This week I thought about this question quite a bit. As a lover of nature and especially animals, I was struck with a conflict. As I was mowing the lawn on Monday I startled a sick and injured robin. It hobbled toward a tree and just sat there. I watched this poor thing sit there scared and hop back and forth attempting to fly, fluttering into the neighbor’s fence, and basically sitting still with its head drooped.
It just pained me to no end to watch this. I thought for sure by morning it would have died. In fact I even dug a mini grave for it in anticipation. However, it was still alive. Now you have to realize that I watch the birds all day in our backyard. I can see them from my office, I see them as I sit on the porch, and notice them from every window of every room. I love to see them and hear them chirp and sing. While my parents hate the woodpecker in their yard I welcome the rat-tat-tat. I’ve always found even the most ordinary bird amazing. This tiny being who can do so much – sing, chirp, build nests, lay eggs, nurture young, and fly. I mean really, humans may have opposable thumbs, but…
So here I sat with a schedule full of appointments and business and I couldn’t get my mind and heart off this bird. My partner then called to tell me of a local wild bird rehabilitation center she found online. So I called them. She suggested I bring the bird in. So there I was constructing a shoe box with newspapers, a double bagged zip lock with warm water to comfort the bird, and gently picking up this suffering creature to lay him in it for transport. With a bunch of air holes and a rock on top to secure the lid, off I went to drive 30 minutes to try and help it.
Today I was catching up on some blog reading & happened to see this post. I don’t tend to take the time to watch a lot of video online. After all the vast amount to choose from is immense. Yet this one caught my eye and my heart.
It is a video (Part 2 of 3) of a series from a teen challenge day. Watch in amazement at the reaction of even the bullies. As someone who was bullied a lot as a kid and even an adult for being different, something I would bet all LGBT folks can relate to, it is an emotional flashback. All too often this same sort of judgment and harsh words extends well into adulthood. The workplace and even our families are unfortunately just an extension of this very environment.
The one girl says it best - It just seems so natural to say these hurtful things, tease, and judge. We think it is harmless, but it is not. I have to add — the same holds true for our own self-talk…how many of us are our own worst bully?
Press play to start watching. You may need a few tissues to get through it and I guarantee you’ll want to say I’m sorry to those you’ve hurt with your words and judgments. I know I am sorry.
By Paula ( February 12, 2008 ) · Filed under Success Secrets
Last week as part of the double dog dares that are going on at Good Morning America, Robin Roberts took the plunge and walked the runway during an Isaac Mizrahi fashion show in New York City. Now for anyone who has followed Robin Roberts since her days at ESPN (and lord don’t I miss her doing the women’s hoops!), you’d know that she isn’t exactly someone who you’d expect doing the runway or modeling fashion. While she is most certainly a beautiful woman, I just never pegged her as the model type.
She made good on the dare alright and she made a statement for all the world. She not only walked the runway in a stunning red gown, but she did so without her wig. That’s right, she walked the catwalk fully bald. You can check out the Celebrity TV version of the moment on YouTube. It was a breathtaking moment to see this amazing woman really tap into her vulnerability and make a statement for all who have ever or will ever battle (breast) cancer. “This is who I am and I embrace it” said Robin as she commented on why she chose to do the walk without her wig.
As I watched her debut I just cheered and cheered. Now THAT is what it means to be comfortable in your own skin. To embrace fully who you are at any moment and show up 110%. That makes Robin and all the other women in the world who do just that every day an inspiration and our own everyday heroes.
Note: You can check out photos, videos, and Robin’s road to the catwalk at ABC News.
By Paula ( December 10, 2007 ) · Filed under Success Secrets
We all struggle with procrastination from time to time. Even the best of us get saddled with incomplete projects and moments of utter and complete stuck-ness. When we’re riddled with incomplete stuff we get more stressed and out of alignment. After all, we “said” we’d do it, and now we’re languishing in the land of incomplete. It pulls us out of integrity and leaves us feeling bad about ourselves and dodging accountability.
The good news is that you have the power to move through procrastination and bring things to completion (sometimes that means abandoning a project that no longer serves you). Here’s how to navigate the waters and move powerfully forward.
1. Have a Plan
You wouldn’t go on a trip without a destination and a map, right? Same goes for projects of any size. If you think about it even making dinner is a mini experiment in project management. Don’t go into planning paralysis but set forth some clear, basic steps for yourself so you have an idea of where you are going and how to get there.
2. Break it Down (chunking)
A journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step. No one would ever accomplish anything if all they thought about was how do I get from point A (where I am now) to point Z (where I want to go) and the massive amount of steps in between. Break things down to their simplest action and start there. Completion comes from stringing together small steps. Read the rest of this entry »
By Paula ( November 14, 2007 ) · Filed under Success Secrets
A few weekends ago I led a bike ride for the local club. When I signed up for it I had visions of cool, crisp autumn air and leaves turning Technicolor. What I got was an unseasonable hot October Saturday complete with morning fog you couldn’t even cut with a chef’s grade knife. I mean the kind of fog that makes you wonder what is 15 feet in front of you. Being the intrepid cyclists we are (my partner could write a book on what she considers a major brain defect in most cyclists), we set out on our Cannondales, Treks, and hand built carbon fiber machines into the morning.
I am one for being safe and cautious but not paralyzed with concern, yet I had to wonder since I almost got creamed by a car on the drive to the start location. As we pedaled along unable to see squat with our glasses fogging to the point of being opaque I had to wonder about my sanity this morning. However, since 3 other folks showed up for the ride, I figure it wasn’t just me going batty. As we carried on I got to thinking of how perfect a life lesson could be gleaned from this ride in the thick fog. It was a whole new exciting experience on the bike. Here’s what came to me. Read the rest of this entry »
now we’re languishing in the land of incomplete. It pulls us out of integrity and leaves us feeling bad about ourselves and dodging accountability. 
cyclists we are (my partner could write a book on what she considers a major brain defect in most cyclists), we set out on our Cannondales, Treks, and hand built carbon fiber machines into the morning.
Feedburner
