Life is good, I am well.

If I could only count the number of times I said, "I should write tonight - life is good and I need to remember this." and the times I said to myself, "Today was tough - I need to remember this." I'm terrible at physically writing in journals... also not great at keeping up a blog. Such is life.

I was going to force myself to do another "Wellness Update" in the standard form. But here's the reality - I am well. And it doesn't need to be a report out of 6 categories. I'm living life with fantastic human beings who challenge me to think differently, who affirm my authentic self, who teach me about things I didn't even know I didn't know, and show me love and support each and every day.

My CEO had a Q&A with our interns last month and someone asked him about work life balance. I've been trying for a few years to get people on the the term "work life blend" knowing that we need to authentically blend our responsibilities and activities in life... it hasn't caught on. What he said, affirmed that I'm not crazy ... "Here's the deal - I like my job, I love my family and friends, I'm involved in my community. Do I get to spend as much time as I want to in each place? No. But that's not life. You need to love what you do every day, some days you're going to work more than others."

I had an opportunity to go to Calgary, Alberta last month with Global Shapers for ShapeNA. Our North American conference gathered people from around Canada, United States, and the Caribbean. I can't explain how powerful it is to be in a room with leaders from a variety of sectors and cities, discussing real issues and learning together for a few days. We discussed education and segregation in Milwaukee, budget crisis in Puerto Rico, past natural disasters in Calgary, the list goes on. The most beautiful thing, in addition to these conversations - we built relationships that will help us to create solutions over time. Immediate and real relationships that transcend geographies.

The Minneapolis Hub of Global Shapers is a group of some of the most intentional, authentic people chasing dreams and impacting the world in big ways, often at personal cost. I have the incredible honor to hold a leadership role for this group - a role that takes me to Geneva, Switzerland next week to connect with Shapers from around the world. A once in a lifetime opportunity, I will be one of 450 delegates from around the world gathering to discuss and create solutions (hopefully disruptive and collaborative in nature) to drive change around the globe in our communities. I'm bringing Aveeno lotion to a woman from Zimbabwe who isn't sure when travels will bring her to access to a Target or Walmart, and delegates from Yemen are thankful for a break from their war torn country. Privilege check, whoa. Reminder to also study up on my global map so I'm not THAT American.

This is my first unplanned weekend at home since March 20. It's been a spring and summer full of incredible people, wonderful events, much needed vitamin D, and many adventures. As life would have it, my weekend plans fell into place with three dear friends reaching out to catch up. Friday night I went to a night market with K and B - somehow I didn't know these existed in the Twin Cities. Food, art, and performances from vendors of various Southeast Asian cultures brought community together on a beautiful summer night. I grabbed coffee with M, cutting our conversation off at 2 hours so I could go mini golfing and make a DQ run with N. 5 well spend hours with two friends who hold me accountable to being my best self, chasing my dreams, and being authentically, intentionally, and radically me. It's a journey for sure, but these two accept and push me to do more every day.

I named this blog Perspective and Purpose - I try to surround myself with people intentionally seeking the same thing. My STLF and Global Shapers Communities have been great sources of quality friendship and experiences that help me on that journey. My writing is pretty stream of consciousness from a privileged white woman - if you're interested in a different perspective with immense purpose, please read http://www.wordsofbrick.com/

Next blog post: Switzerland. New Job. Life is keeping me on my toes.

The good, the bad, and the reality

I meant to write a lot this month. Then I kept spending time outside and with people I love... and that's when I realized it's more important to be present verses living life to document it. The good.

Then the senseless shooting happened in Charleston, and churches continued to be burned, and the news decided to tell us only of celebrity pregnancies and divorces. The bad.

And sometimes I feel inspired at 11pm to write so I remember, so here we are. Reality.

The good.

• It was my birthday - my coworker got me flowers, my mom got me a Dairy Queen cake (childhood tradition), my dad shared his Busch Light, and I was showered in love all day.
• The Pope recognized the need to do something about climate change
• I've significantly increased the population of my hometown on two occasions to blend my Minneapolis and St. Martin people. 
• The SCOTUS got it's shit together. I was sad to miss out on Pride festivities this year, 
• Semi-related. Identity inclusion, and educational programming that allows students to explore their potential, to discover their brilliance and develop their intellect. Video by students at LJA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG6fTqdg0LU
• Sophia while still recovering, has returned to our Global Shapers team...and I finally got to meet her precious children and wonderful husband. They were delightful, and also reminded me that I'm not ready for children of my own.
• The Farmers Market is open and I've been golfing several times - summer is in full swing.
• Intern season (work) is already half over and it's been another fantastic summer so far.
• Camp is around the corner, ShapeNA brings me to Canada two weeks later, and in August Global Shapers will join me with 450+ entrepreneurial change makers from around the world in Geneva.

The bad.

• Charleston shooting (and too many others)
• 8 churches have been burned in 10 days
• We continue to point fingers and make excuses about -isms instead of listening.
• Serious droughts are happening in California
• The Gender Gap
• The Achievement Gap 
• Gentrification is getting worse in my neighborhood

The reality.

• Systems are broken.
• We all need to be part of the solution.
• We are connected by humanity and are more similar than different.
• The world is small.
• I am blessed.
• There is always something to be thankful for.

This feels incomplete, but now I'm tired.

2015 Wellness Update #4

Summer is here!! Well not officially, but goodness gracious it has been beautiful outside and I'm doing remarkably well at spending time with family and friends, often disconnected from work and my phone on the weekend. During the week, still very connected...but very connected to wonderful people, incredible community and causes, and meaningful work.

Some of my very favorite moments of the past month:

• Bachelorette Weekend - cabin weekend with brewery tours and good food. 12 girls, 1 amazing lady to celebrate, and 0 drama. It was amazing.
• Bariboo Weekend - drove 3.5 hours to a cabin without cell phone reception to reconnect with a good friend that I hadn't seen in THREE YEARS. Crazy. We didn't skip a beat. Devils Lake, WI is beautiful, also has some good beer and delicious food. Never hurts.
• Wedding Weekend - Why people try to cram so much celebrating into a few hours is beyond me. Again outside of cell phone reception. Great to be with family, my not-family, and celebrating one of my longest, dearest friends getting married. Not much sleep, there was just too much to do and too many fabulous people to hang out with. 
• Shapers Retreat - Introducing my Shaper friends to my hometown and my parents was incredibly special. The quality time, great conversations, and delicious food were all perfect.
• Stickman and Gorgeous - Though much shorter wedding experience, it was also fabulous to reconnect with friends and celebrate two more incredible people. Likely the best wedding toasts I'll ever witness. I dare anyone to try to beat them. Unique and perfect for them.

What I'm realizing is that my 2015 goal of wellness was really just a need to focus on all of the amazing things already happening in my life. Make them happen more often, on purpose, and cutting out anything that does not align. 

Social Wellness - See above.

Emotional Wellness - So much positive. See above. I did miss my Grandpa's 90th birthday party. Ice cream and beer seems like the best way to celebrate - since both grandpa's had such affinity for both - I may make that my new tradition for celebrating my own birthday (or any day).

Spiritual Wellness - I haven't been to Church in a real long time. Practicing mindfulness, being intentional and grateful always. 

Environmental Wellness - So much time outside and removed from the city lately. It's been nice to have that balance.

Occupational Wellness - making steps toward new role at work. Still very happy with what I'm doing, but looking for a new challenge soon. Variety keeps me well.

Intellectual Wellness - Project work is ongoing... Shapers continues to push me in new ways. Looking forward to more of that in the near future.

Physical Wellness - Still not running, but I have been walking several miles a day and taking the stairs at work for 2 flights of stairs or less. Baby steps.

Thank you for reading and being part of my journey. I really am surrounded by the best human beings on the planet, and I so appreciate the love and adventure you bring to my life.

Celebrate Always

I recently came across the quote, "Choose to be optimistic…it feels better" -The Dalai Lama. I try to be logical and realistic in a positive way - but there seem to be daily reminders lately that the world is a troubled place and life is not all sunshine and rainbows. Despite the negativity, I'm a big believer in celebrations. Fortunately, life has given me many reasons to celebrate. And sometimes, even if life doesn't seem to be going quite as I planned (because I always plan) I try to find reasons to celebrate anyway.

This weekend has been full of reminders that life is good:

• Friday: Friend got an awesome new job 
• Saturday: Friend's soon to be baby, and soon to be house listed
• Sunday: Mom! Mothers Day

Summer seems to be full of celebrations and people I love. Next weekend I get to celebrate friendship at a cabin in Wisconsin, the next weekend I get to celebrate the wedding of a dear childhood friend, the weekend after I celebrate new members, impact, and community with Global Shapers.

Next week my not-so-baby sister finishes another year of college, she will graduate next year. Crazy.

But until that major milestone, we will celebrate the baby steps to get there. And for those of us past graduations, and without weddings and babys, we will celebrate family, health, friendship, work projects, adventures, sunshine and all of the other things that get us out of bed and enjoying the day! No need to wait for a special day - each day is worth celebrating with people we love.

I was at a conference last week, and the presenter of a workshop challenged us to share something we hated or that made us angry while moving our arms and shaking our hips. No matter how hard we tried, everyone in the room was laughing. It was a good reminder to lighten up and go with the flow.

Enjoy today and every day. And if you don't or can't, share your struggle with someone and look for a silver lining. Life is better shared, and our days are too short to be wasted. Celebrate the small wins, and eventually things will turn around. There is power in community and positive thinking.

2015 Wellness Update #3

Goodness gracious - I live life with the most incredible people. Being intentional, grateful, and mindful have been so important on my journey to "well." I've long recognized that I'm a person of immense privilege. My family supports and loves me unconditionally, I grew up without need or want, I have a job/adult life I love that provides financial independence, personal satisfaction, and a lifestyle including travel and adventure. While thankful for all of these luxuries, I never quite feel like I measure up to those that have overcome intense struggles, pain, misfortune...and at the same time, I can't help but feel blessed and that I must fully live out my purpose of serving others with every breath. So with that... I started focusing on identifying that purpose that dwells on what is instead of what isn't, and writing a bio of who I am verses what I do. Seemed more productive. This is my working draft.

Tanya is a jolt of energy that has a meaningful impact on people and places she interacts with. She is a leadership nerd and connector committed to developing authentic, engaged, responsible community leaders. She's dedicated to helping people discover their passion and purpose, identify positive impact projects, and understand what it means to come alive. 

It is my goal to be a thought leader in workplace talent development, culture and engagement, and employee retention strategies. 

It's odd to "serve" in a corporate space after being involved in nonprofit, but I still get to be so connected to the amazing work being done by nonprofits... while adding unique value in the HR function of the corporate world. I like to think I've found a way to have my cake and eat it too :)

And for the more traditional update...

Social Wellness - I forget how disconnected I get when I am in heavy travel season for work. Since being back, I've been able to reconnect 1:1 with so many wonderful people in my life. Too many to name even, I'm an includer - I'd hate to leave people out. Also, the Women's Event that I helped organize as part of Global Shapers put me in the midst of 170+ phenomenal women who came together to learn from and share stories, dreams, struggles, and goals with one another. So good!

Emotional Wellness - I certainly feel positive emotions far more than the negative. I think a balance of both is good actually, but anger and sadness don't come as easily (even in tragic situations). I don't know how to practice feeling - my brain processes faster than my heart.

Spiritual Wellness - I attend church pretty regularly and integrate Christian beliefs into my daily actions, though don't resonate with the term "religious." Rarely have I felt so strongly about the power of prayer than witnessing the recovery of Sophia who in just a month, has recovered physical strength, but faith and spiritual strength and love as well. Though there is a long road ahead, she is incredibly strong and a woman of faith that I admire and love.

Environmental Wellness - Though flying to Denver wasn't the most environmentally friendly thing I could do with my weekend, it was so wonderful to be in the mountains for a bit. Also, the 70 degree days have me enjoying the outdoors so much more.

Occupational Wellness - reading Career Anchors to understand at the very core, what about work is most important and satisfying to me. Affirmed that it is service and dedication to people, and now meeting with a lot of phenomenal HR leaders to figure out how I can continue to contribute well, but stretch myself and grow my career leading in service to others. It's a journey.

Intellectual Wellness - Denver was so good. Quick trip, but so good to reconnect with my people. Starting to develop a project management skill set in a formal capacity, and learning so much about the world from Global Shapers - both in Minneapolis and around the world!

Physical Wellness - I'm learning how many of my friends run, and running (ha!) out of excuses not to. Must make time. The longer days are going to make it easier to take long walks or run outside at night... need to balance with my love for happy hour. They are mutually exclusive at the moment.

Beauty of Small Towns & Community

I've lived in Minneapolis for 8.5 years. I love this city. After moving to 10 different places in college, I found a neighborhood to stay in. I have lived here for 3.5 years, and independent in my 1 bedroom apartment for the last 2 years. I am pretty vocal about loving my city, I've found fantastic communities to be a part of, jobs I love, and plenty to fill my life. All of that said, I went home to my parents house for Easter and it took approximately 3 minutes for me to revert back to my life there.

In 28 hours I did my laundry, played cards with grandma, visited my "not family," decorated cakes and eggs, ate dinner with my family and spent a quality night with my parents and sisters, went to church with the entire town, and then celebrated Easter with extended family and met my cousin's new baby. And then I came back. Both places feel like home. I think I prefer it that way.

Small town life is a beautiful thing - and while I'm not sure I want to go back full time - I certainly appreciate growing up in and my parents continuing to live in St. Martin. More than I probably admit.

I got to experience another small town last week for a funeral. Not the most exciting reason to meet a community, but the love and support was tangible and beautiful. People showed up from near and far, with salads, desserts, and for some of us... Perkins muffins. Tears shed, hugs a plenty, and many reminders to live a full life and share life with others early and often.

Despite Minneapolis being a much larger city than St. Martin - the community, love, and support I've found here is quite similar. It's the reason I love Minneapolis. I feel this often, but this was especially evident in a very tangible way when my friend Sophia was in a horrific car accident a few weeks ago. The community rallied and the power of prayer and love have made all the difference. A long road ahead, but people literally from all over the world have banded together around her story in support of Sophia and her family (more here: http://www.gofundme.com/p33jfk)

This summer I will be introducing many of my friends to St. Martin for various reasons, and I can't wait for my worlds to collide. After years of thinking they were so different, I'm beginning to realize how incredibly similar they are. Besides the population difference, access to Target, and available modes of transportation...they are filled with people who support my hopes and dreams, and fill my life with stories, laughter, and hugs. I am the luckiest.

2015 Wellness Update #2

Big learning this month: I hate being stuck. I don't mind repetition or routine necessarily, as long as I don't feel like that is my only option. For about 36 hours earlier this month, being in Lubbock, TX was my only option. Not my favorite. Thank goodness my coworker Nick was a good travel partner throughout the experience. Choice = something I value, pretty highly actually. Good learning.

I also officially decided I am not going to start grad school in the fall. After just finally deciding to get my act together to do so. I was elected Curator of the Minneapolis Hub of Global Shapers last week, and I'm 1) honored and super excited to be elected into a leadership role by my peers for this amazing group of individuals 2) realistic that it's a big job and trying to start that, and grad school, on top of work, other volunteering, and having some semblance of a social/family life is not likely going to end well.

Early spring is making me grateful and happy each and every day. I've had drinks on a patio TWICE already, and willingly spending time outside much earlier than normal. If we could repeat winter 2015 each year, with spring coming in early March, I'd save myself the weekly (daily) doubt that Minneapolis is a great place to live.

And for the more traditional update...

Social Wellness - one on one connections are still going well! Also have gotten back into board game nights and other smaller group gatherings with good friends. 

Emotional Wellness - Working on leaning into conflict and seeking to understand more - I'm aware of the importance but not yet great at practicing empathy consistently.

Spiritual Wellness - went through my first coaching session. Thinking a lot about values, intentions, goals, etc. Things that are important to me: Partnership, Authenticity, Choice, Impact.

Environmental Wellness - despite some challenges this month, I remain committed to public transit as my primary form of weekday transportation.

Occupational Wellness - looking for additional ways to learn and grow in my professional career.

Intellectual Wellness - GRE studying needs to become a real thing (for future grad school) Learning by travelling this year - Denver is booked, Orlando (May), Calgary (July), Switzerland (August), DC in the fall hopefully! Maybe Chicago? 

Physical Wellness - Caught up on sleep a few weekends in a row now. Still no working out - that's real. Maybe summer will motivate me into moving more regularly again.

It is March and life is good!

Two months of 2015 have come and gone. It's been delightful, yet trying, and so so quick. I've poured my heart and energy into Global Shapers and my job, luckily there are some pretty great people in those communities who fill me up too. I feel like I'm on the right side of the road, and driving the car, so that's a good thing... so wellness is happening (though always room for improvement), and I'm continuing to work towards creating positive impact in the world.

I need to be better about capturing things that feel right/productive/well as they happen. Since I don't, I'll rely on memory, and appreciate that which makes me aware of my perspective and purpose.

-Planning an event for all of the fabulous women in my life and others, to connect and share together has been a highlight of 2015. Through this process, I've been able to collaborate with my dear friend Joy again and make a new friend in Anna. It's fun to be providing a forum to celebrate women leadership in the Twin Cities, and fostering connections that will make our community even better!

-Supporting Eric and Sandbox Center's kickstarter. Though more of an intrapreneur than entrepreneur myself, it's been so fun to share his incredible dream, work, and passion with the world to make it a reality. If you haven't, check out www.sandboxcenter.com

-I spent Valentine's Day weekend having bloody marys with friends, sending cards to my girl friends, and going to a 1st birthday/anniversary for a condo, caught up with my grandma, and spent most of the following week spending time 1:1 with Shapers from my Hub. While I still don't appreciate the commercialization and pressure of the holiday, I really took time to celebrate love and people in my life and it was wonderful. I hope I can do that every year.

-Despite several travel issues with Winter Storm Remus tearing through the South, the interview days I hosted went as well as could be expected. Everyone was flexible, understanding, and happy with how the day turned out. Good reminder that despite my greatest wishes, I can't actually control the weather and sometimes we just need to trust that things will work out.

-Sarah came to visit. Celebrated friendship over 5 hours of breakfast, bloodies, and beers. It's always nice to find those people who get you, your dreams, passions, problems, and goals, even though we've spent very little time together in person. Trip to Orlando needs real dates, real soon.

My ongoing motto for wellness: Wake up mindfully, act intentionally, end the day gratefully. 

2015 Wellness Update #1

So I'm already off a monthly update cycle - but rather than feel bound by dates, I'd like for this to be a space where I write what is and is not working in my journey to be well, and live with perspective and purpose. Back to the basics if you will. Hopefully I write more.

It's been an odd process or realization, but one of my biggest learnings that I'm now naming out loud is just how much I love Minneapolis/St. Paul and choose to continue to live here. As I found out this week that two more long time Minneapolis friends will be departing for DC and Tanzania, I look forward to visiting them in their new homes, but finding even more community and opportunities to connect with new things, people, and ideas in my home here. It may not seem revolutionary - but it feels like it to me. There is something beautiful about traveling the world, and being rooted here.

This weekend alone I found a new coffee shop that serves flat whites, tried a new place for brunch, and competed in my first drunken spelling bee. I also attended a kickstarter for Sandbox Center and a Friend+Raiser with Midtown Community for Upworks. There are SO MANY cool things happening in this city.

And for the more traditional update...

Social Wellness - one on one connections are going well! Despite some heavy work travel, I've connected with several people 1:1 in the past few weeks: Danny, Sophia, Ben, Janae, Ashley, Kristina.

Emotional Wellness - needs some improvement. Reflection slipped for a bit, recently revitalized (though not super formal) after a recent release of all the emotions.

Spiritual Wellness - went back to Mercy today after a brief hiatus from being out of town. Good to not only connect with the community there, but the other communities in my life that create a space to feel connection, purpose, and peace in my life.

Environmental Wellness - bus community, winter walks, and promoting Car2Go and urban dwelling tips to recent

Occupational Wellness - my formal/paying/full-time job is great, but I'm finding additional ways to add value through volunteer commitments which are sort of occupational, despite not paying.

Intellectual Wellness - GRE studying needs to become a real thing. I think 2015 is the year of domestic travel - get ready Orlando, Denver, DC, New York, and Sacramento/San Fran/LA.

Physical Wellness - I ate pretty well on my recent trips, and have done well with grocery shopping so far. Though I haven't started working out in the traditional sense yet, I'm realizing that people give me energy, sleep is more necessary than I usually give it credit for, and moderation is everything.

2015: Wellness Journey

Well it's 2015 - once again trying to be more intentional with the start of another year. Resolutions seem to rigid and strict, so I prefer new year intentions aimed at overall quality of life, balance, etc.

So I mentioned wellness and the formal definitions, but here is how I want to live them out.

Social Wellness for me is connect 1:1 with someone important to me, at least once a week. Someone pointed out to me that extroverts (which I most certainly am) don't always take time to have the depth of relationships that introverts do. Consistent focus on relationships will keep me socially well. 

Emotional Wellness will come with continuing writing here, as well as reflecting and sharing through Qoya and prompts from heyamberrae.com with J.

Spiritual Wellness, my peace and harmony, is centered around Mercy Vineyard and how I am living out my values, actions, and purpose throughout daily life.

Environmental Wellness is lived out with bus commuting and walking whenever possible. It is taking enjoyment in nature without taking from it or destroying the world around me.

Occupational Wellness is something I've been committed to for as long as I've been working, including my job at a Holiday in high school. While Corporate HR doesn't sound super fun to everyone, the ability to impact people and help young people find jobs they care about and navigate the workplace is something I really enjoy and feel I can add unique value to.

Intellectual Wellness will continue to manifest through traveling, not sure on specific destinations for 2015 yet. Open to suggestions. Also, grad school. It's happening this fall. Random learning too.

Physical Wellness is something I've never quite mastered. There have been a few fads and short term routines. Maintaining preventative healthcare (yay insurance), and being mindful of what I consume. I'm not ready for anything strict, but hopefully paying attention to what gives me energy, and what wears me out.

In addition to the things I will be doing more of, there are plenty of things I'll stop doing too. Including all of these: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/01/things-to-stop-caring-about-in-2015_n_6390470.html