Tuesday, May 31, 2011

I believe that the best way to learn is to adapt and exact when the urge strikes, for that is when the mind is most receptive to learning and absorbing new things on a deeper level.  Some spend an inordinate amount of time thinking things through—to death—so much so, that by the time they act, any hope of enthusiasm or creative license is lost.

I’m not implying that folks shouldn’t consider the possibilities of their actions ahead of time.  They should.  I’m referring to how, if a person allows himself or herself the freedom to enter a situation with an open mind and a willingness to learn by trial, error and experimentation, instead of being fearful of making mistakes, then the knowledge they’ll gain and retain is likely to be more profound.  Also, if a person is comfortable with a little more spontaneity, then they’ll be exposed to a wider spectrum of opportunities from which they might learn.

Sticking to a rigid agenda does have its place in each of our lives.  But there are times when we need to be willing to set aside that agenda, or at least bend it, to allow for things we hadn’t expected—opportunities to grow and expand not only our selves, but our perception of the world around us.  

Monday, May 30, 2011

Happy Memorial Day!

After spending the past three days fully engaged in fun activities and surrounded by friends while pulling super long hours, it was nice today to take a break.  To dial things back to a more relaxed pace.  Not that I didn’t enjoy the past three days.  I did.  Just was wonderful to be able to resume a more normal routine and pace. 

Not sure what others did this holiday weekend.  Whatever it was, I hope all were able to keep it safe and have the opportunity to spend some quality time with those who are special to them. 

Sunday, May 29, 2011

There’s nothing that quite compares with making another happy.  Doing little things that make them smile.  Picking up on subtle comments they make.  Materializing the simplest things that put the biggest smiles on their face, when they realize that you’re really in tuned with them.  What they need.  What makes them tick. 

I consider myself doubly blessed to have an extremely close-knit immediate family.  In addition, I have an amazing host of friends whose relationships make my life complete in ways I can’t even begin to describe and in so many avenues as to make my head hurt when I think about it. 

Talking with one of those friends the other day, I mentioned how I let my soul drive my heart to lead me in the directions I need to go.  This especially holds true with the relationships I’m blessed to have.  There’s nothing more rewarding than to hear back from one of those individuals how I round out their lives as well.  How the little things I do are appreciated though they may not always be readily acknowledged.  Though I don’t do the things I do for recognition, it is gratifying to learn that my efforts put smiles on the faces of those I intend and touch the lives of many more.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

There are times when something that would normally creep me out actually intrigues me with its beauty and grace.  That was the case while I was running my mountain today.

Four miles in and cresting the summit, something up ahead caught my attention.  Slowing, I approached so as not to frighten it.  Looking down on the ground beside me, I saw a chocolate brown tarantula.  It was just moseying along, minding its own business. 

I pulled out my camera and went to take a photo of it.  But along the way of capturing a nice shot, I began to take a closer look at the spider.  I couldn’t help but notice the graceful way it moved, its legs synchronized.  I could see each and every piece of fur on its body, me being only two feet away.  Studying it closer, I noticed that the fur on its rear (do they have rears) was all rubbed off.  Don’t know what from, but the spider didn’t seem to be any worse for wear. 

I took a couple of brief videos of it crawling along, intent on its path.  And then I snapped a couple of photos.  The tarantula wasn’t the least bit scared of me and let me get to within a foot of it.  Wasn’t especially fond of getting any closer, although for the first time in my life, I did have the strange urge to reach out and pet it.  I managed to resist that temptation, however, deciding that being that close and not being creeped out was a good starting point.  I’d save petting a tarantula for another day.