Summer always signifies or beckons a slowing down for me (even though I'm still working). I often choose a theme for the months of June, July and August, moving into this season in a relaxed manner, yet intentionally, so I don't wake up on August 31st wondering where the heck the last 90 days just went?!
What about you? If you chose a theme for summer '08, what would it be? Creativity? Inspiration? Clarity/focus? Self-care? Support? Career direction? Exploration of a new idea or business? Rest and relaxation? (Read my latest newsletter if you'd like to hear more on this topic, check out my May issue on Summer of ....) ://www.careerstrategists.net/newsletter.html.
If you were to write your summer '08 theme on a t-shirt, what would it say? I'd love to hear!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
Mothering
I attended a really wonderful "active art" event last night in Austin in honor of Mother's Day, called Mothering: The Act Of. The evening was the brainchild of my creative friends Lynn and Aimee. We were asked to reflect on Mothering as an act (who mothers us, who we mother, how we mother ourselves). Here some of the posts from the event (there was a live blog set up all evening as well as many other interactive art projects): http://theactofmothering.blogspot.com/.
I ended up writing (or rather scribbling) a short piece that came to me early Sunday morning at the coast. Like many, I didn't have a Hallmark card mother and have a wide range of feelings around the most important woman in my life.
What came to me though (rather strongly through a dream about my grandmother), was GRATITUDE. For the many gifts my mom did give me (both directly and indirectly) and how these "presents" initiated gifts I have bestowed upon myself.
Gratitude
You gave me compassion for others. I gave me compassion for self.
You stressed the importance of achieving. I feel the importance of being.
You nurtured my strong mind. I learned to nurture my tender heart.
You taught me the importance of service to others. I learned to serve without sacrificing myself.
You introduced me to the shadow. I have learned to embrace ALL of me.
You fed me with music, art and philosophy. I have learned how important it is to share these gifts with others.
You gave me a love for good food and cooking. I’ve learned to love myself by eating foods that truly nourish me.
You instilled in me ways to cope and survive. I learned how to build community and thrive.
You gave me independence. I gave myself permission to ask for and receive help.
You showed me the absolutely necessity for self-care. I embraced self-care and made it part of my day-to-day life.
You taught me to be a seeker. I learned I don't need to know all the answers.
You instilled in me the desire to find God. I’ve come to know God dwells within.
You taught me how to open my mind and be accepting of others. I’ve learned how essential it is that above all else—I love and accept myself.
Notes from Mother’s Day 2008 ...scribbles from an early Sunday morning on the Gulf Coast.
I am 42, my mother Juliana died suddenly from congestive heart failure in 2000, 30 days before my wedding day. She was mother to seven children, an artist, musician, nurse and teacher. And, she battled clinical depression for more than 30 years.
I ended up writing (or rather scribbling) a short piece that came to me early Sunday morning at the coast. Like many, I didn't have a Hallmark card mother and have a wide range of feelings around the most important woman in my life.
What came to me though (rather strongly through a dream about my grandmother), was GRATITUDE. For the many gifts my mom did give me (both directly and indirectly) and how these "presents" initiated gifts I have bestowed upon myself.
Gratitude
You gave me compassion for others. I gave me compassion for self.
You stressed the importance of achieving. I feel the importance of being.
You nurtured my strong mind. I learned to nurture my tender heart.
You taught me the importance of service to others. I learned to serve without sacrificing myself.
You introduced me to the shadow. I have learned to embrace ALL of me.
You fed me with music, art and philosophy. I have learned how important it is to share these gifts with others.
You gave me a love for good food and cooking. I’ve learned to love myself by eating foods that truly nourish me.
You instilled in me ways to cope and survive. I learned how to build community and thrive.
You gave me independence. I gave myself permission to ask for and receive help.
You showed me the absolutely necessity for self-care. I embraced self-care and made it part of my day-to-day life.
You taught me to be a seeker. I learned I don't need to know all the answers.
You instilled in me the desire to find God. I’ve come to know God dwells within.
You taught me how to open my mind and be accepting of others. I’ve learned how essential it is that above all else—I love and accept myself.
Notes from Mother’s Day 2008 ...scribbles from an early Sunday morning on the Gulf Coast.
I am 42, my mother Juliana died suddenly from congestive heart failure in 2000, 30 days before my wedding day. She was mother to seven children, an artist, musician, nurse and teacher. And, she battled clinical depression for more than 30 years.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Slowing Down
Have you noticed how speeded up we all seem to be lately? Pulling into my gym parking lot this morning, you would have thought they had just announced “the first 20 to enter the front door this morning win a free trip to Europe!”
Why are we in such a hurry? How is it affecting our interactions with one another? With how we parent? Not to mention our physical and emotional well-being (pay attention to your physical sensations when you’re in the “chicken with its head cut off” mode ... usually your stomach, upper back or chest are screaming for you to move to the slow lane). And, it seems to me we’re moving even faster than we were a year ago (or maybe I’m imagining this!). I would attribute some of this to technology and how we now use email, cell phones and PDAs, etc. Most of my career coaching clients site the constant inability to “unplug.”
Twelve years ago I was introduced to a philosophy/approach which advocates Slowing Down. In fact, the coach I was working with who suggested I start to become aware of how how "present" I am in my day-to-day life, told me I would actually be more effective at work if I slowed down! (Check out Slowing Down to the Speed of Life by Richard Carlson/Joseph Bailey to get a taste of the approach I was introduced to : http://www.amazon.com/Slowing-Down-Speed-Life-Peaceful/dp/0062514547.) At the time, I thought she was crazy.
Thank God (and the coach who helped me shift to begin balancing“being” with “doing”), that has changed. I have now developed an aversion, an actual distaste for living and working at breakneck speed. Sure I do it sometimes, but my body starts setting off very loud alarms that it goes against my natural rhythms and innate health.
What is the speed at which you’re living? Are you pummeling through life in a race car, moving along in a steady Chevrolet, zipping around on a Vespa, soaking up your surroundings on a horse and buggy or maybe you’re on foot? Is the speed at which you’re living your life working for you? How do you feel when you wake up each morning? When you go to bed at night? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.
There has been a lot of press about adopting a Slow Food movement. I like it. But first, maybe we all need to start supporting a Slow Life movement. What do you think?
Why are we in such a hurry? How is it affecting our interactions with one another? With how we parent? Not to mention our physical and emotional well-being (pay attention to your physical sensations when you’re in the “chicken with its head cut off” mode ... usually your stomach, upper back or chest are screaming for you to move to the slow lane). And, it seems to me we’re moving even faster than we were a year ago (or maybe I’m imagining this!). I would attribute some of this to technology and how we now use email, cell phones and PDAs, etc. Most of my career coaching clients site the constant inability to “unplug.”
Twelve years ago I was introduced to a philosophy/approach which advocates Slowing Down. In fact, the coach I was working with who suggested I start to become aware of how how "present" I am in my day-to-day life, told me I would actually be more effective at work if I slowed down! (Check out Slowing Down to the Speed of Life by Richard Carlson/Joseph Bailey to get a taste of the approach I was introduced to : http://www.amazon.com/Slowing-Down-Speed-Life-Peaceful/dp/0062514547.) At the time, I thought she was crazy.
Thank God (and the coach who helped me shift to begin balancing“being” with “doing”), that has changed. I have now developed an aversion, an actual distaste for living and working at breakneck speed. Sure I do it sometimes, but my body starts setting off very loud alarms that it goes against my natural rhythms and innate health.
What is the speed at which you’re living? Are you pummeling through life in a race car, moving along in a steady Chevrolet, zipping around on a Vespa, soaking up your surroundings on a horse and buggy or maybe you’re on foot? Is the speed at which you’re living your life working for you? How do you feel when you wake up each morning? When you go to bed at night? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.
There has been a lot of press about adopting a Slow Food movement. I like it. But first, maybe we all need to start supporting a Slow Life movement. What do you think?
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