BIKE RIDING IN DECEMBER

Ray is so excited that he can ride his bike in December!

He rode 45 miles in 3 hours today.

It was 48 degrees outside, and he loved it!!!

He has been watching his diet and is feeling good at his new lower weight!

I hope he does not blow away in the wind!

Good Times

We had the opportunity to go to Dallas' for the baby blessing in September. Bart and his family were able to meet us there and we had a great time! Enjoy these pictures of the festivities.

Summer Fun!

The Summer of 2010 has been fun!! Let me share a few highlights.

We spent the 4th of July in Boston!

Had a Baptism, a Birthday, and a new Baby in Georgia!!

Bike riding, and just plain fun in Texas!!!


We spent the 4th with Ed, Marie, Xae, and Jack.

Raleigh was baptized,
Raleigh and Madeline helped celebrate Kensington's 3rd birthday,
Emery Rose arrived.

Paige, Phoenix, and Romney had fun with Nana and Papa,
Bart and Ray rode together.

We all enjoyed visiting with Melissa!

The Road Not Built Yet

Have you ever been working toward a goal, or trying to solve a problem, and been stuck? You have probably done everything you know to do, but now can’t seem to make any further progress. What are your choices? You could just give up and forget about your goal or solving your problem. You could keep trying to move forward, not giving up no matter what. Or, you could turn around and go back.

One day, I was walking on a new road that was being built. The road was just dirt and rocks, and was only used by a few local homeowners. It was very quiet and peaceful, and the views of the mountains, and the openness were awe inspiring. In the near future, it would be a major thoroughfare, and would not be so quiet and peaceful anymore. As I walked, I thought about what I could do to achieve some of my goals.

I remembered a lesson from one of my psychology classes about problem solving and goal setting. We had learned that many people use the “hill climbing strategy” when trying to solve problems. This means they try to solve problems as they would climb a mountain; no matter what, they always move upward. Anytime there is a choice, they choose whichever path is going up. Everything they do is directed toward the top of the hill. However, sometimes they come to a place where no matter how hard they try, they cannot move upward from where they are; and they are stuck. Many people will just keep trying to go forward from that very spot. They will buckle down and keep trying harder than ever to make that upward and forward progress.

Others make another choice. They stop, and look for a way to get around their current obstacle. They may only have to move to the left or to the right a little bit and then they can keep going upward. Sometimes, the only way to go forward is to actually go backward and start in another direction to make it to the top. Few people choose this method because they are so afraid that if they go backward, they will not be on their way up anymore. They worry that by going backward they will be going the wrong way. They believe that because that is not how others do it, it must not be right. When, in reality, there are many times when the only way to move forward is to turn around and go back.

I thought of Robert Frost’s famous poem, The Road Not Taken. ”Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” When we choose to look for new ways to solve problems, and new ways to accomplish our goals, we will likely be taking the road less traveled. As I walked, it occurred to me that I was actually taking the road not built yet. I thought about how, to accomplish my goals, I might have to turn around, go back, and start from a different spot. That has made all the difference.

May All Your Dreams Come True!

Years ago, my teenage daughters and I were playing Jenga with one of the neighbor kids, Joshua. Some of the pieces had sayings, tasks, or fortunes written on them. After a piece had been carefully pulled from the tower, we would read what was written on it. On one of Joshua’s turns, he pulled out a piece that had some words on it. Before we could offer to help him read it, he looked at it and confidently said, in his adorable four-year old voice, “May all your dreams come true!” The girls and I just loved it! We still quote Joshua today. So I say to you, may all YOUR dreams come true.

How do you make your dreams come true? First, you must have a dream. Oprah Winfrey said, “You have to be able to identify what you really love and what you really want before you can get it”. Do you dream of having more time for family, traveling, or gardening? Do you want to continue your education, move to Spain, be a racecar driver, get control of the laundry, or change the world? What is it that you dream of?

What if you don’t have a dream? What if you don’t know what you want? In her book Dreams are Whispers from the Soul, Finding Your Purpose and Passion in Life, Marcia Wieder says,

Many don’t know what their dreams are or having been disappointed in the past, may be afraid to dream again. Life without dreams is no life at all. When our existence gets reduced to a list of problems to solve or things to check off, passion dries up. Imagine a different list, one comprised of projects and activities that are the expression of our heart and soul. Reconnect to what makes you happy. Do you know what that is? If someone tells me, “I don’t have any dreams”, I offer back, “It sounds like your dream is to have a dream.” In a heart beat, they move from having a problem to solve to getting into action on something they want…a dream. It’s more powerful to move toward what you want than to move away from something you want to get rid of.

Once you have identified your dream, it is time to take action toward living it. Begin by believing in your dream. Change the thoughts, beliefs, and actions that have been obstacles to living your dream up to this point in time. Do you believe that you can live your dream? Do not give in to fear and doubt; go forward seeking ways to live your dream. Do something everyday, no matter how small, toward realizing your dream.

Share your dream with others. This is not easy for several reasons. First, you may fear being laughed at, or discouraged from pursuing your dream. Second, you may be afraid of what others will think of you if you fail to achieve your dream. And thirdly, if others know about your dream, they will expect you to actually take action toward achieving your dream. Wieder gives this advice, “Successful dreamers know that great results come from assembling an extraordinary team. Share your dreams with like minded people, kindred spirits and valuable resources. A resource is everyone you know and everyone you don’t know. Everyone is a potential resource for helping you accomplish your dreams”.

You can live a fulfilling life full of joy and passion by identifying, believing in, sharing, and acting upon our dreams.

May all your dreams come true!

Finished My First Class!

The Survey of American Jazz class was a full semester class taught in three weeks. We met Monday - Friday for three hours a day. Since I have no musical background, the class was really a challenge for me. There was so much information! I am so thankful for my husband's years of musical experience. It all came in handy; he was a really big help to me. He helped me study and evaluate the live performances we attended.

Our teacher, Mr. Tolson, is very talented and knows everything there is to know about Jazz music. It is obvious that he loves the subject matter and has devoted a great deal of his life to educating others on the subject. I now have more appreciation for those who have musical talent and for jazz music in general.

Everyday I see many squirrels and even rabbits as I walk across campus to my class. Yesterday, as I walked to class to take the final, I saw a very funny sight. A squirrel was carrying a half a bagel with him as he scurried. When he stopped, he held it with his two front paws, do squirrels have paws, but when he was moving, he held it in his mouth. The half bagel was almost as big as he was.

I start two new classes on Tuesday. I am really enjoying the opportunity to learn and study.

Also, you have got to love it when the smoke detector beeps repeatedly at 3:00 am to let you know the batteries are dying. NOT!

New Experiences

I have had a few new experiences over the last couple of weeks. I have driven myself and a car load of stuff across the country, moved into a new home, and slept past 6:00 am on weekdays. It is all wonderful.

I enjoyed the drive because I was blessed with great weather, clear roads, a cell phone, and books on CD. I had a great visit with family along the way and my only flat tire (the brand new one I bought two days earlier) was at their house, so my nephew put the spare on for me. We had fun playing games and even got in some Spring cleaning.

The new apartment is very nice. My husband did a great job selecting this complex and this unit. Our balcony overlooks a little lake with fish and geese. It is very nice to look at and we enjoy the sounds of nature. I still have unpacking and organizing to do, but I have already done some downsizing and de-cluttering.

The sleeping past 6:00 am has been great! However, it will not last for long. On Monday I start school and my class is at 9:00 am on campus. I will have to start getting up earlier in order to get down there, find a parking spot, and get to class on time. This class is a survey of American Jazz. I do not know anything about jazz and have no musical aptitude. I am pretty sure it will be a huge challenge for me. Wish me luck!!!

I am currently waiting for our washer and dryer to be delivered. I have a ton of laundry to do. It was supposed to come yesterday and I waited all day. After 6:00 pm the company called and said they would not be able to come that day and would come in the morning. I didn't mind waiting all day, but today I have to go to the school to get some stuff ready for Monday. I hope they come soon.

It is another beautiful, sunny day in Louisville.



Lisa

Lisa's Little Life Lessons - Our Greatest Fear

The following quote hangs on the wall in my office. I would like to share it with you.

Our Greatest Fear
Nelson Mandela, 1994 Inaugural Speech, a quote from Marianne Williamson

Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate,
but that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.

I love this quote! I hope we can all recognize our own potential and allow ourselves to shine and share what is great about us with the world. We can all start right here on the Women's Small Biz Network! I would like to hear your thoughts about this topic.

I love to read about what all of you do and the uniqueness that you bring to the world!

Lisa