Push Up the Sun

Have you ever opened up your mail to find the envelope with the big red stamp or the yellow sticker, "RETURN TO SENDER?" It feels like it is hitting you with a stick for doing something silly. Maybe you missed a number in the address. Perhaps transposed a number in the zip code? Or even worse, did not even put an address on the envelope? That one is always a doozy. I was heartbroken when my envelope was returned to me with the big yellow sticker, Return to Sender - Address Unknown. Why was it so painful? Listen in to find out. Please grab a piece of paper and something to write with for this podcast - only if you are not driving!

Every time I look at social media, it is another special day or a special month. You know what I mean. Boss's Day. Hot Dog Day. Cancer Awareness month. National No Rhyme nor Reason Day. Yes, the last one is an actual day. It is a day celebrating words that do not rhyme with anything. Some special day designations are serious, and some seem frivolous. But for some person or a group of people, that one topic was so intriguing, interesting, or heartfelt; they wanted to recognize it with its own day or month. Often these specially designated days are not interesting to us until they hold meaning. Diagnosed with breast cancer or know someone who has been? We rally around information sharing and fundraising for breast cancer awareness. It is not wrong to do so; it is human nature. We are drawn to those things that impact us personally or those close to us. If not, then we may not pay too much attention. For the days that may seem more frivolous, like Blue Popsicle Day or Guacamole Day, there are reasons for the days. They are to educate on the history, the joy and share curious facts about that particular day. This podcast is about MY favorite monthly designation. Fall Hat Day. Go Fedoras! For more information about what we do at Push Up the Sun, please email us at info@pushupthesun.com

Did You Hear the One About the Pink Pig? The pig sat in the middle of the table and... brought giggle, joy, fun, and family moments. Getting together with family, we often hear the same stories over and over. Those are the favorite stories that the storytellers love to share. For them, it shares moments of past times. It brings back memories. It provides a moment of remembrance of a time and an experience that has impacted them somehow. Family gatherings are times to not only share stories but also pass them down. One day when you get older, you will hear yourself repeat a story you heard in your family, to your friends, or your children, or at gatherings. Stories weave the fabric of family, pass down traditions, and create lasting connections to who we are, why we are, and our values. What stories does your family share/ What stories do you tell? What traditions are passed down through stories? Any stories about a little pink pig?

I am not a mixologist and honestly have never had a Mojito before, but the delightful homemade mix made virgin style just for me was exquisite on a hot summer day. Yet as refreshing as it was, it was not as refreshing as meeting a new friend. There are times when you meet new people, and for some reason, they have this way of inspiring you to rekindle the passion with those things you have loved before, try something new, or take on a new adventure with a zest for fun. I had always wanted to try kayaking, but the truth was I was afraid. I had always been told that you must know how to roll the kayak, so if you flipped over, you could right yourself. And that made me very nervous. Meet a new friend, who has a way of supporting and teaching you, and the nerves wash away. And I went kayaking for the first time and fell in love. This love affair resulted in Mabel coming into my life. Mabel and I had our first adventure not too long ago, and I know there are many more to come!

Yesterday, my dad would have been 98 years old. I don't know about you, but I learned a lot from my Dad. He did not share a lot of stories while he was alive. He had some very hard life lessons and frankly, for him, they were just life. I learned a lot more about my Dad after he passed away. I heard more stories from his friends and family. I wish I had known more because I know in my heart, I would have understood him better. But you, you have a chance to learn more about those around you. Everyone has a story, maybe it is time to ask and listen. Take time to listen, learn, and love even more. That lesson and many more in today's podcast which celebrates my Dad.

Three feet from gold. Three feet away from reaching your dreams and desires. So many people stop just three feet, or even three inches away from hitting their stride, making an impact, and achieving their dreams. Sometimes you need that one person to steer you to the right path. That may be all you need to accelerate.

When was the last time you had a good old fashioned belly laugh? Laughter is such great therapy. Find the humor in the absurd, the mundane, the silliness of those things around you. Three Dogs Snoring may be your first step after the long last year.

During these times as we search for normalcy, be open to the simple things that bring joy to your heart, as mile to your face, and maybe even a tear to your eye. Commit each day to finding aspect of your life for which are grateful.

Parents, as leaders of your family, you are missing a huge opportunity if you are not talking to your children about prison. Kids, especially teens, are bored, frustrated, and not having fun like they are used to having! Remind them that the next time they want to do something stupid because a friend says it is fun - just say no. Let's talk about prison.

The stories of goodwill, love, and care for one another are so heartwarming. I do not want it to end. It took a pandemic to start it. Will the end of the pandemic end it? I hope not. It is up to you.

The goodness in humanity has emerged in a massive wave of love and care. Perhaps it has taken the pandemic to get us back to our center, to greater compassion, connectedness, to love one another. My heart is full of joy as I hear what people are doing to support others during this challenging time.

This week I saved a turtle. Yes, I did. Big Deal, you say! It was to that one turtle. Compassion for living things that try so hard to exist in their habitat as we build our environment around them and essential for their survival. Don't look the other way and hope someone does something. Be the hero.

This week's podcast is all about learning agility! Learning agility has five components: people, change, results, self-awareness, and critical thinking.

What are all those very simple, uncomplicated, joy-filled things we have gratitude for, but perhaps overlook? Don't forget the simple joys.

As much as we say it, very few interviewees are prepared to respond to the statement, "So tell me a little bit about yourself." There is a tendency to go into their career history, which the interviewer already has seen in the resume. Or they answer with a smattering of words, to get beyond that uncomfortable request to get to the REAL interview. Don't waste the opportunity. Set the stage for the interview. Hold your confidence in the spotlight. Make the interviewer take notice. And never ask, "What do you want to know?"

There was one item that each person interviewed, identified as the number one challenge facing leaders today. Change. Not just plain old change. The unprecedented number of changes and the accelerated speed of change, especially in technology. Today I share a reading from Chapter Three where I look back at Y2K and why that technology challenge was so different from what we face today.

As a leader, your image is an integral part of your ability to lead effectively. Followers want consistent leaders. They want leaders whose decisions reflect stated words and beliefs. They want authenticity. They look for the opportunity to be assessed fairly, not judged. Judgment and bias are efficiently intertwined – to the demise of organizations. Intentionally placing a uniform lens on a group of people, without validating that every person in that group holds the same belief, is a biased leader. I don’t care how many times I hear that every person matters to the success of the organization, and every employee is given a fair shake. It simply is not true with a leader who makes generalized statements based on bias.

What is the one thing that you value so much, that you would lose everything to keep? Today's gratitude message is pinpointing that one thing, and honoring it today, and every day. My one thing? Listen in to hear the story. If you like it, let me know!

Sitting across the table from the person whom I was assisting with interviewing questions, it became clear that this individual was experiencing the same affliction as so many others when it comes to resume writing and interviewing for a job. The affliction is content not representing intent.

Another day out to run errands means another day to get concerned about human relationships. One more time, I am watching people place the importance of their phone over human interaction. We hear a lot about society and how, although we are technology connected, we are becoming more disconnected as humans. Today's podcast has one request, and it might be a big one for you.