Friday's Quote

It is advisable that a person knows at least three things:

Where they are, where they are going and what they had best do under the circumstances.

~ John Ruskin

Friday's Quote

Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission.

~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Friday's Quote

We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done.

~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Leaving 2008

I am still not quite myself, and so rather than 'force' myself to do things, I am laying low and doing other behind-the-scenes tasks that have been on my To Do list for ages.  It feels good to honor where I am at, and yet still be moving in a forward direction.  Much as I might not like it, life is often messy and unpredictable, and it is in those moments that I am tested - perhaps more than any other.  I also know, that there is great strength and lessons to be learnt in this place, so as I exit 2008 I feel humbled and vulnerable.  I know that this too shall pass, I just need to stay on this wave until it reaches the safety of the shore.

I hope that as you leave 2008 and enter 2009 that you are doing so in a way that respects where you are currently at in life.  There is value here.

Fondly,

Catherine

Back from an unintentional break

Hi

I am finally back.  

I don't know exactly what happened, but somewhere along the way, blogging went south and didn't return.  Some days I haven't thought about it at all, and have been surprised when days later I realize that I have forgotten it had become a regular part of my life, and didn't notice it when it was missing.  Other days I have thought 'I have to get back to it' and still other days, I just haven't had the energy or creative juices to write.  So, I've been gone for over a month.  

During that time there have been high points and definitely some low points.  I feel like I have been all over the emotional map - and in a completely unpredictable way.  I have just sat and read a whole bunch of my favorite blogs, as I have noticed that I haven't been making time to do that either.  I have a personal philosophy in this busy world 'put something good in every day' - what I mean by that is, read, do, participate, give or receive something that is good for my soul each day.  When I am tired, as I have been recently, this is especially true.  Ironically, this is not what I have done.  Instead, I have read the news (90%+ of which is depressing or awful), read trashy, gossipy columns on the internet or been too busy running around to take the time to give myself the gift of 'something good' and so I have suffered.  My well feels dry and I am not totally sure how to replenish it.  One thing is for sure, having read the blogs and been inspired by others' journeys, I feel some lightness and hope again.

Today, I feel compelled to write.  I am not sure what it is that I want to say, but I know that there is something inside of me wanting to come out.  It might be uncovered during this blog, or perhaps I will go and pick up one of my journals and write until I discover what is bothering me.  The funny thing is, I don't like writing 'negative' stuff in my beautiful journals - how ridiculous is that??  I know I am struggling right now, and once I distinguish what it is, I know I will release some of the stranglehold it has on me.  I also know, that when I am tired I have a propensity to suffer a lot longer than is helpful..some weird form of self torture, that is neither useful nor inspiring.

So, while I had grand plans to catch up on work, follow-up with networking contacts, plow through some of the items on my To Do list, I have done none of that.  My heart needs taking care of and right now that is the most important thing for me.  All the rest will come in time.

If your heart is needing some love and attention right now, take the time, I know from experience, it will be worth it.

Friday's Quote

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.

If you did what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something,

for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times

during those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,

because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,

because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes,

they will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tried and weary,

because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who

are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,

and they can become your blessings.

~ Author Unknown

As we approach Thanksgiving here in the US, what else can you be thankful for?

eWomen Glow Event

I have just come back from the eWomen Glow Project in Campbell, CA and I feel inspired.

The speakers were funny, poignant and candid about their lives, their pasts, their failures, their hardships and their successes.

These are the things I took from the three speakers, Sandra Yancey, Barbara Rubin, and Marilyn Tam:

1.  Evaluate who in my life is serving my dream(s) and who is taking me away

2.  Create space in my life so that something new can show up.  If I am always so booked or busy, there is no room for the Universe to deliver something new

3.  Show up expecting success

4.  My fortune and future will be created by and with those I am yet to meet

5.  Lighting someone else's candle does not diminish my own light

6.  The Universe never gives us something early...nor for that matter does it give us something late, it is always right on time

7.  'Fine' is one of the most destructive words in the English language, because most often when we answer we are 'fine' we are anything but fine

8.  JUMP!

9.  Embrace money

Sandra spoke of the importance of having good girlfriends in her life that she can lean on, and I left today's event feeling all filled up - the same way I feel when I have spent time with my best girlfriends.  I didn't know more than 3-4 people at the event, but there was something about the energy in the room that has left me inspired.

Here's to the power and importance of having great girlfriends in our lives!