My daughter Laura and I had scheduled a two day getaway to Kripalu (3/17-19) as her birthday celebration. We made the plans a good two months ago, well before last week’s storm prediction or its aftermath. As you know from reading my blog (or scrolling up through the last few entries) Fairfield County was hit hard–no power for 5 days. (I just heard from colleague Sheri Koones that Greenwich is STILL out! My sincerest sympathies!)

So, when Laura and I took off on Wednesday morning at 11am with still no sign of connectivity I knew that I could have cancelled and tried to play catch-up through various means.

Before our departure I conducted my final coaching call for the day in my car where I could keep my cell phone charged. It had been my lifeline since Saturday holding all my contacts and calendar. Then I noticed the dreaded Palm icon appear which signaled a complete re-boot. Only there was nothing left when it rebooted, none of my contacts, no calendar, no phone log, not even solitaire! What’s the message, God?

I chose to totally let go and trust that when I return later today I will be able to recoup and catch up. Disappointing Laura was not an option. It got me thinking about what others might do. Since I offer many events throughout the year I am on the receiving end of many cancellations. I’m sure they are legitimate, but at what point do you put yourself first no matter what? And when I say put yourself first, I don’t mean that in a selfish way. It’s the opposite of putting yourself last which I know legions of women do. What’s your comfort zone for self-care?

I recently read a great newsletter article by Trendmaster Robyn Waters about Coco Chanel. According to Robyn, Chanel’s “success was driven by her unwavering, unique and personal vision of what it meant to be a modern woman. All her life she zigged when everyone else zagged.”

I often feel like I’m zigging, and my personal vision is crystal clear.