Archive for December, 2009

December 28th, 2009

Why I Decided to Open Old Wounds to Start Anew

When you think of the new year, what comes to mind? A list of new resolutions you’d bet your life you’ll fail? Or a Christmas list of treasures that start with Oprah and end with book club?

This year when the shiny ball falls in Times Square, I’m going to wish for something deeper.

I had a dream a few nights ago. I dreamed that I was going through old boxes of letters. Scanning through them like there was no tomorrow, I remember telling a friend what I was doing.

“I’m decluttering,” I said. “Making amends with people who I have unfinished business with.”

My first reaction was waking up in a panic thinking, “Oh my gosh? Is this the end? Am I going to die?”

After my clearly overdramatic reaction, I realized that maybe my dream was telling me that I needed to get down to business.

I have to start making amends, having compassion, accepting so-called unhappy endings, and finally putting an end to loose ends.

In reality, the job is not so easy.

I can’t just go through a box of letters and call old friends or can I?

I’ve already sent an email to one old friend and as for the rest? Well I guess we’ll have to see.

Anyway, regardless of what we want for the new year, whether real or fantasy, there is real opportunity here. To reflect on and be grateful for the things that went well this year and to declutter, reorganize and take a deep, sometimes painful look at the odds and ends we abandoned and ignored.

So for 2010, it’s not losing weight or being a millionaire that’s topping my resolutions list (though it would be nice), but learning how to be more compassionate with others as well as myself. And to open up that box of unfinished business and get unpacking.

Starting the new year with less baggage and more room for opportunity and positive experiences, are definitely something I’m going to aspire to.

What about you?

Any business left undone? Friends who you’ve lost touch with?

If you can’t reach them personally, do so in your heart. Imagine what you would say to them. Imagine that there is suddenly peace instead of heartache. Then, wait. See what it’ll do to you.

I’m thinking it just might change your world.

Happy New Year’s everyone!

CategoryHolidays | Comment3 Comments »

Tags:
December 20th, 2009

A New Year Towards New Hope

Answer searching. I’ve been doing a lot of that lately. When to fight for what you believe and when to throw in the towel. It’s not such an easy decision.

I’ve been blessed in a multitude of ways. But there are still occasions when I run into people who make finding the blessings and inspirations in life a bit harder.

What do you do for example, when you encounter publishers who take your story and run unpaid? Or former clients who yell and scream and call you names?

Guess you let the mad cover you and push you to jump even farther. I sometimes think it was serendipitous that I went to the Disney museum when I did. Seeing how cool and calm Walt Disney was when the people he trusted tried to steal his money, made that path seem a lot more attractive.

Yet, it’s still a difficult decision to make.

How do you make amends with yourself, accept your mistakes, learn from them, and keep going without letting your emotions get in the way?

As 2009 quietly quells in the night, I look up toward 2010. May this year I learn to be more like Disney. Let the weaknesses of others, the disappointment and anger dissipate into the wintery rain. And my hope to find retribution through focusing on the future, hope and possibility of what can be versus what was, yesterday.

CategoryHolidays, Life | Comment3 Comments »

Tags:
December 13th, 2009

Why Walt Disney Inspires Me

Yesterday I had the great fortune of attending the Disney museum. But I didn’t have to go all the way to Disneyland or Disney World to get there. Lucky for me, the Walt Disney Family museum was in my neighborhood. Just an hour drive away from home, in the Presidio area of San Francisco.

I was initially skeptical. Hmmm…Disney in San Francisco? How Disney could it be? A long time fan of the two parks, I definitely had my doubts.

But I’m happy to report that not only was the museum entertaining, it was INSPIRING!

So what did I get for $20?

Although gone was the fantasy engendered by magical cast members and edible food, there was something well worth the price of admission.

I developed a keen sense that Walt Disney was a man of dreams, dignity and determination. Three D’s I previously didn’t know went with Disney.

Hearing audio recordings of his family life, watching videos and reading historical accounts of his life, I felt the birth of a dream and the fascinating man behind the mouse.

Who was Walt E. Disney?

1. Someone who had supportive parents. Haven’t ever met the guy, I can’t say for sure. But based on the museum, I’d say he was a boy who was lucky to have parents who supported his dream. His family though poor, paid for him to attend classes at an art institute.

2. Passionate about his craft. Disney fell in love with drawing as a kid and continued to draw and create cartoons. He was a cartoonist for his school newspaper and continued to focus on his artistic career throughout his life.

3. Optimistic and positive attitude. There many times in Disney’s career that people tried to take advantage of him. Yet, he kept going because he was positive and optimistic about the future.

4. He learned from his mistakes. At the beginning, Disney made a lot of mistakes. He signed contracts without reading them and trusted people he shouldn’t have. He lost a lot of money by doing so, but being the smart guy he is, quickly learned from his mistakes. To him, a mistake was just a little blimp in his path.

5. Someone who surrounded himself with positive peeps. To be as successful as he was, it would behoove Mr. D to surround himself with supportive people. And he did. He held a party at Disneyland to celebrate his wedding anniversary with friends and family and only those people he liked to be with.

6. He kept going. Disney could have stopped as a cartoonist, or as a film producer. He would have been successful enough by then. But he kept going. He persevered through war, times of uncertainty, and people who betrayed him and then created Disneyland. Now that’s inspiring!

7. He was kind to others. A young actress who worked with Disney said it was a joy to be around him. He never criticized her and was supportive. Former employees said if you saw Disney around the company’s campus, you could go up to him and talk with him about anything. That’s just the kind of guy he was.

8. He never forgot those who helped him. There is a story of how one woman helped him when he was just starting out. He never forgot her and would help support her for the rest of her life. He remembered the people who was there for him and gave back in return.

9. He kept young at heart. Disney had a life-size train right in his backyard. The 1/2 mile route went around his home. I loved seeing the joy in his eyes as he rode around on the train with his family.

I didn’t know Walt Disney, but I wish I did. Something tells me, he’d be a mentor and a hero. Whenever I feel like giving up, I’ll remember Mr. Disney, his vision, and how from an idea he made Disneyland!

CategoryInspirational Stories | Comment3 Comments »

Tags:
December 11th, 2009

What's so Inspiring about the Holidays?

Cold weather, angry drivers and packed malls are more than enough reasons to say, “Bah! Humbug! when the Christmas season comes rolling along. It’s actually one thing my Jehovah’s witness girl friend likes about her religion. No long shopping lists and late night runs to the mall for her. No pressure. No crazy spending.

Even though we celebrate Christmas every year, this year we decided to follow suit by making things a whole lot simpler. With the economy and my smaller income as a freelance writer, we’ve downsized our holiday.

This means no going to Hawaii to visit friends and family, which ends up saving us about $1200. Though we’ll miss our loved ones greatly and the warm weather, we know it’ll be just as nice in January when prices go down significantly.

It also means less stress having to buy gifts before the 25th.

And although I’m feeling a little sad about not spending time with my Hawaii clan, I am looking forward to a less chaotic Christmas. No more worrying about which family we’re seeing this year, which party to go to and if we’ll have time to visit everybody and their kids.

This year it’s just me and the husband, oh and our little pet bunny.

I think I’m going to savor the simplicity. Remembering what is inspiring about the holidays. The hope for the new year. The gratitude for the year past. And the excitement that exists in the now.

Without having to spend my time, energy and money on material things. It almost makes me glad for the economy being the way it is. Maybe we can all relearn the fun of being together, to appreciate our friends and family and remember the importance of loving each other during the holidays.

That’s my hope anyway.

CategoryInspirational Stories | Comment2 Comments »

Tags:
December 8th, 2009

Passionate about Portland

My husband inspired this entry.

In Portland, after visiting with friends and family he said, “Don’t you think it’s inspiring?”

“What’s inspiring?” I asked.

“The way people in Portland care so much about what they do. How they take their time to make the best coffee or beer or craft.”

I never thought much about it in great detail until he brought it up. But he was right. Portlanders did care and it showed. It explained why it took so long to get a cup of joe, the artisans crafting it were putting passion in a cup. In fact, it took awhile to get everything there. And there was something else-being unique seemed to be treasured.

The City of Roses even have a slogan for their city, “Keep Portland weird.” It got me thinking-wouldn’t it be great if we all had that as our personal motto and brought that level of passion, creativity and individuality to everything we did? What an amazing thing to be accepted for your uniqueness and cherished for your craft.

I think it’s an important reminder for everyone to keep growing, learning and pushing past what’s familiar and easy to bring the best of ourselves to each situation every day. I don’t know about you but that’s something I’d aspire to.

Hot cocoa in Portland

CategoryInspirational Stories, Life | CommentNo Comments »

Tags:
December 2nd, 2009

What Facing My Fear Taught Me

So I did it. I opened myself raw to the possibility of being ridiculed and humiliated and you know what? It ain’t so bad. Sure, I haven’t seen the footage yet and won’t see it until some time next year, but so far so good. My being is intact.

Prior to yesterday, I’d often wondered in judgement why some people go on reality shows. While I still don’t completely understand it, I did come out with a fresh perspective.

I came out thinking that maybe not everybody did it for fame or money. Maybe some like myself, did it to conquer their fears.

Although I shriveled up like a shrinking violet in the eye of a camera and fuzzy microphone, I still stood up straight and smiled. It took every ounce of courage to fight my inner desire to run.

This wasn’t the first time I’ve been camera. Actually it’s my third, but this one was a lot harder. Instead of being a passerby, this one involved me speaking on camera, answering spontaneous questions. Two things I detest. Yet, I found the courage to do it and felt empowered by it.

I wish everyone had the experience to challenge themselves and take the opportunity to try something new or face a fear. Whether it’s talking in front of hundreds of people or traveling to a new country, I think what you get when you face your fears is a gift worth receiving. The experience is inspiring, quite invigorating and in the end invites more positive opportunities.

Besides re-confirming my belief that I will never be an actor, it showed me that I’m capable of quite a lot. And that’s an invaluable lesson, one that I would have missed had I given in to the fear and chose safety and comfort instead.

Have you done anything that scared you lately? If so, I’d love to hear it.

CategoryFacing Fears | Comment1 Comment »

Tags: