Hello everyone,
I've been receiving a lot of feedback recently to blog more often, and on a regular schedule. You're right. I need to, and thank you for the input. My apologies. My life during OND (Oct-Dec) was quite hectic with 3 major projects on my plate ... my job, my job search, and assisting a start-up company.
Good news! I'm currently on vacation before beginning my new job on Monday, and ... beginning a balanced life for 2010. As 'balanced' as life ever allows, that is! I will be focusing on only 3 things this year (see '2010: Plan v. Focus' entry) ... my job, my writing, and, well, the last one is personal.
In the spirit of preventing friends from having bad experiences and/or wasting their time and money, moving forward I plan to share experiences that I don't recommend in addition to those I've actually enjoyed.
This has been a rough beginning to the new year for many. A friend of mine, tragically, lost a dear friend of his. A girlfriend is battling a brain tumor for the 3rd time. Another friend just learned one of his major organs is failing. I'm sure each of you have similar situations around you. And, there's Haiti. I believe the piece for each of us to remember is through all of this, through everything life brings us, if we lean into each other, life is easier, and definitely better.
To help lighten your focus, here are a few upcoming entries that I hope will warm you up this winter:
- Haiti, a positive story straight from the source
- a fabulous new cookbook, and blog, that supports a town in Italy which suffered major devastation
- fun apps for your iPhone / smartphone / iPod Touch
- providential relationships
- straight from Venezuela, a new natural product to lose weight + an expert resource for advice on how to take better care for yourself naturally, organically, holistically
- experiencing Puerto Rico, locally
- illustrations, illuminations, and writings by a dear friend in Seattle
- and, some adventures straight from my personal "Life Will Do" list!
Wherever you are ... whatever is happening in your life ... in the words of a former boss of mine:
"Take care of business. Take care of your families. And take care of each other."
Life is short. We're here together.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Positive Influence of the Facebook Status
Yes, I have to admit, it can be a powerful tool ... the Facebook status.
(did I just say that?)
Despite being in an incredibly fantastic place in my life, despite having so many great things coming together, I have been feeling a bit down the past several days.
Then, I saw a friend's status this morning.
It was so upbeat, so positive, so happy, so full of life.
Not unusual for this friend.
What made today's status different is she's sitting at Sloan-Kettering Hospital being treated for a brain tumor.
It breaks my heart that she has this continuous battle. Continuous, because she is a 2x brain tumor survivor already.
Now, that's a survivor!
* * * * * * *
Her bravery, strength, and positive attitude inspire me.
And keeps me mindful of God's blessings in my life ~ pulling me from a self-centered focus on the, relatively speaking, little things which otherwise would rob me of the joy that I have from the many wonderful things happening in my own life.
Happiness is, after all, a choice of focus.
(did I just say that?)
Despite being in an incredibly fantastic place in my life, despite having so many great things coming together, I have been feeling a bit down the past several days.
Then, I saw a friend's status this morning.
It was so upbeat, so positive, so happy, so full of life.
Not unusual for this friend.
What made today's status different is she's sitting at Sloan-Kettering Hospital being treated for a brain tumor.
It breaks my heart that she has this continuous battle. Continuous, because she is a 2x brain tumor survivor already.
Now, that's a survivor!
* * * * * * *
Her bravery, strength, and positive attitude inspire me.
And keeps me mindful of God's blessings in my life ~ pulling me from a self-centered focus on the, relatively speaking, little things which otherwise would rob me of the joy that I have from the many wonderful things happening in my own life.
Happiness is, after all, a choice of focus.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Ulrich Lang & Great Smelling Men!
Growing up in a home full of men, there are three things about men that I fell in love with as a young girl. Men in nicely tailored suits are incredibly sexy. A great smelling man drives me absolutely nuts. And, I love to watch men shave.
So, naturally, I love my dear friend, Ulrich Lang. Check out his new fragrance for men, Nightscapes. It is one of the top 25 fragrances launched in 2009, per Fragrantica, and it is complete enticement.
Mr. Ulrich Lang
And then, there's shaving ...
As a little girl, I would sit on the lid of the toilette and watch my father lather up the shaving cream and shave his face. I was mesmerized. And, yes, it still captivates me! Which, most likely, explains why I'm so in love with traditional shaving tools, soaps, et al. Every man should have them! My favorite places for these are Lafco NY, and The Art of Shaving. Check them out. For yourself, or for your man.
So, naturally, I love my dear friend, Ulrich Lang. Check out his new fragrance for men, Nightscapes. It is one of the top 25 fragrances launched in 2009, per Fragrantica, and it is complete enticement.
Mr. Ulrich Lang
(You know what they say ... Every girl's crazy 'bout a fabulous smelling man!)
And then, there's shaving ...
As a little girl, I would sit on the lid of the toilette and watch my father lather up the shaving cream and shave his face. I was mesmerized. And, yes, it still captivates me! Which, most likely, explains why I'm so in love with traditional shaving tools, soaps, et al. Every man should have them! My favorite places for these are Lafco NY, and The Art of Shaving. Check them out. For yourself, or for your man.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Mark di Vincenzo at Sears-Peyton Gallery
Check out the amazing new paintings of my friend, Mark di Vincenzo, at the Sears-Peyton Gallery in Manhattan.
On exhibition now through 2/6.
On exhibition now through 2/6.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Record Timing!
Day 8 ...
and I officially have 1 of the 3 things I planned to obtain in 2010!
+ great news from friends!
+ Paris here I come!
+ Miami here I come!
* * * * * * * * *
Btw, yes, dearest friends, I do realize that my entry on Panama is lame. What can I say other than December was insanely busy, and I was having difficulty getting over a cold/flu, and ..., and ..., and ...
I would like to say that I'll go back and update it so that you have a real feel for Panama, but I can't guarantee it! So, go visit Panama and share your experiences with all of us!
and I officially have 1 of the 3 things I planned to obtain in 2010!
+ great news from friends!
+ Paris here I come!
+ Miami here I come!
* * * * * * * * *
Btw, yes, dearest friends, I do realize that my entry on Panama is lame. What can I say other than December was insanely busy, and I was having difficulty getting over a cold/flu, and ..., and ..., and ...
I would like to say that I'll go back and update it so that you have a real feel for Panama, but I can't guarantee it! So, go visit Panama and share your experiences with all of us!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
2010: Plan v. Focus
Resolutions.
I don't believe in making them.
Instead, I typically create my "Focus 20xx."
Every year, as we enter the holiday season, my mind goes to my life's course. What did I accomplish this year? In what direction am I headed? Do I need to alter it? Have I allowed myself to veer off-course? Have my desires changed? What do I need to remove from my life and what do I want to add? Have I remained true to myself and have I maintained my integrity?
My emergence from this ensconced process brings a clear focus for each aspect of my life: professional, relational, spiritual, financial, physical, ...
But, this year.
This upcoming 2010 year.
I'm lost.
One would think clarity would be a given since I have put closure to several people, places, and things over the past ten days.
'Should' is my stumbling block.
Opportunities.
Pressure from well-meaning family and friends.
I'm stuck on 'should.'
What should I want? Where should I go? How should I get there?
These questions are so easily answered.
But they are the opposite of what I want and what will make me happy.
For some reason, despite knowing in my heart what I will decide, I feel I must torture myself with the pressures of 'should.'
For just a little while.
And so I retreat to the place that always balances me ~ the ocean.
Fortunately, this year, that happened to be just across the street.
Dorado del Mar, Puerto Rico.
I revisit my "Karen's Life Equities" to help me begin to move away from feeling lost ...
1. Laugh - laugh hard, laugh a lot, laughter will get you through anything
2. Dream - never stop dreaming, never stop pursuing your dreams
3. Move Forward - always move forward, grow, expand your mind
4. No Missed Opportunities & No Regrets
Move forward.
The key.
Clarity quickly begins ...
I feel a need for something more definitive than a 'focus' this year. I need something that guarantees I get what I want. And what I want right now, what I need, is not simply progress on my long-term goals. I want three things, and I want them now.
As I sat on a beach chair with my feet in the sand and water flowing around me before rolling back out to sea, my pen scribbled wildly.
plan [plan] : a definite purpose. fo⋅cus [foh-kuh s] : a central point of attention.
Forget focusing.
I have my "2010 Plan."
Lost no more.
I don't believe in making them.
Instead, I typically create my "Focus 20xx."
Every year, as we enter the holiday season, my mind goes to my life's course. What did I accomplish this year? In what direction am I headed? Do I need to alter it? Have I allowed myself to veer off-course? Have my desires changed? What do I need to remove from my life and what do I want to add? Have I remained true to myself and have I maintained my integrity?
My emergence from this ensconced process brings a clear focus for each aspect of my life: professional, relational, spiritual, financial, physical, ...
But, this year.
This upcoming 2010 year.
I'm lost.
One would think clarity would be a given since I have put closure to several people, places, and things over the past ten days.
'Should' is my stumbling block.
Opportunities.
Pressure from well-meaning family and friends.
I'm stuck on 'should.'
What should I want? Where should I go? How should I get there?
These questions are so easily answered.
But they are the opposite of what I want and what will make me happy.
For some reason, despite knowing in my heart what I will decide, I feel I must torture myself with the pressures of 'should.'
For just a little while.
And so I retreat to the place that always balances me ~ the ocean.
Fortunately, this year, that happened to be just across the street.
Dorado del Mar, Puerto Rico.
I revisit my "Karen's Life Equities" to help me begin to move away from feeling lost ...
1. Laugh - laugh hard, laugh a lot, laughter will get you through anything
2. Dream - never stop dreaming, never stop pursuing your dreams
3. Move Forward - always move forward, grow, expand your mind
4. No Missed Opportunities & No Regrets
~ August, 1998
Move forward.
The key.
Clarity quickly begins ...
I feel a need for something more definitive than a 'focus' this year. I need something that guarantees I get what I want. And what I want right now, what I need, is not simply progress on my long-term goals. I want three things, and I want them now.
As I sat on a beach chair with my feet in the sand and water flowing around me before rolling back out to sea, my pen scribbled wildly.
plan [plan] : a definite purpose. fo⋅cus [foh-kuh s] : a central point of attention.
Forget focusing.
I have my "2010 Plan."
Lost no more.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)