The Life You Are Making
This blog is part of Renee’s Loving Leaders email series, where she shares insights and strategies for Leading with Love every week. To receive these reflections directly in your inbox, sign up for the series here.
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Today was goodbye.
After 15 memorable days and 800+ truly fun miles traveling around Washington State with our dear friends from Barcelona, we shed tears and gave long hugs, parting with plans and dreams about our next time together.
Our heart's desire and our plans were to share the unique and wildly different ecosystems and beauty three hours in any direction from our home, to share local food, culture, and our life here, AND to introduce them to friends and family.
Well, after visiting Colleen on her rooftop, Beth in her backyard, and my parents at their beach cottage, after Concert in the Park, the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and countless examples of Chihuly glass…
Sampling smoked salmon at Owen’s Beach
After two national parks, numerous state parks, Fort Nisqually, Fort Worden, and Point Defiance, after waterfalls, mountain vistas, and moss-laden trees in the rainforest, after ancient Douglas Fir, Western Red Cedar, Sitka Spruce, Western Hemlock, and Big Leaf Maple…
After the Cascades, the Palouse, the Gorge, the Peninsula, and the Coast, after a state fair and a rodeo, after swimming in rivers, splashing in the Pacific and wading in the Salish Sea…
After racoons, deer, otters, pileated woodpeckers, squirrels, chipmunks, seals, and more including a lost Red Footed Boobie from the Galapagos hanging out in Port Townsend!
After sailing, kayaking, and a ferry ride at sunset, after s'mores and sleeping out in a tent in the woods, after breakfast on our back patio, burgers and milkshakes at Wright Park, and after clams and oysters, smoked salmon and Dungeness crab…mission accomplished!
I have been so fortunate to see many beautiful places in the world, including numerous visits to Barcelona and the north of Spain with these friends. I have loved this.
And this time, I had the joy of seeing this place where I was born through the eyes of travelers who'd come thousands of miles to see us and experience our lives and world. A fresh perspective on my own life, a life I love in a place I love with people, city, work, and land I love.
What do my musings from this trip have to do with Loving Leadership?
I could draw many insights – reflecting on the value of getting away, resting, disconnecting and playing, gaining perspective, of being offline and in nature. All of that would be true.
And, what I'm reflecting on most is something I said to our friends when they expressed gratitude for us taking the time with them.
“Yes, but this is the best of life! We wouldn't miss this time with you. This is what life is all about!"
As a Loving Leader, don't forget that you are making your own life.
In our choices we make our lives.
And those choices are ultimately about relationships, with our selves and with each other.
We are making our lives.
Today, after being mostly offline for two weeks, I met virtually with our leadership team at our non-profit Center for a Loving Workplace, Adam, Rick, Simon, and Lili…and it was so GOOD to see them! They too are my people, in Seattle, Chicago, Wales, and Winchester. They each have been here around my table, walking the beach, connecting, sharing, planning and dreaming. Meaningful and loving bonds.
I'm glad to be “back” and in my rhythm. I've had a few “Ahas!" while I was climbing mountains and hiking in the forest. I'm looking forward to sharing these with you and creating some new offerings for your consideration too. More on all that soon enough.
But for now, I'll leave you with this question:
Loving Leader, what do you love about the life you are making?
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