Annual Wrap Up: Ongoing #search4sagacity

2012 was truly a VERY BIG LEARNING YEAR for me.

It was humbling and full of tough lessons that probably could have killed my spirit, but they have strengthened me (as they always seem to do!)!  Yes, and the lessons are so varied that i shall now ramble a bit below about them (in no particular order, and really only a sampling of the major lessons):

A. I went further on down the road on my Search for Sagacity.   But I have NOT arrived....probably never will, but that's okay!

B. I walked away from stress rather than trying to solve problems that didn't want to be solved.

C. I made more time for my family and home and friends.  Very VERY proud of this accomplishment!

D. I continue to realize that I have soooo many different interests and never feel like I have enough time to do all that I want. The constant words in my head are: "WHY are there so many cool things to explore in this world!?!??!"  It's an endless smorgasboard (sp?)...recalling Auntie Mame: "Life a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death."

E. I refined this new way of communicating/discovering possibilities and solutions that Center for Transforming Communities (CTC)  reveals/teaches me as a board member with the great event that we hosted in Memphis on Nov. 14th.  Additional bonuses of the event were:

• I was extremely proud to be on the design team for this event.  
• I learned so much from Block, Brueggeman and McKnight.
• I was amazed at not only the great diversity in the room of 300+ people, but their enthusiasm to experience this new, different conversation!

F. I focused in and tried harder to listen to the voice or direction that God is trying to take me....but I still don't speak His same language.

G. I'm getting closer to understanding how to best use my gifts/talents....but I still have a hard time focusing on what exactly in this huge world would be the best nonprofit organization to fully support.  I thought I had found the npo that i could be very passionate about, and yes, i am passionate about it, but I will have to be passionate from afar and not as a direct strategic organizer.

This leads me to realize that maybe consulting is really the best place for me b/c i don't have a singular passion like others who have life-long careers in a particular organization.  My PASSION is really helping others see the strategic solution to making their passion successful.  I am most happy when someone is able to be successful because I helped them discover a path they didn't realize was there.  I love hearing: "Oh, I didn't think about it that way.  Yes, that is a good idea.  Let's try it."  I love to see the lightbulbs start glowing in people's minds and hearts.  I truly am a teacher at heart (where I began my career right after grad school), but just not the kind of teacher in the classroom.  I'm a pretty good teacher when the students are excited and open to learning something new....i guess ALL teachers could say that!  ha!


H. FINALLY, we finally took the "REAL" pet plunge w the adoption of our sweet new dog, Fella from the Germantown Animal shelter last week.  (huge step for one like me)  He loves me so much and that sure feels great!!

2012 is almost over and i look forward to the challenges and opportunities of 2013....i look forward to doing MORE of what I love in the coming year!

watch out: you may not like what I think is funny....and artistic

DISCLAIMER:  apologies to those who don't really know me.  and some who think they know me will probably be shocked that I LOVE THESE SONGS!  i know they demean women, but it's funny and  would have probably have been some of our theme songs in college...

i think anyone who makes music or art or acts on stage or in the movies....well, in short, anyone brave enough to perform and actually be good and successful at it, is amazing in their own way.  i may not agree about their "message" but they are just being themselves and being incredibly talented!!


so on to my first NEW favorite song these days...."SHOTS" from LMFAO and Lil Jon:


http://youtu.be/XNtTEibFvlQ (here's the link if the embedding above doesn't work)

next new fav song: Young, Wild and Free by Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa ft Bruno Mars 

Mars

 

 

Link, again if embedding above don't work: http://youtu.be/Wa5B22KAkEk

 

 

Stepping Stones of Faith

Little spirituality I am sharing b/c I found it as I am working to sort thru the MOUNDS of STUFF (wanted to say a stronger word there, but didn't seem appropriate when i'm talking about faith....):


"Faith is the fruit of spirituality.  It takes discipline  Faith are the manners of living."

"Faith is something you build, not something you just have."

"Stepping Stones of Faith are:
1. Compassion:  nobody is alone
2. Curiosity: keep learning and thinking experientially
3. Confession: admission/acknowledgement that we've fallen short of the person we are meant to be"

This may be attributed to Karen Armstrong, but i'm not entirely sure.

Found these notes scribbled in one of my various notebooks from probably 3 years ago....i'm usually better at dating my notes and giving credit to the deserving, but these are not well documented...anyways...

"Buildings are built to absorb shocks.  They must be strong but be flexible.  They cannot be rigid." -unknown

Sr. Helen Prejan says: "I watch what I do to see what I really believe."

In a Weird Place....

....Yes, I'm in a weird place....it's called Life and it's up and down and crazy and normal and fun and scary and happy and sad....it's such a freaking roller coaster and it's such a VERY GOOD THING THAT I LIKE ROLLER COASTERS!

so basically i am saying that i'm a happy camper going up the hills and speeding down screaming and laughing....spending time at the bottom when the roller coaster is broken ain't too fun, but knowing that it won't be broken for too long and enjoying the ride w all my great friends and family makes it all worth the ride...

since i last posted, things have been good and bad and in-between and it is mostly making me tired.  so i cannot expand much tonight b/c i really need some mindless tv-watching to numb and calm myself down.

later

peace

love you world!

thanks for all you do....i'll do my best to give back and make you happy/better too!

CANNOT ANSWER, cuz I don't understand the CALL...sagacity search continues..i don't think it will EVER end!!

okay so this quote above ONLY CONFUSES ME MORE....what makes me "come alive" is helping others, being helpful, being needed, meeting new people, having fun, learning new things....what seems to make me "come alive" is the HUGE VAST VARIETY and ABUNDANCE of life and I don't really want to narrow in on just one thing!!!  But for my sanity and for the sake of those who love me and need me most, I must make some very tough, focusing decisions...

I am trying to sort it all out, here's what I wrote in my notebook on 3/19/2012 (it burned in me on the way to work and I scratched it out in the car before going into the office):

God is trying to tell me something.  I've really got to try harder to listen.  I know it has something to do with collaboration and strengthening or transforming my community.  I know it has something to do with Girls Inc., Women's Quarterly, CTC, being a Christian, and working with nonprofits.  I know it has something to do with ecumenicalism and having a passion to help others who are struggliing -- and I mean struggling in a very BROAD sense -- struggling to find food, struggling for a better education, struggling to find happiness, struggling for peace, etc. etc. etc.  WHAT AM I BEING told and WHAT SHOULD I DO??

Moving to Girls Inc and becoming part-time was a GREAT move!  I feel like I'm doing sooooo much better in the "MOM", "WIFE" and "HEALTHY Sheila" departments/roles.  But I do feel stressed that if I'm not better in the "CAREER" department, then I might lose this great opportunity at Girls Inc. (they might be dissatisfied w me being part-time and not able to live up to their expectations/goals).

So on my walk/run yesterday, it is starting to become clearer that I must focus in on ONE project (outside of being "MOM" and "WIFE") and give all my energy, time, talent and money to that ONE project if I want to make a true difference.  Spreading my time around to so many projects is not really effective.  It makes me happy to be helpful in all these situations, but I'm not doing my BEST or being EXCELLENT at anything...only being kind of good at many things.  But I struggle to determine where I need to cut back...kids, home, kids' school, work (www.girlsincmemphis.org), Gtwn Education Foundation, Center for Transforming Communities, Girl Scouts, family, friends, etc....

It all seems so important to keep involved with these various groups and various people....they all may be the key to the "collaboration" part of what God is trying to get me to understand....

But it is also becoming clear that I am very passionate about Girls Inc's mission and that is truly where I want to focus.  However, I need to finish out this last month of the fiscal year with a BANG (meaning more $$ for them) so that they will retain me.

UGH--was interrupted by a phone call from ANOTHER great organization who want me to serve on their board....WHAT TO DO!?!??!

Agendas

Everyone has an agenda....whether it's plain and apparent or .....HIDDEN...ooooooo (imagine eerie, dramatic music)

I try to be plain and apparent!  What I mean is I truly believe in "Honest is the Best Policy."  I believe I must be true to my core values and beliefs.  I refuse to go along w the majority if the majority is going down a path that I think is wrong.  I might be wrong, but I'm going to stick to my values and beliefs.  And I must clarify that I try to test my values and belief by constantly reviewing the pros/cons or both sides of many issues before deciding what I think is best.  I feel like too many people base their values and beliefs on the opinions of only one perspective and that kind of scares me that they don't take an educated, balanced approach to discerning the facts to develop strong values and beliefs. 

Yes, being honest turns some people off...but having a HIDDEN agenda also turns people off.  You are never going to please everyone at the same time; so why not be totally honest and transparent?  what harm is it really going to do to you to be honest?  

i think too many people are concerned about how they are viewed, so they live their life in fear of someone seeing who they truly are.  what good is that?  why is creating a bunch of nonsense going to ultimately make your life better?  Quite frankly, it seems much more stressful to try to keep up with the lies and pretense than to just follow your own values and beliefs.

There are billions of people in this world....if the ones you are trying to impress need you to be dishonest (act like them and not your true self) to impress them; then forget them!  There are quite LITERALLY billions more out there who will be equally impressed by your honesty, creativity and unique outlook on life. 

Why would being like everyone else be interesting???!  that just isn't logical....it's just plain BORING!  if you want a boring life, then just blend in....but if you want a fantastic journey of simply endless possibilities, then be yourself and be honest and don't spend a second worrying about who likes you and who doesn't!! 

because this old lady of nearly 44 years knows that it's worth being yourself....i've weeded out the "fakers" and surrounded myself with really very interesting and exciting people. In addition, I am actively on the lookout for more interesting folks b/c life is an awesome journey of learning and meeting new people and expanding your horizons...without that, well you might as well just sit in front of the t.v. and be a useless ZERO.

those who just follow the crowd or are scared to speak up or scared to give their opinion are too boring for me....if you don't think for yourself or follow your OWN values and beliefs, well, i'm sorry .... i think you are missing out on a whole lot of good stuff!!

I've got that JOY JOY JOY down in my heart

so i've been singing: "I've got that JOY JOY JOY JOY down in my heart. WHERE? down in my heart. WHERE? down in my heart.....and if the devil doesn't like it he can sit on a tack...."

It's been a good few months and I'm so glad that I had the courage to make a change in my job situation....link to: http://sheilasjumpinoff.blogspot.com/2011/12/ready-to-take-plunge.html

I'm very happy to be working in a great organization (www.girlsincmemphis.org) that is making the world a better place AND the others working there are hard-working, caring, professional, passionate and MOST OF ALL, happy to be there!!


but I still need to learn balance between work, home, volunteer, and health (exercise).  I've got to drop some volunteer work, but I'm having such a hard time deciding which volunteer project (Girl Scouts, church, Center for Transforming Communities, Germantown Education Foundation, Women's Quarterly, etc.) I should set aside for now.  I think it is all very important and each one means alot to me...but if I don't give a project up, then i'm going to stress myself out trying to balance out and do my best at work and home!  URGH!

Overall, life is pretty darn good....i don't have many complaints, just need to balance and get more sleep!

p.s. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this new blogger format!

Support St. Jude and My Abilty to go 12 miles...

UPDATE after Keg Roll:  TOTAL we have raised about $7,000....i raised a little over $600 and ran about 3 of the 2 miles (2-3 ppl at a time took turns pushing the keg)

 YOU CAN STILL GIVE AT: https://waystohelp.stjude.org/sjVPortal/public/displayUserPage.do?eventId=311272&programId=851&userId=807140

That’s me in 1987 POINTING at YOU to support St. Jude!! (3^rd from left on 2^nd Row)

Dear Friends & Family,

Twenty-five years ago when I was a Freshman in college, I took part in one of my first ever fundraising events to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  I was a TKE little sister at CBU and we rolled a KEG many miles (I don’t really remember) thru the streets of Memphis and ended up at St. Jude downtown.  We raised $3,500 in 1987! 

In a few weeks, the TKE’s are “re-enacting” the Keg Roll (renamed Barrel Roll….i guess college kids are too young to drink now?!?!) on Saturday, March 31^st.  I have signed up to help and will be “walk-running” about 12 miles from CBHS down to St. Jude that day.

Would you consider making a donation?  Or maybe you want to wager an amount that I will make it or not -- HA!?!?!  Any contribution amount that you feel comfortable making would be greatly appreciated and most importantly it will help St. Jude with its extremely important research to find cures for childhood cancers, as well as caring for young children with life-threatening diseases.  I have personally known several patients, and know that St. Jude is truly a miraculous place here in Memphis for all the world’s children.

If you can participate, please send me your check payable to St. Jude by Friday, March 30^th

 (for address send me an email at: nonprofit.ldr.sheila@gmail.com)

Thank you very much for considering this request.  I truly appreciate your support and I know many families and children who are and have been patients of St. Jude appreciate it MORE! 

With great appreciation,

Sheila

What's More Important?

So I play this game with my kids (ages 6 an 8) called "What's More Important?"  We use it for all sorts of situations, but mainly so I can teach them some values and teach them to stop worrying about what other people think and to think for themselves.  For example, when they want more "electronics time", I say "What's more important?  playing on the computer by yourself or playing a game with the whole family?"  Or another example: when they say that other kids in school are "popular" (there's a whole other blog on that ridiculous topic at their ages...), I say: "What's more important?  having lots of people think you are cool or having 2 or 3 really good friends that will always be there for you?"

They have now turned it back on me....they might say (when i'm wanting some "alone time"): "Mommy, what's more important?  doing your Facebook or playing with us?"  HA .... so maybe it's working!?!??!  maybe they understand this game/lesson??

So here's where the "What's More Important?" game got me so freaking pissed off today when I was watching the news...there's an art installation that private donors have contributed....




wait for it....





TEN MILLION DOLLARS to......and what is it!??!?





wait for it, again....




a HUGE frickin ROCK!  http://www.scpr.org/programs/madeleine-brand/2012/03/09/25527/the-worlds-most-expensive-rock

Now, I ask you, "What is more important?  a big artistic rock or people who are starving or kids who need a better education or families in need of support b/c they are raising a child with a disability or the list could go on and on for the many human needs that nonprofit organizations are attempting to serve."

Perhaps the arts community has more passionate fundraisers or perhaps they pay them more???   But DAMN, how are they able to get philanthropists to fund A ROCK, and we cannot put a serious dent in crime, hunger, and poverty in this country!??!?!?  Just think about it for a minute, those who really REALLY love art, can pay for it....so why don't they just charge $10,000 for each time one of them wants to see the big ROCK!?!??!

This just fuels the fire burning in my belly (and heart) to tell more stories to get philanthropist to "invest" in basic human needs.....

power of one

i love this song "Power of One" that our church choir sings...




i also have been thinking all day about this lady who actually sees angels(see: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lorna-byrne/why-we-should-listen-to-the-angels-call-for-different-religions-to-pray-together_b_1218333.html) ..she sees every person's guardian angel right behind them (no matter what faith they are).....so it made me wonder whether or not individual guardian angels left their posts temporarily to surround another in need.  I do think this is true b/c i believe in the Power of One and there must've been multiple "Ones" asking God to help me be strong when my Dad was sick and died.  I think whenever one person asks God for help on behalf of another person, then God sends that person's (the requester of help) guardian angel on a special mission

so i'm asking God and my guardian angel and praying other guardian angels will go surround my cousin Mary Beth and her husband Mike and their kids with that strength and guardianship that i somehow miraculously received when i was experiencing such a difficult time...

Making Memphis Better

I really was inspired by Chris Peck's editorial in this mornings Commercial Appeal...I'm going to keep this list handy as I start my next adventure in making the world a better place at Girls Inc.

see: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/dec/31/inside-the-newsroom-10-steps-to-make-memphis/ (which may not be available when you try to go there....so I'll re-post it here:

Chris Peck: 10 steps to make Memphis better

By Chris Peck

Saturday, December 31, 2011

People pledge support to life-improving resolutions every New Year's Day. Could a city do the same?
I mean really pledge. As a shared community, with all of us focused on 10 things to make Memphis better.
The logistics of creating and carrying out a city's New Year's resolutions list would be a challenge.
Who's in charge of the list?
Who keeps a city accountable?
How would Memphis measure progress?
One way to approach a Greater Memphis resolutions list would be to break it down using a road map laid out recently by Memphian Don Hutson.
A how-to book co-authored by Hutson, "The One Minute Entrepreneur," already has been a New York Times best-seller.
And now, just in time for 2012, Hutson has posted a motivational video on YouTube that outlines his recipe for how we should approach setting goals for the new year.
He begins with a simple explanation of what a goal really is.
A goal, he says, is anything we want to be, have or achieve.
Lest you think you can simply talk a big game about goals and nothing more, Hutson makes the case that meeting any goal requires three key steps:
-- Set a reasonable time frame. Big changes don't happen overnight, but small advances can.
-- Be specific. Outlining action steps, setting up a daily routine and following an organized effort are essentials.
-- Put goals in writing. Post them on the refrigerator, on a bulletin board or in your computer.
Do these things and chances of reaching the goal go way up.
OK, so let's do it for Greater Memphis.
Using Hutson's 2012 video crib sheet, and putting it down in writing, here is "A One-Minute Guide to Greater Memphis Resolutions":
In 2012 we will:
1) See ourselves as Memphians. We live here, so let's resolve to be proud of it, not run from it.
2) Get beyond race. Haven't Memphians fought about this long enough?
3) Clean up our block. We will mow, weed, pick up the trash around us.
4) Talk to a teenager about not getting pregnant. Then, give her/him the means to avoid it.
5) Walk, not ride. We're too fat. We will pledge to take the stairs, park a block away or visit Shelby Farms Park for the fun of it.
6) Help those in need. You can't give too much to those around us who don't have enough.
7) Reward accountability. Support those nonprofit organizations that truly move the needle. Speak up for government when it acts responsibly.
8) Urge our churches to be accountable. That's what Jesus asked of those who follow him.
9) Educate ourselves and our families. Too many kids here are falling short in school. Too many adults don't really stay up on what's going on in their city. We will do our part to change that.
10) Get out and have fun. Less TV and more Memphis music, food and culture will make us feel better about the place.
"Every individual in the Memphis metro area is either part of the problem or part of the solution,'' Hutson explained last week when we talked about how individuals can be involved in a city effort to set and meet resolutions for improvement.
"If people here want to be part of the problem, well, it's a free country,'' he said. "But everybody at every level of this community, whether as a city employee, or working for a nonprofit, or as a corporate leader, also has the right, and arguably the responsibility, to step up and be part of the solution to our problems, too.''
Hutson is quick to note that changing a city's direction is more than just an exercise in positive thinking.
Leaders need to develop a vision, lay out strategic plans and then organize specific actions that can, in fact, move a city forward.
But buy-in of the people is crucial, he believes. Everybody who sits back and throws out criticism and complaints from the peanut gallery is making it harder for Memphis to move ahead.
"Attitude is the spirit we choose to adopt,'' he said.
The key word is "choose."
Make a resolution for 2012: Choose to do your part to make Memphis a better place to call home.
Chris Peck is editor of The Commercial Appeal. Contact him at 529-2390 or at peck@commercialappeal.com.   © 2012 Scripps Newspaper Group