happy birthday, Ben

My big boy is 20 years old today. 

I found a great card for him and copied the words below. . .words straight from my heart.

"No one can count on the future

or know what they someday might do,

 

 

But could I have chosen the son that I wanted,

the one I'd have picked would be you.

 

 

I'd have wished for your great sense of humor

and dreamed of your spirit and style.

 

 

 I'd have hoped for your love and affection,

imagined the joy in your smile . . .

 

 

 Life holds some gifts and surprises,

and one of the best there could be

 

 

is having a son who's exactly the one

who's already been given to me."

 

i love you

this is why we practice

Another post from Danielle LaPorte. . . and from my heart. . .

"You will be called on to expand. And this is why we practice."

I travelled to Dharamshala, India with six friends to meet with The Dalai Lama. It was cell-altering and heart-expanding. (The story is here.)

The week before our arrival, there had been a horrible event in which some monks were murdered — most shockingly, by other monks. The story was on everyone’s mind and in our small, private meeting with His Holiness, the first thing we did was offer our condolences. His response captivated me.

“Ah, yes, thank you for your thoughts,” he said. “This is why we practice, for times like these when compassion is so necessary.” He didn’t nod in mutual disdain. He didn’t show any drama. He was soft and … practical.

This is why we practice.

For times like these.

You don’t need to forgive until you need to forgive. You don’t need nerves of steel until you need nerves of steel. You don’t need to call on your reserves of compassion, or fortitude, or faith until you’ve used up everything else.

This is why we practice.

This is why, that even when life is ambling along nicely and there’s food in our spiritual cupboard, we still make sure that we get to yoga, or the reading group, or Sunday services.

When we’re healthy and happy we make sure to dance, we hit the court, we pick up the phone to check in, we drop by with something in hand.

When we’re believing in the fairness and the glory of human nature and the so-called Fates, we keep seeking, and meditating on reality, and praying for healing though nothing obvious ails us.

We keep standing up to make our art even when we could be predictable pedestrians.

Because the day will most certainly come, as it does whether you are a whole-hearted Lover or in denial of Grace, that you will be struck down or ground down by life. It can come in tiny tearing heartbreaks five times a day, just walking through your neighbourhood. It could come in the name of tragedy that could only happen once in a lifetime.

And you will need to withdraw the insights that you put into your heart’s escrow. And you will need to call on your people — the unseen and the ones right in front of you — to help you meet the day.

You will be interrupted.
You will be called on to expand.
You will be asked who you are and why you are here.

This is why we practice.

generosity is the next frontier

This recent post by Danielle LaPorte has been printed and taped to my cabinet door at work. :)  love it.  

17 Declarations on Business Life

Nothing is a sure thing. No matter what they said, no matter how well the meeting went, no matter how much you rocked it. Until the check clears, or the doors open, or the curtain lifts, you’re actually operating on faith. (And faith is essentially awesome and necessary — but until the check clears …)

If you chase goals that are meaningless, you will do things that you don’t really want to do — and it will feel gross. And you’ll get headaches. And your creativity will suffer.

This paradox will set you free: Be zealously determined to feel exactly what you want to feel, and then let go of your expectations of how it shows up.

Conformity sucks.

It’s all about relationships. Every victory, every stressor, every laugh, every breakthrough, and almost everything you appreciate about your work and life will be about the relationships you have.

If you work to earn the respect of the people you work with, everything else takes care of itself.See it as concentric circles of love: you, those nearest to you, the rest of the world. On a related note:

Take care of the people who work with you. It’s easy to get focused on the customer, or the stakeholders, or everyone beyond your work walls, but if you can actively serve the people on your team, you will not only learn and give and receive in profound ways, you will burn some karma.

It’s never about the money.

It’s always about the money.

It’s easy to say you’re not in it for the money when you have some money.

Show up as yourself. So many people are dying inside because they’re not really showing up. So if you’re You — at the meeting, at the club, on the bus, in love — well, then that would make youautomatically exceptional (not to mention freer, fulfilled, and closer to self-actualization. And sexy. Of course.).

Meaningful work + a fun time doing it = Bliss.

Everybody talks about everybody. No exceptions. Keep it positive and hopeful.

Lying is bad news.

Ignorance is a choice. Wisdom is earned. People do stupid stuff when they’re scared.

Kindness. It all gets down to kindness — and it always will.

Generosity is the next frontier. 

• DOWNLOAD THE POSTER HERE.

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I'm sure it is obvious by the number of my posts that feature Danielle LaPorte's ideas that I am a fan of her writing.  A new favorite of mine is Susan Cain.  I have been thinking a lot about her video that I watched last weekend on introverts.  I really appreciate her thoughts on the gifts offered by introverts.   My heart has always easily recognized the child who could be described as an introvert and also shy.  Not an easy combination of characteristics in this society. 

I just bookmarked Susan Cain's blog and can't wait to watch some of the videos she highlighted from TED2013.  I'm also anxious to read some of the books in her long list of recommendations.

Last "home" game

This was the last home game for our Seniors.  Before the JV game, the varsity players hung out together and watched the game.  It was fun to watch them laugh and talk with each other.

Isaac played with the JV team and did a great job.


I like these shots as the boys wait to go in.

The boys laughed and laughed and talked and talked.

Zach P likes to hang out with these big guys.

cool shot . . .

fan section . . .

My new lens works great.  I still have a lot to figure out but I'm getting there.

Awesome shot! I took it of Isaac, of course, but the shot of Andrew Johnson jumping in the air is so cool!  I didn't realize I had that shot until I started editing and noticed him.

Before the game . . .

Isaac joined the band after his JV game.

I like this shot of the 3 boys getting back on defense.

I hate to see the game end.  I will really miss watching these Seniors play.

This is a special group of guys.  They will be missed.

introverts

Introverts, in contrast, may have strong social skills and enjoy parties and business meetings, but after a while wish they were home in their pajamas. They prefer to devote their social energies to close friends, colleagues, and family. They listen more than they talk, think before they speak, and often feel as if they express themselves better in writing than in conversation. They tend to dislike conflict. Many have a horror of small talk, but enjoy deep discussions.

Susan Cain

(via yourmindisaminefield)

Introverts paradoxically pull away from culture and create culture.

Laurie Helgoe

Bill Gates: My 13 favorite talks

"When Bill Gates was asked to curate a list of his favorite talks (TED), his first response was, “There are too many to pick, really.” He whittled it down to 13 essentials."   #12 was Susan Cain's presentation:

Susan Cain: The power of introverts

"In a culture where being social and outgoing are prized above all else, it can be difficult, even shameful, to be an introvert. But, as Susan Cain argues in this passionate talk, introverts bring extraordinary talents and abilities to the world, and should be encouraged and celebrated."

 

. . . I just realized that the quote at the top of this post is from Susan Cain.  I didn't notice that as I was creating this post until just now!  Funny.  It is also interesting to note that I am totally alone in my home this morning and I have been thinking (and watching "Pioneer Woman" on Food Network).  I think a lot when I'm alone and come up with some great ideas.  I've been mostly thinking about work and why this year has been especially difficult.  Stressful... distressing... frustrating.  And I think I have identified something.  

Because of varying circumstances, my ability to be creative, press on confidently,  and engage in meaningful interactions at work has decreased this year.  As a result, trust and satisfaction have deteriorated.  I'm not sure how my thoughts surrounding introverts and my own personality helped me come to this conclusion, but it did.  I think a renewed understanding of my nature and temperament provided insight into my situation and challenges at work.  I need to make a change.  I think I can do that now that I know what may be at the root of my discouragement.  

Snofest 2013

What a fun week! Sam and Isaac were attendants for their classes. Abbie and Hannah Olson (sisters)were also attendants for the Freshman and Senior classes! They had a great week.  The attendants came to CES to sell beads and pencils to the kids.  The Activities Fest was on Wednesday and the classes competed in different events, trying to earn points for their classes.

 

Coronation was Friday and Sammy and Hannah were crowned!  The classes each put on skits that were awesome! 

 

Sammy spotted Blake:)

 

Hugs from friends . . .  hugs from Brooke:)

 

 

 

 And last, but not least :), the boys' adoring family.  We are so proud of them . . . so happy for them . . .

courage, my love

.. . . more from Danielle LaPorte's blog

The myth about following your intuition

That still, small voice. The inner knowing. The call.
You can hear it.
Awesome.
Power!

I’ve got plenty of issues with New Age’isms and self-help authors (ahem), but this is one of my favourite rubs:

That once you hear your divine inner knowing, then you’ll just glide into manifesting what your intuition is showing you. It’s as if the subtlety of our hunches should translate into a breezy path with an angelic soundtrack, as if grace is automatically granted because we’re in touch with ourselves.

Following your intuition ain’t always an act of grace — it can be a total grind. You will have to burn things. You might sweat, toil and dig dig dig to do what you know must be done. Following your intuition might call on you to do the hardest thing you’ve ever done in your life.

Here’s the thing: If you can get down with that realist’s possibility, then you’ll have greater access to the strength required to turn your inner whispers into your opera of change.

Courage, my love