I feel incredibly fortunate that my position with ScheduleTown (www.scheduletown.com) led to my involvement with Hands On for The Cure (www.handsonforthecure.org- name is still being worked on).  Hands On is a not-for-profit in the making that brings together a community of licensed volunteers to provide health and beauty services to inviduals undergoing or having just completed cancer treatment.  As the volunteer manager/coordinator for Hands On, a ton of my free time has been spent on getting this organization off the ground.  ScheduleTown's role is critical in making Hands On actually happen- ScheduleTown will be the tool that links the volunteers with the individuals needing the services.  The details are still being worked out and I will keep everyone updated as we move forward, but the need is there and the opportunity to fill that need is very exciting.  So on this note, I thought I would share another "life lesson."

Empower those around you and those around you will empower you.- Katie Kost
I'm pretty sure that is a Katie original and did not mean to steal a quote from anyone else.  But rather I want to use that sentence/quote as my most recent "life lesson."  A few weekends ago I volunteered at local cancer survivor retreat - Mending in the Mountains.  Our group provided spa services to the 70+ women in attendance.  I have never been in a room with a more incredible group of women; the strength, wisdom and humor shared that day will stay with me forever.  But my lesson came towards the end when one women with the biggest smile on her face said, "Thank you for being here today- you have empowered each and every woman here today."  I was so pleased to hear such incredible feedback, but all I could think about on my way home was that I was the one who felt empowered.  (Which is the reason many people volunteer.)  However, I also realized that it was through empowering those women that I walked away being empowered.  And I feel, quite strongly, that empowerment is an incredible gift to give and to get. 

Just when you thought you have it all figured out and everything planned IT happens, you realize that Someone or Something (whatever your personal belief may be) above you is in control.

Today started as most days do.  An early morning workout (oh yeah- I'm one of THOSE people who actually prefers to workout at 5am), a shower and some locker room chit chat, and then off to work.  Only this morning I knew there could be no lallygagging; I had a 9am meeting and lots to do before it started.  So last night before going to bed I gave myself a little pep talk that I had to make sure I got up when the alarm went off (I love to press the sleep button), get to the gym, get showered quickly and off to work.   I was on track until about 7:45am when I realized that I locked my keys in the car.  I had locked the car, threw the keys in my purse, grabbed my gym bag, and then turned and left my purse in the car.

So now maybe not a huge deal to some, but to me practically my whole life was locked in the passenger seat of my car.  My breakfast (I'm very hungry by this time), my purse (no $ to go buy breakfast), my planner (how the heck was I supposed to know what's going on for the day), my phone (no way to call the folks attending my 9am meeting to tell them I had no way of getting there)... and oh yeah- that 9am meeting, how was I supposed to get there?! 

At this point I'm thinking "Great- it's going to be one of those days! I'm not going to get anything done at the office before I leave for my meeting, if I can even get to my meeting.  I definitely won't be able to eat breakfast.  So and so is going to be upset I didn't do this or that before I left.  And how am I going to get my keys  Etc. etc."   Well to make a long story short... my dear husband (I married a great man) brought my spare key just in time for me to jet off to my meeting.

Now on my way to my 9am meeting, I realized I had no idea where Lincoln Street was.  I thought I did, but after taking the right turn that I thought was Lincoln street I quickly learned that I was actually on a different street named after a US President. (Side note- does every city in the country have a Washington Street?) At this point I could have gotten upset or angry or thought why me why now.  But then I thought of my mom- a big believer in positive thinking.  I would get there.  A right turn here, then a left turn there, one more right turn, a few blocks down, and whoa there it was, 1804 Lincoln Street.  How I found it, I'm still not sure.  But this morning reminded me that what's important is not that we think we can control everything but that we know what we can control.  And all I know is that all I can control is my attitude, my actions, and my feelings.  My mom would be proud to hear me say that but it's true.  Thanks Mom.

So there it is- a long story but an important life lesson reminder.