Elegance

I got a pair of pearl studs for my birthday from my mom. To be honest, I asked her for this gift. No matter what I am wearing and/or how my hair is done, I feel I look more elegant (think Breakfast at Tiffany's), if I am wearing the pearls. And Like Audrey Hepburn's character, Holly Golightly, feeling elegant makes me feel like I can take on the world.

Being passionate.....

This morning I introduced my weekly networking group to Ernest T. Smith. I first learned about Ernest in a podcast episode of The Productivity Show from Asian Efficiency. Ernest lives in your brain and is active in your "ernest" intentions to do something. With Ernest, you may not do the tasks on your to list, such as attend the PTA meeting or even take your friend to lunch. I intend in 2017, to evict Ernest from my brain, so I can focus on the tasks that I am passionate about and accomplish them. Thereby being more successful at my goals. To paraphrase the Dixie Chicks, "Goodbye Ernest."

Words today....Even celebrities struggle to pull it all together

“[I’m] trying to figure out time management, You know, you want to give every piece of your life — all of it. So, I want my kids to have all of me, I want my husband, I want my mom and dad, my brother, my friends and, of course, work. And so it’s just really hard for me to figure out time management.” —Jessica Alba

Wise Words on Wednesday.....

"May you have hindsight to know where you've been, the foresight to know where you are going, and the insight to know when you have gone to far." — Irish Saying

Words on Wednesday: A children't poet reminds us that anything is possible

"Listen to the Mustn'ts, child. Listen to the Don't. Listen to the Shouldn'ts, the Impossibles, the Wont's. Listen to the Never Haves, then listen close to me...Anything can happen, child. Anything can be." —Shel Silverstein

Wise Words on Wednesday......

"If you want to know your past, look at your present conditions. If you want to know your future, look into your present actions." — Buddhist Saying

Clothing quality—has it disappeared?

Tonight, I repaired holes in a brand name (think fashion icon) sweater. Luckily, they are at the color and therefore hard to see. Also, I repaired holes in a sweater of my dad's that is more than 30 years old. The other sweater I bought last year. Where has the quality of clothing gone? Brand name is no longer synonymous with quality. Too bad!

Customer Service at its best

We all know there is good and bad customer services. Today, I experienced customer service that was out of this world. I went into to my local pharmacy to have a prescription refilled. At this pharmacy the pharmacist, knows who I am when I walk in the door. I told him what a I needed refilled and he said it was done. I was in and out in less than 5 minutes. My pharmacy had refilled my prescription before I asked for it and therefore it was ready when I came into ask. I take my hat off to Ballard Pharmacy. My oven overheated on self clean more than a month ago, and it has taken me this long with a back and forth to the appliance store where I bought it to get them to arrange service on it. Not to mention I reached out to the service company directly with no luck. The appliance store (which will remain nameless) should take a lesson from Sarge and his staff at Ballard Pharmacy.

Ice cream sundae

IAt my last Reiki session, my friend and practitioner, Cindy, asked, "What was your dad's favorite dessert?" My answer, "An ice cream sundae." So she told me to have one and I did so yesterday. It may not have been the best one I ever had, but it was the most meaningful. I felt an instant connection to my dad and my great uncle (his favorite flavor was cookies n' cream), who both died around this time of year. Just from the sundae, I understood how both of these men, who were integral part of my life, would view my life now. I even felt like they gave me so advice too. Often, I wish they were still here to talk with and learn from, so thank you Cindy for pointing out a way to connect to them in spirit and continue to learn. I learned that my favorite dessert is a simple sundae—vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce and whipped cream. Unlike my dad, I don't like a cherry on top.

Words on Wednesday

"Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn." — Benjamin Franklin

What we learn from others...

My mom had a childhood friend recently pass away. He was a radio sports jokey and I learned upon his death that he reported the news for several hours on 9/11. He didn't have to; he could have continued to report the sports. Instead he gave his listeners what they wanted and needed—the news of what was happening in the US. I learn from this that no matter who we are or what we do, sometimes we need to reach beyond this to give people what they need. Thank you, George, for teaching me this and being a true friend to my mom.

What a mountain today.

Today I did battle with a mountain and the mountain won. I was supposed to trek into some ruins, but some riding lessons, backpacking in my youth and gym workouts weren't enough preparation. I should have thoroughly researched the trek. Over 20 years ago I did battle with another mountain and lost. Today I learned as I did then to stop while I was ahead and head back to a bed. Today, I also learned that mountains and I aren't friends and that is all right. In life, it is important to be thoroughly prepared and know your limits. My limit is riding a horse down a winding narrow path. Tonight I will sleep in a bed. My traveling companion, more prepared then I, is still on the trek and I wish him a journey of health and good weather.

Postcard of reality

My daughter and I were talking recently and I said that I would send her a postcard from my upcoming trip that read, "Wish you were here. Opps! You weren't invited." She didn't take kindly to this. However as a single mom, it is important for my daughter and I to have time apart. Time apart is good for any relationship. It allows two or more people to regroup, recreate appreciation for the other(s) and recommit to the relationship. I know that I will miss my daughter when I am away and she will miss me. Also, I know each of us will be glad to be apart from the other since of late we have been on each other's cases a lot. A little peach goes along way!

R&R

This traditionally means rest and relaxation. In my house I am teaching my 11 y.o. teenage daughter that it means respect and responsibility. Respect is for others and their belongings. Responsibility is for accepting her role in a situation and not to be quick to blame others. So far, my new travel coffee mug has been used twice without asking. I still have some teaching to do. Even though the school year ends tomorrow, my daughter still has some learning to do.

A great quote.....

"Remember all things are possible for those who believe." --Gail Devers, Olympic Champion

Businessman?

"As the old expression goes, there's a difference between a "man in business" and a "businessman." A man in business goes through the motions; a business man is competitive, insightful,resourceful, nimble and driven." Which are you?

Quote from Business Mensch by Noah Alper

What's in spirituality?

I have spent this weekend with my best friend and her family experiencing Easter. I went to church for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The services have been moving and reminded me of the services I attend at Synagogue. It has been wonderful to experience the spirituality of Easter and relate it to my Jewish upbringing and current practice as a Jew. And as always I love being with my friend and her family. It always reminds me of the importance of friendships and maintaining them.

Wise words....

"Time is a currency you can only spend once, so be careful how you spend it." —Harmon Okinyo

What a week....

There was so much going on this week, that it got out-of-hand. I showed up on the wrong day for a networking event. I couldn't show up on the right day because I was leading my fist ever workshop. Only one person came (it was cold and wet out) and now I can say I did it. Lucky for me the one person is a friend, so it was easier (less never racking) than I anticipated. I put my profile up on an online dating site and to do so did some serious thinking about me as a person and my likes and dislikes. Now I know, I can't live without a good book, a cup of Caffix (all natural coffee substitute) and black and white cookies. By yesterday evening, I sank into a pew at Synagogue for Shabbat Services and was glad to be relaxing, calming the nerves and leaving the hectic week behind for a hectic weekend. Oh, well!

Vacations epiphany

I am on vacation, luckily to a sunny destination, and I realized today that food is my downfall. Funny thing is food is needed to survive. So I how do I change my mindset from food, especially sugar, most of the time to food for sustenance only. I guess I just need to tell myself this repeatly--make an affirmation for it. Any ideas?