Purpose in a time of crisis: Join us for a retreat!

 

August 29, 2022 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 half-full, instead of 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! How are you really feeling? Greetings readers! Let's check in, how are you? What is your automatic response? Is it"good","fine", "busy". Now I am going to ask again, how are you really? Sometimes my answer to this question is, good at other times it is tired, angry, exhausted, and frustrated.  The past 2 ½ years have been a heavy burden to bear. Female-identifying people have long carried the responsibilities of caring for others and unrealistic expectations that can come with these responsibilities. These responsibilities are more challenging during the pandemic leaving little time for anything else. Now for some positive news: in the past few newsletters, I have mentioned I am working on a project. This project started on a day when I was feeling angry and frustrated. I was angry and frustrated by the circumstances that I as a woman and my friends as women face. Circumstances are often times out of our control. I was talking about my feelings with a friend and stated that I felt so helpless. I wanted to do something- then we decided we should host a retreat. This retreat would be our way of giving women the opportunity to set an intention and pay attention to their sense of purpose.  A space to feel how you are really feeling without judgment. The retreat, Purpose in a Time of Crisis will be in-person in Duluth, MN. I will be hosting the retreat with my good friend, Rachel Gilbertson, a Certified Health Coach and Mindfulness Facilitator. This retreat is designed to help create space to clarify a sense of purpose by aligning intention, attention, attitude, action, and impact. The day will focus on rest, reflection, and regeneration as powerful forms of resistance and transformation at a location that nurtures your whole self. Now for the details: What:  Purpose in a Time of Crisis Retreat When: October 1st Where: McCabe Renewal Center 2125 Abbotsford Ave, Duluth, MN 55803 Time: 9 am to 3 pm How to register: Go to Checkout Want more information? Go to https://www.empowerpossible.com/p/purpose-in-a-time-of-crisis-retreat  This poem is one that came to mind that day I felt so frustrated. It provided the motivation I needed to process my anger and move forward. I hope it inspires you as well. ‘Still I Rise’ – Maya Angelou You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I’ll rise. Does my sassiness upset you?  Why are you beset with gloom?  ’Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells  Pumping in my living room. Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I’ll rise. Did you want to see me broken?   Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down like teardrops,  Weakened by my soulful cries? Does my haughtiness offend you?  Don’t you take it awful hard ’Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines Diggin’ in my own backyard. You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air,  I’ll rise. Does my sexiness upset you? Does it come as a surprise That I dance like I’ve got diamonds At the meeting of my thighs? Out of the huts of history’s shame I rise Up from a past that’s rooted in pain I rise I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide, Welling and swelling I bear in the tide. Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear I rise Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise I rise I rise. Thank you for your readership! Together we can regenerate our world., Julie Upcoming Events What: Purpose in a Time of Crisis Where: McCabe Renewal Center, Duluth MN. When: October 1st 9am to 3pm Why: Take a day to restore, reconnect, and regenerate. Click here to register In other news, EMPOWER Possible is on Pinterest! For quotes and inspiration go to : https://pin.it/2l5gRLc and follow EMPOWER Possible.

The Possible Futures of You

 

August 15, 2022 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 half-full, instead of 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! The Possible Futures of You For several years I have been an adjunct instructor, teaching Global and Cultural Health. Something I loved about the course is witnessing the development of the students over the course of the year. I was fortunate enough to teach the same cohort of first-year students for two semesters in a row. The transformation from high school senior to a second-year college student is something I felt fortunate to be a part of.  One assignment that highlights this transformation is writing a personal mission statement, students think about their vocation and values in the first semester and then draft a mission statement second semester. At first, some of the students are unsure and sometimes uncomfortable expressing their values and thinking about a vocation or calling. As the year progresses they are more comfortable with the process.  I am a believer in doing the work I ask others to do so I complete the assignment with them and use it as a talking point in my lectures. It has been interesting for me to see how my own personal mission statement has changed over the years. Have you ever thought about your personal mission statement?  If so, what is your mission statement?  If not, take a minute to think about what it could be. Next, think about how your mission relates to your day-to-day activities?  Are your day-to-day activities helping build up your personal mission? Maybe you are starting to see why some of my students are challenged by this assignment-this is tough stuff but worth the work.  In order to empower our lives and thrive, we need to seek to understand our personal mission and values which will impact our current state and future.  What does your future look like?  Will it be one where you seek to foster your mission? For me, I am working on growing EMPOWER Possible, LLC, and am incorporating opportunities into EMPOWER Possible, LLC where you can live out your mission! If you like the idea check out the website, empowerpossible.com, and share it with a friend. If you find it interesting chances are someone else will too! Together we can regenerate our world!   Read more about EMPOWER Possible Click Here Newsflash! Planning for an EMPOWER Possible retreat is in the works! We now have a date and location: October 1st, 2022 at the McCabe Renewal Center in Duluth, MN. We will focus on purpose in a time of crisis. More information is coming soon. Keep reading the newsletters to stay up to date on upcoming events. Thank you for your readership!

Don't Keep it to Yourself

 

August 1, 2022 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 half-full, instead of 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!

Newsflash! Planning for an EMPOWER Possible retreat is in the works! The retreat will occur this Fall. We will focus on purpose in a time of crisis. More information is coming soon. Keep reading the newsletters to stay up to date on upcoming events. Thank you for your readership! Don't Keep it to Yourself What do you want to be when you grow up? I appreciate Goldie Hawn’s answer to this question, "People used to ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up and I’d say ‘Happy!’ That was all I wanted to be." - Goldie Hawn to Vanity Fair, 1992. What I appreciate about Goldie Hawn’s answer is it highlights a basic desire we all have. We all on some level want to be happy. How we define happiness may differ. How do you define happiness?  I define my happiness as my ability to reach my full potential. Reaching our full potential is foundational to my current project EMPOWER Possible, LLC. EMPOWER Possible gives you the option to engage through courses, coaching, or consulting services in order to overcome obstacles and reach your full potential through the EMPOWER skillset. In the EMPOWER course, you develop your EMPOWER skillset which you will learn about engagement, meaning, people, organizations, well-being, empathy, and regenerative practices. EMPOWER courses include:  lectures   downloadable PDFs   worksheets action plans After taking a course students will be able to:·   Effectively put into practice the skills you need to reach your full potential. This is a self-paced course. This means you have the ability to focus on the areas that mean the most to you at your own speed. To learn more go to EMPOWER Possible Courses What do you want to be? When you read the phrase, "I am here to....", what comes to mind?"  How will you define happiness? Does it take into consideration what you are here to do? Together we can regenerate our world. Julie

The Meaning of the Lotus

 

July 18, 2022 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 half-full, instead of 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! The Meaning of the Lotus The fourth of July has come and gone. This month in the United States, we recognize our Independence day. It marks the day the Colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence. This was the beginning of a new era. During this time I reflect on the new beginnings in my own life. EMPOWER Possible is part of the new beginning for me and the logo represents a new beginning. The EMPOWER Possible logo includes an image of a lotus. You may wonder why a lotus? I remember the first time a saw a lotus. I was taken by the beauty and still am in awe of the lotus. I wanted to include a symbol that represents growth, creation, and strength.  The lotus represents all of these things and more. Throughout the Eastern religions, the lotus flower has many meanings.  According to Dheepa Sundaram, Ph.D., assistant professor of religious studies at the University of Denver, lotus flowers in Hinduism represent the womb of the universe from which all things are born, as well as overcoming adversity. When studying the lotus I learned they need mud in order to grow, so that leads to the idea that out of darkness, destruction, and unrest, we can push through and bloom into something beautiful. Below is a poem that captures the meaning of the lotus. Pond Of Lotus by Kumarmani Mahakul Naturally still water has formed a meaning, Beauty of mud is transformed into light, Early dawn on arrival has invited flowers, Lotus flowers smile in lap of green leaves. Holding up still waves from side to side, Each flower is doing meditation in pond, While sun will rise soon, rays will touch, They are waiting for enlightenment again. They are waiting for golden appearance, God’s grace will fall on them suddenly, Arrival of new day is signified with love, Beauty is veiled with joy of brilliant scenery. Each lotus has come up from dirt and mud, But through perseverance and practice, Lotus has become pure, soft and shiny, Every human soul in this Earth is like lotus. Overcoming obstacles in this earthly pond, Like lotus, soul does meditation to get God. Face of body becomes golden in green hope, Soul empowers by great wisdom of lotus. In what area of your life are you stuck in the mud and waiting to bloom? In what areas of your life are you ready for a new beginning? Together we can regenerate our world. Julie Read more about EMPOWER Possible

Purpose in a time of crisis

 

July 5, 2022 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 half-full, instead of 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! Purpose in a time of Crisis Over the past two years, entrepreneurs have experienced tremendous hurdles. Constantly struggling with these hurdles can lead to burnout. One widely discussed strategy to overcome burnout is having a sense of purpose. However, just having a purpose isn't enough, as an individual, small business, or large organization, being purposeful is what matters. That is why I developed the presentation, Purpose in a time of crisis. This presentation engages audience members in the revelation of how to be intentional in living out their purpose in their daily life in order to address, stress, burnout, and build resilience. I am honored to be delivering the presentation at West Slope Startup Week  https://westslopestartupweek.com/ There is still time to register. I will give you a sneak peek of the presentation! The definition of purpose during the presentation is related to our personal mission- You can say My life has a mission - it implies that our lives have direction, we set big goals and then use smaller goals and actions to move in the direction that fulfills our mission During times of crisis, individual purpose can be a guidepost that helps people face up to uncertainties and navigate them better, and thus mitigate the damaging effects of long-term stress. People who have a strong sense of purpose tend to be more resilient and exhibit better recovery from negative events. Research conducted during the pandemic finds that when comparing people who say they are “living their purpose” at work with those who say they aren’t, the former report levels of well-being that are five times higher than the latter. Those in the former group are four times more likely to report higher engagement levels.  Purposeful people also live longer and healthier lives. One longitudinal study found that a single standard deviation increase in purpose decreased the risk of dying over the next decade by 15 percent—a finding that held regardless of the age at which people identified their purpose.  All this to say purpose matters! Purpose is a thing you build, not a thing you find. Put differently in achieving professional purpose, most of us have to focus as much on making our work meaningful as in taking meaning from it. Almost any work can possess remarkable purpose.  How do you contribute to this world?  What is the one thing you have to do? What is your why? When you get clear about the why - why are you doing what you are doing, then what are you doing - your goals and actions you start to build your purpose. This may change over time so be flexible in the approach. Together we can regenerate our world. Julie Read more about EMPOWER Possible

Let's Play Bingo!

 

June 20 2022:  Let's Play BINGO 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 half-full, instead of 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! EMPOWER Bingo In the Northland, we have a very short spring season. For most of the United States, spring has come however where I live in Northern Minnesota the trees were just beginning to bud a few weeks ago. This time of year is also the season of spring cleaning. I enjoy the effects of spring cleaning however I do not really enjoy the process of spring cleaning. It is a chore. However this year I tried something new. I tried to make it a little more fun.  Have you ever noticed how if you turn something fun it makes it seem less like a chore? Take a note from the words of Mark Twain. “Work consists of whatever a body is obliged to do. Play consists of whatever a body is not obliged to do.” — Mark Twain  If we view something as fun and not an obligation, maybe we will start to enjoy it. Try thinking, "I get to do____ instead of I have to do____". So with that idea, we can take items that we might not like doing and begin to prioritize them if we turn it into a game.   Let's Play BINGO! Complete as an individual or share with friends I made a well-being BINGO card since sometimes doing the things we know support our well-being feels a lot like our spring cleaning chores. Below are the directions.  1. Gather a group of friends (or complete it on your own) 2. Send this newsletter to everyone on your team so they have their own BINGO card. 3. Choose the length of time for your challenge (1 week, 2 weeks, etc.).  4. Decide on your game-winning  BINGO rules (5 in a row, etc.).  5. Encourage your team to take small steps toward healthy activities!  6. Create your own raffle and prizes or play for fun!  How to win BINGO Combinations: 1 Line-horizontal, vertical, or diagonal = 1 raffle ticket 2 Lines-horizontal, vertical, or diagonal in an X = 2 raffle tickets Box around outside edges =5 raffle tickets All squares =8 raffle tickets Link to BINGO card: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NK39sU7Ni7ZH8a-qd8EJMcq5WVQXnlN_/view?usp=sharing  Together we can regenerate our world. Julie Let's Play! Click here to download the Bingo card

Build the future you want to live in

 

June 6 2022:  The Rediscovery of Us 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 half-full, instead of 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!

The Rediscovery of Us Meet Teresa! Guest author. This week the Regenerate Your World newsletter has a special guest author, Teresa K Page. I met Teresa at the Small Business Association conference. After discussing our interests we found we had a lot in common.  Teresa K. Page is a new performance coach who helps  professional Women renew their leadership mindset and  confidence to re-enter the workplace with fresh fire and  purpose after being displaced, made redundant or taken time  away from their previous careers.   After serving the public and private education sectors for  seventeen years, Teresa is honored to lend her experience as  a servant leader to impact her new assignment with Teresa K. Page, LLC.   Through the mediums of Performance Coaching, Personal Development  Webinars, Motivational Speaking and Signature Events, it is Teresa’s vision to  become a trusted development resource that support Organizations in their  efforts to enhance the success of Women within our global communities,  marketplaces and economies.   Employing faith and practical principles in Love, Teresa demonstrates how its  effective power can be utilized as a skillset to renovate her clients’ perspective  as they seek new career adventures or entrepreneurial ventures of high value.  She also believes that Love is a gamechanger that gives us all an edge to be  innovative in business; powerful in influence; fully present for our teams and  stakeholders; knowledgeable in industry trends and benevolent in our  community service careers to heavily impact change here in the 21st Century!   I enjoyed reading her newsletter and thought you would too! Her newsletter this week, "The Rediscovery of Us: The Silver Lining of a Global Pandemic focuses on as review of the last few years. During the pandemic we were forced to settle accounts with our personal selves whether we wanted to or not.  Teresa asks the question, "Did we see the person we have become by circumstance or the reflection of the person we always dreamed to be? ". Click the link below to read the her newsletter and learn more about Teresa and her work. Take care and remember together we can regenerate our world!