I was people watching at a popular local restaurant where business folk meet, greet and form relationships. Because I have a vivid imagination, I enjoy spinning stories to go with the exteriors of people as part of my people-watching prowess. Yesterday, the things I observed made me want to line everyone up to go over some things their mothers, mentors or bosses obviously forgot to tell them. We've gotten a little lax in the last few years about reminding people of basic rules for polite engagement...we don't like rules. But the fact is, good manners exist to form the basis of good relationships. Those who naturally imbue their behavior with gracious care of others are the kind of people like to be around. I'm no rocket scientist, but I think that is an important quality if one wants to form successful relationships. ...<< MORE >>

I haven't posted in a few days, as I moved through some fun events in my hometown of Miles City, MT. Last Saturday, I had a book signing in my favorite gift shop in the world—Pleasantries; I offered the message in the First Presbyterian Church where I grew up on Sunday and Monday, I offered the commencement address at the Custer County District High School Class of 2009 Graduation! It was all a wonderful three-days of connecting with new friends and old, and spending time with 130+ seniors in high school. It was an honor and a privilege to speak to a packed gymnasium about the few simple tips I had for those seniors...and for us all. ... ...<< MORE >>

I am writing tonight from Montana. Through my open window, the sweet smell of
lilacs in blossom is wafting in along with the sound of an industrious neighbor
roto-tilling his garden. The turkey vultures (I'll try to get a photo for you
before the end of the trip) just returned to the top of the cottonwood tree to
settle in by dusk. If my husband and children were here, this would be a perfect
evening.

Today, I have had been struck by several things...first, my
heart's deep need for the smells of springtime. Second, the wonderful experience
of digging up weeds and planting flowers (we have soil in our backyard in
Phoenix that resists everything but the sharpest pick axes, so my gardening is
contained to planters and pots) and finally, I have realized that many people
might miss appreciating an evening such as this...and evenings such as this are
occurring everywhere and in other season in other latitudes; in other countries
and in other homes. But I am beginning to understand that many, many people
forget to stop and breathe it all in...whatever the "it" of ...<< MORE >>

Earlier in the week, we considered the liberating affect of realizing that—lucky for us in the U.S.—the worst case outcome of failure on our part is rarely death...or even a result bringing us close to death.

Many of the decisions and circumstances that paralyze us with fear can be conquered simply by facing what the worst possible outcome could be. When we realize that we can make it through even the most dire of circumstances, we generally have the energy and the chutzpah to succeed in spite of the odds. ...<< MORE >>

Today, a quick photo study on perspective inspired by my friend Christine's beautiful photos of spring flowers on the Bison Range in Montana posted at Quiet Paths yesterday. Initially, the photos made me homesick for the sites and smells of springtime...and for Montana, where I know the choke cherry tree must be dressed in pink for May and tulips and Iris wave to one another from neighboring gardens.

But then, I remembered something I heard once about blooming...where you're planted...even if it's...in a desert! ...<< MORE >>

How many times a week do you ask yourself the question, "What is the worse thing that could possibly happen?" And how many times is your answer, "Someone could die."

Living in this extravagantly developed country, we become conditioned by a much different set of answers to our worse case scenarios than people who live in the majority of places in the world. If you don't get to work on time, perhaps the worst case scenario is that you will get written up. If you don't get to lunch on time, which generally represents one of the three times you will eat in a given day, you might feel rushed or have to eat a snack on your break. ...<< MORE >>

I just came in from outside where I was wrestling with the demon leaf blower. I am sure some of you who live where the seasons behave as we learned they would in elementary school wonder why a leaf blower is required in May. Well, we are fortunate to have a massive mesquite tree that towers above our house, and beautiful Oleander bushes that line our backyard. It has already hit 100 degrees several times in the last few months, so those bushes and that tree have had the same response you and I would...shed your extra layers and let go of the weight of pollen and blossoms. Gallons of needles and yellow pollen from the mesquite tree cover our yard every day. And there I was, trying to beat the heat in the early morning wielding the @#!* blower thing and trying to appear proficient as neighbors passed by with friendly waves (grrr...). ...<< MORE >>