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| Follow Your Hartt: Savor Saturdays By Cathy Hartt, RN, CNM, MS |
Savor Saturdays is what I call them. No, it is not a sale at Walmart, folks. And it is no
TGI Friday's, either.
We all know what Saturdays are - but what is savoring? The term may bring to mind
wine tasting, when we close our eyes and focus solely and completely on the vineyard in
our glass.
So, do I get drunk on wine every Saturday? Not hardly. I do, however, attempt to use
my senses to their fullest to process my day. In celebration of Labor Day, I took the
backroads through some wonderful canyon country. After a hectic week, part of me
wanted to step on the gas and make good time on the road. I found myself arguing
about it in my mind. "I have too much to do." "I won't get home before dark." And, so
on.
Then I started taking photos to share on Facebook. I had my little digital with me - so
why not? The first stop was the hardest - my foot just wanted to stay planted on the gas
pedal. The second stop was a little easier despite convincing myself that my car would
surely and instantly die, leaving me forever stranded.
Finally, I got into it, taking each little turn out and marveling at the surroundings. I lost
all track of time and self in what has been called a "flow" state. I arrived home more
relaxed than I had been in months. My mind slow, relaxed. Now that is a Savor
Saturday.
Editor;s Note: Empower! newsletter was last published in fall 2007. I took a break due
to work and school schedules. I continue to work on my postmasters as a clinical nurse
leader and hope to be able to publish this shortened web version during that time.
TGI Friday's, either.
We all know what Saturdays are - but what is savoring? The term may bring to mind
wine tasting, when we close our eyes and focus solely and completely on the vineyard in
our glass.
So, do I get drunk on wine every Saturday? Not hardly. I do, however, attempt to use
my senses to their fullest to process my day. In celebration of Labor Day, I took the
backroads through some wonderful canyon country. After a hectic week, part of me
wanted to step on the gas and make good time on the road. I found myself arguing
about it in my mind. "I have too much to do." "I won't get home before dark." And, so
on.
Then I started taking photos to share on Facebook. I had my little digital with me - so
why not? The first stop was the hardest - my foot just wanted to stay planted on the gas
pedal. The second stop was a little easier despite convincing myself that my car would
surely and instantly die, leaving me forever stranded.
Finally, I got into it, taking each little turn out and marveling at the surroundings. I lost
all track of time and self in what has been called a "flow" state. I arrived home more
relaxed than I had been in months. My mind slow, relaxed. Now that is a Savor
Saturday.
Editor;s Note: Empower! newsletter was last published in fall 2007. I took a break due
to work and school schedules. I continue to work on my postmasters as a clinical nurse
leader and hope to be able to publish this shortened web version during that time.
What does it take to be an influential leader?
Gallup Corporation's authors, Tom Rath and Barry Conchie, asked this exact question
when writing their new book, Strengths Based Leadership. They found three factors.
Think about the last time someone influenced you or visa versa and see if you agree.
you doing? - how would your team say you are doing?
Gallup Corporation's authors, Tom Rath and Barry Conchie, asked this exact question
when writing their new book, Strengths Based Leadership. They found three factors.
Think about the last time someone influenced you or visa versa and see if you agree.
- The most influential leaders are always investing in the strengths
of their team members, which drastically increases employee
engagement.
- The most effective leaders surround themselves with the right
people so that there is a balance of strengths on the team.
- The most effective leaders understand the needs of their team.
you doing? - how would your team say you are doing?
Resilience. Bouncing back. The palm tree in a hurricane. Bending, not
breaking. Broadening and building resources. Happiness.
I love it when I am resilient. Chaos happens and life goes on - maybe even gets better.
This past year, when I enrolled in a post graduate program while undergoing
treatment for Grave's disease (hyperthyroidism), I got quite a lesson about resilience.
My post-grad studies online were much harder than anticipated. With a full-time job,
the studying meant giving up most all of my hobbies and social outlets. And, as if life
on the couch with a huge text book and lots of markers isn't fun enough, I was sick.
Bouncing thyroid levels made me wonder if I would ever feel happy again.
Positive Psychology Coach? - I felt more like a hypocrite. Even my students could
see my raging unhappiness. Finally, I stopped and put a hold on school. I changed
my specialty area. My thyroid levels got stable. I feel like me again. I have landed
on my feet - but only after falling on my face! I realize more deeply how important
health and happiness are to resilience. Coach again? You betcha.
The name sake for this column is my 6-year-old calico-tortie, Serendipity, who
teaches me daily about the art of landing on your feet!
breaking. Broadening and building resources. Happiness.
I love it when I am resilient. Chaos happens and life goes on - maybe even gets better.
This past year, when I enrolled in a post graduate program while undergoing
treatment for Grave's disease (hyperthyroidism), I got quite a lesson about resilience.
My post-grad studies online were much harder than anticipated. With a full-time job,
the studying meant giving up most all of my hobbies and social outlets. And, as if life
on the couch with a huge text book and lots of markers isn't fun enough, I was sick.
Bouncing thyroid levels made me wonder if I would ever feel happy again.
Positive Psychology Coach? - I felt more like a hypocrite. Even my students could
see my raging unhappiness. Finally, I stopped and put a hold on school. I changed
my specialty area. My thyroid levels got stable. I feel like me again. I have landed
on my feet - but only after falling on my face! I realize more deeply how important
health and happiness are to resilience. Coach again? You betcha.
The name sake for this column is my 6-year-old calico-tortie, Serendipity, who
teaches me daily about the art of landing on your feet!
This issue's column is dedicated to the Gunnison Tunnel Museum and its 100th
anniversary.
It was 1949 and the Gunnison River was still largely unconquered. Fox Theater
manager and former athlete, Ed Nelson, went fishing on the river one fall afternoon.
With a one-man rubber raft and ping pong paddles as oars, he set out on his river
journey. And, he did emerge a few days later - one of a handful of people to survive
this stretch of the river - with his fishing trophies.
His trip was not unnoticed, as he had basically successfully pioneered the concept of
white water rafting. In the summers to follow, others joined him on the adventure and
were called the "Gunnison Navy."
Ed's fishing journey teaches about resilience. The white water rapids did not keep him
from catching his limit of fish - and he lived to tell about it. Karen Reivich, PhD states
that there are seven ingredients of resilience, with "realistic optimism" being one of
them. "Resilience is about seeing yourself and situations as optimistically as you can –
but within the bounds of reality. Realistic optimism keeps you shooting for the stars
without losing sight of the ground below," states Reivich.
Was Ed a realistic optimist or just lucky that day?
References: Hale Jones, E. (2001). West of the Divide, East of the Desert and Reivich,
K. The Seven Ingredients of Resilience. http://qa.cnbc.com/id/25464528
anniversary.
It was 1949 and the Gunnison River was still largely unconquered. Fox Theater
manager and former athlete, Ed Nelson, went fishing on the river one fall afternoon.
With a one-man rubber raft and ping pong paddles as oars, he set out on his river
journey. And, he did emerge a few days later - one of a handful of people to survive
this stretch of the river - with his fishing trophies.
His trip was not unnoticed, as he had basically successfully pioneered the concept of
white water rafting. In the summers to follow, others joined him on the adventure and
were called the "Gunnison Navy."
Ed's fishing journey teaches about resilience. The white water rapids did not keep him
from catching his limit of fish - and he lived to tell about it. Karen Reivich, PhD states
that there are seven ingredients of resilience, with "realistic optimism" being one of
them. "Resilience is about seeing yourself and situations as optimistically as you can –
but within the bounds of reality. Realistic optimism keeps you shooting for the stars
without losing sight of the ground below," states Reivich.
Was Ed a realistic optimist or just lucky that day?
References: Hale Jones, E. (2001). West of the Divide, East of the Desert and Reivich,
K. The Seven Ingredients of Resilience. http://qa.cnbc.com/id/25464528
| Do you think your work team or organization might benefit from knowing more service. My strength is in providing education to groups or teams who want to learn more about the science of happiness and flourishing - be it for health, life or business. I will work with you to create the kind of program that will fit your unique needs. I integrate my nursing, midwifery and coaching to provide you with a cost-effective approach to learning to use the science of positive psychology! For more information - Call 970-240-9562 and leave a message. I look forward to talking with you. |
| Health, Life and Business Coaching Cathy Hartt, RN, CNM, MS Montrose, CO 81401 970-240-9562 Email cathycnm@msn.com Empower! web site www.HarttWeb.com/Empower To receive Empower! to your email, please visit our website and fill out the subscription box at the bottom of the page. If you prefer snail mail, please contact us! |
The Mountain Rose: Positive Business Strategies
Serendipity: The Art of Landing on One's Feet
Over Easy - Inspiring stories about Western Slope Pioneers
Savor Saturday Labor Day 2009 road trip between Uravan and Gateway, CO.