According to Wordpress, my mom left the following comment on this blog on March 26, 2009 at 1:54 am.

“Great post, I totally agree, positive ‘me’ time is a must!”

She was responding to my post Why Do We Avoid What We Know We Need Most?

Sometime between then and when she got out of bed the next morning, she suffered a massive stroke which left her speechless and without the ability to use her right hand.

My mom is young, she’s just 19 years older than me.  We’ve grown up together.  Sometimes, I’ve even seemed to be the more grown up one since I’ve always seemed wise for my years. I know some of you Six Figure Moms know what I mean because us executive types often come in the same kind of packages.  If we’re different from our parents, we might just run right over them.  How must it feel to parent us?

Clearly, I’m not the victim and this isn’t about me.  However, I always try to look for my life lesson in every experience.  What am I suppose to be learning from this event?  What will I learn from this incident that is not only life altering for my mother who I love so dearly but likely life altering for me too because our lives may be changed forever?  (I know what you are thinking and before you ask…Yes, my mother and I have the very complex mother/daughter relationship like many of us do, but that is another blog post altogether.)  So, I restate, what am I supposed to be learning?  And as a coach, writer, leader, what am I supposed to be passing along to you?

The answer isn’t that easy. I don’t think I’m seeing it clearly yet as it is complex.  However, I can tell you that I know I had only one choice in how I could react.  Here are the steps I’ve taken.

1. Make sure my Mother wasn’t in any further danger.
2. Create order around the situation as best I could.
3. Put my businesses in order.
4. Let it be okay to postpone a few things (Thanks Rieva)
5. Slow down, get rest and take care of myself.
6. Let it be okay to not have all the answers.
7. Be present with my daughter and really BE in every minute.

Those of you who know me personally, know that there are a lot of things in the seven items above that are not easy for me. Thus, I’ve implemented a few things to help me stick to the plan. I’m going to bed early. I’m trying to eat healthy, nutritious foods.  I’m hiking and spending time outdoors.  I’m reading fiction for the first time in over a year. (Really, I’m completely “sucked in” to Twilight and I’m thankful that there are three more to available when I’m finished.)  And most importantly, I’m not trying to manage the whole situation.  Neither my mother or I were born with patience but both of us have to be patient with this assignment.

How can you help?  Send all your positive thoughts and energy my mother’s direction because that’s what she needs most, the universe pulling in her direction.  The good news is that she’s a great candidate for a successful recovery if she works hard.  If she’s anything, she’s a determined, hard worker.  She’s working hard in a Rehab unit in one of the best hospitals in the country and making great progress.

So, do I have any advice today?  Not really but I guess if we look directly at our busy lives, we sincerely know that we all need my seven step plan on some level all the time.  Ask yourself honestly, what is it that you need today and actually grant it to yourself.  It might make a great difference in your life.

Thanks for listening.

So, I bet you’re wondering what in the world could rap music have to do with life lessons for executive women?  Keep reading.  I was perusing Tony Robbins’ newsletter when I noticed a link to an appearance on MTV.  I thought, “Tony Robbins is going to take a shot at being a rapper now?  Come on!”.  Anyway, I was just curious enough to watch so I clicked through.  Seems that Hurricane Chris in his 51/50 Ratchet CD has some serious clarity about personal leadership.  The video from Hip Hop Owner’s Manual describes a rap music term, RATCHET. The definition of Ratchet is living your life’s dream and being yourself without regard for what anyone else thinks.  In Rapper speak, “Doing YOU”.  Ratchet comes with a few guiding principles:

1. Raise Your Game – Don’t settle.  Live your life’s dream.  Hold a higher standard and be really clear on your goals.
2. Act Like You Know – Have no fear.  Don’t hesitate.  Take action in moments of clarity when you know your authentic self is driving.
3. Defy and Act – Defy your own fears and limitations.  Be your best self.

Watch the video and see for yourself. Who knew we executive women could learn so much from the rap community!  Watching this video and learning about Hip Hop Owner’s Manual also led me to a very interesting New York Times article about the future of TV and mobile devices.  Where we’re headed is pretty amazing!

So, Life lessons from the Hip Hop Owner’s Manual?  You betcha!