This is what’s moving me the most at the moment.
My 7 year old daughter shaved her head to raise money for childhood cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s organization this week. I’ll share the whole story down the road, once I’ve had a chance to process all of my many feelings of pride and inspiration.
One of my passions in life is to support mission-driven leaders (or those who wish to become them) get clear about their vision, take courageous action, and build meaningful connections that make a positive impact in the world.
My daughter DID this. She WAS this. Vision, action, and love. She blew my mind.
We can learn and grow from unexpected leaders and small moments. My daughter has been schooling me lately. Last week I was heading to my office for an evening meeting of the non-profit organization I’m on the board of. I also had an evening session for a seminar that I’m taking on creativity that week.
She was not pleased. She sat on my lap, looked me straight in the eye, held my face between her hands, and said “Mama, why don’t you say NO to some of these things?! You say no to me and J (her brother) all the time, but you don’t say no to all these other things.”
First of all, I cracked up.
Second, I reflected on her wise insight and thoughtful question.
Then, I gave her the best, honest answer that I could… “These things are important to me. They are how I contribute to our community and keep taking care of myself too. But, I’m so sorry that there are two in the same week this time.”
Life is a series of yes and no opportunities. We don’t always have choice or control, but we often have more than we realize.
My daughter called me out. She made me really consider whether my time and energy were being well spent.
How about you?
When have you last paused to consider if your vision, action, and relationships are aligned with the person and leader you aim to be?
Personally, I’ve got to check in with myself A LOT on this, or I get caught up in do, do, do… and I’m not present to the WHY at all.
Check in with yourself.
Listen to the wisdom of my daughter.
Are your yeses and nos well thought out?
Are they supporting you in your own leadership expansion and impact?
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SOME MORE GOOD STUFF
Some of you have asked me to bring back my “favorites.” May they bring you a bit of whatever you need… hope, humor, connection, love, learning.
What I’m reading lately:
These are two astoundingly beautiful young adult fiction books. I’m still amazed by how much history I don’t know (case in point on the history of India/Pakistan in the Night Diary).
- The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani
- Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate
What I’m listening to lately:
- Race, Culture, & Beyond of course! HERE Actually, I never listen back to the shows , but others are telling me that they are DEFINITELY worth tuning in to 🙂
What I’m watching lately:
- Firefly Lane (my couch binge during my solo weekend that I mentioned a couple of weeks back.) The characters are exactly my age. They’re friendship and history is messy and human. It’s sweet, funny, and awkward all at once. It’s not for everyone, but it sucked me right in.
- The Queen’s Gambit. Complex character. Tragedy and triumph. A girl (and then a woman) busting boundaries and carving her own path. I loved it.
Much love and more nakedness,
Sage
