OP - Optimism -  Currently in my full-job my partner of with whom I worked side by side for 5 years left the company to pursue a job that pertains to her degree in PR.  While we worked on the same account our roles were different.  I am currently now doing my role plus her role and the workload is VERY heavy.  My boss keeps telling me she is working on it to get my help and a new partner but just keep pushing on.  I know that right now is HARD with hiring and fulfilling positions and that there is light at the end of this long dark tunnel and that extra PTO will be in my future once things even out.  I just keep telling my boss that slow and steady wins the race and I will just continue to put one foot in front of the other.
 

DE -Displaying Empathy – My 2yr old daughter currently is in daycare.  The teachers there truly love her and I makes my heart very calm every morning when I drop her off before I go to work.  There is one teacher there that just seems like she has a rough home life.  She is younger and I was once in her shoes.  Having that safe place that brings you JOY is so good for your soul.  Lately she has seemed off so I started chatting more with her and reaching out via FB to make sure everything is ok.  She has since opened up more about her home life and self-esteem and we are working on bringing her more HAPPY to her day to day life without compromising her work or her need to help her parents at home.
 

IO -Inspiring Others – I am a 39 year old, single mom who works full time.   I have a lot of people ask HOW I juggle all the things.  My answer is always balance, to know when I can drop a ball made of plastic that will bounce if I need to push something off one day and know when I shouldn’t drop the ball made of glass, as I don’t want that to shatter and then having to pick up those pieces.  My brother is one in particular he has never finished school to get his degree and since coming back to school to finish mine before I’m 40 he has seen the juggling act.  So it inspired him to sign back up and take a good look at his obligations and we are now on a race to see who will graduate first. J
 

DR - Developing Relationships – I volunteer for an organization called Pink Ribbon Girls, I am passionate about their cause and love sharing what they do for the community and how they have grown and expanded not just in Dayton but ALL of Ohio, St. Louis and San Francisco.  In sharing what I am passionate about helps me develop relationships with donors and also volunteers to help with events.  PRG is a non-profit that once you hear their mission and cause and see what they can do for those fighting the battle it draws people in and then they start sharing more about the organization.
 

 AU -Authenticity – I practice this in my everyday life whether it be work, school, home, friends etc.  When I give you my word or I commit to doing something I will never back out.  I also will not commit myself to doing anything that I find against my values.   This is also seen by my friends, family, bosses, coworkers etc by their asking me to lead on certain tasks as they know I will get the job done and in a timely fashion with hopefully success.

What I have noticed thru this exercise is that I am more Consciousness of Others than I am self or context.  I truly see that in my everyday life as well as I tend to put others needs way before my own, causing sometimes burn out.