These were the three books that Bob and I read on our first leg of our sabbatical.  I started reading Emotional Agility on our plane ride here just to warm up!  Though much of her work echoes Covey, there were insights that were very helpful, like rescripting our stories from our parents and other influencers from our past.  We were able to apply, through long afternoon conversations, what would best help us rescript broken dialogues about ourselves and our marriage and begin the plan for an authentic … rest of our lives.

Here are some of my key take-a-way’s:

 

 

Sabbatical Notes

Figure out what Heavenly Father wants from me?

“We detect rather than invent our mission in life.  We need to be aware of our own uniqueness and the singular contributions we can make to the world.” Stephen Covey

“Everyone has their own specific mission in life.  Therein they cannot be replaced, nor can their life be repeated.  Thus, everyone’s task is as unique as is his specific opportunity to implement it. “ Victor Frankl

What is my mission for the balance of life?

If we could be truly excellent at only one thing, what would it be?

Remember this: whatever decision or challenge or crossroads you face in your life, simply ask yourself…

“What is essential?”

Eliminate everything else.

“One does not accumulate but eliminate.  It is not daily increase but daily decrease.  The height of cultivation always runs to simplicity.”  Bruce Lee

Stop hyper-focusing on all the minor details and see the bigger picture.

Three core truths:

• I choose to
• Only a few things matter
• I can do anything but not everything
  1. When we surrender our right to choose, we give others not just the power but also the explicit permission to choose for us.
  2. Take the time to explore all options.
  3. See trade-offs as an inherent part of life.
  4. Spend as much time as possible exploring, listening, debating, questioning, and thinking.

This should look familiar to our children.  This is where the “3 Napkins” lesson came from on our road trip back east 25 years ago:

 

Of course many islands comes equipped with an old lighthouse.  It is unfortunate they aren’t used much anymore.  They add to our beautiful history and landscape.

The lighthouse was surrounded by a bird habitat.  The mountain that appears to be filled with white flowers…well those are actually birds…Booby birds to be exact.  Yes, and they apparently have red feat…

A sailboat dots the ocean while the cruiseliner seems so close we could almost swim out and jump on!  This is our Hawaiian home from which we spotted the sea ferrying vessels.

I am officially hooked on Yoga….”hot” to be specific.  I went in to sign up for a few classes and the time slot, unbeknownst to me, was the advanced class.  Still fell in love with it and went every weekday for 2 weeks.  I am hoping I can find a place in Mesa that will have not only the same instruction but the same spirit of the place.  I’ll miss LuLu and her Yoga space.  If you are ever on the north end of Kauai in Princeville and love Yoga I highly recommend going to see her.  It is called “Waves”.

There is something sacred about the unfinished floor.  She walks on it before class.  The leaf is for connection, the bench for renewal and the mirrors…well that’s obvious.

This is the view of our walk everyday.  It rains more on the north end of the island creating these incredible waterfalls.  This mountain is recorded as the wettest place on earth.

Bob knows that I love small inspiring quotes to fuel my day with good thoughts.  This is the cover of a gift he got me after lunch at the “Bistro” .  Another great spot to eat on the island by the way.

For our final Sunday on the island we had the lucky chance of spending it with Brad and Lael who just flew in for their 15th wedding anniversary!  It was so delightful to see them!

Namaste’