As I wait for the little ninja turtles, sleeping beauties, Superman's, and witches arrive I thought I would write a word about Halloween.
Now, I am not a Halloween kind of person. Never have been and probably never will be. I do like seeing all the kids in the neighborhood come out though. It reminds me of when I was growing up. Kids have gotten smart though. I can't remember how many times my brother and I would be crying by the time we got home as it was usually raining or snowing and our little paper bag would no longer carry the candy we collected and all of it would fall through.
We never had those nice plastic pumpkins or fun plastic bags or now the pillow cases. We would try and protect our paper bags and it never failed to break one way or the other. That isn't the reason I don't really care for Halloween though...yes it was devastating at the time, but we always managed to get enough candy somehow.
What I don't like about Halloween is the trick part. Now the tricks have become more than just a prank. I see smashed pumpkins and peoples cars egged or even worse windows busted out. I just don't understand how anyone things this is fun or funny.
Halloween should be a safe time to get dressed up and be a kid again, but when the cats are hiding and the dog is barking and their is egg on the cars and pumpkins smashed, it just isn't that fun.
Now I know many people love this time of year. They love decorating and it is 'their' holiday. I can appreciate that. I just would love that we continue to teach out kids about the fun. That our kids would feel safe again. That we wouldn't have to worry about something happening to our cats or dogs or doors or cars.
So, as you get ready to meet your little monsters at the door, remind them to have fun, be safe, and enjoy the night!
Happy Halloween!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
The Big Orange Splot
I was inspired this morning while chatting with one of my work colleagues. She had a children's book with called "The Big Orange Splot" by Daniel Monus Pinkwater.
I looked through the book quickly as she described the book to me and I told her I wanted to write a blog spot about it as it was very true for each of us to remember.
So, the story line.
This guy lives in a neighborhood where all the houses look exactly the same. Same grass, same color, same layout, same shingles, same everything. People would come and go from their homes - in and out - every day. Nothing changed.
One day a bird was flying over with a bucket of paint (remember this was a children's book so birds flying with a bucket of paint COULD happen) and the bucket dropped from the bird and landed write on the roof of one of these houses! It was a big orange splot!
Well, once the owner say this splot he decided that maybe he would paint the rest of the house, and maybe he would wear clothes there were colorful, and maybe he would put a hammock in the backyard...on and on until finally his home became uniquely him!
Soon others in the neighborhood started doing the same. Same painted, some built on castle shapes and some boats...everyone brought their unique wants, desires, and dreams into their area.
The book ends with pictures of the wild homes that became from adding a personal touch. By daring to be different and stepping out into change. The neighborhood became a fun and wonderful place to live.
Now I know I have completely simplified the book as I really had about 2 minutes to look through it, but I loved the story plot of stepping outside of the comfortable norm and becoming who you really are. There are to many times we say nothing or do nothing because we don't want to mess up the world around us when in fact the rest of the world is just waiting for us to change!
Great lesson on a Friday. Be yourself. Be brave. Be different. Be about the change you want to see! Be the Big Orange Splot!
Enjoy your weekend!
I looked through the book quickly as she described the book to me and I told her I wanted to write a blog spot about it as it was very true for each of us to remember.
So, the story line.
This guy lives in a neighborhood where all the houses look exactly the same. Same grass, same color, same layout, same shingles, same everything. People would come and go from their homes - in and out - every day. Nothing changed.
One day a bird was flying over with a bucket of paint (remember this was a children's book so birds flying with a bucket of paint COULD happen) and the bucket dropped from the bird and landed write on the roof of one of these houses! It was a big orange splot!
Well, once the owner say this splot he decided that maybe he would paint the rest of the house, and maybe he would wear clothes there were colorful, and maybe he would put a hammock in the backyard...on and on until finally his home became uniquely him!
Soon others in the neighborhood started doing the same. Same painted, some built on castle shapes and some boats...everyone brought their unique wants, desires, and dreams into their area.
The book ends with pictures of the wild homes that became from adding a personal touch. By daring to be different and stepping out into change. The neighborhood became a fun and wonderful place to live.
Now I know I have completely simplified the book as I really had about 2 minutes to look through it, but I loved the story plot of stepping outside of the comfortable norm and becoming who you really are. There are to many times we say nothing or do nothing because we don't want to mess up the world around us when in fact the rest of the world is just waiting for us to change!
Great lesson on a Friday. Be yourself. Be brave. Be different. Be about the change you want to see! Be the Big Orange Splot!
Enjoy your weekend!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Is that the sun I see?
Okay, I know it is the sun but after quite a few days of not seeing it, one almost forgets what it looks like. Can you feel another analogy coming on? Well here you go.
The past few weeks have been strange. I have felt out of sync with work and life. The barometric pressure drops and I feel it in my bones. It rains and I cannot motivate myself to do anything. The wind blows and I have the quietest bus ride every. I misplace things. I forget to eat (big issue for me). Everything just seems a little off. It is like I get use to this phase/stage and just go with it and all of a sudden every day starts feeling funky, no matter if it is a good or not so good day, it is funky.
I am sure you know what I mean. We have a few funky days and all of a sudden it leads to funky weeks and a funky month. Then all of a sudden something happens and things change. Today it was the sun coming out. We have had a funky few weeks and it seemed like it would never end and then the sun!
It really is like life. I don't know what the sun was yesterday for me, but all of a sudden things became clear again. I remembered what was important and my sun came out. I started making quality decisions. I started to see things in a new way. I begin to feel comfortable again with my complete life. The funk lifted.
We all have funky days, weeks, and even months. Sometimes we can say exactly why and other times we can't. The important part is to understand that the sun will shine again and the funk will lift! You will feel like you are on top of the world and have everything together.
Ah yes, it IS the sun that I see!
The past few weeks have been strange. I have felt out of sync with work and life. The barometric pressure drops and I feel it in my bones. It rains and I cannot motivate myself to do anything. The wind blows and I have the quietest bus ride every. I misplace things. I forget to eat (big issue for me). Everything just seems a little off. It is like I get use to this phase/stage and just go with it and all of a sudden every day starts feeling funky, no matter if it is a good or not so good day, it is funky.
I am sure you know what I mean. We have a few funky days and all of a sudden it leads to funky weeks and a funky month. Then all of a sudden something happens and things change. Today it was the sun coming out. We have had a funky few weeks and it seemed like it would never end and then the sun!
It really is like life. I don't know what the sun was yesterday for me, but all of a sudden things became clear again. I remembered what was important and my sun came out. I started making quality decisions. I started to see things in a new way. I begin to feel comfortable again with my complete life. The funk lifted.
We all have funky days, weeks, and even months. Sometimes we can say exactly why and other times we can't. The important part is to understand that the sun will shine again and the funk will lift! You will feel like you are on top of the world and have everything together.
Ah yes, it IS the sun that I see!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
October 27, 2003 - Important Date!
So what happen on October 27, 2003? Well that is the day I started my job with the company I am STILL with today. "Still with" as I have always gotten the 4-5 year itch in jobs. I take a job, work for 4 or 5 years and get bored and move on. This was working for me for about 20 years of my adult working life, in fact it worked really well.
I could go in, make some wonderful improvements as well as make a real impact and as things moved from development to implementation I could leave and feel good that I made a positive impact to the position, company, people, and customers.
The company I currently work for doesn't seem to bore me. Yes, there are days I really don't like going to work, but not because I am bored but rather because I have so much opportunity to do good and impactful work I am not sure where to start.
One thing that keeps me going with this company is to look back at the impact I have made to date. I like to remember when and look at where I have come, where my team has created successes and what impacts have been made, in part to my leadership.
Over the past 7 years I have:
I have had 4 promotions
I have had 6 bosses
I have completed a PhD
I have led small teams and large teams
I have created an open environment of learning and growing
I have helped people understand that failure is an option and should be embraced as a great opportunity to learn
I have helped students succeed in their educational goals
I have made lasting friendships
I have been genuine nearly every day
I have been able to vacation and not worry about work
I have helped others see their leadership potential
I have mentored upcoming all-stars
I have participated in charitable campaigns
I have been recognized with awards
I have presented at national conferences
I have become a better leader and a better person
All that in 7 years! Amazing! I love looking at this list and seeing how I have grown and changed as well as how I have helped others grow and change.
I look forward to the next 7 years. May I stay authentic, focused, active, and a positive person!
I could go in, make some wonderful improvements as well as make a real impact and as things moved from development to implementation I could leave and feel good that I made a positive impact to the position, company, people, and customers.
The company I currently work for doesn't seem to bore me. Yes, there are days I really don't like going to work, but not because I am bored but rather because I have so much opportunity to do good and impactful work I am not sure where to start.
One thing that keeps me going with this company is to look back at the impact I have made to date. I like to remember when and look at where I have come, where my team has created successes and what impacts have been made, in part to my leadership.
Over the past 7 years I have:
I have had 4 promotions
I have had 6 bosses
I have completed a PhD
I have led small teams and large teams
I have created an open environment of learning and growing
I have helped people understand that failure is an option and should be embraced as a great opportunity to learn
I have helped students succeed in their educational goals
I have made lasting friendships
I have been genuine nearly every day
I have been able to vacation and not worry about work
I have helped others see their leadership potential
I have mentored upcoming all-stars
I have participated in charitable campaigns
I have been recognized with awards
I have presented at national conferences
I have become a better leader and a better person
All that in 7 years! Amazing! I love looking at this list and seeing how I have grown and changed as well as how I have helped others grow and change.
I look forward to the next 7 years. May I stay authentic, focused, active, and a positive person!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
The Scariest Bus Ride Ever
What does a double bendy bus and 34 mile an hour wind with 60 mile an hour gusts mean? The scariest bus ride ever! Minnesota is experiencing one of the worse wind storms in history. It is being compared to the storm that sank the Edmond Fitzgerald in Lake Superior in 1975! It is the second lowest barometric pressure ever recorded in Minnesota and is at the level of hurricanes! In Minnesota!
So, I left work today around 4:30 and as I waited for the bus I was amazed at how the wind sounds blowing through and around the buildings. It seriously sounded like freight trains and 10 pile driving cement machines right down the street. Problem is there was no road construction nor train tracks anywhere near downtown.
As the bus left the stop all was well. The rain was flying sideways, but not a big deal. We see that a lot in snow blizzards. Once we got on the freeway it was a whole different story. The bus began to sway back and forth and the driver slammed on the breaks a number of times to gain control of the bus again.
It was the first time in 7 years of riding the bus that not one person was talking. No bus buddy conversations, only hanging on and starring straight ahead. As the bus moved on the brakes would go on hard as the sway went back to straight on the freeway. As cars passed going 65 the bus driver tried to keep it under control.
As we slowed down for the first stop you could feel the relief of all the riders. There is one bridge to go over from the first stop to the last stop and as I sat in the front I could see the driver take a huge breathe as she knew that the wind would hit hard as we moved from the buildings and tree area to the openness of the bridge. Like expected the bus swayed hard to the right and there were a few gasps from a couple of people. The driver put on the brakes again and got it under control.
When the bus arrived at the Park and Ride everyone thanked the driver for getting us home safe. It was the scariest bus ride ever!
So, what is positive or purposeful about this? Well, I have no idea except to say that sometimes life blows us all off course and we need to put the brakes on to move forward in a safe way. It is a lesson in living. Not every day is going to be sunshine and calm seas, so we must know how to react to the wind, stop talking/whining and get to the destination. Now that is a great learning!
So, I left work today around 4:30 and as I waited for the bus I was amazed at how the wind sounds blowing through and around the buildings. It seriously sounded like freight trains and 10 pile driving cement machines right down the street. Problem is there was no road construction nor train tracks anywhere near downtown.
As the bus left the stop all was well. The rain was flying sideways, but not a big deal. We see that a lot in snow blizzards. Once we got on the freeway it was a whole different story. The bus began to sway back and forth and the driver slammed on the breaks a number of times to gain control of the bus again.
It was the first time in 7 years of riding the bus that not one person was talking. No bus buddy conversations, only hanging on and starring straight ahead. As the bus moved on the brakes would go on hard as the sway went back to straight on the freeway. As cars passed going 65 the bus driver tried to keep it under control.
As we slowed down for the first stop you could feel the relief of all the riders. There is one bridge to go over from the first stop to the last stop and as I sat in the front I could see the driver take a huge breathe as she knew that the wind would hit hard as we moved from the buildings and tree area to the openness of the bridge. Like expected the bus swayed hard to the right and there were a few gasps from a couple of people. The driver put on the brakes again and got it under control.
When the bus arrived at the Park and Ride everyone thanked the driver for getting us home safe. It was the scariest bus ride ever!
So, what is positive or purposeful about this? Well, I have no idea except to say that sometimes life blows us all off course and we need to put the brakes on to move forward in a safe way. It is a lesson in living. Not every day is going to be sunshine and calm seas, so we must know how to react to the wind, stop talking/whining and get to the destination. Now that is a great learning!
Monday, October 25, 2010
When is good enough really good enough?
It occurred to me this weekend that I need to start understanding that good enough really is good enough! Nothing major happening, but do you have days when things "aren't too bad" or "are pretty good"? Why is it that we never seem to be satisfied with good enough?
My thoughts are that it goes with putting so much pressure on ourselves, others, our relationships, our work, our lives that we will rarely do things exactly like we want and usually it will be good enough!
I have done a lot of projects in my life including a full 800 square foot home renovation. We started with tearing everything out and then from the floor up recreated the living area. New wood floors, a new kitchen, new stairs, new paint, new furniture and new lighting and electric. I remember saying many times "that isn't good enough it needs to be perfect"! Especially when we were laying the wood floors and patching the ceiling. Others that were the painting experts said "that isn't good enough it has to be perfect". This was, of course, after my attempt at painting a large area.
Other smaller projects have happened since then. Trying my hand as a retail business, finishing a PhD, riding Harley's, vacations, and so forth. It seems like every time someone asks me about one of those events I say "It was pretty good"! What? Really? Just pretty good?
What makes it just pretty good? Every memory, every connection, and every moment was perfect---but I still say "it was good enough".
I guess saying "it was good enough" gives me the right to complain or put judgment on myself or the project. Why? Why isn't good enough really good enough?
If we each spent every day living our lives in the good enough stage I would think we would accomplish more, care more, love more, connect more, and live more than we ever imagined. We just have to get out of our own foolish ways of perfection or judgement and drop the enough out of the statement. It was good! Positive and purposeful.
So when is good really good? Now that is a question I can live with!
My thoughts are that it goes with putting so much pressure on ourselves, others, our relationships, our work, our lives that we will rarely do things exactly like we want and usually it will be good enough!
I have done a lot of projects in my life including a full 800 square foot home renovation. We started with tearing everything out and then from the floor up recreated the living area. New wood floors, a new kitchen, new stairs, new paint, new furniture and new lighting and electric. I remember saying many times "that isn't good enough it needs to be perfect"! Especially when we were laying the wood floors and patching the ceiling. Others that were the painting experts said "that isn't good enough it has to be perfect". This was, of course, after my attempt at painting a large area.
Other smaller projects have happened since then. Trying my hand as a retail business, finishing a PhD, riding Harley's, vacations, and so forth. It seems like every time someone asks me about one of those events I say "It was pretty good"! What? Really? Just pretty good?
What makes it just pretty good? Every memory, every connection, and every moment was perfect---but I still say "it was good enough".
I guess saying "it was good enough" gives me the right to complain or put judgment on myself or the project. Why? Why isn't good enough really good enough?
If we each spent every day living our lives in the good enough stage I would think we would accomplish more, care more, love more, connect more, and live more than we ever imagined. We just have to get out of our own foolish ways of perfection or judgement and drop the enough out of the statement. It was good! Positive and purposeful.
So when is good really good? Now that is a question I can live with!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Thunder in October?
It has been a strange fall in Minnesota. First we get 4-5 inches of rain and then no rain for 3 weeks only 80 degree temperatures and last night thunder and lightening and more rain.
When you listen to the weather gal on TV she says "this happens every few years when a high pressure takes over the area and it is beautiful for weeks straight".
Last night, while trying to calm the dog down, I started to think about how October was a lot like life. How each of us can have a high pressure over us and it is beautiful. Usually those times happen after a major storm. Maybe a fight or an event that just leaves us down.
After the water goes down from the hurt or overwhelming feelings, the sun appears and we are in the high pressure again. Things are calm and at peace and you spend your days doing exactly what you can and should do. You are one with yourself.
Of course life's high pressures are just like those of nature, they come and go. In between you need to weather the storms. Weather the rain. Weather the lows. This can be hard to do and sometimes the lows last as long as those wonderful high pressures, but remember life changes! You change and you learn how to handle the lows go you can bounce quickly into her personal high pressure.
My personal high pressure surrounds me 95% of the time. I have learned to identify when a low may be coming and logically get myself past it. For me that means slowing down and paying attention. Let go of the little things that do not matter and concentrate on my purpose.
My purpose is not about being negative or fearful but to be positive and purposeful! I weather the storms knowing that I will gain an understanding of the situation that will help shape my high pressures in the future.
Thunder in October? Sure! Why not! Let the low pressure pass, relax, stay calm and create your next high!
When you listen to the weather gal on TV she says "this happens every few years when a high pressure takes over the area and it is beautiful for weeks straight".
Last night, while trying to calm the dog down, I started to think about how October was a lot like life. How each of us can have a high pressure over us and it is beautiful. Usually those times happen after a major storm. Maybe a fight or an event that just leaves us down.
After the water goes down from the hurt or overwhelming feelings, the sun appears and we are in the high pressure again. Things are calm and at peace and you spend your days doing exactly what you can and should do. You are one with yourself.
Of course life's high pressures are just like those of nature, they come and go. In between you need to weather the storms. Weather the rain. Weather the lows. This can be hard to do and sometimes the lows last as long as those wonderful high pressures, but remember life changes! You change and you learn how to handle the lows go you can bounce quickly into her personal high pressure.
My personal high pressure surrounds me 95% of the time. I have learned to identify when a low may be coming and logically get myself past it. For me that means slowing down and paying attention. Let go of the little things that do not matter and concentrate on my purpose.
My purpose is not about being negative or fearful but to be positive and purposeful! I weather the storms knowing that I will gain an understanding of the situation that will help shape my high pressures in the future.
Thunder in October? Sure! Why not! Let the low pressure pass, relax, stay calm and create your next high!
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