Grateful for little learners

Greetings on a Saturday in DC.  Happy St. Patty's Day!

Today I'm grateful for little learners.  We had MacKenzie's swimming class this morning.  It went better than they have in the past, I'm guessing largely because she spent so much time in the pool or hot tub when we were in Florida.  Anyway, today was the first day that the class practiced putting their heads under water for the first time.  The teacher took every individual student and helped them put their heads under.  What I thought was most interesting about this was just how adventurous and willing to learn little kids are.  Imagine how big and new the world is for someone under two years old.  They've likely been in pools less than 20 times at the most.  It's noisy and there are lots of people around that they don't know very well.  Then a woman that they've only seen for 30 minutes four or five times takes them away from their parent and pulls them through the water until they go under for a bit.  Talk about being uncomfortable!
Here's the thing:  very few cried.  Almost all gave the teacher and their parents a high five after it was over.  Even if they were blinking away water out of their eyes and looked a little unsure.  They were all excited to have done something new.

As with so many things, kids can teach us so much about being open to learning and new things.  Change might be uncomfortable, it might feel really strange, but it's likely to help you swim to places you never expected.  The next time I'm nervous about trying something new or need to stretch myself a bit, I'm going to think about all those little swimmers going under for the first time.  They were inspiring.
Here's a little clip of the first dip under water:

Until tomorrow...

The next grateful challenge

Greetings on a Friday!  TGIF.
I've made a decision about the next stage of the gratefulness challenge.  I'm going to stick with it, but change the rules a bit.  I'm going to commit to at least one thing that I'm grateful for daily.  I'm going to do my best not to do repeats, but no promises.  If I'm really moved by something that is a "double-up," you may see something more than once.  I'm not sure about the timeframe.  We'll see how it goes.

Today, I'm grateful for mentors.  I had the opportunity this morning to join the "Mentoring Partnership of Long Island's" for a portion of their 2012 "Mentoring Matters" conference.  It was really incredible.  My boss, Linda Armyn, who is on their board kicked off the breakfast with an inspiring talk including the role that her father played as a mentor and how his mentees still remember him and his impact many years later.  The Executive Director, Jean Cohen and the National President/CEO of MENTOR both spoke with such enthusiasm and passion about the difference that mentors can play and the stark realities that can face young people who do not have the support that they need.  Finally, Keith Davis and Devan Wyman from the NFL lead an incredibly engaging session with a group of young people.  They were dynamic speakers and had such a wonderfully positive message.  It was exciting to see the kids so engaged.  It was clear what a difference these folks are making.  It was a magnificent way to start my Friday.

It also made me think about the many mentors that I've had and what a difference they've made to me.  I've been extremely lucky to have a lot of mentors at different stages in my life and they have all shaped who I am today.  I can't possibly write about all of my mentors here, so this is not intended to be a full list, but there were a few that were on my mind today:

Bill Clarke: He was my science teacher in middle school. My seventh grade year was extremely difficult for me and he was kind and generous with his time.  Knowing that he was there for me and would be an ear when I needed it really helped me to get through many days that very challenging year.  I'm not sure what I would have done without him.

Pat Pastula:  He was my cross country and track coach.  If you know me, you know how much I love to run.  My love of running started with Mr. Pastula.  He taught the little things like how to pace myself, how to eat well, how to condition and train.  More than anything he taught me about commitment.  He taught me that no matter what the circumstance, no matter how uncomfortable, you can always run and that being that diligent pays off.  There were days when I really didn't understand why we would be outside running. Today there are very few days that I would understand why I wouldn't be outside running.  He gave me a very big gift in introducing me to one of my life's passions.

Kathy Elliott:  She hired me at BestSource.  She taught me so much about marketing and leadership.  More than anything she helped me to develop my passion for credit unions and our industry.  She shared a lot about how she grew her career and helped me to get my start.

John Normandeau:  He is the CEO at BestSource.  He believed in me and my talents.  He saw things in me that I didn't even see and pushed me to look deeper until I saw them and acted on them.  He taught me about the importance of knowing your strengths and weaknesses and how really great leaders not only know themselves well, but surround themselves with people that compliment them.  He also taught me how important humor can be even in really tough situations.

Mike Neill:  Mike is such an incredible mentor.  He has taught me nearly everything I know about sales & service culture and credit unions.  He is always honest with me and tells me like it is even when it is hard to hear.  He is extremely loyal and always gives me a chance to get better and improve myself.  He is super funny and has made me laugh even when I felt like crying.  He taught me so much about how to be an effective speaker and an effective leader. He showed me how important modeling is.  He also taught me how critical it is to give back consistently.  I feel very lucky to have him in my life.

My mom:  I know it might seem like something that everyone says, but my mom has been the biggest mentor in my life.  She is the epitome of what people mean when they say mentor.   She has provided me with unending support in every situation I've encountered.  She loves me no matter what I do.  She is here for me and will answer my call whether it's 5 AM or 5 PM.  She'll talk to me whether it's the first time we've talked in a day or the fifth.  She has helped me to make decisions and has known when she needed to step in a play a larger role and when to give me the space that I needed to decide on my own.  She taught me to play the violin.  She taught me to read. She taught me to write.  She taught me how to treat other people.  She taught me what family is all about.  She taught me what it means to be a working mom and how important a career can be for a woman.  She's given me so many gifts, it's hard to articulate them all.

I was reminded today about how crucial mentors are.  It was fun today to think about some of my mentors and their impact on me.  Thank you to all of my mentors.  I'm looking forward to finding ways to be a mentor in the future.  I've always known how important it was, but today was a good reminder about how much they are needed.

Grateful Day #30

Greetings on Grateful Day #30!  Here's my top ten list today:
(1)  I'm grateful for having a great lunch today.  I met some new fun people, learned a more about one of our business partners and had an awesome sandwich.
(2)  I'm grateful for all I that I learned today about tanning.  The folks I had lunch with were telling me all about it.  I haven't been to a tanning salon in more than 10 years (at least).  It seems a lot has changed.  You can pick different kinds of tans.  There are beds that make you not feel like you are in a coffin.  Who knew? I'm grateful for learning something new today.
(3)  I'm grateful for colorful heels.  They make black suits much more fun.
(4)  I'm grateful that I survived running past the creepy lady for the 100th time today.  I pass a woman almost every morning when I run who carries an umbrella no matter what the weather.  (Yes, this is different than the crabby woman that I also pass on most mornings and no, that woman hasn't smiled at me yet!)  She doesn't wave and she always looks at me with dagger eyes.  My heart starts racing every morning because I'm just not entirely sure what's going on with this person.  I'm hoping she is just a crabby and cautious walker and not a serial killer.  I'm going to keep trying my stock response:  smiling as much as I can.  What else is there to do??
(5)  I'm grateful for the pictures Grandma Marge sent to us last night.  Reminded me of our fun week.  Here are a few:

(6)  I'm grateful for my dear friend Kelly.  She's super smart, very kind and generous.  She's a great mom and a great friend.  She and I were pregnant at the same time and we have a lot in common.  She came and rescued me several times when I first had MacKenzie and needed a few minutes to workout and didn't have much back-up.  She's on my mind because I'll get to see her next week at GAC.  I'm grateful for that as well!

(7)  I'm grateful for my dear friend Dawn.  She sent MacKenzie a gorgeous scarf and she absolutely loves it.  Dawn is a long time friend with one of the biggest hearts on the planet.  She's a spectacular mom and friend.  She's creative and funny and super generous.  She has a way of "just knowing" when I need a card or a call to connect.  Just wish we lived closer. Her birthday is tomorrow.  Happy Birthday Dawn!

(8)  I'm grateful for those runs when I just feel light and full of energy.  There are a lot of daily runs that I love doing because I love how I feel when the run is over, but that I really slog through. I feel like my feet are stuck in cement and I have to play mind games just to keep myself from looking at my watch to see how far I've gone.  Having had to "hit pause" on my running career when we were pregnant with MacKenzie, I am grateful for every run, but I'm especially grateful for those runs when I just feel amazing every steep of the way.
(9)  I'm grateful for gin & tonics.  I haven't had one in a really long time, but they are one of my very favorite adult beverages.  I used to wonder why in the world my mom drank them when I was little because they smelled like pine trees.  I couldn't imagine they tasted good.  They are so refreshing and delicious.  Cheers.
(10)  I'm grateful for having taken this challenge.  It's helped me to gain perspective and value the many fantastic people and things in my life.
Wondering what happens on day 31?  Meet you back here tomorrow and we'll see what the day brings...

Grateful Day #29

Greetings on Grateful Day #29.  On this unseasonably warm New York day, here's my top ten grateful list:
(1)  I'm grateful for seeing a good credit union friend that I hadn't seen in a long time today.  I'm also grateful that I'm going to get to see her again next week at GAC.
(2)  I'm grateful for how much MacKenzie loves being outside and that it's light enough now to play outside after dinner time.  We moved sand from the sandbox into the yard.  We pointed at the flowers.  We threw her baseball.  Fun.
(3)  I'm grateful for spontaneity.  I'm not particularly good at it, but it's fun when I try to be every once in a while.

(4)  I'm grateful for Puffs.  They make living through a cold slightly less rotten.
(5)  I'm grateful for crossword puzzles.  They were a joy in my grandma's life and I love doing them when I am able.  I particularly like doing them when we are with my in-laws.  Jeff helps me complete the things I don't know.
(6)  I'm grateful for the smell of oranges.  I am not really that big a fan of the taste, but the smell is really refreshing.
(7)  I'm grateful for postcards.  They are fun to send and fun to receive.  My in-laws are great about always sending them from their trips.

(8)  I'm grateful for how much MacKenzie's hair has grown this week.  It's really fun to see it grow and curl a bit.
(9)  I'm grateful that some day MacKenzie will learn to say "yes" as well as "no."  She responds "no" to practically everything either with the word or a shake of the head.  I am looking forward to "yes" and nods.
(10) I'm grateful for all the letters my grandmother wrote me.  When I first went away to U of M, I was really homesick.  My parents were pretty smart and knew that if I came home every weekend I'd never acclimate, so we made a commitment that they'd talk to me daily and come see me a fair amount, but that I wouldn't come home very often until I got settled in.  My grandma wrote me a letter every single day.  I kept most of the letters.  They are newsy and sweet and chronicle her days for most of my college years.  It's really cool to have these little treasures that I can go back to and remember her.  She was just incredible.

Until tomorrow...

Grateful Day #28

Greetings on grateful day #28.  Here's my top ten list for the day:

(1)  I'm grateful for the gorgeous sunny day here in Columbus.  The sun and the warm weather feel amazing.
(2)  I'm grateful for the great folks that I presented to today.  I love presenting to and talking with credit union Marketing folks.  So much energy and passion for what we do.  Fantastic!

(3)  I’m grateful for some recent conversations pointing me to consider the concept of work/life balance.  As a working mom it is something that you hear about all the time.  You hear people saying that they want or need more of it. You hear people saying they feel close to it.  You almost never hear people say they have it mastered.  You read about it and some people say it is a fallacy similar to control.  In this case, in my opinion, everyone is right. 

Balance is a feeling.  It’s something that you feel singularly.  Nobody can tell you that you have it or that you do not.  However, it is something that you are sure that everyone has an opinion about.  As a working mom, you think that people are watching you and judging you and deciding if you work too much or too little.  You are sure that people have opinions about how you play with your kid and how often.  I’m not sure that this is always true, but it feels like reality and it probably is at times.  As people we are quick to judge. 

For me, balance is about being able to experience two sides of experiences.  Neither is better or worse.  I appreciate each because I get to do both.  Here’s an example:

Traveling with a toddler:

Last week I was traveling with MacKenzie and Scott.   We were hauling around three checked bags, a diaper bag, my laptop bag, my purse and Scott’s carry-on.  A man stopped us to tell us that we definitely hadn’t mastered traveling with children.   It took us longer than most to get through lines.  People were very flexible and patient because they saw that juggling our bags and our baby wasn’t easy.  They smiled at us a lot and joked with us. 

We tried to eat at the airport and mostly just made a mess as our daughter doesn’t eat particularly well when she isn’t in a highchair of some sort.  As we waited for the plane, I chased MacKenzie around the airport and we played with a group of wheelchairs that we found.  She put her tongue on the disgusting airport window.  She got under at least ten people’s feet.  People smiled and laughed.  We were every passenger’s nightmare as they ascertained whether or not they would be sitting near us on the plane.  I looked at business travelers and felt pangs of jealousy. 

As we flew, Scott and I took turns juggling a 17-month old.  She kicked the seat in front of us.  She threw all the papers and magazines out of the seat pocket.  She screamed and cried for 15 minutes because all she wanted to do was crawl around.  She threw her books on the floor.  She finally fell asleep in frustration.  I napped for a while with her and then woke up and enjoyed watching her sleep peacefully in my arms.  She hugged and kissed me when she woke up.  Pure joy.

When we got off the plane she roared with laughter at the little stuffed animal that rolls on the ground and giggles.  People in the airport smiled at her and they smiled at me.   Strangers talked to us in both airports about the backpack that Scott was wearing to carry MacKenzie and how comfortable it looked both for her and for us.  They were friendly and kind and commented about what a sweet baby she was. 

Traveling without a toddler:      

This week I’m traveling on business alone.  I don’t get nearly as many smiles.  If I’m slow or get in someone’s way they are not patient.  I am much faster getting through security.  I have my luggage well organized and I am adept at maneuvering the bins.  My luggage feels light and manageable.  I am able to read and work as I wait in the airport.  At the hotel, I practice my presentations in my room several times and fall asleep early.  I wake up and am only responsible for getting myself ready.  I practice my presentations again after I call home and listen to MacKenzie and Scott starting their day.  I really enjoy presenting to the groups and hearing their feedback.  I think on my way to the airport about changes I will make to my presentations in the future.  I catch up on phone calls that I’ve missed and write a bit.  I get lunch at the airport and eat it at a leisurely pace because I can.  I enjoy drinking a diet coke and don’t worry about it getting spilled. I’m able to read and work on the airplane.   I make lists of things that I need to remember to do at home and at work.  I think about what time I’ll get home and what parts of MacKenzie’s routine I’ll miss.  People do not look at me like I have cooties when they realize they will be sitting next to me.  I look at other moms and feel jealous.  I wish that I were holding MacKenzie.  I close my eyes for a few minutes on the plane and it feels really good. 

These experiences happen to me every single day.  I have my moments with my girl.  I have my moments without her.  The moments with her are magical and she is the light of my life.  The moments with her are also sometimes frustrating and hard.  The moments without her are also magical.  The moments without her are sometimes frustrating and hard.  I like working and I like contributing.  I love credit unions and the difference that we make for people and their finances.   I appreciate both more because I do both.  There is never a 50/50 split.   I’m lucky to juggle both though and I’m thankful to be challenged to think about balance because it makes me appreciate my life in its entirety not just in its parts. 

(4)  I’m grateful for hearing about a “Red Shoe” campaign done by Wayne County Community Federal Credit Union.  This shop and their CEO really get their “why.”  Inspiring.

(5)  I’m grateful for how pretty clouds look from the sky.  It’s crazy that there was a time when folks didn't fly and didn’t get to see how cool they are up here.

(6)  I’m grateful for bagel sandwiches.   I really love them and the one I had today was particularly great even though the woman that made it seemed very confused by my request (cheese, lettuce, mustard…”That’s it??”)

(7)  I’m grateful for the funny pilot today who teased me after I had to go through “additional screening” by TSA saying, “so you got sent to time out hunh?”  Made me laugh. 

(8)  I’m grateful for not getting hit by a car this morning.  In the hotel restaurant last night a man commented to me that there were frequent pedestrian accidents in the area.  I was slightly on edge when I ran.  He didn’t seem to know what contributed to this.  He seemed to think it was the pedestrians.  Both interesting and scary. 

(9)  I’m grateful for my mom and grandma’s hands.  I don’t know why but every once in a while I think about them.  They both have/had amazing hands.  Long fingers.  Not fancy, but well kept nails.  My hands are stubby and my nails are in disrepair.  I will encourage MacKenzie to take note of my mother’s hands. 

(10)  I’m grateful for BestSource Credit Union.  I stumbled into my first credit union opportunity in 1998 just looking for a marketing job and have become a credit union “lifer.”  My credit union journey started there:  in the basement of a department store without any windows.  Thank goodness!   

Grateful Day #27

Greetings from Columbus, OH on grateful day #27.  A speaking engagement as brought me right into the heart of Buckeye territory.  Here's hoping they don't all rate me low the minute they hear where I went to school.  Here's my top ten list for the day:
(1)  I'm grateful for how excited MIS was to get up this morning.  She was so happy and giggly.  I really do think she was happy to be in her own bed versus the pack-n-play.
(2)  I'm grateful for my hotel having food.  I didn't have the energy to trek out again once I checked in.
(3)  I'm grateful for how interested in credit unions people are these days.  The woman that took me to the airport today really wanted to know all about us and is ready to join.  It's a great time to be a credit union.  Love those conversations!
(4)  I'm grateful for all the other business travelers.  It feels good to not be the only person away from home.
(5)  I'm grateful for there being coffee available in the hotel. It'll make for a solid morning.
(6)  I'm grateful for the midwest.  I just like being here.  You can't take it out of me.
(7)  I'm grateful for how busy March is.  I really do like this pace.
(8)  I'm grateful for my jeans and tennis shoes.  It's way better to travel with my heels in my suitcase.
(9)  I'm grateful for the "This American Life" app.  Ira Glass is a rockstar and his show is fantastic.  I love being able to listen wherever I am.

(10)  I'm grateful for running in new places.  It makes the run more interesting and it's a fun way to see a town.  I'm not sure if it'll be light enough to actually see anything tomorrow.  The time change has me confused about sunrise times.  Either way, it'll be good.
Heading to practice again.  Until tomorrow...Cheers from Ohio.

Grateful Day #26

Greetings on grateful day #26 as the weekend comes to a close.  Lots to be grateful for...here's the list for today:
(1)  I'm grateful for the potted plants at the park.  MacKenzie absolutely loves digging in the dirt.  Lots of playground equipment, but dirt makes a better toy.  I think we may be raising a gardener.
(2)  I'm grateful for urgent care clinics.  I am very glad to have seen a doctor today and I'm hopeful the Z-pack will start working quickly.
(3)  I'm grateful for the ten degree difference between this morning and this afternoon.  Our afternoon trip to the park was much more comfortable.  Not Florida comfortable, but New York comfortable.
(4)  I'm grateful for paper towels.  They make life with a toddler much easier and slightly cleaner.
(5)  I'm grateful for the person who planted bulbs in our backyard.  We have a few little flowers blooming. Yeah!
(6)  I'm grateful for "scenes" from the next episode.  It's just fun to have a taste of what's to come.
(7)  I'm grateful for MIS recognizing Grandpa Jeff in pictures today.  She beamed and said "Grandpa" when we were looking at pictures from our trip.  So cool to see her start to develop relationships with her family.
(8)  I'm grateful that Althea is eating again. She always goes on a hunger strike when we travel.  It's good to see her comfortable again.
(9)  I'm grateful for the summer trips that we have planned to head to both Michigan and Wisconsin.  It's always good to have a trip to look forward to and I'm excited to have more time with our families.
(10)  I'm grateful for the book of the day selection:  "Fancy Nancy."  It hadn't been the book of the day yet so not only was MIS enjoying the book, but it isn't one that I have memorized.
It's time to get packed for my quick trip this week.  Until tomorrow...