Amy Freeman's Blog

You know how dedicated I am to educating the next generation! What an opportunity to speak and bring visibility to this issue with NBC Boston . 

I am honored to represent WEPAN on NBC Boston, Wednesday, Oct. 11 on Education Nation with one of 6 panels presented. Our topic is, "Sustaining STEM: Next Generation." Stream it live from 6-8 p.m. at http://EducationNation.com . 

I am honored to be the 2017-18 President of WEPAN, the Women in Engineering ProActive Network. I know I follow a brilliant group of Past Presidents who have gone before me. Incredible high heels to fill. Many thanks to Dr. Mary Juhas and Dr. Teri Reed who have mentored me this past year. I look forward to good things. #WEPANForum2017

What we believe dictates the direction of our lives. Our beliefs about work and success determine the choices we make. Just as with other areas of our lives, some of the things we are told to believe about success are not always true. Indeed, some philosophies have grown into wildly popular and distorted, closely held myths. Common myths about professional success are:“Thanks to multitasking, more always gets done in less time.”“Life changes can be made when everything else gets done.”“People who manage their jobs well don’t experience high levels of stress.”
When these and other myths about success are released from the mind, there is room to create positive personal definitions for success. Examples might include:I deserve rest and peace in my life.I work best when I am under less ongoing stress.Maintaining outside interests make me more positive and productive at work. Identify, embrace and follow your own positive personal truths.  Actions that follow will often result in the discovery of unique solutions that are specifically designed for you.

(This is Installment #4 from THE REST STOP. ) 
http://www.amyfreeman.net/the-rest-stop---stress-less/4-let-go-of-the-myths

It's REST STOP Friday!
​Join us at The Rest Stop for 2017 as we review ten ways to Stress Less. This week's topic is REST.

Every living thing on the face of the earth rests and recognizes that rest is an integral healthy part of the cycle of life. Trees hibernate in the winter for a reason. It enables them to store energy to produce the next season of fruit. Only people think they don’t need rest.

SEE THE VIDEO and Read More at THE REST STOP.
http://www.amyfreeman.net/the-rest-stop---stress-less/3-rest

Join us at The Rest Stop for 2017 as we review ten ways to Stress Less. Click HERE and Subscribe to THE REST STOP blog by January 1, 2017 and get a copy of my book as a Free Gift. Invite a friend and feel free to comment and share.

While this is not yet my backyard view, it is important to remember to find beauty in every day, where ever you are. A flower, a snowflake, a smile, a color you never noticed before, all of these are reminders of the infinite number of positive possibilities there are in Life. Every day brings something new if we choose to see it.  

Today I choose not to embrace negative energy. While yesterday did not go my way, I cannot lay down and die. There's still so much work to be done. Yesterday taught me that all of us have a hand in shaping the future, and it is still possible for the most unlikely things to happen. So- I'm going to work, and I just put on my good pearls. I decided that it's going to be a good day.

But when I look back, way down the road,
I can see the next generation,
and they are strong,
because their backs are not broken,
because we built them a sidewalk,
with the hand rail,
and wide paved roads,
with accurate maps and GPS,...

​and they know where they are going,
 
because we built them a park
where they had time
to play, and think, and strategize.
 
When I try to give them my tools,
my shovel, my ax and knee pads
to complete the journey
 
to the top of the mountain,
 
they look at me, and say
ever so casually,
- oh, didn’t you know,
we’re building an elevator with,  like,
a penthouse view,
from there we can fly
to mountaintops
all over the world-
and teach others
to do the same...
 
But- your tools would be,
like, so awesome
for the museum.
 
It is in those moments that I understand
the depth and full purpose of our work,
and the power of education, 
persistence, love, and generosity,
to create the most

pleasant and surprising outcomes.

As it turns out, Everyday is more often than I think.
It is ongoing, to do something Everyday,
every 24 hours, every time you look up,
every time you awake, if you live...

There is no end to Everyday.
I thought I was doing something Everyday
but when I looked closer,
it became clear that it wasn't Every Day at all.
Here a cycle, there a few rotations,
and sometimes nothing,
for a long time.
 
But when it was consistent, even for a little while,
Everyday had the power
to install an image so permanently and powerfully
that at times I thought I was doing something when indeed,
I was not.
 
Habit is an interesting thing.
If it is truly a part of you,
you don't know you're doing it.
Like waking up. Eyes open.
Wearing shoes. To Work.
Breathing.
 
If Rest is Everyday,
it is so much a part of you
that when you close your eyes,
you can still feel it
even when you're not there.
And you miss it.
And you vow to put it back where it belongs.
Even if just for a moment.
 
Every Day.

©2016 A.L. Freeman

Left is the House Minority Secretary for the State of North Carolina, Bobbie Richardson.
I had the opportunity to speak at the NCSL Symposium for Women Legislative Leaders in Santa Fe, NM. While that was enjoyable for me, I was also fortunate enough to get to hang around afterwards and listen to them discuss issues within each of their States. As a voter, I had no idea how much work it takes just to get a critical issue to the ballot box, or to allocate funding for basic resources that the people in each state need. These women work hard under very stressful conditions, yet are masterful at negotiating with others who don't always see it their way. In fact, that's the job. And when it's done well, Good Politics bring great results to our communities. Out of about 7000 state legislators, only about 300 are women. We need more. To all our legislators and policy makers out making a difference, THANK YOU!