Life Learnings -- for grads & the rest of us

Over the years I've kept a journal and at the beginning I have a list of lessons I've either learned throughout my life or someone else learned and my life experience confirmed it.  

Lately I've found myself in positions of being asked to give a word of advice to someone...a recent graduate about to go off to college or into the workforce, a couple getting married, etc.  And I thought I'd share the key learnings with all of you and hope you find them useful:

  

Life Learnings

• Everything in life is an option.  
• You always have a choice.
• Nothing is permanent.
• Attitude is everything.
• Choose your friends wisely.  Who you become and what comes into your life is greatly influenced by those with whom you closely associate.  
• Integrity is everything.  But having integrity means some situations will be harder on you.  Stand firm in who you are.
• Make positive change in the world.
• It's usually the one pointing their finger the strongest that is guilty of the accusation.
• Hugs and laughter are extremely powerful.
• When someone tells you their negative traits, believe them.
• Never stop learning!
• When you're not at peace, you need to do or not do something.  Listen to your gut.
• Have a spiritual belief and actively strengthen it.  When times get tough, it's a foundation to stand upon.
• Life can suck the life out of you.  Establish your boundaries.
• Truth has a mysterious way of finding daylight.
• When someone feels the need to tout their positive traits, they're usually lacking them.
• Sometimes the way to find what makes you happy is to eliminate what makes you unhappy.
• Practice forgiveness.  Give grace & mercy.
• Your friends are family and your family are your friends.  Strive for this.
• Laugh!  Laugh hard!  Laugh often!

And, here is a set of favorites that have hung on my mirror for years:

Colin Powell's Rules

• It ain't as bad you think.  It will look better in the morning.
• Get mad, then get over it.
• Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it.
• It can be done!
• Be careful what you choose.  You may get it.
• Don't let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision.
• You can't make someone else's choices.  You shouldn't let someone else make yours.
• Check small things.
• Share credit.
• Don't take counsel of your fears or naysayers.
• Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier!

 

Nespresso, a Love/Love Relationship

The results of my coffee capsule research is in ...  I absolutely love Nespresso!  In fact, my Nespresso family has grown:

The love/hate relationship that I was anticipating is, instead, a great love affair.  I owe my gratitude to a couple friends who ensured my research was conducted appropriately:

 ... to M4, who advised me to get the fantastic Nespresso Aeroccino and Milk Frother.  In just a few seconds it makes either hot milk or froth, and the froth is thick and soft and sweet -- the best tasting froth I've ever had.

 ... Erica, a wonderful woman who shared my views on the coffee capsule (see my 3/25 post).  After our initial meeting, during which we discussed environmental issues, a small package arrived at my office.  She had sent me a gift of an Outpresso.  After make espresso, simply insert the capsule into the Outpresso, press the top lever down, watch the grounds fall into the tray below.  You can then add the grounds to your compost (or just toss them).  Since the capsules are aluminum, simply place them in your recycle bin if you choose not to participate in Nespresso's Ecolaboration recycling program.

 

The espresso this machine makes is absolutely delizioso!!  Trust me, I'm an espresso snob.

Thank you, M4, for your generosity, and thank you Germany for requiring electrical conversion!!



Next Post:  Italia, Deutschland, and Österreich!   (Part 2: Munich, Germany)

Italia, and Deutschland! (Part 2: Munich, Germany)

Hello everyone!   I'm having to take care of a family emergency.  I'll get back with my tales of adventures in Munich & Vienna soon. 


Adventures will be posted shortly ...

Italia, and Deutschland! (Part 1: Roma, Rome)

It's 6am and I've awakened.

It takes me a minute to realize the wonderful fluffy bed in which I'm laying is my own and not that of a hotel nor friend.


Immediately my mind goes to work tomorrow and the business that needs to be delivered over the next several weeks.  I'm disappointed these are my first thoughts as I'm still on vacation until tomorrow, Monday morning. 

Jet lag.

I'm in a gloomy mood.
This always happens to me after I've spent extended time with close friends.  We Librans really do despise being alone, much more, living alone.
And I'm pms-ing (yes, I said that).

I'm whining.
I need coffee.

M4, my friends in Munich whom I just visited & of whom you'll hear later in this blog series, gave me the gift of their Nespresso machine which they purchased while living in NYC.  I pull it out of my suitcase.  Yes, I carried this thing home.  Crazy, I know, but M4 couldn't get it converted and I've been mystified by this concept since it's beginning.  This will provide me with the opportunity to conduct research with minimal contribution to a trend of which I've been in opposition ... the coffee capsule.

Love/Hate.
That's the relationship I'm anticipating.

I have fundamental issues with the concept as it creates unnecessary packaging which finds itself in landfills -- I have the same issue with the packaging of razor blades. Yes, there are recycling efforts available for the capsules, including Nespresso's Ecolaboration (which has been accused of greenwashing).  But we, the consumer, have to make a concerted effort.  And frankly, who has the time?  One benefit of this capsule concept is how quickly a cup of coffee/cappuccino can be made, and I love that since I still brew my coffee every morning.  But that saved time is more than lost with the efforts to recycle the pods.  Then, there's cost.  I can buy a bag of great organic French roast coffee for the same price as one box of 10 capsules. 

There's no denying that the experience is fantastic, both in the Nespresso shops as well as making/drinking the coffee (it does taste delizioso), as is the visual branding.  It's the packaging that gets to me.

Back to my need for coffee, I'm inserting a capsule now.
Let the research begin.

* * * * * * * * 

In my last post, I mentioned I was returning to a place where a period of change began for me.  I returned to Rome for a week of meetings with my colleagues from around the world.  It was so wonderful to be with this group of people as we're like-minded yet they bring differing points of view and perspectives.  Not to mention the fact that they are good people and quite simply, a lot of fun!

We stayed at the fabulous Hotel Hassler, at the top of the Spanish Steps just above Piazza di Spagna.  (During my stays in Rome, I typically stay at another hotel at the bottom of the Spanish Steps and just 2 blocks away, Hotel San Carlo.)  The staff at Hotel Hassler was so gracious, the rooms lovely, and the bed was impeccable!  I didn't want to leave my room for wanting to lay on the bed ... very fluffy.  The experience at this hotel was not only exquisite, it was 'wow' in a very traditional Italian manner.

Looking up the Spanish Steps.

View from my room.

One evening, we split into 7 groups and dined at separate restaurants.  I dined with several colleagues at a spectacular restaurant near Trevi Fountain, al Moro.  Despite location, it was full of locals and not tourists. There's a great description of the restaurant in the NY Times and it should be noted that the journalist had been dining at this restaurant since 1953!

We accomplished a lot during these full days of meetings, and on our last night we had a late but private tour of the Sistine Chapel ... 

 

 

It was a bit challenging, but I managed to squeeze in an hour's visit with a friend, Sandro, whom I had met in Roma on my first visit in 2001.

Ah, Roma.  The memories.  It made me miss my travel buddy, Natalie.  

Coming Next:  Vacation time!  My first trip to Germany.

Change ... the right amount of wrong!

It's been a while since I've posted.  Life has been incredibly busy.  Good, but busy. 

This week, I was speaking with someone about change.  She's not one to like change, and has made the big decision to leave her company after 11 years -- and I'm excited for her!  Many of you have been with me on my journey of life changes, including leaving Corporate America.  I enjoy change and life has been a wondrous ride!

Ironically,  tomorrow life is about to take me back to a place where a period of change began for me, and a few new adventures from there!  Ah, your mind is now wandering, isn't it?  Good!

In the meantime ...

The other day I saw the new television commercial for THE COSMOPOLITAN of Las Vegas hotel.  I always enjoy when brands hit the mark of smart and fun, and this hotel always seems to do just that.  I saw the video online the other day but now am unable to located it.  (If I do, I'll post.)

Their branding is exactly what I found when I made the life change that began in the place where I'll be tomorrow ... 

"JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT of WRONG."

Change can be very, very good!

Shanghai, China!

In 1882, a temple was built to be the home of two jade Buddha statues which had been transported from Burma by a monk named Huigen. The temple was destroyed during the revolution that overthrew the Qing Dynasty. Fortunately the jade Buddha statues were saved and a new temple, named the Jade Buddha temple, was built on the present site in 1928.

The Jade Buddha Temple

Being in China brought back memories of my high school Asian studies classes.  I can remember sitting in class envisioning what Asian must be like and how it would feel to live there.


The people of Shanghai are so kind and friendly.  


I could definitely live in the Far East!

Walking along Memory Lane ...

Taking a stroll down that lovely street, Memory Lane, is guaranteed to bring an array of pictures, feelings, and thought.  And if you're not strolling alone, you can be sure the Lane will magically widen and lengthen in a very Hogwarts-esque manner.

Strolling Memory Lane accompanied, while wonderful, may present some challenges.  Those who can't risk being vulnerable may want to stroll alone.

It's a magical experience.  With each step you are transported to another place and time.

But it is not for the faint of heart.

For some, the challenge comes when you've stepped off of Memory Lane.
You may find yourself standing there unable to move for a just a bit ... back in your neighborhood, yet not ... wondering just how long you will be standing still.

"Do one thing every day that scares you."