Life is like…?

Not too long ago I was listening to Anthony Robbins (I cringe a little to admit it but there you go) and the one thing that truly caught my attention was the implication that we live by metaphor. However you personally finish the sentence ‘life is like…” is how you approach the world, which in turn determines how the world responds to you. Or at least that’s the theory.

I thought about it for awhile, came up with my answer, and put it away since I couldn’t see any practical application for it.

Then recently – in the last few days I’ve across two people that defined life as ‘a struggle’ – both were successful, driven, and professional speakers.  Somehow that metaphor sounds so very boring; Sisiphus endlessly pushing a boulder upwards – who would sign up for that? How could that motivate anyone? Of course they had a deeper point in that analogy, but still it’s missing something for me (and maybe for you too?)

The easy metaphors – a bowl of cherries, a box of chocolates, are too flat. There’s no sense of time or journey to them at all. So do those folks lack goals or a sense of purpose? I don’t know. I’m not sure if the metaphor really does anything other than define our personal values and style.

My metaphor? Life is a hike in the woods – some flat places, some switchbacks where I huff and puff and wish I’d gone to the gym, unexpected showers, surprising meadows of wildflowers and always interesting people coming and going. The metaphor sits fine with me – I can’t imagine anything happier than a long day in the woods with a good picnic and friends along. I’m still trying to see if that really does change my approach to life or not. Would I be more productive if I changed it to a battle? a reality show? Somehow I doubt it.

Do you have a metaphor you live by?

Technorati Tags: metaphors for life

The power of connection

I came across this not too long ago and thoroughly enjoyed it – it’s a well spent 20 minutes if you feel like you could use more connection in your life.

Technorati Tags: connection, vulnerability

Meditations on Maui

Finally, after some champion-level procrastinating, this project is happening.  This year the Visual Meditation of the Week will be a page from the year-long Meditations on Maui; 52 photographs and meditations to take you through a year of self discovery and change. Starting with Beginnings this week, stay tuned to see more of Maui and follow along.

They’ll be going up here free of charge and then hopefully into download-able and printed book forms before too much longer.  If you like them please share and get the word out.

Thanks!

Technorati Tags: Maui, meditation, photography

Your computer IS your diary

My computer has been running sloooowly for quite some time and I’ve known the cause too – way too many giant image files on the hard-drive. So over the last week or so I’ve started cleaning things out (although the pictures are still there…)

I’m a little shocked at what I’ve found lurking in My Documents and sub-folders from thumb drives. All the things I’ve tried that didn’t work, the lists I’d made three or five years ago, in other words my life in digital snapshots.  It’s been a good reminder of how much I’ve learned, and how many steps I’ve taken towards my goals. Especially the ones that didn’t work out – primarily because as I deleted the file I realized that I had tried hard enough and thoroughly enough to know that I didn’t care to pursue that particular avenue further. It was done.

Now I’ve reclaimed gigabytes, ready for new adventures and projects, and a “spring clean” feel to my desktop. When was the last time you really went through your personal files, the pictures, the projects, the favorites in your browser? You might be surprised at what you find and what you make room for.

Technorati Tags: authentic happiness, getting organized

Ambiguity and the Butterfly Effect

Thursday night when I was driving home on the freeway, something caught my eye. I looked, thought, debated and finally took the next exit to circle back.  There was a cat in a narrow section of grassy median between the ten lanes of 60 mph traffic. It was clearly alive and unhurt but that didn’t seem like it would last too long. Naturally it didn’t want to be rescued by me when I pulled over and braved the center shoulder (probably not the smartest thing on my part) so… I called 911.  It felt extremely foolish to call for a cat on a freeway but they did take it seriously.  I will never know what happened to it – it was very young. Was it rescued? Did it run into traffic? Did a hawk take it first?  I really dislike not knowing and it still feels a little like I’ve become an official crazy cat lady to have made the effort.  So why did I? Because as I drove past the first time I realized how I would feel about myself if I didn’t try. Nobody else even seemed to notice it in the 20 minutes it took me to return to that spot. The odds weren’t good for a happy outcome, but do odds really impact our decisions to help? I hope not. I don’t expect to ever know that cat’s fate but I’m still hoping it turned out well.

It’s made me realize how many things we don’t do because we won’t know the end result – ever. But surely something changes in the universe when we make the attempt. The Butterfly Effect is that notion that the smallest imperceptible change will set great things in motion. I’d like to think that my reluctant willingness to appear foolish will do that, but it never seems to make it easier.

Technorati Tags: Buttefly effect

What questions do you ask?

I was reading something recently that pointed out that you can’t evaluate something without asking a question. In thinking about that I think it’s true – I certainly can’t think of an example where you don’t ask at least one question; will this car keep me safe, can I afford it, will he make me bored, does he like me and so on.

So when you evaluate things in your life are you asking positive questions or negative ones? why me? or how can I make this work for me? Start by just noticing that you are asking questions – then delve deeper!

The No Excuses Project: Finding the strength to climb mountains

Excuses come easy for things that are a means rather than a goal.  That’s where truly being fit falls for me – I basically couldn’t care less. Until it means not being able to get to that mountain side where rumor has it rare gems still hide deep in the earth. Then I really care! So how to keep that in focus on an average day when all other priorities seem higher?

The first thing is to combine it with other projects from the obvious (losing weight) to the less obvious like treasure hunting. It’s a little like parking at the far end of the lot to get more walking in, not a huge deal but it adds up.

The second thing is to up the effort of working out (more inclines, and the like) and lastly to spend one day a month (the whole day) out doing real exertion from hiking to whatever – pack a lunch and plan to sweat.

The hardest part is simply to fit this in with everything else – getting rid of excuses doesn’t magically create more time in the day. It just means you don’t waste what you have.

Believe it or not – this post concludes the year. Next week I’ll do some wrapping up and reflecting on what I’ve learned.

Holding myself accountable

• The garden – I could wish it looked a little better but basically things are on track
• The house projects  – progressing slowly but also in the works
• Chores – doing better
• Treasure hunting – amazing what you can do by mail these days.  Making definite progress
• Travel – trip all booked for a week in San Diego; that will probably be it for this year.
• Friends and family – a little behind in email but otherwise on track
• Romance – doing a little more inner work in that area and feeling good about it
• Writing – a bit behind here
• Photography – progress on getting things out and researching more opportunities
• Jewelry – an off week except for identifying next steps
• Losing weight – a much better week for exercise and hey, the jeans are fitting better already
• Medical – off the dentist for that crown this week (next doctor after that’s all concluded)

Technorati Tags: common excuses, getting things done

The No Excuses Project: Getting fit

It might seem like the goal of getting fit is the same as losing weight and I suppose they can go hand in hand. But there are plenty of skinny people out there that can’t make it up a steep hill and that’s what makes it distinct.

Not being skinny can even serve as an excuse for getting to this later. Unfortunately it’s not something that can be achieved sporadically – lifting weights or going on a hike once every two months will not get you a cumulative result. Without a doubt, I don’t have time and I’ll get to it later have been my favorite excuses for not making an effort. And yet as goals go this one plays into so many of the others from travel and treasure hunting to photography (got to get up that mountain!)

Next week: The steps to make it happen

Holding myself accountable:

• Treasure hunting: more research and concrete plans for San Diego
• Travel: on track for a week exploring San Diego in September
• Writing: no action this week but clear steps outlined for the next few months
• Photography: research and submission for a multi-leg competition (I guess finding these things a week before the deadline beats a week after)
• Jewelry: a quiet week except for planning next steps
• House projects: a week off to recover before tackling the closet again
• Garden: keeping up with the plan
• Losing weight: finally making some strides to forging a  new exercise routine
• Friends and family: on track for making time to socialize
• Romance: made some changes to my environment with more to do

Technorati Tags: excuses, getting things done

The No Excuses Project: Home improvement on top of everything

Like most homeowners I’ve got a list of things that need doing that never seems to get shorter. It’s not hard to come up with an excuse as to why sitting down with a book is more urgent than painting the airless unfinished closet (left over from 1950). That’s on top of all the other little things that come up and need attention. Sooo… while it will never be as efficient as a 30 minute home improvement tv segment, here’s my basic plan going forward:

1) make a list of everything that needs time and attention for each room during spring cleaning (when you notice that the latch isn’t catching right or the trim needs repainting

2) Get one major project done a year (this year it’s that dreadful closet) by breaking it into smaller steps that can be done each week – research, trip to the hardware store (or two or three) priming, etc.

3) take care of the small stuff room by room and as the budget allows

It may not seem like much but gradually things get done and looking the way I want them with the excuses staying in the background

Next week: Getting in shape – different from losing weight and the last topic!

Holding myself accountable

• Garden – hanging in there but the snails maybe getting the upper hand
• Jewelry – on hiatus for the week
• Photography – ramped up again and working hard on getting exposure (the marketing kind)
• Writing – small steps on the current project
• Losing weight – have got to find the time for more exercise (not exactly news)
• Check-ups – see me after the dental crown in August
• Chores – it comes and goes but ok for the moment
• Family & Friends – a veritable social whirl last week, now for some downtime
• Romance – back to researching social activities I actually want to participate in
• Travel – decided that the lure of beaches and gemstones is taking higher priority than people:-)
• Treasure hunting – got out the maps for local gem hunting – not a lot to work with but that just means less competition

Technorati Tags: diy, excuses, home projects

The No Excuses Project: The dreaded DIY home project

I think it’s simply human nature that those who undertake home improvement projects will always have at least one unfinished, 5 just started and 20 more on a list somewhere. It’s just when the unfinished one lingers for ten years that there just might be a problem. An uncomfortable space, or one with uncomfortable reminders, can become a nagging voice against everything else you’re trying to accomplish.

Just a few of the excuses I’ve used to avoid dealing with peeling wallpaper and the like:

• It will take too long
• I don’t have the right materials
• I don’t know where to start
• I have too many other projects

Next week: making more progress on home projects

Holding myself accountable

Photography – progress on editing images, now just need to take some new

Writing – small steps towards an outline, a necessary first step

Jewelry – whew – turned out being late was actually early so on target for now

Losing weight – a little more exercise but more to do here

Checkups – ah the dentist just can’t wait to see me again but making progress

Friends and family – made this a higher priority and did a little catching

Romance – sometimes going for something means turning away from what won’t work

Garden – staying on course

Travel – working out the details for some long weekends

Treasure hunting – looked into what else might be nearby

Technorati Tags: common excuses, finishing things, home projects

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