Greeting TSJ Friends!
I confess I have been pondering a lot lately on many nuggets of wisdom I would love to put into 
words in these blog letters.
But if you are anything like me, you can only absorb so much and remember even less of all the good “stuff” from great wisdom writers whose works are sitting on our shelves or Kindle readers waiting to be read.
And that even includes biblical wisdom writers. (Solomon wanted me to tell you that.)
Solomon is being strict on me, encouraging me to have fun writing to you but to keep it short. But at the same time, this wooly sheepish muse of mine revels in helping me pursue nuggets of wisdom and he knows it is hard for me to keep them succinct!
But I am a work in progress in all areas of life lately. How about you?
Today’s theme is about the Power of Pivoting!
PIVOTAL INSIGHTS ~ #1:
When I wrote two weeks ago about being inspired by Quincy Jone’s discovery that when he starts to write a song or poetry or music he follows what he calls “The goosebump rule,” meaning if he creates something that gives him pleasure (goosebumps) it more likely will give someone else pleasure.
Reading that was a pivotal moment for me. He learned if he creates to please others and win approval from others, it can easily fall flat.
This resonated with me. He also added that it has helped him “get out of his own way.” I stumble over myself like a drunken sailor all the time. I worry enough for dozens of people. Can you think of a better way to steal one’s own fun? I hope you embrace the inner artist in you and dance with creative joy.
PIVOTAL INSIGHTS ~ #2
Well, if that wasn’t quite the “kicker”enough in my motivation, I happened to follow up Quincy’s book with the book I wrote about last week on Improv! And if you remember, that inspired me greatly. We all are improvisers in life. But it helped to have it defined a bit as a skill that can be practiced.
Interestingly, Pat Ryan Madison’s maxims from her book Improv Wisdom that I resonated with were: “just show up,” “say yes”, “make mistakes, please” and one I didn’t speak about in my blog but has gradually declared itself in my heart as a very wise maxim – “enjoy the ride.”
Have you noticed how life works when we let it?
Our wise Solomon has opened my heart to welcome enjoyment in imperfection. Wait, did I just say that? Yes! I have been finding myself more often a contented sheep (“peep”) in the green pastures of love and creation. I am grazing freely on the wisdom God has provided for all of us.
PIVOTAL INCIDENTS ( and An Article Link)
Most of us can look back on our lives and identity some pivotal things or experiences in life (incidents) that have altered the course of our lives or changed long held beliefs and perspectives. They may have been painful or they may have been inspiring and energizing but . . . they changed us.
While preparing to share my recent intrigue with pivoting and improvising I looked up definitions (thanks to Google search) of PIVOT. I will share some of them.
But as you know such research leads to other sources and I stumbled onto an article about “pivotal moments” that I feel I must share with you.
It is from an organization that works with burn victims and the stories fit what we believe here at TSJ and that I am still learning: “Each person’s pivotal moment will be as different as their scars, yet by hearing one another’s stories we can find hope.” The Phoenix Society for Burn survivors article link is https://www.phoenix-society.org/who-we-are. As you can imagine, this sat well with Solomon. Those words reflect our desire for TSJ peeps.
DEFINITIONS OF PIVOTAL MOMENTS from Google :
“Very important; critical big moments and little moments of clarity that provide us with new perspectives and opportunities to change our lives.”
I didn’t realize how broad the scope of meaning can be with the word: pivot!
Business: “changing some aspect of its core products or service to better meet customer demand.” In this venue it is not uncommon to hav pivot meetings.
Sports: “Like a basketball player pivoting back and forth on one foot to protect the ball.”
Sewing: “A technique used to check that seam lines match together especially on curved seams. With the needle down into the fabric when you arrive at a pivotal point, you lift the presser foot and rotate the fabric etc. ”
Finance: “a significant price level known in advance which traders view as important and may make trading decisions around that level because if the pivot level is exceeded the price is expected to continue in that direction.
Personal Growth: turning points that fundamentally change you.
CONCLUSION:
I have been pondering how to become better at improvising ways to act wisely and kindly on a daily basis in little moments as well as big moments. In that light I will share with you I also have been repeating my new motto for TSJ:
Practice Kindness. Pursue Wisdom.
This week when I have been caught in an unwelcoming moment I have repeated to myself one word. “Pivot.”
The second one is close behind: “improvise.”
Finally, I am pivoting in my coaching practice. This means I am moving into a mellow retirement model. By that I mean I am still seeing people who call or contact me. I love coaching. And I will continue to write blog letters that I hope encourage parents and teachers and those seeking encouragement in their spiritual lives. Shared stories are still one way we can all stay connected.
When things get “iffy” for me I whisper to myself: “pivot, Margie” and it has helped me (so far) to embrace challenges better and see them as windows of opportunity to create moments of love, kindness, grace and goodness in the world.
I still believe in God’s profound Love for us.
Let us Pivot toward the Light!
This has been rather a fun experiment for me lately!
With love in our hearts,
Margie and Solomon
