Sweetwater Small, Simple, Extraordinary: Recent Episodes
Jenny West
Like many of you, my measurement for success is quite high and doesn’t just border on but leaps over the bounds of perfection, and I spend too much time focused on the list of all the things I haven’t perfected or risen to the “tippy-top” of in life. When I hear similar comments from my friends, I am always amazed because I think they are incredible. More importantly, they show up for the people they love (and even those they don’t) with small and simple acts of kindness that have caused extra-ordinary and extraordinary outcomes. I have created the “Sweetwater: Small, Simple, Extraordinary” podcast to inspire, uplift, and support women. We need to know that we are doing far better than we think by changing our measurement of success to focus on the small, simple, and extraordinary impacts of our actions. Join me, Jenny West, every other Wednesday with one of my amazing guests to discuss the small and simple acts of kindness that make each of us extraordinary. Just as we may take the sweet and life sustaining value of water for granted, instead let’s celebrate the small and simple as the Sweetwater of who we are.
Jennie is an “insta” friend – she is instantly your friend – and not just any friend – an instant “I feel like we have been friends since childhood” kind of friend. I think this magical ability is what enables her to create communities of friends and family wherever she goes.
I had the pleasure of meeting Jennie when she moved to the Pacific Northwest in the midst of COVID and we recorded this episode right before she moved to California. She instantly became my friend, and I am sure just by listening to her episode and learning of the simple things she does to show kindness to all around her, she will become your “insta” friend, too.
I feel like the powers of darkness were conspiring against this episode. I had computer issues, weird microphone / sound issues (I’m sorry!), phones that were silenced continuing to ring during recording, rescheduling due to colds, distractions...you name it, I feel like Cheryl and I faced it. What all of that means to me is someone needs to hear this episode. Maybe that someone is me, maybe it is Cheryl, or maybe that someone is you.
In this episode Cheryl describes small and simple acts of kindness that served as the light that chased away the darkness getting her through a very difficult period of her life. We also discuss how Cheryl has used her experiences to become a beacon of light for others by showing unconditional love and acceptance.
If there is ever a zombie apocalypse, I want to be with Bethany. Bethany is one of the most organized and driven women I know. She can do anything once she decides to do it. That is why it made me so sad to hear her say that she finds herself without any real achievements at this point in her life. In this episode we explore Bethany’s inner and physical strength to complete Orange Theory of Fitness (OTF) Hell Week and how very early morning classes built up her strength to successfully complete a grueling week of OTF challenges.
We also learn how Bethany’s innate inner strength and CEO characteristics have enabled her to accomplish extraordinary achievements such as being a source comfort for her friends and raising kids who know how much they are loved and valued.
Emily is one of the most talented bakers (and singers) I know and is one of the kindest people I have met. In this episode we explore the similarities of how the combination of simple ingredients create mouth-watering treats to how simple acts of kindness can literally sweeten and bring joy to someone’s life.
We also learn about Emily’s ability to bring peace and comfort to her home and how she learned to serve others by emulating her Grandma Lucy’s example.
In the initial episode of the Sweetwater podcast, I talk with my amazing friend, Ellen, where we utilize her training to successfully climb Mt. Kilimanjaro as a pattern for how small and simple actions can make the mountains we climb in our own life a little easier.
We also learn about Ellen's gift of listening, how she shows others grace, and her phenomenal talent for folding laundry and getting alone time!