Honest and Open

May 22

With gratitude, optimism is sustainable. – Michael J. Fox

Happy Monday!

The last few days, with my husband Ed out of town, I had lots of time to be with myself. To think and go a little deeper into the depths of my mind. Something I think is good for the soul on a regular basis.

However, I did head out by myself to two social events over the weekend that were both heartfelt. One was a baby shower on Saturday that reminded me of the joy in new beginnings as my friend and colleague Ashley begins to take on the role of motherhood in July.

On Friday night I attended the performance of a one woman show performed by an improv colleague. This was a show that she had previously done in LA and New York to great reviews. The show, as the marquee shows in the picture above, was at its core about dealing with the voices she had been living with inside of her head.

Her story was based in the need to live up to the expectations of not only what she wanted for her life, but the need to please other people’s wants for her, most especially her beloved father.

Not only did Marylee have the amazing courage of doing a one woman show, playing all the characters, including the voices in her head, but she shared her story in such a raw and compelling way. A story about getting honest and open with herself later in life as the twists and turns changed the course of what she wanted most for herself.

In the Q & A that she did with the audience after the performance she once again allowed herself to be raw and vulnerable. She answered a myriad of questions about how she felt about certain aspects of what she shared on stage and how it all came together.

Our inner expectations can easily get in our way and the noise at times can become all encompassing. I do it, clients do it, friends and family do it. The "it" being forgetting all that we already are and have around us drowned out by the noise of the expectations we have yet to fulfill.

Yesterday I had the beautiful blessing of having uninterrupted time in my garden for the entire day. It is during those moments most especially that I am reminded of the simple blessings in life. The many gifts we are given just in the simple enjoyment of a flower or two…or many 🤓

How many times do we question our path? Is it fulfilling enough? Am I happy enough? Is there everything in front of me that I have always desired? What stops me from achieving all that I wanted by now? What were the obstacles that I have allowed to get in my way? Is it too late for me to get the things I want in life? All open and honest questions to be sure.

In an interview I saw with Michael J. Fox last week and he shared the words to today’s quote that I felt were appropriate for this letter, “With gratitude, optimism is sustainable.” His words resonated because he is someone who saw past his extreme limitations. He took his Parkinson’s diagnosis at the age of 30 and went on to maintain a loving family, a successful career, and happy life. He did not go into a closet and hide.

My wish for you in the week ahead as we head towards the Memorial Day weekend before us is to give credit where credit is due. Most especially to ourselves. Our story is not only about the “things” we have, but what we have done so far, and maybe most importantly the people who have graciously been put on this path in life with us. How we matter to them and they matter to us.

It’s okay we are not perfect, or make as much money as someone else, or have the fame or glory that others may have. What we do have is our own unique life that was created most especially for each of us. It really is about stopping and smelling the roses.

Open and honest we go!