Spring has arrived in Seattle and blossoms of every variety proclaim the truth and beauty of that.
April also brings an outpouring of wonderful possibilities particularly for those of us in the Seattle area where the Seeds of Compassion Conference will begin this Friday, April 11. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has joined with the Kirlin Foundation and others to create an amazing learning experience via panels, ceremonies, musical events, and workshops. The thrust is “How can we bring compassion into our lives and the lives of our young children and youth?” Although the free tickets to the major events have been distributed, there are many other free workshops, music and events that will occur on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday that you can still attend. Check here.
Many wise women leaders have convened to contribute to the Conference and other events. Two of many are: prolific author, activist and visionary Sister Joan Chittister who will be on a panel with the Dalai Lama in the morning of April 15 and that evening will speak on Women, Power and Peace. Wednesday night Linda, Popov, the co-founder for the Virtues, project speaks on Raising the New Idealislt, Transforming Tools. Download popov_medina_flier_3_20_08.pdf .
Paradoxically just as I give you multiple options for how to enrich your life, I was reminded this week to choose carefully what I commit to so that I can follow through with effectiveness and satisfaction. After listening to Stephen R. Covey talking about his book The Speed of Trust, this admonition is reconfirmed. Stephen lists 13 behaviors which he considers the competencies of trust and one of them is Practicing Accountability. So, if we say we are going to do something, follow-through.
And trust like so many things that are important, is an “inside out” business. We are to trust ourselves first before we can fully be trusted by others. I find this thought stops me in my tracks. I rarely have trouble being accountable to others, but keeping my word with myself (about getting enough rest, not taking on too much, etc.) is another story. So, I will explore this further in another posting!
In the meantime, savor the choices you make in this and next week! And remember, if you need a bit of “time out” to renew yourself, click here to receive my complimentary Gifts of Serenity to get started.
