I've Relocated!

For those who frequent this site, I have just launched a new website that includes my blog. Please find me at

www.sheribertolini.com

I look forward to seeing you there!

Sheri

Turning 50

This past week was a blast. I was so excited to turn 50. Probably because I'm the happiest I've been in a very long time. I'm healthy, content, living in an empty nest having my husband all to myself for the first time since we married... all good.

My siblings and parents came out for a long weekend visit to help me celebrate my birthday and we played hard. It was great. My husband managed to put together a great party with friends from various circles of my life here in Nashville. The weekend ended with a chill in the air, fire in the fireplace, football on the t.v. and the two of us, each on our own couch, napping. Perfect.

Sure, there are some downsides to getting older. Things wear out, shift, stretch, or don't stretch as well as they used to... but all in all, I love where I am. I finally feel I know things, and have something to offer. It was true all along, but I'm coming into a new stage of confidence and am thoroughly enjoying life and all its adventures.

Speaking of adventures.... I am in the process of launching a new and improved website which will include my blog. So my blog address will be changing soon, but I'll keep you posted so you can find me. New look, improved focus and new products coming your way! I'm very excited about the weeks ahead.

Thank you for joining me.

(c) 2011 Sheri Smith Bertolini

Rebel-ebrate!

Not the bad kind, the good kind! Yes, there is a good kind of rebellion.

I was reminded of it at lunch yesterday when my friend, Kim, announced her closet is a mess and she isn't going to do anything about it. When asked why she explained.

"For 20 years, I had a voice hammering me to clean it up, clean it up, clean it up," said Kim, shaking her head. Apparently a former relationship had some demanding expectations of Kim's performance. And now that the "influence" was no longer part of her life, she was enjoying the fact that if her closet was messy she wasn't being punished or hounded any longer.

The closet wasn't the focus. The relief from having it lorded over her was the focus. So Kim was enjoying a little Rebel-ebration! She wasn't going to organize her closet because she no longer HAD to! She knows she will do it gladly when she's ready and it will get done.

Check your list of "shoulds" and "have to's." Maybe you need to offer yourself a little Rebel-ebration today to bring some needed relief from demanding expectations. Everybody needs a break now and then. Even from organizing closets!


(c) 2011 Sheri Smith Bertolini

Organizing or Analyzing?

If you've followed this blog with any consistency, you've probably noticed that 90% of the time I address heart issues rather than how to line up cans of soup in your pantry.

I have nothing against pantries or soup. Or lining up--I love it when things that are lined up!

My focus has shifted. I am far more interested in how you feel and think, and what you believe about yourself and your world. If I know what you think, and feel, and believe, I can help you understand why you line up your soup cans--or not. When you know why, everything else becomes more clear.

I'm getting ready to completely revamp my website. My current site non longer depicts "who I am now." The information I offer to you there needs to be a more accurate reflection of my heart to teach as well as help you organize.

So look for my upcoming new website that will include my blog, and house all kinds of great information to help you better understand who you are now, and where you're headed. Then you can organize accordingly in your very own style. Your heart, revealed through your home. How cool is that?


(c) 2011 Sheri Smith Bertolini

Time Management and Sneaky Stress

My first Dale Carnegie class was last night, covering the topic of Time Management. I've been to time management workshops before and we talked about tools and principles I've heard before, but they were good reminders. The activities were very engaging and encouraging.

Then...

At the end of the class, we talked about how stress is related to time management. I found myself writing a question on the back of my worksheets. "Do I assign stress to events, dates, and relationships?"

The question itself surprised me. I realized that even as I looked at the calendar for this week, an auto-pilot setting in my brain set off a warning signal like a monotone robotic voice saying, "Thursday and Friday will be stressful. Thursday and Friday will be stressful." And I agreed.

BINGO! I found the culprit.... I AGREED. How do I know that two days in my future will be stressful? And why in the world would I intentionally set myself up for misery--literally planning to be stressed?

I think our experiences teach us that some circumstances are uncomfortable. We've learned that we "typically" don't respond well to tight scheduling, or certain activities... even encounters with specific individuals. These are all perfectly normal responses and it's good to be aware.

However, we do ourselves grave disservice by planning to be stressed! How silly to agree with the robot voice and commit ourselves, even position ourselves, to respond with angst, discomfort, and "I can't wait until that day is over."

So this week, I'm going to act in the opposite spirit. I'm going to face Thursday and Friday with curiosity and an attitude of treasure hunting. I will prepare myself with good rest, good food, plan ahead for what I can, and see what interesting surprises may be tucked away in the folds of those two days.

Stress? Ha! I laugh at stress. Go away and don't bother me...


(c) 2011 Sheri Smith Bertolini