Overall, I had a good week. I was able to get a couple of workouts in every day - I have to admit I never thought I would enjoy saying that. Since I have been back in Virginia I have been able to workout every day and I have found it's a great way to spend most of the morning. I go to the gym for about 30 minutes and then get a nice cup of coffee and read a book while waiting for the Jazzercise classes to begin. It is a peaceful break and I appreciate the quiet time as sometimes it gives me a chance to work out some things or prepare for something later in the day. Are you working out? How do you prepare for something?
I know I have written in the past about how we women get very territorial about where we stand at Jazzercise - it's a routine/rut that we all do. When I walk in the door I head to my normal spot. Whether it was at school or at a networking lunch I always head to the same spot. As an introvert I like routine and it helps me feel in control of the situation. Well, I decided to shake things up a little bit this week and move my spot at Jazzercise. As I have mentioned before there is a group of women that get really put out when I walk in before them and claim the spot that they feel they own. So I was tired of dealing with the tension that they project quite overtly and decided to move to the other side of the room. The instructor walked in and said - you are not in your normal spot you are throwing me off balance. We laughed and I said, it's easier to move and she understood immediately. Even some of the other students noticed and just looked at me. It did NOT stop the world so to speak, but I felt better that I took a bit of control. I felt if was like dealing with the bullies at school - just walk away and move on with life. How would you handle the situation?
As an introvert - I know some of you still can't believe that, but trust me it shows - I am not good at dealing with meeting new people on my own. When I worked I was usually fine because there was always someone in a meeting that I knew or based on the topic I was there for a reason. I attended a women's professional networking luncheon twice now and I must admit both times I was a bit intimated by the situation. I, again, to take control went to the same table I sat previously and took the same seat. That's step one for me. I wandered the vendor tables and met some really interesting people by looking at their products or asking questions. I purchased a couple of colorful fun bead bracelets from a company I never heard of and at the end I purchased a small clutch purse from a vendor that is selling merchandise for a woman's group in Africa and the funds are sent there. There was also a young boy there representing Little League Baseball and he was selling coupon books or accepting donations. From him I purchased three baseball cookies and donated money. He was sweet as they introduced him at the lunch as the youngest male to attend. I said to him, "are you bored with all these women?" I appreciated that he was young enough to admit honestly, "a little, but I'm not in school!" I have to admit many of these women have been attending this group for several years so they know each other or run in the same circles. Some of them are very successful and want to help others along the way. I was happy to see that the lunch table filled up and we had a few minutes to introduce ourselves, pass out business cards and learn about each other. There was only one person at the table that I have met previously so it was good to explain my company and hear about others. How do you handle meeting new people?
I am going to admit something to you right now.....currently, I have zero coaching clients. Wow that was hard to admit! I know part of it is me...I keep thinking that with me going back and forth to Massachusetts, perhaps I should not be searching for new clients. I don't know why I think that way because coaching can be done any number of ways. I think I am at a crossroads of some kind. I love coaching and I believe I am pretty good at, but perhaps something else is going on. I reached out to a local women's group here about volunteer opportunities for coaching and they only have a specific list of what they want a volunteer to do and coaching is not one of them. Someone suggested the other day that perhaps a course in life lessons for teens (especially girls) where coaching would be part of it would be beneficial. This suggestion resonated with me, but I am not sure how to get this started so I have to think about it some more. Is that fear talking in my head? I'm all for donating coaching time, but I need to figure out a way to generate some income as well. Although I paid for some Google listings they have not generated any new clients or leads.
I did not want today to go by without mentioning my mom. She is doing very well. My sister told me last night that her family, my dad and mom are going to a restaurant for lunch today. They are breaking my mom out of the nursing home so to speak for a lunch at one of her favorite places. It takes coordination because of the logistics with the wheelchair, but they are going to give it a try. My mom has gone out with the recreational people twice now and it has gone well. I am so happy and I know my dad is as well. I'll probably get a picture or two later. My mom was my harshest critic and my strongest supporter over the years. I learned so much from her without her giving me out and out lessons. My mom was not the type of mother that taught me the birds and bees - as a matter of fact when I asked her about them, she said I don't want to talk about that ask your friends. I found out it was because she never learned if from her mom. She taught me to cook by having me watch her - she hardly ever used a recipe. When she went to work she would say what the meat was for dinner and I had to figure out who to cook it and what should go with it. To this day, I can make you a meal from what's in the house, but I can't bake worth beans. She raised my sister and I in many ways to be ladies - although I don't dress up to go shopping any more or match my shoes and purse. I did not wear jeans until I was about 16 as she loved dressing me up. She taught me to love love love music. My happiest memories are of us dancing around the kitchen as there was always a radio on somewhere. She was strict don't get me wrong - there were plenty of rules, but I learned how to be seen and not heard - those fabulous observation skills! When my mom was ill during my teens, I learned to take care of her by just holding her and sometimes just letting her cry. To this day, if my mom tears up, I'm right there with her. She also taught me to be strong! She came out of her illness a much stronger woman, but still had days when she would want to just cry, but only I knew as she would put on a face for the outside world. She'll say to the staff, this is my daughter who gets things done and means business, my other daughter is the nurse who takes care of me. My mom won't let me walk her unless she is in her chair or take her to the rest room or take her out as I'm not medically trained. She will let me bring her gifts, send cards out for her or take care of any type of business concerning her or my dad. I can still make her laugh with fun memories or I can get the "stink eye" when I say something I should not. I am almost 57 years old and I still hardly curse in front of my mother as it was simply not done in our house. I love you mom!
Since I now have tears in my eyes I am going to end it here today. I think I rambled all over the place today so I hope you find a nugget that reaches you in here. I hope you have a wonderful week. Take care. Chat soon. Marie
"THREE GRAND ESSENTIALS TO HAPPINESS IN THIS LIFE ARE: SOMETHING TO DO, SOMETHING TO LOVE, AND SOMETHING TO HOPE FOR." Joseph Addison
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