Landmark Forum: SELP goes international!

6/1/2013

The SELP requires attendance in 3 all-day Saturday workdays throughout the course of the program.  I am unable to attend the June 8th workday in Seattle due to a wedding I have already committed to attending.  So, I contacted my coach and our leader Christa to help figure out what my options were.  I was informed that I could attend a workday in Vancouver BC on June 1st, one week before the class here at home.  I begrudgingly was considering the long drive to and from.  Luckily, I was contacted by two classmates who were in the same boat as me and looking to carpool to BC for the day.

I made necessary arrangements with my job and made it happen.  I was unreasonable.  The trip was so well worth it!  I met a whole new community of people and can honestly say that the day flew by!  10am - 10pm was full of coaching and sharing.  The leader, Roy, was sensational.  The day consisted of a three-hour guest event from 10am -1pm in which graduates brought friends and family who were able to hear first-hand what Landmark had opened up for people.

Making the trip and arrangements helped me to realize that I DO have control of what happens in my life, and that I am responsible for my own happiness.

Landmark Forum: Self Expression & Leadership (SELP) Course

4/24/2013

Interviews:

This week, I conducted two interviews as prompted by my SELP Course.  I decided to interview a friend and, more uncomfortably, a new boss of mine.  The experience was truly eye-opening in that I received answers to questions that I was not expecting.  It is fascinating to hear another person's perception of me.  This was in no way a "Tell me everything you love about me" type of interview.  My questions included:

• What do you find to be my strengths?
• What do you find to be my weaknesses?
• What can you count on me for?
• What can you never count on me for?
• If I was on the cover of a magazine, what magazine would it be and what would my article be about?

The friend that I interviewed gave me a raw answer regarding a weakness of mine that was great to hear.  Without letting my ego become bruised, I truly listened to this person's reasoning and was able to accept why they thought that way.  Since that time, I have been able to use their answer to notice that weakness in myself and change it into something positive.

My new boss was more difficult to approach simply because I do not know them very well and vice versa.  However, I got some other surprising answers that allowed me to see myself in a different light.  I believe that being bold enough to approach these people and ask for their honest answers shifted the relationship that I have with each person in a great way.  I instantly felt closer to my friend because I asked for an honest answer and my friend did not shy away, but instead gave me a thoughtful response that has changed the person that I am.  In the responses I received from my new boss, I was able to find out that a strength I try to pride myself on is recognized.  I can only continue to build on that positive attribute and continue an enjoyable working relationship.

Community Project:

My project is to rescue cats from local shelters and pair them with senior citizens in assisted living facilities.

I began sharing my community project with a few people in my life and that made the experience more real to me.  Taking my idea off a piece of paper and putting it out in the world has been a good feeling. My next steps will be to research local shelters in the area, find assisted living facilities that accept pets, and visit pet stores to research community outreach involvement.

Oprah, I can't stand you but your choice in books is beyond comparison!

I love to read.  While in school, I remember wishing I had more time to read for pleasure.  Well, I finally completed my program and couldn't be happier.  I was excited at the possibility of reading what I wanted, when I wanted.  But, I was a little overwhelmed as to where to begin.  About six months ago, I decided to embark on a small reading journey.  Up until that point, I read books that had either been recommended to me by friends, or books with a buzz in the media.  So, one night while finishing I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb, I came to the realization that every book I have read with that familiar Oprah's Book Club label on the cover, has been an amazing book! 

 I decided then to check out her list and work my way through each book.  I was happy to see books that I have previously read and adored (i.e. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver).  I checked off the books I have already completed and set out on my literary journey.  I haven't had a hard time finding any of the books on O's list.  Every so often I will hit up a local thrift shop and pick up a few books from my list for a few bucks each.  For my birthday in January my brother (also a bargain junkie) gave me a bagful of books directly from O's list.  What a guy!  The list itself is always growing which keeps me giddily content with my nose in a book.

Check back for upcoming reviews and generic soapboxivity!