The Power of the Pink Pajamas

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Transition Coaching & Event Planning, LLC Newsletter
The Power of the Pink Pajamas
Mid-February 2005
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in this issue
-- Act 1: The "To Be" List
-- Intermission: Help Spread the Word
-- Act 2: The Power of the Pink Pajamas
-- Act 3: Happy February 14th

"It's snowing still," said Eeyore gloomily.

"So it is."

"And freezing."

"It is?"

"Yes," said Eeyore.

- from the Winnie the Pooh series

Act 1: The "To Be" List
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You can KNOW yourself as a kind person, but until you perform an act of kindness, it's all speculation. It is only through BEING kind that kindness it is experienced.

I read that somewhere, and it stuck..the distinction between KNOWING and BEING. (Note: The words "kind" and "kindness" can be replaced with any other words, and the statement will still be true.)

I once went on a date with a man who was highly intellectual and extraordinarily well read. While we were walking to a restaurant, he commented that the area reminded him of Paris. I said, "Oh, you've been to Paris?" "No" he replied enthusiastically, "but I've read about it." He wasn't kidding.

I made a mental note of it as an example that beautifully illustrates the distinction between Knowing and Being. For those of you who are familiar with the Federal Hill area of Providence, that's where we were. Maybe it "reminded" him of the Italian section of Paris. Ha!

While KNOWING is wonderful, it is through the experience of BEING that we become known.

Exercise (Part 1):

1. Review your current "To Do" list, then set it aside.

2. Create a "To Be" list stating how you want to BE or continue to BE.

3. Then, make a "To Do" list of only those actions that will create the EXPERIENCE of your aspired Ways of Being.

4. Now, look again at your original "To Do" list. You may feel inspired to make some adjustments.



Act 2: The Power of the Pink Pajamas
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Mid-February is a generally agreed time when, with the exception of maybe devout skiers, most New Englanders are feeling restless and could use a boost. I would like to share what one of my clients did to create a better situation out of what she calls "the cruelest month".

(On a side note, to rub salt on the wounds, those who find themselves Valentine-less tend to identify February as especially cruel. Who in the world decided that the isolationist month of February would be a good time to throw in a Valentine's Day?!? Anyone who shares my objection to this and wants to join me in starting a revolution to move Valentine's Day to the blossoming, socially-energized end of April, please let me know.)

For the benefit of those who live where winters are warm, I hope you won't disregard this opportunity. Take a moment to consider your "metaphorical winter." What part of your life is colder than you wish it was? When do you find yourself opting to hibernate instead of dance in the sun?

Here are the two small efforts that one Rhode Island resident made, resulting in "the cruelest month" feeling less cruel:

#1. She bought herself a special pair of striped pink pajamas that apparently have powerful, mood enhancing properties.

#2. She sent out a mass invite to friends and colleagues for a standing event, every Monday evening for the month of February, at a local restaurant/bar for food, drinks, and to play pool. Her initiative proved to be just enough incentive for not only herself, but also for others, to come out of hibernation.

In response to the invite, people wrote and called to share their sheer excitement and untamed gratitude for her simple, but none-the-less tremendous, act of community. Based on reports from the first of these Monday gatherings, it had all the makings of the perfect party.

Exercise (Part 2):

What does this story inspire YOU to do? What small creative action can you take to brighten your (metaphorical) winter, and the winter of those around you? How would doing so bring to fruition something on your "To Be" list?

Act 3: Happy February 14th
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To those of you who will be celebrating Valentine's Day, I wish you a day of genuine celebration of all the wonders of Love's greatness.

To those of you who will be celebrating International Quirkyalone Day (an underground holiday that is building momentum with each passing year), I wish you a day of genuine celebration of all the wonders of Love's greatness.


Copyright © Transition Coaching & Event Planning, LLC, 2005.


Contact Information
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email: tara@transitioncoachinginc.com
phone: 401.569.7017
web: http://www.transitioncoachinginc.com
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