Triptophan Week

I did a service project this week that delivered a disservice to all who know me-- we stuffed envelopes until we were silly. While it was good to spend so much time with all my friends, I will have to say "yes" to all their requests for the next year just to ensure our emotional bank account is not overdrawn! I should have served them turkey. Because 'Tis the week of triptophan. Turkey contains triptophan (which I am sure is not spelled accurately) and it is for this reason I am sure that pilgrims ate it with the Indians. With that kinda brain-numbing, tummy filling carnage-- who could not have a great time watching the Cowboys and the odd person or two around the table. I love the holidays because growing up I hardly saw my extended family and to only see them once or twice a year is a hoot-- you see where your DNA has been and they see where it is going. Sometimes that is good and sometimes it makes you say, "Hmmmm, pass the turkey".

Forget the Gem Show

My husband has a jewelry hobby that takes us to the occasional gem show or beadery. He really is good, too. But I have found fewer precious gems at those shows than I have read in great places such as Fast Company, Business 2.0 and the "leadership gurus" aisle at Barnes & Noble.
Skip the Joel Olsteen and Robbins frivel (frivolous dribble). Spend a minute with something that does more than make you warm or tearful with sentiment. Spend a minute with a sentence you had to read twice just to appreciate its construction and underlying profound meaning. Much of it is stated clearly which can make it seem almost simple or -- "stuff we all know, they just say it best". Take care that you do not miss the deep world some statements create such as prioritizing by what matters most based on your mission in life. Read that one again. 1. you should have a mission for your life, 2. each decision you make should further you along a path toward that end, 3. it only works if you are true to your values & beliefs. If your mission is not aligned with your value system or if your beliefs contradict your path--- it will not work. Oh, and by the way-- people will criticize you and tell you that is not how everyone else is getting by. THEY ARE RIGHT. Your path is the only one of its kind. You were built for such a time as this (see the story of Queen Esther). You are the only one who has your brain, your talents and your path toward your mission. There is sound advice along the way and a fool would not listen at all, but a smart divine creature would listen to the wisdom, pray for discernment and then GO!

Love, Laugh, Learn--Any questions?

First Unimpressions.

Perception. Killer or Kowabunga? "Hello and thanks for helping out the Chamber with the Ethical Leadership conference," the beautiful, stunning and impressive blonde held out a strong hand to give me a warm and sincere thanks. I had not met her, but decided it was divine providence that she asked me to help sell tables to sponsors of the conference which would feature George HW Bush and one of my personal heroes, Dr. Stephen Covey. I had heard each of them speak in person before and (regardless of politics) they are great speakers with much to say. I was glad to help-- it is what I believe I was gifted to do. Mary Jane is fun-loving, I thought as we sat down to make calls from my conference room. My office manager brought us coffee and we began making calls. With a cell phone on one ear and my phones on the other, we were both getting it done. Then, the fly appeared. First on the rim of her cup, then mine. One of the most persistent flies I have ever seen kept us swatting for an hour. It would not leave! I was trying to impress the chamber volunteer-- stinking fly! As she left, she draped her beautiful scarf across her shoulder with a flare unseen in average society and got into her white BMW. I wanted to be her. Smart, pretty, efficient. Then I cleared our papers from the conference room and found an email she had left. This was no ordinary chamber volunteer I could call up and have a latte with-- she is a famous opera singer who has performed in Milan and Paris with Pavorotti. She has performed on Great Performances and at the Metropolitan Opera! She was swatting flies in my conference room. EGAD! So much for impressions. I too, have been to Paris, heard great tenors in person, and attended an Italian opera at the Met. I knew exactly who I had not impressed. Oh, well.