I’ll bet you’re already sick of all the talk about resolutions (to keep, or not to keep), and how to strategically plan your week, your year, your business, your life. The diet folks and fitness centers have been gunning for you to sign up since Thanksgiving. They’re literally banking on you to start January with a surge of ambition, only to peter out by March.
Are you ready for some sobering statistics? The poorest 40% of the world’s population accounts for 5% of global income. Nearly half of all humanity lives on $2 or less per day. 80% lives on $10 or less a day.
I love clothes. I mean I really LOVE clothes. I love fabrics, textures and natural fibers so much I can taste them. I dream about clothes, and wake up with ideas for new outfits. It must be in my DNA.
My dear friend Gail is highly creative and imminently talented. She can turn a barren half acre of land into a landscape to rival the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the seven ancient wonders of the world.
My friend Richard (not his real name, you’ll see why) has a thriving firm in the nation’s capital. His offices are in a modern building with fine art and eclectic architecture, bamboo flooring , brightly colored plush seating, lots of windows and glass partitions with natural light streaming in.
What I am about to say may be tough to hear. But here’s something to chew on: whatever is happening in our lives, whatever circumstances we find ourselves in, we are the cause. We are not to blame; it’s not our fault and this is not an accusation.
Recently, I’ve begun an internal inquiry into the origins of self-esteem. I, like most people, have several areas of my life where I am supremely or at least sufficiently confident. So confident in fact, that performing excellently in those ways is second nature and always fun.
You’ve seen those hoarder shows. A psychologist, concerned family members and a camera crew visit archaeological digs masquerading as people’s homes to help them remove years and layers of trash, old food, clothes, papers, magazines, toys, books and furniture.
There is a wonderful theater game I love to play when I am leading workshops, retreats and conferences, and even at large gatherings in my home. It’s called Stand If and its very simple and powerful. I read off a list of statements. If the statement applies to you, you simply stand for a moment, look around to see who else is standing for that same statement, and then sit down again.
2016. And so we begin. The question is how. I’ve been casting about for an auspicious theme for this blog, a profound message to convey. It all crystalized for me over the December holidays.