4 months without a car

I will spend the next 4 months without a car. Come take this journey with me as I discover what my identity is without a luxury car.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

People Dream All Year of Your Everyday

As I was driving through town yesterday, I saw a billboard with a picture of a snowcapped mountain and a skier flying down a black diamond run. It was pretty cool to see, especially when it is October and the temperature on the car thermometer reads 84 degrees.

The tagline above the picture read, “People dream all year of your everyday.” We live in a place that has what others want, and they can’t just drive an hour to get it. They have to plan for it. This is what they are saving for. This is their dream vacation, to come and ski the mountains of Colorado.

It was like the billboard was saying “Hey, idiot in the car down there! Don’t you see? You get to live in another person’s dreamland.”

Some advertising executive thought up this tagline, probably at some advertising agency in Los Angeles. Maybe it occurred to him while dreaming of coming to Colorado with his family for the winter.

Picture this….he is googling “Colorado mountain towns” and sees that Winter Park has some specials over the holidays. He hasn’t skied in years and his kids are now the right age to take lessons. His wife would love shopping in the village. They could all go eat dinner at that cute mountain bistro and enjoy some much needed family time.

He calls his wife and says, “Honey, you know that vacation fund we’ve been saving? Let’s take the family to Colorado this winter.” She is excited. He is excited. They hang up, and he books the trip. They have a special dinner that night to tell the kids all about their upcoming Colorado vacation. The kids start a countdown calendar. They tell all their friends, who are envious of their plans.

The time comes and they board the plane to Colorado. They land at Denver International Airport and get a shuttle to Winter Park. The town looks just like a postcard. Their hotel is at the base of the mountain. They soak in all the winter fun they can that week, and enjoy every minute of it.

On their last night, they go out to dinner and meet a group of locals. These people live in Winter Park. They ski every day in the winter. They drink hot cocoa each night by the fire. They are living this family’s dream vacation.

Now that I have painted the picture, think about this: each one of us is living someone else’s dream. Perhaps we have someone else’s dream job, or we’re in someone else’s dream marriage. Maybe we live in the kind of house someone else is saving for, or we are blessed with the kind of family relationships someone else is yearning for.

That’s the way it is in the world. We all have dreams. Sometimes, we may dream about what someone else has. Other times, someone else is dreaming about what WE have.

Here is my challenge for you today. Ask yourself these questions:
1. What is your dream? Where have you always wanted to go? What have you always wanted to experience? CAN YOU MAKE PLANS TO DO IT?
2. What do you have that could be someone else’s dream? Is there something you are taking for granted? Do you need to remind yourself how lucky you are?

As I sit here at my house in Colorado, I realize that I am grateful to be where I am…

…but boy, I sure would love to go to the beach!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The Colors of Fall

The Colors of Fall
It seems like yesterday that I was reflecting on the amazing smell of lilacs blooming in the Spring air. The grass was just starting to grow and the air was becoming warmer each day. Baseball was just getting ready to kick off its season, and I was thinking about the promise of renewal and growth that comes to us each year.

Funny how time goes by so fast. As I was walking my dogs this morning, I was struck by the fact that Fall has now stepped up to take its turn.

I sometimes get a little sad during the Fall. Not because I don't love it - what’s not to love? Turtlenecks make a comeback, football season begins, and Starbucks serves up Pumpkin Spice Lattes. But then, with Fall comes the end of so much I hold dear. The flowers start to die. The grass turns brown. The air turns colder.

I got to thinking this morning about the leaves changing colors, and how much I love the beautiful reds, yellows, and oranges. What a blessing it is to witness this glorious transformation. But the beauty we see has some interesting reasoning behind it - and please remember I am not a scientist so my explanation will be very rudimentary.

When fall comes, trees understand that the winter will bring less water and light for them to feed on. So, the trees choose to withhold water from their leaves in order to reserve their resources for winter. The lack of water causes the leaves to slowly die – and as they do they are transformed from green to vibrant yellow, orange, red, or purple.

Without the decision to neglect the leaves, we wouldn't get the beauty of the leaves changing, and the trees may not be able to withstand the difficult winter long enough to bloom again in the spring. The changing leaves remind us that making difficult decisions, though hard at the time, can bring about magnificence in our world.

Do you have a hard decision you have to make soon? If so, what magnificence can come from it?

Monday, September 20, 2010

The Beauty in Letting Go


I am a control freak. There is really no other way to say it nor no easier way to phrase it. I just always feel the need to control things.

You can imagine then, how well I do on airplanes. Flying itself doesn't scare me. I recognize that I have a better chance of dying in a car crash on the way to the airport than I do in the actual plane. But boy, does being 32,000 feet up in the air in a big metal box as a passenger scare the living heck out of me. And here is why - I have absolutely no control over anything happening while on that plane other than whether to order coffee or a glass of wine.

So, as I sit on a plane right now, on my way home from the 3rd annual Building Champions Experience, I have to wonder why it is I am such a control freak to begin with. So I figured I would reflect about my control freak tendencies and see what I come up with.

Why I am a control freak could come from many different avenues. It could come from childhood and the fact that I was the youngest child in a family of three. Growing up with a terminally ill sister that had immediate and constant needs for as long as I can remember up until her death in 1988 could explain a lot.

It could come from the fact that I struggle with insecurity and continually try to be better while feeling like I will never be good enough.

It may simply be the fact that no one I know ever wants to die in a fiery plane crash.

Either way, issues of control tend to hang over many people I know. Do you ever feel helpless or frustrated in a situation where you have no control over the outcome?

So you can imagine how surprised I was when just 4 short days earlier, on my way to the Building Champions Experience, I looked out the window at the most beautiful scene I have ever seen out of an airplane window and at once felt peace at 32,000 feet. The clouds had formed in the shape of a million cotton balls lined up to shield the view of the ground from me. The mountains near San Francisco rose above the clouds and seemed to glorify in their presence so high up. The blue sky above was calling out its song of beauty, bragging as if it had never been this beautiful. I was in awe. It was as if I had finally relaxed around the control issue and felt no need to ever have again. There was - at that moment - beauty in letting go. It was, quite possibly, one of the most amazing moments I have ever experienced. Like if I had died at the moment, I would have died completely satisfied.

What is it you need to let go of today that stops you from living the life you truly deserve? I promise you - if you do let go you'll be happier than you ever have.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Van 2

VAN 2 - A Lesson in Team Building
This week I was supposed to talk all about the gift of encouragement. Please allow me to sidetrack. I promise to get back to that next week (unless something else comes up - ha ha).

Last Thursday I flew to Portland, OR to participate in a race called Hood to Coast. For those of you that don't know what Hood to Coast is - it is a 197 mile relay race that starts at Mt. Hood and ends at the beach in Oregon. It is a truly amazing experience.

And when I say an amazing experience, I don't say it because of the actual race. That is fun, challenging and a truly incredible accomplishment. I use the word amazing to describe the team building and friendship making that goes on before, during and after the race.

A team is made up of 12 runners. Each team uses 2 vans - 6 in each van (for those of you reading this before you drink your coffee this morning, I figured I would do the math for you). Van 1 runs the first 6 legs, van 2 runs legs 7 - 12.

I was in Van 2. The only person I knew was my boss, Barry. I was introduced to the other 4 runners the night before the race at a BBQ. They seemed nice. Boy, nice doesn't even begin to describe these individuals.

The next day we head out and our individual personalities start kicking in. We had the encourager (me), the daddy (Jay), the blogger (Kelly), the boss (Barry), the early adopter (Scott) and the saver (Bill). Each of us bonding in an environment where teams are either built up or broken down. We were lucky to have a team that lifted each of us up. We knew we would all get along, but none of us expected the kind of friendship we built as we physically, emotionally and mentally challenged ourselves in a race dubbed "The mother of all relays."

By the end of the race we had each used our God given gifts to motivate and encourage each other to accomplish the most rigorous physical test most of us have ever gone through. Without each other we would not have made those late night legs. Without each other our friends and family would not have shared the experience through the blog that was created. Without each other we would have had to run the leg our bodies wouldn't allow us to run. Without each other we would have never made it to the next stop in time. Without each other we would have never taken the time to rehydrate and stretch. And, without each other we wouldn't have laughed hysterically while watching YouTube videos of crazy news stories.

No matter what "race" you are running today, we all need team members to lift us up when we are down. To cheer for us from the sidelines. To give us courage as we take on challenges that we have never taken on before. And, most importantly, to allow us to continue running even when we are in pain (either physical or emotional).

Who do you have in your van?

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

USING THE GIFTS WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN - THE GIFT OF WISDOM

We have all been given certain gifts in our lives that, when identified, cultivated and used properly, can have a huge impact on the people around us. Of course, the opposite is also true. If not identified, cultivated or used properly, it can have a huge impact on the people around us as well. Which type of impact (positive or negative) is up to you.

Mahatma Gandhi says: "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."

What a true statement to how we should be living. If we are continual learners, than it is only natural that we will continue to learn how to use these given gifts to the best and highest use.

Wikipedia describes wisdom as this - comprehension of what is true or right coupled with optimum judgment as to action.

Knowing the meaning of wisdom as well as the impact it can have on those around you - I ask you today - is wisdom a gift of yours? How would you even know? Try this:

1. Ask yourself if you have passion around wisdom. Do you have motivation to have it? (rate yourself based on 1 being no motivation/passion - 5 being extreme motivation/passion).
2. Ask yourself if you have experience with wisdom. (rate yourself based on 1 being no experience - 5 being extreme experience).

What scores did you give yourself? If you rates 8 - 10, you probably have the gift of wisdom. Now, what to do with it (in case you aren't already doing something now).

Consider this - people with the gift of wisdom oftentimes are great at helping others see truth in their lives. This may mean that you are the person your friends or family come to for advice. You may also have wonderful teaching skills that helps people navigate through tough decisions. Keep in mind - this gift is powerful and should not be used with a lot of pride. Keep your pride in check while helping others and you'll be on your way to having a positive impact in all the lives you encounter.

Next week - The gift of encouragement

*Side note - I recognize that some of you reading this may read the Bible and some of you may not. This article, though biblical based, can and should be applicable to all people of all faiths and beliefs. Wisdom isn't a gift just for the Christian. I hope you enjoy the next few weeks as we explore gifts together.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Walking is wonderful

Today I decided to skip my scheduled run and just walk. I have been running so much in preparation for The Hood to Coast next weekend that I forgot how beautiful the air was in the morning, and how lovely the flowers are.

It is kind of like that in everything we do in life - isn't it. We are driving so much, so we decide to bike ride every once in a while and we notice things we didn't notice in the car. We run so much that the day we decide to walk we, again, notice the things that speed by us too fast while running.

It happens in our marriage, with our kids, or with our clients as well. We are so busy speeding through what needs to be done that we forget to take joy in the simple pleasures that are brought to us.

Did you know that quiet time is one of the core disciplines we should schedule time for each week? Without quiet time, we cannot truly listen to what we need to hear. Without quiet time we cannot truly see what we need to see. Our senses go into overload when we just stop and pay attention. And boy, there is so much to pay attention to.

Today, during my busy coaching day, my husband asked if I could go out to lunch with him. At first I just kind of laughed and then looked at him like he suggested we fly to the moon and back. I mean, I have 1 hour for lunch and then I have to be sitting in my coaching chair preparing for my afternoon sessions. I couldn't possibly have time to go out to eat. I suggested he bring me back some fish tacos (he was heading to Wahoo's - which has the best fish tacos if you are into that sort of thing). He wasn't buying that idea. After thinking about it, I realized that I would probably just go read my book during lunch anyways, so why wouldn't I jump in the car and go with him. I made him promise we would be back in 1 hour.

Not only were we back in time, but I had time to spare and the memory of us sitting in the sun and eating a wonderful meal together. So worth the effort.

Whether it is going for a walk versus a run, having lunch with your hubby versus gobbling down something quick, or anything else you always get stuck doing - I encourage you to each stop for a moment allow yourself the freedom to have some much needed quiet time.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Do You Have a Dream?

I start my newsletter again this week with a video - one I am sure we have all seen or at least heard of. Please take a look.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEMXaTktUfA

That famous Martin Luther King, Jr. "I have a dream" speech is great. It is, was and will be one of the most amazing and moving speeches ever written. It touches each of us in a different way. Some will watch with tears in our eyes because we have felt racism. Some will watch with pride because we have helped advance his dream. Some will be sad because we still have so far to go.
My purpose of sharing this video with you today is to showcase just how important it is for us to have a dream. Because without one, we are just a bag flesh and bones walking around this Earth and in our lives without a true purpose. With dreams we can focus our energy on doing those activities that help us reach those dreams. Without dreams we are like a weary traveller without a destination. With dreams we have shared and common goals with those around us. Without dreams we are alone and vacant of community and companionship.
So, if you are reading this and do not have a dream for your future - get one (heck - get 100). It doesn't have to be Martin Luther King, Jr. big. But it has to be big to you. It might be to finally take a cruise to a favorite travel destination. You might dream of owning your own home one day. Your dream may be simply to find the love of your life. Whatever it is - write it down. Create a timeline for reaching that dream and then start working on what has to happen for you to realize it. Think about being very specific. Martin Luther King, Jr. was extremely specific in his speech. He spoke of black boys and girls in Alabama being friends with white black and boys. He talked about working together, praying together, struggling together knowing that everyone will be free one day. What a visionary he was. His life was cut short, and honestly (and without sounding morbid) your life may also be cut short before reaching your dream, but you still have to have one. We aren't guaranteed a tomorrow in this life - but that doesn't mean we don't work and sweat for what we want today. Share your dreams with your family, your friends, with me. Get people on board to help keep you accountable to reaching that dream. Have friends share ideas on how to get there sooner. Find resources to realize your dream efficiently. It's out there - right in front of you - can you see it? I can.
You can do it - no matter what your dream is - you can do it. Start today.