Wednesday Wisdom

Seed tomorrow with wise seasonal choices today!

I’m working in Michigan this week, so I’m really happy to have been home for our little one’s 32nd birthday! We adventured out to Mackinac Island for an early celebration last weekend. Then, I got to see her on her actual birth day (let’s face it, I remember that day more than she does!)

As I savor memories of watching her grow into herself, I can’t help but think about the seasons of change required by life for all of us to reach maturity. As her mom, I got chills as I observed the choices and changes she made as she approached her summer. And, I’m happy for and proud of her for so many reasons. One that most impresses me is how courageously she’s handled the “winters” of her life thus far.

Winters come regularly and are often stormy, solitary and frigid accompanied by expanded feelings of emptiness. Some may be easy; however, many are long and treacherous as they challenge us with distress, disappointment, discontent, disillusionment, and often, devastation. During those times its hard to remember that spring is soon to come with its thaw and new life.

At a relatively young age, Amanda has been forced to face a few winters deeply steeped with turbulent circumstances, bitter-cold emotions and oppressive endings. I know she would rather have ripped the icy months off her calendar. Yet, I watched her put on her metaphorical snow shoes and take the long, lonely trek through the drifts, crossing over to her next “spring” stronger, with more compassion, endurance and wisdom.

Let us love winter, for it is the spring of genius. ~ Pietro Aretino

In life, our daughters have been my two best teachers. And, when it comes to challenge, faith and determination in life’s phases, Amanda has reminded me that we can’t change the seasons of our life; however, we can change ourselves. Happy Birthday, Sweetness!

Life is calling . . . Today’s the day . . . Make this moment matter!!
Learn Lavishly. Live Significantly. Leave a Legacy.
Visit http://www.The Success Studio.com
http://www.marilynnsemonick.com
To subscribe to Wednesday Wisdom or to read archived postings visit: http://www.thesuccessstudio.wordpress.com
Marilynn Semonick, CEO (Chief Exploration Officer)
Educator, Consultant, Coach, Facilitator, Professional Speaker
Marilynn@marilynnsemonick.com

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Wednesday Wisdom

Seed tomorrow with wise dancing today!

After my last day of work in Sydney, I was blessed to enjoy a few days with a treasured friend, Catherine Palin-Brinkworth, who is also an exceptional coach, consultant and professional speaker. We enjoyed inspiring conversations, shared provocative questions and challenging, yet hopeful thoughts for the future.

Sunday, we explored the Tamborine Mountains, not far from Catherine’s home on Hope Island (great name for an island, hey!?!) We strolled through charming shops and had a yummy lunch in a sweet little area called The Gallery Walk.

One shop we stumbled across was stuffed with a plethora of signs. We walked in and immediately read:
If you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is it.

And, my eyes then landed on another:
Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass – it’s about learning to dance in the rain.

Ah, to be able to rumba with joy, rhythm and grace in the middle of pandemonium . . . what a delightful thought . . . someday, I thought, someday!

Life is calling . . . Today’s the day . . . Make this moment matter!!
Learn Lavishly. Live Significantly. Leave a Legacy.
Visit http://www.The Success Studio.com
http://www.marilynnsemonick.com
To subscribe to Wednesday Wisdom or to read archived postings visit: http://www.thesuccessstudio.wordpress.com
Marilynn Semonick, CEO (Chief Exploration Officer)
Educator, Consultant, Coach, Facilitator, Professional Speaker
Marilynn@marilynnsemonick.com

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Wednesday Wisdom

Seed tomorrow with wise discernment today!

I’m back, working in Australia, and once again, smiling at so many of their signs.  Like the people here, they state things in honest and direct ways.  Here are a few that tickle me the most:

 In front of a rental car company:  RENT A WRECK

 Frequently seen on the expressway:  If you drink and drive you’re a bloody idiot!

 At road construction: You’ll never get to work on time, haha. Leave earlier tomorrow.

 Another road construction message: Prepare to be annoyed.

 Response to a customer complaint: Suppose we refund your money, send you another one for free, close the store and have the manager shot. Would that be satisfactory?

 Traveling on a bus to Paddy Market in Sydney this morning, I glanced at a sign announcing an event at a local museum that separated the word history:

HIS

TORY

MUSEUM

Immediately I remembered sitting in class over 40 years ago listening to a professor lecture about world history. He encouraged us to discern wisely as we read. since it’s story – an agreed upon version of what occurred in time.

So, as I read the separated word from the bus, it triggered me to wonder what the difference would be if we read herstory rather than history.  Simply food for thought . . .

 

Life is calling . . .  Today’s the day . . . Make this moment matter!! 

Learn Lavishly. Live Significantly. Leave a Legacy.

Visit www.The Success Studio.com
www.marilynnsemonick.com

To subscribe to Wednesday Wisdom or to read archived postings visit:  http://www.thesuccessstudio.wordpress.com
Marilynn Semonick, CEO (Chief Exploration Officer)
Educator, Consultant, Coach, Facilitator, Professional Speaker
Marilynn@marilynnsemonick.com

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Wednesday Wisdom

Seed tomorrow with wise living today!

We traveled to my parent’s home state of Pennsylvania over the holiday weekend to attend my cousin, Danny’s funeral.  Danny was 40 years old, living decades longer than doctors had predicted.  The church was packed, hundreds of testimonials were written by those he touched from children to elders, and the stories shared were of his consistent his courage, encouragement, role modeling, selfless love and service to others. We were all blessed to have him in our lives.

As a child, Danny gingerly got himself around on crutches.  As an adult he was forced to the confinement of a wheel chair.  He smiled through intense pain, multiple operations and often, long recoveries.  A local newspaper article about him read:

Even though he was born with spinal bifida, he lived his life to the fullest . . . There were times he had to fight for his life, but his life was worth fighting for . . . Danny’s personality outshined any handicap he had . . . He was selfless . . . Danny taught by example. I don’t think he realized he did… He always had an uncanny ability to make you smile.   

Life is fast and fragile. Each of us has relatively little time on Earth. Yet, there are many who whine about every minor problem, focus on and complain about what they don’t have, and some who catastrophize their challenges into obstacles that paralyze their lives. 

In his sermon, the priest said, “The greatest among you will serve the rest. . .  Danny may have had a broken body; however, he had a Divine Spirit that consistently served others. . . he left a legacy of love.”

When we leave, what will be said of us?  That will depend on the frame through which we view life and the actions we take to make our moments matter. I don’t know about you – but, with that said, I certainly have work to do!

Life is calling . . .  Today’s the day . . . Make this moment matter!! 

Learn Lavishly. Live Significantly. Leave a Legacy.

Visit www.The Success Studio.com
www.marilynnsemonick.com

To subscribe to Wednesday Wisdom or to read archived postings visit:  http://www.thesuccessstudio.wordpress.com
Marilynn Semonick, CEO (Chief Exploration Officer)
Educator, Consultant, Coach, Facilitator, Professional Speaker
Marilynn@marilynnsemonick.com

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