World Peace

I love my friend Deanne - she especially has an endearing thought about how to end poverty. The government should just print more money!!! Never mind that we try to explain what happens when governments print more money, she clings to the thought that solving that problem should really be that simple.

For me, it's world peace. I just can't understand why it isn't possible. It seems so darned simple, yet it can't be done. If everyone (and I really do mean everyone!!!), would just mind their own business, focus on their own issues, and truly help their neighbor, regardless of color, creed, religion, sex, sexual preference, thoughts, beliefs, etc. that would be a start. If all people would absolutely NEVER be malevolently or purposefully violent towards another human or animal or EVER knowlingly harm another, couldn't that possibly get us much closer to world peace? If everyone accepted that others have thoughts and beliefs that don't necessarily match their own, but didn't worry about what others thought or believed, would that help bring us closer? What is it that makes humans OK with hurting someone else? Why do kids bully each other or laugh when something bad happens to someone else? Why do people steal, rape, kill?

I understand that it's a complex issue, but I really just want it to be simple. Simply love thy fellow human being, NO MATTER WHAT! Everyone, Everywhere! No judgements, no deceptions, no greed, no crazy thinking, no hitting or abusing, no name calling or gossiping, no mean actions, no harming, no violence, no coveting other's property or person, no lying, no manipulating, no cheating, no bullying, no putting down, no hating. It really isn't that hard to do!

McKenna's teacher asked her 2nd grade class to practice Peace over the holiday break and I thought that was really great. A hard concept for some, but something 7 year olds get. Why can't 17 year olds, 27 year olds, 57 year olds, etc.?

I have enough stuff, so I really don't want many things for Christmas, but I really would love World Peace. So here's to practicing Peace over the Holidays.

Give Me A Break

It's late. Its always late when I find time to catch up on personal emails and read favorite blogs. I'm bone tired and I still have tons of things to do before Christmas. Actually, I can't see the end in sight! And I feel guilty for not blogging. Not that my blog is serious entertainment or a "must-read" for many, but because I committed to doing this and I haven't for a while, I feel guilty.

So I'll just say it - I need to give me a break. It's OK to let things be until I feel inspired, or as the case may be at least awake.

So I'll just vicariously live through my friends' blogs! Happy Holidays if I don't happen to be able to get on again for a while.

What I Learned At School Today

I did something today that I wish I did more often - I volunteered at Mac's school for a fun toy-making, science-experiencing project. Rick Hartman (aka Toy Man) spent time at the elementary school working with the 2nd graders making 'gravity people'. The kids had so much fun making their own hammers, then using the hammers to build their toys. Then they spent time experimenting on how to make their 'people' move using gravity, wind, etc. There was an artistic aspect for those who like that and all the kids were really creative in decorating their toys (Mac made basketballs and hoops for hers).

But what I learned is that I really like to help out my kids and their friends with their projects. I smile at their creativity, at they way they get into the project and really try to apply their learning. I don't remember ever being that way. I love the way they get excited when things come together, as if by magic. Each one has such great ideas and they love to share with their friends, neighbors and teachers. It's easy to offer compliments to everyone - they all give their 100% and they have no expectations. And they visibly feel good when they get compliments.

So I keep moving forward with my plans to work fewer hours and spend more time with the kids, taking time to volunteer at their schools and spending time learning about what they are learning. I never thought I'd want to do that, but it really is.

And actually I did learn something very cool - I can balance 6 nails on one - if you don't believe me just ask me to show you - you too will be amazed!

On Being a Mom (I)

This little ditty really says a lot about being a mom- I'll let her tell it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxT5NwQUtVM
Hope it makes you smile :-)

I Love Business Reviews

This has been one hell of a week! I wished it was Friday Monday morning at 8am. But sometimes in the middle of craziness there are moments of levity. One such happened Tuesday night. I picked up Juice (our 4 year old) and after I heard about his day, he sweetly asked me about my day. I told him it had been a hard day, that I had lots of things that needed to be done and that I'd had a meeting that was a little scary at Microsoft - the place he'd been to with me a few weeks ago when he didn't have school and he had to come to work with me - but that I think I did OK in the end. The scary thing I had to do was called a "Business Review". He immediately piped up and said: "I LOVE Business Reviews!"

I had to smile because he was so enthusiastic - never mind that he had no clue what a business review was. I asked him what he liked most about Business Reviews and he said: "Why don't you tell me about yours." So I did. I told him that I had to put together a presentation, with words and pictures, that I had to do a lot of reading and writing to get it right, that I had to use some math to give the people good information. I'd have to do a show and tell of my work in front of many people and I had to answer questions about my work. "I love all of that!" was his comment and I know it was probably true. He's learning to read and write and add and subtract and for a pre-schooler he is pretty darned great at it. He amazes me with all the stuff he knows and learns. I asked him if he wanted to do business reviews when he grows up and he said yes, along with tap dancing, hip hop, playing guitar, playing basketball, etc, etc.

I'm glad I have stories like this to remember .. it makes the hard times a little easier to handle.

Monday, Monday

I have the Monday blues. I have had the Monday blues ever since I started working for others. I never had these feelings when I worked for myself at INternational SITES. And I don't know anyone who works for themselves to have the blues, at least not often.

What is it about having to "go to work" that is so depressing?

For me, it's the lack of control over the schedule, having to be sitting in an office for a determined number of hours rather than able to control my schedule and how I operate daily. It's turning over control of my time to so many others. It's about having others controlling my actions most of the day, every day. I do stuff for employees, clients, bosses - nothing I do is for me. It doesn't nourish my soul, and most of the time, doesn't challenge my brain. It's just so unproductive for my taste. Ughhhh!

What I want is a paid sabbatical or to win the lottery (yes, I do play). I've been working non-stop since I was 17 years old (that's 27 years for those of you counting). I took only very brief leaves of absence with each of my two kids and only my full vacation times in the last few years and the word 'tired' is quite appropriate. So queue the dream ripple and let's take a walk down the dreamy path of "what if" ...

What if I had the freedom of time and money?! What would be my ultimate lifestyle?

I'd take time to get my house in order - organizing, cleaning out, increasing the efficiency and fun factor in our house. I'd start our main living space remodel and get a working stovetop and replace my easy bake oven.
I'd have my kids home right after school, spending more time with them and getting more involved in their lives (arrange more playdates, and yes, getting involved in the PTA and/or School District).
I'd spend more time with my hubbie, acting on some of our dreams to get projects into production and just plain connect more with each other - something that gets tested and challenged and squeezed out by the fact of having little kids to tend to .
I'd really get Dosha Group off the ground, too. Services for all small business owners who need help to live their visions and their own ultimate lifestyle. I'd be able to follow up on some of those great leads I already have and help others in a really meaningful way.
I'd travel with my family. I had the tremendous advantage when I was younger to have two parents working in the airline industry when perks were really worth it. I grew up in Switzerland and we travelled to so many wonderful places - China, Hong Kong, Phillipines, India, all over Europe and many US States, and I got an incredible education in global awareness during these travels. I want the same for my kids - there's really nothing like experiencing first hand the beauty and wonder of other countries. Ours is great, but the world has so much to offer!
I'd try to find a way to make a living from vacationing. It's really my favorite thing to do!
I'd pick up a hobby - something creative, most likely something to do with pictures and video.
I'd definitely spend more time with friends! My spirit aches for lack of real connection with my friends and I haven't been able to give any time to creating new connections.
I'd learn many things. I'd take classes from as many places as I could find, on so many subjects that I've wanted to learn about.
I'd have really fun and possibly helpful things to blog about, cause I'd spend at least an hour a day finding those perfect nuggets of knowledge to pass on.
I'd become more technologically savvy - finding a way to use all the gadgets we own and make the most out of them.
And I'd workout every day. This one may have to be moved to the very top of the list - and it can't wait until I have more time or money ... If I don't do something soon, I know I will spend precious time regretting that I didn't start sooner. Focus on health would be a very top priority.

I'm sure I can find lots more to do, but these would most definitely make the list.

But back to reality and here I am, blogging and watching the 11 o'clock news, a pile of laundry on my bed and on the dining room table and the reminder that I have lots of big projects, deadlines and responsiblities sitting on my desk when I hit the office tomorrow morning.

I know I've opened the door to what I need to do and I will .. when I'm ready to make that leap. Until then, I'll have a few more bluesy Sundays to deal with.

Butt Flickers

Driving home last night I was actually paying attention to the road instead of listening to the radio or talking on the phone or to myself. And that's when I clearly saw the car in front of me flick their cigarette butt out of the car window.

I just don't get that! Every car has an ashtray! Is it a storage issue? A smell issue? A mental issue? I do not care much if you smoke (I am grateful that I don't have to put up with smoke in bars or restaurants anymore), but smoking is your choice - and not a major character flaw to be judged. But I do take major offense to you littering ... That does affect me. Whether its your cigarette butts or anything else, are you too lazy to just put things in a garbage? Seriously, your garbage in my world is disgusting and rude!

So I'm adding a new feature to my posts: Butt Flicker of the day and I'm going to call you out. Others should feel free to call out the Butt FLickers they see too. And if you recognize yourself, at least decide to make a change! Just don't do it anymore.

So to the White Jeep WA plates 722 WTA, traveling north on I-5 at 6:30pm on 11/21/07, you are a Butt Flicker!