Take the Learning Road, Hopefully Ever Less, the Less Travelled

     

This week on my FB biz blog I've been exploring ways that we can pay conscious attention to details in order to maximize care and ongoing growth of ourselves and others. I understand that self-exploration - what's working and feels good, what needs to be added or tweaked and what needs saying goodbye to altogether can either take a toll or prompt inspiration. 

The difference lies in our beliefs about failure. Who wants to venture into something new and fail? Who wants to admit faults about who we are, what we're doing and how we're affecting others?

Rather than avoid potentially unsavory self-revelations and risk-taking 

because of the concomitant shame, anger or frustration, 

such activities can actually engender freedom, advancement and happiness.

How? If we enter our explorations with what Stanford professor Carolyn Dweck calls a 'growth mindset' then our successes and failures are defined by the effort and learning that result, not the result itself. 

And, in the age of mach-speed technological innovation, a persistent learning mentality in both our personal and professional lives is a necessity. Wired cofounder Kevin Kelly declared, "You will be a newbie forever. Get good at the beginner mode, learning new programs, asking dumb questions, making stupid mistakes, soliciting help, and helping others with what you learn (the best way to learn yourself)."

It's a matter of venturing into the shadows in order to bring forth the light.

Step in to step out!

Dana

The Eyes Have It!

This week on my biz FB page I've been discussing the visual aspects of interacting, i.e., the smile. While that word, smile prompts us to think of the mouth, lips and teeth, the key to a genuine smile is farther up the face, i.e., in and around the eyes. That's because the muscles needed to truly smile with our eyes are involuntary. So, where there are no pillows below the eyes or crow's feet while smiling, well, you're experiencing a mere courtesy smile. (Isn't that reason enough to avoid Botox!) Make you smile?! This prompts the question: In certain circumstances, which is better, a disingenuous courtesy smile or no smile at all? Or, how about bringing forth an authentic smile and seeing what happens to you and to 'them'. Everyone might be surprised by what possibilities arise.
I encourage you to find reasons to smile, even laugh everyday. Why? According to Help Guide, research shows that smile-inducing laughter has physical, mental and social benefits. Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and conflict. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hopes, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert.
Perhaps best of all, this priceless dose of happiness, when administered authentically, is easy to use, fun(ny) and free!

The eyes have it!
Dana

Architecture as Provocateur

Oh, those stairs. Steep and straight with no exit left or right should the climb become too much. Up OR down. Or, not at all. Eyes and imagination alone taking the trip. And that diagonal line slicing the incline in half, the brilliant light above, so inviting, so enticing; the dark shadow below, providing respite from the day's heat. Or perhaps, a foreboding of what lies up there in the beyond. What is at the top, if indeed that is the top? Is whatever 'it' is, worth the climb?

Visiting Richard Meier's exquisite J. Paul Getty Museum recently, I was struck by 

the power of architecture + the play of light and shadow to evoke essential questions about the lives we create for ourselves. 

Questions such as:

Do I know where I'm headed and more importantly, why? 

Who can I, do I, want to be and what can I, do I, want to do? 

Am I willing to take risks, to challenge myself to the end despite the effort required, my fears of failure, naysayers and the unknown?  

When climbing, if I discover a compelling 'no', am I willing to stop, review and retreat?  

What will it cost me if I don't climb at all?

PLEASE SHARE: How about you? 
What or who inspires you to reflect?
What or who drives you to say 'yes' or 'no' to a climb?
How do you address challenges on your climb?
What is a climb worth taking?

                                           

You Can Do Well While Doing Good

Want to send a low-income East Bay woman to biz school? Join the Women's Initiative for Self Employment raffle and help bring one more woman closer to developing a business plan and becoming a confident leader of her own life and owner of a successful business! Raffle tickets are just $25 and may be purchased from me - call: 510.919.2944; email: dewhitaker@openingeyes.net; or stop me (I'll have them with me) if you'd like to support Women's Initiative in this way.  

                                      You can do well while doing good!

WIN! WIN! WIN!

4 blissful nights at a luxurious Lake Tahoe cabin

 iPad Mini

$300 cash

Dinner for 6 at B-Side BBQ 

Friends' spa day at 17 Jewels Salon

PLUS: Cocktails for a Cause (and say 'so long' to tax day!): The raffle drawing is on Monday, April 15th at Monaghan's Bar and Restaurant,  2820 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from cocktails sold during the Women's Initiative evening are being generously donated by owner, Sharon Monaghan.

Please join me to raffle, share a sip and be merry! 

AMAZING OPPORTUNITY

Walk with me for peace on the Golden Gate Bridge, International Women's Day,

March 8, 11am

On International Women's Day, thousands of people will show their solidarity with the women of Afghanistan, Iraq, Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan and other war-torn countries. Women for Women International's Join me on the Bridge campaign started in 2010 when women from Congo and Rwanda joined together on the bridge connecting their two countries, showing that they could build the bridges of peace and hope for the future. This action sparked a massive global movement, and last year they were joined by thousands of people on 464 bridges worldwide in 70 countries. Women are peace builders and with equality at the peace negotiation tables and within governing bodies of their countries they will build a more peaceful world.

WHY: We will walk in solidarity to demand peace, an end to violence against women and children, and a place for women at the peace negotiation tables.

WHERE: Warming Hut on Crissy Field 11am

WHEN: Thursday, March 8, 11am, proceeding to GGBridge at 11:30

**Participants can walk part or all of the Golden Gate Bridge. Of course, children are welcome.

For more information and to RSVP, visit joinmeonthebridge.org or contact me at dewhitaker@openingeyes.net.

Hope you can Join me on the Bridge!

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