I just had a birthday and, once again, the universe conspired to remind me just how lucky I am. (And no, I didn't turn 23...: P)
But I did get lucky! I got reams of happy wishes and good thoughts. I played Rockband (Lady Gaga, Evanescence, Queen and Journey) and got totally spoiled by the boys from school (The Green Door, pool at McLaren's and a Lululemon gift certificate - holy smokes!!) Jack and Gaby surprised me with a iPhone.. OMG! I got cards from folks living away from me. I got emails and phone calls. My head is spinning. I really am incredibly blessed. Not because of things or outings but because of the beautiful people in my life. People who make me smile. People who take their time out to wave and say hello. People who love to laugh and make the most of their lives and the things that fill their lives. People who don't mind sharing themselves with me. I really was floored by the love that flowed my way. I hope I get a chance to send more out into the world!
Happy birthday to you! : )
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Today is a low day, and because of the emotion I'm feeling, I'm turning to my favorite creative outlet - writing. I feel fortunate that I have the space and time to capture my state of being this morning and to use this opportunity to reflect on the strength of what I'm feeling.
I've spent the last few years of my life in this fantastic place - cultivating YES! I made a personal decision to accept the beautiful opportunities that life presented me each day. I chose to jump in and live fully - saying yes to all the possibilities around me. Opening myself up to each moment. Laughing, loving, playing...
So it's been very draining, especially in the last few weeks as Spring has exerted its own influence to burst forth and dance, to say no. No to friends. No to family members. No to myself. No to playing outdoors and soaking in the sunshine. No to weekend getaways. No to late nights partying. No to frivolous time. No to hours engrossed in a book. No to movies and indulgences. No to hours of shagging. No to letting go and being in the moment.
I recognize that this situation is both short-term and of my own choosing. And I know, intellectually, that doing this MBA will open up doors for me in so many fantastic ways. I also know that I am having fun and I am learning an immense amount - new skills, new tools for my toolbox, new challenges that are molding me and shaping me.
But saying no is so tiresome. It drains me. It makes me feel like I'm missing out. It makes me feel closed. I find I get irritable because I don't just say yes (and oh, how I want to!). I find I feel wounded and defensive instead of open and generous. I find it feels like time passes so quickly away from me, instead of it feeling like I have all the time in the world.
I've decided that today is a yes day. I challenge myself to say yes to whatever comes about. Yes to making the most of the moment. Yes to taking time to talk to a friend. Yes to breathing, smiling, feeling. I cannot change the fact that I'm on this path for the next 10 months, but I can change how I want to experience this journey. I can change today.
I've spent the last few years of my life in this fantastic place - cultivating YES! I made a personal decision to accept the beautiful opportunities that life presented me each day. I chose to jump in and live fully - saying yes to all the possibilities around me. Opening myself up to each moment. Laughing, loving, playing...
So it's been very draining, especially in the last few weeks as Spring has exerted its own influence to burst forth and dance, to say no. No to friends. No to family members. No to myself. No to playing outdoors and soaking in the sunshine. No to weekend getaways. No to late nights partying. No to frivolous time. No to hours engrossed in a book. No to movies and indulgences. No to hours of shagging. No to letting go and being in the moment.
I recognize that this situation is both short-term and of my own choosing. And I know, intellectually, that doing this MBA will open up doors for me in so many fantastic ways. I also know that I am having fun and I am learning an immense amount - new skills, new tools for my toolbox, new challenges that are molding me and shaping me.
But saying no is so tiresome. It drains me. It makes me feel like I'm missing out. It makes me feel closed. I find I get irritable because I don't just say yes (and oh, how I want to!). I find I feel wounded and defensive instead of open and generous. I find it feels like time passes so quickly away from me, instead of it feeling like I have all the time in the world.
I've decided that today is a yes day. I challenge myself to say yes to whatever comes about. Yes to making the most of the moment. Yes to taking time to talk to a friend. Yes to breathing, smiling, feeling. I cannot change the fact that I'm on this path for the next 10 months, but I can change how I want to experience this journey. I can change today.
Friday, March 05, 2010
Happiness steps
Raymond Chambers made a statement at the Harvard Business School's 2010 Social Enterprise Conference about his five (5) practices for happiness. They seem extraordinarily simple, and upon reflection, carry the weight of insight, pause, empathy, gentleness and kindness. Characteristics that teach us about connections, humanity and love. Qualities that open our hearts and our eyes to the world around us - and specifically - to the beings in the world around us.
These are statements that you can craft your life around; ideas that can impact your relationships - with yourself, your loved ones, your neighbors and colleagues. And more significantly, they are practices that you can start immediately. On your drive home, in the way you talk to people, and how you look at yourself in the mirror. Beautiful, effective and powerful.
These are statements that you can craft your life around; ideas that can impact your relationships - with yourself, your loved ones, your neighbors and colleagues. And more significantly, they are practices that you can start immediately. On your drive home, in the way you talk to people, and how you look at yourself in the mirror. Beautiful, effective and powerful.
Stay in the moment; there is no other time but the present.
Step back and become a spectator to your own thoughts; don't get caught up in the drama, learn from it.
Worry about being loving, not about being right.
Go out of your way to help anyone in need.
And finally, each morning, write down the things in your life you're most grateful for.
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