Who are the people or a person who gives you a picture of how you want to “adult?” Maybe not in every way, but perhaps in how they parent, prioritize their marriage, make a difference in the world, stand up for what is important, pursue a dream, travel, etc. They could be your parents age, two years older than you, or even a few years younger than you. Who are the adults in your life that you look up to?
Who do you admire?
Has your admiration inspired action in your own life? Has this person changed the way you do or think about things? If the answer is no, it may be time to look for adults who do. Not because in our world we need more people to follow, but rather to learn from.
In my own life, I know I’ve had a tendency to have a narrow view. To believe there are only a few ways to do things. But the more I read, form real life relationships with adults in different life stages, and pay attention to some of the influencers of our time, I find there are people who teach me new ways of living. They enlarge my perspective on what is possible. And hopefully, help me be a better person.
Today, I want to share with you some adults who have helped me look at Self Care and Time Management differently. I also want to share a quote that is putting fear in perspective for me. But first, I want to tell you about an adult I greatly admire.
Love
One of my favorite people is my Nana. She has shown me in a million little ways what it looks like to open yourself up to the creative world—and how to share that world with others. I know that sounds a little WooWoo, but let me explain.
My Nana taught me how to sew clothes for my Barbies. She is a gifted gardener, and used to take me to the local greenhouse to show me her plants. As a homeschool kid, she and my mom would take us to see the Boston Symphony Orchestra for field trips. Later, when I was older, Nana got season tickets to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and I was always invited. We saw Monet, Van Gogh, Sargent, etc. And, at ninety-two she is still teaching me things.
A few years ago, when I came for a visit, she was knitting prayer shawls, as she still does, for cancer patients to keep them warm during their chemo treatments. Sitting next to her, I asked if she could teach me to knit. She pulled out a set of needles and a ball of yarn. At the end of the trip, I had a new hobby. My Nana is generous with her interests and creativity, and I am so thankful for every moment I get to spend with her.
Who in your life is generous with what they’ve been given?
Who do you want to be more like?
Learn
On Monday, I talked about struggling to rest when it feels like there is so much to do. I don’t know about you, but sometimes it has felt as if I need permission to take a break. Only, I am learning the sole person who can give myself that permission, is me.
Thankfully though, I have found some virtual mentors in this area. People who are seeking to live both creative and balanced lives. One of these mentors is Shauna Niequist. A few years ago, Shauna wrote Present Over Perfect—a beautiful book on living less frantically. Another mentor is leadership Guru, Brad Lomenick who has a great chapter in his book, H3 Leadership, all on building healthy rhythms. And finally, Rachel Hollis, in her book, Girl Wash Your Face, has reminded me, “You cannot take care of others well if you’re not first taking care of yourself.”
In real life or virtually, do you have self care mentors?
Do you need to borrow one of mine?
Lead
“Today as we face our dishes, our proposals, our classrooms full of the future; as we sit to create, to write, and to live on purpose, may the promise of growth outweigh our fear of stumbling.”
—Emily P. Freeman, A Million Little Ways
What would it look like if the promise of growth outweighed our fear of stumbling?
How would this impact how we live? How we create? And, how we lead?
Would you like a little help in planning out your goals for 2019? Until the end of February, I am sharing my Start Here: Dream Planner with anyone on my email list. Sign up today, for your free copy!
Photo by Joseph Pearson on Unsplash
