Happy Halloween! On the eve of All Saints’ Day, don’t let the creepy clown hysteria get in the way of this celebration of loved ones who have passed. Enjoy our annual tradition of dressing up in costumes, watching horror movies, trick or treating, social festivities, and paying tribute to loved ones no longer with us!

Mike Barrett as a C.P.A. and partner with Mazanec, Bauer and Associates, P.L.C., is back in the studio for his third mentoring session. Our first session focused on the 25^th anniversary of the world wide web coinciding with Mike’s 25 years as a C.P.A. He started with Mazanec, Bauer and Associates, P.L.C. as an intern, and never left the 9-person firm based in Eagan, Minnesota.

Mike’s strong, quiet, steady, and thoughtful leadership skills evolved out of youthful experiences where he was challenged to assert his values by speaking out. He felt because he wasn’t the loudest, when he did risk to speak up and take a position, others listened and responded positively.

Today you will hear of his life with Rochelle and their three children, early education changes in the State of Minnesota, how they parent, and get financial tips. Leadership is a mixed bag of goodies.

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Mentoring Tips:

This week, take time to honor those loved ones who are no longer with you. Find gratitude in the gifts they have brought you in your life. If a person who passed caused a lot of pain in your life while they were alive, find a way to resolve one aspect of that pain and let it go during this time if possible. Notice how you feel afterward. Maybe you start a new Halloween tradition to take one step toward making peace with your past and then, try something new to bring more joy, peace, and love into your life.

Because we are talking about loved ones, here is an example from my life for this week’s exercise.

When my brother passed away in 1997, there was much pain and discord in my family. Complicated grief from ongoing family discord took me through a long road to rebuilding my life and learning how to live with unresolved painful family of origin relationships. It was difficult. I still have grief that gets triggered when the next generation is involved in carrying on the nuclear family discord of dysfunction.

Steadily, over the years, I have acquired skills to detach from drama and unconditionally love nuclear family members while protecting myself from pain inflicting situations. Unraveling the details of the most painful experiences has helped me clarify and reshape my experiences so the facts of what I lived through are clear to me. The goal for me has always been to live life as an experiment of self-discovery and innovation. I try new skills and new ways to be in relationship and help others succeed along the way.

Over the years my yoga and meditation practice have evolved. Yoga and meditation are now my daily companions linking breathe and movement to leave all of what I do not need on the mat every day. I no longer need to carry a sack filled with past wounds on my back and carry them wherever I go. I have a practice, yogi gurus for support, and a place to let go of what no longer serves me and mindfully live life. Yoga doesn’t disappoint. Every practice I learn something and release something. I am increasing space in my heart and body to experience the lightheartedness of joy and the tranquility of peace. I feel more loving and kind. It is a practice of discomfort and comfort. Let the evolution continue.

Your turn. Determine what you can heal about your past. Then, if you haven’t already, find something that works for you consistently to help move you through the depths of despair and into the lightness of joy, peace, and unconditional love. Maybe it is writing, singing, learning new coping strategies, etc. Maybe it is more than one thing. Maybe it is letting go of something to try something new. Whatever you choose, work it into your daily schedule. Practice with discipline. See what happens… You can always change it up.

Leadership is a Mixed Bag of Goodies, Episode 45  www.mazanecbauer.com

Next Monday’s Mentoring Conversation:

Stevie Ray, Minnesota’s comedy and improvisation educator and historian, is back for his third mentoring session.

www.stevieray.org