Category Archives: Blogroll

#Tie #Names #Stories #Questions

Posted on by freshencounter

#Tie #Names #Stories #Questions: – Last week while coaching at the Craigslist Foundation Bootcamp, I met a Euro-American woman, who told me about the DNA test her Chinese adopted daughter took to learn about her ancestry. The results were surprising to them both. When I returned home later that day I began doing research on agencies who provided this service. Because NY state, like most others, lock their adoption records; most adoptees have no clues to their past beyond what may appear obvious, their hair and skin tone. I thought it would be great if I could find out what tribes and countries could be found in my DNA.

And that idea led me this morning to look up the origin of my “original” birth surname, Lewis. I use quotes around original because many adoptees are lied to about birth dates, circumstances and names, but that’s what I have to work with right now…
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#Tie #Exhale #Breathe

Posted on by freshencounter

#Tie #Exhale – #Breathe E_X_A_L_E – Japan_Breathe – Haiti_Exhale – Revolutions_ Breathe – Illness of self, loved ones, friends_Exhale – Wisconsin_Breathe… Breath is life. Breath creates space. When we focus on our breath we are more available to ourselves, others and the universe. Focused breathing prevents panic.
Pause now, check your breath; what is it saying? What are you feeling? Is there something you need to change/do? Is it time for a walk? :-) I’m doing that next.
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#Tie #Failure – Fail! fail! fail!! – For success

Posted on by freshencounter

#Tie #Failure – Fail! fail! fail!! In my life I have failed at walking, talking, bicycling, writing, reading, understanding, driving, hooping, batting, swimming and yes even coaching :-) And, that’s how I got better. And yes I have failed at living fully in my values, gossiping, judging and I get better at that every day, everyday! I’m not talking about perfection here.
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#Tie #Queer – Queer!

Posted on by freshencounter

#Tie #Queer – Queer! – My definition: Way out of the box! Queer means I’m NOT normal! Queer means I dance to my-own-beat and the beat of the world, not the beat created by the market. Queer means I accept ALL of the consensual ways you are sexual, even though I may not be attracted to it.

Queer is the first “Q” in LBGTQQI :-) and for many of us, stands for all of us and beyond.
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#Tie #Gentrification – Indigenous Peoples Day

Posted on by freshencounter

#Tie #Gentrification – Indigenous Peoples Day – This morning I was remembering how all over the world indigenous people continue to be oppressed. Not a happy thought, obviously. I then thought about how Indigenous North Americans in our civilized/Just countries continue to struggle and have to fight for basic needs such as healthcare, schools, teachers, and access to healthy water – today, right now. I also can’t help but think about the many ways we practice gentrification today.
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#Tie #Femme – FEMME!!

Posted on by freshencounter

#Tie #Femme – FEMME!! Gets me excited just writing the word – Femme!

Femme! Not the opposite of Butch, that’s a butch fantasy – except of course when she wants to be. Otherwise, Femmes can stand alone and/or with each other without any need for a butch to qualify them – as Femme.
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#Tie #Shame – #Trouble

Posted on by freshencounter

#Tie #Shame – #Trouble – Yesterday Jen Cross and I talked about what it meant to be “in trouble” and specifically at work, but generally, well…just in general. We agreed that the idea of “getting in trouble” with someone is childish and ridiculous. I believe that it’s an old threat that is focused on shame and shaming. As adults we take responsibility for our actions, then we work with/accept the consequences – we don’t “get in trouble”, (unless of course we’re doing it for fun.)
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#Tie #Integrity

Posted on by freshencounter

#Tie #Integrity – One of my thoughts this morning was about how hugely grateful I am for this time I have to align myself with my values and practice them with integrity all the time. (This is what it is for me to be unemployed and doing some of the work I love, coaching.) Then I thought about a person I know who is known for telling coworkers one thing and telling mgmt. another, leaving people blind-sighted, confused and distrustful way beyond this one individual. When mgmt. fosters this behavior the lack of trust can spread around the office as a virus. There were times when I participated in such behavior, in various jobs, I was crumbling to peer pressure, and I always felt terrible about it. I’m much prefer “getting in trouble” for being honest, then playing these fear-based games.
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