The Lure of a Full Moon

Tonight there is a big bright full moon. There's something so compelling about a full moon. I always feel like something magical can begin when you will on a full moon. "Full moon, so big and bright, grant the wish I wish tonight." Whether there's any truth to it, who knows. But how can something so beautiful not have the power to make dreams come true?

The Fraternity of the Dog Walk

One of the best things about having a dog is taking walks and greeting the other dog walkers along the way. Large breeds, small breeds, pure breds or mutts, their owners are all a part of their own unique club. A community of people who hope that their canines greet people and other dogs with a sense of decorum...who pray that there aren't any puddles or dead things along the path...and who willingly scoop up their pals' deposits in plastic bags and pretend that it's not disgusting. We smile and nod, offer a quick greeting, and scratch the heads of the passing pooches. Night after night, morning after morning, the ritual repeats. It's our way of thanking these beloved creatures for their boundless love and affection. A fair exchange to be sure.

A Better Description

It seems that if you ask people to describe themselves, the responses will likely be fairly predictable...age, profession, marital status, height, weight, etc. While accurate, these descriptions don't really invoke a sense of interpersonal engagement.

A thought occurred to me today...since you are the one generating the description, why not make it one that gives them a sense of who you truly are - the way that an author describes a character in a novel?

How about (from A to Z), "I'm...animated, ambitious, brilliant, bubbly, coquettish, cryptic, delicious, dastardly, dynamic, exhuberent, extravagant, faithful, genteel, giggly, genuine, half-hearted, hilarious, homespun, intoxicating, inspired, imaginative, jovial, juicy, kinetic, loquacious, laborious, luscious, manic, morose, mindful, needy, necessary, organic, original, obtuse, passionate, quixotic, random, rebellious, riddled, reminiscent, sympathetic, sensual, triumphant, unexpected, vivid, vibrant, wicked, wise, wistful, something with an x, youthful, zesty, or zany?"

We are what we create. Why not be memorable?!

Fall is in the Air

Without question, my favorite season is fall. More specifically, my favorite month (although not technically a real month) is the period from September 15th to October 15th. During that stretch, the days are sunny and mild and the nights are crisp and cool. The trees are ablaze with color and there's an indescribable scent of autumn in the air.

This year, it seems the season has started a little early. Hopefully that will mean my favorite season will extend a little longer. But just in case it's just shifted ahead, I intend to savor every moment of this season.

Tonight as I walked Snickers, I allowed myself to drink in the experience...the chill air on my cheeks, the wafting scent of a fire burning in a fireplace, the first spots of color among the leaves, the deep hue of goldenrod in full bloom, even the haunting call of a screech owl...a sure sign that Halloween is just around the corner.

The Pace of Grace

The first day back to work after a vacation is almost always challenging. No matter how well you've planned for your departure, there is a need to "catch up" with all that has transpired in your absence. It can be a bit overwhelming.

To ease my reentry to the work world, today I chose to conciously practice "the pace of grace". In the book of Matthew it is written, "Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace." This is the pace of grace - to refuse to be flustered by the world around you, to take things as they come trusting that all will be accomplished in due course.

When I first read this passage, I thought of a former co-worker. Although a tall, lanky man, he always walked at a slow, deliberate pace and approached his work in a similar manner. As a result, he always appeared in control and put people at ease.

It is so easy to get caught up in the frenzy of everyday life. But keep your calm in the storm , let the winds blow by, and follow the path in front of you one step at a time.

The Comforts of Home

I just returned from my weeklong vacation. Despite having a wonderful, relaxing time, I'm ready to settle into the comforts of home. There's something about returning to the place you know best...where everything is just where you need it to be...where your routines give a familiar rhythm to each day...where you feel a part of everything that surrounds you.

As Dorothy once said in the Wizard of Oz..."there's no place like home."

A Generational Exchange

In families, there is a bi-directional exchange. Parents pass down their knowledge and legacies to their children. In turn, children infuse their parents with new ideas and innovations.

In the past 24 hours, I had the privilege of enjoying one of these two-way flows. Last night, I took the opportunity to set up a blog for my mother. She is a gifted quilter and I wanted her to have a site where she could display her creations and promote items that she was interested in selling.

This afternoon, she returned the favor by passing down her recipe for German potato salad and overseeing my first attempt. While I could probably have made it on my own, it was a special moment to have her guide me through the process to ensure that it turned out as it should.

Although simple acts, this exchange was an opportunity for each of us to grow and appreciate what the other had to share. And, isn't that what family is all about.

A Day in the Bogs

Today we took a tour of one of the cranberry bogs of northern Wisconsin. It's amazing how much effort goes into something as simple as a can of cranberry sauce. The planting, growing and harvesting processes involve an amazing amount of care and effort. The yield of the crop, and the resulting value of the harvest, is so dependent on the whims of Mother Nature and the growers' response to temperatures and weather conditions.

There are so many things that we take for granted, as seemingly inconsequential as the cranberries on our Thanksgiving table. We are oblivious to all that has gone into bringing them to being. Yet, opportunities like this one remind us to take a moment whenever we can to stop and think about the little things in our lives and to acknowledge what went into creating each and every one.

Nothing Like A Good Nap

There is nothing more delicious than an afternoon nap. Today I curled up on the couch on my parents' sun porch, started reading a good book, and before I knew it I had drifted off into a deep, satisfying sleep. When I awoke I felt completely refreshed and ready to take on the rest of the day.

As children, we fight the urge to nap. Yet entire cultures embrace the midday siesta. As for me, give me a firm couch, a comfy pillow, a soft afghan and a chance for some zzz's anytime!

A Little Creative Momentum

For quite awhile I've been wanting to get back into artwork in some form or another. In hopeful anticipation, I've stocked up on various supplies, started watching craft shows on HGTV, and, well...thought a lot about it. What I hadn't done is actually start something. Maybe it was just the fear of getting started. Or perhaps I just didn't know where to begin.

Today I found a way to jumpstart that creative spark. I was given the chance to help out the local women's club in my mom's town by outlining graphics on some greeting cards they were making. Instead of just doing the outlines, I decided to add a touch of graphic embellishment to each card. With each card, I stretched my imagination to find a way to make it unique from the others.

Who knows if this will be the start of a long term artistic journey. But, it certainly has been a chance to finally gain some momentum...and sometimes that's all you need.

Walk Your Cares Away

I have found that there's no better way for me to work through my frustrations or stress than a good long walk. There's something about the rhythm of the steps that allows whatever's bothering me to work its way out. No matter how strong the emotions, no matter how cluttered my mind, a long walk is an almost guaranteed way to bring me back to center. Of course, some days require a lot more steps than others to achieve that destination. But no matter what, it's good to know that the path is always waiting.

Some Things You Never Forget

For the past two days I've had a chance to do something I haven't in a long time - to swing. Yes, swing...high in the air on a playground swing. Like riding a bike, it's something that comes back to you quickly. Leaning back, kicking your feet out as you go higher and higher. A simple joy that I'd recommend for anyone who wants to remember you always have the power to fly.

A Spontaneous Splash

It's amazing how bound we are to expected conventions. Today, after hanging out with my niece and nephew at the playground near my parents' cottage, we decided to drive a mile or so down the road to a nearby beach to cool down by wading in the lake. Mom, Sofia and I were all wearing capri pants, so we scooted them up above our knees and stepped in the water. Sean rolled up the bottom of his long jean shorts and did the same.

Little by little, the water beckoned and the bottoms of our pant legs started getting wet. Sean looked up and said, "Wouldn't it be fun if we could just get completely wet with our clothes on." The way he said it made it seem like the most outrageous possibility...totally out of the realm of what they could possibly do and not get in trouble. For some reason, it just struck me sort of silly and I said "Why not?" We splashed and played, getting more and more soaked. Every so often, the kids would look at me to see if I was still going to let them get away with this silliness. And, of course I did.

By the time we finally got out of the lake, the kids were wet from head to toe and I was soaked well past my waist. Only my Mom managed to escape relatively dry. It was spontaneous and silly. But somehow, I just know it will be one of those moments they'll remember for a lifetime.

Forced to Disconnect

Just before departing for my weeklong vacation at my parents' lake home, I was told by our company president that I really should try to disconnect - that I deserved a real break. Despite that, I packed up my laptop with grand plans to organize and get caught up on work while I was away.

As they say, "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans." He must have gotten quite a chuckle on my behalf, because after driving more than halfway to my destination, I realized that I had left the bag with my laptop and many of my other "projects" at home. After 10 minutes of panic, I realized that I could easily replace what I really needed out of that bag with a quick stop at Wal-Mart. I also chose to view it as an opportunity to do what I was told -- to disconnect, renew and refresh.

So, writing this on my parents' computer, I'm able to connect as much as I really need to and plan to open myself to the possibilities of a week of relaxation. I'm sure I will return a much better person thanks to a little divine intervention.

The Power of the Written Word

Recently I started an engaging, ongoing dialogue with an individual via email. While I've yet to meet this person, I feel that I've already developed an amazing kinship, just from the power of the written words that have been shared. Not only does this individual have an obvious command of, and appreciation for, the English language, the exchange has encouraged me to reply with the same care and creativity.

A few days ago, I was also introduced to a blog written by a former high school classmate. Like my email correspondent, she uses words as a beautiful form of personal expression.

In a world where communication is being truncated into sound bites, text messages and emoticons, it's nice to know that there is still a vibrant faction who is holding firm to the eloquence of the written word.

My Wish Books

A few months ago I read the book "Twenty Wishes" by Debbie Macomber. The story involved a group of women who decided that each would create a list of twenty wishes....not goals or things that they wanted to changeabout themselves, but things that they really wished to experience or have in their lives. While reading this book, wishes of my own started to come to mind and I decided to write my own list. Once I began, it was amazing how many wishes I actually had...39 to be exact.

Some of my wishes....

• Fall totally in love with a man who makes me feel treasured
• Spend at least 3 months living in Italy
• Write a book
• Own a bright red roadster convertible
• Do something totally fearless
• Become an accomplished artist
• Stand on the Sydney Harbor bridge
• Cruise through the Greek isles
• Feel the spray of Niagara Falls
• Know that I've truly made a difference in someone's life

Each of these wishes is something I consider very special. So special, in fact, that I decided they needed to be kept in a way that reflected their importance. So I bought two 4 x 6 photo albums and created a page for each wish using scrapbook paper. There's even room for me to add a photo next to each wish as it comes to fruition.

Now, when a day feels overwhelming or I lose my sense of purpose, I can just pull out one of my wish books and find something to look forward to.

Who Do I Want to Be?

Yesterday I dug out an old Tony Robbins CD on Time Management and gave it a listen. His message was not that of most time management gurus, but instead encouraged you to begin with the question "What does an extraordinary life look like for you?" As I took my dog, Snickers, for a walk I pondered that question.

What came to me instead was the answer to a different question, "Who is the person that you want to be?" The words came to me, one by one, and as I thought about each one I realized that I found them to be both aspirational and inspirational. They described the person that I wanted to be and what I wanted to be known for.

The person I want to be is...

Vibrant - full of light and life, energetic, healthy, happy

Beautiful - inside and out, in the way I live my life and in the things I surround myself with

Confident - self-assured, trusting in myself and the plan that God has laid out for me

Genuine - honest, real, open, knowing that who I am is exactly who I need to be

Accomplished - having big ideas, big dreams and big goals...and seeing them through to completion

Inspired by the Achievements of Others

Some days it's harder than others to stay motivated, particularly in times where you keep on trudging but don't really see that you're getting anywere. It's like walking through an endless cornfield. You're following the path that lies before you, yet what lies ahead is just more corn! But if you're lucky, you'll happen upon a spot where you catch a glimpse of something that beckons you to keep moving forward.

That's what happened to me today. A co-worker created a really wonderful white paper that outlined her vision of our company's unique value in the area of digital merchandising. It was the kind of document that made you stop and say, "Wow...what if we had this kind of clarity around the areas that I am responsible for?" It encouraged me to think at a higher level and sparked some new excitement about the possibilities I could be a part of.

Her efforts became a catalyst for me, and hopefully my efforts will become a catalyst for others.

Begin by Letting Go

As I was clearing out some old email, I ran across the perfect quote to start this journey of inspiration. Ironically, it was sent to me by a dear friend whose name is also Julie (isn't life funny).

"Even though you may want to move forward in your life, you may have one foot on the brakes. In order to be free, we must learn how to let go. Release the hurt. Release the fear. Refuse to entertain your old pain. The energy it takes to hang onto the past is holding you back from a new life. What is it you would let go of today?" - Mary Manin Morrissey

365 Days of Inspiration

This weekend, I saw the movie Julie & Julia. The story was funny and motivating all at the same time. What intrigued me most was Julie Powell's decision that changed her life - to work through all of the recipes in Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" in one year.

Being at a point where I'm ready to make some shake-ups in my own life, I've decided to make a similar commitment. So, following Julie Powell's path, here goes...

The challenge: to post something that I find inspiring to this blog each day for a year.
The challenger: one cautiously optimistic, creative soul who is smack-dab in a mid-life moment
The desire: by searching out inspiration and sharing it with others, I will discover the path that will lead me to a joy-filled life.