I'm An Arizona Wildcat...And Proud!

On Saturday, January 8, 2011 the city that gave so much to me became the focus across the world. Tucson, a great city with great people was suddenly being referenced in ways such as, The Terror in Tucson (thanks MSNBC). Tucson is one of those cities that you would consider quiet...calm and almost innocent, if a city can have such a thing. All of that is gone, changed forever when innocent lives were tragically taken by Jared Loughner, who is accused of going into a Tucson Safeway and shooting to death six people and injuring 14 others. This is not the Tucson that I know. The Tucson that I know is about....

• The University of Arizona: GO WILDCATS!!!
  
• Lute Olson and Arizona Basketball
• Cinco de Mayo...I have gone to the BEST Cinco de Mayo parties in Tucson
• "A" Mountain
• Canyon Ranch
• The Green Dolphin
• The Wildcat Club
• McKale Center

What a terrible way for the world to meet a great city like Tucson. What a terrible way for you to meet Tucson. If you don't know Tucson, I hope you will. Meet the city beyond what the news, media and scary pictures are showing you.

Ironically, I am taking my kids to Arizona for the first time this April. I am very excited to show them where Mommy went to undergraduate and graduate school. I will proudly show them the U of A campus, take them to a Toros baseball game and have them check out the beauty of the desert. I want them to know Tucson as a place that is so much more than a tragedy. I want you to too. Come visit Tucson...and show them the love they need and deserve.

BEAR DOWN CATS!!!

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Where Everybody Knows Your Name

I recently went back to working out. I use to work out all the time. In fact, I was very athletic growing up, but fast forward to my life now....you would have no clue.

I rejoined the gym where I use to serve on the board. I had to quit the board because life was to crazy, but now I have time to workout. Yes, it is great for all the physical health benefits but there are amazing emotional and mental benefits too. The gym is my place. I go in there, and I see my people...people I like, people I want to be around and people that make me feel welcomed, connected and part of something. It is my place....truly my community.

At the core of leadership is knowing what works for your situation. For me, and actually most women, it is about community. Years ago, my husband purchased a bunch of exercise equipment for us to use in our basement. I told him that I would never use the stuff. He bought it anyway and....I never use the stuff! I know what works for me. Working out in isolation is not it. I need the music, the people...my people. Maybe it is because I grew up playing sports and was always part of a team. Research from the Sloan Center in Massachusetts would say it is because women thrive in relation. In other words, we need our peeps to be at our best!

I will have to keep you posted on how my gym commitment goes. So far so good. At least I know what works for me. At least I found my peeps!

Where do you feel a sense of community? Where are your peeps?

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