Tis the Season...

A Facebook friend posted this yesterday....

Practice random acts of kindness and understand the TRUE spirit of the season! :)

 

It really made me think... Do random acts of kindness really happen?  All my 3-Day friends would say ABSOLUTELY!  but I am wondering if it really happens in the "real world"? 

 

Yes, I hold doors open for people to not even be acknowledged and I have offered to let people go ahead of me in lines at stores... but do other people recepreicate? 

 

This year has been a tough one for many people... times are hard and can turn people to the negative.  And I will admit, it's been hard for me to stay focused on the positive at times.  I do truly believe that people are good and want to help their fellow man... or woman. 

 

Perhaps we need to make 2012 the year of Hope in Humanity, the year to practice those random acts of kindness daily.  Kindness should not be limited to a season or an event... it should be in our nature. 

 

Start today and start small... a friendly smile, an open door, holding an elevator, giving up a parking space... all do-able and all impactful!  :)

 

You must be the change you wish to see in the world   - Mahatma Ghandi

Thankful....

As the holiday season approaches, the question that always comes up is "what are you thankful for?"

This year has been yet another challenge with a tough economy, shortage of available jobs, stress of work, and never ending travel.  But I am very thankful for the endless amount of support and love I get daily from my wonderful husband and incredible friends and family.  I am thankful for a roof over my head and food on the table.  I am thankful for a job that keeps me busy (sometimes too busy) and challenges me to grow as a team leader and team player... both requiring different skill sets.  I am thankful for you, who read this blog and give me feedback along the way.

Now, my question to you... What are you thankful for?

Do you love what you do?

A friend posted this picture on FB today (Thanks Jami) and it made me think.... Do I love what I do?

Most people who know me know I work too much (sometimes) and I take my job seriously.  But I love my job.  I have the opportunity to help inspire, teach and shape the future... yes, it's a restaurant company but the future is bright.  :)

But I also love what I do when I am not at work.  I love to be involved and I love to help people achieve their dreams.  The reason I love it so is that I feel I get more than I give.  It's that feeling that keeps me focused in all aspects of my live.

Do you love what you do?



Plan A...

A friend posted this picture on Facebook a few days ago and it made me think... What was my Plan A?  


I thought about it and realized if my Plan A would have succeeded, my life would be very different.  I would be living in NYC or Chicago or Boston and in a totally different profession, with totally different friends and totally different ideas, thoughts, hobbies, interests... everything.  


But the more I thought about it, I am not even living Plan B.... I think this is Plan L!  It's amazing how you adjust to what life hands you.  It has made me realize that I can't plan quite as much as I thought I could when I was younger... I think now I am more flexible and always thinking of other options.  Right now, Plan L is working pretty well.


Of course, we will see what happens when we get to Plan M... and beyond!  :)  

Life is Short...

Read this... and think about it... really think about it.

Remember... it's your LIFE.  Sometimes we get so caught up in the mundane routine of life we forget our passion.  We forget our dreams.  We forget that life IS simple!

How will you change your life?

I love the last line... Live your Dream and Share your Passion.  :)

PS... thanks VLC for sharing on FB!  ;)

All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten...

I was on vacation last week... yes, I actually took time off!  Shocker!  It was a good time to think and refocus and do some people watching... and it really made think... Yes, all I really need to know, I learned in Kindergarten!

As I read this again, I think why as we get older, do we feel we should move away from these basics?  Why do we get more, and share less?  Why is Sorry hard to say as we enter double digits?  And why as adult is singing, dancing, painting and drawing everyday frowned upon?  Why is Living a Balance Life so hard?  And why is that word LOOK replaced DO(and do more and more and more) as we get older?  Why do we talk more and listen less?  Why as adults, we go out on our own to conquer the world and not look out for traffic, hold hands and stick together like we were taught?

I challenge you to pick one of these ideas and do it for a week.  These are all simple and basic ideas and I am thinking simple and basic may just be the key to find happiness and balance in our complicated, hectic lives.

I'm picking Take a Nap Every Afternoon!  ;)  Where is my blanket?

Daylight Savings... saving who?

Yeah... we gained an extra hour of daylight!  Really?  I am trying to understand how losing 1 hour of sleep on a weekend and raise such havoc. 

Sunday was fine.  All the clocks did their thing and reset overnight.  Monday was great!  Up early, lots accomplished.  Yeah!  Tuesday... oh, slow start.... Wednesday, just 5 more minutes of sleep, please!  Thursday, REALLY!  It's not Friday yet!

So how has Daylight Savings saved you?  :)

Great Moments are Born from Great Opportunities...

31 years ago today the Miracle happened.  Yes, the Miracle on Ice was played on February 22, 1980 in the sleepy little town of Lake Placid, NY.  I remember the game like it was yesterday.  I remember the sights, the sounds and the emotion with which that game was played.

But I think what sticks with me now is the speech that Herb Brooks gave his team before the game.  Here's my favorite version...


There are so many great moments in our lives.  Birthdays, first dates, weddings, finding new friends and reuniting with old... so many moments.  And these moments sprung from opportunities.

What opportunities in your life have lead to great moments?

Mine are simple.  The opportunity to relocate from the North to Florida and find the love of my life.  Great Opportunity.  The opportunity to be part of something bigger than me, something that would change my life.  Another Great Opportunity.

Make the most of your opportunities.  Some only come around once!

Thank you to those who have become part of my Great Moments!  <3  xoxo

Courtesy... here have you gone?

Ok... I know I seem to rant a bit about politeness and being nice, but I experienced something the other day that made me shake my head.

I am sitting in the dentist office (love my dentist... Dr. Sunshine, no lie!).  I have had my xrays done, and we are starting my cleaning and the hygienist in the next room is still waiting for her 8am appointment.  At 8:10, she finally comes in on her cell phone and sitting in the chair.  She continues to talk for the next 5 minutes.  The hygienist is patiently waiting for her to finish.  She finally gets off the phone and they do xrays.  While the hygienist is in the dark room processing the xrays, she get BACK on her phone!  The hygienist is only gone maybe 30 seconds tops!  She remained on the phone for another 10 minutes.  At 8:25, she finally hangs up again and the hygienist finally can start.  As a result of this very rude woman, the hygienist is now behind for the entire day.  No, the office does not have a cell phone policy but because they don't, is it the patient's privilege to waste the office's time?

Should any service provider, be it doctors, dentists, hair stylists, manicurists, auto service, etc, be allowed to charge you for wasting their time?  Everyone's time to valuable.  Why should you have the right to monopolize someone else's time?

My garden....

Yes, I have a garden.

It's not a huge garden... it's only 4 ft by 50 ft... and yes, I have a sprinkler system.  :)  We experimented with lots of different fruit and vegetables.  We find what works (love beets) and what doesn't (watermelon took over our lawn... but they were yummy!)

Now, I am sure you are thinking - why is she talking about her garden?  Yup, she's lost it.  No, I bring this up because of an article I read this morning about Pat Williams, founder of the Orlando Magic.  He has a plaque hanging near some flowers by his swimming pool that reads:  Plant smiles. Grow giggles. Harvest love.  hmmmm... what an idea!

Plant Smiles:  Smiles are contagious.  Think of a comedy club.  Have you ever seen a sad person in audience?  No!  The more smiles we plant, the more they multiple.

Grow Giggles:  Giggles are like bubbles.  They are light and airy and float to fill the space they are in.  But have you ever seen a child just giggle once?  No... there are at least 3-4 giggles hidden in every child's smile.  The issue becomes when we grow up.  Adults don't tend to giggle much.  WHY? And how can we change that?  (please don't make me tell you jokes to make you giggle!  Jeff will back me up here!  ;))

Harvest Love:  I love going to my garden to harvest what I have grown.  There is a great pride in enjoying my hard work and patience.  The same with harvesting love.  I waited a long time for love to find me... or me to find it!  But now that my heart is open to love, it finds me everywhere.  In person, in emails, online (no online dating here!), in a store...everywhere!

So my challenge is this... What are you planting, growing and harvesting in your "garden"?

Attitude is everything...

I have been privileged enough to hear Keith Harrell speak to several groups over the past few years and everytime I leave after his talks, I realized that he's right - Attitude is Everything! 



His message is powerful... and dead on! 

70% of all communication is non-verbal!  70%!    And I would believe it!  Think about it... our first impression is everything.  WOW!  That's powerful.  But it also makes me think about the attitudes we encounter every day.  The good, the bad and the ugly!  Sometimes we encounter them all...sometimes in the same person!  :)  But my challenge is this - how can we change our attitudes and our non-verbal communication to influence others? 

Most people that know me know that I am a mostly pretty positive person.  Yes, I am that person that says good morning to everyone, smiles at complete strangers and can make small talk in a crowded elevator.  (too many years working at Disney World!)  :)  But I believe that's the way it should be.  Please tell me what do you get for being cranky and snarly to everyone you meet?  My guess would be road rage, frown lines and a crinkly forehead!  Yuck!

My mom always said that as long as you are wearing a smile, you are ready for the day.  I know she's right.  Think about it.... what if everyone for just one day, smiled at everyone they come in contact with.... in person, on the phone (yes, you can see a smile on the phone!  It effects your voice!), in an email :)... Smiles are contagious!  Right, 3-Day buds!  wink, wink! 
I dare you to do it tomorrow!  Smile... it does make others wonder what you are up to!  And remember, Attitude is Everything.

"The Attitude you choose today determines the success you have tomorrow."  - Keith Harrell (RIP)

Kindness ROCKS!!!

Wow... this week has been an interest week weather wise.... snow, ice, thundersnow, blinding cold temperatures....  Global warming is not a myth.  However, we also see a rarely seen phenomenon ... kindness!

But my question is this... why does it take a natural disaster or life-threatening illness for us to be kind to others? Now, those 3-Day buds of mine understand what I mean.... Every year we spend 3 days surrounded by 100's of friends and family all moving (literally and figuratively) to raise awareness and find a cure for Breast Cancer.  During these 3 days we are one.  Smiles are contagious, hugs are given freely, and everyone helps everyone else with everything.  

So when I see the news with stories of neighbors helping neighbors, dig out cars, shoveling roofs, looking after shut-in neighbors... Kindness!   Hmmmm.... it just makes me wonder!  Have we become so self-absorbed that we can't see beyond our own bubble?  There is a great line from Doc Hollywood where Lou says, "Most people live ON the world, not IN it." and it really is true.  

So I ask, what are you doing to be IN the world?  How are you making a difference?  No, I am not talking about super feats, like world peace, finding a cure for all cancers and making sure that no one goes hungry or dies from disease.  I am talking about little things... a kind word in the elevator, letting a car out from a parking lot ahead of you, a smile to a stranger.  It's the little things that can cause a chain react....

Kindness does ROCK!  Let's rock our world!  :)

Why Skipping...

Now, I want to make something clear... I am not writing this blog to piss anyone off. I am just noting what I see in the world and hopefully can make everyone take a look at themselves, how they act and how they are "teaching" the next generation.

So we are a month into 2011 and I've been thinking... Am I going crazy? Or is the world?

I mean, it seems like things are just plain crazy in the world. Crazy weather, crazy politics, crazy economy, crazy criminals, crazy is everywhere in my world.

I am noticing the even the little things that people do are crazy... or at least seem it once you take a look at them.

Example, driving to work. Ok, I drive the same route to work 5 days a week at the same time every day. I drive with the same drivers around me every day. Now drivers fall into a few categories in my book: Taxi moms, Nascar wanna-be's, Chatty Cathy's and the forgotten Sundays. Let me explain... Taxi moms - just that moms hauling kids.... yup, hauling. They get them in the car (mini-van or SUV), get them where they need to be and get them out...plain and simple. They tend to be do more rear view mirror refereeing then actually looking at the road in front of them. Nascar wanna-be's - you know 'em, no matter what the speed limit, everyone around them is going too slow, is in their lane and they WILL get around you just to be ahead of you... until you get to the next red light and then they are right next to you again. Chatty Cathy's - the women and men who have their cell phone basically attached to their ear.... no matter what time of day... or night. Please tell me, WHO do you need to talk to at 6:45 in the morning? And last but not least are the Forgotten Sundays - these are the few (very few) folks who believe that it's Sunday every day of the week and they can drive 25 mph UNDER the speed limit.... in the left lane.

So with this said, all of these people make my commute... interesting. I have seen taxi-mom totally blow red lights and make illegal left turns to get their kids to soccer practice on time, Nascar's practically blow a gasket because the car in front of them didn't run the orange light (you know, the yellow light that is just turning red) to make the turn, Chattys manage to dial the phone, change the radio station, shift to second gear and make a right turn with their knees, and Sundays think they are leading a parade of 17 cars at 7:50am in the left lane of I-4.

My big question is WHY? Why are they (we) all in a hurry to get nowhere, make the next call, drop the kids off or be totally oblivious to others around them? Sometimes we do need to take a page from Ferris Buller's playbook.... Slow down and take a look around... You never know who's watching...