Carolyn-ism

“Carolyn-ism”, What’s that?

I’ve always had little phrases (isms) I use to express myself.  My Mother often told me, as a 3 year old child I would say, “I broke it, I fix it.” 

For years people have told me, “Carolyn, you need to write this stuff down, they’re  really insightful!”  And over the years although I have given some thought to writing the isms down, I really never gave much credence to the idea until Joanna gave me her list of  Carolyn-isms.

Let me tell you about Joanna:

Joanna was, or should I say is, a rare jewel. As a recent college graduate Joanna joined the office team for a year between college and law school.  What a year!  One of the first projects Joanna and I  worked on was a very complex escrow closing with 23 title requirements.  For those of you who may not understand, a standard closing takes about 30 days and has maybe 4 to 6  title requirements.  Those being: pay current property taxes, pay current HOA dues, record the new deed and record the new deed of trust/mortgage.

When Joanna started on this title commitment she walked into my office, and said, “Carolyn, We have a problem!”  My response, “No, Joanna we have a learning opportunity!” (Joanna’s first introduction to Carolyn-ism)

You see, my dad told me years ago, “Given enough time and money we can fix anything.” (oh there’s another ism and another story).

Let me digress just a little further for you see on the day Joanna gave me her list of  Carolyn-isms I was devouring a book.   Now maybe it’s a coincidence but the name of the book is  START, it is written by Jon Acuff. It is a “don’t put me down book”. 

I love my husband Ken by the way; however, he will tell you that everyone is in trouble when I begin reading a good book.  I am worthless until I finish reading the book and START is no exception. 

The cover compels you to read.  In big bold print it says, “Punch fear in the face/Escape Average/Do Work that Matters.”  Then simply in even bigger bold red letters it says START.  (Google it, I dare you!)

Just to add to the book’s intrigue the inside front cover reads,  “One day you wake up and ask yourself, How did I get here?  You wonder if there’s a way to be more awesome, more often.  A way to punch fear in the face, escape average, and do work that matters.” 

I am real sucker for a good “hook and pitch”. Those three sentences simply set me up to dive into another wonderful read.

Jon Acuffs book is brilliant and he hit it right on. We spend our lives learning, editing, mastering, harvesting and finally when we’re ready to retire we guide.  But how do we guide sooner?   If I could, how would I take the risk? 

But I kept thinking, “What am I awesome at?  There has got to be something, after all Jon Acuff said we’ve all got something.” 

Then came the day Joanna gave me her list of Carolyn-isms, and it hit me, I knew what I would do.  I will tell the story of all those little isms.  The ones I have learned from my  Mom, Dad, and life.  The ones people I know talk about, the little phrases I use all the time. They really are Carolyn-isms. 

Well, back to Joanna, and her first ism, “learning opportunity”.

Joanna and I looked at the 23 requirements and they were daunting.  We stopped and addressed each individual requirement.  I encouraged Joanna to dissect the whole and consider each and every component independently.  Do not look a the whole, simply look at the parts. Deal with each condition.

One phone call, one fax, one email, one overnight package, one step at a time.  By utilizing a step by step process, albeit a year later, we closed escrow, and we both gained a new understanding for clearing clouds on title and enjoyed new “learning opportunities”.

I often think we become so overwhelmed by the complexity of a project (whatever the project is) that we fail to see the items we can take care of.  The things we can do today.

So, I would encourage you to look at your day.  What is today’s “learning opportunity”?

Yes, I agree today is a part of a week, a month, a year, this decade and a lifetime.  However it is one day, work on this day.  Ask yourself, “What’s today’s “learning opportunity”. What can I complete today, this week, this month, this year?  And by completing it, where will I be tomorrow, next week, next month, next year?  How many  “learning opportunities” can I add to my life?”

Again,  Joanna is a special part of my life as are all the “learning opportunities” we shared together.  Just read the words on her good bye/thank you card, “ I truly have enjoyed all of the “wonderful learning opportunities”.  I haven’t just learned escrow, but I learned what it means to be an adult and on your own with others.”

Honestly, I was and still am unaware of  how many  isms I use, but everyone around me assures me they will help me make a list because there are many.  All I can say is,  “Thanks, Joanna!”  Thanks for giving me insight into Carolyn-isms.  I am not real sure where they will end, I simply know now from where they START.

Be sure to check out Jon Acuff: http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike

“He’s good, he’s really good!”  (Another Carolyn-ism)