Guess what? I have emerged from the mommy haze almost two years after having my child and remembered, "oh yeah, I have a blog..." So without fanfare, I am rejoining the blogosphere. Dozens of faithful readers await.
Will I mark this occasion with a meaningful post about my parenting journey, you ask? Why, no, I will not. Trust me, it's all been said before. I had no idea the legions of mommy bloggers there are churning out daily witticisms about potty until having a child myself. Anything you want to find is out there. Trust me.
Today, I have a much more important topic on my mind: Pinterest. In case you haven't heard of it you should check it out. It's a site that lets you create digital pin boards of things you like or that make you "lol." In all seriousness, I can happily waste many valuable hours on Pinterest, but like anything that requires the general public to be involved it is...enlightening.
Here are ten things I have learned from Pinterest in no particular order:
1) Nail art is a big deal. No seriously. I had no idea people were giving themselves ombre manicures or using scotch tape in such an ingenious fashion.
2) There are really is no limit to the totally adorable poses you can use in your overexposed family photography. Extra points will be awarded for cute signs or using your hands to make a heart shape.
3) You can do a lot with plastic spoons. Unfortunately, they still look like plastic spoons to me when turned into a delightful chandelier. Maybe I lack creative vision.
4) I wish I had invented the site someecards.com People love them some personalizable snark.
5) Cute baby animals are not just for inspirational posters any more.
6) Mason jars will give you a lot of street cred with the crafting/diy set.
7) People really dig cupcakes. Especially if they look like other food (e.g. hamburgers), are layered in a rainbow or come on a stick.
8) Casseroles and crock pots: they aren't just for church potlucks any more.
9) Apple cider vinegar could probably cure cancer if you could gargle it, drink it and soak your body in it, whilst using it to clean your bathroom.
10) Marilyn Monroe is still very popular.
Don't you feel better informed about society now? Doesn't it make you proud of the human spirit? Me too...
9.23.2011
A Hungry Child Can't Wait: Ask 5 for 5
I haven't blogged for over a year, so I decided to make a comeback with a guest post. Savvy, yes? (I also may have posted a version of this post with screwed up HTML that came through your reader. Ignore my technical prowess.)
In all seriousness, though, this is a topic dear to my heart. I'm so proud of Sarah for having the courage to take action and make a positive change in a heart-wrenching situation. Please read what she has to say and see how you can join her in helping those who are suffering in the Horn of Africa.
Guest Blogger: Sarah Lenssen from #Ask5for5
Family photos by Mike Fiechtner Photography
Thank youNicole and nearly 150 other bloggers from around the world for allowing me to share a story with you today, during Social Media Week.
A hungry child in East Africa can't wait. Her hunger consumes her while we decide if we'll respond and save her life. In Somalia, children are stumbling along for days, even weeks, on dangerous roads and with empty stomachs in search of food and water. Their crops failed for the third year in a row. All their animals died. They lost everything. Thousands are dying along the road before they find help in refugee camps.
At my house, when my three children are hungry, they wait minutes for food, maybe an hour if dinner is approaching. Children affected by the food crisis in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia aren't so lucky. Did you know that the worst drought in 60 years is ravaging whole countries right now, as you read this? Famine, a term not used lightly, has been declared in Somalia. This is the world's first famine in 20 years.12.4 million people are in need of emergency assistance and over 29,000 children have died in the last three months alone. A child is dying every 5 minutes. It it estimated that 750,000 people could die before this famine is over. Take a moment and let that settle in.
The media plays a major role in disasters. They have the power to draw the attention of society to respond--or not. Unfortunately, this horrific disaster has become merely a footnote in most national media outlets. News of the U.S. national debt squabble and the latest celebrity's baby bump dominate headlines. That is why I am thrilled that nearly 150 bloggers from all over the world are joining together today to use the power of social media to make their own headlines; to share the urgent need of the almost forgotten with their blog readers. Humans have the capacity to care deeply for those who are suffering, but in a situation like this when the numbers are too huge to grasp and the people so far away, we often feel like the little we can do will be a drop in the ocean, and don't do anything at all.
When news of the famine first hit the news in late July, I selfishly avoided it. I didn't want to read about it or hear about it because I knew I would feel overwhelmed and uncomfortable. I wanted to protect myself. I knew I would need to do something if I knew what was really happening. You see, this food crisis is personal. I have a 4-year-old son and a 1 yr-old daughter who were adopted from Ethiopia and born in regions now affected by the drought. If my children still lived in their home villages, they would be two of the 12.4 million. My children: extremely hungry and malnourished? Gulp. I think any one of us would do anything we could for our hungry child. But would you do something for another mother's hungry child?
My friend and World Vision staffer, Jon Warren, was recently in Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya--the largest refugee camp in the world with over 400,000 people. He told me the story of Isnino Siyat, 22, a mother who walked for 10 days and nights with her husband, 1 yr-old-baby, Suleiman, and 4 yr.-old son Adan Hussein, fleeing the drought in Somalia. When she arrived at Dadaab, she built the family a shelter with borrowed materials while carrying her baby on her back. Even her dress is borrowed. As she sat in the shelter on her second night in camp she told Jon, "I left because of hunger. It is a very horrible drought which finished both our livestock and our farm." The family lost their 5 cows and 10 goats one by one over 3 months, as grazing lands dried up. "We don't have enough food now...our food is finished. I am really worried about the future of my children and myself if the situation continues."
Will you help a child like Baby Suleiman? Ask5for5 is a dream built upon the belief that you will.
That something I knew I would need to do became a campaign called #Ask5for5 to raise awareness and funds for famine and drought victims. The concept is simple, give $5 and ask five of your friends to give $5, and then they each ask five of their friends to give $5 and so on--in nine generations of 5x5x5...we could raise $2.4 Million! In one month, over 750 people have donated over $25,000! I set up a fundraiser at See Your Impact and 100% of the funds will go to World Vision, an organization that has been fighting hunger in the Horn of Africa for decades and will continue long after this famine has ended. Donations can multiply up to 5 times in impact by government grants to help provide emergency food, clean water, agricultural support, healthcare, and other vital assistance to children and families suffering in the Horn.
I need you to help me save lives. It's so so simple; here's what you need to do:
A hungry child doesn't wait. She doesn't wait for us to finish the other things on our to-do list, or get to it next month when we might have a little more money to give. She doesn't wait for us to decide if she's important enough to deserve a response. She will only wait as long as her weakened little body will hold on...please respond now and help save her life. Ask 5 for 5.
Thank you on behalf of all of those who will be helped--you are saving lives and changing history.
p.s. Please don't move on to the next website before you donate and email your friends right now. It only takes 5 minutes and just $5, and if you're life is busy like mine, you probably won't get back to it later. Let's not be a generation that ignores hundreds of thousands of starving people, instead let's leave a legacy of compassion. You have the opportunity to save a life today!
In all seriousness, though, this is a topic dear to my heart. I'm so proud of Sarah for having the courage to take action and make a positive change in a heart-wrenching situation. Please read what she has to say and see how you can join her in helping those who are suffering in the Horn of Africa.
Guest Blogger: Sarah Lenssen from #Ask5for5
Family photos by Mike Fiechtner Photography
Thank you
A hungry child in East Africa can't wait. Her hunger consumes her while we decide if we'll respond and save her life. In Somalia, children are stumbling along for days, even weeks, on dangerous roads and with empty stomachs in search of food and water. Their crops failed for the third year in a row. All their animals died. They lost everything. Thousands are dying along the road before they find help in refugee camps.
At my house, when my three children are hungry, they wait minutes for food, maybe an hour if dinner is approaching. Children affected by the food crisis in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia aren't so lucky. Did you know that the worst drought in 60 years is ravaging whole countries right now, as you read this? Famine, a term not used lightly, has been declared in Somalia. This is the world's first famine in 20 years.12.4 million people are in need of emergency assistance and over 29,000 children have died in the last three months alone. A child is dying every 5 minutes. It it estimated that 750,000 people could die before this famine is over. Take a moment and let that settle in.
The media plays a major role in disasters. They have the power to draw the attention of society to respond--or not. Unfortunately, this horrific disaster has become merely a footnote in most national media outlets. News of the U.S. national debt squabble and the latest celebrity's baby bump dominate headlines. That is why I am thrilled that nearly 150 bloggers from all over the world are joining together today to use the power of social media to make their own headlines; to share the urgent need of the almost forgotten with their blog readers. Humans have the capacity to care deeply for those who are suffering, but in a situation like this when the numbers are too huge to grasp and the people so far away, we often feel like the little we can do will be a drop in the ocean, and don't do anything at all.
 |
My friend and World Vision staffer, Jon Warren, was recently in Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya--the largest refugee camp in the world with over 400,000 people. He told me the story of Isnino Siyat, 22, a mother who walked for 10 days and nights with her husband, 1 yr-old-baby, Suleiman, and 4 yr.-old son Adan Hussein, fleeing the drought in Somalia. When she arrived at Dadaab, she built the family a shelter with borrowed materials while carrying her baby on her back. Even her dress is borrowed. As she sat in the shelter on her second night in camp she told Jon, "I left because of hunger. It is a very horrible drought which finished both our livestock and our farm." The family lost their 5 cows and 10 goats one by one over 3 months, as grazing lands dried up. "We don't have enough food now...our food is finished. I am really worried about the future of my children and myself if the situation continues."
Will you help a child like Baby Suleiman? Ask5for5 is a dream built upon the belief that you will.
That something I knew I would need to do became a campaign called #Ask5for5 to raise awareness and funds for famine and drought victims. The concept is simple, give $5 and ask five of your friends to give $5, and then they each ask five of their friends to give $5 and so on--in nine generations of 5x5x5...we could raise $2.4 Million! In one month, over 750 people have donated over $25,000! I set up a fundraiser at See Your Impact and 100% of the funds will go to World Vision, an organization that has been fighting hunger in the Horn of Africa for decades and will continue long after this famine has ended. Donations can multiply up to 5 times in impact by government grants to help provide emergency food, clean water, agricultural support, healthcare, and other vital assistance to children and families suffering in the Horn.
I need you to help me save lives. It's so so simple; here's what you need to do:
- Donate $5 or more on this page (http://seeyourimpact.org/members/ask5for5)
- Send an email to your friends and ask them to join us.
- Share #Ask5for5 on Facebook and Twitter!
A hungry child doesn't wait. She doesn't wait for us to finish the other things on our to-do list, or get to it next month when we might have a little more money to give. She doesn't wait for us to decide if she's important enough to deserve a response. She will only wait as long as her weakened little body will hold on...please respond now and help save her life. Ask 5 for 5.
Thank you on behalf of all of those who will be helped--you are saving lives and changing history.
p.s. Please don't move on to the next website before you donate and email your friends right now. It only takes 5 minutes and just $5, and if you're life is busy like mine, you probably won't get back to it later. Let's not be a generation that ignores hundreds of thousands of starving people, instead let's leave a legacy of compassion. You have the opportunity to save a life today!
4.03.2010
Common Ground
*I am going to mention the health care reform debate, and this post is not going to be that funny.*
Consider yourself forewarned, and please do not become alarmed, stop reading this post or succumb to the overwhelming urge to spew rhetoric. I am not planning to talk politics or debate which "-ism" is more flawed. There are far too many nuances to the issues that I don't fully grasp.
The thing I do want to talk about is a pattern I see that has become increasingly alarming to me as this wearisome media storm rages on. Simply put, when did we all stop trusting everyone but ourselves? I feel odd even bringing this up because I am usually what I would term a realist and what some would call a cynic. I'm certainly not a Pollyanna that wants to carry on blindly with my head in the clouds, but the level of distrust I see astounds me. We don't trust our leaders. We don't trust our fellow citizens or our neighbors, and some of us in our hearts seem to not even trust our friends. So much of the chatter is centered on "them" and how "they" are trying to screw "us" over. It's coming from all sides too. I know people on both extremes of the political spectrum accusing the other group of the same thing.
The funny thing is, when I think of the people I know, I can't conjure one image of someone that is actively working to take advantage of others. Certainly there are plenty of flawed humans and hidden agendas, but I have a hard time swallowing the idea that the whole world gets up in the morning looking to step on everyone around them. Mostly, I know a lot of people that work hard and try to live good lives. More often than not, I'm surprised by the kindness and generosity of people, rather than the opposite. Certainly there are some selfish jerks out there, but I personally find them to be the exception to the rule. This was even the case when I worked for a social service agency. I found myself consistently and pleasantly surprised that both the clients of our food bank and our wealthy Eastside donors were generous, grateful and considerate of their community.
To me, this is a problem that is more insidious and harmful than any policy change. It's being highlighted through the health care reform debate, but I think it's not limited to this arena. I wish the media would give it a little attention and maybe leave Sandra Bullock alone for awhile. I think to some extent fear and distrust are natural feelings for a person who is stressed or threatened, a state many of us find ourselves in these days. I also believe that we have control over our mindset and our emotions. Personal responsibility starts with me--not with "them." In fact, our thinking and our behavior are the only things we can control no matter what the external situation may be.
While I certainly believe in healthy dialogue and debate, I can't help but feel that we would be collectively more content and better equipped to navigate this stressful economic and political time if we committed to begin from a place of trust. In my opinion if we allow ourselves to be drawn into an atmosphere of fear and distrust, it will only serve to hurt us both individually and collectively. I know you think I might burst into a chorus of Kumbaya at any moment, but any negotiator would back me up. It's much easier to find common ground when you are looking for it. Can we try to see our own humanity in those whom we want to distrust? It's so much harder to fear "them" when we do, and I believe it will lift a heavy weight from our shoulders.
Consider yourself forewarned, and please do not become alarmed, stop reading this post or succumb to the overwhelming urge to spew rhetoric. I am not planning to talk politics or debate which "-ism" is more flawed. There are far too many nuances to the issues that I don't fully grasp.
The thing I do want to talk about is a pattern I see that has become increasingly alarming to me as this wearisome media storm rages on. Simply put, when did we all stop trusting everyone but ourselves? I feel odd even bringing this up because I am usually what I would term a realist and what some would call a cynic. I'm certainly not a Pollyanna that wants to carry on blindly with my head in the clouds, but the level of distrust I see astounds me. We don't trust our leaders. We don't trust our fellow citizens or our neighbors, and some of us in our hearts seem to not even trust our friends. So much of the chatter is centered on "them" and how "they" are trying to screw "us" over. It's coming from all sides too. I know people on both extremes of the political spectrum accusing the other group of the same thing.
The funny thing is, when I think of the people I know, I can't conjure one image of someone that is actively working to take advantage of others. Certainly there are plenty of flawed humans and hidden agendas, but I have a hard time swallowing the idea that the whole world gets up in the morning looking to step on everyone around them. Mostly, I know a lot of people that work hard and try to live good lives. More often than not, I'm surprised by the kindness and generosity of people, rather than the opposite. Certainly there are some selfish jerks out there, but I personally find them to be the exception to the rule. This was even the case when I worked for a social service agency. I found myself consistently and pleasantly surprised that both the clients of our food bank and our wealthy Eastside donors were generous, grateful and considerate of their community.
To me, this is a problem that is more insidious and harmful than any policy change. It's being highlighted through the health care reform debate, but I think it's not limited to this arena. I wish the media would give it a little attention and maybe leave Sandra Bullock alone for awhile. I think to some extent fear and distrust are natural feelings for a person who is stressed or threatened, a state many of us find ourselves in these days. I also believe that we have control over our mindset and our emotions. Personal responsibility starts with me--not with "them." In fact, our thinking and our behavior are the only things we can control no matter what the external situation may be.
While I certainly believe in healthy dialogue and debate, I can't help but feel that we would be collectively more content and better equipped to navigate this stressful economic and political time if we committed to begin from a place of trust. In my opinion if we allow ourselves to be drawn into an atmosphere of fear and distrust, it will only serve to hurt us both individually and collectively. I know you think I might burst into a chorus of Kumbaya at any moment, but any negotiator would back me up. It's much easier to find common ground when you are looking for it. Can we try to see our own humanity in those whom we want to distrust? It's so much harder to fear "them" when we do, and I believe it will lift a heavy weight from our shoulders.
3.18.2010
It's Only Life After All
Every now and then when I'm feeling stressed out like I was this morning, something amusing happens to me. A song pops into my head. Not just any song, mind you. This one belongs to a band that went to my high school called Dork, which was led by a guy named Spike. I am not making this up. Even the teachers called him that. The lyrics say, "Today was a good day. Yesterday sucked. Tomorrow will be better if we make it that way. Ya, ya, ya, ya." Very profound, I know. It was the height of ska (kind of a reggae/punk mix for those that blinked and missed that era).
The thing that makes it noteworthy for me is not the depth of the lyrics or the quality of the melody, but the fact that I cannot think of this song without smiling. It's silly, but it works every time. All of the sudden I am transported back to high school. I think of the silly, happy song and the goofy band, and it is impossible to take myself and my life so seriously. (I'm not sure this would work for everyone. One of my friends from the time lived within earshot of their practice space, so I think the thought of their songs makes her grind her teeth.)
I lost track of these guys, and I'm pretty sure the band broke up when we graduated. Last I heard Spike was headed to the University of Hawaii to major in surfing. Wherever they are, I'd like to say thanks to Dork. Your music still makes me smile, whether it’s today, yesterday or tomorrow.
The thing that makes it noteworthy for me is not the depth of the lyrics or the quality of the melody, but the fact that I cannot think of this song without smiling. It's silly, but it works every time. All of the sudden I am transported back to high school. I think of the silly, happy song and the goofy band, and it is impossible to take myself and my life so seriously. (I'm not sure this would work for everyone. One of my friends from the time lived within earshot of their practice space, so I think the thought of their songs makes her grind her teeth.)
I lost track of these guys, and I'm pretty sure the band broke up when we graduated. Last I heard Spike was headed to the University of Hawaii to major in surfing. Wherever they are, I'd like to say thanks to Dork. Your music still makes me smile, whether it’s today, yesterday or tomorrow.
3.06.2010
The Way of the Kitty
It's been quite a while since I blogged, I know. What can I say? I've been working at some side jobs that have turned into almost full time work. It's amazing how uninspired that can make a person. There's also the reality of just how tired growing a child can make you. Anyway, I'm back, hopefully to write more consistently.
One morning this week I was making my bed and observing the daily ritual my cats undertake during this process. It got me thinking that their approaches really are a metaphor for life. Not one to pass up sharing the Tao of the Kitty, I thought I would share.
As soon as my husband and I leave the bed in the morning, both cats jump up and get very comfortable, each being careful not to invade the other one's territorial claim. (This is very important because one is a pacifist and other one is a fascist dictator. Boundaries are crucial to peace.) One usually lies spread-eagle on her back, while the other one sprawls out on her side. This bliss lasts while the humans rush around getting ready for the day, and then the time comes to make the bed.
Neither of them will jump down willingly, so I usually just start moving pillows and tugging at the covers. Without fail this will evoke the same response in each one every time. The dictator will immediately jump down and stare back at me indignantly, making unhappy noises. The pacifist, back-lier just holds on for the ride, stretching and making contented sounds.
As I watched this the other morning for the seemingly zillionth time, I had to laugh. Aren't we all a little like one of these creatures? The bed must be made. We know it's coming. It happens every day, and yet some of us will rage against the machine getting angry at the disruptive realities of life. Meanwhile, others just stretch and get more comfortable, enjoying the ride of life. I tend to be more of an indignant rager, but I'm thinking...maybe my mornings would be happier if I followed the way of the stretching, contented kitty.
One morning this week I was making my bed and observing the daily ritual my cats undertake during this process. It got me thinking that their approaches really are a metaphor for life. Not one to pass up sharing the Tao of the Kitty, I thought I would share.
As soon as my husband and I leave the bed in the morning, both cats jump up and get very comfortable, each being careful not to invade the other one's territorial claim. (This is very important because one is a pacifist and other one is a fascist dictator. Boundaries are crucial to peace.) One usually lies spread-eagle on her back, while the other one sprawls out on her side. This bliss lasts while the humans rush around getting ready for the day, and then the time comes to make the bed.
Neither of them will jump down willingly, so I usually just start moving pillows and tugging at the covers. Without fail this will evoke the same response in each one every time. The dictator will immediately jump down and stare back at me indignantly, making unhappy noises. The pacifist, back-lier just holds on for the ride, stretching and making contented sounds.
As I watched this the other morning for the seemingly zillionth time, I had to laugh. Aren't we all a little like one of these creatures? The bed must be made. We know it's coming. It happens every day, and yet some of us will rage against the machine getting angry at the disruptive realities of life. Meanwhile, others just stretch and get more comfortable, enjoying the ride of life. I tend to be more of an indignant rager, but I'm thinking...maybe my mornings would be happier if I followed the way of the stretching, contented kitty.
1.20.2010
It's Not Why Time
A while back a friend and I were chatting about a theory she had heard. The idea was that everybody has a primary question (who, what, when, where, why, or how) that informs the way in which they interpret the world. Immediately I knew that my question is undoubtedly why. It started early for me. In my childhood it was so incessant that my grandfather invented something called “why time.” As in, “it’s not why time right now!” I’m sure this was in response to the inevitable merry-go-round of questioning that comes from an inquisitive four year old. Behind every reason there’s always another question as to why that reason is true.
As I have grown older I have learned to (begrudgingly) accept that sometimes there is no good answer to that pesky question. This truth has been painfully apparent this last week as I’ve watched the horrific aftermath of the earthquake unfold in Haiti. Of course, there are scientific explanations for earthquakes and sociopolitical reasons that help explain the magnitude of the devastation. These really aren’t satisfying, though, because they don’t truly get at the BIG whys. Why them and not me? Why did those babies have to die? Why do I get to sleep in a warm bed with plenty to eat, while the Haitians wander their former streets homeless and hungry?
The fact is there are no real answers to these questions. All possible explanations that we can grasp with the human mind fall severely short. More dangerously, these “answers” lead us into false attribution of blame or merit. We run the risk of falling into the trap of thinking that good things happen to those who do good and bad things happen to those who have done wrong. The truth is, though, “Time and chance happen to us all.” (Eccl. 9:11)
So, even as I struggle with the desire to know why, I’m trying to change my question to something more appropriate and productive. I’m asking, “what would I want someone to do if I was affected by this crisis?” and “how can I help alleviate the suffering of the Haitians?” There are concrete answers to these questions, and they are the only answers that matter to our suffering neighbors.
Please Donate:
American Red Cross
Doctors without Borders
Mercy Corps
Partners in Health
World Vision
World Relief
As I have grown older I have learned to (begrudgingly) accept that sometimes there is no good answer to that pesky question. This truth has been painfully apparent this last week as I’ve watched the horrific aftermath of the earthquake unfold in Haiti. Of course, there are scientific explanations for earthquakes and sociopolitical reasons that help explain the magnitude of the devastation. These really aren’t satisfying, though, because they don’t truly get at the BIG whys. Why them and not me? Why did those babies have to die? Why do I get to sleep in a warm bed with plenty to eat, while the Haitians wander their former streets homeless and hungry?
The fact is there are no real answers to these questions. All possible explanations that we can grasp with the human mind fall severely short. More dangerously, these “answers” lead us into false attribution of blame or merit. We run the risk of falling into the trap of thinking that good things happen to those who do good and bad things happen to those who have done wrong. The truth is, though, “Time and chance happen to us all.” (Eccl. 9:11)
So, even as I struggle with the desire to know why, I’m trying to change my question to something more appropriate and productive. I’m asking, “what would I want someone to do if I was affected by this crisis?” and “how can I help alleviate the suffering of the Haitians?” There are concrete answers to these questions, and they are the only answers that matter to our suffering neighbors.
Please Donate:
American Red Cross
Doctors without Borders
Mercy Corps
Partners in Health
World Vision
World Relief
1.06.2010
Who's the Boss?
Recently I’ve been thinking quite a bit about the illusion of being in control. For some reason I’ve had several conversations in the last week about this topic, and that’s set my wheels turning. Being pregnant also seems to be a constant reminder that I am no longer “in control” of my body. Just today I tried to walk up a hill and got so dizzy I had to stop three times, all the while making me more frustrated. Good grief! I should be able to walk up a hill without stopping. But…apparently that wasn’t in the cards, and really what was I accomplishing by getting annoyed. Who suffered? Only me. It didn’t change the reality.
It seems to me that a lot of our struggles and angst in this life are based in the fight for control. We’re fighting others, fighting our flaws, fighting nature and fighting the unknown. We try lots of different methods. Some of us drive ourselves crazy with worry over every single imaginable outcome in the hope that if we prepare ourselves then everything will be OK. Others try to manipulate and argue our way into what we think is “the way.” Some of us withdraw, thinking the less others are in our lives the more control we can retain.
Honestly, it’s a losing battle. None of these methods are fully effective. They exhaust us. They alienate us from others. They leave us feeling angry and let down because we’ve failed to perform the impossible task. It’s no way to live. We can never truly be fully in control. That would require the ability to transcend time and space. To read minds. You would need a flux capacitor for sure, and I bet x-ray vision wouldn’t hurt. Plus, I doubt it would be a very fun existence.
What are we to do then? Stick our heads in the sand and assume someone else is responsible for our lives? That’s no way to live either. I think we’ve got to find a new metaphor. Maybe we need to focus less on dictating every step along the path and more on successfully navigating the journey toward the intended destination. We can spend our lives clawing at road blocks, or we can just accept that we need to find a different way.
This year, I’m want to spend more time focused on living a life rooted in my values in a constantly changing world and less time focused on the perception of how exactly I accomplish that. I’m going to try for less bulldozing and more careful steering.
It seems to me that a lot of our struggles and angst in this life are based in the fight for control. We’re fighting others, fighting our flaws, fighting nature and fighting the unknown. We try lots of different methods. Some of us drive ourselves crazy with worry over every single imaginable outcome in the hope that if we prepare ourselves then everything will be OK. Others try to manipulate and argue our way into what we think is “the way.” Some of us withdraw, thinking the less others are in our lives the more control we can retain.
Honestly, it’s a losing battle. None of these methods are fully effective. They exhaust us. They alienate us from others. They leave us feeling angry and let down because we’ve failed to perform the impossible task. It’s no way to live. We can never truly be fully in control. That would require the ability to transcend time and space. To read minds. You would need a flux capacitor for sure, and I bet x-ray vision wouldn’t hurt. Plus, I doubt it would be a very fun existence.
What are we to do then? Stick our heads in the sand and assume someone else is responsible for our lives? That’s no way to live either. I think we’ve got to find a new metaphor. Maybe we need to focus less on dictating every step along the path and more on successfully navigating the journey toward the intended destination. We can spend our lives clawing at road blocks, or we can just accept that we need to find a different way.
This year, I’m want to spend more time focused on living a life rooted in my values in a constantly changing world and less time focused on the perception of how exactly I accomplish that. I’m going to try for less bulldozing and more careful steering.
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