Last night, I had a dinner with two dear friends.  One was my current business partner, Mike Amado, with whom I am creating the speaking/consulting/coaching series, "Integrity Resurrected!"  The other is my old time friend who is a Corporate Coach for Bloomingdale's, Craig Villarrubia.  As we sat down to a delicious meal, we continued our conversation about integrity in the workplace and the current need to prioritize the human element as the influencing force of any organization.  The wealth of experience and information that these two individuals have in the corporate consulting/coaching world is invaluable.  Their evolved perspective on where we need to head in our personal and business practices in order to maintain alignment with integrity and humanity is refreshing, inspiring, and candid.  

In yesterday's blog, I announced my intention to be a student holding an empty cup, patiently waiting for it to be filled with new things, new knowledge, new ideas.  Last night, that cup started filling with so much information and insight and possibility.  Though I teach it to others, I am still amazed at how life brings to you what you most desire.  I am grateful for the lessons I am learning, eager for more, and reminding myself to be patient.
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I am becoming a most willing student again.  In recent years, I have been called "the expert" or "the authority" on a a few subjects in my field.  It is very bolstering to the ego to hear such labels, but it can also get in the way of learning new things.  There is so much to learn in this world in such a variety of areas that somewhere along the way your cup has to be empty in order to fill up with something new.  So, I've emptied my cup in the areas of my life where I want to learn something more, something, as of yet, unknown to me.  I'm taking on a few teachers and mentors to help me in this venture.  My intention along the way is to do this with the image of the empty cup in my hand, patiently waiting as it is filled.  There is a great deal that I know in the subjects in which I am well-versed, but there is still so much to learn in other areas of interest.  I feel excitement, inspiration, and a bit of relief at this new venture.  When you are "the expert" or "the authority" you are expected to know the answers.  When you are "the student" there are a multitude of answers just waiting to be discovered.  This freedom and this anticipation bring a curious smile to my face.
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For the past two weeks, a man named, Refugio, has been laying new tiles in my bathroom.  Two weeks for laying tiles seems a bit long to me, but as I visit the work that this man does daily, I see how measured and precise he is.  The other day I called him "Michaelangelo" for much like that artist, the work is tedious and filled with miniscule details.  Like Michaelangelo, he keeps at it until it is perfect in every respect.  I admire someone with this type of work ethic.  Personally, I get frustrated with the minutia of such things in my own life.  My level of patience in my own daily activities does not carry the same calm as I observe in Refugio.  So, as I watch the slow moving procession that is the laying of the tiles, I am reminded to be gentle with myself as I create my own works of art in my life --- with clients, friends, family, home, projects, etc.  Life is a work of art that is never quite finished, but it does pause in interesting places.  Intending gentleness, patience, and appreciation today.
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For the past six years, I have done a bit of work with Human Rights Watch/Women's Rights Committee here in Los Angeles.  Each year, I attend the fundraisers they produce.  Last night, at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, they presented "Cries From the Heart."  This was a three-act presentation highlighting some of the human rights abuses taking place around the globe.  Interspersed with the dialogue and monologues were four musical acts.  Though the stage was filled with famous actors and the audience dotted with various celebrities, the true stars of the night were the women brave enough to stand onstage and speak about their homelessness and, in some cases, the violence of rape they have endured.  These women spoke of their journey toward finding "home" again --- in both a literal and figurative sense.  At times, I sat with my hand cupped over my mouth or over my heart.  The stories that we heard were powerful and painful.  It was not always easy to listen to what was being shared and, yet, it was not possible to turn a deaf ear.  Ultimately, the night succeeded in educating and highlighted issues and subjects that those of us who live in privilege should be aware (after last night, I consider anyone who is not living as a sex slave, domestic slave, rape victim, or homeless youth, privileged).  I am very humbled and inspired by the women who dedicate their time, energy, and effort to the causes of Human Rights Watch.  Thank you for all that you do.  www.HumanRightsWatch.org
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