Too Efficient

It's a great feeling to get things done effectively and efficiently.  However, we must sometimes be reminded that life's joys care nothing about efficiency.  This weekend, I'd planned to leave the office in time to meet friends for an early movie.  However, a colleague who'd just started a new job needed some information which would only take me a few minutes to provide.  She got her information, but I missed my movie by 10 minutes.

Since Plan A went awry, I decided to go for a run.  Midway through my trek, I got a call inviting me to dinner.  My initial reaction was to decline because I'd already changed from presentable to sweaty.  Thankfully, I was convinced that there was time to shower, dress and join the festivities.

Though I'd already showered and dressed for work that morning, nothing more than an attitude was preventing me from starting over for a fun outing.   Sometimes starting over late in the day trumps the efficiency of dressed once and done.

Mom's Cooking?!

Julia and I were visiting on her walk home from class this week.  I was excited to share that I was preparing a full home cooked meal for myself (rather than the expected simple, available sustenance), just as she spotted a storefront she'd not previously seen - "Mom's Cooking".  What beautiful confirmation of how everything is connected and that Mom cooking for herself is a good thing.

We See the Same Thing Differently

One of my young colleagues and I were visiting at a retirement celebration for another co-worker yesterday.  He has been an engaged participant in our Comerica Bank Master of Diversity Awareness program classes that I've taught.  He made a point, beautifully and simply, as we were sharing perspectives about the initiative.  He held his raised hand between us at eye level.  Though we were both viewing his hand, his view of his palm was far different than my view of the back of his hand.  What a lovely reminder that we all see the same things differently!

Beautiful Timing

Though I was happy for Gar as he began his nice adventure yesterday, my heart always hurts when I must be apart from a loved one.  Fortuitous timing brought the arrival, within an hour of his departure, of a beautiful monthly floral delivery from Julia.

When we do nice things for others we don't always know how significant the impact may be.

Dealing with the Stress of Running Late

We don't all view time the same way!  For some, being less than 5 minutes early = late.  For others, on time =  within 5 minutes of the appointed time.  And for others, an hour glass or calendar might be the best way to predict their arrival.  When we release the notion that others are necessarily going to adapt to or adopt our view of timeliness, and find productive ways to spend waiting time, our stress levels decrease.  And we'll be less harsh with ourselves when we fall victim to a traffic jam, unexpected client phone call or meeting that runs beyond the appointed time.

Respectful accommodation and sincere apologies are two sides of dealing with tardiness of others or ourselves.

Constant Choices

Before 8:00 a.m. today I'd already made several choices that impacted the rest of my day:

• a few more moments of relaxation/sleep
• creating a centerpiece for the kitchen island
• thus, running 1/4 mile less than anticipated, yet 1/4 mile more than my daily requirement to meet my annual goal

Fortunately, these terrific early morning choices positively impacted the rest of my day. I responded early to my needs for rest, creativity and exercise. 

Though our constant barrage of daily choices aren't always as clear cut as these, it is sometimes helpful to remember that each simple choice we make can positively or negatively impact our days, thus our lives. 

Make Realistic Goals

When the temperatures dipped into the 20s twice this week, I was so glad that I had set a realistic running goal for 2014.  Houston rarely gets temps that cold, so I opted to skip those two days and resume running in more palatable temperatures.  Had I not set my goal to allow for some yucky weather, early meetings and other conflicts, I could have become frustrated early in the year and abandoned the goal.  However, even with 2 missed days, I'm still on track and quite motivated to achieve my annual mileage.

Goals need to be ambitious, but realistic.

Goldilocks Approach to Stuff

There are countless opportunities to acquire stuff.  And, acquired stuff requires attention, whether it's actual use, display or storage.  Too much stuff is hard to manage.

The beginning of the year is a great time to assess what we have; what we want; and what we need.  Loving and using what we have brings joy and simplicity to our hectic lives.

Just like Goldilocks, we are happiest when we have enough.

Rainbow Waiting

Yesterday morning, I seized a short window between rain showers and was able to complete most of my planned run.  A beautiful rainbow greeted me soon after my trek began.  Though I had every excuse to skip a day of exercise, by taking advantage of the few moments that were available, the rainbow reminded me that unexpected gifts are available when we seize opportunities great and small.