The Joy is in The Journey

This is one of my favorite essays. I read it for the first time in a "Dear Abby" column when I was about 15 years old. It has much more meaning for me now that I'm 36 and feel a little less invincible ;) I find it a wonderful reminder to stay present in our lives and enjoy the here and now.

THE STATION

By Robert J. Hastings

TUCKED AWAY in our subconscious minds is an idyllic vision in which we see ourselves on a long journey that spans an entire continent. We're traveling by train and, from the windows, we drink in the passing scenes of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at crossings, of cattle grazing in distant pastures, of smoke pouring from power plants, of row upon row upon row of cotton and corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of city skylines and village halls.

But uppermost in our conscious minds is our final destination--for at a certain hour and on a given day, our train will finally pull into the Station with bells ringing, flags waving, and bands playing. And once that day comes, so many wonderful dreams will come true. So restlessly, we pace the aisles and count the miles, peering ahead, waiting, waiting, waiting for the Station.

"Yes, when we reach the Station, that will be it!" we promise ourselves. "When we're eighteen. . . win that promotion. . . put the last kid through college. . . buy that 450SL Mercedes-Benz. . . have a nest egg for retirement!"

From that day on we will all live happily ever after.

Sooner or later, however, we must realize there is no Station in this life, no one earthly place to arrive at once and for all. The journey is the joy. The Station is an illusion--it constantly out distances us. Yesterday's a memory, tomorrow's a dream. Yesterday belongs to a history, tomorrow belongs to God. Yesterday's a fading sunset, tomorrow's a faint sunrise. Only today is there light enough to love and live.

So, gently close the door on yesterday and throw the key away. It isn't the burdens of today that drive men mad, but rather regret over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin thieves who would rob us of today.

"Relish the moment" is a good motto, especially when coupled with Psalm 118:24, "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

So stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles. Instead, swim more rivers, climb more mountains, kiss more babies, count more stars. Laugh more and cry less. Go barefoot oftener. Eat more ice cream. Ride more merry-go-rounds. Watch more sunsets. Life must be lived as we go along. The Station will come soon enough.

What regets and fears are you willing to let go of so you can fully enjoy today??

Learning the Art of Not-Doing... An Ongoing Process

I've been feeling very unproductive lately... that is, compared to my usual level of energy and productivity. I've had to remind myself a number of times lately that I am a human "being" and not a human "doing" and that this is just a phase. Why is this a lesson that seems to come back to me over and over again, though? For many of my coaching clients as well, they seem to intertwine their self-worth with how many goals they've achieved and the number of "to-do"s checked off their lists.

Ironically, the topic of May's NEW Power Lunch is "Getting It All Done." The twist is -it's not about driving yourself harder to get more done. It's how we, as women, tend to take on the weight of the world sometimes when that responsibility just. isn't. ours. Period (Exclamation point!). Can you relate? If you're a woman living in or near Durango, how about joining me at the next Power Lunch on May 8th? We're going to have a great discussion about this whole topic.

I love these words of wisdom from poet and spiritual writer, Oriah Mountain Dreamer... they are especially hitting home with me this week:

"How do we find this marriage of ego and essence, this fully human life that is the reason we are here? Trying harder won't work. Doing more won't work. We are called to find ease, called to learn the art of not-doing. We are called to value the power of presence more than we value the presence of power. There is only one time and one place and time in which the sacred marriage of our essence and our ego can happen, only one place and time in which we can fulfill our purpose to be fully and consciously in a human life: here and now."

How about giving yourself full permission to embrace the present and the gifts it has to offer? And remember, the weight of the world doesn't rest on your shoulders alone. The "to-do"s that didn't get done today can wait until tomorrow. Take in what today brings you, and know that tomorrow is never very far away.

Have a great rest of your week!

The New Power Lunch for Women

The New Power Lunch for Women is a monthly event I host in Durango, CO. This event is FUN, I tell you! If you are a professional woman living in or near Durango I would love for you to join us. We get together & discuss issues that affect all professional women - in an environment where connections are created, problems are solved, all with real women just like yourself!

Each month there is a different topic and April's will be Difficult Conversations. Ever been faced with one of those? ;) Of course, we all have. The key is: they can also be successful conversations where both parties walk away feeling like they've been heard and respected.

Want to meet some really amazing women and peers... and enjoy a delicious lunch to boot? Join me on April 10th at Ken & Sue's Restaurant for the New Power Lunch for Women.

I hope to see you there!