Joy, Friendship and Vacations

Today I am reflecting on being joyous. I have recently had some opportunities to reconnect with old friends from year's past. It is great to get an update on one's friends lives. I think you have to be in the right frame of mind to do this. For several months I purposefully procrastinated and did not return emails as I knew I truly wasn't in the right place to share or be fully present.

To get to the right place I now know I needed to turn a "state of mind" corner. This happened with a much needed vacation. A week by the beach really refreshed my mind and spirit. I now feel much more present and joyous. Even if you have few funds available this year, I encourage you to take some form of vacation from your usual life and improve your state of mind. It is amazing how time spent away from one's usual responsibilities can move us forward.

Indexed

Are you looking for new perspectives or perhaps a laugh? The blog Indexed by Jessica Hagy is a great one for taking concepts, thoughts and ideas to a simple visual message on her 3 x 5 or 5x 7 index cards.

Jessica's book "Indexed" is scheduled for release any day now.

Three Hundred Days at Sea

The 1000 days at sea team are just at 300 days. Three hundred days without touching land that is. For me following this adventure daily is a great break and has given me all types of new insights without leaving my workstation.

For instance; I have become a real fan of Google Earth. I have explored places I had no knowledge before such as Gough Island and Ile de Amsterdam. Since Google Earth allows weather overlays, I have begun to observe weather patterns around the Southern Ocean and am looking out for cyclones forming in the Indian ocean. I've also begun to watch the monsoons off of Australia.


The digital photos on the 1000 days site allow me to view the ocean's various colors, see unfamiliar water birds and learn about the different parts of a 70 foot schooner.


I certainly respect the teamwork this project has involved and althought I would never think to step out of my comfort zone for such a long time I admire the tenacity and spirit of Reid and Sonya.

Music and Clip worth watching

Sometimes you stumble across something unique and extraordinary. This little gem is worth watching. The graphics, concepts, message and music are all very succinct and to the point. Take a mini vacation for your mind today and visit.

Leo's song by Impactist

Mixed Blessings

Everything in life has it's ups and downs. Last year we ended on a high note with a delightful family wedding which was tempered earlier in the year with the passing of a loved one.

Just when you think you have your ducks laid out in a row something comes along to create some chaos.

This year has it's promises like any other year. As the song goes "Let's hope it's a good one".

Resting Versus Waiting

A few years ago I had the opportunity to travel to Sweden for a vacation. It was while traveling I came to study and examine my attitude regarding Resting vs. Waiting. At the beginning of my odyssey of travel I was only ...waiting to arrive at the airport, waiting to change planes and waiting to get my luggage off the carousel and to be taxied to the hotel. How much better and productive it was when I started my official resting phase.

Resting is Productive

I was resting when I sat at a city park bench with no other plans other than meeting a few friends for dinner later that day. I was resting when I took the ferry to the fortress on an outlying harbor. While resting I enjoyed the view, the people around me and myself. Conversely when I was waiting I was impatient, bored and restless.

Practice Resting Versus Waiting

Rest is an important skill which, when properly applied reduces stress and rejuvenates the spirit. My trip would have been even more rewarding if I had rested from the beginning instead of actively participating in waiting. I, unfortunately started with an attitude of "when I get there", rather than comprehending the journey is part of the trip.

Your Attitude Determines Your Success

Part of the successful process of resting is the subconscious or conscious decision we make to do an activity. I could have consciously chosen to rest instead of subconsciously making the choice to wait. It is really up to the individual to determine when to rest instead of wait.

Practice Resting Year-Round

It is now my determination to practice a resting attitude year round instead of only on vacations.

Applying this theory I can start resting instead of waiting while standing in line at the office supply store and when expecting a phone call. Only one area of warning, don't do this at traffic lights. Your slight delay due to resting will cause horns to honk and create more aggravation that the desired positive effect.

Fall's Festival

Fall is a time of thanks, reflection and review. As the leaves change and the days get shorter we seem to have more time to review our lives and take stock for planning our future. Unless of course, we are tired from raking leaves.

Fall, leaves, fall;

by Emily Jane Brontë (1818 - 1848)

Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;

Lengthen night and shorten day;

Every leaf speaks bliss to me

Fluttering from the autumn tree.

I shall smile when wreaths of snow

Blossom where the rose should grow;

I shall sing when night's decay

Ushers in a drearier day.

Artwork courtesy of Kacei 2007 (c)