Bolder!

A Real Coach

One of the few additional things I said yes to last fall was to serve on the board of IDEAL WAY. I am blown away by what this organization is doing. And their founder, Robert Pio Hajjar is a natural coach. I've shared this YouTube video on my Facebook account but I don't think it can be seen enough. Robert's message goes to the heart of coaching. Whatever you want to do, take action.

"Whatever you can do, or dream you can begin it -- Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." 

W.N. Murray

Peak of Success

My daughter was once fascinated by all things Everest so we watched a lot of movies and read a lot of books. We can learn a lot from experienced mountain climbers.

For instance, I learned that those who summit Mt. Everest do it in stages. Just getting to Base Camp is a big deal. From there they move on to other camps at gradually higher altitudes. The purpose is acclimate to the thinner oxygen at each camp before climbing higher. They wait for their body to catch up to their ambition.

Work hard, yes, but take some time to acclimate. Don't rush the process and don't de-value the quiet moments. They provide the fuel to carry you to your dreams.

Another thing I learned about Everest climbers is that not everyone who goes to Base Camp defines success in the same way. Many people go along as the support system. Their goal isn't to reach the summit but to make sure the climbers get up and back safely. They succeed only when everyone is back off the mountain and the party begins.

Appreciate your support team in your own climb. Not only will they help you up the mountain, but they'll make sure you get back in one piece! And it's not as much fun celebrating without someone to share the moment.

From Everest I also learned it's all about where you put your focus. I attended a lecture by a young man who had summitted and the picture he showed of crossing an aluminum ladder over a crevasse with spiked boots made me shudder! When I asked how he did it, he said it all depended on where you focused. Looking past your feet was to invite paralyzing fear. See only your feet and you can ignore the gaping maw of ice below you. (Well, he could. I don't know if I could!)

Choose your challenges, define success for yourself and climb on. Let go of your excuses and focus on what you know to be true. Then celebrate.

It's a great recipe for success.

Reason Enough

Too often we use a skewed value system to measure the worth of our dreams. The message of our culture is "If it can't be measured in dollars and cents then it's a waste time and resources."

Isn't it about time to challenge that limiting belief wherever it shows up in your own life. What do you dream of doing? Even if it makes no difference to anyone but you, even if it has no value to anyone but you, aren't you worth it? 

I have a tree trunk in my office. It's about 3 inches in diameter and almost reaches the ceiling. I forget where I picked it up but one day I put it on a stand, wrapped it in narrow strips of pink, purple and yellow cloth with some fuzzy yarn thrown in for good measure. The picture doesn't really do it justice because it's actually quite pretty with colour and texture dancing around it. I see it everytime I look up. A lot of people ask me what it's for. I simply shrug and smile.

I did "just because". It's a treat for my eyes. Reason enough for me.

Today, do something you love just for the joy of it. Make space for something that makes you smile that secret smile. Simply because.

REASON ENOUGH

On a subway platform
music falls from gifted fingers,
bouncing off commuters too busy
to hear the gift.

The artist plays on,
melody reason enough.
Listeners not required.

In the freeze of February
sculptors unlock beauty
from icy crystal blocks,
daring the sun.

The artist works on,
fulfillment reason enough.
Eternity not required.

In the clear night sky
stars dance with colour
caught in draperies of light
While we sleep.

The Artist paints on
Love reason enough.
Watchers not required.

--Aprille Janes

The Currency of Caring

So, why did I stick a post about caring into the middle of a series on time? (See the previous post - Real Celebrity.) Because time is the currency of caring.

Small bits of time, scattered throughout your day - the phone call, a note, a hug, a shared joke. Don't they make you feel connected and cared about when someone offers this to you?

None of us wants to feel invisible or disposable. Taking just a moment to acknowledge the person across from you tells them they are seen and appreciated. That's a real gift in my book. 

And those bigger blocks of time could look like a bedtime story without hurry, lingering over a cup of tea with your partner or an impromptu BBQ in the backyard with friends. These are precious gifts. 

Think about the delicious moments that stand out in your own mind. I remember my dad flying kites with me in the backyard and helping me catch fireflies. Yes, I appreciate the food he put on our table and the home he paid for but it was the time he spent with me that was priceless.

During this economic slowdown isn't it nice to know that something has retained its true value?