LUE-42 Enterprises April 2023 Ezine

I Believe In Fairness, Fun, And Sharing What I’ve Learned

With The People Who Make This Planet A Great Place To Live

Issue 146, April 2023

As March started I was in "theatre mode." In the continuation of Fierce Women of Alberta, I saw a production of my play in Leduc (and tried some nice beer at the new Leduc Brewing Company). I also beat my best record at Barrell of Monkeys (6!) and lost my Visa card. After a couple of days of tearing apart my car and dumpster diving, the Brewery owners reached out to tell me they had it. So obviously I went back and tried the taps I didn't get to the first time!

I lost several things in March, some of which found their way back to me, but not all. About 52 pages of bylaws work disappeared and never came back, and reminded me of choice words I haven't used in awhile. I wonder if those lost bylaws are enjoying my sunglasses...

After 22 years my favourite consignment store, Caprice, closed (another loss). My final shopping trip there was fruitful but sad. If I ever had a sense of style, it was thanks to the good people there. I wish them all well in their next adventures.

I don't often get to use the word "hob nob" but I got to do some of that, too. My friend, colleague, and coach Lori Schmidt was named Honorary Consul for Belgium and I was so pleased to be invited to see her induction by the Belgian Ambassador.

I had a trip to Golden (finally) to meet with a cool client and to catch up with old friends. As I listened and laughed, it occurred to me that I might have enough material for a second play about the adventures there. I also bought myself a special new ring that helps keep Golden top of mind.

I enjoyed wonderful meals with friends for special occasions and for no ocassion at all. I saw old friends and experienced the joy of what a small world this can be.

I was honoured when one of my new 10-minute plays received a staged reading at the opening of the Springboards Festival by Workshop West Playwrights' Theatre. The actors and director were so deft and kind with my dark material that I can't adequately express my gratitude. I am also thankful to the friends who came out to support me at the reading.

I enjoy the discipline required by the 10 minute play format: Although not about plays per se, I love this quote: "The more you leave out, the more you highlight what you leave in." -- Henry Green

So I updated to Windows 11 and now my screens are reversed and the mouse goes the wrong way. I have tried 5 video tutorials to put it back as it was, to no avail. If you have an idea please let me know. And thanks to all who reached out about my new couch. Turns out it is more interesting than bylaws. Go figure!

/lmwe

"A sense of humo(u)r is just common sense, dancing."

-- Clive James

Life

Transitions

I have been helping a friend through some significant life transitions as I try to manage my own. Some days are better than others for both of us. I found some comfort in a 2017 Psychology Today article by Suzanne Kraus Whitbourne. Her research-based suggestions can help us manage these significant transitions in the best possible light. Maybe they will help you too.

The author states, "The basic premise of most stress and coping literature is that there’s no such thing as an inherently difficult life transition. Life events are as stressful, or not, as you make them. It’s all in the mind-set you apply." (NOTE: I didn't care for that tidbit).

The author says moving one's residence is the biggest transition people go through (“relocation bump”). She suggests 10 ways to manage transitions:

Recognize that transitions hold a special place in your life memories. Give it the respect it deserves.
View stress not as a threat, but as a challenge. Because stress is in the mind of the beholder, you can rise above and conquer.
Appreciate the benefits of change. Changes in routine can stimulate your stagnant nervous systems.
Remember the times you’ve successfully navigated a previous transition. As you face a new challenge, use the knowledge that you’ve managed to cope before to give you strength.
Turn to your support network. Even an online community of people can give you an emotional boost, as well as some practical tips.
Prepare, prepare, prepare. Getting things in order is a good way to guarantee that all will work out when the time comes. Get your literal “house in order” before a move.
Use a transition to reflect on where your life has been, and where it’s going. Each time you move, you must engage or disengage with items you’ve possessed, many of which have some type of meaning to you. Even if you toss it, you felt it as you reminisced.
Focus on the positive aspects. What can you think of that’s beneficial? Look out for the hopeful signs in every transition.
Use role models to inspire you through this transition. Find examples of people who inspire you to navigate a challenging period in life.
Realize that change is inherent to life. Without change, our life courses would be very dull indeed. No one’s life ever stands completely still. People enter your world and leave it, material possessions come and go. Don't fight it.

Here is the article. Good luck!

/lmwe

5 Soft Skills for Leaders

Trainingmag.com recently had an article by Lee Frederiksen about mid-career enployees (30-45 year olds) leaving jobs without other jobs to go to. This was blamed on culture and the leadership that created (or allowed) it. Five soft skills they recommend for leaders to help mitigate the outflow of employees are:

Empathy/Compassion
Appreciation of Your Team
Integrity and Honesty
Emotional Intelligence
Owning Up To Mistakes

Check out the article.

Some People Who Made Life Better in March

MaryJane Alanko, David Cheoros, Chris Cook, Patricia Darbasie, Tess Davies, Jill Dewtie, Janis Dow, Leo Ezerins, Liz Garratt, Francie Goodwin-Davies, Jim Gwartney/ Donna Stonehocker, Carrie Habinski, Wanda Hackney, Julia Kopala, Pat Macdonald, Jacey Mackenzie, Doug Macnamara, Sterling Mawhinney, Sherrill McGilvray, Rebecca Merkley, Priya Narine, Erin O'Neill, Gerald Osborn, Andrew Richie, Lori Schmidt, Michelle Schwengler, Babe/Sue Wannamaker, Gord West, Jennie Wood Narine

“We realize the importance of light when we see darkness.”

-- Shashi Tharoor