There are days when even 2+2=4 fails to make sense. Other days, the even the vagaries just make sense.
What's the difference?
I have some ideas. Probably there is some biochemistry involved. Not enough sleep, too much food, not enough exercise.
Then there's the "worry" bug. This bug in the program keeps me spinning wheels. "Where do I start?" "How will this end?" "Will this ever end?" And the biggy, "If I'm so smart why aren't I rich?"
Balancing two businesses, both startups, in a down economy means it takes great vigilance not to slide into worry, with the attendant night sweats and insomnia.
And last but not least, the perennial favorite, beliefs about what success means. My 40th high school reunion is coming up. I'm great health, have a great family and. . . I'm essentially jobless.
Well, not quite true. I have a job and, as founder of the company, until we make money, I don't get a check. That was supposed to last a few months. We're now well into the third year. We close. . . we're always close. But around every corner, there seems to be another corner.
So, it's time to dig into those beliefs again. I don't think I'm loser. Sometimes it sure feels like it.
Ok, enough introspection for one day!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
Here he is!
After the requisite nine months, here he is! Looking just like his dad!
And, much like when his sister arrived, the world seems to be a mess. Hollering, yelling, smacking, hitting. . . all the stuff we are suppose to learn NOT to do in kindergarten seems to be the order of the day.
I teeter on the brink of despair as I think about this little guy's future. Will Colton Jeffrey see the world as a safe, happy, creative space to live and grow? Or will it be a dark and terrifying place full of monsters, dark and evil?
Here's my pledge, little one. . . I'll do what I can to fill what's left of my life with hope, light and creativity. And maybe, just maybe, a little of that will influence your world and how you see it all.
Anybody wanna help?
And, much like when his sister arrived, the world seems to be a mess. Hollering, yelling, smacking, hitting. . . all the stuff we are suppose to learn NOT to do in kindergarten seems to be the order of the day.
I teeter on the brink of despair as I think about this little guy's future. Will Colton Jeffrey see the world as a safe, happy, creative space to live and grow? Or will it be a dark and terrifying place full of monsters, dark and evil?
Here's my pledge, little one. . . I'll do what I can to fill what's left of my life with hope, light and creativity. And maybe, just maybe, a little of that will influence your world and how you see it all.
Anybody wanna help?
Monday, January 12, 2009
A new start. . .
A conversation the other day about organization, personal organization, got me thinking about something I've wanted to explore for a long time.
How do I live my life the way I want to live it? Well, the reality is I do a pretty good job of that!
Is the room for improvement, probably. And now that I'm facing the success of a very exciting business venture, I will, more than ever, need to get stuff done. So how does one manage one's life without tools that seem to take up more time than the task assigned?
That's going to be the point of this discussion.
I want to thank two people here. One was a great friend who passed away nearly two years ago. If you poke around in the archives, you'll see references to his passing. Michael Griffin, working as personal coach, got me out of some very long term ruts, for which I am eternally grateful!
The other is Ann McGee Cooper. Her book, Time Management for Unmanageable People, was one of those life changers!
Finally, what prompted this post was a video I saw today. I've signed up for the beta and can't wait to play with it.
More later!
How do I live my life the way I want to live it? Well, the reality is I do a pretty good job of that!
Is the room for improvement, probably. And now that I'm facing the success of a very exciting business venture, I will, more than ever, need to get stuff done. So how does one manage one's life without tools that seem to take up more time than the task assigned?
That's going to be the point of this discussion.
I want to thank two people here. One was a great friend who passed away nearly two years ago. If you poke around in the archives, you'll see references to his passing. Michael Griffin, working as personal coach, got me out of some very long term ruts, for which I am eternally grateful!
The other is Ann McGee Cooper. Her book, Time Management for Unmanageable People, was one of those life changers!
Finally, what prompted this post was a video I saw today. I've signed up for the beta and can't wait to play with it.
More later!
Saturday, July 7, 2007
It's been a while. . .
It's been a while since I posted here. The fact that the last few blogs were about Michael's passing kind of made this URL a bit of downer.
However, he and I talked about this blog in the past and Phil Ochs challenged me to step and not hold back, so we'll see what happens!
I spent a couple of hours on the phone with Jerrane on Wednesday and she is doing remarkably well. With the help of a number of friends, she is closing up the house in preparation for a temporary move to Texas. Her father is very ill and she wants to spend time with him. She is planning to return to San Diego after the first of the year. We talked about a lot of things and I'm deeply grateful for her attitude of growth and healing.
On her behalf, thanks to all of you for your tangible and intangible expressions of love and support.
Finally, I was in a conference room last week and one of the attendees stepped up to one of those whiteboard/projection screen cabinets and pulled down the screen to for us all to watch a projected Powerpoint presentation.
He pulled the screen down, let it latch and we all noticed a tiny label near the top of the screen. We all sat stunned as he read, "Do not lower the screen beyond this notice. Damage may occur."
I'll just let you all think about that one.
However, he and I talked about this blog in the past and Phil Ochs challenged me to step and not hold back, so we'll see what happens!
I spent a couple of hours on the phone with Jerrane on Wednesday and she is doing remarkably well. With the help of a number of friends, she is closing up the house in preparation for a temporary move to Texas. Her father is very ill and she wants to spend time with him. She is planning to return to San Diego after the first of the year. We talked about a lot of things and I'm deeply grateful for her attitude of growth and healing.
On her behalf, thanks to all of you for your tangible and intangible expressions of love and support.
Finally, I was in a conference room last week and one of the attendees stepped up to one of those whiteboard/projection screen cabinets and pulled down the screen to for us all to watch a projected Powerpoint presentation.
He pulled the screen down, let it latch and we all noticed a tiny label near the top of the screen. We all sat stunned as he read, "Do not lower the screen beyond this notice. Damage may occur."
I'll just let you all think about that one.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Thanks, Michael!
Yesterday was one of those bittersweet moments. . . meeting people you haven't seen for years, laughing uproariously one minute and sobbing the next. . . all because of Michael.
It was inspiring to hear of dozens of changed lives and a couple of remarkable stories from people who never even met Michael!
Personally, having Michael in my life meant spending very few minutes in my comfort zone, that soft, squishy, smelly place he defined so carefully for me every time I got close. Here is my hope going forward, that none of us who were at the party (yea, it was a great party, thanks again, Michael!) will be content with sliding into our CZ.
Whatever path we take, life is about learning and growing or it is a slow slide into mediocrity and boredom. I have very vivid memories of someone in a training saying they were bored. Michael was in their face in a second with that famous retort, "Well, you're boring!" It was the worst fate he could contemplate, to be alive and bored!
So as we move forward and follow up on the commitments yesterday to stay connected, I hope that this process doesn't just turn into a Michael Fan Club with all of us continually reliving the growth moments past, however fun that might be. It is the growth moments future that will honor Michael and become his true legacy.
So, here's to you Michael (that's a Chopin vodka martini my hand), thanks for the fabulous memories, my life and to the amazing future! May we both kick ass wherever we land!
It was inspiring to hear of dozens of changed lives and a couple of remarkable stories from people who never even met Michael!
Personally, having Michael in my life meant spending very few minutes in my comfort zone, that soft, squishy, smelly place he defined so carefully for me every time I got close. Here is my hope going forward, that none of us who were at the party (yea, it was a great party, thanks again, Michael!) will be content with sliding into our CZ.
Whatever path we take, life is about learning and growing or it is a slow slide into mediocrity and boredom. I have very vivid memories of someone in a training saying they were bored. Michael was in their face in a second with that famous retort, "Well, you're boring!" It was the worst fate he could contemplate, to be alive and bored!
So as we move forward and follow up on the commitments yesterday to stay connected, I hope that this process doesn't just turn into a Michael Fan Club with all of us continually reliving the growth moments past, however fun that might be. It is the growth moments future that will honor Michael and become his true legacy.
So, here's to you Michael (that's a Chopin vodka martini my hand), thanks for the fabulous memories, my life and to the amazing future! May we both kick ass wherever we land!
Friday, June 8, 2007
Michael's Memorial
Michael Griffin
August 11, 1952 - May 5, 2007
Please join us for a memorial gathering to honor Michael’s life and reunite with Results Grads & friends…
Sunday, June 10, 2007 starting at Noon (ending at 3:00pm)
At
The Overlook House
www.historicoverlookhouse.org/directions.html
12:00 – 1:00pm Potluck* lunch & social
*Please bring a dish to share! Drinks and table service will be provided.
Program & Sharing begins at 1:00pm
Special features include:
Music you’ll remember with our own DJ, Lauren Sylvis, and a time of sharing hosted by Larry Soule.
A display of memorabilia, RP scrapbooks, framed T-shirts, pictures and more (please bring yours to share, too).
Visiting with old friends and making new ones.
Remember, Michael was a playful man, so be prepared to honor him with
fun and joy!
Please RSVP to Rosalie Stamos by Friday, June 8, at rsdkj@comcast.net or call 503-335-0129.
Help us spread the word…forward this invitation or contact any of the other grads you know ASAP.
For more information about Michael check out Butch’s blog at http://butchnelson.blogspot.com
Note: Your contribution to help offset the expenses for this event will be greatly appreciated.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Michael and Make A Wish
JR Wall, Michael's business partner in San Diego sent me this poster regarding Michael and the Make A Wish Foundation.
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