By sarahkipp
Last March, I wrote a blog called New Beginnings. In the article, I discussed how I have grown to understand my own rhythms of work and that October 1st and April 1st are my personal new beginnings. I also shared that “September often felt more like the final sprint at the end of a marathon rather than a new beginning.”
This is still true. This month, every member of our family [Read more…] about September Glory
By sarahkipp
Twice a year, I am invited to deliver an hour-long workshop to a jobseekers networking group. I arrive early to set up, sit as an observer during the first part of their weekly meeting, and then present my content. During the first part of the meeting, a few members of the group share who they are, what they do, and what kind of leads or support they would appreciate receiving.
When it comes to the ‘what they do’ part, people often share [Read more…] about Know Your Audience
By sarahkipp
When I wrote last week’s blog post, Nothing Stays the Same, I paused and considered rewriting the sentence in the fifth paragraph that ended with “and I am completing the triathlon on my own.” I had not registered with a team of triathletes like last year. In fact, I did not know anyone else who had registered or planned to attend the event. I had signed up on my own. However, signing up on one’s own and completing a triathlon on one’s own are two very different things. While I did sign up as an individual, it was a tremendous team that enabled me to reach the finish line.
First, I am filled with profound gratitude for the extraordinary volunteers in the water. These women and men, known as ‘swim buddies,’ have flotation devices available and keep a careful eye on each and every participant. Despite the fact that this was my fourth (fourth!) triathlon, I experienced a perfect storm of rookie issues and began hyperventilating within the first two minutes of being in the water. As my brain registered my body’s very real distress, one [Read more…] about Never Tri This On Your Own
By sarahkipp
A couple of years ago, I called a dear friend of mine late at night. My grandmother had recently died, and while I knew I was grieving the recent loss, I had not anticipated all the other doors of grief and loss that would fling open in my face that night. I was feeling too much, and not finding a peaceful way to navigate the experience on my own.
My friend listened and said little. When she did speak, she acknowledged and validated the whole tribe of emotions that were stomping all over my heart. Then she offered a bit of perspective.
“Mark your calendar, Sarah, for one year from this day. You will be [Read more…] about Nothing Stays the Same
By sarahkipp
September can be a tricky month for parents. Some parents are sending children to kindergarten. Some are sending young adults off to college in different cities and states. In my circle of friends and family, I know several parents whose grown children also chose this month to relocate and begin life anew in a different part of the country.
While each of these new beginnings can be filled with hope and excitement for the children embarking on a new adventure, some parents also often experience less comfortable emotions, such as [Read more…] about Grieving the Loss of Living Loved Ones