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Posts from the ‘Friends’ Category

Jul 24

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A Good Day

“What we call the secret of happiness is no more a secret than our willingness to choose life.”
– Leo Buscaglia

While I enjoy traveling, the ingredients that make up a good day don’t require getting on a plane. The recipe: hanging out at home with the girls, sleeping in without an alarm (except for several kisses on the forehead from Lily and Molly’s nose in my face at 5:30 am), no schedule, no meetings, no email, reading, going out for a long run that’s not rushed, taking a nap (I’ve been up since 5:30 am), a quiet walk at the end of the day.

With the limited number and the distance between vacations, we need to “work” in the good days, good hours, good moments throughout the week. What makes a good day for you? Create your checklist and start checking. And while creating those moments, always remember that we have the power to give “good day” moments to others as well – with a smile, a hug, a kind word.

Your good days are now. Don’t let them pass you by.

“I expect to pass through life but once.  If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.” – William Penn

Jul 15

5 Comments

Yellow Lights

“If you wish to succeed in life, make perseverance your bosom friend, experience your wise counselor, caution your elder brother, and hope your guardian genius.” –  Joseph Addison

Yellow lights – the sign of caution. That critical moment when you determine whether you stay or go for it. I’ve thought alot about yellow lights the past 24 hours.

On the way back from an 18 mile bike ride with friends, Jeanne and I were riding back home (we live about a mile a part). I was in front approaching a green light. It changed yellow. To make sure I didn’t take any risks, I stopped. This time caution didn’t work in our favor. Jeanne was able to stop in time but not get her feet out of the pedal cages. I turned and watched her fall to the ground, hard. I could feel it, of course, not as much as she did and does.

I’ve thought about how it could have been prevented. I could have gone for it. I should have told her I was stopping. And the post-analysis continues.

Not really sure of the lesson other than to get back on the bike again. Hopefully Jeanne will too. May take a few weeks though and a mattress duct taped around her to soften the blow. Jeanne – here’s to our Tour de France moment. I only wish it was me that hit the cement. You’re one tough chick!

Jul 9

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Dry Spell

“Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music – the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself.” – Henry Miller

We all go through dry spells, transition times meant for quiet reflection. If we slow down to check our internal compass, we can change course and live in the right direction. And in the desert moments, we are transforming into our true self. Growth never stops. The lessons are optional.

Jul 5

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Sparkle

“Enthusiasm is the yeast that makes your hopes shine to the stars. Enthusiasm is the sparkle in your eyes, the swing in your gait. The grip of your hand, the irresistible surge of will and energy to execute your ideas.” –  Henry Ford

Go into the world and shine. Now.

“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.” - Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.” – Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Jun 26

4 Comments

Be Prepared

“Don’t waste life in doubts and fears; spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour’s duties will be the best preparation for the hours and ages that will follow it.” –  Ralph Waldo Emerson

About six weeks ago I wrote about the tree limb falling in the middle of the night, leaving my backyard a “blank canvas” when my 60 year old tree had to be cut down. Well, the mourning from the tree funeral is over and this week I am preparing to paint the “blank canvas.”

So the first “paint brushes” swept the canvas tonight. My nephew Mark and brother John figured out how the rear drive rototiller worked (without losing a limb). The hardware store staff where I rented it didn’t quite know how to operate it since it was a new model (made in Italy, of course, great art). My niece Jenna helped yesterday with the weeds and moving mulch and my other niece Emily cut the grass.

Next steps of preparation to fruition – topsoil gets delivered tomorrow afternoon, sod on Friday and new tree hunting on Saturday. So, a new beginning blooming from preparation, planning, hard work and a wonderful family willing to be paint brushes with me.

“Character is what emerges from all the little things you were too busy to do yesterday, but did anyway,” - Mignon McLaughlin

“Character is what emerges from all the little things you were too busy to do yesterday, but did anyway,” – Mignon McLaughlin

Jun 19

7 Comments

Reset Button

“To go against the dominant thinking of your friends, of most of the people you see every day, is perhaps the most difficult act of heroism you can perform.” – Theodore H. White

Over the past month, I have been working on alot of tech issues at work. Today, I was having problems with a computer setting. I went into the control panel and hit the “reset” button. It worked.

On the drive home, caught up in traffic and my own thoughts, it occurred to me that when we are having heavy days, hit the “reset” button and start anew.

We spend way too much time trying to “do-over” the past when we can only “reset” the present moment, if we dare to.

Jun 12

10 Comments

Learn and Forget

“You will find that it is necessary to let things go; simply for the reason that they are heavy. So let them go, let go of them. I tie no weights to my ankles.” ― C. JoyBell C.

Much of our learning happens through difficulty. Learn the lesson and forget the pain. Invest your time and attention in what you can impact and let the noise of what you can’t impact fade to the background. We carry the past, the future and others’ baggage. Carry yourself lightly through the present moment.

Jun 8

6 Comments

Notice

“I see you.” I say that when I’m running with Lily and Molly when they look up to make sure that I am paying attention to them. A simple acknowledgement to let them know that I notice them. We all long to be “seen” and acknowledged, to not be invisible.

We get trapped in our own world and feelings, missing opportunities to encourage others. And when we get outside of ourselves and offer the gift of acknowledgement, our perspective on our world changes.

Take notice each day. A simple and profound gift to others and yourself.

Jun 5

4 Comments

Poetry in the Ordinary

“Breathe-in experience, breathe-out poetry.”  – Muriel Rukeyser

While running a different path in St. Paul, I found poetry stamped into the cement sidewalk. A wonderful way to share poetry in an unexpected and somewhat ordinary place.

The poetry and art of our life can be discovered in the ordinary if we look with new eyes. Found in people, places and our own hearts, all within reach.

Everyday Poem for City Sidewalks, St. Paul, MN

Jun 3

Summer BrEASY

“Then followed that beautiful season… Summer….
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.”

– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

‘In summer, the song sings itself.” – William Carlos Williams

There’s an easiness and simplicity in summer. We overcomplicate our days, our lives – over committing, overdoing, over the top. Summer calls and reminds us of what could and should be in our hearts and minds all year long. Life is before us in this very moment to be taken in and given back out. Be present, gentle and generous as a summer breeze.

“Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own; and from morning to night, as from the cradle to the grave, it is but a succession of changes so gentle and easy that we can scarcely mark their progress. “ – Charles Dickens

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