Don't Quit!

Gar and I were playing Backgammon on Thursday and it looked like I would certainly win.  In fact, the only way I could lose was to roll double 1s two times in a row, which I did.  When there is a possibility for victory, whether it's winning a game or achieving a goal, don't quit!

Age is only a Reference Point

My precious parents are the youngest/older  (70s and early 80s) people I know. When my grandparents began turning 90, I decided that was my definition of old (who knows - 90 may become the new 70!).  I have friends and colleagues who are chronologically decades younger, but far less receptive to embracing all that life has to offer.  Adults can be x years old or x years young.  My wonderful parents have role modeled x years young for me and so many others.

I think that the next time I'm asked how old I am, I'll ask chronologically or attitudinally.

Bounce-back

All of our potted plants thrive with once per week watering, except one.  And it demands to be watered twice per week, wilting severely, if too many days pass without a drink.  I was convinced, that in my vacation absence, I'd killed this plant.  It was so seriously dehydrated that Gar asked, when he saw the perky plant this morning, if I'd replaced it.

This incredible bounce-back from from a major affliction made me realize once again we can learn so much from nature.  Think about the damage to human relationships that are sometimes caused by minor infractions.  When we realize that my plant's near-death experience was remedied by a bit of TLC, it's easy to see that we'd be well advised to administer and accept TLC frequently in our human relationships.  

Underselling

So many people exaggerate - intentionally or unintentionally.  Many of us are taught from toddler-hood to be polite and respectful.  In following our lifelong teachings, we sometimes overplay just how comparatively good something is to normal, average or everyday.  It's rarer that we are undersold on the attributes of an item or experience.  Though they were afraid they had oversold Crystal Bridges Art Museum, my wonderful parents, despite their best attempts at a fair, but incredibly positive review, had actually undersold this phenomenal venue.  

Though I knew I would love it, I was blown away, because it was far better than I'd imagined.

Exaggeration may be good for egos - ours and others, but underselling (when a sale is made) has the opportunity to create remarkable experiences and memories.

On Track?

How can it be that today marks the halfway point of 2014!  My running goal is quantitative and easily tracked day by day, week by week, and against my annual objective.  And, I'm happy to be slightly ahead of my YTD mileage.  Some other goals aren't quite that precise, as they are either done or undone by year end, and percent completion isn't easily tracked or possible.  And other aspirations haven't been committed to the precision of measurable goals.  Today's a great day to adopt a New Year mentality and assess where we are, where we want to be and how we're going to get there.