• Mary Ann "Skipper"
• 2018
• 0

As I prepare to go back to New Orleans
this week for my ReStart program,
I think about the last time I was home
four months ago in June.

My sisters and I packed up my parents
and many of their belongings and
headed to Charleston, SC to their new home.

I re-learned three lessons
during our moving adventure
that got us through the experience.
They can apply to all aspects of our lives,
whether we’re moving, staying stationary or
revving up for a new project.

1. Listen
   The same letters of the word SILENT
   appear in LISTEN.
   Listen to what is important to the other person.
   Listen to what is not being said.
   Listen to the other’s needs.
2. Laugh
   During stressful times especially,
   laughter eases tension.
   It shifts our perspective.
   It brings joy and playfulness.
   We can create fun
   when we aren’t taking ourselves so seriously.
   My sisters and I had belly laughs
   as we helped my mom try on clothes
   and clean out her closet.
   We even made sorting lipsticks
   at the kitchen table playful.
   (Check out the video.)
3. Let go
   This can be a tough one because
   we like to be in control,
   we like to be right and
   we get attached to things that we think define us
   or no longer serve us.

   In addition to letting go of possessions,
   I learned to let go of expectations and shift.
   The speed at which we moved
   was much slower than I anticipated.
   (The movers were there until 10pm.)

   In addition, everyone’s emotional pace was different.
   Some of us were mentally already there
   while others were focused on the past.
   (Does this sound familiar when you’re
   implementing change in your organization?)

   Despite the challenges,
   there is a freedom that comes with letting go.

My folks have settled into their new home.
And while we are all adjusting,
I am continuing to listen, laugh and let go.