Taking Time to Find My Way

I am actually enjoying being detached and unconnected and not responsible for anything outside of my household and what I care about right now. I thought about not having to go to ‘work’ every morning and thought that I would feel like a fish out of water because I have done that for so long. I enjoyed my work, the people I worked with, and the mission we shared. I thought I would feel like a looser, a careless and misguided person with nothing important or demanding to do. Well you know what; I do not feel that way at all. What were misguided were those thoughts and feelings of being on the wrong path. I realize that getting somewhere takes risks and is a risk but I am expecting a good outcome. I am very busy working on me.

I am enjoying the time off. I have found time to think about and see things in ways that I have overlooked or had not had the time to observe in a very long time…You know, take time to smell the roses. Having the time and the sense to find meaning in and importance in things and people around me gives me hope for a better tomorrow. I have lots to do that I have neglected or only handled the periphery to get by. I am improving my energy and vision by getting rid of clutter and understanding how to be purposeful with my time and finding my way back. A few days ago, I read a book, cover to cover, in less than two hours just for fun, just for me. I cannot remember doing this for fun in recent years.

So for now, I am finding things to do for self-improvement and growth and enjoying the down time, the playtime, free time, me time. Because now I know that this is the best I can do for me to emerge, stronger, better and happier, finding my way back. Find Peace and joy; life’s simple pleasures and service.

Let me end this post like my dear friend Donna does, with a quote. I found this quote on Exquisite Transitions blog this week entitled, Getting Somewhere.

It’s only when you don’t run from yourself that you begin to get somewhere. -Anonymous

Another Confirmation for Change

So here is another confirmation for change. Change is important, necessary, and essential for growth. Growth: progression, emergence, change.


You know how folks say that they need a sign to be sure that they are doing the right thing when they have to make a decision or change to the ‘unknown’ or something new or different. Some say they need confirmation and that could be in the form of someone repeating or something acknowledged by others or a thing, well read below.

"If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we are not really living. Growth demands a temporary surrender of security."  — Gail Sheehy, American journalist

I got this quote from my friend Donna's blog, Flying Solo Travelling Light. She generally ends each post with a quote to ‘close’ the record and perhaps provide more food for thought. As I visited this week, I lifted this one because it speaks volumes about my recent situation and posts. Lord knows I have surrendered security because I want growth; growth, not just from food and nourishment from food for physical growth, which is a different issue for me. It is vast, deeper, wider, and broader growth than that - it is temporal, enduring, and profound.

Huh, what do you say? What are your thoughts and ideas about the topic of change, growth and the issue of confirmation? Please share with us.

Revelation and Comfort in Knowing

It is amazing when you retreat, step back from being so engrossed in the thick of things and watch it go by how much you see. It is great to see the unfolding and what is revealed. I have taken control and action to halt a slippery slope of what seems to be oh humdrum existence. I have taken flight and time to step out of the fray and move on, to seek new opportunities and place.

I’ve spent time introspective, analyzing, and studying and assessing the who, what, how and where do I go from here. In grappling with the process, which is huge, I got to the point where I needed another ear, voice, ideas, and help, to sort through to keep going. I have taken on a coach who has helped me to find the questions that will help me find the direction. So there were more assessments, thinking and understanding to do. She directed me to some assessment instruments that have proven very revealing. Its weird to have a test confirm for you what you have wrestled with or have experienced and perhaps questioned but not absorb and accepted. My Coach gave me the Language and Behavior Profile, which was outstanding. I did not know about this test or have experienced it before but let me tell you, it was on point! Of course, a couple of the items were not what I expected but for the most part, it is very true.

The most revealing and clarifying thing for me has to do with my desire for change. It seems that I am programmed for change with a set frequency. I have made major changes before, about the same time frame as was revealed in the test and for similar reasons as I seek to move on now - satisfaction, challenge and need to create and make better. I take comfort in knowing my pattern within the cosmos.There are no open doors or clear path or sure thing in my pocket but I know it is time. While I am free to explore, to see to think to be, I can create, develop, and achieve success finding myself in a place where I can contribute, make a difference and find peace and joy.

Lessons along the way

++ Take time to know you self and decide what is in your best interest

++ Know when to say when and what that will mean

++ Explore all of the options, open all of the windows, doors, drawers and see what is there and where you are

++ Ask the questions – the easy ones, the hard ones, the silly ones, the scary ones and take on the answers

++ Ask others and be open to suggestions, ideas and recommendations

++ Analyze, measure, re frame, recapture, discard, absorb

++ Find your inner joy as you explore and find answers

++ Take a breath, step back and look at the options, move ahead

++ Be honest. Be sincere, be committed, and be thankful

++Take the path where you find peace

This is not easy or simple and it is certainly not done yet for me but I am hopeful and  taking it one day at a time.

Staying Calm and Cool in the Heat Wave

Oh what a heat wave! I was tired of the winter and the barrage of rainfall this year but I don’t think I was looking for this kind of summer right out of the gate. I had some appointments in the field today and man, let me tell you; the saying that the heat is oppressive really came to life for me. It was just hot. Hot, as it was yesterday and the day before that and the day before that. As the heat assaulted me, I tried to stay calm especially when I looked around and saw everyone else just going along calm and quiet. They seem to be coping well, not agitated or bothered so I figure I should join the club. I later realize that staying calm is a good strategy against the summer heat.

Just psyching myself to stay calm and endure the heat was a job. Even under the canopy of a tree, waiting for the bus, the heat was fierce. Actually, the air was hot as it entered my nostrils. It was "hotter than July"! When the bus showed up it was not too soon. Thank goodness, for air-conditioned bus. By the time I got to my stop, a short ride, I was cool and composed. I had to get back out into the oven but I just had to cross to the other side of the street to enter my air-conditioned building.

It was good tyo get into the building again. As I settled in to get into the routine I felt really drained and lethargic. I felt a headache coming on as I downed some water. The headache lingered so I sought relief from some Alieve, drank more water and had a bowl of fruits.

So how do you stay cool on days like these when staying in doors with the air conditioner and fans on or lying by the pool or getting wet with the sprinklers is not an option? There is no magic formula or real serious ideas to get relief. We just need to apply some common sensical things  that we know but forget to do during the hot weather.

Here are five things to keep in mind and do to keep yourself safe and cool.

1. Stay hydrated – drink plenty of fluids. Stay away from caffeine and alcohol in the heat.

2. Cover yourself. Wear a hat. Use sunscreen with high SPF; wear loose, soft, light colored clothes

3. Think cool and stay calm - Stay out of the heat as much as you can – go into stores and shops to cool        off as you move along the street. Limit or reduce activities outdoors.

4. Eat cool meals and refresh with ices and fruit pops.

5. Drink, drink, drink!

I am sure there are many more tips to help you stay cool during the hot weather. Of course, there is an additional list of things to do to stay cool while indoors like use the fans and air conditioners, turn lights down and stay calm. You should add these to your summer cool routine.

Feel free to share your tips to stay cool during the  hot summer days here.

Stay cool my friends! Enjoy the summer.

Farewell or Good-bye…..I’m gone!

As the year winds down and folks leave for summer break, change gears for summer programs and summer projects, different schedules and routines, goodbye, farewell, see you in September fill the air around here. Some folks send notes or shout their farewell and goodbyes in the hallways and rooms. Goodbye for the summer, I’m gone, farewell, have a good summer, some sad and some other merry refrains. For some it is a change of location or seat or just moving on. It is a flurry of activity and mixed emotions as all of these actions and conversations takes place.

I am also at a crossroads, actually, I have been parked here for months now, only recently got the energy or the wisdom to rev up the engine and take flight. Say farewell, good-bye, so long, haste la vista, Auf Wiedersehen, arrivederci, adios, to a place and people I have worked with that I have enjoyed, grown to appreciate and indulge. An organization that I have supported, grown with and felt disillusioned about. But it is time for me to move on. Move on to other more fulfilling and satisfying roles and work in the larger community.

I have been ready to move on for some time now but thought that I would be patient during the various transitions. I was optimistic that the change would embrace quality, build on successes, strengthen what is good, solid, and measurable, and support the mission. I would be patient to see if the color of the light will change, back to green for go do what is good, effective, efficient and necessary to achieve the goals. However, for me, it is amber. Amber because it is a living, there are some opportunities for the work that I enjoy and appreciate and then the preponderance of the other stuff that detract and diminish my interest and value in the place. I am about quality, collaboration, teamwork, efficiency and successful outcomes. Not a measure or interpretation of success, but actual success as a measure of the stated goals and the results of the efforts and actions.

I am immensely proud of the work I have done, the partnerships I have established and the friendships that I have formed over the years. I believe that I have contributed to the fabric and essence of the team and the community of learners. I am also proud of the contributions I have made to the quality and content of the program not only in responding to the mandates but in developing and creating initiatives to meet the needs and improve the quality of life for the community. My many contributions and initiatives that are sustainable and support the mission and goals of the organization. I am truly grateful for the time and opportunity. Thanks to many for the opportunity.

So this is goodbye, farewell, adios from this place and daily contact and interaction with these good folks and time to say hello, hi, hola, bonjour, hallo, Auf Wiedersehen, ciao to a brave new world and new opportunities. I am hopeful, enthusiastic, learned, and creative; a breakthrough leader ready, willing and able to jump in with both feet knowing that I will land on my feet when I arrive, taking up the baton that will be the work and moving on to success and significance.

So, farewell, goodbye…I’m gone!

Have a wonderful summer everyone! See you in September!