After a fairly busy couple of weeks at the inn (relative to the season, of course), this innkeeper pokes around the inn with the staff to prepare for a promising year ahead. This is not unlike the work most innkeepers have on their own plates. Balancing the need to re-connect with friends, taking time for ourselves, and getting the loose ends tied up are "what's going on" for many of us.
This time is all about planning and preparation. It is a time to consider "intention" in our work.
While in Hotel School, my college experience was greatly enhanced by my participation in the UNH Wind Ensemble. I studied clarinet for many years and knew that, even though a non-Music major, I'd make the prestigious group/band. Once while rehearsing a work, the director, Stanley Hettinger, asked us all "It says here in the music "risoluto." What does that mean?"
Blank looks from majors and non-majors alike.
"Is it a type of pasta???!!!" Professor Hettinger smiled, disheartened at the lack of response.
His answer, the musical mystery, and approaching Life can be partially answered by knowing that "resolve," "steadfast determination, " and "risoluto" (not on Italian menus after all!) are synonyms. This can come from within each of us. It is a flagpole in cement---it does not move with the changing weather in our Life. How often do our ideas and "dreams" flail around like the flag at the top of that pole. We wave it for attention and proclamation and support. We need to pour the cement at the ground level first, however. Anything can be made "possible" with that work decided!! And...you will revel at the way everything falls into place so easily.
If you want to learn do anything well, you need to show resolve. This starts with "failure is not an option." Also said, this means adjusting our own impact of our power from an "I can" perspective to an "I will/when it happens" perspective.
You need to find an answer to some problem? Begin by STOP spinning it spiraling down with negative thoughts! You want to make the best apple pie you can? Do it! Do it and each time the road will reveal another lesson to your POSITIVE gain. You make the decision. Forget about what the rest of the world thinks, or thought, about your abilities! Every day we start forward, or backward, or stuck--your decision will be the compass.
If you don't want to learn how to tile a bathroom, farm it out. Someone else is looking with passion to learn. Focus on your own path.
"This will be the best year for Inn at Long Lake. We will continue our friendly, adept service. We will delight our guests with even more yummy afternoon treats, our breakfasts will be as by-scratch as possible. The inn will continue to charm its guests with its period character and cleanliness." This is my resolute belief. From there I direct, as innkeeper, the work to prepare for this!
Today we can all discern between the "goals" and the "distractions" in our Lives and make the right decision to follow suit. Besides...who wouldn't enjoy the "best apple pie in town?" *grin*
From beautiful Spring-like Western Maine,
Your Maine Innkeeper,
Keith A. Neubert
(vanity pic above--courtesy JB Sabin)
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