Thought for a Sunday - 18 December 2011
Hi Everyone. Hope this finds you well this chilly Sunday (at least in Northern Virginia). I'm a bit later today as I had an unexpectedly busy day. I am looking out my window at the waning sun and a cloudy sky with blue patches. The wind was quite chilly this weekend and yesterday was blowing quite a bit. Have you finished your holiday shopping? Have you started? This is the last week before the big days. HO HO HO!!!
I was having my usual breakfast and reading the paper when I heard someone say, isn't that Marie Nagle? I popped my head up and it was a woman I had not seen in several years with her family. I worked with her years ago and her spouse was my old mailman. Small world of course. I got home from picking up a few things and then a friend called as she was heading to her new house (down the street from me) so I tagged along. We went from room-to-room measuring and scoping out work that needs to be done as well as where her items will fit. I then went to take care of some business and have lunch with a friend. We are in this casual deli and as I go to get my drink I hear, isn't that Marie Nagle? I look up and almost walked into an old boss. He looks exactly the same!! He had finished his tennis game and was having lunch with friends. He said he could not believe I was still doing HR work and we just laughed. Not sure what he thought I would be doing (of course when I worked with him I was just starting my career), but as long as it's fun I'll keep at it. Have people suddenly appeared again in your life?
In some ways I really must not have changed over the years as the other day I was in another building with my back to the hallway and all of a sudden I hear is that Marie Nagle and her white hair? It was someone I helped hire several years ago and at one time was her supervisor. I thought at the time - wow I look the same from the back!! What do you think - do you still look the same?
I am done with my shopping (thank goodness). The stores opened early this morning and I only needed a few toiletry items. I took the opportunity this morning to get my car washed as I realized time has flown by since the last wash. Picked up the last of the gift cards needed for an office contest tomorrow - we have a little decorating contest going on and we have a few competitive people in the office so we have some fun with it. Some people are so creative. We even have judges from another part of the office. I will be creating the certificates this afternoon or tomorrow. I believe if you have to work - you have to have some fun.
We had a fun holiday party at my day job for a large group of people. The managers and supervisors formed teams and had to compete against each other in a game of Cranium. It was quite comical and done with humor. They were really good sports. The HR team won. They also had a game similar to Where's Waldo, but with a picture of the big chief in three different areas. It was close as the top two teams tied. The room we used was too small so it was awfully warm - so lessons learned for next year - find a larger space. The HR staff will have their holiday lunch in January after the rush is over and we are thinking of having a re-gifting white elephant exchange. You bring something that you received either this year or last that you would like to re-gift. Only rule is: can't be used!! Does your office do anything fun?
I don't know about you, but this time of the year I feel my emotions very near the surface. I see a movie, TV show, commercial or hear a story and I feel tears forming. I'm not sure if it's the sentiment of the season or that hormones rage at this time of year for me. All I know is I feel more sentimental and tender at this time of year.
I am excited about seeing my family and friends over the next couple of weeks as I go home to Massachusetts. Although many times I say Boston, my family moved out of Boston a few years back. I call Massachusetts home because my family and friends still live there although I know that my home is Virginia (almost 30 years). I think home to me is where my family is living. Although I'm not sure it would be the same if they moved to another state. Weird how the mind works. I have actually lived in Virginia longer than I lived in Massachusetts. I root for all my home teams here and Massachusetts. Have you resettled somewhere? Are you torn between two places? How do you handle it?
I hope you enjoy this coming week and try to stay relatively stress free. I know it's not easy because even if you are not stressed we usually run into those that are rushing, impatient, swirling, etc. I was on the phone with someone the other day that was extremely emotional and said take a couple of deep breaths with me. We did it a couple of times together and all of a sudden she said I feel better. Have you ever done that with someone? It helps both you and the other person tremendously.
I have several people in my thoughts and prayers today - you know who you are. You know how to find me if you need an ear or a shoulder.
The next two weeks by the calendar:
20 December - Hanukkah Begins at sundown
22 December - First Day of Winter (BRRR)
24 December - Christmas Eve
25 December - Christmas Day
26 December - Kwanzaa Begins
26 December - Boxing Day (Canada)
31 December - New Year's Eve
I had no great revelations to pass on today. I am like every one else and have my good days and bad days. I learn something new every day either about myself or others. I am off to get some errands done. I hope you have a good week. Take care. Chat soon. Marie
The below poem was composed by: Judy Sorum Brown
I was having my usual breakfast and reading the paper when I heard someone say, isn't that Marie Nagle? I popped my head up and it was a woman I had not seen in several years with her family. I worked with her years ago and her spouse was my old mailman. Small world of course. I got home from picking up a few things and then a friend called as she was heading to her new house (down the street from me) so I tagged along. We went from room-to-room measuring and scoping out work that needs to be done as well as where her items will fit. I then went to take care of some business and have lunch with a friend. We are in this casual deli and as I go to get my drink I hear, isn't that Marie Nagle? I look up and almost walked into an old boss. He looks exactly the same!! He had finished his tennis game and was having lunch with friends. He said he could not believe I was still doing HR work and we just laughed. Not sure what he thought I would be doing (of course when I worked with him I was just starting my career), but as long as it's fun I'll keep at it. Have people suddenly appeared again in your life?
In some ways I really must not have changed over the years as the other day I was in another building with my back to the hallway and all of a sudden I hear is that Marie Nagle and her white hair? It was someone I helped hire several years ago and at one time was her supervisor. I thought at the time - wow I look the same from the back!! What do you think - do you still look the same?
I am done with my shopping (thank goodness). The stores opened early this morning and I only needed a few toiletry items. I took the opportunity this morning to get my car washed as I realized time has flown by since the last wash. Picked up the last of the gift cards needed for an office contest tomorrow - we have a little decorating contest going on and we have a few competitive people in the office so we have some fun with it. Some people are so creative. We even have judges from another part of the office. I will be creating the certificates this afternoon or tomorrow. I believe if you have to work - you have to have some fun.
We had a fun holiday party at my day job for a large group of people. The managers and supervisors formed teams and had to compete against each other in a game of Cranium. It was quite comical and done with humor. They were really good sports. The HR team won. They also had a game similar to Where's Waldo, but with a picture of the big chief in three different areas. It was close as the top two teams tied. The room we used was too small so it was awfully warm - so lessons learned for next year - find a larger space. The HR staff will have their holiday lunch in January after the rush is over and we are thinking of having a re-gifting white elephant exchange. You bring something that you received either this year or last that you would like to re-gift. Only rule is: can't be used!! Does your office do anything fun?
I don't know about you, but this time of the year I feel my emotions very near the surface. I see a movie, TV show, commercial or hear a story and I feel tears forming. I'm not sure if it's the sentiment of the season or that hormones rage at this time of year for me. All I know is I feel more sentimental and tender at this time of year.
I am excited about seeing my family and friends over the next couple of weeks as I go home to Massachusetts. Although many times I say Boston, my family moved out of Boston a few years back. I call Massachusetts home because my family and friends still live there although I know that my home is Virginia (almost 30 years). I think home to me is where my family is living. Although I'm not sure it would be the same if they moved to another state. Weird how the mind works. I have actually lived in Virginia longer than I lived in Massachusetts. I root for all my home teams here and Massachusetts. Have you resettled somewhere? Are you torn between two places? How do you handle it?
I hope you enjoy this coming week and try to stay relatively stress free. I know it's not easy because even if you are not stressed we usually run into those that are rushing, impatient, swirling, etc. I was on the phone with someone the other day that was extremely emotional and said take a couple of deep breaths with me. We did it a couple of times together and all of a sudden she said I feel better. Have you ever done that with someone? It helps both you and the other person tremendously.
I have several people in my thoughts and prayers today - you know who you are. You know how to find me if you need an ear or a shoulder.
The next two weeks by the calendar:
20 December - Hanukkah Begins at sundown
22 December - First Day of Winter (BRRR)
24 December - Christmas Eve
25 December - Christmas Day
26 December - Kwanzaa Begins
26 December - Boxing Day (Canada)
31 December - New Year's Eve
I had no great revelations to pass on today. I am like every one else and have my good days and bad days. I learn something new every day either about myself or others. I am off to get some errands done. I hope you have a good week. Take care. Chat soon. Marie
The below poem was composed by: Judy Sorum Brown
REST
BETWEEN OUR WORDS
THERE IS A REST,
A SPACE LIKE
THAT BETWEEN
TWO NOTES,
WHERE WHAT
WAS SOUNDED LAST
STILL HANGS
SUSPENDED
IN THE SPIRIT AIR,
AND THAT
WHICH SOON
WILL SOUND
IS YET UNKNOWN,
A SIMPLE POSSIBILITY.
BETWEEN OUR WORDS
THERE IS A REST,
A SPACE LIKE
THAT BETWEEN
TWO NOTES,
WHERE WHAT
WAS SOUNDED LAST
STILL HANGS
SUSPENDED
IN THE SPIRIT AIR,
AND THAT
WHICH SOON
WILL SOUND
IS YET UNKNOWN,
A SIMPLE POSSIBILITY.
References are always welcome!
Posted by Beacon Coaching - Marie Nagle at 12/18/2011 4:22 PM 
Categories: Celebrations, Stress, Balance, Learning, Emotions, Work, Feelings, Friends, People
Categories: Celebrations, Stress, Balance, Learning, Emotions, Work, Feelings, Friends, People
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