RuthAnnHarnisch.com

On the Ball, On My Feet

Day 59
Three of us meet often in the little office where one of us works. He sits behind his desk. The other person sits in the one visitor’s chair.  They always offer to bring in a chair for me, but most of the time I prefer to stand. I work better on my feet.
I have created a [...]

I’m So Important I Prob’ly Think This Post Is About Me

Day 58
Back on Day 14,  I mentioned that my coach, Renee Freedman, does not promise to get back to people immediately.  She lets her correspondents and callers know that she will respond within two business days. 
I have been known for Instant Response, but I gave that up during sabbatical year.  And maybe forever.
Thanks to Renee, I [...]

Rainbow vs. Work

Day 57
In my electronic mailbox today:
POSITIVE QUOTE OF THE DAY
The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow, but the rainbow won’t wait while you finish the work.
– Pat Clifford
The Positive Quote of the Day is free from John Groom’s Positive Press, and you can subscribe by clicking here.
I tried to find out [...]

Hugs and Flowers

Day 56
If you enjoyed “patting yourself on the back” and “giving yourself a kiss” yesterday, here’s another do-it-yourself gesture via my sister Carol.  “Put your right hand on your left shoulder. Put your left hand on your right shoulder. Now give yourself a big hug!”  She actually said “give yourself a big hug from me,” [...]

( ____ ) Yourself

Day 55
When I’m coaching, I notice that many of my clients (most of whom are high achievers) have trouble giving themselves credit, applause, appreciation, and honor when they deserve it.
I’m not talking about accepting congratulations from others – I’m talking about an inside job.  You congratulate yourself.
Over a quarter of a century ago, I interviewed  [...]

Life’s A Beach. Or A Bitch. Or Both.

Day 54

What The Dream Sabbatical Looks Like

When I dreamed about being on sabbatical, this is what I thought it would look like.

Today it did.  I snapped this shot right after lunch. Yup, just what I had in mind.
What I didn’t expect:  the number of loved ones  for whom serious issues arose today, ranging from personal injury to [...]

The Bluebird Of Happiness Dropped Something On Me

Day 53
The Daily Beast ran a piece today on women and happiness, a conversation with the author of  Bluebird:Women and the New Psychology of Happiness. 
This led to a conversation with my friend Marielen, the person who has taught me a great deal about the art of personal happiness . 
I was holding forth on the importance of deciding to be happy, of [...]

Last Words

Day 52
I find myself returning to the Esquire article on Roger Ebert  I referenced yesterday.
The photo is haunting, especially if you knew Roger’s former face.  But his appearance isn’t what’s bothering me. It’s that Roger Ebert, who used to get paid to talk, lost the ability to speak several years ago.
He isn’t complaining.  He’s alive. He says not having [...]

Romenesko, Roger Ebert, And The Unfairness Of It All

Day 51
While on sabbatical, I haven’t disengaged entirely from the world – I can’t help encountering some work-related material.  As a recovering journalist who knows the value of professional journalism to a free society of well-informed citizens, it’s difficult to ignore the crisis in current pay models of  journalism.
On Friday morning, I opened my email Inbox.  One [...]

Olympics – I Don’t Get It

Day 50
One of the things I hope to learn during this sabbatical year is: what outcomes or activities would be exciting enough to inspire me next?
I’m taking time off because I suspect my thinking is in a rut, and I want a fresh start.  One of my sabbatical activities is to spend time in the [...]