To The Right, To The Right

How many New Years’ Resolutions did you make this year? How many revolve around money, fitness, how you look and feel? What if you could touch on making these intentions come to be with one simple action – would you try it? I did.

Last week, I cleaned out my closet and got real about what I was keeping. Too big? Gone. Hiders? Gone. Tired and pilled? Gone. Too tight across anything? Gone. That didn’t leave much. And frankly, what was left still begged the question, “Really?”

So, I took it a step further and moved everything that was hanging to the left side of the bar. I folded all my t-shirts and sweaters and moved them to the left side of the shelf. I folded all my “intimates” and moved them to the left side of the drawer. And then I made a deal with myself. I would pick whatever was first on the left and wear it that day. If I felt good in it, I’d move it to the right. If I didn’t, I’d get rid of it.

 

 

One of my friends, who is committed to losing 10 lbs had a great idea. Ya know those few items that you look at everyday and say, “I am going to wear those again”? She suggested hanging them together and tying a colorful ribbon around them. Instead of looking at them and feeling badly because they don’t fit, simply look at them as if they were gift-wrapped with a ribbon and dedicate your fitness goal to wearing one piece by Spring. You get to “cut the ribbon”!

Years ago, I had these beautiful Kenneth Cole sandals. LOVED them. Cute, great price, perfect color. One problem. They scrunched my baby toe. Finally, I knew I had to let them go. So, I walked to the Boston Common, kissed them and thanked them for being awesome and left them next to a garbage can by the Swan Boat line. I knew someone would find them and hopefully, enjoy them. There wasn’t anything wrong with them. They simply didn’t fit anymore. Time to make space for something that fit, TODAY.

My daughter is reminding me of this lesson as she clearly lets go of dancing at a wonderful studio she has loved. The grown-ups are struggling with the decision. She is crystal clear. There is nothing wrong. It just doesn’t fit any more. Why should we force her into it? To learn lessons? Pisha. She already knows. If it doesn’t fit, thank it and let it go.

This year is about staying aware of what fits for me, physically and metaphorically. Clothes, stuff in my home, relationships, ideas. If it doesn’t fit, I pray for the courage to gently move it to the right and trust that I’ll find what does. After all, there’s a whole world to choose from. Someone has to have my size.

What could you MindFULLY move to the right in your closet and life? Let us know!

Care-FULLY Considered

My friend, Sabina, sent this to me, years ago. I  saved it and came across it last night. I was up reflecting on the past year and pondering my longings  to come. The questions below  were part of  the philosophy held by Charles Schultz, the creator of the “Peanuts” comic strip. You don’t have to actually answer the questions. Just read straight through, and you’ll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care. And have the courage to let you know they care.

Thank you for reading my blog this year and for supporting me in this creative endeavor, thus  showing me how much you care.

How do you MindFULLY show you care about someone? And are you starting the New Year with those who show you?

The Life You Live

I spent the morning, curled up in my chair, hot coffee in hand, glasses perched on my nose and the NYTimes Magazine section. It is one of my favorites: The Lives They Lived. As it says, it’s not so much an obituary of those that passed away this year, as it is a “collection of narratives that celebrates lives”.

It seems only fitting that I should reflect on the issue today, as this week is customary to reflect on the year past and our longings for the year to come. As such, I have taken to gifting myself over the next few days with a new way to resolve my intentions for the coming year; pondering what one might write about me should the need arise — G-d Forbid, POO POO POO (Yiddish for G-d Forbid).

What would I want them to say? What would make me smile and what would make cringe? How will I have left my mark? Or will I even be missed?

Rarely is it the Holiday season that I don’t take stock in some way. Its not an easy time of year for me. It is a time of year that requires me to be extroverted and connective and yet it is the natural time for introversion and hibernation. I am prone to wanting to be home at this time of year and that doesn’t always sit well with those who’d rather I be out. Mixed in is a part that also craves lightness and a good laugh, cocktail in hand.  Such opposing needs causes me to think about how that’s working (or not working ) for me,  what can be released and what I really want for myself and relationships I hold dear. A messy journal entry, always.

All in all, am I the person who I’d feel the better having read about?

Who are you? And what will we read? Do you like the story so far? Yay for you, if you do. And if there is a sentence or two you’d like to see changed, well, yay for you again! There is still time. Who knows how much? Don’t wait to find out. Next year’s issue is probably laid out and the story holes are waiting to be filled. I pray that ours is not amongst them – but let’s MindFULLY live our stories this year, anyway.

What would you like to have MindFULLY written about you? Let us know!

MindFULL Game Night

My husband and daughter are great at playing games together. Many an evening finds them hovering behind a deck of cards or hanging over a game board. Last week, as I was pondering gifts, I came across an email from a creative and intellectually challenging teacher at my daughter’s school.

Below is part of Meg’s note and some of her recs. If you are looking for a last minute gift, future birthday presents or housewarming gifts when visiting friends over the holidays, I hope you find something that delights and inspires. Happy Holidays!

“(Meg)…played with various levels of analysis so that it grows with the child and helps the child to think at increasingly higher levels.  Here are some that have worked for our family…and think everyone should own”

Mastermind:   A classic strategy game.

Racko:   Sequencing numbers with strategy

Make 7:  Dropping tiles into slots to make rows (vertically/

horizontally/diagonally add up to 7.    Logical thinking needed to

keep opponent from making 7 before you. (only 2 players)

Stack:  This dice game is one of our family favorites.  It involves strategy and luck – a good combination when playing with younger kids.

Duo:   Great card game for visual perception and categorization

skills.  Good one to have in your purse while you’re waiting for the doctor’s appointment.  (We’ve changed the rules a bit to fit our family)

Lucky 13:   Good for practicing addition skills.

Flip 4:  Good for math and strategy skills.  Addition, subtraction and multiplication skills are used.

Sequence:  Our family has never seemed to “take to” this one, but I know lots of families who love it.  It’s one of my sister’s family’s favorites.

 

Other Good Ones

Quoridor:  A maze game where players try to get their man to the other side of the board while trying to block their opponents.

Quarto:  Players try to be the first to line up four of their pieces that share at least one common characteristic. (only 2 players)

Gobblet:  A game of strategy where players “eat” each other’s pieces while trying to align four of their pieces in a row.  (only 2

players)

Cube Checkers:  A new twist on checkers played with dice. (2

players)

Tic Tac Check:  Chess at a faster pace.  Played with only the bishop, knight, rook and pawn.

Players try to be the first to get their pieces in a row.  (2 players)

 

 

What games does your family MindFULLY play? Let us know!

BBBBenny and The Jets

Do you ever get a song stuck in your head and after 27 times of singing the same verse over and over you  realize your  lyrics are so far off? My 12 year old  and I have been laughing all week over our rendition of Benny and The Jets.

Who knows the real words? “She’s got electric boobs, a mohair suit, I know I read it in a magazine,,,oh boy…”  We’re thinking these cant be right. Then we start making up our own.

Music can be funny that way. You love it. You sing it. And then you hear someone else singing it and you wonder, “what??”.

This post is short, cause we want to hear what song you love and yet, don’t really know the words to. Don’t be shy. I still think the Wham Hit from the ‘80s is “guilty feet have got no feelings”. I’m sure you know the words…

What songs are MindFULLY stuck in your head with the wrong lyrics? Let us know!

MindFULL Holiday Gifts

It is the middle of Chanukah and Christmas will be here before you know it. If you’re like me, you still have plenty of shopping left to do. The fun part is finding just the right present and lucky for us, our friend Tracey Pliskin makes it really easy to do!

If you live here in Denver, stop by her  Unique Boutique Holiday Open House #2 (12 local artists/vendors) located at  2801 east 4th avenue (4th and Detroit) on December 11th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If you don’t live here, never fear. I have tried to list some of the vendor websites for you to visit. If you have any questions, you can email Tracey. She is the most resourceful and MindFULLY creative mom – she is a master photographer (keep her in mind if you need family photos – www.playfulphotography.com), sells darling jewelry, and is a non profit fundraising superstar. And, oh ya, and she is the mother of three boys…

As an added benefit, if you are feeling like you don’t know what you want to do in your life, or need a little inspiration, then simply check out the women behind the stories below! Maybe the greatest gift you will give this season will be to yourself – the gift of inspiration and “can do”.

Unique Boutique Vendors

Sydney Andrews and Tracey Pliskin — Regardless of the event, Tracey can be spotted across the room wearing a colorful Sydney Andrews necklace. Sydney Andrews is a jewelry line that started with a friendship bracelet and grew into a successful business designing and selling creations to boutiques nationwide. One can become a Sydney Andrews jewelry consultant and sell to their friends directly.  Check out both the jewelry and opportunity via Tracey’s website: Www.sydneyandrews.com/traceyp

Denver artist, Karrie McBryde and GAIA glass — Karrie makes beautiful glass objects. Why the name GAIA GLASS someone asked Karrie ~ according to Wikipedia, Gaia (pronounced “guy a”) is the primal Greek Goddess of the Earth.  This is a tribute to our mother Earth and reflects Karrie’s belief that we are all interconnected in ways we cannot imagine. http://www.gaiaglass.com/About_Us.php

The Elegant Bead — The Elegant Bead Custom Made Jewelry and Gift Collection is a unique collection of bracelets, necklaces, and home decor. Cathy created The Elegant Bead in 1995. Her jewelry design business evolved from a hobby that she started by making bracelets and earrings for herself. In 2001 Cathy was named the 2001 Entrepreneurial Mother of the Year. http://www.theelegantbead.com/

So Good Caramels — The whole thing started because Stefanie Jacobs loves caramels and her husband Garth has awesome talent in the kitchen. Together they made chewy delights and when we they shared them with friends, family and colleagues, they always  got the same response from just about everyone who tasted them: “these are so good, you should sell them.” So now, they do! Www.sogoodconfections.com

Trading 4 Treasures- Connie Stevenson — After the genocide in Rwanda in 1991, women made up 70% of the population. Forced from the kitchen into the workforce, they sought ways to generate income. Trading 4 Treasures is dedicated to helping the poorest of the poor achieve sustainable income and to work their way out of poverty. By offering hand-crafted products created by Rwandan women, dignity, pride, and resources become available for a better life. Www.trading4treasures.com

Other cool women who will be selling their wares at The Unique Boutique will be Carol Schmidt- The Rwanda Project Greeting Cards; Pampered chef -Mandy Hailpern; Take The Day T-shirts (for kids and adults) – Melissa Barnes.

Stop by. Find a unique gift. Get inspired. What better way to spend a Saturday afternoon? You never know what you’ll find…

What MindFULL gifts have you found this season? Share the sites with us!

KindFULLness

Kindness is the biggest small thing we can give. It costs us little and yields large dividends. It impacts people you don’t know and cheers people you love.

Today I started out stressed beyond my skin. It’s all good, just a lot of good at once. As my day went on and I raised my white handkerchief, admitting my need for help, I  noticed how the help flowed in. But what really caught me was how it flowed in with kindness…

We encouraged our daughter to ask for help from a teacher and she happily reported, “She was so nice about it!” I called an administrator about a Hebrew school issue and she agreed with my observation and frustration and said, “Be kind to yourself, you have a lot on your plate and we have dropped the ball. I’ll call you tomorrow and we’ll get back to bouncing.” And at lunch a friend gave me her perspective on a situation that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. She was so simple and kind in her observation. My breathe softened and my thoughts broadened.

All from a little kindness.

“Tis the season”, so they say. “Tis the season” for what? Lets say, “Tis the season for a little kindness.” It is the greatest gift you can give and receive. Give it to the folks in your life who need it most. You know who they are and you know why they need it. And then, stop, drop and give it to yourself.

I promise that you will find it becomes the gift that keeps on giving. And who couldn’t use a present like that?

 

How have you experienced MindFULL kindness this season? Let us know!

MindFULL Monday Holiday Music Playlist

The season is upon us and I for one, love it!  One of my favorite parts is the music. Given Thanksgiving week kicks off “the season”,  I am sharing my MindFULL Monday Holiday Music Play list this week.

Seeking great holiday music started as a gift for the marketing department at Bass Pro Shops. Behind every guy stands a great woman, and at Bass Pro Shops that woman is Bev. She has generously tuned my ear to new music throughout the years. As such, I extended my new found appreciation for all kinds of holiday music ( I know much of it reflects Christmas, but Adam Sandler’s Chanukah song is in there, too!). At the beginning of each season I search for holiday songs that one doesn’t hear in the department stores or on FM 24/7. 

Below are just a few of my favorites. May these songs become part of the soundtrack to your holidays, with warmest wishes for a MindFULL holiday season!

The Chanukah Song                     Adam Sandler

This Christmas                                  Donny Hathaway

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa       The Jackson 5

Angel  Standing By                                    Jewel

Hallelujah                                         k.d. lang

Deck The Halls                                 Smokey Robinson

Winter Weather                              Squirrel Nuts

Blue Christmas                                BonJovi

Do You Hear What I Hear           Whitney Houston

Cool Yule                                          Louis Armstrong

Please Come                                   The Eagles

Sleigh Ride                                       TLC

Happy Xmas                                    John Lennon and Yoko Ono

 

Do you have any MindFULL favorite holiday songs? Let us know!

Gratitude Attitude

On Sunday evening, I dragged myself home from a 3 week, travel whirlwind. Embedded in those three weeks was in-depth work around the emotional topic of money, a family Bat Mitzvah, a college reunion and a weekend with my mom at the Sanity Rally in DC. On Monday I cleaned my house.  Thinking it was all behind, I started to relax.

On Tuesday I got word of a new project, set to kick off this week and requiring I get back on a plane for 10 more days. On Wednesday I lifted my daughters backpack into the trunk, threw my back out and started crying. I was officially overwhelmed.

You see, I had lost my “gratitude attitude”.  All of the things that had me on the go, are blessings for which I am truly grateful; family, friends and good work. But I was exhausted and I forgot. And then on Thursday when my back pain subsided,  a friend said, ” go forth and prosper, lunch with me will still be here when you get back” and the prospect of funding a room over the garage set in, I cried even harder. Not because I was relieved, but because I was so mad at myself for forgetting to be grateful for all I was lucky enough to be doing.

How can we remember?

One way I learned of, years ago, is to keep a gratitude journal by my bed and before going to sleep, jot down 5 things one is grateful for that day. As with many tools of its kind, I peter in and out over time. Yet when I do it, I feel better. Somehow the goodness gets recorded in my soul as I drift off to sleep. I chuckle when I look through it. Some of the same names and feeling are there, year after year. That is certainly something to be grateful for.

On the plane last week, I came across a small blurb about a website that  encourages members to list five things they are grateful for everyday. You can write your thoughts,  show photos and upload videos and interact with others.  Check out graceinsmallthings.com

Yesterday I felt the grace in small things. Beautiful weather, two walks, a beauty treatment and a  massage.  I felt  grateful for a husband who encourages me to take time for myself, a daughter who says, “go mom, you need some Robin time!” and a back that feels better as the days go by.

Ah yes, we all have so much to be grateful for. Now I hope I can simply remember this when I am lying in the hotel room at 2am waiting to fall asleep. Those deep dark nights are when I tend to really forget. So the question for this week is, “how can I feel the gratitude in the glow of the alarm clock?”

What are you MindFULLY grateful for and how do you remember?

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

 

 

This morning we saw the most magnificent rainbow.  As we drove “closer” we noticed it was actually double and not only was it vibrant, but clearly it ended at our new house! Yes, we finally closed on a new home this afternoon. And for those of you who are kind enough o follow my blog, you know that the whole house chapter has been quite a story!

From selling our home unexpectedly and quickly last Spring, to landing in a great condo with darling Rockies baseball players as neighbors, to finding a house in a neighborhood in 48 hours after deciding that it was a hood we were interested in, we have to wonder if there really is a reason we took this leap of faith.

We found the house as serendipitously as we sold our last one.  While in Boston this summer, I made a list of what I wanted in our next house in my travel journal (plus glued in a pic of the top of a house with shingles and taped a piece of colored glass to the side). Then, as soon as I returned, I joined a project for large financial institution that sought to understand people’s thoughts on retirement. After the first week of interviews, I came home and questioned some of the retirement/housing decisions we were making. As for housing, why this hood vs that hood? Did I really have the bandwidth and brain strength to go through construction? If we wanted public high school to be an option so we could put money away for college, why were looking in neighborhoods that fell short?

And so, that Friday night at 2am, wine glass in hand, I hit zillow.com and mapped the school district d’jour onto the screen. And there, smack dab in the loveliest neighborhood sat this house. The next day, I called Jason (who was part of the home building team) and said, ‘let’s look’. We looked, took Ken and Addie back right away and I headed off to the 2nd city for the 2nd round of retirement interviews. As I drove to the airport, we made an offer.

Long story short, after a verbal acceptance, it fell apart. Now I could write a whole entry on integrity (or lack thereof) and lessons learned,  but suffice to say, that after we picked ourselves up and moved on, the house came back on the market. At this point, I easily could have gotten very judgmental and followed though on my rant of “we don’t do business with people like that – let them get someone else’s money”, but instead I asked myself, “Do you want the house or do you want to be right?”  We had looked at enough to know that it was well-done, solid and get this…it had everything, except for two things on the list I had made in Boston! Down to skylights. What are the chances of that? It also had, embedded between the flagstone in the backyard, bits of colored glass and pottery AND the top tip of the front looks just like the picture! It’s not perfect, but it is quite nice.

And so, here I am, once again between two cities, on the same project. I came home last night, we closed today and tomorrow I head out for the 2nd city.

At some point, you have to believe that some things are meant to be. Now I have to trust that we can do the work we want to do with ease and that the couch will fit. After all, the rainbow landed there. I sure am hoping there is a pot of gold at the end of it.

 

How do you MindFULLY know when something is right? Let us know.