Guts, Grace & Gusto

Headlines this week feature the deaths of several celebrities—the king of pop, a poster queen, a pitchman and a sidekick. Sudden death shocks us, as if it’s not supposed to happen, at least not during the prime time of our lives. That seems to intensify the tragedy and deepen the loss. It gives cause to reflect on the unexpected and often unexplainable that’s woven into the fabric of every life. Their star quality is a metaphor . . . bright stars shine for a time, blaze across the universe, and then their glow either eventually or suddenly, vanishes.

Life changes and usually bears little resemblance to the pattern you may have anticipated. The unexpected teaches us valuable lessons of the treasure of Now. We never really know what’s next on the horizon or what tomorrow will bring even with the most careful planning. So take stock. Are you waiting for the “perfect” time to make a change, to go for a dream, to take steps toward a life-enhancing move? Waiting can be costly to your happiness. Are you feeling stuck? Suffering from stagnation? That’s not really living. Life is for breathing passion into your days, or at least, breathing with as much energy as you can muster at the moment.

Life is about growing and stretching daily, putting more of who you are into expression, even when life tests you to the core. No matter your opinion of Michael Jackson, he leaped upon the world’s stage with his desire to be the fullest expression of talent as he moonwalked himself across the planet. Yet, growth is not just about expressing talent. It’s also tapping more of what lies within. Farrah Fawcett was far more than a famous head of hair. She transformed into a model of courage, hope and perseverance for the world to see.

Loss brings to the forefront the fragility of life, the fragments of time perhaps too often taken for granted. What are you doing with all those slivers? Are they blazing the trail of the legacy you wish to leave? Are they leading in the direction of what you value? Are you spending your time expressing what you desire? What choices would you make if you could see into the future and saw that time was not on your side?

Sandra Strauss

Labels: dealing with change, Life purpose, loss, personal growth

Today’s news headlines feature the sudden death of Craig Lenell, who was piloting the transatlantic Continental flight yesterday when he suffered a heart attack. “Flying was his life. He died doing what made him happiest,” his wife reported to the press. Fortunately, the flight crew handled the situation, quite literally with flying colors, and the incident posed no risk to any aboard.

As a career pilot it probably seemed to Mr. Lenell like an ordinary day at work, in a job that he loved. He had no idea that flight would be his last.

This raises a critical question to take to heart--are you doing what makes you happiest? Are you putting your passion into action?

Late last night, my 26-year old daughter who’s back in the world of work after a year of globe-trotting is feeling the pinch of her wings being clipped. Her passion is travel, exploring other cultures and welcoming the fresh delights of each day. Last year, she worked aboard a cruise ship as a youth counselor traveling several continents. Now, she’s grounded in an office using her both her degree and talent in communications to work. Yet, with every update from friends who are on international assignments, the yearning rises again. Each time, it’s a sign pointing the pathway back to her heart. The flurry of reasons holding her back are meeting less resistance—her heart is pulsing more powerfully with a plan for doing what she loves.

Do you notice any signs from your gut, or more accurately, your heart, of the life you want to live? Those yearnings, wishes, and rumblings that rise up again and again are hotwired to your heart. It becomes a matter of choice if and when you act upon them.

When you’re clear on what makes your heart sing and take action to do it, you’re clearly on the path of joy. When you choose to ignore those signals, you’ll stay grounded in a continual loop of wishing and hoping, but hope isn’t a plan.

It’s vital to keep in mind as you go about your life, what fuels your passion. It’s always the right time to soar.

Labels: career choices, discovering your purpose, Life purpose, passion

“If laughter really is the best medicine, Roz Trieber would make a world-class doctor” Examiner.com, March 3, 2007

Fellow speaker, author, and colleague, Roz Trieber, a certified health education specialist and certified laughter leader, is all about bringing humor to people under pressure. She walks her talk. She has survived breast and pancreatic cancer. Roz once shared with me how she brought laughter into an exam room with a red clown nose appropriately positioned for a colonoscopy. Her speaking career has focused on embracing humor to reduce stress and cope with negative situations.

Roz’s pancreatic cancer returned and her indomitable spirit shines even now in hospice. She’s modeling what she values--to live her moments in joy. She is committed to bringing laughter into her life every day, with her husband Bernie, her sons, and her friends.

At last Saturday’s National Speakers Association-DC meeting, a challenge was given to us—to pool our resources in spreading the word about her book, Cancer and the Healing Power of Play—a Prescription for Living Joyously with Presence, Acceptance and Trust.

Her mission is to fire up the humor spirit and not just for people with cancer. The games are designed for everyone who wants to experience more laughter and fun.

“Humor is all about imperfection,” says Roz. “No one laughs when something’s perfect." Putting the power of play into action lightens up the way,no matter what you're going through.

Labels: cancer and healing, humor. stress, power of play

Walking onto the stage, Susan Boyle didn’t appear that “she had it in her.” Judges scoffed in anticipation of an apparent musical fiasco. Camera shots captured audience snickers and boos. Yet, when she began belting out her powerful rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream”, her magical voice transformed the sea of cynicism into thunderous applause.

Simon called her “a bit of a tiger.” Susan did indeed exemplify the guts, grace and gusto spirit. She took a risk and the world became her stage. There she stood vulnerable to attack and public embarrassment, but Susan knew what others did not. She had a gift, a talent to share and she put it into expression, and taught millions a lesson in judgment. Susan did indeed dream the dream and became an overnight sensation, because she was willing to take that moment in time and break open the world of possibilities. She’s already gotten much more than her 15 minutes of fame.

Are you finding ways to express your special gifts and talents? If not, what’s stopping you? Opportunities for expressing them may come and go. Are you prepared “to take the stage”? Are you willing to take a risk to put your talent out there? That takes guts, but you will be known for your gusto.You've got it. Rock the world with your own special talent.

Click here to see Susan shine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk

Labels: Dream the Dream, gifts and talents, Susan Boyle, you've got talent

AFedEX truck delivered a surprise this morning, along with a pair of pants ordered last week from Coldwater Creek, one of my favorite retail therapy stores. While shopping at their Fair Oaks, VA location in search of ivory pants, Susan, one of their fashion consultants, provided extraordinary service. She took me to the rack with pants just the right color, but none in my size. She tracked their nationwide inventory and located a pair in Mission Viejo. Wish her approach to customer service would be cloned because she made buying a pair of sale pants memorable.

Tucked under the layers of tissue wrap, I opened an envelope. Inside was a handwritten card on Coldwater Creek stationery, a simple note of appreciation, yet another memorable customer service experience. Handwritten notes are becoming a bit of a rarity with the frequency and easy of email.

In our Get Along with Anyone book featuring tips for creating quality connections with customers, coworkers and kin, co-author Arnold Sanow and I write about how our increasingly electronic culture invites impersonalization with potential of severing connections with key audiences.

Kudos to Coldwater Creek for creating a quality customer experience from coast-to-coast. A small gesture that says a lot these days and was greatly appreciated.

Labels: appreciation, Coldwater Creek, customer service

Lucky you, if you are! It’s tax time. My desk and tables have been piled high with files, receipts , ledgers and documents, an ever-present reminder of a time certain deadline. Meanwhile, my inbox is stuffed with many unopened, unread ezines and newsletters . I haven’t blogged in about two months. My Facebook and LinkedIn pages need to be updated. All important and It all needs to get done, but other priorities arise, sometimes at the most inconvenient times. Like managing care issues.

A few weeks ago, I received a call that my 90 year-old mother with Alzheimer’s had fallen and broke her hip. They rushed her to the hospital and performed a hip replacement. Less than 24 hours after her release she was back in the hospital with complications, extremely weak, and not eating. With her health failing, it was clear my priorities needed to shift from business to the business of managing her care.

Mom resides in a nursing home outside of Chicago, and although my sister lives close by, this was a time for sisters being together. With the doctor and staff ‘s assessment, we made the decision to place her in hospice care. A week later she fell again. A few days later, more phone calls about continuing care issues. Her care took precedence over all the things that I could not get done because her comfort and our desire to do whatever we could to make her as comfortable as possible, became a top priority.

In between care calls, business conferences, presentations, and all the details of daily multi-tasking, it’s a constant juggling act of redefining priorities. I can delegate to a degree but some things still remain my responsibility. With much to do and a desire to do even more, I struggle with not being able to do everything I need or want to do either by necessity or by choice. It’s a continuing lesson of sorting out real priorities and doing first what must be done. Letting go of expectations of what I should be able to accomplish often within self-imposed timeframes coincides with the process. Since I like to move forward boldly in the direction of my desires, it’s sometimes a very hard lesson. Patience is obviously another lesson being cultivated, as I can’t hurry up the process of dealing with “what is.”

Last night I handed off tax documents and a bulging box of records to my accountant. Postponing all that number crunching had hung over my head for a long time while tending to more important life issues.

This morning I received a call from a friend who’s now dealing with her 83 year-old mother’s declining health compounded with dementia. She knows I’ve walked the path. Although I had many things on my to-do list, I knew my highest priority right then was to simply listen and offer support. Uplifting a troubled heart might be the most important thing we can do at anytime, in spite of all the other priorities that yank us in all directions.

I'm not keeping up with it all, but I am usually very much in tune with what is the most valuable use of my time and energy. When all those other things I didn’t get done are swirling around in my head at the end of the day, I’m realize that simply being there for someone else is probably the best use of time.

My inbox is always overflowing. I don’t post blogs as often as I’d like, or do everything I know needs to get done. It’s all about getting more comfortable in having to let go of our own expectations at times and the frustration of not being able to get it all done. This is coupled with letting things be as they are while taking steps to move toward your goals at a more realistic pace. Above all, well-being is enhanced by living in alignment with your highest values on top though the moments of each day. That's being the best you can be for yourself and for others. S.S.

Did you turn over a new leaf of intentions for 2009? If so, are you still focused on that same level of desire and commitment to achieve your goals? Are you continuing to take the steps to cross the finish line?

As a life coach I work with people who share their goals with me and then we develop a plan together with milestones to achieve them. It’s a joy to hear when a milestone is reached.

This morning I received a phone call from Mitch Buster, who has been firmly committed to his goal of significant weight loss and to his health since meeting him last June. Before I met Mitch, he weighed 325 pounds and was inspired to make real changes in his life. He began whittling away the pounds but plateaued around 260. He became discouraged when he couldn’t release more weight. Last June, I received a phone call from him and he wanted to keep moving toward his goal of 180. Together we mapped out a plan with the assistance of a nutritional cleansing component. Within a few months he dropped 40 pounds, then another 20, and today he hit a milestone of 199! Beyond the weight loss, he has plenty of energy, enthusiasm and desire to be of assistance to others. He tackled his goals with gusto and turned around his health destiny and discovered a new passion of service through the process. Way to go, Mitch!

Moving forward with gusto is pure passion in action. The reward in reaching a goal is exhilarating! If you’ve tuned into the Biggest Loser TV show you’ve seen personal victories over seemingly impossible odds. A goal is reached through renewed commitment, moment-to-moment, day after day. When we fall off course, we simply rise up again, dust off our best of intentions and move in the direction of our desires.

So are you on course with your goals? Congratulations if you’ve moved closer to achieving them. If not, decide what you want and how it would affect your life, then choose again. You’re just one choice away from moving in the direction of your heart’s desire. S.S.

Labels: achieving goals, healthy choices, losing significant weight, weight loss