Leadership on Speed

what are you grateful for?

The eyes of my eyes are opened.  -E.E. Cummings

Yesterday evening as I ready for bed, I grabbed my journal excited about what I was grateful for because yesterday was truly an abundant gratitude day.  This morning I went for my regular mammogram (a brief plug - ladies if you are "of age" and are not getting this done regularly, I implore you to call your doctors office TODAY and take action on this!).  It was early - about 7:00am and there were two people checking me in at the imaging center.  One was an older, outgoing, rather friendly gentleman dressed dapperly in suspenders and wearing more rings on his fingers than men typically do but he was clearly a people person and was constantly engaged with his desk mate (who was probably 1/3rd his age).  As it turns out, Dan was the one that escorted me back to the waiting area all the while constantly attempting to keep me engaged with drabble about his watch battery not working and where the best place in town is to have such a thing fixed.  At some point in my history, this would have annoyed me (especially given the time of day) but at some point, I realized that I smiled.  I smiled because I realized his mission.  I had the privilege of being there for a routine exam but many of his "clients" do not.  They are there getting rechecked, triple checked and quadruple checked to either confirm some anomaly or ensure there is none.  These people are experiencing a mixture of hope that nothing is there, and fear that something is. I realized that his role is not only to process us but to make us feel better. To help us escape our fear if only during that brief walk down the hallway.  And I smiled.  I smiled in gratitude of this angel. Put here to help me feel better.  And I found myself wondering how many times he might have that same conversation today and how many people will feel that much better because of it.  Dan will most definitely be on my list tonight. 

What are YOU grateful for?

the principles

There are six principles that will act as guides....  There are six threads of abundant living which, when woven together, produce a tapestry of contentment that wraps us in inner peace, well-being, happiness, and a sense of security.

• gratitude
• simplicity
• order
• harmony
• beauty
• joy

Be still and wait expectantly, knowing that in the warp and woof of your daily life as it exists today are the golden threads of a simply abundant tomorrow. (Taken from Simple Abundance)

this isn't a dress rehearsal

I don't know what your experience of this book is thus far but I am loving it!  I get the feeling that we are setting the stage for something really amazing.  A new awakening (or re-awakening) - for us to understand that this isn't a dress rehearsal.  This is IT and it matters how we live every single day.  Whether we leave our house or not, whether we interact with others on a given day or not, how we treat ourselves when no one is watching affects our energy, our spirit, our lives. 

the authentic self

As I read the forward of SA, my attention was captured by the quote, "The authentic self is the Soul made visible."  One of the things I practice everyday is to be authentic.  Believe me - some days are easier than others!  The first few days of the journey have already offered several opportunities for reflection on my own goals and aspirations.  My outer and inner strengths..  I'm wondering about your initial thoughts?  On why you joined this journey - why now? And what it is you hope will be created in the coming year? What possibilities are already opening up for you?

happy new year

As a new year begins, I want to take a moment to say THANK YOU to all who have supported The Next Step and have allowed me to partner with you in the creation of amazing accomplishments.  Let's keep up the good work in 2008 for an even more amazing and abundant year.

to a simply abundant 2008!

As the New Year quickly approaches, I have a special invitation for you - especially my women friends and sisters in Spirit.  It seems that more and more often, my girlfriends and I don't have as much time to connect and just relax.  We are taking care of our children, our spouses, our extended families.  We are being good corporate citizens and successful business owners.  We are awaking earlier, going to bed later, sleeping less and enjoying less downtime.  We are busy, frenetic givers and we are burning out and losing our sense of self...our sense of ease.  Well...at least I am....at times...and although my life is full and happy, there seems to be a trade-off to having it all.

I decided that in 2008 I am taking a journey to Simple Abundance.  I was introduced to Sarah Ban Breathnach's work several years ago and I have always been intrigued by it's offering.  I believe I may have even started the journey a year ago and shortly into it, my "busy-ness" got the better of me.  I realize of course that I simply wasn't ready.  Not then.  But now I feel I am and this year I decided to take some friends along with me.  As I grow older, I find that our paths may be different but our journey is similar and I would love the opportunity to grow and learn not just from my own experience but that of others.  In that spirit, I extend this invitation to join me on this journey.

Our journey begins January 1, 2008 and takes place one day at a time for 365 days. There is no fee but the value is priceless.   All you need do is purchase Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Joy and Comfort by Sarah Ban Breathnach and come back, visit and share your journey!

I look forward to meeting you and growing together in a Simply Abundant 2008!