I think the teachers made us start a journal in grade school to work on penmanship and writing composition. I don’t know exactly when journal writing became a part of my routine, but I loved colored pens. I drew a few flowers and outlined letters outlined but I’m no Picasso.
Now in addition to my journal, I type and use emojis, videos and photos. My journal goal remains the same, to get my thoughts down on paper and share an experience, insights and maybe an emotion or two to enhance my mindset or later share a reflection with you.
My journal is a way to process my thoughts and find connections to my thoughts and feelings. Frankly writing in a journal calms my breathing down. Lately, I have been wondering who is “With Me” on this journey.
I think a lot about who is “With You” in your personal and professional relationships.
The other day I wrote a newsletter if you want to call it that, talking about your network and relationships. It sparked reactions about the use of the word “a$$hole”. I will revisit that term after a few more people come forward with their thoughts on who you need in your network.
I was writing in my journal exploring what was going on with me. I want to be a better person each day but some days I think I’m the difficult one.
So I do what I always do to get space beyond my journal, I turn to either a physical challenge like playing a new sport or making a list with who is in my network for my various goals, issues and challenges.
My new sport was participating in Lifetime Fitness World Yoga Day. I’m fairly new to yoga and I have been working on doing the crow pose. I enjoy being in the yoga room. So impulsively I signed up to do yoga outside and get a bag of goodies. VIP was sold out which bummed me out as the swag bag was bigger, but once I arrived at the event, I was grateful I wasn’t in the first two rows. Maybe next year.
The experience was super interesting and since it was raining they moved the entire event inside to the Target Center in Minneapolis where the Timberwolves had just played in the playoffs. I had never seen so many mats so close together. I was intimidated by the thought of falling over next to someone I didn’t know or frankly touching them. (The guy next to me was centimeters away from touching my water bottle with his toes!)
Once I settled in it was nice that so many other people were doing the same thing as I was. Trying to move their body to connect and thrive. There was a DJ. There was a sound bath. There were THC samples on the way in. (I did not partake, but I guess it’s mainstream and legal now and it was women'-owned called Mary + Jane so that was eye-opening.)
The part that I really enjoyed was holding hands with the people next to me to do the boat pose and work on our core and then try to roll up. Again I am not super talented but I laughed to the toe-guy and the woman next to me and the vibe was nice. It was comforting when the experience ended and the women next to me said, “It was nice practicing with you!” She was there with her daughter and it was such a kind thing to say. Honestly, I was touched and not in the water bottle closeness kind of way.
The phrase “With You” reminds me of being a team. At this yoga event, all sorts of new people were with me. The yoga teacher also said not to be a judge or critic, be a guide as someone is watching you. As you ponder your network of relationships, consider that you are being watched and that others want to help you expand and grow. And that you can help them with their boat poses.
I wish you success finding people to hold your hand and help you practice your best assets on and off the screen.
With you,
Cathy
P.S. If you want to try a new sport, join us in Minnesota for Pickleball or Padel. A few spots left!