A little interstitial....

I am in the middle of preparing the write-up on my day spent with Rick Mahler, the owner of Packouz Jewelers, one of Portland's last high-end independent jewelers.  After the day I had in the store, I have gained a whole new appreciation for small business owners and am excited to share that with you all.

credit: istockphoto

Before we get to Rick, I thought I would take a moment to highlight what some other folks have to say about personal journeys and the learning that happens along the way.  A therapist I know, Dr. Jill Strasser, reminded me that any sort of human development progress is like climbing a spiral staircase: it's pretty common to keep encountering the same point, but the hope is that we're just a little bit higher in understanding what has brought us there.  I really like that analogy.  Sometimes, we beat ourselves up or become overly concerned with where to go next.  Trusting ourselves and acknowledging that every experience is a learning opportunity is highly valuable.


On Psychology Today's website, I found Carolyn L. Rubenstein's blog about personal journeys.  I thought these 18 Guideposts that she outlines are good reminders.

18 Guideposts for Your Personal Journey

1. It’s okay to struggle, it’s okay to wear (and own) your imperfections, and to fall flat on your face – as long as you keep reaching out for support and maintaining the courage to put one foot in front of the other.
2. Actions speak louder than words.
3. Learn to say no as much as you say yes. Less is more. Replace “Could I do more?” with “Would I like to do more?”.
4. Mistakes are powerful gifts. Don’t leave the lessons within them concealed – gently unwrap a mistake to gain the wisdom within its rough exterior.
5. Ask why before you ask how. Intention is required to create your compass.
6. Action deflates fear – always.
7. Recycle. Don’t fix what’s not broken. Reuse what’s worked before.
8. Trust your intuition. Resist second-guessing.
9. “Success” cannot be defined by others or even put into the hands of others for evaluation. If left unguarded, your success could be taken away at any moment. If you equate success with your intrinsic worth (even subconsciously), then you will be left broken apart.
10. Be more proactive and less reactive – to better align your reality with your vision.
11. Attempting to avoid negative events and situations proves an exercise in futility – negative things happen to everyone. However, adversity can often provide an opportunity to strengthen character, deepen emotional fortitude, and increase your overall sense of self and self-worth. These life lessons can only come when you decide to channel through difficult circumstances while relying on the gift of embracing self-empowerment.
12. Time and energy are not equal. Improve their interaction by learning their unique characteristics.
13. Don’t get stuck within the details. Whisper to yourself the words of Terri St. Cloud: She could never go back and make some of the details pretty. All she could do was move forward and make the whole beautiful.
14. Remember to breathe.
15. By acknowledging when you don’t know the answers and shedding light on your vulnerabilities, you are creating space for your authentic self to live wholeheartedly and courageously. We learn the most about ourselves from the moments in which we let down our guard and admit, “I don’t know all the answers. I am uncertain and that’s okay. How can I transform this experience from one of self-doubt to one of self-compassion?”
16. When the journey gets tough, remember the words of Margaret Thatcher: You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.
17. Gratitude is the greatest gift you can give to another human being.
18. Greatness is never achieved. It is something you must intrinsically bestow upon yourself

What would you add?  What has worked well for you?  I'd love to hear.