Relationship Reflections November 20, 2008

“Relationships constantly call us to create, express and experience our higher self and higher vibration.” ~ Colleen Hoffman Smith

It’s interesting how people come and go in one’s life.  Sometimes we’re fortunate to have them in our life for a long time, sometimes for a short time.   Regardless whether it’s minutes, days, months or years, each person impacts our life in some form; there is value in every encounter and it brings learning that we carry through life.

If we’re blessed, we have friendships that last a lifetime.  I have friends in other provinces and countries who I consider my closest even though I don’t see them often, or we may only talk once a year or two.  A quick email or a phone call connects us instantly, transporting us back to the times and experiences that we shared together, instantly recreating that bond. 

Then there are friendships we seem to stumble upon (although The Universe always has a plan and nothing is by accident); these are people who impact us in great ways when we least expect it.   They breeze in and out of our life so quickly that it seems like a blink of an eye.   I’ve had such an experience recently where I learned a lot about myself and am forever grateful that this person held up that imaginary mirror  so that I could see in my reflection where I was not being authentic or open.  I had thought I was doing great work to open my heart but the mirror showed that my defences were still in place, my protective barriers were up. 

We put forward a face to the world and sometimes this is not the truth of who we are.   The commonality of us as humans is that we all desire Love and we all have our fears.  And this is where the real work begins…

Namaste

Enjoy the message in this song/video by Natasha Bedingfield.  The lyrics are below http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggQAaHJxwwk

I BRUISE EASILY
My skin is like a map, of where my heart has been
And I can’t hide the marks, but it’s not a negative thing
So I let down my guard, drop my defences, down by my clothes
I’m learning to fall, with no safety net, to cushion the blow

I bruise easily, so be gentle when you handle me
There’s a mark you leave, like a love heart, carved on a tree
I bruise easily, can’t scratch the surface without moving me
Underneath I bruise easily, I bruise easily

I’ve found your finger prints on a glass of wine
Do you know you’re leaving them all over this heart of mine too
But if I never take this leap of faith I’ll never know
So I’m learning to fall with no safety net to cushion the blow

I bruise easily, so be gentle when you handle me
There’s a mark you leave, like a love heart carved on a tree
I bruise easily, can’t scratch the surface without moving me
Underneath I bruise easily, I bruise easily

Anyone who can touch you, can hurt you, or heal you
Anyone who can reach you, can love you, or leave you

So be gentle
So be gentle
So be gentle
So be gentle

I bruise easily, so be gentle when you handle me
There’s a mark you leave, like a love heart, carved on a tree
I bruise easily, can’t scratch the surface without moving me
Underneath I bruise easily,

I bruise easily, so be gentle when you handle me
There’s a mark you leave, like a love heart, carved on a tree
I bruise easily, can’t scratch the surface without moving me
Underneath I bruise easily, I bruise easily

I bruise easily
I bruise easily

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/