Slice of Sunshine: Wooden Knives | Department of Practical Sunshine

Here we are on the threshold of the autumnal equinox, a time where I would normally wax rhapsodic about the fading glory of summer while also reflecting on the gifts of fall.

Instead, I am using this Slice of Sunshine to announce that I have finally (finally!) updated my website. 🥳

It’s still practicalsunshine.co (and yes, it still irks me to no end that someone out there in Internetland has reserved the .com), but it has finally (did I mention finally?) been updated to more accurately reflect what the Department of Practical Sunshine actually does and I’d love it if you would check it out!

But what’s with the title of this Slice of Sunshine newsletter?

Well, I started working on updating my website on…(checks notes)…Wednesday, September 7, 2022, which means that it took me… (quick calculation)…379 days.

Oof.

I often coach people on how to set goals and achieve them in a timely manner, work with them to remove barriers, and provide tools, approaches and accountability.

I never made the time to do the same for myself.

This reminds me of the old saying “The cobbler’s children have no shoes,” the origin of which is believed to be the Spanish expression “The shoemaker’s son always goes barefoot.” But the original Spanish proverb is “En casa del herrero, cuchillo de palo.”

Literal translation: “In the house of the blacksmith, wooden knives.”

For months I have been using wooden knives.

I wrote “update website” on every single monthly goal planner, but never took the time to either right-size the goal or make it SHINY (the department’s version of a SMART goal).

I put “finish re-writing copy” on every single to-do list, forgetting that if I was coaching someone, I would tell them to write down the first three tasks (now, next, later).

I jotted down “request testimonials and select new photos” on my whiteboard but never blocked time to make the requests or find new pictures.

Not to mix idioms, but I was using wooden knives and/or walking around shoeless.

What a terrible combination.

This is a common mistake: many folks regularly employ their skills to benefit others but don’t take the time to use them for their own benefit.

So whether you get your wisdom from from the world of trauma informed care, “Affix your oxygen mask first before helping others,” or the Bible, “Physician, heal thyself,” or the wellness industry, “You can’t pour from an empty cup,” the message is the same.

Serve your needs first, aka make sure you have shoes and use a real knife.

And then maybe, just maybe, you too can [insert long overdue task here].

The Website Has Changed, But The Team Has Not!

For those of you who may be concerned that the site update also means that there has been a change in personnel, fear not!

Roxy is still the Department’s Director of Wellness:

And Astro is still the Chief Happiness Officer:

(other) Smart People

“When you say ‘yes’ to others make sure you are not saying ‘no’ to yourself.” – Paulo Coehlo

Text…

Try it!