I will be going on summer break and therefore so will our Leadership Coaching Newsletter. To capture the spirit of play, replenishment and fun, (so important for me to remember life is a balance of work, responsibility, and play) my coach sent me this "article" a few years ago. I thought it was a good reminder to take time to replenish and rejuvenate.
Are you too busy to take time off? At an executive retreat last week, one executive told the group that he went to France on holiday and for the first time he left his laptop and Blackberry at home. His observation was that he was able to so totally relax and not think about work, that when he did come back to work he found he could concentrate and focus so much better because he felt a renewed sense of energy.
Who said leadership had to be all serious work anyway? Read on.
"When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard. My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff you can wish on.
When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money and I look away. My kids see someone smiling at them and they smile back.
When I hear music I love, I know I can't carry a tune and don't have much rhythm so I sit self-consciously and listen. My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words. If they don't know them, they make up their own.
When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk. My kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing.
When I pray, I say thee and thou and grant me this, give me that. My kids say, "Hi God! Thanks for my toys and my friends. Please keep the bad dreams away tonight. Sorry, I don't want to go to Heaven yet. I would miss my Mommy and Daddy."
When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets. My kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers to cross and worms to play with.
I wonder if we are given kids to teach or to learn from?
Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."
Author Unknown Have a restful replenishing summer! Leadership Coaching Newsletter is written and produced by Wendy Capland. If you have any questions or comments, please send them to: wcapland@visionquestconsulting.com. We'd love to hear from you.
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