Looking Ahead to 2019: Our Word of the Year, Part 1
Let me start with a little peek behind the scenes of ABG. It kind of cracks me up.
Beck and I are, basically, polar opposites. Seriously. Most of the time, I’m the tortoise to her hare. The Virgo to her Aquarius. The bullet points to her mind map. The how-to to her why-not.
It’s a wonder that anything ever gets done around here.
And yet. It does.
That’s the bottom line for these last few posts of 2018. There are a lot of ways to accomplish what we want to accomplish. There’s also a lot of symbiotic dynamism that accounts for improvements along the way.
We embrace it, and it’s part of why ABG has become what it’s become.
The theme of symbiotic dynamism brings me to this week’s topic, which is our Words of the Year for 2019. Beck has one. I have one. I’m 100% sure that they will not be alike, even a little. And yet they will both continue to propel this ABG community right on through the year ahead.
So let me kick this off. My Word of the Year for 2019?
Drishti.
I’ve been trying it out these past few weeks, seeing whether it has the endurance for a whole year’s worth of being my point of orientation for the next twelve months.
The verdict is in. For me, drishti wins. Here’s why.
Drishti most often gets translated as “focus.” But I think that what’s important isn’t what you’re focusing on, exactly. That could (and does) change and evolve. What’s more important is that you do focus and, like with meditation, you practice returning to the focus again and again when your gaze wavers.
Drishti is about focus, it’s true, but it’s also about focusing softly. The center is the center, but you also want the edges to soften. It’s where things blend a bit. It’s where things enter your peripheral vision and dance gently around a while and see if their groove fits drishti’s groove.
Cool, right? Repeated focus, again and again, on what matters. And then soften it a little, to find the right groove.
This will come into play with my work, for sure. In my writing, it will be about focusing on the hard questions, while finding compassion for the people involved. At home it will be about that dance -- oh that dance -- of raising teenagers with the right balance of discipline (the drishti) and love (the softening).
Next week, it’s Beck’s turn. I’ll meet you right here.
In the meantime, please let us know what’s on your mind for your own Word of the Year for 2019. We’d love to hear.
Namaste,
Cathy
Meet The Tribe:
Our community is only as strong as the company we keep, and here we meet some of the folks who make our profession so dynamic.
Eliza Pinta Kauce
All things wine in Oliviero Toscani Winery (Italy)
Years in the Industry:
16 years. I first got my hands in, and on, the wine business when I was just 13 years old. I sneaked into my father's Italian wine importing business in Latvia, and never looked back. By the age of 18 I would discuss the differences of Chianti Classico subzones instead of partying with my friends. Since then I have tried with all my heart to learn and educate about wine, fully immersing myself in all fields of the industry.
My Biggest Challenge To Wellness:
To maintain your sh*t together and find joy and happiness in life with a 24/7 schedule, that includes always being on the road (or on the phone, or in the field), never-ending tastings and dizzy events, is what I see as the biggest challenge.
How I Keep It Together To Stay Well:
I am indulging more of my time and energy to keep my mind rather than my body healthy. Of course, I am an active person who loves long walks and practices classical ballet. But I think that keeping our minds clear and bright is the best way to get through whatever the day brings. To read at least one non-wine related book a week, to learn new things, to embroider, practice your foreign language skills and bake a cake now and then, is definitely the way to go for me.
You can connect with Eliza through Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
What We’re Reading:
There's no shortage of wine stories and media inundating our IN Boxes. Here's what has piqued our interest this week.
3 Ways to Incorporate More Work-Life Balance in Your Daily Life (featuring Tribe member Su Birch) By Cathy Huyghe for Inc.
How to put lessons into action, according to the ex-CEO of Wines of South Africa.
The Growing Business of Helping Customers Slow Down, in the Harvard Business Review
"How are people coping? Increasingly, by seeking out opportunities to slow down.”
Let’s Meet Up!
As work life has it, we are traveling over the next few months and would love to see you. Check out details on the Let's Meet Up! Page.
Guest Lecturer at INSEEC in Bordeaux, Jan. 21 – 26 (Cathy)
Judge at TEXSOM International Wine Awards in Dallas, Feb 18 to 20 (Cathy)
Presenter at the British Columbia Wine Insight Conference , March 12 (Cathy)
Presenter at the International Institute for Analytics conference in Portland , March 13 (Cathy)
Attendee at ProWein in Düsseldorf, March 17 to 19 (Cathy)
Attendee at MUST: Fermenting Ideas in Cascais, Portugal, June 26 to 28 (Cathy)
Drop a line to rebecca@abalancedglass.com or cathy@enolytics.com if you are interested in getting together for practice, a chat or a great glass together.
