I'm reading this book "Make the Impossible Possible" by Bill Strickland.
I learned of this book from Sandy. What an inspiring man and story. His words come across authentic and well, like music.
I read this today, he was talking about his definition of Jazz: "Jazz isn't just the music, it's the feeling the music gives you. The feeling is the result of an ability to recognize potential in simple things and ordinary situations, then, through improvisation, conviction, and skill, turn that potential into something remarkable. ... Jazz is a state of mind in which possibilities for innovation and discovery are revealed to you, and you are able to tap into deep reserves of commitment and passion." It was hard to stop there! What a remarkable person.
He did a TED Talk:
16 December 2009
07 December 2009
22 November 2009
In Memoriam
I'm not sure why this band has affected me so greatly, but they have (since circa 1982). I will always love the original INXS.
12 years since M.H. left this world, Don't Change is still my all-time favorite song and I love the montage video. Enjoy the memories.
Peace & Love.
09 November 2009
26 October 2009
getting closer
We're getting ready to close escrow on our first house. We've both lost weight and some sleep but will soon gain new privileges of home ownership. This is a biggie! I'm grateful to be doing this with someone I completely trust and love because I would not have done it otherwise.
Oh sure I have my moments of anxiety, insecurity, and downright stress. It's all new territory for me. Waking up from a comfortable albiet complacent, season to living life with all the emotions, challenges, and happy surprises.
On a somewhat related note, I love my new commute read "A Million Miles In A Thousand Years" by Donald Miller and read today about how most people have to be forced into change. We like comfort, order, the familiar, and yet it's an 'inciting incident' disrupts the comfortable life in order for a story to happen, the character to move, the person to change.
A mind stretched to a new idea never goes back to its original form. - Oliver Wendell Holmes
23 October 2009
Chapter 5 - Risk
This is me circa 1970.
I liked this chapter about taking risks. Martha had some good nuggets in here:
"What's safe about not being who you were meant to be?"
"Menu Item #5 teaches you something useful: either that the world is safer than you thought, or that you can suffer disappointment and survive."
"It (a daily risk) will expand your horizons, your confidence, your relationships, your achievements, and your happiness so much that in time, you will go looking for the shiver of apprehension that says your have reached the boundary of your comfort zone."
Taking action despite the fear, it's the only way. Taking baby steps, small risks through the fears to our desires. I'm well acquainted with anxiety so talking yourself through anxiety is something I already do.
These are the sort of little risks I've been taking this week:
Left a comment on a blog I've followed for awhile. This lead to signing up for NaNoWriMo officially. Publicly attempting to write a 50,000 word novel in one month.
I've been aware of when I react in less-than-desirable ways like stressing out, and fighting situations I have no control over, which helps nothing. (That's what faith is for Andrea...remember?) I'm really trying to move through this quicker and get to a place of rolling with it, and clean up my mess quickly.
Noticing when I feel nervous, scared, resistance, and trying not to avoid it. Getting to the source and move though it mostly in my thinking and responses to people. I think the actual, physical action of taking a risk does tend to help the most. So I plan to keep doing all the little things that stop or scare me and stretch my comfort zone into a new and larger shape.
Looking forward to seeing how others in the book-blogging club experienced risk this week.
22 October 2009
What a cute cake!
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