No, this post is not about shopping for perfumes. But it is about finding the “essence” of Linda Brodsky (with or without the MD, PC, FACS and FAAP) a/k/a Linda Greenfield. It was a fun exercise which created a new awareness and a new friendship.
You might be thinking, “On what planet has she landed this time?” Let me take a step back, so I can give you some idea of how I am going forward.
Several months ago, a random chance meeting of my partner’s husband with a branding expert (Howard Lim) resulted in me being put in touch with Howard’s wife, Kimber Lim who is known to her large cadre of friends and others as the “shamanista.” She, along with a few other west coast women, is building a community of women entrepreneurs—Transformational Women–who will collaborate and help each other realize their dreams of changing the world. Collaborative, cooperative success is the foundation upon which this vision is built.
On Kimber’s website, her intro video ends with “Today’s the day to know that you matter.” Who wouldn’t be swept along with such enthusiasm, with such a vision? I couldn’t resist, so when I was enjoined to join, I put my toe in the water, and after a little prodding and protesting, decided to take the plunge. I eventually dived in with my usual unbridled passion for this model of collaboration that I think is going to change the way we change the world.
Sound far out? It is. It took me months to get my arms, my head and my heart around it. But then, throughout my life, I have had many suggestions made to me that didn’t originate deep within (like going to Bryn Mawr College, becoming a doctor, going into academic medicine, and even becoming a litigant). But once I let these suggestions into my consciousness, they sat there and became part of my destiny. I think it is happening again.
One of the many benefits from this collaboration is getting to know Barbara Wirth. She is one of the 40 featured Transitional Women—each one an entrepreneur or a potential entrepreneur in her own right. Barbara is getting ready to launch her next career as an artist and creator of travel images, not a far leap from her successful career as an interior designer. (When she launches in a few weeks, I will let you know.)
She also has another talent. She helps people explore to find their “essence”—that one word or phrase that not just describes that person, but distills their most important, essential being. For over 90 minutes we talked without pause, as if we had known each other forever. Her “essence” is “dignitary,” which she carries with her into all the aspects of what she does and who she is. Kimber’s is “pearl.” And almost all of the other women have found theirs, too, with Barbara’s coaching.
Finally, it was my turn. How do I approach life? What is it in me that propels me along in this crazy life of mine?
At first we came upon the phrase “unbridled passion.” I have been criticized (yes, part of the gender stereotyping stuff way back in litigation land) for being too passionate, putting my all into people and things I think are important, people and things about whom I care. I wore it and then shed it after a few days and some feedback from unlikely sources. Then I was trying on “relentless crusader.” Not sure quite yet. “Sometimes it takes time, but you will know it when it comes,” says Barbara. Now it is “impassioned crusader.” Hmmm, I think we have a winner!
Okay, feedback time. For those of you who know me, either personally or through this blog, what say you? I know my “essence” has to sit in my heart and soul comfortably without the need of validation, but what’s wrong with a little give and take?
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One Comment
Hi Linda,
It all sounds very interesting, something that most women would want to try as we tend to want to find our “essence” in life other than being a mother, wife, etc., etc.
I like “impassioned crusader” rather than “relentless crusader.”
Impassioned, I think it fits you Linda. :)
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[...] like talking to an old friend as we shared our stories) and 3 emails letter I accepted my essence—Impassioned Crusader. My acceptance of this inner, core “being,” is the first gift I received from one of the women [...]
[...] to her audience, and to evolving workplace challenges. Her essence (discovered with the help of Barbara Wirth) is “deep perception”, particularly in groups. It’s what led her to [...]