Obama Appears At Star Trek Convention
17 years ago
Friday, June 21, 2013
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Victory is in the mind of the beholder!
They say "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." So too, I believe, is Victory.
One sees himself as Victorious when the perception is one of gain. It's all in the mind. A person can gain employment and think himself Victorious. A person can gain a degree. A new friend. Freedom.
Yet with all of these comes the burden of responsibility. With a new job you must punch-in on time and perform to an expected standard. With a degree comes the repayment of student loans. A relationship takes nurturing and emotions and time. Those with true freedom are often alone. Does Victory really come from gain?
Victory can also be a result of people around you telling you that you are Victorious. Whether or not a person "feels" like a winner can sometimes be a result of what others say or imply is the truth. We want to believe, so we rejoice when we hear it. But what if what one person sees as a Victory, another sees as defeat? Is it really a Victory then?
As I watched someone walk away today with his head held high and a smirk on his face, I noticed a twinge in his jaw. He wanted to feel Victorious. He wanted those around him to view him as Victorious.
I hoped he knew, as I did, that he was not. But it's hard to change another person's mind.
He began the meeting feeling triumphant. For him, life is a game. Each move will be won or lost. He is thrilled by competition and those around him often become better players in order to stay in the game. He made a move. He told his opponent that he had everything to gain and nothing to lose. He would win, and she would lose everything. His opponent skirmed, but held fast. Little battle after little battle. Finally, until the war came to a close.
He arrogantly he looked around and silently declared Victory.
He stood alone.
Head held high he turned and walked off the battlefield,
smiling as if in a parade. But those who knew, saw. They saw all the damage and destruction that lay around him. All the hurt and confusion and pain. Much had been sacrificed on behalf of others and his opponent was congratulated.
One sees himself as Victorious when the perception is one of gain. It's all in the mind. A person can gain employment and think himself Victorious. A person can gain a degree. A new friend. Freedom.
Yet with all of these comes the burden of responsibility. With a new job you must punch-in on time and perform to an expected standard. With a degree comes the repayment of student loans. A relationship takes nurturing and emotions and time. Those with true freedom are often alone. Does Victory really come from gain?
Victory can also be a result of people around you telling you that you are Victorious. Whether or not a person "feels" like a winner can sometimes be a result of what others say or imply is the truth. We want to believe, so we rejoice when we hear it. But what if what one person sees as a Victory, another sees as defeat? Is it really a Victory then?
As I watched someone walk away today with his head held high and a smirk on his face, I noticed a twinge in his jaw. He wanted to feel Victorious. He wanted those around him to view him as Victorious.
I hoped he knew, as I did, that he was not. But it's hard to change another person's mind.
He began the meeting feeling triumphant. For him, life is a game. Each move will be won or lost. He is thrilled by competition and those around him often become better players in order to stay in the game. He made a move. He told his opponent that he had everything to gain and nothing to lose. He would win, and she would lose everything. His opponent skirmed, but held fast. Little battle after little battle. Finally, until the war came to a close.
He arrogantly he looked around and silently declared Victory.
He stood alone.
Head held high he turned and walked off the battlefield,
smiling as if in a parade. But those who knew, saw. They saw all the damage and destruction that lay around him. All the hurt and confusion and pain. Much had been sacrificed on behalf of others and his opponent was congratulated.
Yet he chose to see Victory. He spun and postured until in his mind he beheld it.
Victory, Sweet Victory!
And with a twitching jaw, the little warrior felt victorious. Even if the victory was only in the mind of the beholder.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Girls are told alot of stuff growing up: if he punches you, he likes you or someday your prince will come or if you keep crossing your eyes they will stick like that.
Every love story we are told and every romantic movie we see implores us to reach for the dream. The perfect man. The fairytale. Dreams do come true and we can all live happily ever after.
But sometimes...we are so focused on finding our happy ending we don't see the signs. The giant red flags that stretch out before us. Seeing the ones who bring all their pain. Seeing those who are out for revenge. Reading those who want us from the ones who don't. Knowing which ones will stay and which ones will leave. Knowing who to trust from one minute to the next.
But maybe, the happy ending isn't about him. The guy. Prince Charming. Or about the dream. The fairytale.
Maybe the happy ending is about you.
On your own.
Picking up the pieces and starting over. Being delighted at seeing something better in your future.
Or maybe the happy ending is this ... that through it all, you never gave up hope. In yourself.
...and then he suddenly hands you a cup of coffee.
Every love story we are told and every romantic movie we see implores us to reach for the dream. The perfect man. The fairytale. Dreams do come true and we can all live happily ever after.
But sometimes...we are so focused on finding our happy ending we don't see the signs. The giant red flags that stretch out before us. Seeing the ones who bring all their pain. Seeing those who are out for revenge. Reading those who want us from the ones who don't. Knowing which ones will stay and which ones will leave. Knowing who to trust from one minute to the next.
But maybe, the happy ending isn't about him. The guy. Prince Charming. Or about the dream. The fairytale.
Maybe the happy ending is about you.
On your own.
Picking up the pieces and starting over. Being delighted at seeing something better in your future.
Or maybe the happy ending is this ... that through it all, you never gave up hope. In yourself.
...and then he suddenly hands you a cup of coffee.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Rediculously long absence
I am returning after a period of contemplation, and many hours reading and watching Pride & Prejudice.
While trying to find the humor in life's hardship and realizing that most of my blunders are self induced I begin to conclude that what causes the most pain often brings the biggest blessing.
We begin a new school year. I blog with renewed intention. I open myself to the possibilities that the universe holds before me....
While trying to find the humor in life's hardship and realizing that most of my blunders are self induced I begin to conclude that what causes the most pain often brings the biggest blessing.
We begin a new school year. I blog with renewed intention. I open myself to the possibilities that the universe holds before me....
Friday, February 5, 2010
Progress - Day 7!
"The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred...unforeseen incidents, meetings, and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way." --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Day 7 of my 90-day "re-program" program.
Focusing on getting in shape, going back to work and re-evaluating relationships.
When I began a week ago I could jog a solid 3 miles. On day six I covered 6 miles, stopping only to snap pictures of the ice I was running on. Today, legs hurt. But I am drinking more water. Progress.
A week ago I was working part-time as a clerical assistant in a dismal setting. Working weekends proved uninspiring. Especially when the sun was out. I was missing my running club training sessions on Saturday mornings. Chores at home were not getting done. The kids...well, we won't go there. So when one of the supervisors "expressed her distress in a disrespectful manner" I knew it was time to excuse myself. When you make the right decision, peace often follows. Progress.
There are a few people in my life that, when I allow it, completely drain me. After being around them I often feel hit by a steamroller. How do you step away from this? I decided to fill some of my coffee/cocktail friend-time with a new life coach. She is full of qualities I'd like to add in my life. We will see how my time gets distributed over the next few days.
AND,
there is one connection that I now realize is a relationship. Having children with someone renders a relationship for the life of the children, no matter how bad the connection is. So, in a "do what's best for the kids" decision-making moment (and carrying an airline barf bag with me...just in case) I agreed to having dinner with my ex and our kids after middle school parent/teacher conferences. It was a first. And although there were moments of nausea, the bag remained unused. Progress.
"The law of floatation was not discovered by contemplating the sinking of things, but by contemplating the floating of things which floated naturally, and then intelligently asking why they did so." -- Thomas Troward
Day 7 of my 90-day "re-program" program.
Focusing on getting in shape, going back to work and re-evaluating relationships.
When I began a week ago I could jog a solid 3 miles. On day six I covered 6 miles, stopping only to snap pictures of the ice I was running on. Today, legs hurt. But I am drinking more water. Progress.
A week ago I was working part-time as a clerical assistant in a dismal setting. Working weekends proved uninspiring. Especially when the sun was out. I was missing my running club training sessions on Saturday mornings. Chores at home were not getting done. The kids...well, we won't go there. So when one of the supervisors "expressed her distress in a disrespectful manner" I knew it was time to excuse myself. When you make the right decision, peace often follows. Progress.
There are a few people in my life that, when I allow it, completely drain me. After being around them I often feel hit by a steamroller. How do you step away from this? I decided to fill some of my coffee/cocktail friend-time with a new life coach. She is full of qualities I'd like to add in my life. We will see how my time gets distributed over the next few days.
AND,
there is one connection that I now realize is a relationship. Having children with someone renders a relationship for the life of the children, no matter how bad the connection is. So, in a "do what's best for the kids" decision-making moment (and carrying an airline barf bag with me...just in case) I agreed to having dinner with my ex and our kids after middle school parent/teacher conferences. It was a first. And although there were moments of nausea, the bag remained unused. Progress.
"The law of floatation was not discovered by contemplating the sinking of things, but by contemplating the floating of things which floated naturally, and then intelligently asking why they did so." -- Thomas Troward
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Grammy's tonight
Electric. That's how the Black Eyed Peas describe their feeling about the Grammy's tonight.
Colin Firth has played Mr. Darcy more than once. A spirit he resonates with. He connects with "it" when he is in the role.
Robert Redford found inspiration directing A River Runs Through It. And again in The Horse Whisperer. A part of his self stepped through the lens and spoke to the hearts in the audience.
When you find your passion it is both exciting and terrifying and challenging and peaceful all at the same time.
When you know your purpose you have intention. Direction. Fulfillment. Especially through the hardships and seemingly impossible difficulties that land in your path. When you connect with what God created you to do, you feel grounded. Determined. Thrilled. Expansive, in both thought and character.
What is my passion? What is my purpose? Today, we go exploring...
Colin Firth has played Mr. Darcy more than once. A spirit he resonates with. He connects with "it" when he is in the role.
Robert Redford found inspiration directing A River Runs Through It. And again in The Horse Whisperer. A part of his self stepped through the lens and spoke to the hearts in the audience.
When you find your passion it is both exciting and terrifying and challenging and peaceful all at the same time.
When you know your purpose you have intention. Direction. Fulfillment. Especially through the hardships and seemingly impossible difficulties that land in your path. When you connect with what God created you to do, you feel grounded. Determined. Thrilled. Expansive, in both thought and character.
What is my passion? What is my purpose? Today, we go exploring...
Saturday, January 30, 2010
On to Act II
A fire in the fireplace. Sipping warm coffee and watching the snow fall in the fog outside. There is barely a touch of morning light beyond the distant mountains and I sit with peace and quiet.
Today it begins. A 90- day "program". Or a "re-program", if you will. A new chapter built on intention. It is time.
Time to get in shape. A half marathon in March in my hometown has enticed me to train, change my eating habits and actually get to the gym (especially in the icy weather).
Time to work FullTime. I am beginning this journey as a partime clerical assistant in a job that stretches my patience. Babysteps. I am rewriting my dream job and will work with a life coach to pursue it.
Time to revamp my relationships. I am letting go of toxic people in my life and adding a mentor, a mastermind group, and a support system of good friends (beinning with one, and adding...). And I will begin to date again.
It is a new year. The old me is discovering new paths. Old, as in I am reaching into my past and reaffirming my foundation. Who I was, at my core. It is who I have always been. I hibernated for many years. My core, my dreams, my values became someone elses while mine sat on a shelf, receiving glances every few years.
I decided to dust them off, reclaim them and commit to never letting them go. I am emerging.
Thus begins Act II. Scene One. Day 1.
(off to a rather good start, I'd say!)
Today it begins. A 90- day "program". Or a "re-program", if you will. A new chapter built on intention. It is time.
Time to get in shape. A half marathon in March in my hometown has enticed me to train, change my eating habits and actually get to the gym (especially in the icy weather).
Time to work FullTime. I am beginning this journey as a partime clerical assistant in a job that stretches my patience. Babysteps. I am rewriting my dream job and will work with a life coach to pursue it.
Time to revamp my relationships. I am letting go of toxic people in my life and adding a mentor, a mastermind group, and a support system of good friends (beinning with one, and adding...). And I will begin to date again.
It is a new year. The old me is discovering new paths. Old, as in I am reaching into my past and reaffirming my foundation. Who I was, at my core. It is who I have always been. I hibernated for many years. My core, my dreams, my values became someone elses while mine sat on a shelf, receiving glances every few years.
I decided to dust them off, reclaim them and commit to never letting them go. I am emerging.
Thus begins Act II. Scene One. Day 1.
(off to a rather good start, I'd say!)
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