Resolution or re-solution... finding solution again... I'm all for solutions so I must be in favor of New Year Solutions even if they are RE-solutions.
Given that life is a possible that is constantly revealing itself to us and that we are constantly evolving it only stands to reason that we would have to remake solutions to match our new circumstances. For my new year resolutions I made three that I will share - first, my husband and I want to have more parties. We want to be more social and to start we are having a Super Bowl Party at our house - so let me know if you are coming!
After reading this article about the importance of going to sleep earlier - I resolve to try to make this a priority.
Finally, my last new year resolution - to meditate at least three times a week. I have never felt better than I do on the days I meditate for more than 15 minutes so now I want to make a resolve to do this every week.
What are your resolutions?
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Don't Awful-ize Find your Bliss Instead
Today, instead of worrying about planning all the details of my day I am going to try and follow the "universe unfolds" mentality. Allowing my best instincts to guide me as a powerful life lesson. I believe that if I stand firmly in my positive life perspective I will generate more positive things. It doesn't really matter if I focus on the one thing I want or simply focus on being joyful. I believe that my bliss is the driver and that I have to constantly reach for it.
Once from a very dark place I began to wonder about what the heck is bliss, anyway? What is my bliss? I felt a little like the character in Shel Silverstein's book "The Missing Piece". I was riding through life looking for my missing piece and missing all the other pieces of my life. I thought about this for a long time... what is my bliss?
One day while driving home from work I heard Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" (allegro). I turned the music up very loud in my car and announced: "I found my bliss!"
Once from a very dark place I began to wonder about what the heck is bliss, anyway? What is my bliss? I felt a little like the character in Shel Silverstein's book "The Missing Piece". I was riding through life looking for my missing piece and missing all the other pieces of my life. I thought about this for a long time... what is my bliss?
One day while driving home from work I heard Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" (allegro). I turned the music up very loud in my car and announced: "I found my bliss!"
There are certain things that when you hear them or do them that you are just thrilled. For me, on that day, I latched on to the excitement of this music and was able to pull myself up. It is this place, the place where you are inexplicably happy, even in a silly way - this is the place that you start from when you focus on keeping that feeling for as very long as possible. This is the space I want to lead my life from - the point of attraction I want to keep - positive, excited, focused.
When I make the mistake of looking at the "what is-ness" of life I try to remember to flip on Mozart (or some other music that excites the bliss in me) and place myself in a better space. Things are sometimes awful - but I really believe we don't have to stay stuck in the awfulness. We can pull ourselves out one less awful thing at a time.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Reflect, Rethink, Reveal
I realize now that I am 45 blogs into this process that I need to reflect, rethink, reveal. One of the reasons I started this process was so that I could change or morph my way into cool ideas - you can't procrastinate that - it is a contradiction! So, I am back to trying this daily.
The central theme of this blog was to do something differently and something new each day. Well after a while too many something news means that you can't keep the best that you have found because you are running out of new things to do not to mention the time crunch. Doing something new every day for 100 days comes down to silly things like "Today I brushed my teeth with my left hand instead of my right... nothing to report there ... I just did it." I think what I really wanted to say was that I would try new things that presented themselves to me without giving into the fear.
On doing things differently... I think this is great. I tried many things, including little things like: getting up on the other side of the bed (after my husband got up - also different), putting on one sock then one shoe (not recommended - feels weird), working with my office door closed/open (I recommend closed - less interruptions), responding to people's suggestions by trying everything - even stuff I sensed wouldn't be so great (I learned to trust my instincts)! Overall, differently is good until you find something that works - then I recommend staying with it.
So about rethinking... I have rethought portions of this project and I am adding something new and taking something away to help me on my journey. I am adding daily reflections. Not silly nonsense things, I mean the real life stuff that targets me in a day. I welcome you to do the same in the comments. Let's each take a minute to talk about one thing we experienced in the day that was of particular interest to us. I am taking away the "must" of the different and new and replacing it with either. A simpler task, I think, and I think I was doing that anyway.
My revelations have been plenty in this process. I am inspired by many of you that tell me you have read the blog and are sharing it with your friends - awesome!
The central theme of this blog was to do something differently and something new each day. Well after a while too many something news means that you can't keep the best that you have found because you are running out of new things to do not to mention the time crunch. Doing something new every day for 100 days comes down to silly things like "Today I brushed my teeth with my left hand instead of my right... nothing to report there ... I just did it." I think what I really wanted to say was that I would try new things that presented themselves to me without giving into the fear.
On doing things differently... I think this is great. I tried many things, including little things like: getting up on the other side of the bed (after my husband got up - also different), putting on one sock then one shoe (not recommended - feels weird), working with my office door closed/open (I recommend closed - less interruptions), responding to people's suggestions by trying everything - even stuff I sensed wouldn't be so great (I learned to trust my instincts)! Overall, differently is good until you find something that works - then I recommend staying with it.
So about rethinking... I have rethought portions of this project and I am adding something new and taking something away to help me on my journey. I am adding daily reflections. Not silly nonsense things, I mean the real life stuff that targets me in a day. I welcome you to do the same in the comments. Let's each take a minute to talk about one thing we experienced in the day that was of particular interest to us. I am taking away the "must" of the different and new and replacing it with either. A simpler task, I think, and I think I was doing that anyway.
My revelations have been plenty in this process. I am inspired by many of you that tell me you have read the blog and are sharing it with your friends - awesome!
I never expected that I would have any divine inspiration, but, then it occurred to me that we are all inspired divinely everyday and why wouldn't I have any divine inspiration? I know that I want to live my life deliberately and that takes practice. I can't just let the chips fall where they may, I want to decide about which chips fall and where they can fall. A deliberate life means that I am aware of my thoughts and try to change them when they do not serve me. This is an everyday lesson for me. Each and every day I try to choose my thoughts and when they don't suit me I work on changing them and moving them into a better direction. Some days I am better at this than others, but I do it every day and every time.
I don't know if you are lucky enough to have someone to call when you find your thoughts running a muck, but I do! When I make that call I always start with - I need you to help me realign my thoughts. Then I vent - then we rethink my thinking. Try it - I think you will find it works wonders. Then remember the 17 second rule. Hold a better thought for 17 seconds and more will follow.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Best Little Christmas Story
Hey, it's been a while. My dad had bypass surgery and, well, you don't think that stuff will change your everyday life, but, it does. Thankfully he is doing well and expected to make a full recovery.
I want to share with you my miracle day. An experience I had simply because I decided to do things differently...
My son is fifteen. That is an age when most young people start breaking away and, well, let's face it, they become independent. So, when he said he wanted to go with me to see the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City - I leaped at the chance. I was successful at getting reduced price tickets and luckily the show date was after my father's hospital stay. All good things were in place.
Our tickets were for the 5:00 show. Based on where I live, traffic and parking I knew that since we had to get our tickets by 4:30 we needed to leave by 3:30.
As luck would have it that day I got a stomach virus. I refused to let this get in my way. However, I was not free to leave until about 4:05 - not nearly enough time to make the show. I was so frustrated and began to talk about what a drag it would be if we couldn't make the show and how awful I felt about it. My daughter overhear me whining and complaining and reminded me, "Mom, no matter what you are still going into the city (a place you love) with your son and so what if you don't see the play?" Initially I said, "But I paid for the tickets." That's when it hit me! So what. I paid for the tickets, either way that money is gone so, if I get to see the show... great... if not, we will still have fun in the city.
We drove in with plenty of traffic and delays, but, I was surprised when I looked down and saw it was 4:59 PM when we pulled into the parking lot. We hurried through the crowded holiday streets and got to the theater in about ten minutes. I went right up to security (because there was a line around Radio City Music Hall) and I said, "I have tickets at the will call window for 5 PM." His answer surprised me, "That line is over here," he pointed to a short line on the side of the building. We were seated within ten minutes of arriving, our seats were awesome and the show was GREAT!!
When it was over we walked over to see the tree lit up, saw a few sites and then headed back to the garage. Once we were in the car I realized that I didn't have my cell phone. When I called it, a security guard from Radio City answered and said he had my phone. We rushed back, got a parking spot on the street close to Radio City and ran back.When we arrived the guard gave me the phone and wouldn't take a tip.
You would think this is enough evidence that the Universe provided us with the perfect night but to top it all we drove home in practically NO TRAFFIC. All in all a pretty terrific day
I want to share with you my miracle day. An experience I had simply because I decided to do things differently...
My son is fifteen. That is an age when most young people start breaking away and, well, let's face it, they become independent. So, when he said he wanted to go with me to see the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City - I leaped at the chance. I was successful at getting reduced price tickets and luckily the show date was after my father's hospital stay. All good things were in place.
Our tickets were for the 5:00 show. Based on where I live, traffic and parking I knew that since we had to get our tickets by 4:30 we needed to leave by 3:30.
As luck would have it that day I got a stomach virus. I refused to let this get in my way. However, I was not free to leave until about 4:05 - not nearly enough time to make the show. I was so frustrated and began to talk about what a drag it would be if we couldn't make the show and how awful I felt about it. My daughter overhear me whining and complaining and reminded me, "Mom, no matter what you are still going into the city (a place you love) with your son and so what if you don't see the play?" Initially I said, "But I paid for the tickets." That's when it hit me! So what. I paid for the tickets, either way that money is gone so, if I get to see the show... great... if not, we will still have fun in the city.
We drove in with plenty of traffic and delays, but, I was surprised when I looked down and saw it was 4:59 PM when we pulled into the parking lot. We hurried through the crowded holiday streets and got to the theater in about ten minutes. I went right up to security (because there was a line around Radio City Music Hall) and I said, "I have tickets at the will call window for 5 PM." His answer surprised me, "That line is over here," he pointed to a short line on the side of the building. We were seated within ten minutes of arriving, our seats were awesome and the show was GREAT!!
When it was over we walked over to see the tree lit up, saw a few sites and then headed back to the garage. Once we were in the car I realized that I didn't have my cell phone. When I called it, a security guard from Radio City answered and said he had my phone. We rushed back, got a parking spot on the street close to Radio City and ran back.When we arrived the guard gave me the phone and wouldn't take a tip.
You would think this is enough evidence that the Universe provided us with the perfect night but to top it all we drove home in practically NO TRAFFIC. All in all a pretty terrific day
Monday, December 13, 2010
On Becoming
Not knowing... I think that is the hardest part. I enjoy figuring things out - knowing how they fit together, how they work. Not knowing can be tough. Faith is what helps when you don't know, I think. Take for example the day you arrive home in a black out. You know where everything is in your home, right? So, you walk confidently into your home - stepping in faith because no one changed the arrangement of your furniture. Then, you trip over the shoes you decided not to wear to work that morning - you forgot - but you continue in faith, KNOWING that you can walk through the maze of your home safely in the dark. Now let's take that to the next place, the "not knowing" place. If you are faith-filled, confident, stepping out in the "not knowing" place is easy to navigate because even if you trip on a shoe, your faith tells you to continue stepping. We each have the blessing of knowing how to step in faith, but how do we get there when we are overwhelmed and lacking confidence?
How do I get to the faith-filled place? How do I step out of the not knowing and into the knowing of uncharted waters? I learned through the grace of my life that uncharted means only that I will have new experiences, new challenges... new ways for me to grow and expand. Well, heck, what is the purpose of life if not to grow and expand?
Tonight I face a "not knowing" place in my life. In some strange way I am comforted by the familiarity of greeting new challenges and inspired by my cohorts on this journey. I struggle with what I know to be true about life and what I am feeling. For example, I know there is NOTHING to fear - yet, I feel afraid. I want to cry and tremble, but I KNOW there is nothing to fear. How can I still the quivering soul inside me when the challenges before me seem to loom so large? How can I allow the "what is about to be" when the "what is" of my life is a giant shadow? That is the challenge of this day.
My attention is re-focused on what is becoming and away from what is - every chance I get. The fear is my mind trying to know what it cannot know. I must keep my mind focused on where my feet land. Sometimes I say to myself, "Lisa, you can't be in two places in one mind! Make up your mind!!"
So it is faith that will sustain me and keep me focused... it is love that will keep me strong... it is the people around me that uplift me when I sink... it is the love of my world that keeps me at peace.
How do I get to the faith-filled place? How do I step out of the not knowing and into the knowing of uncharted waters? I learned through the grace of my life that uncharted means only that I will have new experiences, new challenges... new ways for me to grow and expand. Well, heck, what is the purpose of life if not to grow and expand?
Tonight I face a "not knowing" place in my life. In some strange way I am comforted by the familiarity of greeting new challenges and inspired by my cohorts on this journey. I struggle with what I know to be true about life and what I am feeling. For example, I know there is NOTHING to fear - yet, I feel afraid. I want to cry and tremble, but I KNOW there is nothing to fear. How can I still the quivering soul inside me when the challenges before me seem to loom so large? How can I allow the "what is about to be" when the "what is" of my life is a giant shadow? That is the challenge of this day.
My attention is re-focused on what is becoming and away from what is - every chance I get. The fear is my mind trying to know what it cannot know. I must keep my mind focused on where my feet land. Sometimes I say to myself, "Lisa, you can't be in two places in one mind! Make up your mind!!"
So it is faith that will sustain me and keep me focused... it is love that will keep me strong... it is the people around me that uplift me when I sink... it is the love of my world that keeps me at peace.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Like a link in the chain from the past to the future
Today I spoke with my friend in Israel through a video conference system at work. I met her parents who are French and other relatives. All of her family live in Jerusalem and came to her home to visit for Chanukah. As a bonus they got to watch her teach her American students from her home in Israel. This is one of my favorite accomplishments, having created this fantastic connection for our students. In order that they may learn a language as difficult as Hebrew with a native speaker who is living in Israel -in real time - this is a very unique and wonderful experience... especially for children who are 10 and 11 years old!
As I reflect on this part of my day (something different - chatting with my Israeli friends) I am happy... I love my job and the flexibility it affords me to meet people from all walks of life, communicate online regularly, be a part of the growing, changing and flattening world. Thomas Friedman described this phenomenon in his book, "The World is Flat" and I witness it more and more. Just the other day, my cousin in Florida put out an all call for people to connect with her through Skype. Our lexicon has changed in such a way that Skype is not just the name of a service but the thing we do, "Let's Skype!". Back in the day there was much ado about calling a photocopy a copy not a "Xerox" although, many people would say, "make a xerox of that". Now you Google something, then you will send a BBM, and Skype with your friends about it while Facebooking with them. Ugh! It is becoming an interesting world and the technological impact on our lexicon will continue to pose a challenge at the Vatican while they struggle to translate all of this into Latin, (really).
The best part of all of this is that it creates awe when you think about it. The changes around us are fascinating, but sometimes I wish I could freeze time. Some days shouldn't go by so quickly, some you want to make last and last. Especially when you know what the next day will bring. Like the last day you will ever spend with someone - if you knew in advance what would you change?
I know I usually write about things like keeping my head where my feet are, and increasing my appreciation of the moment... but, today, I am feeling a little in awe of life in general. I want to just hold on to each little thing a second longer and slow it all down.
There are moments you remember all your life - there are moments you wait for and dream of all your life - I always want to capture these moments. Maybe it's just me, maybe life is going a little bit more quickly, either way I am full of wonderment about life today. Impressed with our changing lexicon, new technologies, warm moments with loved ones and all of it. (something new - again)
As I reflect on this part of my day (something different - chatting with my Israeli friends) I am happy... I love my job and the flexibility it affords me to meet people from all walks of life, communicate online regularly, be a part of the growing, changing and flattening world. Thomas Friedman described this phenomenon in his book, "The World is Flat" and I witness it more and more. Just the other day, my cousin in Florida put out an all call for people to connect with her through Skype. Our lexicon has changed in such a way that Skype is not just the name of a service but the thing we do, "Let's Skype!". Back in the day there was much ado about calling a photocopy a copy not a "Xerox" although, many people would say, "make a xerox of that". Now you Google something, then you will send a BBM, and Skype with your friends about it while Facebooking with them. Ugh! It is becoming an interesting world and the technological impact on our lexicon will continue to pose a challenge at the Vatican while they struggle to translate all of this into Latin, (really).
The best part of all of this is that it creates awe when you think about it. The changes around us are fascinating, but sometimes I wish I could freeze time. Some days shouldn't go by so quickly, some you want to make last and last. Especially when you know what the next day will bring. Like the last day you will ever spend with someone - if you knew in advance what would you change?
I know I usually write about things like keeping my head where my feet are, and increasing my appreciation of the moment... but, today, I am feeling a little in awe of life in general. I want to just hold on to each little thing a second longer and slow it all down.
There are moments you remember all your life - there are moments you wait for and dream of all your life - I always want to capture these moments. Maybe it's just me, maybe life is going a little bit more quickly, either way I am full of wonderment about life today. Impressed with our changing lexicon, new technologies, warm moments with loved ones and all of it. (something new - again)
Friday, December 3, 2010
17 Seconds to Paradise
I used to say that anyone deserves at least 20 minutes for a pity party... it takes 5 minutes to really work it up, 10 minutes to belt it out and 5 minutes to close. A good pity party should have carefully chosen invitations - choose people that have seen you at your best so they can stand the party. Some people don't know the rules of the pity party and they don't send invitations.
Then...
It is no longer just 20 minutes... when you have no invitees you can have pity parties that last for days. Silently berating yourself, noticing all the trivial meaningless things that you give weighty value to so they can seem important and burdensome to you. The world is a venue for disgust and repulsion and everything can make you unhappy. This is very debilitating. Trust me NEVER throw a pity party without a friend.
Friends will keep you on track, remind you when the 20 minutes are over and never, ever let you get an extension. There is no thought that you can't bring about and if you spend time focusing on those things that make you unhappy - you will bring them about. If I said to you that you can make anything happen if you thought about it clearly enough - would you do it?
Keep a good thought... something that makes you smile that crooked smile... hold it for 17 seconds and I promise more will come flooding in. This is the ice cream cake of the pity party. One good thought that you keep for 17 seconds.
Try it!
Then...
It is no longer just 20 minutes... when you have no invitees you can have pity parties that last for days. Silently berating yourself, noticing all the trivial meaningless things that you give weighty value to so they can seem important and burdensome to you. The world is a venue for disgust and repulsion and everything can make you unhappy. This is very debilitating. Trust me NEVER throw a pity party without a friend.
Friends will keep you on track, remind you when the 20 minutes are over and never, ever let you get an extension. There is no thought that you can't bring about and if you spend time focusing on those things that make you unhappy - you will bring them about. If I said to you that you can make anything happen if you thought about it clearly enough - would you do it?
Keep a good thought... something that makes you smile that crooked smile... hold it for 17 seconds and I promise more will come flooding in. This is the ice cream cake of the pity party. One good thought that you keep for 17 seconds.
Try it!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Want a New Reality? Choose it!
Some days are made for reflection... some days are so hectic the only reflection going on is yours in the mirror as you rush off to the next event... some days are somewhere in between hectic enough to make you tired but their very nature is such that you can't help be reflect. Today was one of those days.
As I reflect on the day I think blessings sometimes don't seem like blessings. You think you understand what it is all about, but then life surprises you. Oftentimes when I look at the opposite end of the same event I am surprised by what I find. Like today, I was speaking with some people at work about issues that might make you sad. I pointed out how lucky I am to find the bright spot in an otherwise "not so bright" event. These good-intentioned people couldn't help but needle me and poke at me until they found the soreness below the surface and tried to make that my point of focus. The opposite of that event is me choosing my point of focus! I CHOOSE MY THOUGHTS... not people who are doom-say-ers or (what I like to call) awful-izers. I get to pick my point of attraction.
You, too. We all do. We pick where we focus our energy. For me, in the face of difficult situations I like to look at the strength I have to find the best and make it bigger and better. This is just making it easier for me.
I have been through some tough times - I know what they are and I know what they feel like - "not tough times" are better. So in the face of adversity I look for less adversity and make that my focus. Why not? What makes reality so great?
Since when do you "have to face reality"? Ever experience the same event with three different people and discover three different explanations of what happened? Alternate realities occurring at exactly the same time! So I choose to believe it is my point of focus. I pick my reality... even if it is just a few minutes at a time.
This is the blanket I choose to wrap up in tonight. What about you? Looking for a new reality?
As I reflect on the day I think blessings sometimes don't seem like blessings. You think you understand what it is all about, but then life surprises you. Oftentimes when I look at the opposite end of the same event I am surprised by what I find. Like today, I was speaking with some people at work about issues that might make you sad. I pointed out how lucky I am to find the bright spot in an otherwise "not so bright" event. These good-intentioned people couldn't help but needle me and poke at me until they found the soreness below the surface and tried to make that my point of focus. The opposite of that event is me choosing my point of focus! I CHOOSE MY THOUGHTS... not people who are doom-say-ers or (what I like to call) awful-izers. I get to pick my point of attraction.
You, too. We all do. We pick where we focus our energy. For me, in the face of difficult situations I like to look at the strength I have to find the best and make it bigger and better. This is just making it easier for me.
I have been through some tough times - I know what they are and I know what they feel like - "not tough times" are better. So in the face of adversity I look for less adversity and make that my focus. Why not? What makes reality so great?
Since when do you "have to face reality"? Ever experience the same event with three different people and discover three different explanations of what happened? Alternate realities occurring at exactly the same time! So I choose to believe it is my point of focus. I pick my reality... even if it is just a few minutes at a time.
This is the blanket I choose to wrap up in tonight. What about you? Looking for a new reality?
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