Wheel of Life, Wheel of We.

I’m an instructor for the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Certified Professional Coach (UWCPC) training program.  We recently introduced this year’s cohort to the “Wheel of Life” for potential use with their clients.   It’s been around for awhile now, maybe you’ve done the activity yourself.  

The Wheel of Life is always an eye-opening activity.  It quickly raises ones awareness by offering a helicopter-view of important aspects of your life and how good (or not) you are feeling about those aspects in this moment.  Aspects or areas on the wheel include things like career, health, relationships, etc.  The heightened awareness gained from completing the wheel can motivate positive change.

After doing the Wheel of Life work with the students, I started thinking about what a wheel might look like that moved out from the “me and my life” focus of the current wheel to a broader perspective of “we.”  

We are in very “we” times!  We are instantly and globally connected to each other through social media.  We can see both the beauty and the crises happening around the world.  We can feel our global connection through changes in climate which affect us all (and of course some people are much more impacted than others and notably, those contributing most to climate change are generally feeling the least impact so far). 

We can feel our connection through the racial reckoning rumbling through our systems, hopefully shaking the foundation of hate and “other” as well as rattling loose harmful cultural habits that perpetuate the “ism’s” that divide us and limit or destroy lives. 

We are also a powerful WE, that I believe, overwhelmingly simply wants a good life of opportunity and care for ourselves and others.

So what could a WE-oriented Wheel look like?  What would you propose?  

Here is my first go at it, with a lean toward the “we” of the climate crisis we find ourselves in.  This wheel would include 10 sections of a circle (“slices of pie”) and like the original wheel, you’d rate each from 0-10 on how satisfied you are with that slice.  A rating of 0=not satisfied at all and a rating of 10=I’m fully satisfied.  “0” is in the center of the circle and “10” is on the outer edge.  You can color in each pie slice to get an overall view of your wheel.   (See a sketch of a “We Wheel” below).

1. Enoughness & gratitude.

    We can consume less and care for and appreciate what we have.  We can notice the urge for more or different and reorganize around “enough” and gratitude.  

2. Nature relationship.

     We are a small part of nature. What is nature asking of us?  I like to lie on the earth and simply relax and listen, tuning into my senses. We can learn from indigenous practices and grow our relationship with nature. 

3. Relationship to ourselves.

     We can practice replacing inner critic messages with kind ones.  It seems kindness to self naturally extends outward to others and also nourishes satisfaction which softens the desire for more, more more.    Body and heart.  We can reconnect more fully to our bodies and hearts and learn to listen to the wisdom there and express truth more fully. 

4. Relationship with others.

     We can practice more honoring ways of being with each other such as humility, inclusivity and curiosity.  We can listen more deeply, ask more questions, find more common ground, see and speak the good about each other.

5. Contribution

   .  Our contributions don’t have to be heroic.  They can be whatever gets us started.  Taking the first step is the most important and will lead us to the next.  

6. Plant-based foods. 

   We can eat less meat and dairy to help the “we” of climate. Local and organic generally equal greater care for our earth (and fewer miles to travel to get to our tables).  

7. Play and enjoyment.

     We show appreciation for this life and this beautiful earth by enjoying its everyday delights.  What brings you joy or awe or a lighter heart?

8. Bus, walk, bike, train.

     We can drive less and fly less for a cooler planet. We can enjoy a staycation.  What’s right here to enjoy?  

9. Talk about climate change

   .  We can talk about what’s important.  We can support each other in finding ways to express and to engage.  

10. Pay attention to what’s precious.

      We can appreciate, protect and care for what is precious in our lives.  

As with any wheel, I invite you to be kind to yourself as you look at this wheel and choose one place to start – one place that calls you or that moves you or lights you up in some way.  Starting is the important thing.  And then life energy will help move you from there.  I’m re-learning this myself as I re-engage with community contribution and facing climate change more fully.  Let’s celebrate what we can experience and accomplish and enjoy as WE.

I’d love to hear your thoughts about this wheel or any of the content here.  Drop me a note!