A recent interaction with a student in my class reminded me of a training workshop I attended many years ago.
The workshop facilitator spoke to a group of student leaders whose responsibility was to coordinate large-scale campus events. Her most salient piece of advice that day was to...
"Be a duck."
Ducks, the presenter explained, float calmly across the water. Below water their feet might be paddling furiously, but above water they look unfazed and perfectly buoyant.
Leaders, she explained, must do the same. We might paddle furiously below water, because we are worried about long lists of things to do, frazzled by unexpected problems, and ready to throw in the towel. But, above water - or to the outside world, as the case may be - credible leaders must appear calm, cool, and collected.
Last week my student was feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of balancing work, kids, and the leadership course in which she is enrolled. She was looking for an extension on the assignment that was due.
Instead I mailed her a yellow rubber duck and told her to Shine... paddle furiously until the assignment is finished.
Today I received a thank you note. It said, "Thanks for believing in me and for pushing me to swim... not sink."
Shining off until...
About three weeks ago I shared my decision with readers to write a blog post when the spirit moved me, rather than posting six days a week like I had grown so accustomed to.
Three weeks. That's how long it takes to acquire a new habit.
Three weeks, it turns out, is also how long it takes to lose a habit.
I used to notice incidents of Shine everywhere - standing in line at Target, walking through a park, sitting in traffic, on a bus, or on an airplane. Shine showed up in trees, blue skies, and long and winding roads. Shine was a thoughtful act, a favorite ritual, or a holiday surprise. People radiated Shine too. Teachers, mail carriers, babysitters, babysitters, and baristas. Shine was everywhere I looked.
Three weeks ago my Shine radar was strong, but after three weeks of redirecting my attention toward other goals, I've noticed that my Shine muscle is beginning to atrophy. It is a living example of "Use it or lose it."
Depressing?
No, not a bit. My weakened Shine muscle is proof that when you focus on something you will get better at it. Period.
I wasn't born to spot Shine and I wasn't born to write about it either. I simply got good at it because I did it every day for almost four years.
The same is true of you.
You become a better cook when you cook... a lot.
The more a triathlete bikes, swims, and runs the better she gets at it.
The more you practice math, the easier the problems become. The more you immerse yourself in another language, the faster you learn it. The more you clip coupons, the more intuitive the process becomes.
But, remember the reverse is true of you too.
When you stop doing what you're doing, the muscles atrophy and cooking becomes more cumbersome, training more tiresome and French might as well be Greek. You, like I, start to lose you Shine.
Today feels good. My Shine muscle just got a much-needed workout.
Shining off until...
Happy Monday, House of Shine! Cheryl here!
As you are reading, I am starting my first day of an energetic and inspiring painting workshop with Robert Burridge and since I'm sure I'll be drawing plenty of hearts this week, I wanted to give everyone an update on the Send Some Love contest.
For new readers, in June I put out a call for readers to craft in the medium of their choice a heart and mail to me by August 12th. First place receives $100, Second place receives $50 and Third place receives $25. Why did I host this contest? At the beginning of June, I announced to my 13th dating prospect in a nine month period that I didn't want to keep dating. I was feeling discouraged about the whole dating scene and my Year of Love. I needed a pick me up, so I thought what better way than to ask my friends for help.
I received 8 wonderful entries and judging began last Friday. I couldn't possibly judge because I can feel the love that they all were made with so I've asked some of my friends to judge the pieces for me. Judges are scoring their top five pieces in order giving their top pick five points, their next favorite four points and on down to one point for their fifth favorite piece.
I don't know who all the entries are but I can tell you that the youngest entry was six years old. I am so proud of what he made. His entry is one of my favorites. They are all beautiful and I'm excited to see how the points all shake out.
Winners will be announced on Friday, September 2nd. I will share photos of all eight pieces at that time. I can't wait for you to see them.
I know there were some of you that wanted to participate but didn't get your piece made but not to worry because I could feel the love in your thoughts. I am not exaggerating when I tell you that since I announced this contest about two months ago, I have felt very loved. And, if you started a piece but didn't finish- like my niece, Hannah- I encourage you to finish it and send it to me anyway.
Shining off until...