Wisdom Strategy
Surround Yourself With Good Souls
"No person is your friend who demands your silence, or denies your right to grow." -Alice Walker
I've always thought of myself as a late bloomer - running my first marathon at 42, buying my first house at 43, earning my Ph.D. at 46 and finally, continuing the writing career begun at the age of nine when I published a neighborhood newsletter (handwritten in large malformed words that slanted alarmingly on the page). So when I learned that the Swiss film "Late Bloomers" was playing at my local independent theater, I was first in line, hungry to find mentors and wisdom on the big screen. Late Bloomers is about 80-year-old Marta, a former seamstress who decides - in spite of outrage and interference from her stuffy son and neighbors - to turn her late husband's grocery store into a racy and elegant lingerie shop. Lucky for Marta, she has four friends including Lisi who stand by her and won't let her give up. At one significant turning point in the film, Marta's son shut down her shop. That's when beautiful and flamboyant Lisi, who is frequently scorned and ridiculed by people in the village, encourages Marta to follow her passion even though everyone seems against her. Marta gratefully tells her friend, "Lisi, you are such a good soul."
To passionately work and live is a hallmark of wisdom. As with Marta, you'll likely find a hilly terrain on the path to your wise life. Climbing is made easier by sharing the wisdom of the "good souls" willing to walk with you. Like Lisi, these trusted people won't let others undermine your confidence and determination.
How do you find these special people? Here is what wisdom suggests:
- Reflect on the challenges in your life so far - who was there for you? Who did not judge you, lecture you, make it all about them, or try to hold you back when you wanted to move forward?
- Who have you learned from? Who really listens to you?
- Who do you know who loves the work they are doing and the life they have and who willingly shares their stories with you?
- Who do you know who joyfully contributes to the greater good in their work and their lives?
Those people who come to mind are the "good souls" in your life. Talk to them. Tell them about your dreams and accept their support. Please drop me an email and let me know about the "good souls" in your life: elle@wisdomout.com
Wisdom Out!
Elle
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Update on the Wisdom Out Books
Do you know a wise couple?
Wisdom Out Relationships is going international! We just received a referral for a wise couple in Shetland Scotland. Let me know about a couple you know, married or not, gay or straight that you feel are living life with wisdom. Wisdom Out Relationships seeks to illuminate the nature of wisdom in couples - to shine a light on the way these couples got together in the first place and how they navigate life together. Go to the referral page on our web site at http://wisdomout.com/nomination_form.html .
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March: Houston, Virginia, Washington DC, Connecticut, New Jersey
April: Chicago, Washington DC, New Jersey, Connecticut, South Carolina
May: Washington DC, Connecticut
June: Washington DC, Connecticut, California, Cambridge MA
June 12: Keynote address to the Association of Medical Record Coders, Albuquerque, NM
June 25-27: Leaders in Transition Conference, Cambridge, MA www.leadandlearn.com
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Wisdom Quote
"You will die on the vine if you are unwilling to ask for help."
--Unknown
With gratitude to all the good souls in my life who believe in me and my passion for Wisdom Out: Nancy, Barbara, Cindy, Melissa, Doug, Bette and my sisters Mary, Joanne, Maureen, Beth, Carrie and Sarah.
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