In my last post, I finished with… “In life there will always be moments to love ourselves enough to rest and take care of our basic needs. But how we come to do that is the real test. This is where we are doing the best with what we have, or what we know. We are taught by people around us how we should and shouldn’t love ourselves. We mirror what we have watched growing up. We allow people to plants seeds, such as, selfish, lazy, high maintenance, or needy. When in all reality it is a basic need of ours. We NEED to care for ourselves. However that looks to each of us may be completely different or one in the same. Now like I said, we are either taught how to love ourselves or we learn. So, let us learn.”

Since then, I have thought:

• Self-care is whatever you feel it might be. It is the things that fill your tank. For me that is cuddling into my boy, going for a nice meal by myself, or just going for a walk amongst nature. It can also be a pedicure, or a hot bath, or dressing up in your nicest clothes and getting out of the house for a bit. It honestly doesn’t take much. I find myself becoming depleted when I don’t try to do those things for myself. I guess what I am saying, is the notion of self- love and self-care is wonderful, but to really kick ourselves into gear to do it seems to be a problem within many these days.
• I just sent a text to a dear friend to say hi and to let her know I missed her. I asked how she was, she mentioned she was exhausted. She has had a full summer, with visitors and adventure and has yet to slow down. But in that text, I knew that she was clearly feeling the tired lagging feeling that we all feel in moments. My response was “Go rest, listen to your body and rest.” Sounds simple right? But it isn’t as simple as that. She feels the need to entertain and accommodate her guests. And that’s cool. But she needs to entertain and accommodate her body, and what her body needs. And in little moments our body will tell us. It will scream at us. It will begin to shut down. Whether it is through pure exhaustion, or anger, or irritability or tears. WE NEED TO LISTEN!!! I have to listen.  I will share more after I do.  🙂 
  

Barry says…

Love it, Jenny.  Listening is a manifestation of love.  Listening is a power of L.O.V.E..  If L.O.V.E. is LOOKING inside ourselves for our strengths, seeking out OPPORTUNITIES where those strengths are most needed, having a VISION of how applying those strengths to the opportunities will make life better, and then ENGAGING the action… then listening is one of those powers in potential.

• Listening
• Is
• Sincerity
• Trust
• Empathy
• Now

Listening is love in action.  It is sincere.  It is worthy of trust.  It is empathy in action.  And, it is in the now.  It is present.  In the Virtues Project™, we suggest Companioning is listening.  It is 7-step, character driven process of sincerity, trustworthiness, empathy and presence, in the now. It has no agenda but to be present with sincerity, trust and empathy.  It has no answers, but a love to be that presence, with ears and heart.

You can find a copy here, or here.  Or you can connect with me at barry(at)epicengage.com and I will send you a copy.

Either way, I suggest listening is a manifestation of love; and a powerful one.  And, I suggest (as does Jenny) that we listen to others, and ourselves.  Be your own best companion and you can be a better one for others.

Until next time…

TOGETHER

Together, we continue to be committed to living a joyful life and work.

Best friends do that.

Together, we will continue to explore our own perspectives on love and character and how they can build a life of work, play and service that is right for each and all of us.

Join us, stay tuned and engage us.  Our lives matter.

Peace, passion, prosperity, and a whole bunch of Love and Character

Benny and Jarry

Peace, passion and prosperity…

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Benny and Jarry

Jenny Dearing speaks to love in action.  She brings talent, experience and learning around love, trauma and care.  With a passion for Child and Youth Care and Addictions, and a background in same, she connects, and memorably so.  Her work spans children and youth care with addictions, personal and senior care, respite work, and business leadership; delivering on all.  Jenny is a Certified Virtues Project™ Facilitator, with professional training in child and youth care with addictions support and home support services.  With certification in ASIST Suicide First Aid, Autism Awareness and Understanding, Trauma Information Care and Child and Youth Care Practice, Jenny brings it, with zeal. On top of all that, she loves singing, and is an accomplished multi-media artist … and brings both to her work.  Artistry is a path to love and healing.  Jenny knows it.  She believes in it.  She drives it.

Barry Lewis Green moves the needle on character leadership and unity building with joyful ferocity and thoughtful zeal.  Barry helps leaders forge strong, united cultures at school, work, business and community.  Joe Calloway says, “I had the distinct pleasure of being in an audience in Montreal with Barry Lewis Green on the stage. Quite simply, Barry absolutely captivated us with his talent, his message, and his heart.  The feeling of unity that Barry created in the room that day was extraordinary.”  With 39 years in education and leadership training and development … and work in the private, public and community sectors across Canada… and as a speaker, educator, master facilitator, coach, writer, singer, dancer, and cartoonist, Barry stokes the fire on together strong.