A Rocket – The Art of Communicating

Goldfrapp – Rocket

Nothing like music to start things off.  I love this song.  It’s brilliant.

Hello friends!  I wanted to tell you a story about a situation that I’ve been dealing with.

Every week I deal with an auditor that reviews my work, asks for numerous items, that takes so much time.  She’s never communicated well with me and she would send requests by fax.  In the beginning, I got into a huge fight with her and she made my life that week a living hell.  I had to send her intricate backup that required me digging through with other departments, old files from previous years, and with very few conversations.  I could barely stand it, and I was going on vacation for two weeks at the time.  I left it in the hands of others who also had a difficult time with her.

When I returned from vacation, we never spoke on the phone and she continued to send me requests by fax.  I would email her my backup and it got easier sometimes. When it was difficult, I just dealt with it and never called her once.  At that point I decided to send her positive emails, either funny or silly just wishing she had a great day.  She never would respond and for six months, and sometimes I thought I was just writing to myself.

Today she sent me an email and this is what it said:

Hello Lilitte,
 
Happy Friday!  Thank you for all the help with providing backup in such a timely manner.  I don’t always have the opportunity to respond to every single email I receive, but I wanted to thank you for all your cheerful emails each and every time you send backup.  I truly appreciate your positive demeanor and cheerfulness.  Just wanted to let you know, your emails do not go unappreciated.  Quite the contrary, makes me smile especially when having a tough day.
 
I hope you have a great weekend and I look forward to keep working with you.

I’m not trying to pat myself in the back, but this simple email made me feel so good.  It made me think that when I write, someone out there is listening after all.  Sometimes I feel like I’m just writing to myself, but it’s not true.  If it’s out there, someone’s reading it.
Thank you for listening.
 

LilitteLeave a comment

Azul, Azure, Bleu, Bluest Sky

La Roux…

Nothing hurts more than unrequited love.  All the things that hurt us will dissolve in time…

I love to go outside and do my exercise.  Lately, the days have been filled with blue and grey skies, and whether the sky is blue or the sky is grey, I become one with nature.  There’s something peaceful about walking, jogging, or running outside.

Have you ever heard of cortisol?

Here’s the definition:

Cortisol, known more formally as hydrocortisone (INN, USAN, BAN), is a steroid hormone, more specifically a glucocorticoid, produced by the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex.[1] It is released in response to stress and a low level of blood glucocorticoids. Its primary functions are to increase blood sugar through gluconeogenesis; suppress the immune system; and aid in fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism.[2] It also decreases bone formation. Various synthetic forms of cortisol are used to treat a variety of diseases.1

Well, this hormone, as you can see, controls our metabolism and if there’s stress in our lives, then cortisol can make us fat.

When I go outside, I de-stress.  I feel great, just watching all the greenery around me.  Now today I did jump over a snake before I realized it was a snake.  I tried to take a pic, but the little sucker slithered away before I got a chance. If you’re scared of snakes, don’t run where snakes are… since that won’t help you…

Find a peaceful place to go where you can find and enjoy beauty. Try to get outside often, whether it’s to walk even if it’s not a vigorous walk.  Remember the key is to de-stress.

Here’s a few suggestions:

1. Find a place of beauty:  A beach, a park, a hiking area, a lake.

2. Walk or jog peacefully… let your mind relax and breathe in the fresh air.

3. Take deep breaths… take it all in.

4. Dream.

5.  Listen to your favorite beats.

6.  Do stretching exercises to keep you from being tense.

7.  Try to think of good thoughts: what you appreciate, things that make you laugh, what’s good in your life.

1.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cortisol

Today’s workout:

Light jog, light uphill run, walk down hill, varying speeds, total 1 hour.

LilitteLeave a comment

The Meek shall inherit the Earth…

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Blessed are the Meek; For they shall inherit the earth… Matthew 5:5

When I was a child, I read the bible cover to cover because I was searching for meaning.  I wanted to search for something that was real and good and I remembered a lot, but this phrase stuck with me for many years.

If people could remember one thing…to think twice before you get angry, think twice before you say the wrong thing.  Be mindful of all your actions and most importantly… have empathy.  To truly love you must have empathy.

It’s hard to not be angry sometimes, but the more empathy you have, the more you will think about what the other person may be going through. We tend to think of ourselves… what we want, what we need, what’s good for us.  All you have to do is turn it outward.  Instead, think… what do they want, what do they need, what is good for them.

Lately, I am surrounded by bullying, people bullying others, fighting, the friction, the pettiness.  When people are meek, they are open to the vultures, the bullies, the takers, the opportunists. The meek  is tortured, abused and people take advantage of them.

Protect the meek.  They will inherit the earth. Be merciful.  Have empathy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

LilitteLeave a comment