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Just Say No

Just say no. Those words are a quick trip down memory lane for some of you. However, you may need an explanation if you are a generation older or younger than me.

I am a part of Generation X, also known as the Just Say No Generation. Our elementary school experience was filled with posters, lectures, and assemblies promoting the “Just Say No” campaign. The core message of this movement was exactly what it sounds like. If someone offers you a cigarette, just say no! As you get older, if someone offers you alcohol, just say no! And my goodness, should an offer for marijuana ever come your way, just say no!

peronal growthMolly GrishamJuly 18, 2024personal growthComment

I Did this to Myself

This was unplanned, a total surprise, yet here I am with no choice but to be in this moment.

It had been weeks of coming and going. I would hit the road for two or three days and then be home for one day, only to turn around and repeat this pattern. I managed the busyness well by staying one step ahead of the chaos. The most challenging thing in this season was trying to eat well. It’s hard to keep produce fresh when I am traveling so much.

I had just returned after being away for two days, and there wasn’t much in my refrigerator.

peronal growth, leadership developmentMolly GrishamNovember 12, 2023personal growth

There Was a Hair in My Eye

The day began like most non-travel days. I made some tea, grabbed a protein bar and vitamins, and sat down in my favorite recliner. I selected some calming music to play in the background and started checking email on my laptop.

While working, I noticed that I kept rubbing my left eye; it felt irritated. I took a break from my work, walked into the bathroom, stood in front of the mirror, and examined my eye. I expected it to be red, but it wasn’t. I looked for a wild out-of-place eyelash that might be brushing my eye, but I didn’t see anything. I returned to my recliner but couldn’t stop rubbing my eye. A few minutes later, I walked back to the mirror, and again, nothing.

peronal growthMolly GrishamJune 23, 2023personal growth

She said she is an Influencer

An old pier in Redington, Florida, used to extend nearly 60 yards into the ocean. After storm damage and a lack of maintenance, it finally turned into a public safety hazard. As a result, a few years ago, most of the structure was removed. What remains is about 30 yards long, and it stretches from the parking lot onto the beach, but it only comes close to reaching the edge of the water. On top are some picnic tables and a nice view. Below is a space where people can sit in the shade or hang hammocks.

On this day, as I made my way to the shore, I walked past the pier and tried not to laugh out loud. Below was a 20-something young woman dressed in a way that would have gotten her arrested for indecent exposure in most public places! Not much more than a spool of thread was needed for her outfit.

leadership development, peronal growthMolly GrishamApril 4, 2023leadership, personal growth

I Was Wrong

A few months ago, a famous author with several hundred thousand followers posted something on social media that felt dangerous. His words seemed shortsighted, potentially harmful to people struggling with mental health, and lacked sensitivity and compassion.

I rarely comment on social posts. A stranger’s opinion does not have much leverage, but I draw a line regarding mental health. I understand that a thoughtless post by a well-respected celebrity with a platform may be triggering to someone in pain.

leadership development, peronal growthMolly GrishamJanuary 7, 2023personal growthComment

Stranger Things

The year is unclear, but I know it was very early in my coaching career. In fact, it was likely 15 to 20 years ago when I boarded that plane. It was long before airline travel had become a regular part of my life and certainly prior to any frequent flyer status that ensures a decent seat on most of my flights.

On this day, I found myself walking toward the back of the plane with a paper ticket in my hand. I took a deep breath as I discovered I was in the last row.

peronal growthMolly GrishamDecember 25, 2022personal growthComment

The War Within

Over the weekend, I found myself mindlessly scrolling through the television channels. I paused and smiled when I realized a 2004 comedy-drama, The Terminal, was playing. As an avid traveler, I have found much joy in this film.

The Terminal features Tom Hanks, who plays the role of an international traveler named Viktor Navorski from the fictional country of Krakozhia. While in transit, a war began in Krakozhia, and a military regime overtook the government.

peronal growthMolly GrishamNovember 28, 2022personal growthComment

I Don’t Believe in Failure

I walked outside, reached into the mailbox, and pulled out a fancy envelope. It was made of thick brown paper, sealed in wax, with my name and address written in calligraphy. I was intrigued. By the look of things, I was going to be a special guest at an invitation-only event.

I carefully opened the envelope and felt disappointed to realize this was an invitation to attend a preschool graduation ceremony followed by a catered, themed after-party.

All this just for surviving preschool?

Graduations, celebrations, and parties for every basic life milestone are just not my thing. However, at the other end of the spectrum, we find the opposite mindset.

peronal growthMolly GrishamOctober 3, 2022personal growthComment

Presence and Proximity

This is a painful story to write.

Over the last couple of years, I have put pen to paper at least half a dozen times trying to bring this story to life. With each attempt, I realized the timing wasn’t right.

I believe that some things are not meant to be shared. There are experiences in my own life that were meant just for me, and me alone. I hold tightly to those moments.

Additionally, there are experiences with individuals and teams behind closed doors that are simply not my story to tell. I recognize in these moments that the main character gets to decide how, when, or if they will publicly share their story.

leadership development, peronal growthMolly GrishamSeptember 18, 2022personal growth, leadershipComment

Absolute Understanding

I was standing in line waiting to board my flight when I first noticed him. He was wearing a sweatshirt and jeans, a USA hat, and holding a long white cane. He was a few feet away from me in the area where the pre-board passengers had gathered.

Another woman soon joined him. She asked why he had been traveling. He shared that he had been on the east coast trying out for the USA Hockey Team.

Her jaw dropped.

Culture, peronal growthMolly GrishamAugust 22, 2022personal growth, CultureComment

Heroes and Helpers

A few months ago, I was on Zoom wrapping up a Group Coaching series I had been co-hosting. Over the course of a few weeks, I witnessed the participants grow in ways I had not anticipated. Each Tuesday night I looked forward to hearing insights and reflections of growth from the group.

On this night, we were closing with affirmations. Some people might call this a mirroring exercise – a process of reflecting back to others on how they show up in the world. In a protected space with boundaries and trust in place, mirroring can be a powerful tool for personal growth. The insights are often honest, unfiltered, and life-giving.

peronal growthMolly GrishamJuly 12, 2022personal growthComment

Coast, Climb, & Rest

Last week on a beautiful summer day, I found myself enjoying a long walk. In this particular location, the footpaths and bike paths sometimes run parallel to each other, and in other places they crisscross in a weaving pattern. While walking, I noticed a young girl riding a bike, she was maybe five years old. We were in a section of the park where our paths were intersecting, so I saw her several times.

As I watched her ride – with her dad jogging alongside and cheering her on – I realized this was a good mental picture of how my life has felt over the last two years.

peronal growthMolly GrishamJune 12, 2022personal growthComment

Maximizing Your Personal Growth Experiences

Earlier this week while recording a podcast and I was asked, “Why do you believe people need to do personal growth in a group? Don’t most people do that alone?”
I love this question. I am a big believer that personal growth in the context of a community is a transformative experience. Working on ourselves while others are present creates two critical opportunities.

peronal growthMolly GrishamMay 14, 2022Comment

The Worst-Case Scenario

A little more than five years ago it was publicly shared that I was leaving a career in college athletics and starting my own business. This decision came as a surprise to most people in my life and the responses from well-meaning friends were very telling. Within 10 minutes of the press release being posted, I received a text from a friend that said, “I heard the news … but what if you end up homeless?”

leadership development, peronal growthMolly GrishamApril 16, 2022

Good Grief

These were not the words I planned to write. This was not the blog I was going to post. This was not the story I intended to tell. But I believe that writing is often a process of co-creating. We must be present and at the same time let something else flow through us. When we put pen to paper, we may be surprised at what comes out.

peronal growthMolly GrishamApril 2, 2022personal growthComment

Letting the Sediment Settle

When it comes to television, there is nothing that has the potential to steal my time faster than a good reality documentary series. I am fascinated by the ways that others experience life and navigate the world. I love when a series allows me to get to know people and spend a little time walking in their shoes.

peronal growthMolly GrishamFebruary 7, 2022personal growthComment

Shake the Dust

You may not know this about me; I love spoken poetry. Anyone who has perfected this craft is a musician without a melody, but a musician, nonetheless. The desire to tell a story with words, the cadence and rhythm, the natural crescendos and decrescendos, and the moments of silent pause all mimic a musical composition. Listening to a good spoken poet is like melting into an old familiar song.

peronal growthMolly GrishamDecember 28, 2021personal growthComment

Grief, Marco Polo, and Helicopters

It had been a really good day. I spent most of my time in the sun while sitting on the balcony of the condo I had rented in Florida. My view for the day consisted of the ocean, the beach, the sun, and my laptop. The day had been productive, and it was now coming to a close, but deep down I was feeling conflicted.

peronal growthMolly GrishamNovember 30, 2021personal growthComment