"Looking-good - feeling good"

{first written Thursday, January 10, 2008}

Someone at work, with whom i collaborate on cross-organization efforts, called and invited me to join her weekly lunchtime discussion group. In a previous life, she owned her own motivational consulting company. I am happy to take up her offer. I went earlier this week.

This group is limited to about 10 people (there were 8 including me this week). They've already been meeting for months. I don't know these people because they work in a different office than mine, in a different building. It's nice to get out of the office and meet new people. They are all very nice, and represent a very diverse mix of age, gender, and background. I will try to join them for 2008.

My friend had her facilitator hat on. Since I was new, and it was their first meeting of the New Year, we went around the room and described some accomplishments from 2007. I'm in a happy and optimistic frame of mind, and had no problem to open up. Having my recent blogs at the front of my consciousness, I chatted about ideas from these. I was pleasantly surprised. I had people smiling and laughing, and could have gone on, but didn't want to dominate... My friend called me later to thank me for my energy and contribution. (Was she just saying that to be nice, or did people really give her positive feedback about me, or both?) In future meetings, as they have already been doing so far, they will talk more about goals: how to work towards them, how not to sabotage yourself, and how we might provide encouragement. Sounds like fun!

Not related to this week's meeting - but I guess for past & future meetings - my friend emailed me the following links which I share with you:

http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/body.htm

http://www.dietitian.com/ibw/ibw.html

http://www.peterrussell.com/Odds/RealAge.php

http://www.carbs-information.com/glycemic-index.htm

These are interesting links intended for you to consider your health condition. Try the virtual age test, which is interesting food for thought. (hmmm... now what can i do to live to 100??)

I am lucky. I am healthy. Albert greets me at the train in the morning (see previous Wash Post blog). Then I work with so many nice people. In my office alone, throughout the day, you can hear laughter nearby and faraway. It sets the tone. It is an enjoyable, smiling environment, albeit not well funded and run on a shoestring. Practical jokes are the norm (I'm a recipient and not a doer... but I'm mulling one over for April 1...).

(Blog title comes from friend's email Subject line.)