Self Development
Have You Hit a Brick Wall?
Have you ever tried to accomplish something and half way through you quit? Could this be a new job? Do you start diets and quit half way through? Are you trying a new style and just can’t get it to work for you? Are you reluctant to start a new job or investigate something new? do you have personal appointments you just don’t make and keep putting off?
Up Against a Wall?
Looking to other people for guidance and help more than often works to resolve problems. We all need to see what is happening around us. I am blessed with family, friends, clients and patients that set an example for me. They embark on an idea or adventure and I watch how they pull it off. Sometimes they may fail, but they pick themselves up and go again.
Many times success happens because we are being held to a higher standard or accountable by a boss, a spouse, or the need for something to improve. That something is money, health, or relationships. It is one of the reasons God has given us free will; we need to decide for ourselves to change. Our faith lifts us high above the problems if we turn to God for strength.
We are also given spouses, children, bosses, and family to love. They hold us to a higher standard and expect things of us. They know our abilities and desires.
Who holds you accountable? Are you alone or just don’t care? Are you depressed? Or just confused and don’t know where to turn? So many things in life are trial and error. We need to respect ourselves and just jump in.
Fear is the number one thing that makes us hesitant to act or ask questions. We think of all the reasons why we shouldn’t take a step forward. Perhaps we don’t know who to contact so we do nothing. Instead just start asking people and looking to your affiliations for help. Or we don’t think we have enough money to go forward. Well, again there may be different things you can do that don’t cost money. Perhaps we are fearful that we will jeopardize what we already have and that isn’t true either.
Time is another brick wall. We think “Oh there isn’t enough time!” I find that sometimes I don’t make the time either. I am always taking care of other people. I have people to see or I can’t get in to see someone during my free time. We all have excuses and we need to dump them. I just did that! I just made 5 appointments I have been putting off! You can do it too!
Well even brick or concrete walls are vulnerable. It may take time to break them down. It may mean learning to navigate around it. You can still “Delight in Living!” Just take your umbrella down and let the mini miracles fall on you.
What Path Are You Taking?
There are traditional paths to learning. Some people live in the same house all their lives. They go to the local public schools and know their neighbors well. They may follow the traditional path of going straight to college and taking a 4 year program into a career. Life just goes forward. OR?
Life throws us “curve balls”. We lose our job or our income radically changes. We need to move to another location to help ill parents. Our family suddenly needs to relocate. We need to reinvent ourselves with new skills and a better attitude and move forward.
Or, someone in our family dies. We lose our way in the midst of grief. Confusion may set us spinning. We love and memorialize the person and decide to make our lives more meaningful as a tribute. We can move along successfully and along side supportive people. Know that things can be better and new horizons will open up.
Perhaps, an illness consumes our thoughts and direction. We try our hardest to find help and direction. Where do we go? Who do we turn to for help? We search for group support, new hobbies, and a healthy outlook.
However, there are many paths to follow. One may switch during their school years from public to parochial schools. They may have moved and find themselves in a different school district or private school. Upon finishing high school, they may pick a trade school, or go right into a family business. Or they may start and stop in a variety of careers or college programs.
We may find a profession or discover a new area of interest even in our late 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s. People are always able to restart at any age. Never think it is too late. Wisdom is always giving us new insights.
The options are endless in this day and age. Many young families have chosen to “home school” their students. There is beauty in the flexibility of home schooling. Armed service families may have traveled to far away places and the youth learn many cultures and different langu
ages. Those older and removed from families also find new direction.
Experiences vary by profession and the standard credentials of each state. I’d like to think that this diversity allows many people to contribute to a well rounded society. I like that we can have many paths to productive and happy lifestyles. We need to just keep advancing and smiling along the way.
So I welcome your thoughts. Please connect with me at linda@lindagullo.com and share your perspective. “Delight in Living!”
I’d love for you to be part of the Mind Mapping – Healthy Thinking group. It is for people trying to get ahead, to figure out what they want, and to unite with others who have the entrepreneurial spirit. It calls for a commitment to be better. Our group was going to meet in the evenings, but a new group is setting up for Monday’s at 10 am. beginning October 31st. Just let me know if you’d like to join us. Email me at linda@lindagullo.com There is a $25 starter fee and a commitment to keep coming.
Acknowledging One Another
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Hello Friends! Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments. This is your host Linda Gullo. I treasure the small things in life, the encounters with people, and even the struggles that often bring us insight. Each week I bring out a theme and a thought provoking story or two for these 10 to 15 minute episodes. They are based on simple ideas with upbeat and hopeful encouraging tidbits for you to take along. These Podcasts are also on lindagullo.com where you can get the show notes.
Hopefully here at Mini Miracles from Minor Moments, you’ll find of insights and knowledge about yourself. My plan is to help you like yourself and recognize the gifts you have been given. We all have them and until someone or some experience shows us, we often miss seeing them in ourselves.
As many of you who follow me know, I have an office for meeting people one-on-one for Clinical Counseling. I decided to expand my services to you in this weekly Coaching Podcast. It certainly is not the same, but maybe it can lend you perspective.
Acknowledging one another is one of the most important things we can do to feel valuable. Just a wave, a simple hello, and an occasional conversation makes people feel that they aren’t so alone. I recently invited a bunch of people for a Group to my office. It does call for a commitment to come regularly.
One lady I invited, sent me a few sentences back acknowledging the invitation. It was so nice to hear from her just to know that she received it. People seem to be hiding behind emails and social media. This is an opportunity to meet people face-to-face and break the cycle of loneliness that I see so often on a daily basis.
Now I’d like to invite you too. It is called the Mini Miracle Cafe and will begin on October 28th at 7 pm. It is to help you find your way into a different profession or job. Perhaps you just need a push into another direction or even into retirement. Please feel free to call 815-459-5161 to register or send an email to linda@lindagullo.com Hopefully we can collectively help you make contacts and go forward with good self esteem.
Years ago I worked with a Psychologist who always made time for others. He managed to keep a full schedule teaching, counseling, and empowering others. Over the years so many of his words have played out to be true. Dynamic opportunities to be among educated and experienced people becomes less as we leave the educational realm. We have to pursue authorities on the topics we are interested in, but often we don’t know where to look for help.
I come from a family where hugs were the norm for greeting or saying goodbye to one another. As a child, it made me feel really accepted to be squished under someones loving embrace. I miss those people who were so genuine and accepting. Those family members have died, but what they stood for and how they faced life live on in how I treat others. Youth are our future. Giving them the desire to work hard and embrace learning is still the duty of parents and bosses.
What it taught me was to appreciate other people and treat them with kindness. When I welcome people into my home or office, it is with hospitality. At the end of our meetings I’ll always walk them to the door. It just is such an easy thing to do and so natural for me.
Think for a moment about how you connect with others. Do you joyfully return their phone calls? Are you eager to see them when they drop by? Are you able to do this with kindness or are they just an annoyance?
Do you recognize their hard work and encourage others to succeed? I know a young lady who works very hard on the college level to learn the skills she needs in her future work. She is working to help pay for the opportunity and she paces herself quite well. I try to always follow her struggles and achievements.
People don’t always need handouts, they need to know what they are doing however, is important.
Acknowledgements and appreciation come in the form of words. Sometimes just a 2 minute phone call or someone stopping bye the office to say hello means a lot. They have taken the time to connect even if it for their own benefit. (example of the young man) I try to be a change agent for other people by listening.
Being a life long learner is always a drawing card for me –and hopefully for you too. Keep learning, keep growing-continue making new friends. Relish in the time each week to collect insights by using the power of silence to refresh and renew your mind. Keep moving and see all the Mini Miracles shower over you.
Until next week, stay true to yourself. Thank you for listening and for the kind feedback I have received. Recognize the good people around you, the small joys that carry you forward, and the laughable moments. Look for those Mini Miracles! Bye for now and have a great week.
On Your Way to …
Well I don’t know where you are going today. Perhaps it is running errands. Are you on your way to a class or seminar? Who are you going to be with and doing this week? Where is it all leading?
Daily we have things to do. Often they are repetitive in nature; washing dishes, taking a shower, getting the car fueled up, picking up children from school, or any number of daily chores. The greater picture includes what are you going to do in the next 10 years? Have you thought about what gifts you have received and what you have done with them?
Walking through Kinsale, Ireland
In my own life, I have worked in many different jobs. Each provided a different set of skill sets. Once I have achieved all I have set out to do, I am onto another endeavor. Some have lasted a minimum of 2 years and many overlapped. I have loved counseling and it’s been almost 20 in my own practice.
It all boils down to a few simple facts. What I like is working with people. I enjoy helping others accomplish goals. I like the personal aspects of learning and sharing. I
Right now I am looking for a virtual assistant who is competent with technical skills. Someone who knows and understands websites, as well as, e-books could help me move further to my destination. Although I have set up 3 websites on my own, there are so many things I’d like to learn by working with someone.
I have posted a picture of me walking through Kinsale, Ireland. It was a refreshing trip going there. Here it was rainy and bustery out! The waves were splashing to my left here, but I felt so uplifted.
I want that for you too. Something to uplift and inspire you using your gifts and skills. Delight in Living by seeking out a path and destination. Join us at 411-A East Congress Pkwy at Delight in Living Headquarters for a Group starting at 7 on October 28th. Let’s all join in to find our way.
Move Over So I Can See Too
Move over Joseph Rosendo* and Rick Steves’**. I know you are both the world travelers that encourage so many people to see the world. Both of you gentlemen are excellent at what you do. I watch your shows and feel as if I am there. I also watch Fr. Roderick Vonhogen*** who walks through Europe and talks his walk. I want to see and learn from them!
Joseph Rosendo helps people to understand one another better. He goes into caves and places I would never venture into. I keep telling myself he is not alone. He learns the why behind cultural practices; he tastes their foods. He appears so easy going and accepting. He does well in advancing kindness and acceptance among the people. I always enjoy his shows, because I know he is so sincere and eager to enhance a joy filled spirit.
Traveling Around the World
Rick Steves’ provides information in a concise manner. He too, encourages people to travel. I have been fortunate to see some of the places he visits. His advice is timely and informative for the average traveler. He has publications to study that are of great help.
Fr. Roderick provides a personal insight show. He talks about his own struggles and many of the things he shares is so relevant to our daily walk. I recently watched him walk through the highlands of Scotland. I’ve been in Scotland and walked through some of the cities there, but never out into the wilderness and across streams. His interpretations are so unique and I get caught up into what he is saying. I also realize he is young and has someone with him for safety. He stops to eat and tests the food of the region. Again it is so enjoyable to learn vicariously.
So how does this feed you? Well, I think we all watch one another from afar. We learn what opportunities are available for us to enjoy, even on a daily basis. We listen to what others have experienced and grab onto the things that may help us. We know even if we try to duplicate another persons experiences, we have our own biases and views.
In the last 6 months I have dreamed of places I have traveled and added to my list of destinations I’d like to see. How about you? Are you elevated and encouraged to see parts of the world because someone has raved about them? Do you like to travel, but money or some other issue holds you back?
Well last week I was dreaming. I had no luggage to worry about, the hassles at the airport were gone, and there was no danger in flying. I was free to talk and interact with others. I loved the dream, but it was soon gone. When I woke up, I thought wow we want everything to be ideal. In life, adverse times come our way. We don’t learn without encountering problems or being alert to danger. We learn early on not to close the door on our fingertips; to watch where we are going. We trust others when they prove themselves to us. The basic life skills alert us to potential hazards. Our experience teaches us that others are different than we are and that we all contribute to the operation of making life fun.
Well I do hope you have a dreamy week. One that is a going to serve you well and be enjoyable. Follow the gurus in the field you dream about advancing in each on a daily basis. Help others to succeed and you too will be a success. “Delight in Living!”
*www.travelscope.net
**https://www.ricksteves.com
***https://www.patreon.com/geekpriest
Vision
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Hello Friends! Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments. This is your host Linda Gullo. I treasure the small things in life, the encounters with people, and even the struggles that often bring us insight. Each week I bring you a theme and thought provoking stories for these 10 to 15 minute episodes. They are based on simple ideas with upbeat and hopeful encouraging tidbits for you to take along. These Podcasts are also on lindagullo.com where you can get the show notes.
NOTE: Mini Miracles Cafe is starting in October on the 28th. We’ll meet at 411 Suite A in Crystal Lake, IL. Please put on your calendar. Email me at linda@lindagullo.com and register. I’d love for you to be part of the Master Mind group. It is for people trying to get ahead, to figure out what they want, and to unite with others who have the entrepreneurial spirit. It calls for a commitment to be better.
As we enter into the month of October, the weather has taken on the crispness of Fall. The cooler weather has been a pleasant relief and reminder that we need to pull out the jackets and warmer clothes. Time to put away the sandals and focus on getting back into warmer shoes to protect our feet.
This has been a good week of reconnecting with a few old friends. I am trying to write people personal notes over these next few months in lieu of Christmas cards. I am trying to simplify and prioritize what is important for myself and others. Last year at this time we were waiting for a new grandchild so it made me think of all that has happened in the past year. And it brought me to the setting my vision on the future.
I think of my Dad who was always looking for his “cheaters.” He of course was referring to his dimestore glasses that magnified print for reading. Many of you know firsthand the feeling. You go to read something and suddenly the print is too too small. Or you’re trying to read something in a dimly light room and well you just can’t see it. The first time that happened to me, I was signing a credit card bill at a Holiday Inn restaurant and I found myself moving over to a lobby for better lighting in order to read the amount I owed and to list the tip.
In our bathrooms, I have begun to write in marker in big print the item and dosage of products. It is so that in the middle of the night we don’t grab the wrong thing. I mark all salves or tubes of things as well. Small steps to prevent larger issues!
When I was a kid we’d visit an Aunt and Uncle who had cottages in Indiana that they rented. We’d stay in the main house that had a furnace and window a/c when we visited. I recall my cousin Jackie grabbing her mothers dental cream instead of toothpaste. Oh my, first there was lots of laughter followed by panic to get all the stickiness out of her mouth. We became pretty resourceful while staying there along with these silly situations.
Vision is a Blessing that we all take for granted. Its so necessary to help us enjoy life fully. Our senses make things exciting. So today I was resetting my goals and vision for the next year. But to have good vision also means we need to be creative and insightful. One of my favorite courses in college was the Philosophy of Man. We would sit and brainstorm with friends. We’d dream about what the future could hold and what we wanted to do. How we wanted to contribute to the development of our society. The more we talked the clearer things. There was a young man wheel chair bound since birth who planned to be disc jockey. He had one of those deep rich voices and had this built in gift to carry him forward.
LIKE MANY OF YOU, I am at a crossroad in my life. I want to do many things so I am trying to work out in my head a timetable of sorts, that will help me accomplish many things. Do you have a punch list? That term has become popular in the last few years. It gets dark earlier now and that isn’t all bad. It makes me use the daylight to my advantage– much like the farmer do! Natural light energizes us and makes one want to do more.
It’s a good season to read more, play cards, and do puzzles, but I almost force myself to do these things because I tend to be a workaholic. Once I start in I really enjoy the process of relaxing. Especially with puzzles. What are your expectations this month? Are you making any changes in the next 30 days?
When I was in my late 20’s I made a timeline. It was broken into 10 year increments. I often recommend this exercise for people who are stuck. In the first 10 years, one lists the things that so many of us have done. School plays, 1st communion, ballet classes, or soccer awards. Perhaps the vacations with family or awesome Christmas that is recalled vividly. In the 10 to 20 year frame, there are subtle decisions about careers, staying single or getting into a marriage or vocation. In the 30’s it may be traveling for a career, more education, or raising a family. Well for me I worked diligently to list my past achievements and the expectations of my life through the age of 60.
But when I was 45, I realized I had accomplished it all. Either I was going to add on to my timeline and revise or wither away.I decided to add on and go forward with excitement. When one does this sort of visionary work, wonderful things happen that lead into better and different accomplishments. So please try it. List all your priorities. What is necessary to do right now and what can be on the list for next summer? Who do you want to meet? what books do you want to read? Are you setting time aside to read them? What is holding you back?
Create an environment that will help you succeed in accomplishing your goals. Find a good well light place to read or place to sit and pray. Set up a bright spot to sew, mend, and create in. It’s no different than having a place to sit at and help your children with homework. Often the kitchen becomes the center of activities, but it isn’t always conducive to focusing on a good book.
Enjoy these next few weeks as the countryside turns from green to the beautiful fall colors. Intense orange, yellow, and rustic browns can be relaxing. For me the chilly air creates an appetite for a bowl of homemade soup. Guess it is time to get out the warm sweaters and lightweight jackets for walking. And put my cooking skills back to work!
Until next week, stay true to yourself. Recognize the good people around you, the small joys that carry you forward, and the laughable moments. Look for those Mini Miracles! Bye for now and have a great week!
Who Are You Anyway?
Have you ever said or done something and question yourself? Like where did that come from? My reaction was so off mark! Or you jump into a project and the results are so different than you expected! I think we have all been there. Periodically I find myself being very abrupt with telephone sales people who don’t understand “no” after I have very kindly listened. That is not typically me!
At other times, I have disclosed information, where I should have been silent. Along this pathway of life, we take on different traits. Sometimes we harden our hearts to the truths or refuse to try changing. Of course, that isn’t the healthiest way to grow or get ahead.
We need to focus on what we want and the way we are going to pursue our dreams. It is easy to go to school and have school lead the way, but eventually we have to confront major life challenges. How do I pay my bills? Where will I live? What am I going to do to fill my life? Where is my purpose?
The idea of communicating our needs well to one another needs to be addressed. Sometimes the people we complain to or get exasperated with are unable to understand or even take care of the problem. I am beginning a group this October in the office called Mini Miracles Cafe. It is all about dialogue and using the World Cafe Menu to start conversations and find resolutions.
Maybe this comes from a need for myself, as well as, the people around the community. I hear people expressing concerns without seemingly a way to fix them. But there is a way. There are people and ideas that are out of the box that can resolve things so peacefully. So for a “free pass” to the group or for other information, just email at linda@lindagullo.com
More will be coming on this in the next month. As people working hard and living well, we can find resolution. We can help point one another into a direction of self care. In the meantime, look for the mini miracles and opportunities all around you. “Delight in Living!”
Revelations & Work
Sometimes I create work for myself. Do you do that too? I always have stacks of magazines and books to read. I then have to organize the pile by priorities. I begin to read or start a project and find I am interrupted. At work I try to get more focused and keep to a schedule, but at home it isn’t the same way.
I listen to all the gurus on Productivity and Business. I realized they all have teams or tribes to help them. They have budgets set in place. 
Well, I am thinking it is time for a Personal Assistant to help me. Someone to update websites, research things, help with my e-books, etc. I have lots of ideas, but lack time and enough hours in the day.
Between websites, writing, and projects, I need to create a team approach here too. People to give me feedback and to brainstorm with on an ongoing schedule. Maybe even once a week. Any takers?
While my office remains tidy and the work is done through scheduling, I have this ongoing mess next to my loveseat at home. Mail gets tended too but the magazines pile up with controllers, nail files. Every night I clear it up and try to toss unneeded things in the garbage. Old list get revised, prayers are said and another day ends.
I am sitting with my organization sheet from *High Performance Coaching and finishing projects. It is a great sheet that has a way of keeping me focused on the important issues.
Today I watched a lesson from Michael Hyatt**. He is always on task with help for those in leadership. There is so much to learn for those of us who write, consult, coach, and counsel. I structure time each day for these guru’s to teach me something new. And believe me they do help me with or without a tribe to call my own!!!
Who is in your tribe? Is it family? Is it paid assistants? Is it people in your company who provide training?
Until tomorrow’s Podcast, “Delight in Living”
*Brendon Burchard’s coaching
**Insights** from Michael Hyatt on Free to Focus.com
Measuring Growth
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Hello Friends! Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments. This is your host Linda Gullo. I treasure the small things in life, the encounters with people, and even the struggles that often bring us insight. Each week I bring you a theme and thought provoking stories for these 10 to 15 minute episodes. They are based on simple ideas with upbeat and hopeful encouraging tidbits for you to take along.
Today we are going to discuss growth. I have been struggling though in what message I really wanted to share with you and almost changed the topic. Then I thought, “well if this is so hard to put together it must really be important” So here goes! It is short, but something I think is important for us to evaluate. We may come back to it on another day, but today we begin.
Please listen and enjoy!
This lovely Sunflower belongs to a neighbor who graciously shares it with us. It is the essence of growth and reaching high.
I discussed WGN Wintrust Business Newscast at Lunch with Steve Bertrand. I recommend you listen to it; it is always an insightful show!
Think about the mentors who have helped you grow!
Do you want to mentor for another person? Just start now and set a great example!
Perspective
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Hello Friends! Welcome to Mini Miracle from Minor Moments. This is your host Linda Gullo. I treasure the small things in life, the encounters with people, and even the struggles that often bring us insight. Each week I bring you a theme and thought provoking stories for these 10 to 15 minute episodes. They are based on simple ideas with upbeat and hopeful encouraging tidbits for you to take along. You can contact me through the website, www.lindagullo.com Please note that gullo is spelled g-u-l-l-o
How do you escape when things get overwhelming and confusing? Hopefully here at Mini Miracles from Minor Moments, you’ll find insights and knowledge about yourself and hopefully some mentoring moments. My plan is to help you like yourself and recognize the gifts you have been given. We all have them and until someone or some experience shows us, we often miss seeing them. Please take away insights that you can claim as being helpful.
Today’s topic is on perspective.
So how do you escape when things get overwhelming and confusing for you?
As a counselor, I am always hearing the heavy side of ones’ problems. People don’t usually come in with lots of good news. They come in to share struggles and they have questions. I don’t always have the answers, but often I can share tools for them to figure things out and reframe the issues. So today, I thought about discussing some of those ideas. Good conversations carry us forward and help us to reconcile problems.
I had a retired friend who had a Sunday ritual. After reading the newspaper, doing her morning Sudoku and attending church, she would go swimming and end up at the local Borders. There she would check out the books people had recommended to her. Usually they were books mentioned on the radio or from Oprah’s show that were being endorsed.
While she sat with a cup of tea, others started to gather and talk. Soon it was their own form of talking over the back fence—or at least that is what I saw it as. When the bookstore closed, it was not good.
The reason why some people can be more empathetic is because they have already experienced what you are experiencing now. When our children are in school, our interactions are with the parents of their friends. When our kids grow up either we find time with our spouses or join groups where new friendships can thrive.
As seniors, mobility and stamina are often lacking and the caretakers are too busy to help. We end up with lonely and sad senior citizens. It is important to reach out to these folks by inviting them to events and providing rides. Otherwise, where are these people going to find perspective? On the television, from the radio?
Over the years I have found different ways of dealing with stress for myself. Personally, I have grown, in that, I don’t isolate myself like I once did. We don’t need to feel embarrassed to share personal pain. I seemed to think I was the only one with misbehaving children, an injured spouse, or financial woes.
Mentally my filter to focus on the positive was getting lost as I dwelled on the negative. Thank goodness this flipped over fast for me, and realized that how I thought effected how I felt. In turn it effected how I was behaving. And that behavior was isolation. Yes, I was with people, but not sharing with them or letting them carry my pain.
As I learned later while in business, people didn’t tell the truth. I’d sincerely ask, “how is business?” I’d get back a positive answer and then find two months later their business was closed. Obviously they were too embarrassed. How sad that people aren’t congruent; emotions can spiral one into depression and destroy family units. They hadn’t learned yet, that others can help us carry our pain or better yet, show us how to get out of the situation. I could have helped them in several ways. Often we just need someone to walk through times of stress with us. Counseling is a great vehicle for doing that.
Praying, going out to lunch or sitting with my journal big help in filtering thoughts. I don’t think it used to be that way, but it has changed over the last 10 years.
I think our lives advance when we change the way we do things. We need to pick a bouquet of flowers, read a book, play with the dog, bake a cake, or walk through the local hardware store.
Shifting from one thing to another somehow brings clarity to our minds. Our attention spans help us to get work done. I can sit for long periods of time to work on projects, but then a break helps me escalate my thoughts into another direction.
Just think for a minute about the Jr High students who get up and move from class to class. There is great value in movement. Their attention span, often affected by hormones, is adapting and being prepared to move on from one subject to another. It will continue that way for the rest of their lives. Focusing, transitioning, and refocusing.
I really enjoy reading the blogs other people have written. They seem to offer opinions and articulate what I want to say and sometimes don’t. They discuss things I’d never talk about in writing. Sometimes it is because of what they do for a living, the politics they bring to a community, or the filter that they have because of their culture or traveling experiences. It is so valuable. Can you think of a person you know or work with that does that for you?
One of the things I am doing more often is heading to the magazine aisle and picking up magazines I normally do not read. I try to picture where the author is coming from and why the article is even written. Sometimes I think “wow, I was once there in how I thought and I moved!” Why didn’t I share that with other people?
And I think of my son, who once said, Mom you were the original Martha Stuart. He was right, I was into the cooking, creating, sewing, gardening, and home movement. I was a “Domestic Genius” because I truly enjoyed the art of staying home and being a wife and mom. I am so glad I did that and relished in it, because now I don’t have the reason to do that. And yes I could have made a fortune on it, but I didn’t even recognize the skills or value in myself. But it is okay. I am grateful I had the spouse who could then appreciate the cooking and baking. I had the kids who had the appetites and needed a landing place to be themselves. I kept the house cheery and me too!
Since then I have recognized that, Fall is “my season” to advance. It is also the time of the year I like to walk and move ahead in projects. I start making my lists and connecting with people I have longed to meet. I keep rebuilding my goals based on a realistic time table. What time of the year do you get stoked in? Is it January 1st when you set into motion new habits? Is it July 4th, when the summer cabin is brought to life? Find your best season and make it count!
Today, as I was thinking about this podcast, I heard a wonderful story. It fits in perfectly so I’ll share it with you. There was a toddler who spent the day with her grandparents. They took her to a daily mass in a church filled with lovely stained glass windows. After the service you could see the child dancing in the sunlight that streamed in from the windows. She was entertaining herself and enjoying it. She seemed radiant.
Later in the day when the mother returned, she asked the child. “What did you do today?”
The child replied, “I danced with the Saints today.”
Who are the Saints? the mother asked.
“They are the people who shed light on me.”
What a terrific answer and insight. My question for you is “Who are the people who shed light on you and give you perspective?” Is it time to dance in the sunlight of the saints around you?
Until next week, may you grow insights and love life. Bye for now.