Shifts in thought

Jobs out there.

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I like to browse the jobs section of the Cirque du Soleil website –especially the On Stage section. Right now, there’s an opening for a Skipper (Are you a rope skipper seeking a new venue for your passion?) It’s funny how the needs of such a magical employer can bring you back to your truth.

Right now, I like the sound of being a Customer Experience Architect (Are you a designer of optimal customer experiences seeking a new venue for your passion?) You’d be responsible for things like:

-creating a business strategy for the customer experience across multi-channel product

-leading the cultural transformation of internal employees
-providing intuitive Experience Designs

-ideating contextual scenario designs used to drive customer experiences

-storyboarding ideas

You’d need to be qualified in things like Human Factor Design and User Experience Design. You’d probably need to be a Thinker, a Communicator and a Writer, I expect.

It’s funny how just capitalizing these roles makes them seem worthy of a salary.

Next big thing.

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My next big thing. That’s what is on my mind lately.

Do I need a reinvention or an intervention?

On a clear day, I recently enjoyed lunch high above Seattle at the Sky City Restaurant in the Space Needle. The drink cozies have a tagline printed on the front: Live the View. I brought one home with me as a reminder – if you’ve ever seen the sight of Puget Sound and the surrounding area from up there, you understand.

I’m trying to live the view, embrace the wisdom of uncertainty. It’s usually where I find my next big thing.

brainywoman advice.

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“The world is waiting for your success!”

“Next time somebody invites you to share your beautiful life with them, don’t look for excuses –just do it! You have something beautiful to tell, because you are amazing!”

-Patricia Anaya, creator of brainywoman.com, author of The Three Powers and a person who makes things happen.

Thanks, Paty … I needed to hear this.

Note to self.

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Lately you’ve been questioning all the things that define you. You’re having trouble sleeping, you’re crying in yoga class, you’re putting it out there just how unsure you are.

And the Universe is listening. Consider these subject lines of recently emails:

“Should You Give Up or Keep Going?”

“‘Creative Thinkering'” reignites your imagination”

“Thank you for applying – position cancelled”

“Music to awaken your soul”

“16 Ways to Feel More Fulfilled at Work”

“Creative people earning a living” … “People do not always make breakthroughs because they refused to quit. Sometimes they make them because they know when to quit” … “Fresh and Savory Tomato Pie” … “Play with Word Meanings to Create Essays” … “Why Google wants goats” … “How Good is Your Idea?” … “A special surprise is included inside” …

Now before you go chalking it all up to menopause mind (a very likely culprit regardless), consider the most intriguing shift in thought you’ve considered all week:

“Fame is simply a better and more effective way to live your life.”

-Jay and Maggie Jessup

Whoa. Never quite looked at fame that way. Where is this going?

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For everything else, there’s Walgreen’s.

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A while back, when I was reconnecting with a few of my old girlfriends at a book club meeting, I overhear one of them say, “I used to be a ‘Nordstrom woman’. Now, I’m proud to say I’m a ‘Kohl’s girl.'”

You get her meaning immediately, I expect. The comment makes me laugh at the time. “I hear you,” I say. “I’m a ‘Tar-jay girl,’ as well.” And there’s no shame in this.

Overhearing my husband talking on the phone to his Dad, discussing what’s on sale at Walgreen’s does give me pause, though. That is, until now.


Another while back, Walgreen’s begins running these commercials that also make me laugh at the time. “I hear you,” I say. “You remind me of that fun television show, Pushing Daisies, all wildly wonderful and eccentric.” And there’s no shame in this, either.

Now, somewhere between Nordstrom and Kohl’s and the sound of Jim Dale‘s voice (he tells the story of Pushing Daises, and he tells the story of Harry Potter in the fabulous audio books) …

I’ve actually become a “Walgreen’s girl.” I sit here in my sneakers and stretchy pants and wonder if there’s shame in this now.

Or is it just a healthy desire for a bargain. Or …

…could it be that the “perfect” Walgreen’s spots are … effective?

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Yoga high.

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April is a time of renewal for me, when I rejoice in the freedom of a recharge.

This April, I’m starting to practice yoga more consistently. After a year of taking no classes, I sign up at the local studio I’ve had my eye on all along. I hesitated before because of the expense; now, after only two classes –well, I’m on a yoga high. I am thrilled and so very grateful for the physical wellbeing, in spite of a little stiffness. Yoga practice gives my body the strength it needs to banish my back and arthritis pain; it opens up my heart and lungs to breathe … I mean, really breathe. Such a simple thing, breathing; it’s amazing how many times a day I hold my breath. Why? The added joy of my new classes is in the meditation of devoting an hour+ to practice as well as a certain sense of community, of collective consciousness.

This April, I’ve planned a plethora of pleasurable programs for my pursuit of practice (too much?) on other levels, too. For those who practice The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron has launched a online version! Check it out. My plans for gardening have stalled –we had a thunder-lightning-hail storm last night- and I’m celebrating 13 years of marriage. I am also looking forward to a writer’s retreat later in the month; yet it is yoga practice that is inspiring me to move ahead. Truly taking steps … one at a time!

THIS APRIL, WHAT WILL GET YOU MOVING FORWARD?

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Sun salutation photo: Flickr, justanotherpumpkin

Salad days.

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Oh, the innocence of youth – the salad days … and my youth is innocent indeed. Quiet and shy, I enjoy being alone atop a grassy hill near where I grow up, singing softly to no one in particular. I have no problem talking to myself out lou-$%&#– Think you’re going to learn more? No … you’re not (at least not today).

I’m talking about my current salad days –the ones where I’m eating nothing but salad! Spring is here and it’s time to get back in shape. Give the mind and body a deep cleanse, a tune-up. Freshen up that exercise regimen (doing it); give some love to those hands and feet (doing it); keep up with that writing practice (doing it); commit to a little “me” time (doing it); ask every day, “Who am I? What do I want? What is my purpose?” (doing it, doing it, doing it).

It’s the definition of self-starter, isn’t it? Willing yourself to re-charge and get back in the race. I’m a big believer in the wisdom of uncertainty, and it can capture my attention, helping me to re-energize my dreams.

Sometimes this involves a lot of salad, though. A lot.

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Photo credit: Flickr, jules:stonesoup

Balance.

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The ides of March.

Ancient history marks this particular ides (there are more than one in the Roman calendar) as a day of military festival. Of course, its infamy lies with Julius Caesar’s demise  – “beware the ides of March.”

In my own history, the most entertaining Ides of March is the Xena: Warrior Princess episode of the same name. I wrote and produced image and episodic promotion packages for this syndicated series for over three years. I also laughed for no less than 30 minutes every day. What a joy to work on this project (shouts go out to my Day Husband for this).

Yet I mark the ides of March as the anniversary of life-long pain, actually. On March 15, as a sophomore in high school, I sprain both ankles and knees when a dismount off a balance beam goes bad (Coach Finley makes sure I know how stupid this stunt is). At the time, I also dance in a local ballet company; just weeks afterwards, I perform en pointe, sans ace bandages. I am also a cheerleader (egads!) and continue to train. The recovery of youth …

I have balance then. Now, I do the tree pose in my yoga class with two feet on the ground. I’m not sure when I lose my balance, but I know when the pain begins. It’s odd that I can handle the effects of injury and eventually arthritis, but the loss of balance plays with my mind. How did I let it happen? When?

So today, I’m thinking about life-long battles and how to overcome them. Every day…

Battle On, Xena.

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Nature’s way.

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“My heart sours like a hawk.”

-Dustin Hoffman as Jack Crabb in Little Big Man

I’m filling my well with nature’s wonder these days, in anticipation of spring. From the display gardens of the Northwest Flower & Garden Show to an amazing drive through the Columbia River Gorge on the way to Maryhill Winery (we’re part of the Adopt-A-Vine program there) to the pages of recently arrived magazine and newsletter subscriptions, my soul is slowly turning green. Which is the color of the heart chakra, by the way.

The color for the creativity chakra is orange…

This morning, my husband leaves the current issue of San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles open to a magical Baja garden he knows I’d love –full of barrel cactus, desert plants and garden art. One of my favorite gardens is The Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island in Washington. Not only is the Japanese Garden, Guest House and Zen Garden stunning, but I’m fascinated by the Moss Garden, made with Irish moss and featuring huckleberry trees. It’s like walking through the forests of Lord of the Rings …

As I allow my mind to return to work, I gaze upon a picture my own California front yard … I miss it so much. Yet, I still meditate there; I can smell the eucalyptus  trees and bougainvillea and the cactus flowers …

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Collective consciousness.

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Do you ever notice how certain things you can’t stop thinking about reveal themselves everywhere you put your attention? In the news, the blog posts you read … those special one-line advertisements at the top of your gmail box?

Social media page advertisements. While you meditate, pray? In casual conversation, email subject lines, forums, random job opportunities … during the exercise that wipes away your stress?

Some say Big Brother is watching us. Others cite the Law of Attraction, the Power of Positive Thinking. Certainly true for someone. Collective consciousness is, well, collective after all. Ask any group of souls repressed for years and years.

I like  Louise Hay‘s advice: “Just notice, and be aware.”

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