If the Shoe Fits

Run, Dine or Fish in It!

This Is Exactly What I Want to Be Doing!

Whether we say anything or not, others realize how enthusiastic we are about the activity that we're:

• enjoying
• pretending to enjoy
• waiting for it to end

One of the biggest gifts we can give ourselves and others is fully embracing whatever experience we are tackling, and fully engaging with those with whom we are experiencing the activity.

Early this morning, I realized that running was exactly what I wanted to be doing at that time.  This realization encouraged me to consciously evaluate other meaningful experiences (useful, interesting or expected).  

The more frequently we plan our future activities to include only things that we will eagerly anticipate, or truly must do, the more often we will find ourselves doing exactly what we want to be doing.

Little Things Make a Great Day

Early this week, I reflected on another great day.  Though nothing spectacular happened, I realized a number of small things combined to create a remarkable day:

• lovely, even if only brief, connection with those I love most
• meaningful interactions with treasured work colleagues
• important incremental advances on work projects
• special, planned time with long-time friends
• time committed to advancing the mission of a marvelous nonprofit organization
• yummy food, lovingly prepared

We can get so caught up in expectations for significant events, milestones and plans that we can lose sight of the many, many small occurrences that create great days.  

Great moments lead to great hours, then days, then weeks, then months, then years and thus lifetimes.  

Seizing Moments

Kristin Kaufman's book Is This Seat Taken? beautifully illustrates the life gifts we are given when we seize every opportunity to fully engage and learn from those who cross our daily paths.  Her stories of encounters with cab drivers, young children, manicurists, waiters, grocery baggers and executives are full of lessons and enriched with her thought-provoking questions at the end of each unique chapter.

Kristin shares a valuable perspective on success, "Success is aligning who we really are inside our souls with what we do and how we contribute in the world."

The book is peppered with with examples of everyday people who are making the world better for those in their circle by making the most of what they've been given. 

Kristin's insights reinforce the powers of optimism, empathy, observation, gratitude, resiliency, courage, trust and the joys of embracing love and life's simple pleasures.

Miracle Hair Treatment

I've waited 4 1/2 weeks to write about my life-changing hair treatment, because I wanted to make sure that it lived up to expectations.  My stylist, Shirley, had been promoting a Keratin hair straightening treatment for several months.  I had four hesitations:

• this won't solve MY frizz problem
• I don't have time to do this
• the media coverage about Brazilian treatments containing formaldehyde freaked me out
• if it doesn't last the expected 6 weeks, the cost is quite high

I can now definitively report that my hair care time has been dramatically reduced and the benefits have exponentially improved.  Houston humidity is fabulous for skin, but prior to my miracle, disastrous for hair.  My daily life tests have included lacrosse games, golf cart tour in 99% humidity and pool-side reading.   Prior to my treatment, each of these fun adventures would have yielded frizzy, uncontrollable hair. 

My only interest in sharing this information is to help other frizzy-haired skeptics improve their quality of life.  I have absolutely no financial interest in this treatment.

Anthopper

We all know the story of the ant and the grasshopper. Of course, the ant is the hero in this story. The ant worked diligently and prepared for the coming winter, while the grasshopper frolicked and played.

Many of us tend to be too much like the ant, scurrying, working and planning non-stop. We postpone fun for later. Perhaps we should be "anthoppers". The ant still comes first, but we inject some fun into the experience.