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Break From Routine

Likely, hopefully(?), you aren’t keeping up with every e-mail this week. Ideally, you are enjoying some time away from routine, perhaps some time with family, and maybe some precious space to rest and play. I am.

I gifted myself with something special and very far away from my routine and home this week. And it was wonderful! Yet, I am amazed how quickly upon arriving back here, I was tempted to “dive right back in” and “get it all done”.

I have managed to remain somewhat in vacation mode and this precious time of pause, space, non-routine, play. How about you?

What intention did you set for this holiday?
What is working?
What isn’t?
What adjustment will you make today?

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The Unexpected

“If you do nothing unexpected, nothing unexpected happens.” Fay Weldon

I am struck by this quote today as I ponder what it would be like to do “non-Christmas” next year. Each holiday season, I shift something up in order to create an experience that feels good to me and those around me. Yet, I have fallen short of doing something so unexpected that magic actually happens which, for me, would be a depression-free, joy-full season. And it might take “non-Christmas”, actually not celebrating, for me to delight in it.

What is your unexpected action?
What would rock your world and reveal the unexpected?

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Come Back Into Your Skin

Welcome to December 26. What does that mean to you? Let me try that again. What does this day, this moment, this opportunity mean for you?

It can be too easy during this time of the year to compare, to have expectations, to forget our individuality in the presence of so much tradition, family, and societal messaging. It is easy to think, “I should feel …” or “I should want to do …”. Today, I invite you back into your skin to wonder:

What do I feel?
What is important today?
What possibilities align with my deepest values now?

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My Vision for Christmas Morning

As I write, it is December 22. For many of us, Christmas is 3 days away. This holiday advertises joy and peace, family fun and togetherness, gift giving and more. Yet often, fatigue, relationship challenges, day-to-day life get in the way of truly being present and delighting in the celebration. Today, I’d like to invite you to set a vision for Christmas morning and then set three intentions to guide you toward it. Ready?

Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and fast forward 3 days. What will you waken to?

My vision for Christmas morning is: _________

In order to actualize this vision, I will follow-through on these three intentions in the days ahead:

  1. Today, December 22, I release ________ to make room for my vision
  2. Today, December 23, I embrace ________ to prepare energetically for my vision
  3. Today, December 24, I remember ________ to help me stay focused on my vision

May your vision manifest in your heart and soul and spirit this Christmas morning!

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What is your leadership style?

You ARE a leader. Do you know that? We all are. Everyone of us leads – and follows. Messages of leadership are all around us. With the holiday season around the corner, I am reminded of the story, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. If you haven’t watched this holiday classic every year since 1964 as I have, here is a link so you can catch up:

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/9576454/rudolph_the_red_nosed_reindeer_1964/

You can also read about the plot line here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolph_the_Red-Nosed_Reindeer_(TV_special)

Rudolph and Clarice

As you think about leadership, consider how you lead at work, in your family, in your own life. Let Rudolph give you some things to think about with these questions:

  • Where are you hiding your unique leadership style? (like Rudolph hiding his nose)
  • Where does your leadership douse another’s light? (like Santa and Donner forcing Rudolph to wear a false nose)
  • Where does your leadership style exclude another? (like Coach Comet)
  • Where are you support for another’s growth? (like Clarice)
  • Where are you courageously breaking off from the tribe to be your (misfit) self? (like Hermey the dentist)
  • Where are you leading others to their truth? (like Yukon Cornelius supporting Hermey and Rudolph)
  • Where do you stand up for the misfits? (like Rudolph)
  • Where is your leadership strong, bright, powerful?
  • What will have you “go down in history”?
Hermie and Rudolph