Matt is my first born. He is also a man like no other (and I am not saying that because he is my son).

Here’s his work.

Since stepping outside my comfort zone as noted in my previous post, I’ve been overwhelmed with positive feedback from my fellow explorers in the dysfunction. All of my books have been checked out and some people have read more than one! Truly amazing.

That said, I am also profoundly pleased with the difference one small change in my daily routine has made. Each morning when I arrive, I read this which is posted next to my computer monitor

So many Lessons…..

More on my Norma Rae mode.

Most know from a previous post that a very wise former boss advised me to ’surf the dysfunction’ when it comes to surviving office politics.

Well it seems my surfboard has disappeared.

It appears that the EVP of Marketing (my boss’s boss) heard that our functional area is suffering under what’s generally referred to in office politics as silos and turf wars. So a meeting was recently called that included all the plan presidents, EVP’s and those at my level (and I was at the bottom of this particular corporate food chain!). During this two day meeting the attendees were split off into groups - based on corporate hierarchy (hint - this reflects one of the fundamental problems!). It was clear from the reports given by these subgroups later in the day that our management has no clue how to effectively manage.

But something else interesting happened for me that day.

You see, I’ve never been one to ignore messages from the Universe and just days before this while having lunch with a peer, he mentioned a book to me Three Signs of a Miserable Job by Patrick Lencioni. That was odd as I had recently purchased that book - on a lark due to the title reflecting how I felt. I hadn’t read it yet but upon hearing this recommendation from my peer, I smiled to myself and made a mental note to read it.

That was message number one.

During the course of this off site meeting to address our politics and silos, one of the plan presidents told us about a book he read - The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni

Ding….. ding…… ding……. My heart literally skipped a beat in that moment. Obviously someone wanted me to read what Patrick Lencioni had to say. Before I checked out of the hotel that day, I ordered this second book and began reading the one I had on my nightstand when I got home.

Something amazing happened to me after finishing the first book - I actually understood why I felt so miserable in a job that, given my passion and commitment to what I do, should have been quite fulfilling. And then the next book arrived.

Once I finished both, I knew I had to somehow share this information within my little sphere of influence at work. I ordered three copies of each of these Patrick Lencioni books.

Three Signs of a Miserable Job

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team

Silos, Politics and Turf Wars: A Leadership Fable About Destroying the Barriers That Turn Colleagues Into Competitors

The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive: A Leadership Fable

The next thing I did was way outside my comfort zone - given my position on the corporate food chain - but has brought a tremendous sense of peace with who I am.

I composed an email to everyone at our offsite - my boss’s boss, plan presidents, HR staff, etc. that began with an explanation of how I have made a promise to myself to never ignore obvious messages from the Universe. I explained the story of hearing this author mentioned by two different internal peers and offered to share a copy of the books I ordered to anyone interested.

I’ll share more next time on how this has unfolded…..

In the meantime, take four minutes to watch this video explaining why you might hate your job.

My ex-husband said something to me not too long ago when he and I were dealing with a government agency. What he said reflects an understanding of me that some may not realize. I am very idealistic and have never been able to tolerate injustice. What he told me was not to have a Norma Rae moment.

Norma Rae (played by Sally Field in the movie) is the story of a woman with the courage to risk everything for what she believes is right.

I do believe I am currently in “Norma Rae” mode within my professional environment.

*sigh*

This isn’t something I sought out nor is it something I planned for.

We have such a wonderful vision and mission for our company and yet all too often, nothing we do seems to reflect that vision and mission.

Our senior level executives seem to be working for bullet points on their individual resumes instead of actually leading. Painfully pathetic and frankly, pisses me off.

So I’ve decided I can no longer support the dysfunction. How that is manifesting itself surprises even me.

More on this next time…..

This was written yesterday - May 23rd - but I forgot to hit ‘publish’.

After a couple of weeks of significant work drama, and recent pain-flled days and nights, it was nice to have a very quiet, peaceful birthday today.

I am so richly blessed. I have two sons who are both incredible young men. I have a beautiful home and many, many luxuries most in the world only dream of.

I am very conscious of Life and the Lessons we are given.

I am deeply grateful for everything and welcome a new year of learning opportunities!

Never imagined pain like this………….

Haven’t slept….  Tylenol Extra Strength and Bayer Extra Strength in twice normal dosage does nothing for the pain.

Root canal last week; went back late yesterday for pain.  After another drilling and what seemed like a second root canal on the same tooth, as soon as the numbness wore off the pain began in spades last evening.

Left voice message for dentist and will sit here at home until he calls.  Not sure what he can do but something has to be done.  I feel sick to my stomach with all the pain.

I am struggling with my work environment………. again.

The level of dysfunction at the highest executive levels is creating absolute and complete chaos for me. There is no one in any executive level position that appears to know how to manage. And there is certainly no one at that level who can actually execute. It is quite sad, actually.

As always, the Lesson Opportunities are abundant and I’m trying hard to learn them. I’ve decided the only way I can survive this corporate dysfunction is to NOT support it in any way - to the best of my ability.

More later as I’m very, very tired and it’s late.

I emphasized ‘year’ intentionally. I am not referring to the calendar year most think of when they use or read that word.

Rather, I’m thinking of what I can best describe as a ’spiritual year’. In my study of both the mystical teachings and practices of Kabbalah and Christian mysticism, there is a very common theme - that of the ’spiritual year’. In Christian nomenclature, it is often called the “liturgical year”. For the Kabbalah, digging beyond the Jewish traditions that overlay it, it is astrology.

But what is most interesting is the fact that both religious traditions have their foundation in astrological themes.

Christianity - because of it’s patriarchal-need-to-control-everything history - has tried to mask the astrological connection with new words and labels. But once you dig beyond those - it is clear that the “liturgical year” is quite connected thematically to astrology.

Coming to this realization for me was quite eye opening. For as long as I can remember, I have always been able to see God quite clearly - in everything. (Yes - even all the EQ2 and Serpo drama!)

It is one reason I feel so spiritually grounded. But I am digressing from my original intent with this post. Today I received my “weekly tune-up” email from a Kabbalah resource I use occasionally and it is quite powerful. The emphasis is mine.

These next eight days (April 19 — 27)………….there’s a powerful opportunity to transform and change our life for one year and forever. It is not about remembering what happened in the past. It’s about remembering what’s happening now — and knowing how to tap into that energy.

We can remove ourselves from the chains of repetitive patterns of wrong relationships, fears, pains, uncontrollable thoughts that drive us crazy, laziness and lack of energy and enthusiasm.

{snip}

Where are your hot buttons? What are your insecurities? How do you doubt yourself? Pay attention.

When someone says something that ticks you off, don’t shoot the messenger. Explore why the comment provoked such a strong emotional reaction in the first place. Is there some grain of truth there? Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

Ask yourself, “Why did that comment make me feel so mad (sad, defensive, hurt, judged, or attacked)?

These next seven days, expose your weak areas, your vulnerable “I don’t want to talk about it’ spots.

What can you do to make it different?

The gates are open this week. Leave behind all that’s ruling you. Put in the extra effort to look within. You just may get the key to opening those gates for the rest of the year.

Yes indeed. Candles are lit for my battalion of guardian angels to be on stand by, and my self-awareness antennae are all on high alert.

Good news today! Dr. Matsen said Ryan’s shoulder appears to be OK so they are treating it like an initial dislocation…. for now.

That means wearing the immobilizer and doing some isometric exercises to strengthen the shoulder muscles. They also taught him how to fall next time so he doesn’t injure it again. That will be a challenge as our natural instinct when we fall is to reach out to stop our falling.

Bottom line is no surgery…. for right now!

Yippee!

Poor Ryan…. after having his shoulder “fixed” last October, he fell down some stairs yesterday and ripped it out of the socket again.

The ER doc said his shoulder feels “mushy” (which I’m sure is some sort of official medical diagnosis).

We’re back to the surgeon on Friday.

And then most likely back to the hospital for surgery - sooner rather than later.

ugh……

I really, really don’t like hospitals.