Respite Reflections’ purpose is to help people push the “pause” button in their transition work — to take a break from the thinking, researching, networking and preparing for interviews. Taking a moment to center yourself, ponder a positive thought, and focus on a broader perspective is invaluable during a time of transition.
“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap
but by the seeds you plant.”
– Robert Louis Stevenson
It’s difficult not to wish for results. It’s hard not to wish for a rich harvest that shows the world you were right all along doing everything your way. It’s natural to wish for hard data that defends your position as absolute, solid and correct.
But perhaps our efforts should be focused more on what we are planting than what we are producing. Perhaps we need to make sure that the seeds we are sowing are positive words, productive actions and kind deeds rather than harsh, derogatory and condemnatory judgments. If it is true that we reap what we sow, it might be a good exercise to ponder the seeds we’ve planted lately.
– Connie Popp
Dr. Connie Popp is a board member for The Center for Life Transitions as well as an active facilitator for the Center’s Life-SHIFT and Job Search Courage programs. She is also the Director of Campus Ministry at Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Read more.