Bopril

2012 and That Whole Resolution Thing

Seeing as we have just finished the first week of 2012, it seems fitting to address that whole resolution topic. In general, I am pretty gung-ho for any excuse to reset, take stock, set goals and track progress, but even so, I don’t have a tried and true ritual as it relates to New Year resolutions. Some years, I do them in naggingly specific detail, and other years, I take a more laid back approach.

This year is a hybrid of those approaches, and I am essentially orbiting all goals, thoughts, wishes, and the like around one central theme. For the last couple of years, I have seen several folks in the blogosphere begin the year with one word that will define the coming 365 days, and every time I’ve thought I could never do that. But this year, very organically, a word stood out to me loud and clear.

That word is:

And so, while I’m not necessarily laying out a very specific list of goals to track against this year, I am challenging myself to place intention at the heart of everything. That might look different from day to day and month to month, but hopefully will help me achieve an overall shift toward center, toward a sense of balance that is different than the elusive (and frankly, fairy tale) sentiment so many of us spend so much time (and energy) chasing. I don’t believe we can “have it all” at the very same time, but I do believe we can take charge of what commands our focus, our energy, and our time each day.

I am not limiting myself or my activities, I am just giving them a filter. When I really stop to think about it, there are just way too many things --- from eating to spending to organizing and accepting responsibilities --- that I do without really thinking. Just status quo. Almost automated. I think this subtle shift is going to go a long way toward the bigger picture and end goal of living more mindfully. It won’t happen all the time or be anywhere near perfect, but over time, small changes can add up to big impact, and I think (hope) that might be the case here.

So, specifically, what might this mean for 2012? In no particular order:

• More books, less TV (yes, I will still watch TV. I love TV. I just don’t need to watch every new show that debuts, and honestly, there are a few in my current line-up that I could easily delete.)
• More writing/creating, less mindless interweb browsing (This one is HUGE. I lose hours falling down the rabbit hole the internet creates. I need to be much more intentional with my time in this space, and shift the ratio of creating/consuming more toward creating in 2012.)
• More water, less every other liquid (I am working so very hard on this one. Baby C is the primary driver behind this motivation, but it’s something I’ve needed to work on for a long time, and this is going to be my year.) (Erin, can I get an AMEN?!)
• More moving, less complaining (I am done with elaborate fitness related goals and plans. Move more. Eat less crap. It’s pretty much that simple. Since I’ll be doing a lot of expanding this year (ha), I’m very realistic that 2012 isn’t likely to be the year of my leanest self, but I want it to be the start of the healthiest me I can be, relevant circumstances accounted for.)
• More intentional kindness (I like to think I’m a kind person by nature, but I too often default to the electronic way these days, and I need to be better about this. I want to write more letters, send more birthday cards, make more phone calls to those I love, etc.)
• More mindful spending/less spontaneous buying (This is the year to really embrace financial planning. There are major things in store for us that are adding to the urgency --- having a child, buying a home, etc --- but I also just feel so much better when the financial ship is sailing smoothly, and there is no reason why it shouldn’t.)
• More walks, more sunsets, more deep breaths, less sweating the small stuff and worrying about things beyond my control and about the actions and reactions of others. That is their business, not mine. (‘Nuff said, amirite?!)
• More date nights with Husband, more play time with fur babes
• More self-confidence, assurance, and giving myself a break (at work, at home, as I work to accomplish these shifts, as I embrace Motherhood --- when I love and care for me, I am better at loving and caring for everything, and everyone, else, period.)
• More church (this one is for you, Mom. Kidding! I’m still a very faithful person, but I’ve let the regular practice of it slip in recent years, and – especially as we welcome a little one into our home and our hearts – I’d like to get back into a better groove spiritually.)

I am interested to see how this exercise impacts my daily routine (and state of mind) as well as the longer term. Here’s to living with intention in 2012 and beyond.

To Emmy on her Birthday

I am thinking of this sparkling little girl today, on her third birthday, and of her amazing Mommy, whom I adore. I can’t believe I haven’t yet scooped up this little cutie in person, but thanks to technology, I feel like I know a little of her spirit.

(photo borrowed from Mommy's blog --- hope you don't mind, Rob!) :)

Happy birthday, sweet Emmy! You’re already showing three who’s boss.

iSad

We knew it was coming. But it doesn’t make it any easier to accept, or any less sad or jolting to go --- in just a moment’s time --- from a world with such a legendary artist to one without.

I’ve been watching the outpouring of sadness and remembrance and tributes and expressions of gratitude on a semi-constant loop, and I’m just…sad. Time is particularly cruel in this way, I think. It sneaks up on you and shows you in Technicolor how much a stranger meant to your daily life, how impactful his gifts were on your interactions, your connections, your work.

There isn’t much I can say, really --- and so many are saying it better than I ever could, but apart from the obvious fact that he will remain a legend, that he was creative brilliance personified, that he changed the world indelibly, more than once, I think the thing I’ll take away the most from this is what death always reminds us of: that none of it is certain. We can’t see to the end, no matter how much we might like to. There isn’t enough time to waste a moment, not enough days or hours or minutes to push to tomorrow what we could do today.

I hope that his innovation, determination and spirit will remain and will continue to inspire brilliance and out-of-the-box thinking, both within Apple’s walls and in schools and households and companies around the world. I hope we’ll learn something from his much too early passing, and that we’ll apply it to our own lives and construct our days in such a way as to live every last drop out of them.

I will continue to play in the immense playground that he built and left for us, and use his “toys” to create work that matters to me, and hopefully also to you. I will be grateful for his commitment to taking chances and pushing forward, always. I will remember him from time to time in the coming weeks and months and years when I swipe my finger across a shiny screen, and open up a whole world of engagement and creation and innovation, quite literally at my fingertips.

Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do. -Steve Jobs. 

 

RIP, Steve. And thank you, as much for the lessons on how to live my days as for the brilliant technology that helps me do it better.

Famine

30,000 children? In three months? Really? It's mind-boggling, and it's unacceptable. We have to do better, do more.

 

Signing a petition doesn't feel like much, but every good thing starts with the power of our voices, so that's reason enough to sign, yes?

Friday Funday

Today is a 'mental health day,' aka 'comp day' from work that I was about to lose if I didn't quickly use it. The last couple of weeks have been pretty intense, so I decided to kick-start the weekend with a day at home and catching up on life.

Thus far, I've enjoyed a morning walk, chai latte in hand, an acupuncture session and consult with the lovely Caroline (whom I adore), and some time browsing my beloved inter-webs. Veggies are currently steaming on the stove, and I think there is considerable reading and perhaps a mani-pedi in my near future.

Even though the day has also included a considerable amount of time and effort cleaning up runny doggie excrement - from the rug, and also my sock - overall, I quite like this extra weekend day all to myself.

I know it will fade all too fast, so I'm off to enjoy the expanse that's left in front of me. Have a lovely weekend, friends.

And before you go, a few gems I've enjoyed this week, for your reading pleasure:

Cute (and love) overload via the always lovely artist of words, Rebecca

A place I think we all know well, and one we can collectively push against

Just the kick in the pants I needed this week (perhaps you need it too?)

Awesome advice for exploring an awesome city

An important reminder (that I intend to watch regularly)

And finally, a relaxing photo for a relaxing Friday:

Nine Eleven

Yesterday, I felt like being quiet. But I was there---paying attention and remembering and wishing peace for all.

And as ever, daring to Imagine:

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.

I'm Back! And With Random Updates for You!

Apologies for the extended absence. I've been in a strange mood these last few weeks---one of those times when life seems insanely busy, but with no discernible Very Big Thing to point to. More just an experience of smaller things that build into what feels like larger things. Minutes that morph into days and then weeks, and then you're struck by the (not so) sudden realization that, "damn, I haven't blogged in more than two weeks." And then you try hard to spark inspiration, fail miserably, get annoyed with yourself for this constant cycle, become bored with yourself AND your internal dialogue, and then open up with the window and just type something already. So yeah, this will be a bit random. And likely also disparate with All The Things currently spinning about in my busy brain. 

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Thing # 1: Steve Jobs. Damn. My heart is heavy tonight knowing what it must have taken for him to arrive at this decision. What the announcement hints at with regard to his health. My thoughts are with him and his family, and I hope that the fight is far from over, and that he'll live to see many more brilliant days. My Twitter feed and Facebook wall and Google+ circles and feed reader are exploding in tributes and ruminations and an outpouring of hope and support and good energy (and a healthy amount of snark which I think he must love just the same) channeled his way. I am sure it is merely the tip of the iceberg, and we'll see much more of this in the coming days. For me, it is pretty simple. Clearly the man is a genius and he understands consumers and business and marketing and technology and all the ways in which those worlds intersect better than maybe anyone before (or after) him. But when I am confronted with genius like his, and when I take part every day in the gifts he has shepherded into our lives and our daily habits, my one consistent thought---above admiration or amazement or awe---is gratitude. I am so grateful that people like him exist. That their brains have the capacity to create such life changing, amazing, culture shifting things. That they keep going when so many would have given up. That they set a bar---set it way up there---and show anyone who is paying attention that it is possible. Whatever "it" means for you. It makes me want to reach a little higher, dream a little bigger, work a little harder, think a little broader. And that, my friends? Is worth more than any device or system or evolving technology. That is the legacy of a life lived to its fullest potential. Not a single moment wasted, no risk avoided, no fear accommodated. Cheers to you, Mr. Jobs. The bar you set just might be insurmountable. I like to think that you'll love watching the next generations try.

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Thing # 2: Mom was in town last weekend (Hi, Mom!), and it was amazing. I'll go as far as calling it one of the best weekends I have had in a very long time, and I will also say that it rolled around right when I really needed it. Do you know that feeling?  Moms are awesome at bringing that feeling directly to your front door. They know just when to up the ante, just when to show up carrying everything you didn't even know you needed. More to come on the weekend, and pictures too! I finally broke my camera rut and have a gazillion to upload and share.

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Thing # 3: I am currently finishing day three of a ten day cleanse. I have avoided cleanses my entire life because I know that my willpower is such that I am very likely to abandon ship. Tonight, the temptation was huge, but I was bolstered by friends on Twitter when they hurled four magical words in my virtual direction---"you can do it!" On those fumes, I'm coasting another day. And from there? We'll see.

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Thing # 4: Changes are afoot at work. It's all great, and after tomorrow, it will be out in the open, which will be a huge relief after a lot of weeks of secretive discussions. I'm incredibly excited for the new opportunities to come, bittersweet at the prospect of change (always) and to leave behind a mind-bogglingly amazing team, and beginning to get those first-day-of-school jitters. I haven't had those in years. And I think it's a good thing to embrace that feeling again, yes? That slight feeling of discomfort that pushes us from good to amazing. I am ready to embrace that, fully. Cheers to what's ahead, and to the fun of discovering it one step at a time.

Happy Weekend!

I know that I still owe you the final few stops from our Italy trip as well as our Derby fun from last weekend. I am working on all, and will post them in short order, I promise.

But in the interim, best wishes for a happy weekend. I'm powering through my workday with my trusty Friday office mates and the gorgeous peonies I picked up last week that are still going strong. I've always loved peonies, but they are currently making a run for the title of my very favorite flower. Aren't they stunning?

We're getting organized this weekend, attacking closets and drawers and any excess space that is enabling clutter. No area will escape my wrath and by Monday, we'll be fully ready to (finally) transition into a new season at Casa Carretta. I'm hoping to get a little planting done as well so that our front and back balcony and patio will be spring and summer ready too.

Have a lovely and relaxing weekend, Internet. I hope it is filled with all the things you love to do and the people you love to do them with. TGIF.

Gifted

Sometimes you hear a particular voice singing a particular song, and it's just obvious that it was meant to be. That it was a gift. It gives you chills and makes you cry. It makes you smile, long after it has stopped playing. This is one of those times. What an amazing gift she has.