Start Again

Reboot sounds so technical.  However, starting again sounds so full of promise.

Whether we are human or machine, we sometimes need a break from continuous expectations.  Machines tend to let us know in gentle, or service impacting ways, that something needs to change.  As humans, we aren't usually as apt to realize or communicate that we've reached our limits of operating as we usually have operated.

Time out, restart, reboot or start again are all differently acceptable ways of positively accepting that something needs to change in order to realize different outcomes.

Starting again, with mutually endorsed objectives and mutually accepted unmet expectations, can be the human equivalent of a reboot.

How Full is Your Glass?

One of the classic differentiators between optimists and pessimists is whether they see the glass as half-full or half-empty. I was born and raised as an optimist and see the glass as full and overflowing.  However, I know several folks whose glass is half-empty, cracked and leaking.  This week I learned of the ultimate pessimist who asks, "What glass?".

How Do You Get to ...?

When you ask for the best way to get to a particular location, you'll generally get two different answers from my husband and me.  We will both get you to the intended location.  And we each feel that ours is the best route.  "Best" is subjective.  His way is best for him and mine is best for me because we each feel that our way is quickest or least subject to traffic delays.  Our individual routes give us a feeling of control over ever-changing variables.

So often we get caught up in the unimportant mechanics of how something is accomplished rather than celebrating the myriad paths that lead to success. 

This year I'm going to try to remember that when I'm literally driving or driving a project I get to choose the path.  When someone else is at the helm, I need to enjoy the alternate route and be an enthusiastic participant in the journey.

Birthday Puzzles

I thought I'd do something different to celebrate Gar's birthday. I was pretty excited when I created a personalized word search puzzle for him. I started with a blank 13x13 paper grid, adding words until the puzzle was complete. Surprise! There are word search creators. Enter the words and presto, a professionally formatted puzzle emerges.

The puzzles both contain the same hidden words, but are completely different in size, letter arrangement and appearance. I began with a goal and later found tools to improve the presentation. Had I begun with the tool, the words would have been different, as I wouldn't have been constrained by fit. Though this one is more aesthetically pleasing, precious Gar was most appreciative of the one I manually created.

In trying to creatively express love and appreciation, I was reminded once again that different approaches to a project yield different solutions. And, I was reminded that heart-felt hand-made creations with their unique peculiarities are valued by the recipients.