Perspective

Ha Ha...It's a random Thursday!

Good news...
about that $1.46M....
I found ten bucks in my coat pocket. That leaves $ 1,459,990. to go! WOOOT!
See? It's comin!

It's all about perspective. My hair dresser pointed that out to me this week. As he was clipping my bangs he'd take 2 snips and 2 steps back, come back and 2 snips, 2 steps, 2 snips, 2 steps. He told me he was doing that so he could gain better perspective of the whole picture. Otherwise he'd just be looking at hairs.
How smart is this guy???

So often we can get caught up in the "hairs" that we never appreciate the beauty of the whole style. The furnace goes, the lamp breaks, the car needs service, one of the kids forgot their lunch, one of the kids is sick while you're away, the computer craps out, the dog craps in, etc. It is so easy to get caught up in these details!
Keeping a broader perspective helps in rising above the details.

Maybe you had an arguement with someone you love. Instead of looking at the hairs of who said what, who was right, who started it etc, rise above to the broader perspective. What is this person's intent? If it's blatant disregard or disrespect that's one thing. What I have learned is that mostly people operate from a place of love whether or not they communicate it well. Better to split these hairs, or find that place of peace that comes from letting go of the details for the greater good.

Maybe you're not doing so great at work. Clients aren't returning calls, sales are down, can't generate the interest, boss is on your back, deadlines are actually killing you, students still have winter break on the brain, etc. Does this mean you stink? NO!! Rise above and get a broader perspective. Look at all you have done, all you are capable of, call the DO OVER and DO IT!

Take it from this broad. Perspective is everything. This point has recently been driven home in my life. For some reason, at times other people seem to know better about my life than I do and have no problem telling me so. Used to be I'd meet this behavior with a counter attack and constant justification for my position. Then they'd blow. Then I'd blow. Then we'd just be a couple of blow hards with no resolution.

This year, in keeping with the them of peace, love, strength (and cash) I release that need to fight back and justify myself. I seek perspective for the other person's point of view. I seek to understand their true intent. There are many who care enough to add their perspective. That can only be good, right?

I won't let the "details" get me down. Hey! I have a heated home. The furnace needs service, but I have heat for my home!

I refuse to split hairs with myself at work. I have tremendous opportunity for myself and to share. Time to fine tune and change what isn't working and get on with what works!

Perspective.
Look at the whole cut, not just the hairs.

YESSSSSSSSSS

Good Morning.
So, here we are doing it over. Officially, I suppose as it is Monday; the mother of Mondays in 2010. Hmm. But don't forget that a do over can also happen on a random Thursday!

This year's vision board contains very general themes of peace, love and strength.
It makes great sense given the turbulent times we've come from. I am hoping (planning?) for a bit of prosperity as well!


My absolute favorite thing on this board is a quote from Christopher Robin to Pooh.
(added by my youngest)
"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think."
I just love that and it fits in so well with the doing over and selection of new goals, hopes and dreams.
Though no one has shared yet, I won't hold back!

The events over the last 5 years, 2008 & 9 in particular have screamed this brave, strong and smart theme to me. At the same time, through out the entire process the Universe (God, Alla, Buddha, whomever you chose) has provided every single thing I've ever needed to do every single thing I needed to do! Having said that, I don't know if bravery and blind faith are interchangeable or exact opposites. What I do know is that I have never and will never doubt that there is a Great Force I refer to as God, Alla, Great Spirit, Father Sun, Mother Earth, Nature, Goddess, the Universe etc. All these mean the same to me.

This Universe, I believe, continually supports and provides. I have noticed that it can only provide in the positive. Based on my particular beliefs and experiences, the Universe says only YES to me. Ex.--Geeze, I'm putting on weight. YES! Not only are my pants tight, but the check book is too! YES!
This marriage; ugh! YES! My kids are getting out of hand. YES! Get it? Conversely, the Universe has given the YES to other thoughts. My kids are a delight. YES! There is enough to go around. YES! Love IS the answer. YES! (more on that in future blogs) OH, I have to take Cait to AZ for alternative treatment? Oh, not covered by insurance and I don't know a soul? Gotta do it. We're gonna do it and it'll be ok. YES!!

We made the decision and I took her out there for the better part of 2008. The best part of that story is the friends we made while being strangers in a strange land. It was very Moses-esque wandering in the desert and all. There are beautiful people who held our hands and our hearts along that leg of the journey and continue to.
Also, we raised the money. Donations came in from family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, STRANGERS, etc. The whole experience was astounding. Not only did we raise enough for treatment, but there was enough for Caiti to really live life to the fullest every time she wanted to. Really. Very nice apartments in the nicest parts of town, regular massages, jeep tours to the mountain tops because she couldn't hike, sight seeing, movies, high end shopping in Scottsdale, gourmet meals, cupcakes, etc.

Somehow, I was given the gifts I needed to withstand and bear all the parts that were not so fun. The no sugar, wheat, or dairy diet. Try telling your teenager that! The after effects of radiation were horrible for her. I remember being torn between staring at her and hiking Camelback with her sister to blow off steam. (Invariably we'd find heart shaped rocks on that mountain. Every time. I view them as a wink from God himself sending love notes) Advocating for her among doctors, pharmacists, insurance providers was interesting. Who knew one could learn all that lingo? And then toward the end, carrying oxygen tanks, stopping every three feet to breathe, 3am coughing spells, etc...watching her health decline...

While parts were excruciating for her and for me, my point is, all the brave, strong, and smart was provided to get through it and what occurred after. How much in your life have you gotten through? The brave strong and smart is a part of us all. Stay with me here, it is relevant!

SO, goals, hopes, dreams for 2010?
Yea, among the love, peace, and strength, this year I am going for the cash option as well.
I've sorted it out. $1.46M ought to be enough to pay off my mortgage; the one here and on the house I'll be buying in AZ. It's enough to invest for college. It's enough to give some to people I care about. It's enough for that robins egg blue Ford Thunderbird convertible with the white leather interior!
I know it's out there for me. It's just a matter of connecting to it!

$1.46M.
Whether it comes in a lump or I have to work my tail off is irrelevant but I am going to go to work now just in case!

The universe will provide. Don't forget to ask for yours; what ever it may be.

YESSSSSSSSSSS!