Skip to main content

Take chances, be brave



If I thought July 26th felt weird, now it's August 3rd and it seems as though the summer is flying by.  As everyone else's summer, ours too has been busy, stressful, frustrating and rewarding.  I'm trying to focus on remembering what is in my control and put aside what is not.  For me, that's not easy!

I've also had the opportunity to be brave, take chances and risk leaving my safe spot.  That too is terrifying and rewarding.  Sometimes the reward doesn't come for quite some time AFTER the risk.  But I need to keep practicing.

For a long time I've appreciated a passage from Spoon River Analogy, George Gray.  It reminds me that although the shore is safe from storms, a ship is made to sail ..... That in order to reap the reward of the wind in your face and the spray of the ocean you must take chances and leave the safety of the shore.

So this is what I intend to do.  I have several in flight things going on in my professional life ... and in order to proceed they take courage and wisdom.  Some days I seem to have plenty, and other days I need a pep talk.

This much I know:  I lead the way I parent.  And to do that well you must have good intentions, and good instincts.  As I prepare for the next leg of the journey, I remind myself of the three qualities I carry with me:  Courage, Confidence and Caring.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Month of Miracles

photo credit:   http://marcestes.com/2011/02/11/miracles-the-need-for-the-hour/ In the tradition of continuing the commitment to writing each day, I am beginning the month of December as I have for many years…. with a passage from Simple Abundance about December. "December's gifts - custom, ceremony, celebration, consecration - come to us wrapped up, not in tissue and ribbons, but in cherished memories.  This is the month of miracles.  The oil that burns for eight days, the royal son born in a stable, the inexplicable return of Light on the longest, darkest night of the year.  Where there is Love, there are always miracles.  And where there are miracles, there is great joy. Gratefully, we weave the golden thread of .. joy in our tapestry of contentment.  At last we embrace the miracle of authenticity, changing forever how we view ourselves.  Our daily round.  Our dreams.  Our destinies.  Days we once called common, we now call hol...

#BeBrave

I found myself in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable place this week.  It's taken me days to process what occurred, how I responded and how I'm choosing to move forward. In a professional environment, during an ordinary 3pm de-brief meeting I found myself being verbally attacked and disrespected by a bully.  I remained calm, spoke my mind carefully and respectfully.  It was surprising and over the next few days became increasingly unsettling. There were others in the room, and no one spoke to support me.  It has struck me as so odd, hurtful and profoundly unacceptable. Like any good drama episode written by Aaron Sorkin or JJ Abrams, let's rewind to 8 hours earlier. Once again browsing new selections in iTunes for my running mix.  I know, I get bored easily, huh?  I love how the music motivates me so I'm always on the lookout for new and upbeat songs.  I came across a feature for the new Sara Bareilles album streaming for free this weekend, so I b...

Be yourself

Sometimes things just hit me like out of the blue and I wonder why didn't I think of that sooner!?  And after the realization settles in I'm at such peace.  This has happened several times recently at work with all the lessons I've amassed over the last 8 months of a project that is coming to a close.  I honestly didn't realize that I learned so much, or that I was actually putting those lessons into action. I find that I evolve at an interesting rate.  Sometimes it feels as though nothing changes, and other times it's like I don't even remember how things used to be.  And all the while I've maintained that I just need to be myself.  Although I've changed over time through the lessons, the core of who I am remains the same. And that's a great feeling.  To not have to turn myself inside out to fit.  It not only allows me to be authentic, but feels so true deep inside.  I say what I mean, I mean what I say and I know how to say it as to...