Bopril

Doing it Right

If you do nothing else today, watch this. And then share it.

 

Often Awesome The Series Official Trailer from All Aces Media on Vimeo.

Four and Counting

When I was a little girl, I often dreamt of my wedding. There was a beautiful dress and everyone who loved me, and of course, Prince Charming waiting at the end of the aisle. It was the universal fairy tale, the storybook wedding ingrained in every young girl's brain.

As I grew older, I kept my dreams of the perfect party and the beautiful celebration intact, but I added dimension around Prince Charming. I imagined him handsome and strong of course, but also steadfast and honest and fun and loyal. In the way that teenagers and even young adults do, I imagined that I'd be his entire world, that he would give up anything and sacrifice everything if it were for my good.

In high school and maybe even into college, I assigned wealth to my Prince Charming because naturally, he'd give me the life I'd always dreamt of, and that meant that no privilege would be denied.

Somewhere between assigning my imaginary Prince myriad characteristics and conjuring my life of luxury while experiencing life "in the real world," I met a guy at work. I thought he was full of himself. I laughed at his antics, I shrugged off his eccentricities. We became friends, and eventually, when we least expected it, we grew into something more.

With age and perspective comes truth. Prince Charming isn't the infallible, perfect, storybook icon of your little girl dreams. How boring that Prince Charming is, how one-dimensional, how flat. 

No, Prince Charming is your life's partner, the half of your whole, the missing piece of the puzzle, the only place in the world that ever makes complete sense, is a perfect fit. Prince Charming is home and comfort and everything good, everything right.

And he does give you exactly the life you've always wanted, and exactly the friendship you've always needed, the grandest adventure that you've never imagined. But none of those things look like you thought they would when you were five or ten or even 22. Your fairy tale is better than the stories of your childhood, and it gets better and better with the turn of each page. No one tells you this when you're younger, but that is ok, because you'd never believe it anyway.

When the Prince Charming of your little girl dreams comes to life as the partner that was always meant for you, magic happens. And real life surpasses anything a fairy tale could ever be.

I should know. Four years and counting.

Fit, Sure---But Also Well

I have mentioned here before that I'm a bit of a mess when it comes to fitness, and if I'm being honest, that is a bit of an HUGE understatement. I tend to engage with exercise in fits and bursts and awkward cycles that are either all-out maniacal (and therefore last a very short while), or exceptionally on-again, off-again, where the off-again part can stretch several months long. For example, I have worked out only a couple of times since we moved to Bucktown. Lest you've forgotten, that move happened in July. At the beginning of July, to be specific.

For me, resolving to get fit or stay fit or chase fitness on January 1 is old-news, tired, cliched. I'm done with it, and I'm done with the self berating that inevitably accompanies it. Because fitness isn't really what requires resolve at the end of the day. Discipline is. I can purchase gear and sign up for races and read articles and subscribe to fitness blogs until the end of time, but until I conquer the ever-elusive art of practicing a disciplined life, all of it is destined to end up in the exact same place. Which is nowhere, and a vicious cycle of nowhere at that.

Don't misunderstand---I'd love for 2011 to be the year where I finally achieve a balanced and consistent relationship with fitness and with my overall health, but my focus is going to be on discipline. Discipline is much bigger than just a commitment to exercise---it's a commitment to me, to improving life in all the areas that are mine to control. One day, and one action, at a time.

So yes, it includes a resolve to exercise regularly, but also to get in the kitchen and prepare more healthy meals, to plan ahead and think about healthy snacks and lunches for work, to enforce a mandatory shut-off time for work and the blackberry so I can focus on other priorities. The list continues: a promise to do more joyful things, which for me include reading and writing and getting outdoors, traveling and staying in closer contact with beloved friends and family, taking photos, learning how to make videos. Taking control of my health---making those appointments---doing the work that needs to be done. Refusing to fall into bed without first washing my face, making the bed because it begins my day with order (and I like order), walking the fur babes and being patient with them instead of dashing out and bouncing around anxiously waiting for them to complete their "business." Kicking excuses to the curb, but also taking a break and time away when needed. I could go on for miles, and I think this is likely true for all of us (especially those of us of the Type A variety, am I right?).

But that isn't the point. Because I haven't written all of these things down on a list to be checked off---the only focus for me is to improve my practice of discipline, and I think the outputs will evolve and appear from there. And also? I'll give myself a break now and then. Because isn't that part of it too? To stop being so damn hard on ourselves, so very, very critical? This new "practice" won't be perfect, just better. It won't be all the time, or every time, just more often. And I think that is pretty much the best anyone can ask of themselves.

Life is too short, there is too much to do, so much to see---and I'm going to be disciplined about embracing it, whatever that looks like from day to day.

Unexpected

This morning as I was walking through the rain on my daily commute, the universe randomly put a little love in my path. And you know what? I'll take it!

It was particularly apropos, I think, on Love Thursday.  Wishing everyone a happy day where you notice splendid signs from the universe all around you.

Storyblogs

I read a lot of blogs. My feed reader is always overflowing, and I spend countless hours lost in the words and lives and stories of others.

I laugh, I cry, I nod in agreement, I shake my head in opposition -- but mostly, I just appreciate the forum, the dialog -- the community.

The blogosphere has done amazing things in the last few years -- there have been scandals and controversy, sure -- but with any new thing, especially if it is great -- that is to be expected. At the end of the day though, when you know where to look -- you will find amongst the clever URL's and fancy web design and catchy titles -- mind-blowing talent, heartbreaking stories, uplifting and life changing experience -- all in a simple click - click - click.

I'm thinking tonight of one in particular -- I've been following this story for well over a year now and I'm constantly amazed at the sheer strength of this man -- his will to go on and his beautiful quest to make a life for his daughter in the wake of unspeakable tragedy.

Read this. It will rock your world and blow your mind, just as it did for me. Just as it has done time and again -- post after post, all these months. 

Happy birthday, sweet Madeline -- and happy Love Thursday, one and all. Grab your loved ones and squeeze tight tonight, won't you?

What Are We Waiting For?

I've mentioned this before, but I've been getting more into the practice of yoga and pilates in recent months. Not nearly as much as I should - not nearly as often as I'd like - but I find these particular practices, the study of them, so fascinating. Everything is so deeply rooted in breath, and at first, that was such a "hippie" sentiment to me and I didn't relate. Until I tried it. Until I let go of irrational fears of looking, feeling or acting ridiculous and just focused on the simplicity. Inhale, exhale...let it all go.

The applications are endless - there is nothing this won't help us overcome - or at least achieve peace about...

**Sitting in traffic, rage bubbling mightily to escape in the form of yelling, honking, cursing. And for what? The light turns no faster, the car in front of you remains there until it moves. Instead, inhale, exhale...let it go. And amazingly, even the most traffic laden commute can be a peaceful experience.

**Staring at a computer screen, mere seconds from hurling the entire machine across the room. Again, for what? The hour glass will still be there, the error message will still sound its alarm. Instead, inhale, exhale...let it go. I'll enjoy my oatmeal while I wait for IT to fix the problem.

**Shuffling after a tiny, shivering pup on snow-filled streets, frustration filling every pore. "Just GO already, god!!" To what end? More shivering, more staring, fear at the anger in your voice. Instead, inhale, exhale...you know the drill. Notice the stillness of the morning, feel snowflakes on your face. Practice patience, because it works.

I haven't mastered this, not by a long shot - but I'm working on it. I'm actively thinking about it, all the time. Because I believe it can become habitual - and I'll be better for it. I think this is true for all of us.

And then, today...this:

Such truth in this message, such simplicity, such urgency. It's worth your time to watch the video and it's worth our time - all of us - to constantly ask ourselves what are we waiting for? Happy Love Thursday, one and all.

Love Paints the Best Pictures

Last night as I was perusing my 4738476251 feeds, I noticed an interesting trend.

It's no secret that I'm obsessed with photography and therefore, shouldn't be surprising that I follow a large number (and variety) of photography related blogs. But all of my favorites have a common theme: they beautifully and artfully capture love. They are the kinds of images that will leave you breathless, punch you in the gut and elicit an immediate and powerful emotion (for me usually tears - SAP alert!).

I stumbled upon this image during our morning commute today courtesy of this awesome Tumblr feed:

Tell me you don't feel sucker punched right now. I do NOT believe you. Emotions still running a little high from all of yesterday's celebrations, this hit me particularly hard. Sobbing ensued, but in the best way possible. What an awesome moment - captured forever.

In an entirely different way, the following two images have the same effect:

Please visit this blog immediately - I love everything about his work. Beautiful.

Another must visit site - I die regularly over the amazing, stunning work they do with weddings and other key life moments.

And then one of my own faves - shot in the park on one of my favorite trips:

I watched these two for quite awhile; their glee was catching.

Happy Love Thursday; I hope you're remembering to paint your own pictures regularly.

Pushing Forward

Work has consumed almost all of my energy over the last couple of weeks, but Internet, I'm not going to dwell on the negative implications of that statement. I am going to focus. Focus on the positive.

Meaning I will remind myself that this has been a time for me to step up my efforts to lead and grow my experience, my skill set and my confidence. It has been an opportunity to interact directly with people that I've previously had limited access to. And most importantly, it has provided an opportunity to reset my approach, and take a long hard look at my attitude.

It hasn't been easy and I haven't been a ray of sunshine (not even close, just ask Hubby), but I have pushed through. And even in less than ideal circumstances, I have learned and embraced new people that have introduced me to new ways of thinking and entirely different perspectives.

I can live with that.

But I'll tell you a secret - I cannot wait to finish my to-do list and meetings tomorrow and head to one of my favorite spots. I've got big plans. They look something like this:

• devour the HUGE stack of fall fashion magazines I have purchased, but been unable to dive into (side note: I'm LOVING the fall trends for this year - more to come on this in a different post)
• play with my dogs as much as possible. believe it or not, they are cuter than ever and inspiring tons of laughter these days
• runs around the lake (confession: probably more like a run/walk mixture)
• yummy food and more importantly, yummy wine
• relaxation
• catching up with MIL
• hanging with Hubby
• relaxation
• re-aquainting myself with my camera. i've barely picked it up lately, and I'm really missing it!
• sitting at the end of the dock and combining the fall fashion reading, the wine drinking and the relaxation
• relaxation - have I mentioned this one already?

And you? Big plans to wind down summer 2009 (what there has been of it)? The last week or 2 in Chicago have featured fall weather. While I'm nervous at how early it has arrived and what that means for the weeks ahead, I must admit, it is my favorite weather. So I'll end with an image that screams "fall."

You're welcome.

Oh, and PS, happy Love Thursday all. I have been lax in posting these lately, but will return to the habit. Promise.

The Space Between

Do you have a special place you call your own? Not your home or car or office, but a specific place that you turn to when you just need to get away? To think...to breathe...to take a break from the frenetic pace of your life for just a minute. And when you're in that place, you can always see the truth - regain perspective.

I've been lucky enough to have several such places in my lifetime and they all have a common theme. Water. I've receded to hidden retreats in the woods - trickling streams and awesome water falls that you can only access via remote hiking trails. I've taken great solace in the sea, walking to the water's edge and surrendering every stress to the crashing waves and the salty air. I miss that five block walk from my front door to the mighty Pacific more than I ever anticipated.

But today, I find similar peace at the lake. On our last trip, I spent a full afternoon into the evening just sitting at the end of the dock with a good book, my camera and a glass of wine. It was divine. And when the work week proves exceptionally stressful, I whip out my photos and conjure contentment.

I love the powerful connection we feel to certain elements, certain places. And I hope I will always find solace and comfort and peace in the bodies of water that surround each life stage.

Happy Love Thursday; I hope your own special place is waiting for you, and that you're able to escape there very soon.