3 Steps to Renewal
A while ago I was feeling the vacant space that pre-pandemic was filled with trips, connection, friendships and celebrations. Missing my conversations, walks and counsel, I wondered if anyone else had the same nudging.
I put together a three-part webinar. I called it The Girlfriend’s Retreat (apologies to the fellas, let me know if you want your own!) The challenge was to make a plan for how we were gonna emerge from our shut-downs and “time outs”. Take a look at what we want to bring into our new freedoms, and what we could leave behind. Like you, I have been to many webinars, however had never produced one myself (shout out to the crew that attended, you guys are incredible.) It took a lot of self-talk to take the germ of an idea and organize my brain into the content for the series.
Among the topics, we explored six aspects of relationships and why it’s important to be mindful of them going forward. We touched on big and little quits, the pillars of renewal (see below,) and five tips for staying on track.
Today because we are in Renewal April and it’s Easter weekend for many, let's be curious about the pillars for renewal. Personal renewal doesn’t just happen. You can’t just read the self help book, sit like a hunk of chewing gum (yup, that’s an Aunt Mary saying) in the therapist's office, coaching call or listen to the podcast. You have to show up and as Byron Katie says, do “the work.” You create it.
It’s an intentional titration of
Mindset (the story you tell yourself about yourself)
Body (how you care for your physical self)
Strategy (the recipe you craft to move forward)
All three pillars need to be in tune with each other. One pillar goes amok and the other two put in overtime trying to bridge the gap. It can work for a little bit, but never is sustainable. So where are you with your three pillars?
Use this time of emerging and springtime and newness to do a tune up. It’ll keep your engine running clean and efficiently. When you are on your game it opens up space for all of what’s available. Be the example of what’s possible for those around you who are paying attention. I promise you they are.
One of my heroes is Fr. Gregory Boyle. A Jesuit priest who took gang members off the street in Los Angeles and founded Homeboy Industries. A very successful gang intervention program founded on the concept of tenderness. Their motto is, “There is no us and them, just us.” Fr. Boyle says we only get into trouble when we forget that we belong to each other. I like that.
So on this Easter weekend, in the spirit of renewal, go out and share your gifts with those that need the encouragement, the lift up, the hug or the smile. Your pillars are perfect, you are amazing. We belong to each other.
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Grateful for you,
Anne