Welcome Change… Welcome Life September 6, 2008

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”  ~ Mohandas Ghandi

This is a quote I live by… I carry it with me wherever I go.  Literally.  I have Passalong Cards with this quote that I carry in my purse and to share with others.

I had a conversation about change and life recently.   I enjoy exploring outwardly and inwardly and acknowledge that while change can be scarey at times, it is a necessary part of growth and life.  I know that everything I create in my world will help me to learn, grow and move towards greater soul expression and expansion in this lifetime.  The person I was conversing with wasn’t quite on the same page.   Safety, security, and following cultural patterns that society sets is hard for many to venture beyond. 

Walking the tight rope in the treetops

 

And yet where I see myself heading is beyond those patterns.   Crossing that line in the sand, daring to stretch the circumference of my comfort zone to envelop new and rewarding challenges.   Welcoming change — inviting it,  actually – as I move into an exciting time where the lessons may be hard, yet ultimately fulfilling my purpose.   

 

Life may be a tight rope walk at times, moving around obstacles and overcoming challenges but my Faith holds me in safety.  Gentle hands ready to catch me when I stumble.  Leap and the net will appear, I remind myself.   You have to do the hard stuff to enjoy and appreciate the fun stuff.  Walk the tightrope, feel the fear, and before you know it you’re going with the flow… ziplining 1000 feet at 50 km/hour yelling “woo-hoo!!”

 

As I surfed the internet (what a wonderful connector that technology is), I came across a beautiful video that I feel captures the essence of how we should feel about change in the human experience.  We can count on change to always be there.  Just as we count on the sun to rise tomorrow.

Two statements especially made an impression on me, although there are many in the short video:

* Change is part of a creative life.

* Direction is so much more important than speed.

 

“Your only obligation in any lifetime is to be true to yourself.” ~ Richard Bach

Giving More Value September 2, 2008

I just met an amazing woman named Amy.  No, she didn’t provide me with inspirational quotes; she didn’t share a story of hope, overcoming struggles in life; she didn’t push me away from an oncoming bus.  Amy sold me a lip gloss today.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately “how can I give more value” to others in what I do?  Amy gave me a lesson in providing ultimate value; and her investment was simply her knowledge and enthusiasm.  It reminded me of the adage people will not remember what you say, they will not remember what you do, but they will always remember how you made them FEEL.  In the 15 minutes I spent with her at our local drugstore cosmetics section, Amy made me feel like a Queen, sincere in her words.  And to think I almost didn’t allow her into my world as we so often do with sales staff.  Here’s a bit of our brief exchange: 

Amy, ”Hi, can I help you with anything?”

Me, “No thanks, just browsing.” 

Amy, “Well, okay, but please PLEASE… if I can help with ANYTHING, do let me know.  I study all this makeup and can tell you everything about it, really I can.” 

She studies makeup?  She sure seemed passionate about it.  As she turned to walk away, I relented, ”Well, okay, I’m looking for a lip gloss.”

“Lip gloss!  Well Lancome is Number One in the lip gloss category – it really is – and we don’t sell Lancome at this location.  But I can show you some great Smashbox colours.”  She led me away from the budget Cover Girl section (hey, it’s good enough for Christie Brinkley and Cindy Crawford, isn’t it?) to the trés chic and sleek Smashbox counter.  I didn’t even want to ask…Amy proceeded to show me three colours that would be “perfect” for my complexion, flowing with compliments about my summer tan and clear skin.  She might have used ”gorgeous” in there somewhere (even my husband hasn’t used that adjective in a long time; Amy was beginning to seduce me). 

What I liked about Amy was she was as sure about the makeup she recommended as I am sure about the services I offer my clients.  She very eloquently suggested I must have a proper lip liner and moisturizing lipstick to use with the gloss.  As she showed me products, she painted a romantic visual for me.  “Just look at this packaging… can you see yourself pulling out this beautiful piece from your purse at a club in Yorkville?  By the way, Sears has a sale on cosmetic bags.  First floor, Promenade Mall, great selection, you MUST go.”  

Not even thinking that it has been 10 years or more since I had been to a club in Toronto’s trendy neighbourhood, I nodded along and added the lip gloss with the tasseled dispenser wand to my burgeoning collection on the counter.  For a fleeting tenth of a second it crossed my mind that in the next couple months I would be tossing that baby in the garbage can.  Oh well, Amy really seemed to know her stuff and I was smiling as I listened to her paint a picture of how women deserve to feel beautiful and have this experience.   And yet, it was clearly obvious it wasn’t about what she could sell me; it was about what she could DO for me.  Three times she referred me to other retailers who had what she felt I needed, from Fall clothes to cosmetic bags to makeup.  I liked this girl in the blond ponytail and black suit.  She loves her job and helping people. 

As we prepared to settle at the cash, she asked if I was using a good moisturizer to extend my summer tan.   I thought I was but apparently I needed what she had.  In the bag it went.   I went in for a $10 lip gloss and left with 4 other products, $98 later.    I was glad to pay for the experience of spending 15 minutes with Amy and how she made me feel.   True retail therapy at its finest!  I’ve decided Amy is my Cosmetic Guru.   From now on I’ll visit her because it’s not just make-up with Amy, it’s the package deal.   And there’s nothing like being seduced when you want to feel like a woman.Amy gave me a great lesson in giving more value… no matter what we do, we can always give more with kind words and enthusiasm.   Thank you, Amy Pearl at Shoppers Drug Mart Oak Ridges, I’ll be back. 

CHALLENGE FOR YOU:   Make a list of at least 10 ways you can give more value in your daily exchange with your clients, family and friends.  

OPEN YOUR HEART:  Start with a smile, it costs nothing.  For a lesson in great customer service, watch this inspiring true story from Simple Truths about a young man with Downs Syndrome who changed the culture of the grocery store where he worked and gave customers more than they expected: http://www.stservicemovie.com/