Tuesday, May 16, 2006
life as a catalyst for change
what if rather than spending time thinking about the ways you wanted to shift things in your life, or all the things you were doing wrong, you set out to create a life that by its very structure would move you in the direction you desire.
this is an idea i've been pondering lately - life as a catalyst for change. i think the key difference in taking this approach is that rather than being reactive, we are proactive. and rather than focusing on what's wrong we build what's right.
so for example, if one of your difficulties is that you find yourself spending too much time in front of the tv munching on fritos, rather than take the approach that you need to "correct" this behavior you change the set-up all together. you find some activity that is so fun & engaging that you will be readily lured from the tv: a dance class, a volleyball team, a book group, a political party.
if you struggle with feeling isolated you set your life up so that you have almost no time alone. perhaps you can't figure out how to relax so you build in activities which force you to slow down, like walking to the corner store when you need groceries.
we have a great many choices to make in our lives, some of which we forget are choices. sometimes i find that choosing a theme that will move your life forward can be a helpful guide to making those choices, themes like: closeness & connection, silliness & fun, adventure & reflection, relaxation & mindfulness. then you get busy setting up your life to be all about that theme.
my recent decision has been to build my life around the theme of 'creating space'. just choosing this theme has led to different decisions being made about how i spend my time and what activities i prioritize. it's meant more reading, napping and hanging out with friends and it's having the impact i'd hoped it would: i'm enjoying the spaciousness and when i am working i'm enjoying that more too.
what would it look like for you to set your life up as a catalyst for change?
what would be the first steps in building that life?
as always, i'd love to hear your thoughts!
dream big,
-kirsten
this is an idea i've been pondering lately - life as a catalyst for change. i think the key difference in taking this approach is that rather than being reactive, we are proactive. and rather than focusing on what's wrong we build what's right.
so for example, if one of your difficulties is that you find yourself spending too much time in front of the tv munching on fritos, rather than take the approach that you need to "correct" this behavior you change the set-up all together. you find some activity that is so fun & engaging that you will be readily lured from the tv: a dance class, a volleyball team, a book group, a political party.
if you struggle with feeling isolated you set your life up so that you have almost no time alone. perhaps you can't figure out how to relax so you build in activities which force you to slow down, like walking to the corner store when you need groceries.
we have a great many choices to make in our lives, some of which we forget are choices. sometimes i find that choosing a theme that will move your life forward can be a helpful guide to making those choices, themes like: closeness & connection, silliness & fun, adventure & reflection, relaxation & mindfulness. then you get busy setting up your life to be all about that theme.
my recent decision has been to build my life around the theme of 'creating space'. just choosing this theme has led to different decisions being made about how i spend my time and what activities i prioritize. it's meant more reading, napping and hanging out with friends and it's having the impact i'd hoped it would: i'm enjoying the spaciousness and when i am working i'm enjoying that more too.
what would it look like for you to set your life up as a catalyst for change?
what would be the first steps in building that life?
as always, i'd love to hear your thoughts!
dream big,
-kirsten
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
growing old or growing up?
my mom recently wrote a poem that reflects many of my dearest held beliefs about what it means to become an "adult" and how big we can decide to make our lives no matter what age we are.
check it out, and if you like the poem check out the link to my mom's blog below:
Growing Old or Growing Up?
It’s a strange thing, growing older.
I hear the concern in my children’s voices,
we want you to take care of yourself,
you shouldn’t do this or that, at your age.
They are unaware of how this sounds,
the impact of their words.
Keep in mind that you are growing older resonates.
They have no idea; I’m still busy growing up.
The young have no understanding of growing older,
perhaps, neither do the old.
Do we cross some mystical age barrier,
and are unwillingly escorted to the realm of old?
The voice I speak to myself with
is still a young girl, a young woman,
and at certain moments she remains a child
with a child’s delight or unbidden fears.
I am still learning to communicate with men,
themselves, young boys yet in many ways.
Hoping like some teenage girl
that I will someday meet the man of my dreams.
Dreams, and I have so many of them,
are yet to be fulfilled and eagerly sought after.
I continue to gain knowledge and wear fresh wisdom
hoping to someday know what I will be when I grow up.
So you may say I am growing old if you like,
but each new discovery that sprouts in my life
fills me with wonder and I dance with joy, knowing
I am not growing old, I am simply growing up!
Conni Struss Johnson
this poem so aptly states what i have found to be true - that as we grow older our impressions of adulthood shift. the assumptions we made as children are revealed to be just that: assumptions.
what if age were irrelevant...how would your perception of yourself change?
do your definitions of adulthood need revision?
as always i'd love to hear your thoughts, feel free to post them here!
dream big,
-kirsten
check it out, and if you like the poem check out the link to my mom's blog below:
Growing Old or Growing Up?
It’s a strange thing, growing older.
I hear the concern in my children’s voices,
we want you to take care of yourself,
you shouldn’t do this or that, at your age.
They are unaware of how this sounds,
the impact of their words.
Keep in mind that you are growing older resonates.
They have no idea; I’m still busy growing up.
The young have no understanding of growing older,
perhaps, neither do the old.
Do we cross some mystical age barrier,
and are unwillingly escorted to the realm of old?
The voice I speak to myself with
is still a young girl, a young woman,
and at certain moments she remains a child
with a child’s delight or unbidden fears.
I am still learning to communicate with men,
themselves, young boys yet in many ways.
Hoping like some teenage girl
that I will someday meet the man of my dreams.
Dreams, and I have so many of them,
are yet to be fulfilled and eagerly sought after.
I continue to gain knowledge and wear fresh wisdom
hoping to someday know what I will be when I grow up.
So you may say I am growing old if you like,
but each new discovery that sprouts in my life
fills me with wonder and I dance with joy, knowing
I am not growing old, I am simply growing up!
Conni Struss Johnson
this poem so aptly states what i have found to be true - that as we grow older our impressions of adulthood shift. the assumptions we made as children are revealed to be just that: assumptions.
what if age were irrelevant...how would your perception of yourself change?
do your definitions of adulthood need revision?
as always i'd love to hear your thoughts, feel free to post them here!
dream big,
-kirsten
Thursday, May 04, 2006
my letter to corporate america
check out my article recently published in worthwhile magazine...and if you like it get yourself a subscription to this great mag.
this article was a blast to write, and so far i've gotten great feedback on it. hope you enjoy it as well. as always feel free to post your comments here.
dream big,
-kirsten
this article was a blast to write, and so far i've gotten great feedback on it. hope you enjoy it as well. as always feel free to post your comments here.
dream big,
-kirsten