Yes we felt the earthquake in San Diego, and yes we’re ok - thank you for thinking of us. For those of you going home from Comic-Con, we just wanted to give ya a little excitement on the way out! I was on the first floor of a two story building and the windows rattled and the wall shook enough to let me know that it was bigger than a 3.0
My in-laws (who are real family, not “in-law” family) live in L.A. and endured the Northridge quake in ‘94. My first thought was that it was a strong quake and wanted to make sure everyone was ok. I researched it online first, as the Northridge quake taught me not to tie up the phone lines in case people needed to call out because of emergencies.
Everyone is fine and it’s a great reminder that your whole world can literally be shaken up in a second. Are you “ok” with everyone you love right now? Is there anything that needs to be said? Have you told them you love them and appreciate them lately? Life can change in an instant. Make sure you’re prepared in every way.
If you haven’t watched this video, please make the time to watch it. If you have watched it, make the time to watch it again, and then give yourself the gift of living as Randy Pausch did. Not just waking up every morning and getting on the hamster wheel of life, but really living and being present in each moment.
Learn to share your gift with the world, we all have one. Don’t put things off until “someday”. What if you knew that today was your last day on earth, what would you do? Why aren’t you doing it now?
Please watch this in honor of a man who truly understood what it meant to be alive. Thank you Randy Pausch, you gave us a gift of a lifetime.
Painfully reminded by the date of my last post, it’s amazing how quickly time passes. I’ve been remiss in my posts lately, but good things are happening. I’m focused more than ever on living a purposeful life. What does that mean exactly? By definition: Having purpose; intentional; having a purpose in mind; resolute; determined.
You may be sick of hearing me talk about taking action, but I’m going to keep doing it because it’s the most important thing you can do to effectively meet any goal you set your mind/intention to. Since my last post, I’ve been taking daily action towards what I feel my life’s purpose is, and that’s empowering others. Yes, I have a special place in my heart for people in under-served communities, teens, the abused, but really, it extends to anyone that longs for “something more”.
So many people I’ve known get stuck in a rut of thinking that they can’t make a difference, whether it’s a difference in work or in life—yes you can! But guess what? You actually have to DO something. Whether that means speaking up, raising awareness, suggesting a solution to something you see as a problem, trying something new, anything-just do it. Stop listening to the negative chatter in your head and do something – anything! Even if it’s not the perfect solution, you get momentum going. One thing leads to another. Trust me, I’ve seen it happen time and time again in my life. One tiny change can snowball into the life you’ve always dreamed of.
I have another secret; it’s not always comfortable. It’s not supposed to be. Anytime you want or need to make a change it can kinda downright suck. There I said it. No pretending, no sugarcoating. The best part though is the results. Whether it’s making a painful decision to get a divorce, leave home, change careers, if it moves you even one tiny baby-step closer to your long-term goals do it and revel in the feeling of being in charge of your destiny. No matter how scared, uncomfortable, or sad you feel in the short-term, the end result will be the life you want –but only if you are willing to take an active part in the process.
Sgt. Merlin German, is a true example of resilience, perseverance and inspiration. In 2004, over 97% of his body was burned during a roadside bombing in Iraq.
He endured over 100 operations, and not only walked again, but surprised his mother by asking her for a dance at the hospital ball in December of 2006. He earned the nickname of the “Miracle Man” and went on to form the foundation Merlins Miracles merlinsmiracles.com He fought valiantly before passing away shortly after a surgery last month. What’s holding you back?
Sometimes despite the best efforts to surround yourself with like-minded individuals someone sneaks in under the radar and jolts you into a world you wish didn’t exist. Something I would consider a hate mail assaulted my inbox last night night. It came from a person I know on the surface. When I read it, I was shocked that someone I knew would share such a distasteful and hateful view. I was one of many recipients.
Take a Stand
The innuendos about race and religion coupled with an “us against them mentality” was much more than I would ever tolerate. My question is, what’s the best way to handle this type of email without fueling the fire and causing more hate?
Do you reply back respectfully to that individual with your views, do you reply to all respectfully with your views, do you speak to the person individually? Is there a difference if it’s a co-worker, friend or neighbor? What can we do to stop the hate? Does this one have a simple answer?
