A Fish Named Nebula

February 7, 2024 Regenerate Your World  Build the future you want to live in. I know these times aren't the easiest for all of us, but I am an optimist - I see the glass as refillable instead of half-full or half-empty. To brighten up your days, I publish the Regenerate Your World newsletter coming to your inbox on a bi-weekly basis. Let's Get Empowered!

A Fish Named Nebula Dear Empowered Reader, Thank you for taking a few minutes of your day for a fish story!  What began as a simple wish for a pet evolved into a story of perseverance, creativity, and responsibility. A few weeks ago, I experienced a wonderful moment with my nieces that I believe holds meaningful teaching points for us all. It began with receiving a text from their mom, one of my sisters.  She shared that my nieces would like to set up a video chat. I never turn down an opportunity to talk with my nieces (ages range from 2 to 12). We set up a time to chat. I looked forward to the conversation as I never quite know what will develop during our video chats.  A few hours later I heard the ring of my video call, when I answered the call , all I can hear is “WE GOT A FISH!!” my nieces were so excited to tell me about their first pet. Now why am I sharing their excitement with you? It has to do with the events leading up to this moment. My nieces have wanted a pet for several years. First came conversations about adopting a dog, that was immediately vetoed by my sister and her husband. Then came conversations about adopting a cat, but that too was vetoed. Then my oldest niece asked for a fish, this was not immediately vetoed but received an “we’ll think about it” from my sister and brother-in-law. After a few more years of asking about the fish my oldest niece and one of her sisters developed a presentation about fish care and reasons why owning a fish would be good for them and their sisters. I saw the presentation myself and was convinced! However, my sister and her husband were unsure about taking on a fish's additional responsibility.  Next, my nieces began to demonstrate how responsible they could be by acting out certain scenarios that could occur when owning a fish. My sister and brother-in-law still said, “We will have to think about it”. Then my nieces had the idea to fundraise for a fish, asking their mother, if we can pay for it then can we get a fish” The same response came, “We will have to think about it”.  However, my nieces would not be detoured. They got creative and earned over $100 selling homemade cookies at a Bake/Craft Fair. Once they had the cash they approached my sister again, “Now can we get a fish?” once again they were told, “We will have to think about it”. Little did my nieces know that my sisters and I were buying all the supplies needed to get our nieces a fish.  A few weeks after the bake sale, my nieces received the good news, they were going to get a fish! Back to the video chat, my nieces were so excited to share they were going to get a fish, and not only that they were going to get two snails! In the end, due to their perseverance, they now have two fish and two snails as their first pets. Teaching Points: Perseverance and Resilience: My nieces demonstrated unwavering perseverance over several years. Despite initial rejections of the idea of adopting a pet, they persisted, adapting their approach and continually seeking ways to realize their dream. Creativity in Problem-Solving: In their pursuit, my nieces showcased creativity by developing a presentation on fish care, presenting reasons why owning a fish would benefit them. Additionally, their entrepreneurial spirit led them to successfully fundraise for their pet project through a Bake/Craft Fair. Responsibility and Teamwork: Through role-playing scenarios and fundraising efforts, my nieces showcased responsibility and teamwork. They took ownership of the potential challenges that come with pet ownership and worked together towards a common goal. Reflection Questions: What dreams or goals have you pursued with unwavering determination, and what lessons did you learn in the process? How can creativity play a role in overcoming obstacles and finding innovative solutions in your own life? Reflect on a situation where responsibility and teamwork were crucial. How did collaboration contribute to the success of the endeavor? As we navigate our paths, let's draw inspiration from the resilience, creativity, and responsibility demonstrated by my nieces. May their fish tale serve as a reminder that with determination and a creative spirit, we can overcome obstacles and create a fulfilling journey toward well-being. Have a "fish story" to share? I would love to hear it, email me at info@empowerpossible.com. Wishing you joy and inspiration, Julie Photo of one of the fish and snails! Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Click here to get your own subscription. Mother To Son  By  Langston Hughes  Well, son, I'll tell you: Life for me ain't been no crystal stair. It's had tacks in it, And splinters, And boards torn up, And places with no carpet on the floor-Bare. But all the timeI'se been a-climbin' on, And reachin' landin's, And turnin' corners, And sometimes goin' in the dark Where there ain't been no light. So, boy, don't you turn back. Don't you set down on the steps. 'Cause you finds it's kinder hard. Don't you fall now-For I'se still goin', honey, I'se still climbin', And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

In the Media Where can you find EMPOWER Possible? Besides posting on my social media, I also collaborate with other entrepreneurs. In my latest guest appearance on the Marketing Rebels Podcast, we discussed freedom from the clock. Time Freedom: Work-Life Balance Myths Step into a world where time is not the enemy but your greatest ally! 🕰️ Join me on "Marketing Rebels: Breaking Business Barriers" with Shauna Van Mourik  In this episode, we unravel the mysteries of work-life harmony, liberate ourselves from the clock's constraints, and debunk the myths of time management. ⏳ Click HERE to join Interested in catching up on our previous podcast episodes? We invite you to explore our library of past recordings, where we delve into a diverse range of topics related to happiness and well-being. https://empowerpossible.com/podcasts/

Upcoming Events February 29, 2024, Care for the Caregiver, Leading Age Minnesota Institute and Expo I'm excited to share my passion for well-being at #Institute2024. Join me for a deep dive into Care for the Caregiver, and let's spark meaningful discussions together. Register now and join me there! https://www.leadingagemn.org/education-events/institute/ Spring 2024 Mountain 10 Workshop The Journey to Positive Change workshop will focus on accessing your inner wisdom to bring about the changes you deeply desire in your life. We will use the Mountain 10 process, a proven, new technology for deep reflection on human change. It is based on the conviction that every person has the most important answers about direction, purpose, and calling within them. This directed reflection process leads you through four terrains of exploration, stopping at waypoints on the journey to consider key questions about awareness, letting go, vision, and realization. The terrains of your journey will take you into deeper observation of your feelings, thoughts, and images. You will explore what you need to let go of as you truly seek what you really want. We will open a space for new vision and consider the practical steps to actualize that vision. We will deepen our insights in small circles of trust. Journaling and guided reflection will be used throughout the journey. This workshop will be limited to 20 people. Please email info@empowerpossible.com to register.

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