Oh, yikes! I just commented on someone's blog using this login, and realized that this account existed, and our blog looked so lonely. We moved it back in early 2007 to our website, www.TheSassyLadies.com, where it continues to thrive with regular weekly/monthly posts! Never fear, the Sassy Ladies are still here!!
Now, if I can only get the dreams about my childhood beagle coming back to visit me to stop...
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
The following poem came to us on two separate occasions in the same month (Soul at Work Cafe and Nature's Elements Retreat). We just loved it, and had to post it here for you. Enjoy
The Invitation
by Oriah Mountain Dreamer
It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living...
I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.
It doesn’t interest me how old you are...
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon...
I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life’s betrayals, or have become shrivelled and closed from fear of further pain. I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it, or fade it, or fix it. I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own, if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, remember the limitations of being human.
It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me is true...
I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself. If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. If you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy. I want to know if you can see Beauty even when it is not pretty every day. And if you can source your own life from its presence. I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand at the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, “Yes.”
It doesn’t interest meto know where you live or how much money you have...
I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair weary and bruised to the bone and do what needs to be done to feed the children.
It doesn’t interest me who you know or how you came to be here...
I want to know if you will stand in the centre of the fire with me and not shrink back.
It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom you have studied...
I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away. I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.
© Mountaindreaming, from the book The Invitation published by HarperSanFrancisco, 1999 All rights reserved
The Invitation
by Oriah Mountain Dreamer
It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living...
I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.
It doesn’t interest me how old you are...
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon...
I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life’s betrayals, or have become shrivelled and closed from fear of further pain. I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it, or fade it, or fix it. I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own, if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, remember the limitations of being human.
It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me is true...
I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself. If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. If you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy. I want to know if you can see Beauty even when it is not pretty every day. And if you can source your own life from its presence. I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand at the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, “Yes.”
It doesn’t interest meto know where you live or how much money you have...
I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair weary and bruised to the bone and do what needs to be done to feed the children.
It doesn’t interest me who you know or how you came to be here...
I want to know if you will stand in the centre of the fire with me and not shrink back.
It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom you have studied...
I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away. I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.
© Mountaindreaming, from the book The Invitation published by HarperSanFrancisco, 1999 All rights reserved
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Steps to Starting a Business:Business Basics
We had the pleasure of interviewing Susan and Eileen from Direct Associates regarding their business wisdom around partnerships. You will see/hear some of their interview in the eGuide.
Please check out their seminar at CWE in Worcester!
Steps to Starting a Business:Business Basics
Instructor: Susan Feeney and Semina Carew from Direct Associates
www.directassociates.com
October 25th , 2006, 6-8pm
Center for Women & Enterprise
50 Elm Street, 2nd floor
Worcester, MA 01609
Tel: 508-453-9206
Fax: 508-363-2323
For those just starting out or thinking about owning a business, this workshop discusses commitment, risks and rewards, advantages and disadvantages of entrepreneurship. Also covered are trends, marketing, research, operational issues, advisors, and much more. You will leave this session with an A to Z overview, tools and tips to get started. One 2-hour class, $35, with scholarships available.
Please check out their seminar at CWE in Worcester!
Steps to Starting a Business:Business Basics
Instructor: Susan Feeney and Semina Carew from Direct Associates
www.directassociates.com
October 25th , 2006, 6-8pm
Center for Women & Enterprise
50 Elm Street, 2nd floor
Worcester, MA 01609
Tel: 508-453-9206
Fax: 508-363-2323
For those just starting out or thinking about owning a business, this workshop discusses commitment, risks and rewards, advantages and disadvantages of entrepreneurship. Also covered are trends, marketing, research, operational issues, advisors, and much more. You will leave this session with an A to Z overview, tools and tips to get started. One 2-hour class, $35, with scholarships available.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Work and Play Don't Mix...Right?
"Mommy, how come work and play don't mix?"
The deep question came from my 4-year-old, Jessie Kate, as we drove home from our weekend in New Hampshire. She was listening to a CD of Disney Songs, including "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf". She was carefully considering the advice the 3rd little pig was imparting to his recklessly playful brothers.
My response? "Uh...."
I quickly pondered the words of this hard working little pig, builder of the brick house, the one who saved his brothers' lives from the evil clutches of the Big Bad Wolf. But, play = fun, and if you can't have fun in your work, why do it? Because it always pays off in the end? I've seen too many examples to the contrary. No, life is too damned short to not enjoy your work. You've got to live each day to the fullest! Yes! Work and play DO mix!
"Um, well, Jess... I don't agree. I think you HAVE to mix work and play. That little pig was wrong." I paused, to see if it registered with her before continuing on.
"Oh, okay Mommy. Hey! Look at the scarecrow!"
So, how do YOU mix work and play? The best examples will be showcased in our upcoming email newsletter.
The deep question came from my 4-year-old, Jessie Kate, as we drove home from our weekend in New Hampshire. She was listening to a CD of Disney Songs, including "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf". She was carefully considering the advice the 3rd little pig was imparting to his recklessly playful brothers.
My response? "Uh...."
I quickly pondered the words of this hard working little pig, builder of the brick house, the one who saved his brothers' lives from the evil clutches of the Big Bad Wolf. But, play = fun, and if you can't have fun in your work, why do it? Because it always pays off in the end? I've seen too many examples to the contrary. No, life is too damned short to not enjoy your work. You've got to live each day to the fullest! Yes! Work and play DO mix!
"Um, well, Jess... I don't agree. I think you HAVE to mix work and play. That little pig was wrong." I paused, to see if it registered with her before continuing on.
"Oh, okay Mommy. Hey! Look at the scarecrow!"
So, how do YOU mix work and play? The best examples will be showcased in our upcoming email newsletter.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Yes. No. Maybe. Turning Down Work.
Sassy Miriam writes: "I am about to turn down ANOTHER project, this one a long-time client. I want to say “yes” but I know if I do I will be thoroughly overwhelmed and unbalanced and unhappy. I will, of course, refer another writer, but it feels awful to say “no.” I can barely bring myself to type it. No. (Eewww). No. (Ack!) No. (Sigh.)
The Spock in me says this: You’re turning down this work because you have so much other work. And the work you’re doing is as satisfying (if not more so) and as lucrative as what you’re losing. And by saying “no” you’re giving another writer work that he or she may really need. And it’s time for change: I’m getting new experiences and my (former) client will get a writer with a fresh perspective.
The human in me responds: You’re crazy to pass up work. What if you’re looking for work next year but they don’t need you because they have a new writer (who you recommended)?
I hate arguing. Especially with myself.
Here’s to such a good problem to have ..."
Question of the day: Have you ever said "NO!" to client work before? Post your response below.
The Spock in me says this: You’re turning down this work because you have so much other work. And the work you’re doing is as satisfying (if not more so) and as lucrative as what you’re losing. And by saying “no” you’re giving another writer work that he or she may really need. And it’s time for change: I’m getting new experiences and my (former) client will get a writer with a fresh perspective.
The human in me responds: You’re crazy to pass up work. What if you’re looking for work next year but they don’t need you because they have a new writer (who you recommended)?
I hate arguing. Especially with myself.
Here’s to such a good problem to have ..."
Question of the day: Have you ever said "NO!" to client work before? Post your response below.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Roundtable with RI Congressman Jim Langevin
Last Friday, we were again honored to be among a select group of female entrepreneurs invited to a roundtable discussion with our state representatives. Shown here: many fellow Center for Women & Enterprise business owners, First row: Michelle (2nd from left), RI Congressman Jim Langevin, State Senator Elizabeth Roberts, Second Row: State Representataive Grace Diaz (3rd from left), Wendy, CWE Director Carol Malysz.
Topics discussed were healthcare for solopreneurs and small business owners, continued funding for WBE programs, the decline in funding for women-owned businesses. We appreciated the time that these busy politicians were able to spend with us, and look forward to their support on Washington and on Smith Hill.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Wendy's letter to Congressman Kennedy
On Monday, Wendy and I had the opportunity to participate in a working lunch with RI Congressman Patrick Kennedy, at an event hosted by the RI Small Business Development Center. The following entry is a letter reiterating the excellent point that Wendy made during the lunch: not all small businesses need venture funding, or acheive sales over $1 million; but we are an important part of our community, not to be forgotten by our legislators!
August 28, 2006
Dear Mr. Kennedy:
It was a pleasure to be at the Johnson & Wales/SBDC working lunch and I enjoyed hearing your comments. As I explained in my remarks, I came to Rhode Island five years ago from Massachusetts and I am an Executive Coach. The real estate prices and the airport originally brought us to Rhode Island as we travel around the country for our work. Fifty percent of our work is with Google and we coach executives and teams all over the United States.
John Cronin talked about having an Economic Summit with an outcome of developing some legislation to help all the organizations within Rhode Island work closer together for the sake of small business. I have been a volunteer counselor for SCORE and have continued to volunteer with the Center for Women and Enterprise since I came to Rhode Island. I have met many start up businesses and also had the opportunity through the Center for Women and Enterprise to initiate their GROW Program which is a program for women in business 3 years or more. As you know it’s a different set of challenges after 3 years, but still challenging.
My company, co-founded by my husband and I back in 1998, is a great example of a Rhode Island business. Our target market is corporate clients. We have had a long standing relationship with AiPSO, an insurance company in Rhode Island and would love to be able to do more business within Rhode Island and not always look outside Rhode Island’s borders for clients.
From my perspective as a business owner, I don’t need funding opportunities as much as I need business opportunities. There are many service/consultant businesses all around Rhode Island with revenues less than one million. We’re not building retail stores – we deal in education, training coaching whether in IT, Business, Marketing, Web Design etc. We all just need more business, networks and a clear vision of where we can go and request assistance.
So—legislation to clear up the confusion would be great. The SBDC and its’ fabulous team led by John is a great organization to be a focal point. Rhode Island is like the Cheers Pub---everybody knows your name. But---if you are a new kid on the block—you won’t know where the door is.
Thank you very much for your assistance on this matter.
Sincerely,
Wendy Hanson
President
Corley Hanson Associates
August 28, 2006
Dear Mr. Kennedy:
It was a pleasure to be at the Johnson & Wales/SBDC working lunch and I enjoyed hearing your comments. As I explained in my remarks, I came to Rhode Island five years ago from Massachusetts and I am an Executive Coach. The real estate prices and the airport originally brought us to Rhode Island as we travel around the country for our work. Fifty percent of our work is with Google and we coach executives and teams all over the United States.
John Cronin talked about having an Economic Summit with an outcome of developing some legislation to help all the organizations within Rhode Island work closer together for the sake of small business. I have been a volunteer counselor for SCORE and have continued to volunteer with the Center for Women and Enterprise since I came to Rhode Island. I have met many start up businesses and also had the opportunity through the Center for Women and Enterprise to initiate their GROW Program which is a program for women in business 3 years or more. As you know it’s a different set of challenges after 3 years, but still challenging.
My company, co-founded by my husband and I back in 1998, is a great example of a Rhode Island business. Our target market is corporate clients. We have had a long standing relationship with AiPSO, an insurance company in Rhode Island and would love to be able to do more business within Rhode Island and not always look outside Rhode Island’s borders for clients.
From my perspective as a business owner, I don’t need funding opportunities as much as I need business opportunities. There are many service/consultant businesses all around Rhode Island with revenues less than one million. We’re not building retail stores – we deal in education, training coaching whether in IT, Business, Marketing, Web Design etc. We all just need more business, networks and a clear vision of where we can go and request assistance.
So—legislation to clear up the confusion would be great. The SBDC and its’ fabulous team led by John is a great organization to be a focal point. Rhode Island is like the Cheers Pub---everybody knows your name. But---if you are a new kid on the block—you won’t know where the door is.
Thank you very much for your assistance on this matter.
Sincerely,
Wendy Hanson
President
Corley Hanson Associates
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