july 29, 2015

1. Private chef / dinner party scene is picking up the pace in NYC.  A more personal touch to a meal and SO fun to be a part of.

2. Energy is absolutely contagious.

3.  Successful people continue to face new challenges - as opposed to repeatedly dealing with the same ones over and over again.

4.  Done is better than perfect.

5. A personal introduction to someone you'd like to meet, by someone you know makes all the difference.  Thanks to the 2nd degree of separation feature on LinkedIn and to those who have made these important intros for me; I truly appreciate it.

6. When one links job satisfaction to financial compensation alone, they're never paid "enough." Yet, when they see "work" as a way to dance with life, meet new people, and unleash the creative tiger within, they become very rich, indeed. 

7. A community that values sharing unused items with neighbors instead of passing them along to the garbage truck has real value both to the environment and to each other - financially and socially.  Carroll Gardens is good at this :)

8. Bicycle commuting is the simplest way to add some fun, extra time, calories burned, and fresh air to your day-to-day.  If you are not already a lover of two wheels, try it!

9. Designing short-term experiments for yourself are a helpful way to try out a new activity, increase your productivity, or take first steps at an area of your life you'd like to improve upon.  And if it doesn't work... well, it was an experiment that provided a learning opportunity :)

10. “Your only limitations are those you set up in your mind, or permit others to set up for you.” ― Og Mandino

Feeling energized, can you tell?

august 21, 2014

1. Mocks or practice conversations are helpful. The words always seem to come out a better the second (or third) time around.

2. That I am officially older than the World Wide Web. Now that is going to seriously date me when I'm telling stories to some grandkiddos one day.

3. Those rare instances when you just meet someone and you feel like you've known them forever are a special breed of human connection.

4. Love finds you when you least expect it. I've heard this many times, but finally decided that I believe it.

5. That I love my little indoor garden and care for my plants diligently. I enjoy the consistency and slowly watching it grow.

6. That so many restaurants have printed postcards available to take. I wonder how many of them actually make their way to the mailbox? I'm on a mission to change that.

7. Green juice = the best mental stimulant. After not having made a fresh pitcher in a while, I am remembering why I love it so much.

8. Animated people make life more fun. 

9. Must do's each day help me to stay focused.

10. 2048 is actually achievable. It's about dang time.

june 28, 2014

1. The information overload that comes with starting a new job is a test of your retention abilities.
2. Vulnerability is where fear and courage meet.
3. Rice farmers use 1/3 of the Earth's freshwater.

4. In the absence of facts, speculation reigns.

5. Food is directly correlated to the quality of my energy.  Keeping this top of mind makes it easy to choose healthy energy versus short-term, sugar energy or heavy, energy-sucking foods.

6. The residents of Sardinia, Italy and the inhabitants of the islands of Okinawa, Japan have the highest population of centenarians.
7. Sunsets, you can never get enough of them. Appreciate them every time you can.

8. The habits of people you spend significant time with will rub off on you - both positive and negative.
9. Always make time for people who are in town visiting your city.  It is the abosolute best when others do the same for you.
10. When extended the invitation to try something new or something you are insecure about (i.e., golf skills), recognize it as an opportunity to step outside of your comfort zone and DO IT!  It's an awesome feeling to surprise yourself.

december 27, 2013

1. That a week of focused networking is plain old fun.

2. Good gear makes a difference.

3. Have more than you show, speak less than you know. 

4. Consistent reflection is necessary tool for self improvement.

5. John Pierpont "J.P." Morgan (the person) bailed out the U.S. Government with a personal check in 1907.

6.  Old traditions can transform to new ones and be equally as special. 

7. Jason Mraz "I won't give up on you"  gets me every time.  Such a sweet song.

8. When you are passionate about something you are working on, others want to see you succeed.  I think we are all inspired by true hard work and passion, despite the subject matter.  I know I am. 

9. There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view once you get there is always the same.
- Chinese Proverb

10. Ready to start this next chapter with renewed energy and positive intention.

december 11, 2013

1. Collect moments not things.

2. It is important to ask for help when you need it.  Your friends & support crew cannot read your mind to know when to offer.

3. The only bad workout is the one that didn't happen.

4. To always be proud of where you come from.

5. "The only commodity you can not get more of is time." - Mark Cuban (via my sister)

6. If you oil your shovel, it will last a life time. Take good care of your things and they will be there when you need them.

7. When I'm excited about something, I like to get others excited about it too.  

8. There is no end to things that can be learned.

9. "When it comes to getting a job, starting a business, finding someone to marry, or just about anything else, all it takes is one person to change your life for the better. People may be saying no all around you. But as long as one person says yes, you’re on your way." - Jenna Gourdreau

10.

december 1, 2013

1. Sometimes, I know with certainty that things happen for a reason.

2. Watching an act of true friendship sparked a re-commitment to my own friendships and the need to lean & be leaned on throughout the seasons of life.  

3. To demonstrate structured thinking. 

4. If you want to be good at something, you have to give it a go and get the first round under your belt.  It's only then that you have something to improve upon.

5. Saying "yes" to invitations as often as you can leads to many unplanned adventures.

6. When you stop chasing the wrong things you give the right things a chance to catch you.

7. Dishes can be done in record time if every single person at the table joins the cleanup team.

8. I realized that I have the big, crazy, loving family that I always wanted.  

Nothing better than the togetherness that comes via controlled chaos in a house full of love. 

9. It is important to always have some things on the calendar to look forward to

near-, medium-, and longer-term.

10. That I'm a bit more serious than I'd like to be. 

A healthy dose of one-liners from my Papa had me dishing it right back - early & often ;)

november 27, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving.