dreambridge

Vacationing In the Midst of the Greek Crisis – A Paradox of Experience

I realized our good fortune when I went to vacation in Greece a couple of weeks ago during their bailout discussion with the EU. I’ve heard about the Euro crisis on the news these last few years regarding Greece, Spain and Italy. But now, it’s more than the conceptual understanding from reading the Wall Street Journal. It’s a lived understanding as a human being.

NECINA Career Conference Keynote Speech, "Crossing the Cultural Chasm to Super Charge Your Career"

Judy Shen-Filerman speaks at the NECINA Career Conference on January 31, 2015. As the keynote speaker, she discusses the mentality and cultural competence that it takes to be successful in the US. In doing so, Judy addresses the concepts of Best Self, identity, and humility, all through the cultural lens of Americans, juxtaposed with the …

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Who Has the Time for *$&# Gratitude?

Like all habits, the habit of gratitude takes discipline, practice and patience. It has taken me years to develop into a person who can appreciate the small things in life that gives me joy. My husband will be the first to assure you that my five-alarm fires are still alive and well in my life. For sure they are still there. But with practice, I’ve counterbalanced that natural tendency to worry with a newly developed tendency to appreciate. And as a result, I truly believe I live a happier life, a more effective life and hopefully, a life that extends more positivity to the people with whom I interact in the world.

A Longing for Cultural Belonging

Some twenty years after his death, as I do work in intercultural and leadership coaching, I understand his life through a different lens. I see now that my father yearned to belong at work. He wanted to be more than just a systems specialist. He wanted more than to just clock in and bring home the check. For all the hours he spent at work, he wanted to be part of the community – sharing, talking, engaging – more than the perfunctory, “how was your weekend” pass-by glance. I look back and realize that my father’s work existence must have been quite lonely.

Is Passion Misunderstood?

Over the years as a coach, observing myself and my clients, it’s become clear that passion can be misunderstood. We generally think of passion as overt, provocative, bigger than life. Somehow we believe our passion can consume us if we are not alert. It can lead us to wayward paths. It’s almost irresponsible. Yet I’ve observed passion to be deep, mature and patient.