Brooks Brower Consultants

Monday, May 5, 2014

. . .

Working on the back deck, I am accompanied by the squawking of the Canadian geese. They have migrated into the back yard for their afternoon ritual of what I'm sure would be high tea in other parts of the animal kingdom. They are loud, but that is okay. We humans are much worse; of that I am certain. There is a knock at the front door, yet no one answers. I am expecting the lady of the house to answer the door, yet the only greetings are that of the loud barking dogs. So, I meander around to the front to see the nice yard fella walking away. "Hello", I say. "Yes." he turns and asks, "Is your mother home?" Our conversation is brief. His team begins to work, and I am respectfully shooed off of the back deck to allow their hedge trimming success.

I continued to ponder his question. "Is your mother home?" As a young child, I was taught to never answer that question in the negative. A stranger could be trying to trick me into allowing him/her into my home. Of course, that is to assume that I never talked to strangers. Which of course I did. It was a lesson, I did not learn very well. To this day I will talk to anyone/anything. If it talks back I am overjoyed. I digress...

Canadian adventure with her...

"Is your mother home?" Well, no, biologically speaking, she was not home. I was sure she was working in her salon. However, yes, she was home. I'm not aware of what kept her from opening the door, but I expect the reason was warranted. The lady of the house, my aunt, was home. In one small question, I was honored by the nice yard fella's belief that she was my mother. For all practical reasons, yet not so technical, she is a mother to me. She is the woman who has shown me the world, taught me the value of a sale, opened my eyes to boundaries, awakened my mind to female progress, and has been a steward of my spirit in Christ. From day one, she told the doctor I was the ugliest baby she had ever seen. This happening on the heels of the preacher, unbeknownst to her, saying that I looked JUST LIKE HER! HA! I think she has tried to make up for that moment, my entire life. She has supplied me with wardrobe after wardrobe, food from her pantry, and nuggets of wisdom; too many to share. In fact, any time a friend has a concern, it is her teachings I most often quote. She is a rock, a safe place, and she is a mother.

Perhaps, you can identify with my situation. You too have been blessed with a relationship without a nine month gestation period; she has provided you the matriculation of a lifetime. She has shielded you, comforted you, straightened you out, called you by name, and above all, she has loved you. She has shared her love without measure.

As May brings about the flowers of April's showers, it is no surprise that we also celebrate the gifts of Mothers. May you make the space and time to show your mother (no matter the definition) that she will forever be "home" in your heart, your mind, your soul, and your love. Blessings!

In honor of Mother's Day. I am offering an additional 10% discount on all Preferred Customer orders placed prior to Mother's Day! Celebrate the mother in your life.

Contact me for ideas!

Friday, May 2, 2014

LESSONS AND PLANS

Willie Nelson Concert!

As we mature and begin to take on more responsibility, we search for ways to run our lives, organize our homes, raise our kids (puppies and plants, for some of us), juggle work, and give quality time in relationships. I have often found the wisdom of "plan your work and work your plan" to be helpful. With a background in event planning, I love a plan, a guide, a schematic of space, and the organization of every tiny detail precisely penned. The execution or the "work your plan" part is where the unconscious adrenaline of procrastination can set into my body. I know I will get a kick of energy at the very last minute and go into a tailspin of unhealthy multi-tasking. There is a list; a long list. I LOVE a list. Heck, I even write things on the list that "are complete" just to mark them off as a triumph of success. Please tell me I am not alone!

Recently, my mother and I met to go to the grocery. Going to town is a planned activity because "town" is not around the corner. It's a haul, and we must prepare. As we met over coffee to fuel our shopping day and divide our lists, Mom mentioned her deep freezer. It had not been inventoried in a while, and she did not want to duplicate purchases. To the back porch we go. Yes, that is where one keeps the deep freeze and the extra fridge (we will get to the extra freezer in the shed, in a bit). In less than 10 minutes, the plan to take a trip to town was out like frozen food bitten by Jack Frost. We were committed, to a NEW plan: Let's empty the deep freezer, defrost it, sort every type of meat and vegetable, and wrap (yes; wrap and label) all of the meat. Then we can sort the veggies into the standing freezer in the shed, and stock the back porch fridge freezer with ready to eat meals! Did you see it?... The birth of a brand new plan. The original one put aside for another day!

I must tell you, it was a very FUN day. In fact, it made going to town much easier. We even joked about our exact inventory as we walked around Spain's. In essence, our work your plan into another plan worked beautifully! Flexibility can be a beautiful gift. The next time you want to fuss at yourself for getting off track, remember that sometimes you have to take an account of where you are, what you have, and exactly what you need before moving full speed ahead with YOUR plan.

Silently, I believe my mom was teaching me that lessons. Cheers to her brilliance: teaching me about why the side of the freezer freezes, how to tell the difference between round steak and chuck steak, finding a partner to share in this monumental task, and sharing her amazing laugh throughout the entire day!

In honor of Mother's Day. I am offering an additional 10% discount on all Preferred Customer orders placed prior to Mother's Day! Celebrate the mother in your life. Contact me for ideas!