How to Have Uncertainly Clear Successes

Eliminate UncertaintyI got the pictured political mailer the other day from our US Congressman. In addition to all the other promises he is advocating (which I also don’t support) there was this exceptional tidbit: Eliminate Uncertainty.

As if our typical southern, good ole boy Rep is going to float down in pink tule and crown and bippity-boppity-boo away all uncertainty from our lives.

Talk about silly, empty, political promises.

Uncertainty isn’t going anywhere. Even the Dalai Lama faces uncertainty with flying in the form of a fear of sharks. If you don’t have any worries in your life then you are either the most Zen person ever to walk the planet or not not IN your life.

I’ve talked before about flinching forward and faking confidence but after attending the $100 startup book event last night I had a new brainwave about risk-reward and pushing past our fears of the unknown.

If we cannot eliminate our the unknown and our worry about it, we can at least mitigate the fear by focusing instead on our clear goals.

All eyes are on you (except they are not)

We’ve all been there. We walk into a new space and feel like everyone is going to judge our every movement and syllable. Where do I go? Am I dressed right? How am I supposed to act? Who am I going to talk to? Will I be liked? Will I be able to accomplish what I want to?

[Read more…]

Mothers Day Linkage

A very happy and joyful Mothers Day to moms in all forms out there! I hope you take some time to appreciate and say a little thank you for the positive effects of wonderful women in your life.

a caring momAs we honor those blood and otherwise motherly influences this reminder from Seth Godin about dedicating all our work is especially poignent.

Inspiration

On the other side of the spectrum, it is sometimes our moms and family that don’t seem to appreciate what we do. I loved this strong statement on supporting yourself on your own terms (via @tropicalmba)

Sean Ogle has some encouragement and tips to stay positive by reminding us to look at what we have done instead of comparing ourselves to others.

As vegan (still) who went out for a long run this morning I love Scott Jurek’s message and inspiration – kudos to Runners World for featuring him and promoting his upcoming book.

[Read more…]

Stop Trying to Capture the Moment

Black
At the same time that I curse myself for not having more images to post on this here blog I rant and rave inwardly at the over-prevalence of picture taking.

This is one reason I will likely make a horrible travel blogger. I keep refusing to take out my camera (cell or otherwise). I feel guilty enough for pulling out my mini-computer or notebook to jot a note or two. Until they come up with an eyesight camera, I am resigned to capturing what I can with my own little eye peeps and trying to imprint my impressions with words.

My hesitation and avoidance of avid photographic evidence gathering is very apparently not shared by many to most others. This is a shame — a disservice to self and society.

What do we want? Pictures! (?!)

From concerts to sporting events, dinner tables to coffee shops, the OWS protests to every random street corner, cameras are everywhere. In any type of “newsworthy” situation, (at least in my estimation) every potentially good, iconic shot is ruined with the self-awareness of the participants that they are on camera– if not the twenty hands holding up cameras or phones in the background.

Under the pressure of trying to capture the moment we have lost the ability to actually be in and of the moment.

[Read more…]

Super Moon Linkage

Untitled

I first apologize for the linkage hiatus. I was on the road and recovering from killer work week and Ath-Sav. Links are back and kicking off with a inspiration-information-enjoyment combo that I just discovered last night:

Sarah Kay at TED (forgive the autoplay) – I connected with this on so many levels (via Seth Godin email re: the book of her first poem)

On to a super dose of all the best I have managed to see and read over the last few weeks:

Inspiration

It is so simple, yet you should really read the whole thing. This  “secret to happiness in life” post and credo is the best, most affirming, piece I’ve read… well… in a while.

Steve Kamb’s epic video of his travel and fitness adventures. Very well done and fun to watch.

[Read more…]

Finding the Part that Moves Us to Finish

(my ride with Katy Perry)

Earned GreaseTwo weekends ago, I finished an event I’ve had on my calendar and Journey List for over a year. Conquering the Athens to Savannah Double Century was a double victory.

12 hours before the start of ride– this event that I’ve been training and gearing up for steadfastly for the last six months– I was pretty sure I was going to have to quit before I started.

Forget carbo-loading, I was carbo-purging.

All plans and expectations were flushed.

From the jaws of defeat

I was felled by a wicked bug. Bed bound and completely drained, my evening edition headline reads: Microscopic triumphs over big, strong, trained self.

Athens to Savannah Bike JerseyBy grace of the Universe I awoke at 4am and was able to swallow down some toast. I packed my gear and collapsed back into bed. After a short, fitful nap I got up at 6:30, swallowed a little coffee, and rode out to the start.

Clammy, weak and unsettled, I mounted my trusty steed surrounded by 70 other riders but feeling very alone.

[Read more…]