When I started my business, I was strongly cautioned to keep my personal and business lives separate. As a new parent, that made no sense to me. And, well, I simply bucked that notion – knowing that I would draw from the same resources to thrive in both spaces.

Fast forward 18 years and I often revisit this work/life balance debate, of which much has been penned. There is yet to appear a magic set of rules to follow to promote harmony on both sides of the fence and I continue to maintain that there’s no distinct line. Advances in technology support this position.

What does keeps me balanced is an understanding of and a commitment to my vision and values. While I still need to juggle, take some detours, and question things along the way, I am confident about the direction I am heading and will hop a fence when I need to.

Speaking of 18, it’s birthday time again in our house and I am reminded once again to celebrate with a big thank you to my son Charlie and to all of you who have contributed to our success. As the post was so popular last year, I wanted to direct you to my thoughts on the matter in August of 2009.

Cindy Wilson

admin The Wilsonwest Way culture, holidays, Management, relationships

Each year at this time, as I count my blessings, I count among them the most wonderful invitation I receive each year: Thanksgiving brunch at Thomas Keller’s Manhattan restaurant Per Se – complete with the best indoor seats for viewing Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Does it get any better than that?

For 85 years, Macy’s Parade has kicked off the holiday season with glorious bands, balloons, and floats. 85 Years! I salute Macy’s for sticking with this parade through good and bad years (including both the Great Depression and the current recession).

Now, go out there and spread some of that good will and good cheer! Pretty soon more parades will start happening again in this country.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at Wilsonwest who love parades, parties, and the like.

*Full disclosure: I borrowed this post’s clever title from Per Se’s invitation. Thank you Thomas Keller and the generous people of Per Se for the yearly invite.

admin The Wilsonwest Way culture, drink, food, holidays

As the Industrial Revolution took hold of the nation, the average American in the late-1800s worked 12-hour days, seven days a week in order to make a basic living. Children were also working, providing cheap labor to employers as laws against child labor were weak and not strongly enforced.

Labor Day is meant as a celebration of the labor movement and its achievements. But it has come to be celebrated as the last, long summer weekend before Autumn.

In the spirit of honoring both the traditional and modern Labor Day celebrations, let us tip our hats to Ferris Bueller. Take a day off, turn off your Blackberry, and enjoy a 12-hour day of anything but work.

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller

admin The Wilsonwest Way culture, holidays

I absolutely love this little poem and hope you will too. Here’s to the 4th of July, barbecues, friends, a nap in the hammock and to total disregard of to-do lists, goals and behaving.

Have fun.

Today

Today I will not live up to my potential.
Today I will not relate well to my peer group.
Today I will not contribute in class.
I will not volunteer one thing.
Today I will not strive to do better.
Today I will not achieve or adjust or grow enriched
 or get involved.
I will not put up my hand even if the teacher is wrong
 and I can prove it.
Today I might eat the eraser off my pencil.
I’ll look at the clouds.
I’ll be late.
I don’t think I’ll wash.
I need a rest.

-Jean Little
Hey World, Here I Am! (1986)

admin The Wilsonwest Way culture, holidays