Every Wednesday, I share my thoughts on Learning and Professional Development.

I am having a crazy week.  The death of a close friend, a major "situation" at my son’s high school and a heavier than average workload have combined to leave me feeling drained and overwhelmed.  I would love nothing more than to take a day and drive to my favorite haven, Seal Beach, for a day of quiet and reflection.  Unfortunately, that is not going to happen, so I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I need to carve out a little time for serenity, prayer and meditation in the midst of all of the craziness. 

Imagine my feelings of good fortune when I strolled over to one of my favorite blogs, Mike St. Pierre’s The Daily Saint, and found his wonderful post entitled How Simple Will Your Week Be?

Mike’s post and the time I spent pondering his thoughtful questions left me thinking about the wonderful tool that is the Internet.  Through the magic of blogs like Mike’s we can inform, educate and inspire our minds and souls.  We can edify ourselves and reach out to others for strength and support.  We can learn to be a better parent, a more productive person, or even how to nurture ourselves when we need care.  We can learn to speak a foreign language or even just goof off - all freely and easily.  Sure, there are some truly nasty things on the Web, but there is also great stuff just waiting for us to engage and improve ourselves.

For the record, here are my responses to Mike’s queries:

For Reflection

1. Will you be flexible enough this week to be interrupted by someone in need?  I started this week off by attending the funeral of a very good friend on Monday.  At the eleventh hour, I was asked to create a photo collage and video for the family of my friend.  I set aside my normal work time to prioritize this labor of love and was gratified that the efforts I made meant so much to my friend Sheree’s family.
2. Will your work find space for "making a difference"? This week, I am working with one of my clients to update her website at www.allaboutcare.org.  All About Care provides practical, emotional, spiritual, and charitable support to people with terminal illness, especially those with HIV/AIDS.  I am blessed that my work allows me to support an organization with such an important mission.
3. What is one thing that you can do to start the week that will simplify the way you work and live?  The death of my friend Sheree has reminded me to prioritize time spent with my family and friends.  This week, I am committing to spending less time working, and more time playing!

So next time you’re feeling down or overwhelmed, pause for some  much needed silence, say a simple prayer, and consider tuning in to some of your trusted sources for encouragement.   I’d love to hear your recommendations for blogs and sites that consistently uplift the mind and spirit.