New Beginnings | Personal Reflection

It's a new kind of Monday, today. I've found myself looking inward a bit, amidst the relative productivity of my first day fully and officially self-employed. A couple of things are in striking contrast to what would have been deemed a normal Monday for me. Good and bad things.

But fortunately, the good far outweighs the bad and I'm left completely and entirely contented. And with every new beginning, whether it be a month or a career or a relationship, there is much to appreciate about the old as we welcome the new. My former (that's going to take some getting used to) co-workers and students left me with such incredible gifts last week; it feels like pieces of them are still here in this life I now live working from home.

Because even as a season comes to a close, people are still there to celebrate and prepare you for what lies ahead. And to stand as and provide symbols of so much meaning.



To remember, my students gave me the most beautiful bouquet of flowers which are now proudly displayed on my kitchen counter. The brightest of greens and yellows celebrating for me a season of the joy that people and relationships can bring to your life, and the new one I am now walking into. And too, a number of cards - with such thoughtful notes, my very own official chef's coat from Belmont dining - in gratitude for our unique partnership, and a frame - which immediately became home to my cherished picture of my amazing student staff from last summer. Oh, right, and the obligatory defacing of your staff headshot for you to keep.

And quite possibly, the most incredible package of a gift was just a couple of books. To honor the Learner in me, my team decided that books covering topics pertinent to my new season in life would be the most appropriate way to send me off. And wow. I hadn't expected this gesture, and it was probably the most moving part of my whole departure. I won't ever take for granted having worked in an environment and with a group of people so clued into the places where your skills and needs are most connected.

The books offered were as different as different can come, but so incredibly perfect.



The Way to Cook (Child) - for the much coveted time I will have now to flex my culinary muscles in a way that I haven't been able to for some time.

Turning to One Another (Wheatley) - for the hope finding places to lead and to change the world through relationships and creativity and people's stories.

National Geographic Traveler: Germany - for the prospect and possibility of our trip to Germany this summer on mission.

And last, but not least...

Is Your Mama a Llama? (Guarino/Kellogg) - for the family we hope to start soon (and my former supervisor's personal favorite for her kids).

Incredible, right? I know.

And so with each of these, and the encouragement of many, a new month, a new season, and a new journey have each officially begun. Cheers!

What Inspires Me? 01.19.10 | Personal Reflection

Books, you'll come to learn, are like currency to my soul. The purchase, exchange, and transfer of thoughts and ideas and lessons and challenges set forth in literature - whether fiction or non - has the ability to fill me up and to move me in a way not many other things can. So, it won't be surprising that this week's inspiration comes from a book.

A book which I happened to listen to, after owning in audio format for sometime, only just a couple of weeks ago on our way home from Christmas travels. And then, immediately after listening to it, I read it all over again. Because it was just that good.

The book? The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho.



Everything about this book, and particularly the narration of it in audiobook, fascinates me. I literally can't get the echoes of both the characters, the plot, and the settings out of my head. It is a book about a boy following his dream in search of a treasure, only to find himself ending up in situations and destinations with people he hadn't expected to meet along the way. So much truth is laced into this fable. And long-gone are the days of good, inspiring fables which ask us to think abstractly about our own realities.

Probably one of the less significant, but most profound moments in the story is when the narrator describes the pursuit of using one's gift - and here he is speaking specifically about the alchemist himself - because it is what you are gifted at doing, not because anyone will see it. That a man, so knowledgeable and understanding and skilled at the turning of all metal into gold -chooses to do so in the middle of a desert with no one to watch or to be impressed with him.

When I let that sink in, I am just - deeply moved. Do what you do because you can, not because it is an means to an end or because it gains you notoriety with people.

And that's just one of the tiniest lessons from this chock-full-of-good-stuff story. Seriously.

If you've never read anything by Coelho before, I would start with this one. From his blog you can access a number of online versions of some of his work, including translations in a number of languages. Unfortunately, The Alchemist will not be found in the English translations of his works but you can always get a head start on the first chapter, thanks to this preview from Google Books. And lastly, if you are a fan of Jeremy Irons (I mean, really, with that voice, who isn't?) and like audiobooks, I'd highly recommend a listen.