Smile

Sharing a bit of wisdom from the late, great Marilyn Monroe today. Smile!

Your spark

Book Review: Unchain the Elephant

Unchain the Elephant is a new release from Simple Truths, a website and company well known for its inspirational books and other products. It is definitely one of my favorite haunts, and no, I am not being paid to say that. 

The Unchain the Elephant analogy comes in the form of a story of how elephants in captivity are trained from a very young age that they cannot break free of the chains that bind them. A thick chain is tied to a tree or post, and the young elephant will test it and tug on it and eventually learns that it cannot break free, so it gives up trying. As an adult, it can be "secured" with a mere rope and it will not try to escape. 

I found the story heartbreaking, and I can see where it applies to so many people, including myself, who may have long since given up or nearly given up on their dreams because they think they are stuck where they are, chained, if you will, to a job that does not serve them beyond paying the bills and putting food on the table. A part of their soul longs to be free and to be heard on its terms.

The author talks about three key moments where we must respond appropriately if we wish to free ourselves from our shackles and provides examples from his own, personal experience.

1. Facing our predators (fear, etc.)
2. Embracing our passions
3. Rediscovering our packs (tribe)

The author, Erik Wahl, for years had been a corporate cog who followed the dictates of society that mandated getting a degree, getting a good job, following the rules, climbing the corporate ladder, etc., but he eventually realized that something was missing.

After his "secure" dot-com job bubble burst, he rediscovered his passion for art and has since parlayed his love of creating art and his business know-how into a career that he loves and has made him a much sought-after speaker.

The book is a quick 100-page or so read that was easy to digest, thought-provoking and filled with brilliant quotes and stunning photography and art. I do recommend it and hope that you will check it out for yourself.

Leu Gardens - 2011 continued

Please enjoy some more of my photos from Leu Gardens.

 

 

 





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leu Gardens - 2011

Thought I would share some pictures that I took at Leu Gardens in 2011. Will need a few posts for this. ;-)

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Christmas Decorations

Just sharing a few photos of my Christmas decorations this year. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

 

 

 

 

 

Larry the Laundry Room and Loo Lizard

Meet Larry, the Laundry Room and Loo Lizard

Larry scooted in my front door one day and made himself at home in my laundry room for a couple of months. Then, just last week he decided to expand his territory to my bathroom. For three days in a row I'd find him in my bathroom sink when I got up to get ready for work. He'd stay in the sink and enjoy the nice bath whenever I had to run the water. Go figure.  I can't imagine what he was eating in my apartment to stay alive, but he managed!

Larry has defied capture this whole time, but, finally, last week, I was able to grab him (gently) and put him outside, which was a relief, since he'd started using my sink as his toilet. Lovely (NOT!). And smelly (truly!). :-(

I imagine Larry is reunited now with his friends and family and is telling them of his exploits as my "houseguest" for the past couple of months. Hopefully this will not encourage other lizards to move in.

Another Lizard Exploit

Today me and a friend went out to lunch, and as I was driving, I noticed a lizard near the window on the front driver's side of my car. He hung there for a few minutes and then disappeared around the driver's side of my car as I had to pick up speed.

I thought he was gone, but, lo and behold, I saw him peripherally on my side window, eyes wide and wild and clinging desperately to the car. I could just see the "WTF!" in his eyes.

As it turns out, we ended up taking a route through a residential neighborhood where we had to go fairly slowly as there were speedbumps along the route for about .09 of a mile. The lizard found his footing and eventually disappeared into the driver's side mirror. I suspect he's still there. Wonder if it's Larry?