A New Adventure!

I write this note today from Colorado, where I am visiting family for a month. It's been a cold week, with snow on the ground, and yet it makes things so pretty. I had forgotten how pretty a Colorado snow is and for that I am grateful.

Three months ago, part of my job was to begin a project in Barbados. What a beautiful country. And yet, even before the beauty of the country, I found myself falling in love with the people there. They are so friendly, so committed to achieving goals, and driven, and yet, they seem to have found a way to truly balance their lives and understand that life is about more than just what we do to make a living. I have been fortunate to spend time there every month since September. And I realized I have learned from them in that short time. I feel at peace, I am more balanced, and life is just good.

After some discussion, I am on the way to a new adventure! January 6, I leave here and am relocating to Barbados to work with this project. The beauty of my profession is that it can be done from anywhere, something I have always been grateful for. The house in North Carolina is packed and stored, I drove here with my dog a week ago, and life is about to change. Turbo will live here in Colorado with family, and he's in the process of adjusting to that. I believe he will do well here, although I will miss that sweet face every day. And yet, with him here and my Jeep here, I will have both when I return for vacations.

Barbados will indeed be a new adventure. It is one I am looking forward to with a lot of excitement. I am thankful that the opportunity exists for me to be able to "take my job on the road" and operate from there and I will look forward to sharing lessons learned along the way!

Salute to our Veterans

I have found myself today spending some time in thought about those who gave of themselves, many the ultimate sacrifice, for our country. Today a dear friend buried his mother, right next to his father, who was a great hero of the military. It was fitting, he said, to have his mother buried right next to his father on Veteran's Day. That day has always been special to him, as it was to his father.

I am always in awe of those who give these sacrifices for us and our country. I was talking to another friend today about how I wish we took better care of our military and their families. We seem to have so much to give as a country, for every disaster that comes along, for those less fortunate, etc., and yet sometimes it seems we forget those who give the ultimate sacrifice for us. I wish that were different.

I have been so very blessed to have been able to give just a small portion of myself to some of our deployed military, whether in writing letters or sending care packages. And when someone says, "wow, that's a great thing you do," I am quick to tell them that no, it's not me who does something great. It is those who serve, both at home and abroad. THEY are what it's all about and I get back more than I could ever give in that support.

And so, for today, I salute those folks who have served our country. Without them, I wouldn't have the freedom and safety I have today. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

My Materials Have Arrived!

When I returned from a recent trip, I found a packet from the National Speakers Association. It was so exciting to open that and see how another association welcomes ao new member. And it was exciting to realize that this new venture toward becoming a true professional speaker has begun for me! I have lots of homework to do now, CDs to review, a workbook to get started, and a new venture to begin. I look forward to sharing it with you here as I travel on this journey we all call life.

Quality of Life

I have had the opportunity the past two weeks to spend my time in Barbados on a project for my job. What a great experience. The last time I was there, I stayed two weeks in a hotel, and really was ready to come home because I don't like always being on the road and having to eat in restaurants. There isn't a lot of "relaxation" to living that way. This time, however, we had secured an apartment and so life was a bit different. We have a training project beginning there and it is going to be an awesome one.

The country, as you can imagine, is gorgeous. With daily views of the sea and the cool breeze off the water, it creates a sense of peace and well being that is hard to find elsewhere. The people absolutely amaze me and have captured my heart. This trip there were no hotel stays, but a chance to really be able to spend some time getting to know the people.

After the first week there, I found myself on a Saturday night, totally relaxed, looking at the clock and realizing it was 9:00 and, other than checking my email once or twice, I really hadn't spent the entire day working. Those who know me know what a change that is. And I was totally at peace with that. I have to say this past two weeks I worked hard, accomplished a LOT, and relaxed more than I have in ages. And I found myself wondering how those three things could actually happen all at the same time.

More than once I heard "you Americans are always on the go," and isn't that so very true of our culture? We have a mindset that says if you want to be successful it requires you to work nonstop, to always be at the top of your game, and to never stop "doing." How many times do you hear "yes, I work too much, but it's what has to be done to get the job done," or "it's just how things have to be to move up in life and in my profession." And then we find ourselves realizing that life has passed us by, we haven't stopped to create and nurture those relationships that are truly important to us, and you know what? We are exhausted!

Not too long ago, at a manager's retreat, we had a consultant who spoke about focusing on doing impactful things. He talked about how 40% of what we do isn't relevant. Now, I can hear you all saying "He hasn't seen MY to do list!" And that was my first reaction to that as well. Until lately....

I found myself the last two weeks up with the sun. That's different because I have not generally been a morning person at all. I tend to be a night owl. And yet, by 5:30 or 6 every day, I was up, awake, and energized for the day. And by the way, that was without an alarm clock as my apartment doesn't have one and I couldn't find a place to buy one just yet! I have begun to keep a "gratitude journal" and in it I daily record things about the day, including those things I am thankful for that day. It has become my morning routine and changed how I view my days.

Bajans have a keen sense of family. I loved seeing that. If you are out and about early in the morning on the island, you may see people out for their morning walks, exercising on the beach, or even in the water for their morning routines. I see students who are juggling the importance of getting this new education for a better future with taking care of family and children because it's so important. And I realized that sometimes I haven't done so well at that. My niece is a great reminder for me that the children I wrote about in my last blog need their aunt and it's important to make that time.

I didn't see any expectation that one should "work 7 days a week," in fact, quite the opposite. I saw a commitment to working very hard when you work and then taking the time to refresh yourself at the end of your work week. And I found myself falling into that quite easily, because it was expected. I am so thankful that I was able to learn that from these folks, it is a lesson I really needed in my life.

I decided to learn to drive while there. Now, of course, I have always driven here at home, but never in a place where one drives on the "other" side of the road. It was an experience and I am happy to report I managed to do it with no major goofs of getting out in the wrong lane! During the last week I was there, I was on the way to the school and came around a curve as I drove down the highway. In front of me was a spectacular view of the sea, the trees, and the sun shining off the water. It was simply breathtaking. All I could think of was how blessed I was to be there and have the opportunity.

On my last day there, I was speaking to someone and sharing that I felt I had worked hard, accomplished much, and yet relaxed more than I have in ages and while that doesn't seem to go together, it simply was. Her answer was such an easy one--"that's called balance." Wow, that elusive balance. That thing that I have chased for five years, trying to figure out how to get there, wondering what it would truly be like to be at peace with one's self, and there it was.

Yes, this venture will make a difference in people's lives, and I can be a part of it. It will provide them with a future that they can't even see in their dreams yet. And yet, the lessons THEY are teaching me is also making a huge difference in my life. Quality of life, we talk about it, we wonder how to get there, and in a small island across the sea, I learned it's simple to find when you have the right focus. For that, I am grateful.

Simple Pleasures

I was just thinking today about things that make me smile. What is that for you? I've been reading some great books lately about how to obtain balance in life and one of the questions for this week is what are the simple things in life that just make you smile or warm your heart. I realized there are so many.

Sometimes it's the sound of the birds singing in my back yard when I let Turbo out in the morning. Other times, it's the way Turbo vies for attention if I'm busy with something. He is just like a 2-year-old. I also get that feeling when I see a student reach a goal, pass a milestone, or realize that they CAN do it.

Some of the best pleasures in my life, although I wouldn't say they are at all simple, are the children in my life. My niece has three beautiful kids and they are all unique and special. They are a big reason why I wished I lived in Colorado and not North Carolina. Every time I visit it seems they have grown a foot and gotten more mature. And every time I visit, I come home with yet another lesson learned "out of the mouths of babes." Let me share a bit of that with you today.

Danielle is the oldest. She is 11 going on 30, you know that routine! It's the age where some days the sweet little girl disappears and you realize that this one will soon be a teenager. She has the eye rolling of a teenager perfected. She has discovered boys, and boys have discovered her! She is also one of the best big sisters I have ever seen. Megan and Junior love her and she is so patient with them. She's a great lesson in patience with children, at a very young age. Danielle is also my shopping buddy from time to time. The time we've spent has given us some special time together that I will cherish forever. Danielle has taught me the value of a sense of humor. She has a great one and one I always enjoy!


And then we have Megan, who just turned 7. When she was 2, I fondly called her our demon child. She's a beautiful little girl and you know how people are with beautiful children. Every time someone would stop and say "she's so pretty," out of Megan's mouth in a VERY loud voice would come "DON'T TALK TO ME!" Because I didn't live in Colorado when she was born, it took a little time for Megan and I to develop a relationship. When she was 5, Megan blossomed. She became this very sweet little girl, full of life and so very caring about those around her. We developed a routine when I stayed at their house last year. After her bath, she would bring her brush and the "tangle spray," sit on my bed, and I would brush her hair while we talked about our day. Megan worries about the fact that I live alone and "it's only you and the dog at your house." She always gives me extra hugs because, as she puts it, "then when you go home, you won't be lonely." She touches my heart in ways no child has before. She is a great reminder of the importance of family and connections.



Junior is ALL boy, full of energy, and at five years old, full of a sense of humor like you can't imagine. He is simply a funny child and makes me laugh with his sense of humor. And while he's all boy, he has a tender spot for the females in his life, something I hope he always keeps. From Junior, I learned the importance of loyalty. I took him shopping once. I found the greatest Bronco sweatsuit in his size. I thought it would make a perfect thing for this all boy sports fan. I held it up, so proud of myself, and said "hey, how about this?!" His face got very serious as he said "Aunt Kathy, MY Daddy is a Raiders fan." And so is he. That loyalty to what he believes and thinks will take him far in life. It is something that is a good reminder for all of us.

I am so blessed to have these kids in my life. They are indeed a part of the things that make my life good and make me smile. These are the relationships I hope will carry on through all of life because they are so important.

On this day, 9/11

Six years ago today, our country was attacked by terrorists. We lost many people that day. And today, we have many of our military folks serving in this thing we call the war on terror.

For the last four or five years, I've been involved with support of the deployed military. At the time, I really didn't do it because I supported the war. I was newly single, living far away from family, and looking for something to do with my time as the holidays approached. I happened on the AnySoldier.com website and found there were a lot of deployed military folks who were looking for support. I can't really say I understood much about what we were doing in Iraq, only that I related it to the happenings in our world on 9/11. While I grew up in a military family, my mother was pretty good about protecting us from the reality of the reasons that a military is needed in the first place. Thankfully children in the military are often shielded from the hardships that are endured by their parents.

Being involved with our military the last few years has humbled me. I have learned so much from the folks I have supported. I am constantly amazed by how humble they are. And I have learned that they ARE making a difference in the lives of the people. And isn't that what life is all about for any of us? To be able to make a difference? It's hard for me to try to make someone understand that I don't just support our military because of all they do for me. I do it, in part, because of what it does for me. How it allows me to make a difference for someone else. These folks give of themselves, they sacrifice time with their families, they miss children's birthdays and special events, and they do it willingly and without complaint. That amazes me.

I am also very much in awe of the military spouses who keep things running at home while their spouse is deployed. I have a real heart for this group. Getting to know some of them has given me a refreshed insight into my mother's life and how it must have been, and yet she shielded us from most of that. I think military spouses may be some of the most resourceful people I have met. They seem to always find ways to get around the obstacles, take care of their family, become a "single" parent for a period of time in their lives, and remain supportive of their spouse who is gone. I believe they are the unsung heroes in our war and a group we often forget.

And so, this day, my heart is full of gratitude that we have folks who have made this their life calling. It means something to me. Not only do they make a difference where they are, but they have also made a real difference in my life. And for that, I am thankful.

Envisioning the Future

So much is written about how to envision one's future. The recent craze over "The Secret" shows just how much people want to have a successful, happy life. I actually love the concepts in the book, which really says that the things we focus on, the universe will bring into our lives. It really goes back to a verse that says "as a man thinketh...." and I can see that in play every day in my own life. We DO become what we think about.

I tend to read a lot of books. Where possible, I take those things I read and apply them to my own life. I certainly don't do it perfectly, however, I believe I am better because of it. I've learned in the last few years that defining who I am is only up to me. I've stopped letting others have the power to define who I am. That really doesn't belong to anyone but me. There was a time when that wasn't the case in my life, but no longer. Now and then, someone might try, and I am pretty good at stopping them and reminding them that no one gets to define me, but me.

Lately, I've been doing a lot of thinking about my life, how to find and create balance between work, which I do love, and the rest of my life. I volunteer in my professional organization as well. And yet, life does need to be about more than just things related to one's job. And so my "wish list" is being created. I almost have a picture of what it looks like in my head, where I will live, what I will be doing, how life goes. And you know, just thinking about it gives me ideas about how to get there. Which is, I believe, truly what it's all about. I can't wait to see what it brings.

I did it!

Today I took the first step in something new. I signed up for the Academy for Professional Speaking. I've been doing public speaking for awhile now, mostly because of my involvement with my professional organization and my current position with my job. I have found that I frankly love it.

It's time to step out of the box and do something with it that's bigger than what I've done so far. I have had a long time desire to belong to the National Speakers Association and some day to get that profesional credential as a Certified Speaking Professional. It's not an easy process, nor is it a fast one, but at least, TODAY, I am on the way! Stay tuned!