A Matter of Perspective
Identifying Your Priorities

Into Action
Take some time right now to identify and consider facing a fear.

Modern Mom Spotlight
A series of real life examples of moms who are finding balanced success.

Bio
Who is Corrine Bucher?

The Buzz Is Worse Than The Sting

The sunny warm morning was the perfect backdrop for the annual sandcastle contest in Half Moon Bay. More than 50 families were spread out along the beach working furiously on sculptures made from sand, shells and seaweed. We teamed with another family and decided to shoot for winning the "tallest" category. Everything was going smoothly when I heard my daughter's unmistakable shriek and saw her swatting at a circling yellow jacket. She has always shown an intense fear of buzzing insects despite never having been stung.

This time, though, her fears were realized, the yellow jacket's stinger raising a welt on her arm. But after the tears were wiped away, I was surprised to hear my daughter say that it really wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. She almost looked relieved, reminding me of a lesson I have learned before: my imagination is often more powerful than reality. Like her, I sometimes let my fears spin out of control, only to be shocked/embarrassed/relieved to discover the experience is nowhere near as bad as I expected. Fear can be a healthy motivation to prepare for or carefully assess a situation. But letting imagined fears paralyze me is never healthy. I have found that every time I walk through a fear, it opens up new possibilities in my life. My daughter is sure to feel more free and confident to play on the playground, having discovered that the buzz is worse than the sting.

Take some time right now. Get out a sheet of paper and answer these questions:

1. What is one thing you are afraid of?
2. How is "buying into" the fear impacting your choices?
3. What might be possible if you walk through the fear?

Now take action. Experiment with facing the fear. What do you learn when you finally face it?

Please write me and let me know what you learned! Corrine@corrinebucher.com

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Deb Levine, M.A
Executive Director and Founder of ISIS
http://www.isis-inc.org

I'm one of those lucky people who found my passion. 15 years ago, when working as a health educator at Columbia University, I discovered that topics considered to be shameful and embarassing like SEX are best discussed behind a screen - computer screen then, mobile phone and PDA today. My career took off with the creation and enormous success of Columbia University's Go Ask Alice! in 1993. Since then, I wrote a book, consulted for many websites that you know and love, teach a fall class at San Francisco State called Sexuality and the Internet, and founded ISIS, the place where I love to work! All our projects are so exciting -- everything's new, everything's a challenge. And our staff is phenomenal. I've found home.

Internet Sexuality Information Services, Inc., established May, 2001, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization developing technology for promotion of sexual health and healthy relationships, and to prevent disease transmission. Our mission is to provide leadership, innovation, educational resources and research in online sexual health promotion.

What is your top tip for balancing it all?
To remind yourself of your priorities. When I'm feeling overwhelmed, I remember my girls and that spending time with them and raising them to be cool responsible adults is more important than, say, answering all that backed-up email. :)

How has being a mom impacted your success?
Being a mom has definitely impacted my success, also because it has been coupled with being in a loving supportive relationship. Being a mom has taught me that I can't do everything myself (must ask for and accept help) and that I can't be in control all the time. This has helped build my confidence, look at my husband as my partner in all parts of our lives, and leave some room each day "just to see what happens."

What is your best mommy moment?
When the organization I founded (ISIS) was hosting our first ever conference, with a focus on sexual health, technology and youth. My then 6-year-old daughter came to the office with me on a Saturday to help stuff 400 "goody bags" for the participants. She had more energy than my twenty-something staff!