The Power of Purpose

​"The best way to lengthen out our days is to walk steadily and with a purpose."
~ Charles Dickens

​Hello, beauties:

Happy start to September! I love that we are still enjoying sunshine and warmth. Mike and I went floating off the sailboat last weekend, I continue enjoying lots of outdoor teaching, and I'm trying to figure out how to bottle up the color of the sky! I know I'll need a dose of this bright blue come February. 😉

That said, I also recognize the hints of autumn all around. A few leaves are changing color and falling. I'm slightly shocked by the ever-earlier sunset. And, the big one in my world? Yep. School is back in session. (For all of you dropping off loved ones at college? Whew! Be so, so gentle with yourself! Gift yourself all kinds of spaciousness to feel ALL the feelings.)

Speaking of ALL the feelings . . . thank you for the expansive discussions around emotional intelligence and emotional literacy sparked by last week's newsletter. 

My time at Clawson Public Schools was truly amazing. I am deeply honored by the trust placed in me, and I am super impressed by the school culture that is being established and nurtured there. I LOVE that the Trojans are actively supporting the well-being of their teachers!

I had many powerful conversations with staff after my presentation.
One, in particular, allowed me to reflect and expand.

This teacher was enthusiastic about everything I shared and eager to further discuss. At one point, this person said: "I think something that is under appreciated is the power of denial. Sure, I might wake up with a sore hip, or I may have suffered a bad night of sleep, but I can't allow that to impact how I show up for my disabled son. Or, how I interact with my students. I think denial goes a long way to helping us through the day." 

At this point, I had to pause. Take a few breaths. Listen with both ears to what was being said. Then listen again, deep within myself, to find a constructive, truthful, and compassionate way forward in the conversation. 

By encouraging people to better understand, label, and narrate their emotions, I hope each one of us can:

• know, love, and like ourselves better; 
• empathize more readily with others;
• set clear, clean boundaries;
• know, and express, our expectations;
• move more readily and fluidly through our body's stress response.  

So . . . this person in front of me wants to double down on denial? 

Isn't that exactly the opposite of what I was trying to convey? 

*Pause. Breathe. Listen. Get clear.*

---

Click here to find out what happens next!