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Do or Don’t: Ghost Lashes
1 day ago
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Wordless Wednesday
[from an ad in Life magazine, 1955]
Don't they remind you of Betty & Don Draper? ☺
Monday, October 3, 2011
Take the Foundation of Rock Bottom & Build Your Dream Life
Today I'm sharing something I wrote one year ago after seeing JK Rowling on Oprah. I hope it gives your spirit a little boost and helps your start the week off on a positive note. Let me know what you think!
~
Who among us hasn’t felt like we’ve hit rock bottom at one time or another? Perhaps you’ve weathered the demise of a relationship or the death of a parent. Maybe you’ve been challenged by life with an unhappy child or a demanding boss. Possibly your own inner demons have sent your scurrying to find relief in drugs or alcohol. Whatever struggles you’ve endured – or perhaps are enduring even as you read this – isn’t it good to know that others have gone through tough times, possibly even very similar experiences as those you’re living, and come out of them not just well and happy but truly living the life of their dreams?
Pick someone to be your role model, and learn all you can about that person. Pin up quotes from him. Cut out pictures of her. Make a vision board depicting your role model and their accomplishments. Remember that this person at one time also hit rock bottom. But they didn’t crash and burn – they bounced. It took guts. It took focus. And it took no small amount of hope. But they did it and they went on to live amazing lives. And if you are determined to make the best of things, you can take your rock bottom – with underpinnings of hope and faith – and build your dream life, too. You’ve got the foundation. The question now is: How high will your dreams take you?
~
Friday, October 1, 2010
Take the Foundation of Rock Bottom & Build Your Dream Life
I happened to catch the last 30 minutes of Oprah’s interview with JK Rowling today, and it really made an impression on me. Ms. Rowling has faced many challenges in her life, but to hear her talk about how she went from depressed and broke to becoming the author of one of the best-selling book series in recent memory – not to mention a massive fortune and a marriage with the love of her life – was truly inspiring. She mentioned the commencement speech she gave at Harvard in 2008, and the phrase that stuck with me was this: Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.
Who among us hasn’t felt like we’ve hit rock bottom at one time or another? Perhaps you’ve weathered the demise of a relationship or the death of a parent. Maybe you’ve been challenged by life with an unhappy child or a demanding boss. Possibly your own inner demons have sent your scurrying to find relief in drugs or alcohol. Whatever struggles you’ve endured – or perhaps are enduring even as you read this – isn’t it good to know that others have gone through tough times, possibly even very similar experiences as those you’re living, and come out of them not just well and happy but truly living the life of their dreams?
I don’t know about you, but I don’t find mediocre acceptable. I didn’t come to this planet to live a mediocre life. I want to see my personal dreams of success and happiness become reality. But how to begin?
I think the path to living our dream life starts with hope. And you can have hope today if you want it. You don’t need money, you don’t need education, you don’t even need to have a job or a home to have hope. However, it is helpful to know, or know of, someone who has overcome adversity so you can use them as a role model. Someone like JK Rowling. Or even Oprah herself, who, from all accounts, had a childhood comprised of poverty and abuse. Is there someone in your own life who’s known tough times yet never given up? Use these folks as your role models and, more importantly, as reminders that change – positive, uplifting, dramatic change – is always possible. Always and without exception.
Pick someone to be your role model, and learn all you can about that person. Pin up quotes from him. Cut out pictures of her. Make a vision board depicting your role model and their accomplishments. Remember that this person at one time also hit rock bottom. But they didn’t crash and burn – they bounced. It took guts. It took focus. And it took no small amount of hope. But they did it and they went on to live amazing lives. And if you are determined to make the best of things, you can take your rock bottom – with underpinnings of hope and faith – and build your dream life, too. You’ve got the foundation. The question now is: How high will your dreams take you?
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Seaside Saturday ~ October 1st
This is a shot I took from the Town Landing in Falmouth, Maine, at the end of July. I imagine it looks similar down there today since we're kicking off October with a gray and rainy day. It's a good day to stay inside and read a good book. But if you're brave and have one of those big yellow slickers, you might still enjoy a walk by the water.
I don't have a slicker, and I'm car-less this weekend, so I'll be hunkering down at home. Wherever you are and whatever you've got planned for today, I hope you'll make the most of your Seaside Saturday!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Wordless Wednesday ~ September 28th
Click on image to view it larger
[More about this window in my next posting: part 2 of the East End tour]
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Exploring the East End, Portland, Maine: Part 1 ~ September 25th
Recently my friend Jenifer treated me to a belated birthday present: a visit to the Portland Observatory followed by lunch at a nearby restaurant.
This was my first time visiting the observatory, which is the last remaining signal tower in the U.S. It's located on Munjoy Hill in the East End section of Portland Maine, just a short walk from Jen's house.
Luckily for us, it was a gorgeous day so once we got to the top, we were able to fully appreciate the lovely views of Portland and Casco Bay.
Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and his talk was an enjoyable way to pick up a little bit of local history.
The tower was designed by Captain Lemeul Moody.
The observatory, rather than having a basement, is anchored by large boulders on the bottom level. The tower is just over 65 feet high. It was built in 1807.
My favorite part of the tower was the graffiti: names and initials that visitors have carved over the years in a particular spot inside the tower.
In my next posting, I'll tell you about some of the shops we visited and the fantastic lunch we had!
This was my first time visiting the observatory, which is the last remaining signal tower in the U.S. It's located on Munjoy Hill in the East End section of Portland Maine, just a short walk from Jen's house.
Luckily for us, it was a gorgeous day so once we got to the top, we were able to fully appreciate the lovely views of Portland and Casco Bay.
[looking up Congress Street toward the Eastern Promenade]
[looking toward Casco Bay]
[view of Back Bay]
[Jen snapping a photo]
[cruise ship at anchor in Portland]
[Jen at the top]
[me at the top]
[Munjoy Hill circa 1829]
The observatory, rather than having a basement, is anchored by large boulders on the bottom level. The tower is just over 65 feet high. It was built in 1807.
[Model of the observatory]
My favorite part of the tower was the graffiti: names and initials that visitors have carved over the years in a particular spot inside the tower.
In my next posting, I'll tell you about some of the shops we visited and the fantastic lunch we had!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
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