In my last post , I speculated as to the type of life Eleanor Roosevelt must have lived that led to her uncanny understanding of the nature of friendship and healthy relationships. In that post, I wished I could summon the history-loving knowledge base of my good friend, Susan Reyburn. And, voila! Susan responded, not only with information, but with photos! (Susan is amazing in lots of ways. Read her books, or give her a shout out next time you're wandering through the Library of Congress, where she's a writer and editor in the publishing office.) Let's learn more about Eleanor Roosevelt through Susan's words: ... ... << MORE >>

A dear friend asked me to address frienemies in the blog. Over lunch, she and I discussed how to handle those in our lives who appear to be friends, but who leave a host of cold pricklies in their wake. I wasn't going to address it in the blog, because some of my lunch conversation sounded harsh. (When I suggested she say to her frienemy, something like, "Do you mean to sound so bitchy?" my friend was looking for a pod by our table as she was sure someone had body snatched the real Mimi.) Over the past several days, however, the theme has been reoccurring. The value of true friendship isn't to be taken lightly. Neither should you discount your power to move frienemies to a new ring in your friendship circle.

Here's what I mean. Everyone has rings around their being that represent degrees of separation between "I've got your business card" and "I'd take a bullet for you." ... << MORE >>

I know, two posts in one day is highly unusual. Yet I couldn't think of a better group with which to share what just happened to me.

This noon hour, loads of thoughts tumbled through my head as I headed to my last errand—the bank. A check I was expecting to find in my mailbox wasn't there; a change in the way I thought my day would unfold had me mentally juggling all I need to accomplish before tonight; I realized I'd failed to return a phone call I should...

Suddenly, I found myself in the drive through at Jack in the Box. It's in the same neighborhood as the bank. They both have red in their logo, but honestly, I'd already picked up lunch! I was just so deep in thought I guess I let auto pilot take over (though I seldom go to Jack's place.) I didn't realize my mistake until I was blinking at the menu board thinking, "What the Heck!?" ... ... << MORE >>

What would you do if you had to spend three months underground? That was the question my husband asked me last night after he'd read an update on the Chilean mine disaster.

I think Greg was a bit surprised that I immediately recited a long list of things I would do—from studying a foreign language to reading books I haven't yet read...it even occurred to me that I could do sit ups. I might finally have flat abs!

Not for one millisecond do I discount the dire situation the 33 men face in that mine in Chili. Nor would I want to be separated from my  family, uncertain of when and how we might be reunited. I can't even imagine.

But I didn't have to dig very to find a use for three months of time with few of my normal obligations. It seemed, for a moment, like Nirvana. But then I realized, even if I have three extra minutes in the day, I don't recognize them. One way or ... << MORE >>

In1896, Kansas newspaper editor William Allen White (after whom, the greatest journalism school in all the land was named—Go KU!) wrote an editorial in a fit of anger. Politics and the views of the new Populist movement apparently had him on edge and he took out his pen and shared his frustration. Now I don't pretend to know the history of the time, but I do know that cathartic bit of journalism became the legendary editorial What's the Matter With Kansas .

Well today, I find myself highly frustrated with the politics and the emotional tide washing over the state of Arizona. Our state's primaries were held yesterday. I started to share with you all the specifics of my discord, but my concern stems less from personal political views and more with my fear of the state of fear.

Perhaps it's because I'm reading Stones from the River , which provides great insight into the German mindset that nurtured Hitler's rise to power. I see striking similarities between the Germans of that time and ... << MORE >>

When you determine whether or not you're an honest person, what is the range of behavior you choose to consider in the answer? I think all of us like to consider ourselves to be honest and forthright.

Take a minute to read what Seth Godin has to about little lies. Lip service is lying. I just hadn't ever framed it in that light before.

How do you feel when you deal with a person or with a company—or in my case lately, a school district—where you hear I'll let you know; We're looking into it, or I appreciate your call knowing full well that the other person means not one word of it.

What if, just for one day, we become so conscious of our word choice that we mean every single thing we say? It will take a new brand of thinking before speaking. It will require attention and intention.

Will it change the way you argue? Will it change the way you treat customers? I'm going to try it. Do ... << MORE >>

First: thanks to all of you who commented, called or emailed with name suggestions for the new blog. I'm leaning toward Minute with Mimi. But, I'm still thinking, so feel free to chime in.

Second: Chris Brogan 's blog today struck me in a way I'm sure he didn't intend. It was primarily about how social media can be used to build relationships and garner sales. He had just taken delivery of a new car he purchased thanks to internet conversation and commerce.

Nifty story, but not my point. Chris Brogan is famous—at least in the circles in which I run. His book Trust Agents is a best seller, his speaking docket is full and his client list long. Yet this was his family's first second car. How un-Amercican!

I don't know Chris Brogan and I doubt our paths will ever cross, but he strikes me as a relatively down to earth guy. He worries about people's feelings and uses his media might to help many fledgling businesses in addition to churning out loads of helpful social media information every day. But I don't really know the story of why his family has gotten along this long with just one vehicle.

Sometimes, we get all caught up in what we need and when we'll get it. We want bigger businesses, more exposure, stainless steal appliances, more shoes...ah, but I digress.

This week, spend some time liberating yourself from what you want. If you really want it, make yourself enjoy the wait—create a waiting discipline—rather than allowing your time to be taken up with longing. And maybe, you'll find the waiting can indeed be over, because you really don't need it after all.

Here's to the good and simple things. May we recognize their true value.

        

I am moving and I need your help.
I don't need you to lift a thing (well, maybe a finger).
I need you to help me think.

I'm moving from GoDaddy to WordPress as my blog host. If you want to know all the reasons why, you can ask me. Or just look at QuietPaths and HeartSpoken . I think the difference is apparent. Mostly, I'm ready to be able to share video and make it easier for you and others to leave comments. Right now, commenting is cumbersome and always with that hideous green color GoDaddy washes over everything...but I digress.

What's in a name? A lot, right?! I can't take mine with me. BloominBlog and even MimiMeredith are both names already spoken for on WordPress. So, I'm trying to find a name that captures what is is I do and still has a ring to it. Plus...I'd like it to fit my website theme.

How about...*drum roll*...CultureCultivator?

Yes? No? Better ideas?

We have time to decide. I have a lot of technical things to learn and ducks to line up before I can make this move. When I'm ready, I'll let you know. For those of you who subscribe (I appreciate you so much! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!), you will have to resubscribe to the new blog. But other than that, I think this is a good idea and will yield the fertile soil into which I can put down better blogger roots.

My goal is to begin posting every day. I hope to keep every post under 200 words—won't that be a hoot!? (This is at 295!) Just pithy posts that let us think together, or maybe even chuckle, as we work to cultivate culture...grow goodness...and lead better lives.

Thank you for growing along with me!

        

I've always thought that adding one's voice to angry discourse only feeds the mob scenes. In emotionally charged climates—take Arizona, for example—it is best to minimize discussions about things like immigration reform or SB 1070 . (That link is just the law itself. My effort to provide facts, 'mam.)

Instead, I usually try (truly...I do try!) to practice peace...to build consensus and community. My post Us...them...Where are We? offers my Mimi in the Middle view perfectly: Can't We Just All Get Along?!

Well, all summer, a well-meaning neighbor with whom I did actually share my opinions, has been hoping to improve or rectify my perspective. (Just for clarification, I am a registered Republican who often sounds and votes like a Democrat and who is really tired of hearing that Republicans don't read!)

Yesterday, I received an email with these photos along with others, and an explanation that the people in them were "illegals" who were demonstrating against SB 1070 in downtown Phoenix on ... << MORE >>

You wake up in the morning and remember you have a meeting today that you've been dreading. Before you even get out of the shower, you've played the meeting out in your mind so many times you have a complete dialog scripted. Why even bother going? You know exactly how it will go. You know the issues, the players, their irritating ways...

But somewhere buried beneath your ego, your assumptions and possibly even your hurt feelings, is your Reasonable Self. Your Reasonable Self knows that the assumptions and worries you project become a self-fulfilling story. You know the trap you create as you work to convince yourself that everything is just as as you assume it to be. Imagine if we let Rational Self do the talking... ... ... << MORE >>