Michele Woodward Executive Life Coach
Powerful Coaching. Powerful Results.
May 11, 2009
Michele Woodward
Greetings!

This column originally appeared Mother's Day 2007 -- enjoy!

Today is Mother's Day. I was surprised to learn that Mother's Day is celebrated on this very day in over 50 countries. Everywhere, mothers are being pampered, fussed over and adored.

As I expect I will be. As someone's mother myself, I will likely get the traditional breakfast in bed -- the surprise of finding shells in my scrambled eggs is one of life's delights. A surprise that goes exceedingly well with toast and jelly. Especially when made with love by the hands of my children.

But when it comes down to it, I'm not much of a special occasion kinda gal. Sometimes the forced, greeting card nature of a "special day" feels less than special.

So, I have a plan.

I move we dump this holiday and every other single holiday we celebrate during the year.

Yep. That's right. I'm suggesting we have no Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Valentine's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Passover, Easter, Yom Kippur or any other occasion we observe.

Including birthdays.

Oh, don't panic -- we'll celebrate each one. But we'll celebrate every single day.

If every day were Thanksgiving, we'd live as grateful people, surrounded by family and friends, keenly aware of the abundance in our lives.

If every day were Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, we'd immediately apologize for our mistakes and quickly reconcile our differences.

If every day were Valentine's Day, we'd pay special attention to those we love.

If every day were Memorial Day, we'd take time to honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans, soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, and their families.

If every day were Easter, we'd be filled with awe for resurrection and the possibility of renewal in our own lives.

If every day were Christmas, joy and wonder would permeate our lives.

If every day were Labor Day, we'd celebrate how we do our work, and make it a source of pride.

If every day was Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we'd remember to judge people on the content of their character and not the color of their skin.

If every day were your birthday, you'd feel special, and honored and loved.

And, if every day were Mother's Day, all mothers would feel valued, honored and respected by both their families and society -- 356 days a year.

Imagine the richness of your life if it were filled with the holiday spirit every day of the year. What could you do? What could you have? Who could you be? Joyful, conscious, loving, living with abundance and open to the wonders of the world?

That would certainly be worth celebrating.

Wow! There's a ton to read at my blog -- click here.

MEDIA MIX
television

I'm booked to appear on WUSA-TV, Channel 9 here in Washington, DC at 9am on Friday, May 15th. I'll be talking about careers and job searches in this economy. Tune in!

The recording of my last free lightning round coaching call is available now -- you can listen by going to either my website or my blog. The next free call will be noon (EDT) Friday, May 22nd.

I did a wonderful radio interview with Koren Motekaitis at KDRT, and you can listen to it online. We talk about getting out of your own way, figuring out life, how I got to be a coach...

UPCOMING EVENTS
butterfly

If your self-confidence could use a boost...If you're trying to figure out what to do next... If you're stuck... then consider joining us for Primal Leadership,
Leadership taught through the eyes of a horse.

Need a testimonial? "Before I met Koelle, I loved animals and enjoyed spending time with them. But I never realized how a relationship with a horse could help me better understand myself, my family, and my work." - Timothy Shriver, PhD.

There are a limited number of spots available -- reserve yours now!

June 2 - 4, 2009
Marriot Ranch, Hume, VA
More info:
Primal Leadership

The Results Club 8-week self-paced program designed to get executive and managerial level job seekers out of overwhelm and fear and into effective, inspired action. Get more information about the e-workbook and recordings at www.resultsclubcoaching.com.

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE DU JOUR
Sunflower

"It's not easy being a mother. If it were easy, fathers would do it."

-- From the television show The Golden Girls

SOMETHING TO READ
Escape From Cubicle Nation by Pamela Slim
Escape From Cubicle Nation

There is nothing more joyful than sharing a great book -- especially when that book is written by a great friend. So, I must tell you about Escape from Cubicle Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur written by my friend Pam Slim.

You'll probably remember that Pam and I collaborated on Kick-Ass Mentoring, a marketing program for coaches. Pam and I met as instructors in Martha Beck's Coach Training program and I have enjoyed every moment of our friendship.

So, I have to tell you about her book, which was release last week. If you are a corporate prisoner who might, just might, want to be your own boss -- to do that which your heart longs to do -- Escape from Cubicle Nation is the roadmap you've been looking for.

Pam writes beautifully, and fully, about how to put together a business that will work. She's practical and encouraging, and draws from her own experiences to give meaningful, real-world examples of how you can become a successful entrepreneur.

I love writing these words: the book is available in bookstores around the country. Pick it up today and make your escape! (Congratulations, Pam. I know you're reading this -- your success is of your own design, and could not be happening to a more lovely, generous person.)


Michele Woodward
Michele Woodward Consulting, Inc.
phone: 703/598-3100