Monthly Archives: October 2012
For Today
I have been pondering the why’s of life. Being single currently, I have been giving a lot of thought to how my focus needs to be on today.
When I long for companionship that eludes me, I accept that I still have lessons to learn.
When I regret what my head tells me are years lost, I don’t beat myself up, rather I ponder the good that came from the past, and the growth that struggle brings. Love and life are always bitter sweet. Without great pain we would never understand the greatest joy.
So I will live for today.
I will embrace what the universe has to teach me and the gift it brings.
I will let myself smile or cry when I think about the things that are past.
Most importantly, I will embrace today! It is all I have!
I was reading through some of my old writings and found something that was timely for today. Perhaps it will be timely for you as well. Perhaps it will touch someone where they are today!
In some ways it seems I have known you for a lifetime,
And other times that we have had only days.
We have been through a lot through these years.
We have shared many hours of laughter and companionship,
And many of hardship, pain and confusion.
We have welcomed in new lives, friends and experiences,
And comforted one another for those people or things we have lost.
We have watched the children grow and mature,
And shared in helping them when it is clear they remain children.
Through all of these things we have grown.
It has become clear that we have today,
Nothing else is certain.
So for today I choose to continue to care for you,
Because you next to me brings a calm that eludes me with others.
For today I choose to encourage you,
Because I know your endless capability.
For today I choose to comfort you,
Because we share the knowledge of pain and loss.
For today I choose to laugh with you,
Because your smile lightens my heart.
For today I choose to frolic with you,
Because your touch makes me feel young and alive.
For today I choose to love you,
Because it makes you happy.
Because it makes me happy.
Because I have no choice.
Because you are in my heart!
Peace,
Warren
Zip Your Lips?
Wouldn’t we all love to work at a place where we could be ourselves? Where we felt free to speak our minds? Where our unique strengths, experiences, and insights would be a valuable asset?
Well, for most of us it’s not gonna happen, at least not anytime in the near future.
Although self-expression has been shown to decrease turnover and increase productivity and job satisfaction, building an environment where workers can be authentic isn’t on the corporate radar screen just yet. There’s still a mold and workers are expected to wiggle their way into it, no matter how awkward the fit.
Here’s the good news- it doesn’t really matter.
A joint study between the University of Houston and the University of Greenwich found that the freedom to express thoughts and feelings at work had no impact on the participant’s overall sense of well-being. While being authentic around loved ones has a significant positive benefit, zippering the lips at work has no impact, positive or negative.
So here’s another reminder to focus on the things and people dearest to you and let the rest go. Just think how much more time you’ll have to develop your “unique style and spirit”, as Fee encourages. Or, as our friend Mary Jackson Lee suggests, “Do the one thing that you are sure you cannot.” And maybe in between, put together a fabulous outfit or two!
Love,
Becky
Are you authentic at work? How do you balance honoring your beliefs with fitting into the corporate mold?
Sources & Resources- click on any of the links below for more information!
Vanessa Wong, It Doesn’t Pay to Be Yourself at Work.
huffingtonpost.com, Workplace Authenticity: Hiding Who You Are At Work Linked With Lower Job Satisfaction.
Murray Wardrop, Being yourself at work is not good for your career, study claims.
