Well after wandering around the net for awhile and looking through Craig's list and all sorts of other places, I ran across a post for writers. I know, I know I'm already writing right here, but I would like to make a little bit of money. So I sent the guy the link to this blog and he said I was a talented writer. Is that some kind of line or something? I always considered myself just an average writer. Who knows?
Well I know for sure I'm not a stellar writer or I'd be published by now. Then I started reading a book called "The Zookeeper's Wife" and immediately put it down and thought "hey I could write a children's book about my own family". You see my family on my mother's side went through the holocaust (which is what the Zookeeper's Wife is about) and I got inspired. Believe me I have no huge or lofty ideas that whatever I write will actually get published, but one never knows.
Then I thought, I could write it in installments. Let my best friends kid read it and see if it even interests him. Then I'll go from there. Am I nut's? Well not exactly, I think I was really inspired by the fact the J.K Rowlings was featured last night on 20/20 as the most fascinating person in 2007. Now she's some writer and what an imagination. I'm jealous of the creative types that can just think up stuff out of thin air. I would at least need reality as an anchor for anything I wrote. Any budding writers out there?
Friday, December 7, 2007
Coaching as an Innate Life Function
So I guess I love to offer advice (I know this is anathema to the coaching field)..but bear with me I'm still going to call it coaching. So remember back to my bus driver connection in a previous blog (the guy who brought me the furniture). Well he gave me a connection to his ex-wife who he is still friends with. I called her today and she's involved with the Mountaineer Players and needed advice on how to raise $ for their plays and a day camp. I called her today and she was awesome. Well I thought she might have a paying job for me but no such luck. But did that stop me from offering my free and very good advice. Of course not!
I found myself getting really excited about it. And for those who are on their Passion Search....remember..this is a key to finding out what you really love. I gave her many different options from going to the library in Redmond and working with this amazing librarian and resource, Jeannette Privat, who is a whiz at finding foundations to contact for grants, to contacting the Chamber of Commerce on the Kitsap peninsula to find out about local businesses to approach. I even told her how to approach the businesses. Finally, I suggested that she talk to the board of the Mountaineer Foundation (their umbrella) and see if they are doing an end of year mailing and whether they can be part of the ask with an earmark for their plays and CAMP. Alternatively they could write a year end letter to those folks who have attended their plays--see who sends a check and then keep them on their hit list of folks to invite to a small gathering, explaining further their plans for their plans and the camp.
Putting yourself out into the universe in positive ways is important. Helping others is important. It will come back to you in ways you don't expect.
I found myself getting really excited about it. And for those who are on their Passion Search....remember..this is a key to finding out what you really love. I gave her many different options from going to the library in Redmond and working with this amazing librarian and resource, Jeannette Privat, who is a whiz at finding foundations to contact for grants, to contacting the Chamber of Commerce on the Kitsap peninsula to find out about local businesses to approach. I even told her how to approach the businesses. Finally, I suggested that she talk to the board of the Mountaineer Foundation (their umbrella) and see if they are doing an end of year mailing and whether they can be part of the ask with an earmark for their plays and CAMP. Alternatively they could write a year end letter to those folks who have attended their plays--see who sends a check and then keep them on their hit list of folks to invite to a small gathering, explaining further their plans for their plans and the camp.
Putting yourself out into the universe in positive ways is important. Helping others is important. It will come back to you in ways you don't expect.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
How to Meet People Whereever You Go
Remember back to my earlier blog about the bus driver I met. Well he's an amazing guy. I sent him an e-mail and he responded a few days ago. Now I could be getting myself into trouble and maybe he's not just a nice guy but one who'd married and is seeking something other than friendship, but I guess I'm the trusting sort and I use my intuition about these kinds of things. Anyway, he called me and asked if I needed any furniture. He knows I'm unemployed and he has a household full of furniture that he wants to get rid of. I told him I could use a recliner. He said, "what kind". He had 3 of them. Well now I'm the proud owner of a new, used recliner that looks identical to the one I broke several years ago and it even matches my living room.
You just never know the kind of people you will meet. Being the connector I am, I'm constantly meeting and talking to people. That's really the best way to meet people. Who knows the next person you talk to standing in line could become you next best friend or even your partner. The universe delivers to us in strange, unpredictable ways.
You just never know the kind of people you will meet. Being the connector I am, I'm constantly meeting and talking to people. That's really the best way to meet people. Who knows the next person you talk to standing in line could become you next best friend or even your partner. The universe delivers to us in strange, unpredictable ways.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Fuzzy Head
On most days I never talk about the fact that I have fibromyalgia, but when it keeps me up at night or when I get sick it tends to rear it's ugly head. FM or fibromyalgia for short is a wierd, quirky syndrome that started invading my body in 1992. Caused by stress, an accident or even a difficult birth, doctors really know very little about it, although many have tried to treat it. There are now special clinics just for the treatment of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue. I don't want to be seen as an unhealthy person, I just want to be seen for myself. I'm lucky, I have very little pain with FM, which is what most people experience. The challenge for me right now is seeking work that is low stress and pays well. You might think this is some kind of a joke, but it isn't. I have a mortgage to pay and I need a well paying job that I can handle.
Today I definitely have a fuzzy head due to a cold, lack of sleep and layer on top of that my FM. Unfortunately I have a job interview. I could have put it off but I was too nice and said I would be willing to do it over the phone. Oy! Now I'm concerned whether I'll come across as coherent. Hopefully no employer will ever come across this blog.
If you are blessed with a good night sleep on most nights, relish those mornings wakings when you feel refreshed. It's something I strive for. But with a head cold it's even tougher. OK..enough whining....there are people without homes sleeping in the streets and I have a nice warm bed.
Today I definitely have a fuzzy head due to a cold, lack of sleep and layer on top of that my FM. Unfortunately I have a job interview. I could have put it off but I was too nice and said I would be willing to do it over the phone. Oy! Now I'm concerned whether I'll come across as coherent. Hopefully no employer will ever come across this blog.
If you are blessed with a good night sleep on most nights, relish those mornings wakings when you feel refreshed. It's something I strive for. But with a head cold it's even tougher. OK..enough whining....there are people without homes sleeping in the streets and I have a nice warm bed.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Writing Coach
So unwittingly I've ventured into the world of being a "Writing Coach". Does the profession exist? I'm guessing it probably does but I've never personally heard of one. I have friend who is getting her PhD and when she heard I wasn't working said she had a business proposition for me. Of course that peeked my interest.
She asked me if I'd be willing to be her "Writing Coach", since she knew I was interested in the field of coaching in general. So what is a writing coach in this context. Basically I don't edit or help in anyway with her writing; I'm simply a sounding board and someone to encourage her to do her writing, hold to her goals, help her determine if her current goals are realistic, cheer her on when she meets them or even partially meets them, and then call her on certain issues. For example, today she kept referring to a paper as being "scary". I think languaging is incredibly important as to how we hold something in our lives. So I asked her if she could stick to the work "long" which may not carry as any connotations.
I think it is helping her but I'm only midway through week 2 of helping her. BTW--if any of you out there would want me to do the same for you. I can do this over e-mail or by phone. I'm currently charging $30/hr, which is very inexpensive in the coaching world. For her that comes out to about $15/week since we are only doing this by e-mail.
Think about it if you have a big writing project or any project you need to get done. We may need to negotiate price, but I think I can help you.
She asked me if I'd be willing to be her "Writing Coach", since she knew I was interested in the field of coaching in general. So what is a writing coach in this context. Basically I don't edit or help in anyway with her writing; I'm simply a sounding board and someone to encourage her to do her writing, hold to her goals, help her determine if her current goals are realistic, cheer her on when she meets them or even partially meets them, and then call her on certain issues. For example, today she kept referring to a paper as being "scary". I think languaging is incredibly important as to how we hold something in our lives. So I asked her if she could stick to the work "long" which may not carry as any connotations.
I think it is helping her but I'm only midway through week 2 of helping her. BTW--if any of you out there would want me to do the same for you. I can do this over e-mail or by phone. I'm currently charging $30/hr, which is very inexpensive in the coaching world. For her that comes out to about $15/week since we are only doing this by e-mail.
Think about it if you have a big writing project or any project you need to get done. We may need to negotiate price, but I think I can help you.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Water
Water, the life giving substance. Recently there was a town (I believe somewhere in the South) that actually did a raindance to bring on the rain after a long drought. Living in Seattle we never seem to have that problem, with today being no exception. After 2 days of snow and now melt and also torrential rains we are experiencing flooding. Just up the street from me there are sandbags trying to hold back the water.
If we could only transport that water from our waterlogged area to the areas that need it. What can one do....life is not fair...for us nor for those who need water, food, shelter. Being unemployed has given me some perspective, although I do know I'll eventually be employed.
Rain, water and lot's of it shows us the unpredictability and uncontrollability of life. The less we seek to control it the better off we are...whether it's in seeking one's life work or find water in the desert.
If we could only transport that water from our waterlogged area to the areas that need it. What can one do....life is not fair...for us nor for those who need water, food, shelter. Being unemployed has given me some perspective, although I do know I'll eventually be employed.
Rain, water and lot's of it shows us the unpredictability and uncontrollability of life. The less we seek to control it the better off we are...whether it's in seeking one's life work or find water in the desert.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
The Life of a Notary
Last night I was a witness to the signing of a Will for a couple I'm getting to know. What was interesting was the notary. What a job! She gets to travel, meet new people everyday, and simply be there to notarize what is being signed. It's sounds ideal in many ways. My friend S., one of the people who the Will was created for, started to ask her about her life and found out that she's also a writer, not published but possibly could be. S. thought why not write a book about all the interesting people you meet as a notary. Her husband B. thought up the title "Notarize This". It would be very cool. The notary also noticed how with every adventure as a notary, she finds coincidences or threads as she called them throughout her day. In fact the woman she met in a nursing home just that morning had owned the very house we were in (I was a witness to the signing) along with John. The house is owned my John's mom. We thought that was amazing--weren't sure after she left if it was true. But I've noticed as you can tell from my previous blog, on 2 degrees of separation that we aren't really separate; that these synchronicities happen all the time. We just don't pay attention.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)