Archive for the ‘Holidays’ Category

In the 1980’s I worked with people who were infected with or affected by AIDS. Back then, we didn’t use the term “HIV.”

I shared with Gwynne, my astrologer, some of the stress I was feeling. It energized me to be making a difference for so many people, yet it also contributed to my fatigue. Between the work itself and the governmental/societal attitudes at the time, my work seemed to be never-ending.

Gwynne simply looked at me and said, “Janet, the amount of energy you have to give to everyone else is directly proportionate to the amount of energy you give to yourself.”

She gave me permission to take some time for myself so that I would have more to give others. Gwynne continued that there would always be a need to raise more money, awareness and consciousness than the country was ready to face at the time. And she was right.

I appreciated having someone in my life who cared enough to tell it to me straight. To suggest that I had permission to place my own needs above others for a brief time, and that as I did that, my work would become even more effective.

I was grateful for her bold support, for the wisdom she brought to the table when I couldn’t even see it at the moment.

As I coach others, I try to bring a little wisdom to people as they deal with their own issues. I am blessed to have had such a good teacher in my life. Thanks, Gwynne!

What words of wisdom did someone share with you that helped you to wake up?

With both Thanksgiving and World AIDS Day right around the corner, for what are you grateful?

I’ve been enjoying reading responses posted about gratitude, and I wanted to share some comments that were sent straight to my inbox via email.

I’ve always been amazed at how the idea of gratitude is something so contagious, so large, that it continues to unfold and inspire even more. Read on…

Kathy wrote: Friendship, fellowship, bullies biting their tongues, and of course the Turkey Bowl!

Sue added: “the full moon.”

Marcia wrote, “Yes, we who are aware of the richness in our relationships and the depth of those seemingly mundane activities in our daily lives are indeed lucky.”

And if you’re reading this now, for what are you NOW grateful?

It is so easy for people to get swept away at this time of year with the hustle and bustle, obligations, and routines, that they forget to stop and look around. 

While we were driving home from an early Thanksgiving dinner tonight with our extended family and dear friends, two extraordinary things happened.

First, Melody and I both saw a shooting star and stopped to acknowledge how fortunate we are. A moment later we saw a white-tailed deer grazing in the dark, and when she noticed us, I truly understood the phrase “deer in the headlights.” She was being fed by the abundance the universe provides, and I felt grateful.

Grateful to have a loving family, an abundance of friends, good health, work that I love. Grateful to have a home on the island, and a peaceful space in which to rest. Grateful for a spiritual connection that does not waiver, and a gift for expression that I cherish.

Yes, I’m grateful for stuff, too, but it’s the little things like seeing a shooting star that make this Life amazing to me. For what are you grateful?

I’ve been wondering…

How often do you feel a moment of pride and forget to mention it to anyone, especially the person you are feeling it about?

With Memorial Day just yesterday, I’ve been pausing to remember. Not only those who have gone before us to fight for our freedom, but those who live with us every day, inspiring us to be all we can.

Today I am proud of Georgia Sherrod, my daughter’s fifth grade Language Arts teacher. She inspired the children to write a fairy tale for four year olds. Her students became authors and illustrators on this project, both in and out of class. A large part of their grades this quarter depends on their work.

In the spring, when so many teachers are winding down after “the test,” Mrs. Sherrod fired up her students to try something creative. She did it at a time when the weather warms up, when the days are sunny, and when the kids would rather be outside than doing homework. She pushed the envelope and got great results. In my book, she gets the award for Best Teacher as well as the award for Best Role Model for Other Teachers.

And yes, I am proud that my daughter, Joy, wrote one of the seven winning books that will be given to the four year old class library. (Believe me, it was hard to stay out of her project. At most, I asked her to check the spelling on a couple of words, hung out with her while she glued her pages down, and formatted the page so it would print correctly for the size of the book.)

Joy did a terrific job. At age 11, she formulated the story line, the conflict, the resolution, the color. She “owned” the project as hers, and it shows in the results of her work. Look for copies of The Quest of the Missing Gem sometime in the future.  She’s got some talent!  And yes, I’ve told her how proud I am of her. 

So, I wonder… who have you forgotten to tell that you’re proud, or that you remember something that mattered to you? 

I’d like to hear your stories, too.