A Lesson in Goodbye

Stay present in what is happening to you now

You may have noticed that the Learning to Lead live event this weekend was postponed. Unfortunately, it was cancelled due to a sad event.

Before the holidays my 13-year old Boston Terrier Tesla (named for Nikola Tesla) was diagnosed with untreatable liver cancer. Over the past several weeks she’s been spoiled and loved as she became weaker, and this weekend we had to say goodbye to her. It was an incredibly difficult decision and my first time having to make this decision for a pet.

I could write this week’s newsletter about the importance of life, doing what you value, not wasting time; instead, I want to share a different lesson.

As we watched Tesla become frailer and made the difficult decision I was overcome with sadness thinking about how I would feel when she was gone. But I had a reminder, I was already grieving for my dog who was still with me. I was robbing myself of the time with her while she was still alive, thinking about what it would be like when she was gone. When I had the realization it immediately eased the pain and allowed me to be present with her in those remaining moments. This didn’t stop the sadness, but it helped remind me to be where I am, not in the past or the future.

So my reminder to you this week is to ask yourself whether you are being truly present in your life. What might you be missing by focusing on the past or the future? What would happen if you allowed yourself to be where you are right now?

I am now in a present moment I’d prefer not to be in, but I know this moment has its own lessons. Even when it’s painful, sad, not perfect, I choose to remain present where I am right now and stay grateful that I had a dog like Tesla.

Quote of the Week

Be wherever you are, otherwise you will miss your life. - Buddha

Resources

• Random Fun

  • If you aren’t on the Wordle train, you’re missing out!

  • Atlas Obscura is expanding its travel offerings, and the locations look amazing

• Books & Articles

  • The Hustle is one of my favorite newsletters, great writing and covers multiple topics and industries

  • 6Pages is another newsletter I’m trying this year

  • I’m trying Book of the Month and really enjoying their content so far. They have a strong library of offerings and you can select one book a month (or more) to be sent to your house.

• Courses

  • Cathy Heller is hosting a free 5-day workshop to help you bring in the "Most Abundant Year".

  • Algorithm Buster by DO Series to help grow your business through the art of email.

Learning to Lead LIVE

Learning to Lead LIVE on Clubhouse will be back next week (Saturday, January 22 @ 9:30 am PST) to talk Now What? What do to when plans, processes, and tools fail.

Is there a topic you’d like us to cover? Do you have any questions for the Learning to Lead team? Comment or DM me.

Events

• The 2022 Virtual California Conference for Women - March 2, 2022: Renew. Reconnect. Re-ignite. Inspiration, Motivation, and Connection

• WORLD WOMAN HOUR : 60 Women : 60 Stories : 60 Minutes - March 8, 2022: 60 women x 60 x stories x 60 ways to lead a socially powered movement to inspire one million women and girls to follow their dreams and ambition.

• TED 2022 - April 2022: Applications are open now. Come and be part of something extraordinary.

• Gallup at Work Summit 2022 - June 7-8, 2022: The workplace and leadership conference where professional development and greater performance unite

Networking & Job Openings

• Are you hiring? Send your job to be included in this newsletter and connect with leaders in our network

If you are enjoying this content:

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