The Little Plaid Skirt

I have been in the workforce long enough to see coworkers retire. Not the old geezers I thought were taking up space when I was much newer to the workforce, but experienced and contributing colleagues and friends.

A colleague retired last week. When I saw her in the hallway on her last day, I noticed her smiling ear to ear commenting on the sun's appearance (just like the rest of Minnesota) and then, I noticed her clothes.

Photo Credit: iStockphoto

She was dressed TOM casual.

For a woman who usually dressed as though she stepped out of an Ann Taylor look book and tended to the serious side, this brief interaction was striking. I had flash thoughts of dress codes, work personalities and the impact of a simple smile.

Then, I thought of the nuns.

I attended Catholic school for a few years in the 1970s. My nuns didn't fly. They ran a tight ship with rules, rulers and uniforms.

I wore a uniform. Every day. Every day except for one. My family was moving during the school year so this second grader was permitted to wear regular (new!) clothes on her last day with the nuns.

I remember it clearly.

I wore a red and black plaid kilt-style wool skirt with a large safety style pin in the front to keep it from flying open. Was it fringed? Did I wear it with a black t-shirt or crisp white collared shirt embellished with more pins and long white socks?

I remember my friends gathering around to see my new clothes. I remember energy, confidence and kindness. I remember looking down at my new shoes, swishing my skirt, and loving the style.

I remember feeling pretty.

I remember melting like butter a few years ago when my young daughter choose a dress because "It makes me feel pretty, momma."

I am going to take these memories and spring clean the heck out of the clothes in my closet.

I grant you the permission to do the same.

The Little Plaid Skirt, by Lisa Rosendahl, first appeared on lisarosendahl.com

Three Words: A Day in the Life Sunday

For a few years now, I've selected three words to provide focus and guide my decisions over the coming months. The three words that informed my decisions and actions in 2013 were story, flow and tribe.

Reflecting back on 2013, there was a consulting gig I accepted and a speaking engagement I declined; a commitment I made to myself to improve my health; a decision to join CrossFit and change the way I eat; less writing about things that did not call to me (which left a void I unfortunately did not fill);  more looks at who my real friends are (I've got some rocking friends, by the way) and the booking of THE 2014 Rosendahl European Vacation.

So what three words will inform story. flow. tribe for me in 2014?

do.

Do will get the bulk of my attention in 2014.  It’s a simple word which compels me to act on what needs to be done each day.  The time and effort I spend preparing will only serve me if it is followed by action. Do represents this.

While this word sounds more focused on work efforts, that is only partly true. Often what needs to be done is as simple (or not so simple) as enjoying time with my family or my friends.  Interestingly, if I do what needs to be done with work, I have time to do things with my family.

be. 

Be is another simple word that holds me accountable for being present in the moment, for giving my attention to the other people in the room and for getting out of my head and into the world around me. Be tells me to relax and be myself without excuses and apology (the good, the bad and the ugly) and notice when I am grounded and at ease vs. uneasy and ineffective. I am at my best when I stay true to myself.

messy.

A friend recently wrote that she loves her big, beautiful, messy life. Messy? Shivers. My life is designed to eliminate mess by insisting on a planned, predictable order. A fully thought out mess free routine? I've got that baby down to a science.

It's time for a little mess in my life. While this word can denote chaos, it won't with me. I can't change completely but I will permit some mess, say "yes" before the "no" comes barreling out to opportunities outside of my comfort zone and reach out to others to ask for help.

do. be. messy.

What do you think? What words guide you?

Note: Do was stolen shamelessly from Rob Hatch because when I read his words, it was as though he was reading my mind.

By Lisa Rosendahl