One thing I really miss about living in Jamaica are the Christmas parties! Organizations go all out to have the most fun, exciting and rip-roaring events, literally vying to be the talk of the town!
Where is joy in dark times? It’s difficult to find it when there is, as Bob Marley sang:
“War in the east
War in the west
War up north
War down south
War, war
Rumours of war”
“We are having a 2-day retreat next week, at (fancy-schmancy resort hotel). It’s for about 24 people. We need a facilitator, but we don’t have much of a budget. Are you available”?
In my 4 decades of facilitating retreats, I have heard this quite a few times. My simple answer is: “So sorry. I am not available”.
“I thought that when management went on a retreat on the North Coast it was all fun and games. I didn’t realise that you really did some serious, hard work” said one of the young special invitees to the corporate retreat I facilitated a few weeks ago.
Silence is a spiritual practice of most religions. It is exhorted as a place to go, a state of being where one taps into inner wisdom. Those who regularly practice silence can attest to how calming and life-affirming it is.
As I countdown to the departure of my flight to Budapest for my vacation, I have found myself floundering. Trying to manage the stress and angst of things to do before I leave, I am realising that I won’t get all of them done.
As leaders grapple with our increasingly complex and uncertain world littered with rapid and unforeseen changes in technology, climate, global economics, demographic movements and political systems, the urgency of improving their strategic thinking skills looms large.
I was facilitating a Leadership Development workshop. Simone turned on her video and apologised for her low energy. She was feeling the impact of the heat, working from home, with no air conditioning.
I have been pondering the necessity to buy another bookcase to house my ever-expanding book collection. Typically, these were acquired on a whim, made super easy by Amazon’s click and buy function and next day delivery.
A few weeks ago, I completed my first assignment as a Flight Angel when I answered the call by the Montego Bay Animal Haven (MBAH) to take a puppy on my flight from Kingston to Toronto. This sweet pup, Nesta (formerly Ella, but now Nesta in honour of the beloved Robert “Bob” Nesta Marley) had her “furever” home awaiting her in Vancouver.
Shift your focus from what's going wrong to what's going right.
Download my free Gratitude meditation today and start experiencing the benefits for yourself.