Bonni Goldberg approached me several weeks ago seeking my contribution to her “GoodBookery” project.  If you have not heard about this concept, take a peek (here).

Bonni’s project is called “Take back prom”.  YIKES!  I immediately went to a place of fear thinking that it would be hypocritical for me to remotely offer any words of encouragement or suggestions on this subject.  At the age of 17, I was a lost and had little sense of myself and the world I was desperately trying to understand and fit into—so, giving advice? Not so much!

But then, after much turmoil and spending an unhealthy amount of time being scared out of my mind, the thought struck me to write about what I believe would have helped me to know during that time of my life.  Ah, now that I could write about. 

What I shared, then, was not solely about prom—it’s more expansive than this one experience in a teens lifetime of experiences. Yep, I went there.

I finished my part and turned that baby in!  Perhaps what I wrote is not a fit for the collective book?  I dunno.  I’m just so incredibly thankful for the opportunity to kick through my fears and spread my wings.

they

them

those

v.s.

WE

US

OURS

Which language do you use?

The Nonprofit Youth Leadership project is one of the (many) times I’ve take a leap of faith first and asked questions later. 

If nothing else my hope is for people to understand and make the connection that our nonprofit organization is just like any other in that it requires roles such as Marketing, Project Coordination and Development (to name a few) to be filled to in order meet its stated mission.

Before the Riverdale interns, our organization leaned on its board of directors to manage and carry through day to day operational tasks which was not realistic.  

We are in our second (school) year with this project and the promise of what will be accomplished this year remains to unfold.  What I do know for sure is that having a little faith has served our community and has helped open more doors to enriching educational experiences.

Read the story as told by Cliff Newell, writer with The Lake Oswego Review here

I’m wallowing in organizational heaven! Over the last couple of days I’ve boosted my productivity a.k.a (sanity) by putting all of my tasks, lists and current projects in a large three-ring binder separated by sections and tabs.

This system has cut down on scraps of paper littered all over my desk, neck strain caused by constant pile searching and always needing to remember a “file” for this or that meeting.

I also threw in a section for me where I keep my (personal) to-do lists and notes. Albeit, I would probably go into cardiac arrest if I ever left this book behind.

I believe I can chalk this up to another simplification of life AND a goodie to be grateful for.

This morning I got dressed in typical fashion and put on a tiara…just a little something to acknowledge Halloween with humor.

The next thing I knew, I had on matching BIG sparkly earrings, necklace, bracelet and had changed into a black dress, pumps and a full length black cape. 

Without thought, I headed out for a first time meeting at a local cafe and when I walked in (Belinda) asked me if I was dressed up.  I said “No, I always wear a tiara.”  We shared an instant connection of humility and humor.

It was SO much fun honoring my first-hand instinct of paying no-never-mind to anything or anyone and going for it, just because I can.

Play is so incredibly essential to life.  Wear your “tiara”!

I’m so digging posts by dailyom.com.  Read a snippet below from an e-article I received titled “A simple shift in attitude can help us recognize the potential for fulfilment in every moment”

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To make a conscious decision to be happy is not enough. You must learn to observe life’s complexities through the eyes of a child seeing everything for the first time. You must furthermore divest yourself of preconceived notions of what is good and what is bad so that you can appreciate the rich insights concealed in each stage of your life’s journey. And you must strive to discover the dual joys of wanting what you have. As you gradually shift your perspective, your existence will be imbued with happiness and contentment that will remain with you forever.

www.Dailyom.com

“…You may feel compelled to judge your personal success using your age, your professional position, your level of education, or the accomplishments of your peers as a yardstick. Yet we all enjoy the major milestones in our lives at the appropriate time—some realize their dreams as youngsters while others flourish only in old age. If you take pride in your many accomplishments and make the most of every circumstance in which you find yourself, your time will come.”

Keep bringing it,  dailyom.com.  Keep bringing the most positive ways to see our lives.

In keeping with the theme of writing about things that I’m thankful for, one has got to be receiving words of kindness so intentional and moving that it blows your hair back.

In an email to my friend Erin, I shared with her my hope and focus around a particular project coming to fruition. She wrote back;

WOW, right?

  Send love to your day ahead and remember to stop and catch the miracles.  www.Dailyom.com

 Upon waking, many people consider the coming day with trepidation. Because of the natural human tendency to focus on what we fear or dislike, it is easy to unwittingly send a message of unease into the future that negatively impacts the quality of your day. However, while our lives are busy and frequently replete with challenges, they are also rich with joy and experiences worth savoring. We can attract this natural bliss into our lives by starting each day with a message of love. When you send love ahead to your day, that love will manifest itself in your interpersonal interactions, your professional endeavors, and your domestic duties. Tasks and circumstances once made trying by your own anxiety are transformed by your love, and you will find yourself approaching life’s subtle nuances with great affection.

Each morning, when you have cast off the fog of sleep, take several deep, grounding breaths and reaffirm the love you have for yourself. Speaking a loving, self-directed blessing aloud enables you to access and awaken the reservoir of tenderness in your soul. Before you leave the comfortable warmth of your bed, be sure to tell the universe that you are eager and ready to receive the blessings it has set aside for you. Then as you prepare to meet the day, visualize yourself first saturated by and then surrounded with a warm and soft loving light. Gradually widen the circle of this light until you are able to send it ahead into your future. If you are commuting to work, send love to the roads upon which you will drive, your fellow commuters, and your parking space. If you have colleagues who arrive at your workplace before you, send them love. Likewise, a day spent being a parent or addressing household chores can benefit from the sentiment that precedes you. Sending love ahead to everyone you will meet and everything you will do can ensure that your day is suffused with grace.

If you have difficulty sending love to those situations and individuals you deem particularly frustrating, consider that the warmth and tenderness you project can change your life for the better. Each morning, in sending this love, you will exercise your power to control the ambiance of your existence and to color your day with positivity.  www.Dailyom.com