Let me first state that I don't know the family of Michelle Yu, any reason why should would end up in Vancouver or what transpired. However, as a parent, it's been interesting to observe both the circumstances and the eventual outcome.
Last night, Michelle Yu spoke with media at 10 pm outside of her home. When it was first tweeted out that she would do so, my husband wondered aloud why they would put a kid in front of the media to answer questions and face scrutiny. My immediate answer was that I believed her parents were teaching her a lesson.
It seems reasonable now that she headed west of her own accord, not under duress. She worried her family, friends and community. At 18, she could be considered an adult, even if her actions seemed childish. I remember as a kid packing up a bag to move in with my dad (or run away) after a disagreement of some sort with my mom. But I knew better.
If in fact her parents believed she should publicly apologize to all those that she worried, as well as the police resources she took up with the search, I agree with them. There are consequences for each action and though Michelle may have been embarrassed, she needed to face up to the chaos that her actions caused.
I watched the clip of the press conference. As a professional communicator, I understood the prepared statement she read, but I also recognized the shame she felt. It was honest and real. It is a valuable lesson that I believe her parents chose to teach her and one she won't soon forget.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Putting the Work in WAHM
It's been a while since my last post and that's a good thing. I was knee deep in a major project with a client for my business (more about what I do can be found here). I was invigorated, excited, motivated and energized about what I was doing, which is a feeling I hadn't felt in a long time.
I've written about how I found the transition from office to home challenging. A social creature by nature, the solitude was sometimes too much to handle. So I solved that problem with my business.
Part of my process is to immerse myself in my client's office environment. Experience and observe, audit and report. It means a change of scenery with every new project, meeting new and interesting people and learning about some fascinating work.
When I returned to my home office at the end of my observation period, I hunkered down for two weeks writing my report. This time it wasn't so challenging. The focus and comfort of my home office continued to fuel me.
The other thing I've managed to do is shut my office door at the end of the day and focus on my family. I leave work at the computer. And yes, sometimes I spend an evening or a Sunday afternoon tapping away on the keyboard, but that's out of inspiration, unlike in past when it's been a requirement.
I certainly may not be a WAHM for the rest of my life, but I've seemed to find a balance of both worlds which suits me just fine.
I've written about how I found the transition from office to home challenging. A social creature by nature, the solitude was sometimes too much to handle. So I solved that problem with my business.
Part of my process is to immerse myself in my client's office environment. Experience and observe, audit and report. It means a change of scenery with every new project, meeting new and interesting people and learning about some fascinating work.
When I returned to my home office at the end of my observation period, I hunkered down for two weeks writing my report. This time it wasn't so challenging. The focus and comfort of my home office continued to fuel me.
The other thing I've managed to do is shut my office door at the end of the day and focus on my family. I leave work at the computer. And yes, sometimes I spend an evening or a Sunday afternoon tapping away on the keyboard, but that's out of inspiration, unlike in past when it's been a requirement.
I certainly may not be a WAHM for the rest of my life, but I've seemed to find a balance of both worlds which suits me just fine.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Frankie Says Relax
I've always had a tough time letting things go. I can relax - but in the back of my mind, thoughts sit. Sometimes for days, weeks or even years.
When I became a mom, it intensified. The 'what ifs' became paralyzing and panic inducing worry. I'm a planner by nature so to have this bundle of energy bouncing around whom I wanted to shield from harm was a tough life lesson.
I used to have a boss that would recite the AA Prayer for Serenity. You know the one - "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change" and so on...
I have finally learned what it means.
It means that any mistakes I have made in past will always be there and I cannot change them. All I can do is learn from them and do my best not to repeat them.
It means that I am not perfect and never will be. So I should allow myself to just be.
It means that I will never have total control. I should just focus on what I can control and not obsess over what I can't.
It means that all things, good and bad, are possible. The important question to ask is if they are probable and gain a little perspective on those stressful situations.
I will likely battle anxiety all my life, but with the help of a great therapist, friends and family, I have taken a step back to evaluate how I want to live my life, grow my career and enjoy my family.
Just relax.
When I became a mom, it intensified. The 'what ifs' became paralyzing and panic inducing worry. I'm a planner by nature so to have this bundle of energy bouncing around whom I wanted to shield from harm was a tough life lesson.
I used to have a boss that would recite the AA Prayer for Serenity. You know the one - "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change" and so on...
I have finally learned what it means.
It means that any mistakes I have made in past will always be there and I cannot change them. All I can do is learn from them and do my best not to repeat them.
It means that I am not perfect and never will be. So I should allow myself to just be.
It means that I will never have total control. I should just focus on what I can control and not obsess over what I can't.
It means that all things, good and bad, are possible. The important question to ask is if they are probable and gain a little perspective on those stressful situations.
I will likely battle anxiety all my life, but with the help of a great therapist, friends and family, I have taken a step back to evaluate how I want to live my life, grow my career and enjoy my family.
Just relax.
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