Value is in the Eyes of the Beholder

How many “likes” did I get on that last picture?  That is a question many people ask as if the number of “likes” is a magical barometer for self worth or value.  The problem with this line of thinking lies within the definition.  Only “self” can determine self worth and expecting others to determine self worth is counter productive.  Consider the lyrics to the popular John Legend song, “All of Me.”  What if the lyrics were like having a conversation with your inner self?  Imagine saying to yourself, “…All of me loves all of you; love your curves and all your edges, all your perfect imperfections… “  Learning to create a loving relationship with yourself and cultivate a spirit of grace for yourself will help with self confidence and self image.  It is kind of like getting to know your “selfie” and will grow your ability to love and be loved.  Value is in the eyes of the beholder.  When you look in the mirror, what do you see?  Ultimately, the final word lies within you and not with the comments, judgments, or compliments of others.  What lens are you using to see yourself?  Do you need to adjust the focus?  Consider seeking professional therapy as a healthy tool to help you learn how to adjust your lens if you feel your self perception relies too much with what others think. 

From High Heels to Hiking Boots... If the Shoe Fits, Wear It!

She Summits- Kilimanjaro 2014. Why in the world did I decide to do this AGAIN?

In 2012 I climbed Africa's largest mountain with a group of friends from Rotary who committed to climbing Kili for a cause. While raising funds was the foremost reason for climbing, many of us had personal goals for embarking on such a journey. I had an "aha" moment when I realized how I was encouraging others to reach beyond their comfort zones and challenge themselves to grow. Yet, when was the last time I had actually done such a thing? How can I expect others to do what I am not willing to do myself? As the story goes, the Kili opportunity presented itself many times, but after my "aha" moment, it was just the right time. When my awareness and desire for a challenging adventure was met with opportunity, I said yes and began training for a trip of a lifetime.

Climbing Kili was a time to abandon my comfortable cross trainer shoes and beloved high heels to embrace my hiking boots. There's something to said about support from your friends and especially your hiking boots! I needed both! Climbing Kili led me along trails, both mentally and physically, I had never before explored. Kili was quite the playground to practice some professional training in mindfulness and centered awareness. It was...
A time to be still, although I was hiking.
A time to relax, although my heart beat at a cardio pace.
A time to explore my thoughts going down the winding road of my mind while embracing the scene of discovery, although I was filled with apprehension and fear.
A time to fellowship with friends and develop camaraderie, although the journey was intimately personal.
A time to accomplish my personal goals, although I was part of a larger goal.

As Max Lucado said, "The sweetest satisfaction lies not in climbing your own Everest [or Kilimanjaro], but in helping others climb theirs." It is the larger goal that has led me to Kili 2014 with a desire to create an opportunity for other women to choose their challenge embracing the experience to live life completely full... full of courage, full of faith, full of commitment, full of compassion, full of fellowship, full of gratitude, and full of life. Discovering the world and choosing to grow through a mindful journey climbing the majestic Mt Kilimanjaro is transformational personal leadership.

Is it your time to say, "Yes"?

Join the journey!

FMI... see the She Summits-Kilimanjaro 2014 Facebook page.

Treasures in the Sand

Have you ever considered the resilience of a sand dollar? These small round flat spiny echinoderms are some of the most prized gifts for hopeful beachcombers. Today, I took a walk along the beach. I had a very simple agenda to embrace the moment, enjoy God’s beauty, and feel the inspiration from being close to nature. I also wanted to test the healing progress of my Achilles tendon. As I walked along the shoreline, I noticed the birds. The small sandpipers were fervently pecking away at the morsels of goodness in the sand. I noticed a pelican gliding just above the waves and also how it seemed to be flying in place as it patiently waited to dive for fish. How does a bird fly in place? I wonder if that is similar to “being still with a mile?” A few people passed me walking in the other direction. A golden retriever seemed to be laughing as he splashed in the water to retrieve his stick. I mentally commented to myself that the couple wading in the water were utterly crazy! Although the sun was beaming, it was 49 degrees and quite windy. I continued my beach stroll and my thoughts settled on sand dollars. Why do people spend countless hours searching for sand dollars and unique shells? What is so special about them? I began to think about how a sand dollar can be tossed by the waves and preyed upon by other sea creatures. Their respite is to bury themselves in the sand for protection. And when their life cycle is over, they wash upon the shore to the delight of hopeful beachcombers. However, it is a treasure and unique find to come across a sand dollar that has withstood the elements and remained intact. Usually, they are crushed by the force of the waves as they topple ashore. Could it be a symbol of courage? Or perhaps resilience? Could a sand dollar be a symbol of hope? And then while my thoughts were dancing in my head, I saw out of the corner of my eye the sparkle of a white round disc lying in the sand bar just beyond a tide pool. I stopped to get a closer look. I couldn’t tell if it was a whole sand dollar, and yet I stood staring… mesmerized by it. I glanced down at the water that kept me from reaching it with my hand as I paused and considered my options. If I wanted to hold that sand dollar, I had to walk in the freezing cold water. Surely, I was crazy! Just like the couple I noticed earlier walking in the water. And then, my perspective began to shift. The water was simply an obstacle keeping me from inspecting a sand dollar more closely. I reached down and pulled off each of my shoes and socks, rolled up my double layer of long johns and yoga pants and proceeded to wade through the water. To my delight, the sparkling disc was indeed a whole sand dollar. I continued to walk in the water, laughing silently at myself, and discovered several more sand dollars. I also noticed that the cold water felt soothing on my heel. A couple reflections about this experience stand out for consideration. First, my mindset completely changed with a 180 degree turn of how I was thinking about the water. Secondly, the sand dollar became even more special because I had to work a little harder for it and make an intentional decision as to whether or not it was worth my effort. Additionally, that effort was only to discover whether or not it was a whole sand dollar. All of the effort was exerted with only hope for the reward. How often do we have a fixed mindset in life? How often do we allow our mindset to open with discovery? Overcoming adversity is encouraging and rewarding. Viewing obstacles as an opportunity to add value can influence our outcomes in life. Take a leap of faith! Step out with hope. And follow your own life adventure with an essence of discovery.

My Adventure on the Mountain via Janice Holly Booth

Many thanks to Janice for inviting me to share my Kilimanjaro journey. Please visit her site to read the story...
http://www.janicehollybooth.com/adventurist/your-story/adventurista-on-the-mountain-new/

A Polio Story of Perseverance, Passion, and Purpose

Small acts, when multiplied by millions, can change the world. For Lynn Campbell, a young woman living in Oklahoma, the small act of kindness came when an anonymous donor paid for her to receive art lessons in a most non-traditional manner. Lynn could only use her mouth as a result of the complications from the disease, polio and living in an iron lung. Lynn’s story of perseverance, passion, and purpose inspired and touched many lives while she was alive and continues to have an impact well beyond her lifespan.

Upon learning of her disease, Lynn dropped into hopelessness as she planned her suicide. After an unsuccessful attempt, she decided to look at life differently trying to find small glimpses of joy. Through this initial perseverance, she discovered painting, an outlet where she could process with each brushstroke the frustrations, joys, and emotions of trying to make sense of the events in her life. After the kind generosity of an anonymous donor, Lynn went on to become an accomplished artist with oil painting, an art teacher, an author, and an inspiring role model for others.

Polio eventually took Lynn’s life in the 1980’s but it never took her spirit. She felt blessed with the opportunities in her life and she passionately lived each day with gratitude and purpose. Through sharing her story, her life, and her talents, she inspired many to seek the infinite possibilities, to give back, and make a positive impact in the world.

By sharing my intent to climb Kilimanjaro, I received the touching gift of Lynn’s story from my mother-in-law, Lynn’s cousin. Lynn’s artwork and memory spans the walls of my in-laws home in Texas to the Oklahoma building in Washington DC. And her legacy of perseverance, passion, and purpose continues in far reaching ways. Just as she leaned into the trials of life with polio and discovered new meaning for her life, we can lean into life’s challenges and discover new possibilities. Climbing Kili will surely present the challenges of an enormous mountain and I will carry her story with me as I climb.

Please join Rotary and myself in putting an end to polio! Click to conveniently and securely donate online: http://rotary7680kiliclimb.org/index.php/climbers/4-debra-corbett

Complete the sentence ________.

What was the last thing you completed? Perhaps it was a crossword puzzle, or the weekend “to do” list. Maybe finishing a marathon highlighted with a deep sense of accomplishment considering the hours of commitment, sweat, and training. Regardless of how big or small the task, a sense of accomplishment nurtures confidence, satisfaction, and feeling successful. Webster defines “complete” as fully carried out; brought to an end; having all the necessary steps or parts. Completion requires commitment to self and often commitment to others.

Would you consider accepting a paycheck and never depositing it? Or dialing a number partially and expecting to communicate? I am reminded of an example of creative discipline when in response to a teenager choosing to fulfill their school, homework, and home responsibilities half way, the parent drove the child halfway to the movie theater and stopped. Of course, the parent told the child they would drive them to the movies and the child assumed that meant the complete route. The parent chose a brilliant example to illustrate the integrity, implied trust, and the domino effect of completing an obligation and fulfilling responsibility.

In life, I often hear the debate between which is more important… the journey or the destination. And I believe both are completely and comprehensively important. In the journey lie the steps. The steps of failure and success, the steps of fear and courage, the steps of choices, learning, and growth. Without the steps, the destination would not happen. Life is a journey. And within the journey of life, we purposely set goals with ourselves, our children, our jobs, etc. Destination culminates with completion and accomplishment honoring the process from start to finish. I encourage you to complete the sentence… This week, this month, and/or this year I commit to finishing my goal of _____________. Enjoy!

Choose Action: Open the Fences of Labels

Your mindset is what you make it and does not depend on a diagnosis or label to prescribe the fixed limits. We live in a world of diagnoses and labels… ADHD, depressed, gifted/talented, bipolar, extrovert, introvert, winner, loser, and the list goes on. To a degree, your experiences and all that you are create who you are, but it does not dictate who you are. You have very specific opinions about things that closely resemble your own experiences. Regardless if your experiences are positive, negative, or neutral, you have the freedom to choose how they will show up in your life and how much emphasis they will carry into your future.

Sometimes, people are given a diagnosis or label by others as in the case of school testing or doctors’ diagnoses. And even then, you can still choose how that will play out in your life. How many times have cancer survivors beaten the odds? What about those who were told they will never walk again and surpass walking to adopt a habit of running? There are many ADHD CEO’s out there! These people refused to subscribe to the limits of labels. A label might explain why something is more difficult and can help create an efficient life plan. And when used in a positive way, it can also create a springboard for success. Or, it can stifle motivation and create a fenced in box tightly bound by the label. For example, Carol Dweck, in her book, Mindset, discussed how children reinforced for their effort out-performed those who were told they were the best. Perhaps the “best” label constricts motivation to continue growing? Perhaps focusing on "doing" rather than what is "done" motivates growth?

Think about the labels you have for yourself, either prescribed by others or self-prescribed. I am ______. Write them down. Look at them and make intentional choices as to what you will carry with you this year. Tear down the fences so you can carve your own path.