Jean Fleming’s Post

Integrating Joy in the Pursuit of Excellence Throughout my diverse journey—spanning the soccer field, business world, and academia—I have consistently pushed for excellence. My purpose-driven approach has been meticulously calculated to enhance growth and outcomes. I am profoundly grateful for this aspect, as it's fundamentally why I am where I am today. However, this new Beggi has come at a cost. I've often held back from indulging in life's simpler joys, viewing them through a lens of guilt and shame or as distractions from my goals. In the process, I lost touch with parts of the old me. A recent trip to Las Vegas, casual meetups at community events, and simply enjoying dinner with friends were once seen as luxuries I couldn’t afford in a life committed to ambition. Yet, these moments have taught me an invaluable lesson—they are not just permissible; they are necessary components of a life well-lived. Joy and pleasure are vital as they recharge and inspire, fueling further achievements and enhancing creativity. By embracing the full spectrum of human experiences, including joy and pleasure, I find myself better equipped to tackle professional challenges with renewed vigor and a fresh perspective. And importantly, they allow me to be human. Here’s to Beggi 3.0—still rigorously purpose-driven but now also richly infused with joy and carefully chosen pleasures.

Today was supposed to be a happy day. I received my Certificate of Service, rated "Very Good" for both conduct and performance. While this is lower than the "Outstanding" rating I received during National Service, it feels different being evaluated now as a Regular instead of a conscript. With so many remarkable individuals in the military, I was a bit anxious about how my contributions would be judged, so I’m grateful that they have been recognized. I also received the Good Service Medal, acknowledging five years of service, including my time as a conscript. It’s a small token for the time I’ve spent in uniform, which is ironic, considering I once thought I’d never wear it voluntarily. Reflecting on how I went from being a delinquent to spending five years in a regimental environment—staying out of trouble and growing into some form of leadership—I can’t help but feel this is an accomplishment I can be proud of. Additionally, I had the chance to discuss future collaboration with former colleagues. I hope these conversations bear fruit in the coming months. However, it’s hard to fully embrace joy today. I learned that a former colleague, a man who has deeply inspired me as a leader and left a lasting mark on my time in the RSAF, is leaving the force. He leaves behind big shoes to fill, and I will miss his influence. Though I won’t share more details out of respect, I feel compelled to express a few thoughts. Life is full of transitions. Our careers, our positions, and even our lives are temporary. Yet, when we step off the stage, the most important thing is how we’ve used our time and whether we’ve touched the lives of those around us—even if just a little. If we can make someone laugh a little, cry a little, or simply inspire them a little, then our time was worthwhile, however fleeting it may be. To my colleague, thank you for making a difference in my journey. Thank you for the moments of laughter and reflection. Your absence will leave a great void, but I understand you’re moving on to something greater. In this new role, you are truly irreplaceable, and it’s been my greatest privilege to cross paths with a great man like you.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve found myself reflecting deeply on what really holds value in our lives. In a world that often prioritizes material success and tangible achievements, it’s easy to lose sight of the things that matter most. What has become increasingly clear to me is that the most important things in life are not things at all. Instead, they are the remarkable people who have graced our journeys. These are the individuals who have brought us joy, love, and laughter. They are the ones who have shared in our triumphs and stood by us during challenging times. They have been our sources of hope, our pillars of strength, and our companions in moments of both celebration and sorrow. It’s the connections we nurture and the relationships we cherish that truly enrich our lives. These people, whether they are family, friends, mentors, or colleagues, shape our experiences and contribute profoundly to our growth and happiness. As we navigate our professional and personal lives, let’s take a moment to appreciate and express gratitude to those who have made a difference. A simple gesture of thanks or a heartfelt acknowledgment can go a long way in recognizing their impact. To everyone who has been a part of my journey, thank you for your unwavering support and for making my life richer and more meaningful. Here’s to celebrating the incredible people who make life truly extraordinary! ❤️ #gratitude #lifelessons #peoplematter #relationships #reflection

As we return to work after spending quality time with our loved ones, I trust everyone has taken a moment to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. It's a time to empower ourselves and those around us to embody kindness, love, and generosity. Today, I encourage you to take an inventory of everything you have to be grateful for. Start appreciating what you possess and express gratitude before it’s too late. We’ve all heard the saying, “You don’t know what you have until you lose it.” This serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of living with a scarcity mentality—failing to value the richness in our lives. This mindset applies to every facet of life. I urge you to recognize the worth of your partner, your family, your health, your job, your relationships, your opportunities, your challenges, and your life lessons. Most importantly, cherish this very moment. Embrace being present—mentally and physically. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you’re missing out; your true opportunities lie in appreciating all that you have right now. Let this be the catalyst for shifting your perspective to one of abundance, gratitude, inner fulfillment, and peace of mind. Together, let’s cultivate a life that celebrates every moment and values what truly matters

🌟 New Beginnings with Gratitude 🌟 As I embark on this exciting new chapter in my career journey, I can't help but reflect on the immense blessings and opportunities that have come my way. Today, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to the guiding force behind it all - God - Jai SitaRam In the fast-paced world of corporate endeavors, it's easy to get swept up in the hustle and bustle, forgetting the significance of gratitude. However, I firmly believe that acknowledging the role of divine grace and expressing thanks is paramount, not just in our personal lives, but also in our professional endeavors. Gratitude is a powerful tool that fosters positivity, resilience, and a sense of abundance. It reminds us to celebrate the small victories, appreciate the challenges that mold us, and stay grounded amidst the whirlwind of success. I'm immensely thankful for every individual who has played a part in shaping my career path, whether through mentorship, support, or opportunities extended. Each interaction has been a stepping stone in my journey, and I'm profoundly grateful for the collective wisdom and encouragement that have propelled me forward. As I embrace this new beginning, I carry with me a heart full of gratitude and a commitment to pay it forward. Let's remember to pause amidst our ambitions, express thanks for the blessings bestowed upon us, and extend a helping hand to those navigating their own corporate voyage. Here's to new beginnings, abundant blessings, and the power of gratitude! 🌟 #Gratitude #NewBeginnings #CorporateJourney #Thankful #GodsGrace

There is a lot written about gratitude and how it is something we all “should” have, how to practice it, how often, and why. Here’s something that has been a game changer for me the last few years. Simple yet so powerful. Give it a try and see how powerful our choice of the words we speak (both to others and to ourselves) can be. Just like anything else, this takes time and repetition to really be effective. Give it a chance. Take some time. Allow yourself some time to start to understand how this can positively impact your life. Here it goes: Instead of saying (both to others and yourself) “Have to” as in “I have to take the trash out or I have to take my kids to school” try rephrasing it to one of the following. “I get to …….” “I’m able to…..” “I want to…..” While it may seem so simple at first, I can tell you it has brought me much more appreciation and understanding in my life. It also can positively affect those around you making them realizing that we all have the ability to slow things down, think, appreciate, and be grateful for what we have. Be well!

I don't think it's black and white like choose family or choose career. I think it might be in a situation where you choose career for a little while to build up your skills and knowledge and put yourself and your family in position to be financially stable, then scale back a bit on that front to spend more time with family and friends. And sometimes you may need to scale back on career and other things to take care of family members. It's not always a perfect balance. Sometimes, you have to push hard in one area, but don't let the pendulum swing too much to one side for extended periods of time. For a short while, it's ok to drive hard in one area and re-find balance as soon as possible. Balance doesn't mean exactly 50/50, balance looks different for each person.

I never thought going backwards would bring me so much joy. Let me explain. I went from being: - Married - A home-owner - In my dream career - With my daughters 100% of the time To - No longer working for the Maple Leafs - With my daughters only 50% - Renting a condo - Single On the surface, this was a HUGE step backwards. Society looked at me as a failure. And I felt like one too. BUT - Life is all about what you make of it. I’m not a failure at all. Rather, I’ve successfully put myself right on the track I want to be on. And I’m beyond grateful for what I have: → The time I spend with my daughters is INCREDIBLE (And the time I’m not with them, I can spend focusing on ME) → I get to park underground in the winter, and throw my garbage down the chute (I was never a good home-owner anyway) → I’ve grown as a professional and worked alongside incredible new colleagues and leaders (I’m comfortable with being uncomfortable) → I’m in an amazing new relationship, and re-learning to love me for me (And setting boundaries to continue my own self-care) It’s all about perspective. Run your own race. Comparison is the enemy. Sometimes going backwards is the only way forward. _ Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it so others can benefit Follow Adam Halberstadt and hit the 🔔 to be the first to see my new posts.

For what are you grateful? Gratitude is baked into the American ethos. Or it should be, anyway. Not just a yearly deal. But every day. I've found the best way to be grateful is to find the small things. The little things. The things that may not mean much to some, but mean a lot to you. Whether the weather. Or kids' laughter. An opportunity. A pretty view. A day off. Friends. A smile. Family. A job. There are some grumps out there who get mad about gratitude. "Like, let's not overdo it here, 'kay?" I get it. Life can be tough. But that's not the way to greet it. It's with joy. And joy comes from gratitude. Grateful for whatever it is we have. Or what we don't. After all, would you rather hang out with a grateful person or an ungrateful person? Grateful people make better friends. They are better sales people. They are better employers. Better coworkers. Better hosts. They're more fun and more uplifting. What are you grateful for today? #gratitude #attitude #sales