we need to practice the fine ART of CONVERSATION more than ever!
www.creatingwe.com/news-blogs/articles-blogs/1006-why-you-need-conversational-intelligence

Testimonials about CIRCLES:
"For me it was such a blessing at just the right time! I think the two hour time frame is perfect to have deep conversations and you did a great job giving everyone enough time to speak, every time. Your space was welcoming us with all of our senses: warmth, comfort, fragrance, and sound. It was always a pleasure to walk in and be greeted by you. I really enjoyed the handouts and homework. To me that part added a lot, and I would really encourage people to do at least one little thing if possible in-between sessions. You had a beautiful balance of preparation and a plan but also going with the flow of the moment. Your feedback to people when they spoke was always warm and encouraging while challenging us with a new twist or thought when possible. Thank you!" Sanna

"Sue has a clear communication style and is an excellent listener! Working with her both 1:1 and in Circle, I find her encouraging, flexible, and willing to share so many creative ideas, which are helpful and eye opening One of her many gifts is helping to guide us into heart/soul space, She is a natural leader and someone who pulls goodness and purpose out of those around her. Sue, please keep doing what you do. The world needs you, and I appreciate you!" Mary Lisa

"My life is better because of this ongoing conversation on a deeper level." Laura

"Being in Circle with Susan is very valuable.... she helps me stop and think... forces me to consider what matters most ....This is the other conversation I want to keep going on in my life." Ana

Contact me to learn more about joining a CIRCLE or to co-create your next facilitated event:

COLLEGE ESSAY COACHING:
Ready to transform the angst of the college application process into mindful meaning-making? Weaving together my skills as editor, purpose guide, facilitator and mindfulness teacher, I create stress-free, supportive spaces for teenagers to discover their authentic voice, gather their unique stories and craft them into persuasive essays. Writing college apps may be the first time they face the BIG questions of life: WHO AM I? and WHY AM I HERE? Weaving together tips from wise advisers in the world of college admissions as well as my own personal experience with hundreds of teens over the past five years, I offer a practical process for students of all writing abilities to engage and enjoy this rite of passage. Whether they are applying to just a few state schools or a dozen various programs across the US, I can assist them throughout the journey.

Because teens' schedules can be hectic, I am only scheduling 1:1 sessions at your teen's convenience throughout the summer and into the fall ($75/hour). I recommend you schedule something NOW as it will fill quickly! Text or email me (708-557-1176 or smlucci@sbcglobal.net).

What my students say:
I highly recommend Mrs. Lucci. She was so helpful for the entire process from brainstorming through writing and editing. Sydney (Brown, Early Decision)

Mrs. Lucci is a great resource who will help you cultivate a final product you will be proud of for what it is as well as the success of being accepted into selective schools. Maggie (U of Illinois)

Susan is great at listening to your ideas and experiences and helping you craft them into a cohesive thesis and story. She is a great editor, too! Isaac (Stanford)

And a word from a proud parent, too....

Susan, you are one of the very best things that have happened to him in a long time. I am so grateful for your positive and encouraging spirit and your excellent writing support. He is so much more confident about this process. The essay was awesome! More importantly, he is thrilled. You pulled so much out of him. The essay caused me to pause and reflect on who he is developing into. I am proud of his perseverance. Thank You!!!!   --TU

ENGAGE ME TO FACILITATE YOUR EVENT and take the conversation up a notch... You can provide the content or we can co-create it. I have facilitated a variety of groups of people, for various purposes, in different settings. I love creating healthier conversations to create community and move people to action!

Here are some possibilities:
         At the ONE EARTH FILM FESTIVAL in Chicago (http://www.oneearthfilmfest.org/) I facilitate engaging dialogue around sustainability. There is little that I enjoy more than gathering a roomful of folks committed to making the world a better place together to dream up solutions!

      I have been trained to deliver the amazing, awakening, activating, AWAKENING THE DREAMER SYMPOSIUM prepared by the Pachamama Alliance: http://www.pachamama.org/engage/awakening-the-dreamer. Engage me to deliver it to your neighbors, friends, family, or any group of people. It is simply THE BEST delivery system on the planet for awakening people to another possibility for our future and engaging them in empowering action. Together we can create an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, socially just human presence on this planet!

       Be More Mindful. I have quite a bit of training and experience in MINDFULNESS as a practitioner and also having taught it to pre-teens, teens, moms, and grandmas. I love to explore this topic one-on-one, and also teach half-day and full-day workshops.

        I am also proud to be a CONSCIOUS AGING FACILITATOR with the amazing Institute of Noetic Sciences. I have so much fun exploring this material with WISE WOMEN in CONSCIOUS AGING CIRCLES and learned a lot and met wonderful co-facilitators at the 2015 IONS CHICAGO Institute.