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Who could turn down an invitation “to an evening that will make you Healthy, Wealthy & Wise” and additionally recommends wearing comfortable clothing because you never know when you will have to stand on your head? Certainly not me, and especially not when the invite comes from clients whom I love and respect–341 Studios.
During our coaching sessions a few years ago the principals Gretchen Bruno and Felicia Rubinstein mentioned being fun-challenged. We talked about incorporating “play dates” onto the calendar for them as well as their team. One of the results has become an annual event after the holidays which would celebrate and show appreciation for the people they work most closely with.
341 has invited me to a paint-my-own-pottery event, a cooking class, a tarot reading and now last night’s which was the best ever. Imagine walking in the door and seeing handsome and muscular Vincent Leclercq standing by his massage chair inviting me to relax, unwind and let go. No hesitation there. After that blissful experience, I joined the rest of the attendees in Gretchen’s basement where yoga mats covered the floor and Rebecca Hayward led us in a series of postures followed by relaxation.
Then there appeared a sumptuous feast on the buffet table prepared by Gretchen’s and Felicia’s friend, the talented Carolyn Eddie. The atmosphere was totally relaxed, especially since the posted dress code eliminated any status wardrobe stressing out. We socialized for a few more hours and then exited with warm feelings and a very cool, well-branded yoga mat of our own to remember the evening.
So many things contributed to the warm and generous feeling that 341 created last night, but what touched me the most was their invitation to have Vincent and Rebecca–both members of Gretchen’s BNI group–share their talents and businesses with the group. In addition to offering a gift to each of us, this display of networking and support magnified the spirit with which 341 does everything they do for their clients, their team and their colleagues.
If you grew up in the 50′s and 60′s like I did, you remember that there were three major networks and then the lesser places on the dial–like Channel 5, 9, 11 and 13. That was it. We knew what the channels were, where they were located on the dial, and what programming they offered. Come 10 or 11 o’clock p.m. you got a screen full of static until 6 or 7 a.m. the next morning when The Star Spangled Banner would serve as that day’s opening bell. Up after midnight? Fuggedaboutit!
Not anymore! With wall-to-wall cable and broadcast shows, there is never a gap in viewing availability. Attending a tech talk a few years back, the knowledgable speaker mentioned that he told his 14 year old daughter about a TV show about horseback riding, her passion. He told her it would be on at 10am Saturday morning on NBC. She looked at him (with no irony) and asked, “What’s NBC?”
That got a big laugh from the Baby Boomer crowd in the room as well as a heretical gasp. Our sacred television stations have become a thing of the past. And this was over two years ago. When I attended Rebecca Morgan‘s Making Money in Your Jammies session, she showed a slide with the title pre-2008. The image was of dinosaurs roaming the landscape. “We’ve all had to re-boot,” she told the attendees.
I mention this today because Oprah Winfrey, one of my role models, began her OWN network on 1/1/11. I’ve let go of watching television and would love to find it online, but haven’t seen anything that indicates that this is available. Anyone?
…is tattooed on Missy Germain’s arm. Missy and I met at BlogHer ’10 in August. She made a big impact on me with her story of success and her powerfully positive outlook on life.
She emailed me between the holidays to reconnect and to mention an essay she’d written. It seems Missy has been overexposed to a particular message that I feel blessed NOT to have been aware of.
Of course, it’s her decision NOT to participate in furthering that particular cause that inspires me to share her essay in this first blog post of the year. (A part of me hesitates to even make mention of this sentiment for fear of giving it any attention, but I trust my readers can see past that and embrace the heart of Missy’s message.)
NO MORE FML in 2011
I know the feeling of desperation, suffocation, isolation. I also know the feeling of satisfaction, contentment, unconditional love, joy and hope.
I have felt the weight of the world on my shoulders and then having it lifted off.
Living a perfect life is not possible but we can control our path. In fact, we make or break each day we live by our actions and reactions to whatever happens along the way.
The decisions are ours — sink or swim. With a new year approaching, I am going to swim faster and harder, making it through no matter how high or rough the waves.
I am not afraid of hard work. What I am afraid of is not getting the most out of life and at the same time understanding that it isn’t just about me. I want my daughter to know her mother loved her and she tried her hardest to be there for her every step of the way.
I want her to see, by my actions, that living a successful life also involves helping others while expecting nothing in return.
I will survive and not complain because I know there are children and adults all over the world fighting for their lives due to terminal illness or life circumstances.
In 2011, I will delete each and every person who writes the words FML (F**k My Life) on their Facebook or Twitter pages. I want to surround myself with people who think positively and are willing to make the changes that need to be made without quitting – even when life gets really hard.
We all hold the key to our own happiness. I fully expect to make mistakes and stumble along the way. At the end of each day I want to know that I did my best. Despite setback, I will remain sharply focused on my dreams. I will survive.
Write down your hopes and dreams for 2011 and post them where you can see them daily. Start out each day fully expecting to have a positive and fulfilling day and don’t beat yourself up when the going gets tough.
I have two tattoos that serve as guiding principles: “I will choose the outcome” and “I will do whatever it takes.” I live by these and will continue to hold my head high and work through the difficulties that come my way.
May your 2011 be filled with new beginnings and a jumping off point to turn things around in order to be the best you can be.
Peace,
Missy Germain
