Defining moments in life...

It's been a long while since I've posted, but alas, only me to read & reflect, so yea...it doesn't matter!

I was recently asked to describe a defining moment in my life and this was one of them.

I was alone in the yawl boat behind a beautiful 123ft long tall ship or windjammer, the Grace Bailey. It was pouring down rain, I was just drenched and freezing cold. And if you knew me you'd know that I do not like to be cold. But, as I took in my surroundings I felt invigorated, completely alive. I remember thinking that it was this kind of moment that I wanted my life to be filled with.

I had gotten to that moment by striking up a conversation at a diner with this guy who told me about Captain Ray and the Windjammers up in Camden, Maine. He and his wife worked for him and he suggested that I give him a call and use his name. I gave Captain Ray a call and after much ado he had a position open for a messmate.

The next thing I know I'm driving up to Maine wondering what I had gotten myself into. When I get to the dock, meet Captain Ray, and the crew...the crew was hanging out on the dock drinking beer...it was 9 in the morning! I was thinking that I was going to be in for a ride.

Well, a short time later we are underway and I find myself doing things that I had never done before and I was just being, no thinking, no analyzing, just living, being in the moment! After all was said and done it was quite a ride. At the end of it all, a beer at 9 in the morning never tasted so good.

I realized that while I may fight getting out of my comfort zone, it is the place that I am most alive.

It's so easy to get lulled into the daily tasks of life and let life take you floating through time, instead of you standing at the helm. I often think about the blast that I had that summer on board the Grace Bailey to push myself to get out of the comforts of my life in order to push me to learn, grow, and just BE the person that I know myself to truly be.

Inspired Leap

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.
Epictetus

I had a vision last Friday...thanks to Dianna Amorde of Inspired Leap.com. With her voice as the guide I saw what I would be...who I BE and I was inspired. The workshop was titled, "I Know What To Do, So Why Don’t I Do It? "

I discovered that I fall into two opposing categories when it comes to approaching decisions and taking action. I am strong both from a logistical, analytical side and an intuitive, integrative side. My passion to create a life in which I make a living by creating jewelry that nurtures spirits, is stopped by my desire to do things right, to research, to act by the plan that I have in my head, the "I know what to do, in what order, in what way" plan. So what do I do? Throw the plan away and listen to my other side. Is it that easy? I'm declaring that it will be...yeah, okay, I'll have to declare it every day, but hey who knows where that can lead!

Here's to who we all BE!

Cliche, but true...Live well, Laugh often, Love much

“Don’t ask what the world needs.
Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it.
Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
- Howard Thurman

A friend of mine passed away a couple of weeks ago. He was young. 40. His memorial services were last Friday. His sister said that he had no regrets, that he did all that he had wanted to do. He said to live and love as if there is no tomorrow. That wasn't exactly what he said, but that's what it boils down to. We never know what life has in store for us around the corner - as far as things that are out of our control. I want to really "get" that. Really get how important it is to suck the marrow out of life and laugh, and make an impact on the world and the people around me. I will miss the future without him, and I know I will create fun memories with his family.

My tribute to him is to create an extraordinary life. iwmyc. iwmatfaycgmamb. iwtoyo. iwtrboy.tymdf.

Creating a culture of kindness

“An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea.” Buddha

I remember my grandparents giving the garbage men Christmas gifts, and it has always stayed with me as something important to do...acknowledge people that are often unseen yet make an impact in the world. Does anyone stop to think how much more beautiful our cities are because individuals pick up our trash?!

Just to put it out there - to myself!- I want to find someone that is unseen in the city and do something to say "thank you." One small thing a month...

First Entry 3-27-07

“Live your beliefs and you can turn the world around.” -Henry David Thoreau

This first post SHOULD be about what the intention is behind this blog, but I'm just going to remind myself to LET GO of the shoulds and just have fun with it!

I want to live my life fully in love. I love my life now - I love what I do, my relationships, the city I live in, my living environment, and the list can go on and on, and of course I continually seek more adventure, more learning, more experiences, but I can say now that I love life.

What I think would fun and an access to letting go is to do something around what a friend of mine says...and "harness the power of silly", and just let go of all of the inner dialog that stop me from being fully me. I'm not sure how that will transpire...time will tell.

So, back to Thoreau's quote about beliefs...I believe simply that authentically happy people create a more inspiring world. A world in which because we have integrity we are responsible, we are filled with potential, we are inspired to take action, and in “BEING” that person, we reach out to guide others to the same achievement. Imagine a world where more people are living their lives inspired, instead of disheartened.

What makes you happy in life?

Think. Act. Transform.