LSD

Bike the Drive 2013

We had the opportunity to bike Lake Shore Drive on Sunday morning of Memorial Day weekend - as in, bike in the middle of the road, both northbound (to Bryn Mawr) and southbound (turning around at the Museum of Science and Industry).

Yes, it was a while ago, but I'm behind on all-things-life, and I just want to capture this so I don't ever forget it.  Being with two of my best life friends, Shawn and Kate, and mostly just being on my own as I cruised the drive, with the secure knowledge that, while we focused on riding more than visiting, they mostly were ahead or behind me.  It was an exhilarating way to spend a Sunday morning.

I kept thinking of Einstein, who, they say, was riding a bike when he came up with e = mc².

Nothing that profound came to me on my bike that morning.  Just the usual:  It's great to be here.

Special Steil

Everyday Love

Do you do what's required to maintain a relationship or do you do more?  Are you selfish and self-centered or do you constantly put the needs of others before your own?

I'm hoping you're somewhere in the middle, like me, where the giving and getting are fuzzy, in the delicious reciprocity of real life, real love.  Where it's just good and no one is compromising very much at all.

I'd been sitting all day at a conference in Chicago, so later, we walked.

 

Make Yourself Important to the People who Matter to the People who Matter to You

There's real power in giving rewards, both calculated and spontaneous.  Calculated rewards are things like hearing someone say "thank you" after you've done something nice for them. 

I had to deal with calculated rewards this week - about 14 of them - as I relayed the news to each of my direct reports of their salary increases for the coming fiscal year. 

It wasn't fun.

How do you tell your top performers that they are eligible for 2 - 3% more next year, not really anything that keeps pace with inflation, but you value their 100%+ effort and especially their going above and beyond?  How you need their input, their drive, their commitment in order to stay strong and vibrant in the coming year?  The answer lies in the spontaneous rewards, explained here:   http://bit.ly/1cwhpnp

Rethinking the Work Week

I'm all in favor of having Fridays off, like I have today, to work from home and regroup for the best part of the week!

I haven't unplugged completely and wonder if I can.

It's sacred, really, to have time and space, free of interruption.  We get so distracted, not just by others, but by our digital world.  That's what I like about walking, as it provides time for deep thinking and creativity.  In lazier moments, I try meditation.

Check out the Sabbath Manifesto - it has  a list of ten core principles that encourage mindfulness.  Check out their project described here:

About this Project

The Sabbath Manifesto is a creative project designed to slowdown lives in an increasingly hectic world.  Way back when, God said, “On the seventh day thou shalt rest.”  The meaning behind it was simple: Take a break. Call a timeout. Find some balance. Recharge.  Somewhere along the line, however, this mantra for living faded from modern consciousness. The idea of unplugging every seventh day now feels tragically close to impossible. Who has time to take time off? We need eight days a week to get tasks accomplished, not six.

 

 The ten principles:

 

1.  Avoid technology.

2.  Connect with loved ones.

3.  Nurture your health.

4.  Get outside.

5.  Avoid commerce.

6.  Light candles.

7.  Drink wine.

8.  Eat bread.

9.  Find silence.

10.  Give back.

Teetering on the Edge of Crazy

I miss you too...it's been crazy busy, but I've been thinking of you...and for now, here's the best I have, a very good quote for you:

 

"Today may there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us."

Leadership

When the best leader's work is done the people say, 

 

'We did it ourselves.' 

 Lao Tzu

Global Mamas

Global Mamas!  Wow, just the words give me a chill.  We're all in this together and the mutual spirit of motherng is a language without words.  I learned about Global Mamas from my friend, Rebekah, whose husband just returned from a Ghana church trip.    They are a group of producers (6 women artisans back in 2004 that has grown to nearly 500 producers in many western African communities) that create hand-made products for sale online.

Go here for more information:   http://www.tradeforchange.com/

The next time you are looking for a gift or just want to browse through Target, consider that your purchases at Trade for Change might might just help a global mama and her family improve their living conditions, helping with their financial independence (and we all know THAT good feeling).

I don't know if the bracelets or bags will grab me, but the bulk shea butter is on my list.  See how they make it by watching this:  http://www.globalmamas.org/puresheaproject.htm

God Bless Global Mamas.