Strong Woman Chronicles

Who Lives in a Life like This?

I’ve been quiet for almost a month, bar a quick post yesterday. That’s rare. I thought I’d let you into what I’ve been up to. It’s a mish-mash of big-tiny leaps and maxi-micro steps towards an intentional life I am proud of.

Here’s what my month has included:

1. Procrastinating over how to raise 100k for the South Pole trip - I need 25k to get me there, the rest is for charity. Progress since then: After a very hopeful start, one leading sex toy & lingerie retailer declined to sponsor me to take a vibrator to the South Pole. I’m in the process of taking this idea to other leading players in this arena and remain buoyant, if not orgasmic, they'll see this PR opportunity for what it is.
2. Agonising over not being in the ‘zone’ to train ~ mentally ~ then waiting for this mind set to shift ~ forcing never helps, I find. Progress since then: Exhilaration after a 10 k run followed by a minor bout of pleurisy and now I’m eager to run like the wind &  to lift weights to shape my batwings. The body though is telling me it has other ideas. I pray they will start speaking to each other soon.
3. Enjoying five and a half days on my own, by the sea, on holiday without booking anywhere to stay ~ first spell alone, ever in my life ~ Progress: Bliss. Time to reflect on what is true, what I need, who I am and what I stand for ~ Highly recommended!
4. Being ‘headhunted’ to coach the CIO [Chief Investment Officer] of a super-league Finance company – jumping through more hoops than an Olympic athlete might. Progress: a politics-rich scenario, my gut told me was one to watch carefully. In the end the contract went elsewhere ~ whew. If there’s one big lesson I’ve learned it’s to step away from games-playing business. Meanwhile, I look forward to coaching Ambassadors & Diplomats ~ thanks to the Foreign Office.
5. Applying to join the panel of top TV show, ‘Loose Women’ ~ video & detailed application sent ~Progress: no news is good news, maybe?
6. Leading endless meetings with Company Directors who seem to sit along a continuum from mildly-interested to wildly-into hiring me. Progress: Great connections made here ~ oh and I never do business with City types glugging 3 bottles of red wine at tea-time while talking business. Their decision making is marred and I can’t be sure they truly value what I can bring. Really happens, folks.
7. Driving to the best warehouse packed with the high street goodies at knockdown prices. Progress: lots of yummy candles, and gorgeous home-ware sitting in my home.
8. Partying and eating with friends ~ including Jack, number 3 son [did I mention they have numbers?] ~ Progress: freedom, lightness, bags under the eyes.
9. Kick-starting a relationship audit ~ from closest relationships; clients through to each and every connection I have. Progress: My wonderful friend, Ali differentiates between soul suckers and those who feed the soul. Put bluntly, that’s what I’m looking at. How about you? When was the last time you took a look at the people you have in your life?
10. Re-jigging my written Vision Story ~ Progress: I’m getting clearer on the shape of the life I want. Sure it changes as I change and that’s the fun of it. It’s alive and informs my daily practice. Watch out for an announcement for Vision Story Seminars for Strong Women in the coming months!
11. Being hired by an extraordinary woman ~ at the top her business game, a delighted mum of a toddler yet she wants to review where she now puts her energy, talents & heart. Progress: Large grins.
12. Researching if I can wear contact lens at The Ice ~ will they freeze onto my cornea? Progress: I’ve discovered Gary Rolfe, Arctic Explorer who says he ‘wears disposable contact lenses, glasses just freeze to my face. A week’s supply are kept thawed next to my body, the rest lay frozen on the sled’.

The F Word Twice

Fame is now a national obsession – more than 50% of young girls in a recent survey said they want to be celebrities, and that they would do ANYTHING to be on the TV. They crave fame and are desperate to be plucked out of obscurity.

In 2005 I have been courted no less than four times by TV companies wanting me to present, feature, or be the resident ‘guru’ on some TV programme – oh how my ego could feast on such opportunities.

The Wife Swap seduction was magnetic – the last mother of seven taking part in a programme has risen to host a number of TV projects. Fact is, none of them are anything I’d be seen dead doing. Of the rest of the offers, some of them would require me to have an integrity by-pass and another would build my visibility in ways that just don’t match who I am.

The only one that I liked the sound of was the award-winning documentary series, One Life, and as we chatted it became obvious the things I’m up to of interest [business, shed-loads of kids, the South Pole expedition] none of it matched their timeline. Fame is not something that I’m eager for, inspiring ordinary people to live extraordinary lives…. Well yes, that’s more like it!

Freddie

, our eldest son, went off to his job today. I dropped him at the bus stop with his luggage – this is maybe the twentieth time this has happened and nothing makes it easier. As he lugged his bags smiling onto the next phase of his journey, I remembered looking down at his tiny little face and thinking he was the most precious thing in the whole world – nothing changes even as our children grow.

More On the Search For Purpose

When I’m less frustrated with myself and begin opening to the chance I may have a reason for being here beyond the daily stuff, I pull my fantastic Soul Purpose CD http://www.howmuchjoy.com/soulpurpose.html by Suzanne Falter-Barns off the shelf. It’s a brilliant blend of down-to-earth and spiritual. This combination works for me.

Oh and I can’t resist telling you: you know how it is, a woman needs to quell the pain somehow, I shop for shoes. Am I glad I found Manolos Shoe Blog? Call me shallow, I’m loving it.