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May 31, 2008
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I Believe In You
May 30, 2008
by Karen D. Swim
Photo credit: Flickr | darkpatator
Today I want to give to you a gift that has meant so much in my own life – the gift of belief.
My all time favorite teacher was Mrs. Lorna Hart. She was my first grade teacher and had a profound influence on my life. Mrs. Hart was the first adult other than my parents who truly believed in me. I always made good grades, but Mrs. Hart nourished my love of learning and filled me with confidence to keep reaching even higher. She set her expectations high and I rose to the challenge.
She did not believe that I was perfect. She did not believe that I would never fail. Like my parents she believed that I had the ability to keep moving forward, growing and learning along the way. Belief gave me the courage to eliminate “I can’t” from my vocabulary. It gave me confidence to continually test the limits of capabilities. Her belief rubbed off on me and I began to believe in me too.
Over the years I have been blessed to have other people come along just when I needed the reinforcement to give me the gift of belief. Before I declared “I am a writer,” someone else said “You are a writer.” Those words echo in my soul every day giving me the power to pick up a pen and practice my craft. Having someone tell you that they believe “you can” is the ray of light that causes the bud of your talent to come into full bloom. A whispered encouragement can cause your heart to soar and restore your confidence.
“If I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning.”–Mahatma Gandhi
So, today I want to shine the light on you and tell you that I BELIEVE IN YOU. I believe that you can start that business, write that book, make that career transition, get that promotion or run that race. I believe that you are good enough, bright enough and strong enough to boldly go after your dreams. I believe that NOW is your time to shine and you will seize the opportunity. I BELIEVE IN YOU.
How has belief or the lack of belief impacted your life? Can you recall the first person who truly believed in you? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
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A Post About Nothing
May 28, 2008
by Karen D. Swim
This is a post about nothing. Seriously. There are no neatly bulleted or numbered lists telling you how to, when to, or why to. Do not look for the deeper meaning because there is none. This is not a gimmick or cheap marketing trick to get you here and then wham surprise you with a brilliant post that moves you to tears. It really is about absolutely nothing. Nada baby, zilch! So don’t say I did not warn you.
Most people are familiar with the oft quoted 23rd Psalm (The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want) but one of my favorite verses is “he leadeth me beside still waters (quiet waters in some translations), he restoreth my soul.” When I think of still waters, it immediately fills me with a deep peace. The stillness here I believe refers to internal as well as external. In my mind the still waters is a place of deep restoration and tranquility, a place where nothing is happening.
In our fast paced world, we don’t leave room for nothing. Children who are doing nothing are given something to do. In the workplace, doing nothing could be grounds for termination. Even our conversations have to be about something.
One of the lessons of history is that nothing is often a good thing to do and always a clever thing to say.–Ariel Durant
Yet, doing nothing has its merits. Seinfeld was a show about nothing, or rather the mundane, everyday that makes up our lives. You know the stuff we miss because we’re too busy doing something.
In those nothing moments, my mind is allowed to roam free. My senses become more attuned to the world around me. My breathing slows and my body relaxes. Inspiration is allowed to flow freely and my creativity is sparked. Nothing seems impossible when I am doing nothing.
If it has been awhile since you did nothing, join me by the still waters today. We can do nothing together.
I would absolutely love to talk about nothing with you so please spark a discussion by posting your comments. If I’m out doing nothing, feel free to talk amongst yourselves.
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Backward is the New Forward
May 27, 2008
Progress, noun: 1) a movement toward a goal or to a further or higher stage: the progress of a student toward a degree. 2) advancement in general. 3) growth or development; continuous improvement. 4) forward or onward movement
While the dictionary includes “forward” as the direction of progress, onward can be lateral or even backward.
“We all want progress, but if you’re on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.”–C.S. Lewis
When I was a child, my mother would hang clothing on the line to dry when the weather permitted. I would always beg to just put them in the dryer but my mother insisted it was a waste of energy.
I abandoned my mother’s ways when I left home too busy and progressive to bother with a clothes line, that is until I got married. I bought a clothesline and hung the clothes to dry outside on nice days because as it turns out mother was right.
Progress is not defined by the speediest course of action but the most prudent. Albert Einstein said “It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.” Einstein may have been on to something.
Many are opting for simplicity, abandoning cars for bicycles and McMansions for independent living. We are going organic and green and railing against the forces that remain staunchly rooted in the status quo. Progressive thinking has led us to the realization that moving forward means stripping some things away.
Writers seem to have an inherent grasp of this concept. We have embraced technology but we also hold on to the tried and true. We use our computers but still carry our moleskins, notebooks or like Melissa Donovan our Watson Guptill Fickle Writer. We may buy the executive desk but often abandon it for a spot in the garden or the small table in the corner where the light hits just right.
The Kindle and audiobook are mere supporting players in our reading repertoire for we still love the weight of a book in our hands and the sound of a turning page. We see the complex but appreciate the mundane. Our stories are often not about the technological prowess of mankind but simply mankind. The writers eye sees through the maze of detail and is able to ferret out the steps that will get us to the goal, in whatever direction they lead.
What are your thoughts on progress? Have you ever moved backward to advance? Share your ideas and thoughts in the comments.
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The Bigger Picture
May 26, 2008
by Karen D. Swim
"I have seen the bigger picture and I can’t do everything and have everything. "– Dr. Miranda Bailey, Grey’s Anatomy
The Bigger Picture does not always come into focus all at once. Very often we only see fragments at at time. The pieces do not fall into focus until we take a step back and examine them with our attention on the whole rather than the detail that makes up the whole.
We can become so enmeshed in the detail that we no longer notice each piece until we are so worn out and worn down they shatter around us. The pieces were never meant to be the focus, yet we become obsessed with the minutiae and lose sight.
To focus on the bigger picture we sometimes have to let individual pieces go. The process can be painful, as we realize that sometimes we must let go of things we love for things we love more.
So what is the bigger picture? Although your picture may vary, we all share five common traits.
- Time is finite. All of us are given the same 24 hours each day. No one can bargain, pay, or earn more time.
- We are mortal. Our time on earth will one day end. We do not have forever but we do have today.
- We are human. We cannot do everything and have everything. We try but something will always suffer.
- We don’t need all the pieces to see the bigger picture. The pieces may change over time. Some may move to the far end of the board as others take center stage. The big picture dictates the pieces you bring into focus not the other way around.
- There’s always a bigger picture. Always.
After losing my husband, I struggled with my bigger picture. Marriage made it easier to stay focused, balanced. It was an anchor of sorts that kept me from drifting too far. As a widow, I took on every piece that came my way without any focus on the bigger picture.
Life changes – children growing older, job changes or just the process of aging and wanting something different – may shift our bigger picture. Those same changes can also serve to remind us of the bigger picture.
As for my own journey, I learned that my purpose in life really did not change. The core of who I was created to be, do and give to the world is not dependent on a single piece. With the death of my husband, my pieces shifted but the bigger picture remained intact.
How about you? Do you ever lose site of the bigger picture or purpose? Tell us about it in the comments and anything else that’s on your mind.
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Fashion Your Own Style
May 23, 2008
by Karen D. Swim
Several years ago I sat visiting with a friend on a hot, lazy August day. As we sat laughing and chatting, her 8 year old daughter emerged from the back of of the house and struck a fierce model pose. She was wearing boldly patterned shorts in colors so vibrant that it felt as though I was peering into a kaleidoscope. She had paired the shorts with a striped top in an entirely different color pattern. My friend beheld her daughter as she stood there smiling, and cried, “You can’t wear that!”
“Sure she can,” I responded. “Alex, honey, you can pull off anything with the right attitude!”
My friend and I exchanged laughter and Alex went out to play wearing an outfit that entirely reflected her style.
This 8 year old knew something that many adults have not yet learned. Finding your own style may mean fusing different elements to create something that is uniquely you.
In physics when you fuse two light elements they form a heavier nucleus. This is accompanied by the release or absorption of energy. The power that fuels the sun and the stars is nuclear fusion.In fusion cooking you combine widely differing ethnic or regional ingredients, styles, or techniques, such as French Thai. The results can be an amalgam of taste and textures that are bold and flavorful.
Whether you are a writer, accountant or fashion designer you can blend together wildly different elements to create something that reflects you and your individuality. Ellen Wilson wrote a post on unleashing your own personality this week that perfectly illustrates this point.
You don’t have to follow a straight line to get to your journey. In fact you can do the whole route on a windy, twisty road with stops along the way. Valerie Gonyea, refused to be boxed in by traditions. This accountant turned recruiter has conducted her career entirely her way.
As you continue to move forward on your journey, do it your way. Mix it up and try different elements to create something entirely different. Just remember to hold your head up high, smile and know that you are better at being you than anyone else can be!
Have you experimented with blending elements in any area of your life. Tell us about your experiences and results in the comments section.
Photo Credit: “Strange Fashion Child” ©Rebecca Abell, Dreamstime.com
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3 Proven Methods to Drive Away Your Customers
May 22, 2008
by Karen D. Swim
Are you looking for ways to alienate your customers? Do you want to achieve brand visibility by being the most reviled in your industry? Well if this is your goal, I have just the solution for you!
Yesterday, American Airlines announced that it would begin charging $15 for the first checked bag. This in essence means that there is no free luggage, at least not on American. However, kudos to them for being the first U.S. carrier to charge for all checked bags. Go American!
You too can be just like the airline industry. Listed below are 3 proven methods to drive away your customers.
- Treat your employees badly. When employees are undervalued they will respond by handing your customers as gently as a sack of rotten garbage. Don’t worry if you are a solo practice with no employees, you can eliminate the middle man and offer rotten service directly.
- Ignore a problem until it gets so big that you almost have to shut down your entire operations, causing a delay to every customer you are currently serving. This one method alone can not only drive away customers but crash your entire business.
- Cut back on expected services, lay off staff and raise your prices. Now this method is absolutely priceless. I get chills just thinking about the repercussions.
Airlines have been so successful with these strategies that customers are all buzzing about how to avoid flying with them. Analytical customers are even questioning if the new policies are discriminatory.
The real beauty of their plan is that I suspect it has been in the making for years. Is it possible that these major businesses failed to make internal changes to sustain leadership and now conveniently blame their failure on the economy?
Do you have surefire tips for driving away customers? Share them in the comments!
Disclaimer: No customers or employees were harmed in the writing of this post. Please do not implement these tactics. This post is meant as a tongue in cheek lesson of what not to do. The author takes no responsibility if you choose to disregard this warning and try this at home.
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Three Tactics for Managing Roadblocks On Your Road to Success
May 21, 2008
by Karen D. Swim
Photo Credit: © Elena Elisseeva | Dreamstime.com
You’re tooling along on the road to success confident of where you’re headed when you encounter the dreaded roadblock. What do you do?
This month we have been focused on moving forward, but what do you do when your journey is interrupted by those awful orange cones? Below are three options that will help you navigate the roadblocks that hinder your progress.
Wait it Out
Orange cones in the road may only signal a temporary road closure. As you idle your engine and wait, review your purpose for the journey and your directions to get there. Use the break in the action to renew your energy and enthusiasm or attend to other minor tasks are you wait. Check the oil and fluids, kick the tires and make sure you have enough air. When the road crew removes the cones you will be ready to move on with confidence.
Take the Suggested Detour
Detours keep you moving but may add a few extra miles to your journey. Don’t view a detour as a setback but a continuation of the adventure. You may discover things along the suggested route that you otherwise would have missed. When I worked in Corporate America my company decided to centralize all of marketing to New Jersey. I didn’t want to move (suggested detour) and I opted not to accept offers from the other companies that sought me out (suggested detour #2). Instead, I chose to take time off from work to do nothing (alternate route of my choosing).
Take an Alternate Route of Your Choosing
Choosing my own route turned out to be the best thing that could have happened in my life. I had no idea where any of the roads would lead but trusted that still small voice that said “turn off here.” Roadblocks can be a divine signal leading you in a different direction. If the suggested route doesn’t feel right to you, plan your own alternate. You may even decide to change your destination entirely, like I did.
As you move toward attaining your goals you will eventually hit a roadblock. Do not allow those orange cones to distract or discourage you. You will get to your destination, perhaps a little slower or by a different route, but you will arrive.
Please join and add to the discussion. What tips do you have for do handling the roadblocks in your life?
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Above the Noise
May 20, 2008
by Karen D. Swim
Are you struggling to be heard in a noisy market place? Do you feel like even if you yelled at the top of your lungs no one would notice or care? It may be time to sing at night.
In 2007 a report found that birds in noisy urban areas began singing at night in order for their melodies to be heard above the clamor of city life. Researchers at Sheffield University studied robins in and around Sheffield and discovered that the robins adapted the time of day they sang in order to be heard. The report joins a growing body of evidence that birds are changing their behavior to adjust to modern life.
Our world is noisy. In every industry there are a multitude of choices and it seems everyone is delivering their message and attempting to be heard. Whether you have a blog, book, product, service or are in the job market it seems that millions of people are already out there singing at the top of your lungs.
The robins are not singing to attract or please people. Robins sing to attract other robins and to ward off rivals. In the bird world they are among the earliest to join the chorus at dawn and the last to fall silent at dusk.
“Be like the bird that, pausing in her flight awhile on boughs too slight, feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings, knowing that she hath wings.”–Victor Hugo
It can be downright discouraging believing that you cannot possibly be heard above the noise. Rather than give up, consider the robins. You don’t have to sing your song at the same time of day or even in the same pitch as your competitors. Adapt to modern life just like the birds by finding and singing your own tune at your own time.
Photo credit: Flickr.com | Kerri 2008
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The Power of A Moment
May 19, 2008
by Karen D. Swim
Photo: Flickr.com|pasotraspaso
Brief encounters can pack a powerful punch. This is the thought that ran through my mind as I watched the big fat raindrops fall from what had been a beautiful clear sky.
It was quiet and peaceful, a perfect Saturday. I ran errands enjoying the easy tempo of the day. The sun began to fade behind the clouds and the sky darkened. Just as I entered the long drive of my development, huge drops burst forth from the sky. The winds grew high and the drops fell hard and heavy. And then as suddenly as it started, it ended.
I reached my door with canvas shopping bag and noticed that the door was drenched with water, and the dirt from the garden had scattered around the walkway. In less than a minute the brief thunderstorm had transformed the landscape around it.
Like the thunderstorm, our thoughts, attitudes and actions impact the landscape and people around us. As we rush about through our days we may forget that we are connected to the world and people around us. Every small encounter has an impact. In other words we matter, so our words, actions and attitudes matter too.
In less than a minute we can transform ourselves too. In a moment of stress, taking a minute to breathe deeply and focus only on the rise and fall of breath can lower your blood pressure and calm your mind. A minute enjoying the world through your child’s eyes can give you a new perspective. As I entered my house I renewed my determination to be present and to relish each moment.
Each moment does count, what will you do with yours today?
Join the discussion and share your thoughts! if you like what you read, I’d love it if you would add the blog to your reader. Thanks!
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