By the time you read this I will be experiencing day five of my 10-day Vipassana--my quest to see things as they really are; my vow of noble silence. Noble silence means silence of body, speech and mind. In total, I am five days into the absence of phone, TV, internet, blackberry, iPod, kindle and if you didn't catch it the first time around...talking! By now, I've … [Read more...]
Behind the Mask
The Stones said it best when they advised, “You can’t always get what you want. But if you try sometimes you just might find…you get what you need.” That’s really what life is all about, right? Getting our basic needs met; the rest of our time is spent trying on different masks, cloaked in various costumes being who we need to be to realize those primal goals. Well, maybe … [Read more...]
The Little Things
My pal Ben Franklin once said, "A little neglect may breed mischief: for want of a nail the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe the horse was lost; and for want of a horse the rider was lost." I love this quote because I'm somewhat little myself and I have been known to breed some mischief every now and again! But seriously, it reminds me how the little things are so very … [Read more...]
Perfecting Your “Gut”
No, this is not another fitness angle promising tight abs in 10 days. Good thing because I just ate what giants might refer to as a really big helping (or what the rest of us might call three average portions) of my favorite dessert and I’m in no mood to discuss my waistline. The part of the gut I want to discuss today is the part that just knows when something is wrong or … [Read more...]
When Your Best Isn’t Good Enough
My father-in-law used to share philosophical quips with me and thankfully some of them have stayed with me. One of my favorites simply states that, "Good enough, seldom is!" Seriously, that's a doosie! Doing as good as you CAN is a totally different statement than doing as good as POSSIBLE. Seems like semantics, but I know the difference; I have experienced the … [Read more...]
Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive
I know, you will all be glad when this fair is over and I can get back to talking about everyday office drama. Lately my everyday is filled with the advertising, PR, sponsorships and marketing of the drama I call the Tennessee State Fair. It starts in 5 days! I'm doing the job of three people so to say the least, it's been interesting. I drive a hard bargain and run a tight … [Read more...]
When the Marathon Becomes a Sprint
I've been preparing and in the midst of the State Fair marathon for about eight months now. At "T minus 10" days until opening ceremonies, I'm starting to not only put in long hours, but the pace is alarming. I'm no stranger to working 16-hour days, seven days a week--that part I can handle; it's keeping it together mentally, physically and professionally that is imperative. … [Read more...]
Social Networking Cures All
When done right, a good status update or twitter post can make your day or the day of someone you call "friend." Instant karma, instant love, instant attention. This society loves instant gratification and I'm no exception. I've noticed over the months that one small inspiration, witty phrase or cry for help written between the lines of a friend or co-worker never goes … [Read more...]
Knowing When To Let Go
For a small woman, I have a lethal grip. I tend to clench tightly to projects and initiatives, even when they're dying a slow death. I am a self-proclaimed control freak somewhat in recovery; I am learning to let go. I have always felt that the more control I have over a project, the better it will turn out...and sometimes it's true, but at what cost? High stress = NO … [Read more...]
Stop and Smell the Chile
No roses, not this weekend—I didn’t need any stinkin’ roses—I needed comfort food and family. A dozen fresh cut “Golden Celebration” roses couldn’t lure me away from the smell of roasting Hatch Green Chile outside a Whole Foods in Albuquerque. I stood mesmerized as the tumbler full of bright green peppers danced their way to perfection. It was the ideal smell to transport me … [Read more...]