Last night I was without kid and husband. So, following my last meeting of the day, I hit the road and headed to Local Nine for rose and oysters. YUM! It was only 5:00 PM so there was no one there. I sat on their huge patio in a corner seat and was just out of the sun with just enough of a breeze that I was very comfortable. I think it was 85 yesterday, so for us Minnesotans at heart, hot!
I was celebrating some victories that I’ve had over the last few weeks. The first, and the main reason behind this celebration was because I finally invited my good friend to one of our all staff meetings, and she had something fun to contribute! She’s known as my personality and I usually leave her at home to fend for herself when I head off to work. But last Tuesday she tagged along. She shared a great tip about how to read a bit faster while retaining information a bit better! And it was a great add-on to the end of our meeting! One of my colleagues even emailed me after and said that she tried it…. and it worked! Ha!
The other celebration is for a conversation that I had with my mom recently about some of her jewelry. The last time we talked, with my sister included, it didn’t go very well- as in I don’t even remember what was decided because it was evident to me that they had made their decision about who gets what and no matter what I said, it wouldn’t be heard. But when mom broached the topic this past weekend, I stayed right there with her. I didn’t go to that last conversation, I didn’t let my feelings of exclusion, jealousy, and loss overtake me. I just stayed right there with mom and listened to what she said.
I then told her how I felt at the end of the other conversation and the reasons that I wanted a certain piece. I remained objective and only tuned into her. I listened and responded thoughtfully. I didn’t become defensive, just present and open. And the conversation went well!
The final reason is that I had coffee with my mom on Friday. I went there with no expectations just to be in her company, enjoy my cappuccino and lemon thyme muffin (it was delicious!!!! I’m going back for more.) We had a great time. We talked and talked. It wasn’t strained it just flowed. I’m so grateful for that time I had with her because it’s so rare that it’s just the two of us. In so many of our past conversations, I’ve brought judgment and expectations of what I think the conversation will be about, and then I steer it that way, and I leave thinking that I wish we had talked about something else. But last Friday, it just was, and it was enough.
I’m really happy with where I’ve come from over these last two months! I feel like an improved version of me. It’s small things that I’ve noticed along the way, but important shifts which need to be recognized and celebrated.