Where are My Keys?

Where are my keys?  I find myself asking that of myself at least once a day...are you one of "us" who loses your keys every day only to find them where you left them?

As I was driving, where I do most of my thinking, it occurred to me that "Where are my keys" is also metaphorical for other questions I ask myself every day.  "Where is the key" to daily happiness?  "Where is the key" to finding passion projects?  "Where is the key" to losing 5, 10, 20 pounds?  "Where is the key" to finding and keeping true friendships?  "Where ARE the keys?!"

As I ponder this, the answer is where I left them.  Just as I place my physical keys somewhere, I also leave these metaphorical keys in the same place I left off with them.  I hold the keys....EVERY one of them.  But, sometimes, I leave them behind and have to go back to find them, where I left off.  I might put my personal happiness on the back burner for someone else, I know what I love to do but fail to make the time to do those activities because I don't make the time...or am afraid to fail (A-HA!), I know how to lose those pounds and I know who my friends are, the true blue kind who are there at my ugliest and still love me as I love and cherish them.

This week I am mindful of the keys in my life and that I own every one of them.  I just have to remember to pick them up where I left them, physically and metaphorically, and put them in the ignition and GO.

It's not that easy all of the time, especially trying to keep the key ring full, active and jingling.  However, knowing that I have the keys is ONE step closer to unlocking all of those goals, dreams and happy days.

I hope you pick up your keys tomorrow and unlock something good in your life!

The Women's March-January, 2018

First and likely last post that even borders being political because I know your posts won't change my mind and any post I write won't change yours. I'm tired of the divided country and sad for the divided friendships. However, this one is food for thought for marchers yesterday. I'm all for peaceful demonstrations to educate, teach, and create "entry points" towards further understanding and positive action. I looked up the mission statement of the Women's March and thought it was worth sharing. To see women, men and their children, some toddlers, carrying hateful, mean, derogatory messages on poster boards dismissing the office and our government is anti-American and doesn't align with the mission statement, "lntersectional Education." Peaceful protesting IS American, our freedom and right. But do it kindly, with respect. Seeing children carrying their parents' message(s) is outrageous and, in some cases, downright cruel-how does this achieve education for anyone, establish a good example for kids or create "entry points" for their future? To name just a few of the gems I saw (and there were many) "Fat Ass" President. He "picks boogers." "Orange Face." "Hamburger Head." Many references to him being a "sh-thole." This is bullying and you'd be marching right into school if your kid was referenced to anything resembling these posters' comments. Hell, you'd be marching into your manager's office if you were being called names.

Now that the march is over, for another year, what's the action plan for further "training and outreach?"

These are not my words, these are the words of the mission you marched for yesterday.

I truly would like to hear responses, I'm all "in" on learning, you know that if you're reading this.

Abundant Work Life Balance for Women -Kathleen Byars (Notes)

#EHFAR

I was invited to sit in on a seminar about the 5 Shifts women, specifically, need to take in order to be in control of their happiness as it relates to work and life balance. It was a very powerful reminder, those of you who need to hear it now will find it worthy of 5 minutes, I provided the top-line notes for you below!

5 Shifts

Be Authentically You

- Genuine and Transparent

- Easy to lose yourself

- What do you really want?

- Clear Vision

Sell Your Value (Not Your Soul)

- High Value Influencer, not High Value Workhorse

- What is your REAL talent?

- Are you delivering this daily or just doing the “work?”

- Be a Problem Solver not a Face Timer

Widen Your Focus

- Work life (Can’t work like this)

- Law of Seven Universal Human Needs

- Work-Family-Health-Self-Esteem-Purpose-Leisure (now)

- Work-Health-Family-Self-Esteem-Purpose-Leisure (future)

Tame Your Scripts

- Major Roadblocks,likely formed in childhood

- (ie.“only way to make money is to work harder)

- Do you feel better taking care of others?

- Do you earn and save and not enjoy the fruits of your labor?

- We are not guaranteed tomorrow

Invest in Guidance

- Everyone should have a mentor

- A mentor who gives ideas and holds you accountable