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As a multi passionate creative, I do a lot of things! Yes, it's hard to get immediate goals met because I am stretched thin in a variety of ways, but I wouldn't change a thing. But goals I do set. I like to use the word intentions as there's a little less pressure 🤣 But I have learned from thought leaders that by being intentional about goal setting you can actually get stuff done. And this adventure broad has a lot of stuff she wants to take care of and experience in the years to come. Many people have said, how do you do it all? Well, I use a number of approaches and one is constant learning. For example, I've really been leaning into growing my business enterprises and one of my challenges is in the area of sales. I have been reading a lot of books and picking and choosing some great tips and one that I had an aha moment with is the 30 day rule. Basically, what you do in the next 30 days is going to impact the next 3 months of your life. So, for example in the context of building a business, if I choose not to meet with anyone to talk about anything, guess what's going to show up over the next 90 days? Nada. Ziparoonie. With this reminder, I've invested time to make sure I'm doing something everyday. I'm also thinking about my personal life too whether it's my creative projects, traveling, coordinating events - if I don't do anything none of those things are going to happen. It isn't rocket science however if we don't invest or lean into it it's just not gonna happen. I want to live the best life I can and when I have access to resources and support, I want to not ignore them and see how I can do all these things and live a life of enjoyment and challenge. My question for you is, do you set goals (or whatever you call them) And if you do, how do you make sure you get sh*t done? I would love to hear from you! 
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I've been thinking a lot about expectations for myself as well as others. It's come up in a few recent conversations I've had with friends and it's got me really thinking about it. The way I choose to show up in life is to do what I say I will do and if I can't or change my mind, I strive to let others know of my shift. I also strive to live by the Golden Rule of treat others the way I would want to be treated in a situation. So, here is my question: is it a "high" - aka a stretch - expectation to hold for someone to do what they say unless they advise of a change of plans? I am soooo curious about this! When someone does what they say they are going to do, that is integrity. So, if they don't follow through on it (nor advise of a change of plans), does that mean they lack integrity? I am working on that other Golden Rule of recognizing I cannot control another person's behavior, I am only responsible for my response to it...but dang, this one is bit more of a challenge to navigate. 🤣 Another question is: how do you balance accountability with grace if balls are dropped? Very interested to read your insights!  Can we talk about fear for just a second? Oh, it's not really my favorite topic for discussion. I'm also not a big fan of anxiety. But these things show up, don't they? Today is my annual mammogran aka Boob smoosh. It is uncomfortable in many different ways. The last one I had put me in a major tailspin of fear and fortunately, it turned out just fine. What I remember about that experience was an attempt to come to terms to whatever the results turned out to be would help me live a life of intentionality and no regrets. And, girl howdy, I have lived that way ever since. No regrets. You know how much I love social media - it is a space to share stories and celebrate - but one must be mindful of what is on it. A few month's back, someone posted a comment along the lines of, 'it isn't a matter of if you will have cancer but a matter of what kind'. Now, I don't recall if that was the exact post but that is what I took away from reading it. It came to mind today and then with selective self-talk I reminded myself that is absolutely NOT TRUE for the obvious reasons. I am down talking my fear today. I won't shush it away entirely because all feelings are real and offer something for me to learn. I think today's adventure in healthcare points out several ideas for me to think about one of which is, no matter what, I will be okay. ❤  I love to travel. Whether it is a trip to another country or a new-to-me place in my own neighborhood, exploring is totally my jam. Recently, I hopped on a plane to revist my former home city: Portland (the one in Oregon). I lived there for close to 30 years and in hindsight, the experience was the fodder for my life of adventure. While living there, I connected with my creativity and passion for storytelling through my time as a volunteer and employee at KBOO Community Radio. I became a mom to my darling daughter, Lila, and I also suffered through menopause there (not fun). I fell in and out of love so many times, I think I have had my fill of those kinds of shenanigans. Check out this short video with some thoughts about the changes in Portland and coming 'back home' after leaving five years ago. Just click on the image below!  This was my third visit to Stumptown since leaving in the summer of 2018 to move to New England, but it was this visit that I made peace with some of the lingering unresolved feelings about my life here. By doing so, it opened up a big ole space to fill up with joyful experiences while visiting. I enjoyed reconnecting with my friends and family. I also explored places of long ago and learned of things that are no longer. I was also smitten with some of the new shiny things now found in Portland. Here's a list of the 30+ places I visited during my two week Pacific Northwest Adventure:
I covered a lot of ground while I was here and thank all my friends and family who joined me on the daily adventures. I look forward to a return visit in a couple of years!  Are you into the woo woo? I am. 100% buy in on the power of mystery, manifesting, and all things possible. Over the past decade, I have been leaning into the wisdom of personal development. It all started when I crossed over the line of becoming a 'woman of a certain age'. I started navigating a new set of challenges that left me more exhausted then motivated to challenge them. Part of this kick off to a so called better life included an exercise of writing of an essay of sorts about my 'dream life' by describing it in detail. Later, it became more of a list of intentions. Because I keep EVERYTHING 🤣 I came across some of those reflections. What a moment to see how much that came into being! Dreaming of a day filled with a variety of activities and all of connected to collaboration with others, has manifested itself into reality. I am not kidding you. I am not pulling your leg. I am not blowing smoke. A life I had hoped for is now a life I live. Now, truth be told, it is not exactly as described, but let me tell ya, much of it is pretty on the mark. When I started the 2nd half of my life (in my 40s), I initially absorbed the overwhelm of loss. Loss of youth. Loss of opportunity. Loss of dreaming big. And then I realized that was total bullsh*t. It has been far from an easy trek but what a freaking adventure it has been...and will continue to be so until I am only a faint memory. So, to anyone who is curious, fed up, ready to roll, do the work. Dream it up and walk into it. It is so worth the effort. ❤ 
I have taken to activating Plan B quite a bit of late. I 'designed' this approach to help offset rumination that is poked into action when a disappointment comes up for me. With big, anticipated plans to visit a friend in New Hampshire this weekend that were squashed by the dreaded COVID (get well soon, Jean!) , I looked at some new options to enjoy my four day adventure. A little 🐦 told me that Ellie's Providence had 'secretly' (*) opened as a soft launch. After finding out that my much awaited vacay in New Hampshire had to be canceled at the last moment, this sad broad felt compelled to design a Plan B adventure. Oh, I knew exactly how to launch my new vacation itinerary: lunch at Ellie's new location!!!! It is a beautiful space with the best lighting for photos and they have POUTINE. I am good to go. 🐔 Get on down here because there are colorful macarons calling your name. Bonus: saying hello to Jennifer again! It was also a picture perfect Providence kind of day. There are moments when I feel the weight of Life on my shoulders and then, there are days like this one. I fell in love. With a city. Turning a disappointment on its head and finding adventure in your very own home town. That's a good, good day. (*) my word, not theirs. Anyone can pop in right now!  Are you familiar with Ikigai? "Ikigai is a Japanese term that blends two words: “iki” meaning “to live,” and “gai” meaning “reason,” which translates to “a reason to live.” It's a concept that encourages people to discover what truly matters to them and to live a life filled with purpose and joy." I learned about it some time ago and have been reading books about it every so often. The approach speaks to my own journey of living my best life (*) with intention. I love learning and will never stop doing so. I may not have a paper that cites a formal degree, but I sure have put in the mileage to earn my badges of experience! Would it not have been amazing to learn about living a life of purpose in my early days?! Well, I think it sort of started back then in the most subtle of ways. When I feel low, it is one of the things I consider: am I off course? The pause to consider can often reboot me. Are you living in a way that keeps things interesting? (*) Note: subject to change  As an older broad, I've noticed that many things have changed over the years but one thing that stays constant for me: forever connecting with others creates a rich life experience. Of late, a few conversations talking about being older and feeling lonely have cropped up. I've once heard that loneliness is an epidemic. I am reading a book (I am on a quest to learn all that I can while on the planet!) titled The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study on Happiness and the findings of a study in motion since 1938 is, it is all about relationships. Lonely people live shorter lives. and one in four Americans report that they feel lonely. There are many reasons for disconnection and I think technology is part of that. I recall long ago days when there were ample opportunities to talk with someone while standing in line at the store. Now everyone has their face in a phone while we wait. As an extreme extrovert 😆 I like to make new friends all the time and also create experiences like Cocktails & Conversations, ShePVD, Dames Who Dine, Hiking Honeys - just to name a few - to help foster more connections between people. I believe that the more time we spend together, the fuller our lives can be as we learn and grow with one another. As a woman of a certain age, this keeps me young. 😍 What kind of things do you do to keep things lively?  Actually, I need to be reminded frequently. I love solving problems because it is like a puzzle for me, and my brain likes those kinds of puzzles. But sometimes, I must remind myself that ain't my mountain to climb. As a self-labeled multi-passionate human, I enjoy variety. Exploring and discovery are my jam. Novelty is my elixir. But sometimes, I gotta just say "no" and perhaps, "no, not now. Maybe later". Earlier this year, I decided to live a life based on urgency due to my 'advancing age' 🤣 but realized I was exhausting myself and fanning the flames of FOMO, so I decided to reframe it to live a life of intention. So far, it feels right. How do you live a harmonious life?  |
AuthorLet's create a BIG life one small adventure at a time! Here are a few of my experiences - perhaps you may find a little nugget or two that inspires you to take your own baby step to living your dreams! Archives
October 2024
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