Graduations are always grand events, filled with celebration.

Trevor and I love nothing better than to put our work under the microscope, and figure out, “How can we make this even better next time?”  This time, I planned a surprise.  Let me give you some background… Because Trevor is an accomplished actor, he and I developed a skit on “how not to network”, which we have now integrated into the workshop.  Since Trevor got the chance to express his passion, I thought it only fair to incorporate one of mine.  Here’s a hint…  “Hello.  My name is Linda Folster, and I am a salsa-holic!”  I called my expert-salsa dancing friend, Amir, and we started out the graduation ceremony with a salsa demonstration. My excuse for doing this was, “In the spirit of no longer doing things you don’t enjoy, don’t do well, and are not proud of – using your Dependable Strengths instead should extend to all areas of your life!”  Rhythm and movement are a few more of my Dependable Strengths that I love to express.  Despite a few technical glitches with the music, and having to do our spins on the carpet – it went surprisingly well.  Deb and Val surfaced from the Dress for Success office to watch.  We had a blast!  Thank you so much, Amir!

Once again, we made each participant don a graduation cap while I read out the “description” section of her Dependable Strengths report – to the tune of Pomp and Circumstance.  Trevor baked amazing cheesecake for the event (fat free, of course!)

On our last day together, this ending marked a new beginning for these women. They gathered together to plan subsequent meetings to sustain the momentum (which are still going on weeks later).  In the past few weeks, some have remained in contact with me.  I love to hear their updates.  From what I am hearing, it seems that important decisions are being made, and there is a quality of peacefulness that’s new.  This seems to accompany an ongoing pondering of what was learned, and what is possible when we believe in ourselves…

Here are some of the great photos from our celebration together: