Monday, January 31, 2011

StoryCorps



Saturday, January 29, 2011

inevitability

I'm reading a great book right now called The Vortex...
it may be a little "out there" for some people, but if you're a fan of Quantum Mechanics (the idea that two realities can simultaneously exist), then its not so far-fetched.

The idea behind the books is:
Rather than viewing something you want as a goal that must be achieved, view it as an outcome that is inevitable.

When something is seen as inevitable - it already exists on some level.

It's a subtle shift in thinking, but also a wonderful change of perception.

Once you focus on the reality that you wish to have, you have just created the momentum to propel yourself toward that reality.

Pick something you want to achieve. Begin to view it as inevitable. Know that what you want to achieve already exists for you... create the momentum to propel yourself there. Feel yourself being pulled toward the inevitable outcome. Know it as a reality.

I see great things for you!   It's inevitable :)

Monday, January 24, 2011

a year of eating dangerously

School teacher, Mrs. Q, ate 162 school lunches in 2010...
then blogged about it!
Fed Up With School Lunch
After looking at some of the food, I am impressed that she made it for 162 lunches.
See for yourself here.

Congratulations, Mrs. Q! You found an amazingly creative way to shed light on the school lunch conversation/controversy.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

found film

Amazing!
I love this little story and can't wait to see how it ends :)
Adventure can be found anywhere.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

ordinary moments

Although there are many such fleeting ordinary moments in our days, we usually speed right past them. We forget what joy they can bring.

Friday, January 21, 2011

What's right with the world?

I can not wait to see "I Am"
coming February 2011!

The shift is about to hit the fan :)
Check out the movie's web site.
Awaken to the connection.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Just in case...

My new favorite children's book is, Justin Case.

Justin is heading into third grade and has a propensity to worry. He has angst about his teachers, his friends, his stuffed animals, and his school work. Justin's clever observations are as humorous as his feelings are misunderstood.

The novel is written in a diary format, so the reader (7-9 year olds) really gets to know Justin and all of his idiosyncrasies. Justin is an adorable, funny, kind kid with an equally adorable family. Justin is sweet to his sister and thoughtful to his parents.

Because Justin is a worrier... he believes that he isn't brave. Yet he performs many courageous acts throughout the book.  Justin is kind, dependable, tenacious and highly creative... he just doesn't know it yet.

I loved Justin and everything about this book... and am hoping that Rachel Vail will write a sequel... Here's to:  Justin Case 2.
Be ready to laugh out loud in delight!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Today a car in front of me had a bumper sticker that read,

 'Don't believe everything you think.'

I like that.
:)
Want one of your own? Go here

Monday, January 17, 2011

MLK day

The 2004 PBS Documentary Citizen King can now be seen for free on youtube.
Here's part 1, but check out parts 2-13 too.

... and, in case you need to feel the tingles of histroy:

Happy MLK Day!
Hope you had a great day of service... we were at the food bank :)

Sunday, January 16, 2011

gratitude

I received a beautiful new Gratitude Journal from a wonderful friend this holiday...
It's the perfect size, the perfect color, the perfect everything :)
I need to be more grateful and develop a stronger sense of daily gratitude. What about you?
You can get one of these beautiful Gratitude Journals at amazon:

Or, something cool I found, you can join "happy rambles" online for free. Every night they will email you the question, "What are you grateful for today?" It's your own personal online gratitude journal.

Because you know...
people who maintain a gratitude journal are healthier, more optimistic, and more likely to make progress toward achieving personal goals.

Studies report that people are 25% happier and more energetic if they keep a gratitude journal, have 20% less envy and resentment (phew), sleep 10% longer each night and wake up 15% more refreshed, exercise 33% more and show a 10% drop in blood pressure compared to people who do not. (Wow!)

Happy Journaling!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

civility

Would you:
...be willing to be civil in your public discourse and behavior?
...be willing to be respectful of others, whether or not you agree with them?
...be willing to stand against incivility when you see it?

What would it look like if we all agreed to take this pledge?

Check out  the Civility Project. It was recently shut down due to lack of participation.
Of the 585 politicians asked to sign the pledge, only three did. (heavy sigh)

Perhaps, for Martin Luther King Day, we could all sign the Civility Project as citizens - with the hope/expectation/intention that we will all be more civil in our daily lives. Then maybe, our political figures would do the same.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

as good as she imagined...

President Obama, speaking of nine year old - Christina Taylor Green - in his remarks this evening:


"That's what I believe, in part because that's what a child like Christina Taylor Green believed. Imagine: here was a young girl who was just becoming aware of our democracy; just beginning to understand the obligations of citizenship; just starting to glimpse the fact that someday she too might play a part in shaping her nation's future. She had been elected to her student council; she saw public service as something exciting, something hopeful. She was off to meet her congresswoman, someone she was sure was good and important and might be a role model. She saw all this through the eyes of a child, undimmed by the cynicism or vitriol that we adults all too often just take for granted.
I want us to live up to her expectations. I want our democracy to be as good as she imagined it. All of us - we should do everything we can to make sure this country lives up to our children's expectations." - President Obama
Obama: "What we can't do is use this tragedy as one more occasion to turn on each other."

Monday, January 10, 2011

Sunday, January 9, 2011

a heavy heart

considering the tragic events in Tucson over the weekend...
I find my Friday post of Mark Twain's short story, The War Poem, quite eerie.

at first glance, an indictment of war... but now... an indictment of blind political/patriotic/religious fervor - Hate, by any other name.

and so, this weekend I pray for peace...
                                         for grace...
                                         for compassion... mine and yours.

and still, I believe unyielding love can make even the most stubborn hate yield.

Friday, January 7, 2011

The War Prayer

I'm reading the Mark Twain Autobiography and loving it.
I have a new found respect for Mr. Clemens, his ideas, his thoughts... so authentic.
I stumbled upon his story, The War Prayer, which was rejected upon its first attempt at publishing.
The short story was written during the Philippine-American War (1899-1902). The story reflects upon the double-edged sword of war.
It wasn't until after Mark Twain's death that the story was published.
The story is timeless... as I am finding Mark Twain to be.

Check out the 2006 animated adaption of The War Prayer, and see if you agree that Mr. Twain has called us out once again.



1000 Awesome Things

The web site 1000 Awesome Things, created by Neil Pasricha, is just a time-ticking countdown of 1000 awesome things. Launched June, 2008 and updated every weekday. Published as The Book of Awesome in April, 2010.


“Strangely heartwarming… perfect for rainy days.” – The New Yorker
“Honors the little joys of life.” – USA Today


Check out Neil's amazing TED talk in Toronto:





Monday, January 3, 2011

the king's speech

"Queen Elizabeth: My husband's work involves a great deal of public speaking.
Lionel Logue: Then he should change jobs.
Queen Elizabeth: He can't.
Lionel Logue: What is he, an indentured servant?
Queen Elizabeth: Something like that. " -
  --  The King's SpeechThe Kings Speech is a movie of words and connections and emotions...  and I just love that.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

wholeheartedness

I am reading a great book: The Gifts of Imperfection, by Brene Brown.
A wonderful look into wholeheartedness.
Wouldn't it be wonderful in 2011 to... have the capacity to engage in our lives with authenticity, cultivate courage and compassion, and embrace who we really are.
Check out her amazing TED talk at TEDxHouston