Self Reflection & Gratitude
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“Reflection is a gift for your spirit. It lets deeper parts of who you are come forth and be discovered. It makes it possible for you to create something new.” Unknown
My husband and I went to the 8 am church service today and afterwards, I decided to go to my office and organize it in preparation for the upcoming week. I am far from an overly organized person and I do not have a “Type-A” personality. However, as a life-long educator, I have learned the professional benefits of exercising effective time management, organization, and preparedness. I love the art of teaching and teaching college students brings me so much joy. Therefore, I desire to present my best self to my students daily. So, I decided to make the unplanned drive to campus this afternoon to ensure an effective week. While I worked for a few hours to prepare for the week, I spent most of my time reflecting on my professional life outside of teaching. Perhaps, I was able to do this because my cleaning, organizing, and preparing were without distraction. Ironically, I went to work for one reason; yet, so much more resulted from the experience. It enhanced my view of my work not just as a teacher, but as a speaker, writer, and consultant that focuses on planning empowerment conferences for women.
My professional life outside of teaching is often complex, requiring me to consistently engage in self-reflection. I have done this intentionally every day since my company, Professor Brown LLC, hosted our first annual women’s conference on January 5, 2019. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and I have been encouraged to host another women’s conference in 2020, so stay tuned. I am so thankful that the vision of the conference was successfully achieved and that it blessed the lives of the women who attended.
As a result, I have engaged in self-reflection that is focused on gratitude, humility, and the future. One of my mentors asked me during the conference planning process, why do you have to thank everybody? My response, “Not expressing gratitude is not an option for me; it is non-negotiable for me.” I value expressing gratitude and letting people in my life know (professionally and personally) how much I appreciate them, as well, as their acts of kindness. Thus, I enjoy moments of self-reflection, which have repeatedly filled my heart with gratitude for the many individuals who helped to make, “There’s Nothing You Can’t Do” a success:
1. Sponsors
Several individuals and businesses served as sponsors for, “There’s Nothing You Can’t Do” that led to the ultimate success of the conference. In addition, to the monetary investment, I am eternally thankful for the business relationships formed between Professor Brown LLC and the community.
2. Conference Presenters
The conference presenters for, “There’s Nothing You Can’t Do” were exemplary and they shared from their heart, as well as, their professional experiences. These women are: physicians, mental health professionals, dentists, fitness instructors, wellness coaches, attorneys, wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends. I was honored to stand in their light for a day!
3. Conference Participants
The ages of the women who attended the conference ranged from 20 years old to 80 years old, and this is what one conference participant shared, “Thank you so much for planning and executing a phenomenal women’s conference! It was a fantastic event and touched my heart in so many ways! I am very proud of your efforts to make this conference so inclusive and informative! So proud to be a participant!”
4. Friends
My girlfriends are amazing! I am so thankful to have girlfriends who attended the conference, sponsored the conference, volunteered, and coached me through the logistics process of conference planning. My heart is forever grateful for each of them.
5. Negative Nancy’s
In my youth, I was defeated by, “Negative Nancy’s!” Today, I thank God for them because they challenge me to consider aspects of an event that my team and I might innocently overlook. Further, I understand that people can only operate from their current paradigm. Therefore, I now know the importance of listening without engaging internalizing their words. “Negative Nancy’s can keep you on your toes if you are strong and this was the case for me while planning, “There’s Nothing You Can’t Do.”
6. The Dream Team
The Dream Team that worked and volunteered for Professor Brown, LLC is dynamic beyond description. These ladies are amazing, and they were truly the heartbeat before, during, and after the conference. I truly value the gifts and talents that God has given them and truly appreciate them sharing their gifts and talents with Professor Brown, LLC.
There are so many benefits of self-reflection and moments of silence. For me, this is when God speaks to me and to my surprise, I do not speak back--I am listening. Engaging moments of self-reflection and listening to God can result in proactive behavior as opposed to reactive behavior. Further, it is the pathway to embracing gratitude, self-care, and self-love. Will you try it?