– Jane
· · · Jane’s Thread · · ·
What Fills You Up?
There were so many marvelous and unexpected outcomes from my Wilkes Barre adventure last week that I wanted to share a few with you. Because, like George Carlin said: “Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.” I...
How I Got to 1000 Followers on Instagram
My inner critic is whispering (hah!) in my ear, "Anyone with 2000 or more followers will never read this and wonder why you would even mention such a meager following." So, I just gave her an assignment while I write to you. Way back when, 1000 followers was a...
A 10-Hour Blind Date
Following one lead after another, which I do, I was introduced to Melanie Falick, the author of Making a Life. During a phone conversation in early June, she described a friend of hers who lives near Wilkes Barre, PA, who has the most extensive felted wool...
An Unfavorite Activity Made Easier by Hawmi Guillebeaux
I used to be so afraid of rejection that I'd rather let go of a goal or vision than hear the word, "no". On closer examination, most of my requests have been granted, but asking still doesn't come easily. Consider the acronym for fear, which is at the root of my...
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
My birthday is sacred to me and also happens to be a national holiday – the Fourth of July. I’d planned a trip to California to be with family on The Day. My brother generously invited me to celebrate at a neighborhood restaurant near him. Perfect! I would party...
Self-Promotion Makes Me Want to…
How did you fill in the blank? Sing and dance? Run and hide? My gut response, appropriately, is puke. I didn't want that word choice in the headline, but believed that you'd click to find out more. I'm learning how to write catchy subject lines, so thank you for...
7 Reasons Why You Would Want Jane Pollak on Your Vendor List
When watching the HBO series Succession, I was struck by a pillow that rests opposite Logan, the billionaire patriarch of the family, as he sits on the couch. The sets for the show are opulent, and the detail of a particular textile and the character’s harmony with...
Need to Learn Clubhouse? Meet Tollisha Joseph!
I had the extraordinary privilege of connecting with Tollisha Joseph not once, but twice yesterday. There aren't many Saturdays (the rain helps) where I'm moved to blog, but after an infusion of The Official Glue, Tollisha's alias, I had to share! I'd attended a...
The Magical Art of Networking
Of the over 100 actions I've taken to build my new business this past year, eleven of them revolved around networking. When you see the word networking, does it conjure up name tags, handshakes and fake smiles? I used to think that way, but it has become a favorite...
Did You Know It’s Star Wars Day?
I participate in Caveday.org, an online study group, that starts off each 'cave' with a theme. Today's was a celebration of Star Wars. I drew a blank until the leader said, "It's May 4th, Star Wars Day. 'May the fourth be with you.'" Having seen one of the...
Fluke or Traction?
Do you ever have trouble discerning whether you've just received a lucky break or that all of your hard work is amounting to this stroke of kismet? A friend of mine used the expression, "The harder I work, the luckier I get," which answers that question for me....
Teeny-Tiny Quality of Life Changes
At the end of my shower this morning I was reminded of a small change I made in my routine years ago. I had complained to whomever, "Don't you just hate it when you finish luxuriating in a warm shower, then rip open the curtain, step out, grab a towel and freeze?"...
Old School and Proud of It
Visiting my grandsons in New Jersey last weekend, I was taken aback when Owen, the 7-year old, called something I'd done "so old school." Fortunately, my failing memory can't come up with the exact moment he used the phrase, only that I was temporarily startled,...
Virginia Kraljevic – A Most Abundant Artist
"There's no such thing as competition. There's so much abundance out there," said Virginia Kraljevic as our most ample conversation wound down. Her attitude didn't surprise me. Her drawings reflect someone whose heart is wide open and flourishing. Virginia is my...
Gentle Coaching Circles
As this Year of Everything Different comes up to its first anniversary, I am offering a different coaching program. "No one is looking for a boot camp these days," one of my advisory board members reminded me. "We're all looking for something gentle, supportive and...