"You get in life what you have the courage to ask for."
~ Oprah Winfrey ~
A few weeks ago I was headed home after a busy day. Craving comfort food, I remembered that there was half a bag of chips stashed in the cupboard. It would be just a taste, a wee salty snack to unwind at the end of the day.
But you know what? When I got home the chips were nowhere to be found. I looked through all the cupboards (including the not-so-secret, hide things from the kids cupboard).
Nothing. Nada. No chips anywhere!
My youngest son heard me rummaging around in the kitchen and came downstairs to see what all the commotion was about. As he walked towards me I gestured in frustration at the empty shelf and asked where the chips were! I wasn't particularly nice about it either.
He looked at me puzzled and simply said "I ate them.".
"What?! How could you eat them?" I proclaimed! "Don't you know that I wanted the chips! Do you think you can just eat whatever is in the cupboard?!". All that was missing in my toddler-like meltdown was me rolling on the floor in protest.
He looked at me with a mix of confusion and amusement at my reaction. He mumbled a sort of apology and retreated to the quiet of his bedroom presumably to get away from his chip-crazy mother.
I would have run too.
After I had calmed down, and realized that chips were not going to solve whatever was bothering me, I went upstairs to apologize. When I walked into his room, he looked up from his phone and asked if I was okay. A reasonable question considering I'd just had a temper tantrum over chips.
Yes, I told him. I completely overreacted when I realized the chips were gone. I apologized for getting mad. And you know what? He looked at me and said, Mum, the only time you eat chips is every once in a while on the weekend. You'd never have them on a weeknight.
"How was I to know you wanted chips if you didn't ask for them?!"
I smiled. He was right. If I didn't ask or say what I wanted how was he to know?!
It got me thinking ... Where else in life am I not asking for what I want? What else am I not saying out loud and sharing with others?
How will I ever get or do or be or have the things I want if I don't give people the opportunity to know and engage and, perhaps, even help?!
So, tell me, what are you not asking for? Asking from yourself? Asking from others in your life?
I'd love to know.
Walking forward with gratitude,
Sarah
PS - Iām starting up my walks on local trails in York Region again. If you arenāt familiar, it is simply an invitation to walk as a group and connect in nature for about an hour. Iāve included the dates below. If you are interested simply email me and I can fill you in on the details.
In the spirit of sharing with others ā¦ Iāve had a few people ask how they can work with me. Iām working on updating my website but hereās a quick version!
Walk Together!
Join me for a walk on one of the local trails in York Region. Saturdays May 4th, 11th and June 8th at 9:30am. Itās free. Simply a chance to connect in nature. Email me for details on where to meet!
Small Group Workshops
Iāve run several small group workshops over the past year on topics such as āCrafting a Morning Routine that Works for Youā, āStart With the End: Clarity As You Move Forward in Lifeā, āClarity + Habits to Navigate the Chaos of Lifeā and more.
If you are looking for a workshop for your womenās group, your staff lunch and learn or as part of your company wellness program Iād love to connect. Hereās what one recent participant had to say:
~ Sarah is a thoughtful and smart leader who comes prepared to make her groups ponder important questions. By working through her exercises and prompts, participants are guided to look inward and identify how they can take control of their lives through small bite-size habits and routines. Great work Sarah! ~
1:1 Coaching
Iāve launched a new one-on-one coaching program called: āThe Art of Transition: Cultivating Calm in Times of Changeā. You can find out more here or reach out and we can chat more.