After arriving in Chicago I did what any self respecting tourist would do - I took a bus tour of the city for the day - well actually 3 bus tours - but they sorta ran all in together. The highlights were the many magnificent skyscrapers in the downtown area - all with their unique architecture. I don't think I've been in a major city that sports so many different styles of buildings as Chicago - from the Sears tower, the Prudential Building, the new Trump Tower, Chicago Tribune, Wrigley, Art Institute and the controversial newly renovated Soldier's Field. I saw them all -and some of them several times. They had a satellite bus tour, the "ethnic" tour that included sites in Chinatown, Greektown, little Italy and of course the "Oprah" stop - had to do this.... I took a picture of the outside of Harpo Studios and visited the Oprah store - didn't get any sightings of Oprah, though. The tour guide did say that she sometimes drops in unannounced to the store but it wasn't my day. Also went to Navy Pier and had one of Chicago's finest all-American hot dogs - tomorrow night promises deep dish pizza.
I am staying with Betsy Sobiech as well as visiting Emily Dabney - who lives in Oak Park. I am recuperating from my long day of sightseeing, listening to a live band during happy hour and dinner out at an Italian restaurant, at Betsy's condo in the historic Hyde Park district. She's already pointed out Barach Obama's house but he wasn't home as there were no black SUV's guarding the street.
My impression of Chicago other than its fabulous architecture and beatiful lakeshore area (the infamous Major Daley inspired Millenium Park)is that it's very clean, orderly and easy to navigate. There's alot of space devoted to parks, fountains, and benches. I've heard some interesting political stories about Chicago - I'll have to google them to find out how true they might be!
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Omaha is Hilly!
Who knew? Omaha, Nebraska is hilly; I mean really rolling hills, not just wimpy little ones. I would seriously have to map out a route if I were going to bicycle in this city. So much for assumptions - I thought all of the MidWest was flat - especially the southern portion. I arrived on Monday evening and have been having fun exploring neighborhoods with my friend, Anda, who has lived in Omaha for 30 years and Nebraska for 50! We've seen the renovated downtown factory districts with its charming restaurants and boutiques, the Joslin Art Museum and I even saw the "Mutual of Omaha" building today. Crossed the Missouri River again on my approach and seen alot of neighborhood parks and schools. Today we sat in St. Cecelia's Cathedral for 45 minutes to meditate - what a beautiful building! We haven't gone to a famous steak restaurant yet but I'm sure that after my return from Chicago of 5 days, we'll fit that in.
Anda has one cat, Isabella, one peacock and 20 raccoons. Let me explain. A peacock showed up in her yard one day and with her baby. She began feeding it and they both stayed - one day however, the baby wandered off but the mom has stayed and makes her backyard home. The raccoons, well, they come out at dusk because she has started putting food out for them (kibble and bits) and pretty soon after dark she has counted up to 20! Mostly adults but 4 or 5 babies, too. They'll eat bird seed but what they really like is the dog food and table scraps.... It is a strange sight. Of course being nocturnal animals they sleep during the day; last night it was cool enough to open windows but I soon discovered that that was a mistake. Shortly after retiring I began hearing the raccoons, squabbling over the choicest morsels of food, playing and running around! Had to close the window and put on the fan.... And stop imagining Alfred Hitchcock's movie, "The Birds" - I could just picture the raccoons finding a way in to the cupboards for even more gourmet food!
Anda has one cat, Isabella, one peacock and 20 raccoons. Let me explain. A peacock showed up in her yard one day and with her baby. She began feeding it and they both stayed - one day however, the baby wandered off but the mom has stayed and makes her backyard home. The raccoons, well, they come out at dusk because she has started putting food out for them (kibble and bits) and pretty soon after dark she has counted up to 20! Mostly adults but 4 or 5 babies, too. They'll eat bird seed but what they really like is the dog food and table scraps.... It is a strange sight. Of course being nocturnal animals they sleep during the day; last night it was cool enough to open windows but I soon discovered that that was a mistake. Shortly after retiring I began hearing the raccoons, squabbling over the choicest morsels of food, playing and running around! Had to close the window and put on the fan.... And stop imagining Alfred Hitchcock's movie, "The Birds" - I could just picture the raccoons finding a way in to the cupboards for even more gourmet food!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
The Four Noble Truths, cont'd
Well, let's see if I were going to select 4 critical values to live by (this doesn' mean that I am able to live by them but ideally speaking) I would pick the following - at least today, tomorrow may be different:
1) "Me First"
I borrowed this term from my friend, Betty Healey, who is currently writing a book named, "Me First - If I should wake before I die" (see Betty and her husband's Jim website: wwwroadsigns.ca.com ) At first glance it sounds selfish and self-indulgent to the extreme. However what it really means to me is the old "to thine own self be true" - knowing that when I do what's best for me it's usually best for everyone else, too. No one else can take care of me, or know me or my thoughts and desires unless I am able to communicate them. In order to express them I first have to know what they are.... When you really know yourself, you can be yourself, a totally unique person who has their individual gifts and talents to give to the world. Also it reminds me of what we are told each time we fly in airplane, you know when they review the safety rules that we all ignore because we've heard them so many times before - in the case of emergency please put on your oxygen mask before strapping one on to anyone else. So again, me first - if we take care of our needs first we are in a much better position to help someone else. Having experienced burnout when I was a child therapist for many years - I know of which I speak! If I was run down, sick, tired or stressed I certainly wasn't very effective with my clients and couldn't really "be there" for them. Me first also means that it's our job to figure out what we need, how to live and experience meaning in our life - rather than waiting upon someone else to define us and instruct us - however, sometimes it's easier to be a follower rather than a leader.
2) Moderation in all things
This is definitely an ideal that I strive for - having an addictive personality - I have a challenge doing anything in moderation - when I quit drinking soda about 3 1/2 months ago I started having to drink iced coffee every day! I've always felt that if something tasted good or felt good it would feel even better to have or do more! NOT..... I remember seeing a clip on TV once about the French woman's diet - it went something like this - they eat croissants for breakfast, rolls and cheese for lunch and always have wine to drink with dinner - and they walk everywhere, and only have 1 of those yummy items for each meal - well maybe not just one glass of wine.... But you get the picture - they don't deny themselves anything and they just have a small amount. Oui it should be so easy.
3) Choose from love not fear
Gerald Jampolsky once wrote that there are really only 2 emotions - love and fear. It's either based upon love or everything else eventually stems from fear. Anger, revenge, jealousy, envy, greed, etc. all originally stem from a fear - ie: fear of loss, status, money, property, relationships, job, etc. So if I choose from love I will be guided to all actions that will hopefully serve mine and other's highest goods. So a mantra could be "what would love have me do?" Or I love the ending salutation that 2 of my friends always include in their emails - "love your way" and "may love have its way with you"
4) Live Big!
Growing up in the puritanical work ethic ethos of the 1950's it's a challenge for me to chuck responsibility for pleasure and it's only been lately that I've been exploring the possibility of combining pleasure with responsibility. As Marianne Williamson reminds us, "we are not so afraid of living small as we are of living big and really shining the brightest light we can". Living big means taking risks, trusting, following your dreams, and imagining the impossible. I'm trying it out on this adventure, who knows where it will lead me, or how BIG it will get!
1) "Me First"
I borrowed this term from my friend, Betty Healey, who is currently writing a book named, "Me First - If I should wake before I die" (see Betty and her husband's Jim website: wwwroadsigns.ca.com ) At first glance it sounds selfish and self-indulgent to the extreme. However what it really means to me is the old "to thine own self be true" - knowing that when I do what's best for me it's usually best for everyone else, too. No one else can take care of me, or know me or my thoughts and desires unless I am able to communicate them. In order to express them I first have to know what they are.... When you really know yourself, you can be yourself, a totally unique person who has their individual gifts and talents to give to the world. Also it reminds me of what we are told each time we fly in airplane, you know when they review the safety rules that we all ignore because we've heard them so many times before - in the case of emergency please put on your oxygen mask before strapping one on to anyone else. So again, me first - if we take care of our needs first we are in a much better position to help someone else. Having experienced burnout when I was a child therapist for many years - I know of which I speak! If I was run down, sick, tired or stressed I certainly wasn't very effective with my clients and couldn't really "be there" for them. Me first also means that it's our job to figure out what we need, how to live and experience meaning in our life - rather than waiting upon someone else to define us and instruct us - however, sometimes it's easier to be a follower rather than a leader.
2) Moderation in all things
This is definitely an ideal that I strive for - having an addictive personality - I have a challenge doing anything in moderation - when I quit drinking soda about 3 1/2 months ago I started having to drink iced coffee every day! I've always felt that if something tasted good or felt good it would feel even better to have or do more! NOT..... I remember seeing a clip on TV once about the French woman's diet - it went something like this - they eat croissants for breakfast, rolls and cheese for lunch and always have wine to drink with dinner - and they walk everywhere, and only have 1 of those yummy items for each meal - well maybe not just one glass of wine.... But you get the picture - they don't deny themselves anything and they just have a small amount. Oui it should be so easy.
3) Choose from love not fear
Gerald Jampolsky once wrote that there are really only 2 emotions - love and fear. It's either based upon love or everything else eventually stems from fear. Anger, revenge, jealousy, envy, greed, etc. all originally stem from a fear - ie: fear of loss, status, money, property, relationships, job, etc. So if I choose from love I will be guided to all actions that will hopefully serve mine and other's highest goods. So a mantra could be "what would love have me do?" Or I love the ending salutation that 2 of my friends always include in their emails - "love your way" and "may love have its way with you"
4) Live Big!
Growing up in the puritanical work ethic ethos of the 1950's it's a challenge for me to chuck responsibility for pleasure and it's only been lately that I've been exploring the possibility of combining pleasure with responsibility. As Marianne Williamson reminds us, "we are not so afraid of living small as we are of living big and really shining the brightest light we can". Living big means taking risks, trusting, following your dreams, and imagining the impossible. I'm trying it out on this adventure, who knows where it will lead me, or how BIG it will get!
Monday, August 4, 2008
The Four Noble Truths
Well if you read my entry about my opinion of Buddhism you would know that the title does not refer to the tenets of that religion.... I broke my silence yesterday and engaged in conversation with a Unity student who is from Vancouver, B.C. He spoke about his four truths as he has come to know them over the course of his 58 years:
1) "Men and women are different"
Well John Gray really popularized this notion in his well known book, "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" and it's always a good reminder especially when as a woman I'm holding out hope that a man (or men) will be able to respond from an emotional point of view rather than a logical-rational one. I have noticed though that gay men generally relate very well from emotional frame of reference - they do make great best friends....
2) People and relationships are the most important thing in life
Well I couldn't agree more - maybe if more people held true to this belief there would be less violence, crime, war and poverty. I'm assuming that he meant all people and all relationships are the most important thing - at least that is how I'm interpreting it! From a quantum physics point of view we are all one anyway - just individual expressions of the divine in different cellular combinations. How we behave towards another affects everyone else - even if only on a subtle level. For example - the 100th monkey theory - the story of how when a critical mass of a species evolves their consciousness it can affect the whole without particular effort.
3) Don't try to outsmart yourself
I wish I had more time to talk with Neil MacLeish about this one as I don't really understand this maxim. He used it as an example of when we try to do something differently, thinking that we are really using a divergent approach, and we end up with the same result. Ie: divorcing and remarrying someone who has virtually the same personality traits. I'm not sure what the antidote to this one is - other than to make decisions based upon your heart rather than your head. I know from past experiences that when I try to "think" my way through decisions that they are often not as satisfying and joy filled as when I follow my heart.
and last but not least:
4) Happy wife, happy home
Neil said that this one is actually a Japanese proverb - sounds like something you'd read in a chinese fortune cookie. He claims that living by this philosophy has been the secret to his successful marriage. Even when he doesn't agree with his wife he has learned to do what makes her happy, if he can. I suppose one could also add, happy husband, happy home. I guess the main thing is that we are striving for another's happiness rather than just our own. He used the example of a recent major purchase - a houseboat in Vancouver's harbor. Although they own a "land" home; his wife really wanted a houseboat - and so he joined her in that effort and as he says she's as happy as a clam - and therefore, so is he....
I doubt this philosophy would work in all circumstances (of course there's always codependency to be aware of, too)and I applaud his efforts in coming up with his "four noble truths". This inspires me to distill my life philosophy into four succint statements - I'll have to work on that one for tomorrow's blog.
1) "Men and women are different"
Well John Gray really popularized this notion in his well known book, "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" and it's always a good reminder especially when as a woman I'm holding out hope that a man (or men) will be able to respond from an emotional point of view rather than a logical-rational one. I have noticed though that gay men generally relate very well from emotional frame of reference - they do make great best friends....
2) People and relationships are the most important thing in life
Well I couldn't agree more - maybe if more people held true to this belief there would be less violence, crime, war and poverty. I'm assuming that he meant all people and all relationships are the most important thing - at least that is how I'm interpreting it! From a quantum physics point of view we are all one anyway - just individual expressions of the divine in different cellular combinations. How we behave towards another affects everyone else - even if only on a subtle level. For example - the 100th monkey theory - the story of how when a critical mass of a species evolves their consciousness it can affect the whole without particular effort.
3) Don't try to outsmart yourself
I wish I had more time to talk with Neil MacLeish about this one as I don't really understand this maxim. He used it as an example of when we try to do something differently, thinking that we are really using a divergent approach, and we end up with the same result. Ie: divorcing and remarrying someone who has virtually the same personality traits. I'm not sure what the antidote to this one is - other than to make decisions based upon your heart rather than your head. I know from past experiences that when I try to "think" my way through decisions that they are often not as satisfying and joy filled as when I follow my heart.
and last but not least:
4) Happy wife, happy home
Neil said that this one is actually a Japanese proverb - sounds like something you'd read in a chinese fortune cookie. He claims that living by this philosophy has been the secret to his successful marriage. Even when he doesn't agree with his wife he has learned to do what makes her happy, if he can. I suppose one could also add, happy husband, happy home. I guess the main thing is that we are striving for another's happiness rather than just our own. He used the example of a recent major purchase - a houseboat in Vancouver's harbor. Although they own a "land" home; his wife really wanted a houseboat - and so he joined her in that effort and as he says she's as happy as a clam - and therefore, so is he....
I doubt this philosophy would work in all circumstances (of course there's always codependency to be aware of, too)and I applaud his efforts in coming up with his "four noble truths". This inspires me to distill my life philosophy into four succint statements - I'll have to work on that one for tomorrow's blog.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Trains, Fountains and Wonder Bread
Kansas City, MO, still has alot of trains - I'm not sure what they transport? grain, cattle, corn? but I noticed on my first night at Unity that they pass thru once an hour or so - I thought at first it was a thunderstorm but the thunder lasted way too long... I got to see the tracks and stations when I drove into KC yesterday afternoon as well as many, many fountains. Surprisingly this mid-western city is know for its myriad fountains and European inspired architecture; I drove through both the Plaza and Valencia district and was entranced with the sytles of buildings and the waterworks. After my search and discovery mission for yarn stores I vowed to find the famous barbecue spot in KC (at least that's what all the tour books tell me) - Arthur Bryant's. Boy what a surprise when Miss Daisy (my GPS) landed me in the Ameristar Casino and Hotel complex (and I mean complex)on the northern side of the city. I couldn't see a sign for the restaurant on the outside but after walking around this mega mall I found it and promptly ordered my barbecue sandwich of that day's special, "shredded beef" and of course french fries (why ruin a perfect barbecue experience), although I opted out of the coleslaw and baked beans... Much to my surprise the sandwich was made on wonder bread! I chucled because not a half hour before I had passed a wonder bread and debby madison cakes thrift store and couldn't believe my eyes. I haven't had wonder bread since I was very young - oh maybe 50 years ago and here it is alive and well in KC! I unloaded the shredded beef onto my plate and pushed the wonder bread aside - by the time the barbecue beef had met it it had pretty much already melted into its traditional texture anyway.
Last night I went to my very first Unity Church service as well as one today at Unity Village. I was curious to observe/participate in their worship programs - given as how I have been staying in world headquarters for the past week. Each church, although different in size, (the former had about 50 people at their Saturday pm service, the latter probably close to 300) had live musicians and vocal soloists perform uplifting and enthusiastic music. The services each included prayer and meditaton time, singing, a "lesson" (aka sermon), announcements and greetings. I resonanted with most of the message although the ideology is too Christcentric for me. While I recognize Christ as an ascended Master I also recognize many other souls, past and present, which I try to emulate and learn from.
I also rebel at the thought of reciting words together as a group, no matter how benevolent the words are - it reminds me too much of rote memorization and something a little bit akin to brainwashing. I don't think I'm meant to be a member of any church; I'm too independent minded and don't always play well in groups. I have to admit; however, that the energy here is great, the people happy, positive and welcoming - they must be doing alot right....
AS promised I did finish reading Sylvia Boorstein's book (well, barely, I did take the liberty of skipping over the philosophical pages and getting to the stories - which I found much more enjoyable). There is one phrase in the book that I really took issue with - she explains that in the Buddhist philosophy we are trained to realize that we are but actors in this play called life and can choose our responses to what happens to us but we are not the directors of the show. Maybe it's my controlling nature coming out again but I choose to be the director of my life, the captain of my soul and believe that I am, on some level, 100% responsible for what happens to me aka what I have attracted into my life. Even when I don't know how or why something happened I do feel that at some level, perhaps or usually unconscious, I have attracted that circumstance, event, or relationship into my life based upon my current or past vibrations. So if I work on changing my vibrations, by changing my thoughts and feelings I can attract different events into my life. And of course this is an ongoing process.
Tomorrow I'm off to Omaha, Nebraska to visit a friend for a few days before flying to Chicago for more interviews. Let's see what I attract for my experiences in Omaha...
Last night I went to my very first Unity Church service as well as one today at Unity Village. I was curious to observe/participate in their worship programs - given as how I have been staying in world headquarters for the past week. Each church, although different in size, (the former had about 50 people at their Saturday pm service, the latter probably close to 300) had live musicians and vocal soloists perform uplifting and enthusiastic music. The services each included prayer and meditaton time, singing, a "lesson" (aka sermon), announcements and greetings. I resonanted with most of the message although the ideology is too Christcentric for me. While I recognize Christ as an ascended Master I also recognize many other souls, past and present, which I try to emulate and learn from.
I also rebel at the thought of reciting words together as a group, no matter how benevolent the words are - it reminds me too much of rote memorization and something a little bit akin to brainwashing. I don't think I'm meant to be a member of any church; I'm too independent minded and don't always play well in groups. I have to admit; however, that the energy here is great, the people happy, positive and welcoming - they must be doing alot right....
AS promised I did finish reading Sylvia Boorstein's book (well, barely, I did take the liberty of skipping over the philosophical pages and getting to the stories - which I found much more enjoyable). There is one phrase in the book that I really took issue with - she explains that in the Buddhist philosophy we are trained to realize that we are but actors in this play called life and can choose our responses to what happens to us but we are not the directors of the show. Maybe it's my controlling nature coming out again but I choose to be the director of my life, the captain of my soul and believe that I am, on some level, 100% responsible for what happens to me aka what I have attracted into my life. Even when I don't know how or why something happened I do feel that at some level, perhaps or usually unconscious, I have attracted that circumstance, event, or relationship into my life based upon my current or past vibrations. So if I work on changing my vibrations, by changing my thoughts and feelings I can attract different events into my life. And of course this is an ongoing process.
Tomorrow I'm off to Omaha, Nebraska to visit a friend for a few days before flying to Chicago for more interviews. Let's see what I attract for my experiences in Omaha...
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Book for the Day
While I raced thru 2 books the days before yesterday I stalled while reading Sylvia Boorsteins' book, "Happiness is an Inside Job". She is a reknown buddhist and prolific author - one of her more famous is "Don't Just Do Something - Sit There".
I think I'm a failed Buddhist - it would sound really hip and cool to be able to say, "I'm Buddhist" but the truth of the matter is that - despite wanting to fit in with my friends who attend sangha (a gathering of like-minded Buddhists and those aspiring to be) - I don't resonant with what appears to be its passive orientation towards life and its emphasis on disciplined meditation. I guess I'm too much of a control freak - I want to be proactive and manifest my dreams rather than always "be content with what is". Don't get me wrong, I do try to live by the axim, being content with what is, however, I want to know that I have tried everything I could possibly do before resigning to that fall back position. This includes positive affirmations, vision boards, EFT, Zpoint process, Reiki, etc. - all "doing" behaviors rather than working on discipling the meanderings of my mind.
I do like Boorstein's emphasis on achieving "equanimity" in all things and avoiding contentious actions and thoughts. However, the means by which I try to achieve that state of balance is very unBuddha like. I also find the writing to be very estoric (funny - since I majored in Philosophy in college - at least for the first semester!)and difficult to operationalize. For someone who writes simpler - try reading some of Pema Chodron's books, especially, "When Things Fall Apart". Coincidentally I met Pema's assistant (while she stays for the winter in Colorado away from the abbey in Nova Scotia)in TN, a lovely young woman who has worked with/for her for the last several years.
I hate to not finish books, almost as much as, not finishing watching movies (I can count on one hand the number of times I've walked out of a movie - not matter how horrid/distasteful it was to me....) so I will endeavor to finish it later; however, right now downtown Kansas City is calling me: for its famous barbecue, a yarn store, museums, and an evening Unity service in the Plaza...
I think I'm a failed Buddhist - it would sound really hip and cool to be able to say, "I'm Buddhist" but the truth of the matter is that - despite wanting to fit in with my friends who attend sangha (a gathering of like-minded Buddhists and those aspiring to be) - I don't resonant with what appears to be its passive orientation towards life and its emphasis on disciplined meditation. I guess I'm too much of a control freak - I want to be proactive and manifest my dreams rather than always "be content with what is". Don't get me wrong, I do try to live by the axim, being content with what is, however, I want to know that I have tried everything I could possibly do before resigning to that fall back position. This includes positive affirmations, vision boards, EFT, Zpoint process, Reiki, etc. - all "doing" behaviors rather than working on discipling the meanderings of my mind.
I do like Boorstein's emphasis on achieving "equanimity" in all things and avoiding contentious actions and thoughts. However, the means by which I try to achieve that state of balance is very unBuddha like. I also find the writing to be very estoric (funny - since I majored in Philosophy in college - at least for the first semester!)and difficult to operationalize. For someone who writes simpler - try reading some of Pema Chodron's books, especially, "When Things Fall Apart". Coincidentally I met Pema's assistant (while she stays for the winter in Colorado away from the abbey in Nova Scotia)in TN, a lovely young woman who has worked with/for her for the last several years.
I hate to not finish books, almost as much as, not finishing watching movies (I can count on one hand the number of times I've walked out of a movie - not matter how horrid/distasteful it was to me....) so I will endeavor to finish it later; however, right now downtown Kansas City is calling me: for its famous barbecue, a yarn store, museums, and an evening Unity service in the Plaza...
Childhood Dreams cont'd
For the last day I've been mulling over what my childhood dreams were.... It's much easier for me to identify dreams I have today than the ones I had long ago. One, I do remember clearly, and that was to be a writer and an English teacher. I devoured literature classes in high school whether the authors were Russian, French, English or American. I got lost in the stories of different cultures, styles and periods. I identified with the heroines whether they were Anna Kareninna, Madame Bovary, Jane Eyre, or Anne of Green Gables. I loved the feeling of being transported to a different reality - a skill that came in handy in a family with 5 brothers and sisters, 3 adults and one station wagon for trips to church and vacations. My mother always used to say that I could get "lost" in a book, often not hearing my name being called or instructions being given. I have always been an avid reader; however, the writing until recently has been confined to private journals and work related projects. So the fact that I am traveling the country to interview people and write a book brings me back to an earlier aspiration.
I've also secretly wanted to be an actress. Meryl Streep is one of my favorite. I did act in community theatre for a year about 15 years ago but this was just a taste and part of me longs to do more. I will have to look into this when I settle down again - and singing, too - I did belong to a women's acappella singing group for 4 years in Concord, NH, "Songweavers" and throroughly enjoyed it.
I also wanted to be a dancer - not sure which kind - but this goal was stifled by my propensity to be overweight most of my life and to be frank, somewhat clumsy. I still long to taller, slimmer and more coordinated - the latter two could still be achieved but the former may have to wait until another lifetime.
I enviously watched several of my brothers who played football in high school - although not shining stars - they were good enough to make varsity. I dutily tried out for a variety of sports - lacrosse, field hockey, cheerleading, swim team and didn't make a one. However over the last few years I have remedied this dream by become a triathlete and participated in over 6 triathlons over the past 2 summers. One disappointment this summer is that I have not taken the time to train - but my bike still awaits (now safely stored at my sister's), and I still have some newly bought triathlete outfits including one that matches my daughter's so that we can participate in one together!
And of course there was the dream to become a nun in sixth grade - however, this one was quickly scratched off the list after I visited the convent of the Holy Family (where I was attending parochial school)and saw how spartan their living conditions were and how dour everyone's expression was. This did not seem fun to me - or at least they did not appear to be having fun with it.... A part of me stills harbors the dream of living a cloistered life, maybe for 6 months or so, the simplicity of meditation and solitude feels refreshing and peaceful. Although you would not catch me wearing a habit or any kind of mandatory dress code - far too independent and rebellious for that...
So actually the more I muse about childhood dreams the more some do come back to memory. I like a quote I read recently about "living life to the fullest - using up all your talents and gifts so there is nothing left at the time of your death" - I am hoping I have a whole lot more of life left - I still have much to do!
One of my current dreams is to travel through every country of the world, meeting inspirational people involved in positive and uplifting projects for the betterment of humankind. I also want to especially spend time in sacred sites of the world, feeling the energy of the earth and integrating the healing for myself as well as to share it with others. Of course I want to be paid very well to do this - and stay in wonderful accomodations to bout. It seems especially important now with the depressing conditions of the economy, the reality of current and impending wars, that positive voices/stories be heard and celebrated.
I've also secretly wanted to be an actress. Meryl Streep is one of my favorite. I did act in community theatre for a year about 15 years ago but this was just a taste and part of me longs to do more. I will have to look into this when I settle down again - and singing, too - I did belong to a women's acappella singing group for 4 years in Concord, NH, "Songweavers" and throroughly enjoyed it.
I also wanted to be a dancer - not sure which kind - but this goal was stifled by my propensity to be overweight most of my life and to be frank, somewhat clumsy. I still long to taller, slimmer and more coordinated - the latter two could still be achieved but the former may have to wait until another lifetime.
I enviously watched several of my brothers who played football in high school - although not shining stars - they were good enough to make varsity. I dutily tried out for a variety of sports - lacrosse, field hockey, cheerleading, swim team and didn't make a one. However over the last few years I have remedied this dream by become a triathlete and participated in over 6 triathlons over the past 2 summers. One disappointment this summer is that I have not taken the time to train - but my bike still awaits (now safely stored at my sister's), and I still have some newly bought triathlete outfits including one that matches my daughter's so that we can participate in one together!
And of course there was the dream to become a nun in sixth grade - however, this one was quickly scratched off the list after I visited the convent of the Holy Family (where I was attending parochial school)and saw how spartan their living conditions were and how dour everyone's expression was. This did not seem fun to me - or at least they did not appear to be having fun with it.... A part of me stills harbors the dream of living a cloistered life, maybe for 6 months or so, the simplicity of meditation and solitude feels refreshing and peaceful. Although you would not catch me wearing a habit or any kind of mandatory dress code - far too independent and rebellious for that...
So actually the more I muse about childhood dreams the more some do come back to memory. I like a quote I read recently about "living life to the fullest - using up all your talents and gifts so there is nothing left at the time of your death" - I am hoping I have a whole lot more of life left - I still have much to do!
One of my current dreams is to travel through every country of the world, meeting inspirational people involved in positive and uplifting projects for the betterment of humankind. I also want to especially spend time in sacred sites of the world, feeling the energy of the earth and integrating the healing for myself as well as to share it with others. Of course I want to be paid very well to do this - and stay in wonderful accomodations to bout. It seems especially important now with the depressing conditions of the economy, the reality of current and impending wars, that positive voices/stories be heard and celebrated.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams
Last night I finished my second book, "The Last Lecture" by Dr. Randy Pausch. He gave "The Last Lecture" at Carnegie Mellon University on 9/18/07 - which was immediately picked up by utube and has been seen by millions of viewers world wide. He died from pancreatic cancer on July 25, 2008 at the age of 47. His last lecture was entitled "How to Really Achieve Your Childhood Dreams" - throughout the book and the video he chronicles his childhood dreams - both the ones he achieved and the ones he didn't. Ironically since his speech in 9/07 he has been invited to fulfill those few dreams that hadn't yet been fulfilled: playing with the NFL (he joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in a day of regular practice in on 10/6/07), being on the crew of Starship Enterprise(he was invited by film director of the newest Star Trek film - to be released in '09 to have a small role on the film); he met Sting backstage after a concert; his other dreams became realized under his own power in earlier years of his life. Some of them include: being in zero gravity, authoring an article in the World Book encyclopedia, winning stuffed animals and being a Disney Imagineer - you'll have to read his book and/or watch the utube video to find out how he achieved them...
Some of my favorite quotes from the book are, "brick walls are only there to show you how badly you want things" - the more you want it - the more willing you are to do whatever it takes to climb over, crawl under, smash through or transcend the walls to reach your desire. Another is, "experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted" - this is certainly a truism.
Randy's goal in the last lecture, aside from leaving a legacy for his children, ages 2, 5, and 7 and wife, Jai, was to provide an inspiration for others to fulfill their childhood dreams as he had had the luck to do. He states, "And I had lived out my dreams, in great measure, because of things I was taught by all sorts of extraordinary people along the way". He chronicles the effect his parents had on him (he says he won the parent lottery), his football mentor - Coach Graham (who taught the fundamentals, was anti-coddling, and believed that sports were a metaphor for how to live life), Brown University Professor, Andy van Dam, who he credits as being his "Dutch" uncle - someone who is willing to give you honest feedback -and helped him with his tough love advice about some of his character flaws.
During his entire lecture Randy cracked jokes, laughed and poked fun at himself and life in general - a refreshing and bold attitude for someone who knew they were dying soon. He did succumb physically a few days ago - as he and his family knew he would - and oh what a contribution he made during his last year. Although successful in his career as a professor of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon he achieved far more than he or his family ever dreamed by being willing to share his wisdom, joy and passion with others in a public forum.
And so I am inspired to make a list of my childhood dreams and reflect on what I have achieved or not....I don't have a death sentence hanging over me -and yet we all know that our days in our physical bodies are limited - so no better time to begin than today. I am reminded that Grandma Moses didn't start to paint until her older years. So what dreams do you have and are you willing to get through brick walls to achieve them?
Some of my favorite quotes from the book are, "brick walls are only there to show you how badly you want things" - the more you want it - the more willing you are to do whatever it takes to climb over, crawl under, smash through or transcend the walls to reach your desire. Another is, "experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted" - this is certainly a truism.
Randy's goal in the last lecture, aside from leaving a legacy for his children, ages 2, 5, and 7 and wife, Jai, was to provide an inspiration for others to fulfill their childhood dreams as he had had the luck to do. He states, "And I had lived out my dreams, in great measure, because of things I was taught by all sorts of extraordinary people along the way". He chronicles the effect his parents had on him (he says he won the parent lottery), his football mentor - Coach Graham (who taught the fundamentals, was anti-coddling, and believed that sports were a metaphor for how to live life), Brown University Professor, Andy van Dam, who he credits as being his "Dutch" uncle - someone who is willing to give you honest feedback -and helped him with his tough love advice about some of his character flaws.
During his entire lecture Randy cracked jokes, laughed and poked fun at himself and life in general - a refreshing and bold attitude for someone who knew they were dying soon. He did succumb physically a few days ago - as he and his family knew he would - and oh what a contribution he made during his last year. Although successful in his career as a professor of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon he achieved far more than he or his family ever dreamed by being willing to share his wisdom, joy and passion with others in a public forum.
And so I am inspired to make a list of my childhood dreams and reflect on what I have achieved or not....I don't have a death sentence hanging over me -and yet we all know that our days in our physical bodies are limited - so no better time to begin than today. I am reminded that Grandma Moses didn't start to paint until her older years. So what dreams do you have and are you willing to get through brick walls to achieve them?
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