Make time for the people you love

It's been almost a week since my last blog and I just haven't had much time or a clear idea of what to write. Then a college friend of mine posted this on Facebook (thanks Frank) and bingo, that says it all.

It's a continuous journey to create balance in our lives and keep our eye on what really matters.

Sometimes I get buried by the mundane, the administrative, and the domestic. I forgo what matters with what I think I "should" be doing and what "needs" to be done, but is that where my priorities really lie?

It's been a jam packed week, and since my work day is generally about eleven hours, there's nothing I look forward to more than snuggling up in my sweats on the couch, maybe with a glass of wine and a good book or something from the DVR Que.

There were several opportunities that arose which would tempt me away from my comfy couch:    Meeting Tracy's baby girl Eliza, surprising Peg for her 50th Birthday with a backyard flash mob, dancing with Pina to celebrate her 10 year Jazzer-anniversary, and enjoying delicious Indian food, wine and three hours of soul sister conversation with Sandra. 

THESE were the things that really mattered this week.  Teaching classes, prepping for radio shows, tackling the laundry....it all needs to get done.  But NOT at the expense of making the people that matter a priority.

The couch will still be there.  And so will the laundry.

Nobody has enough money to buy time

After my grandmother (Dolly to most who knew her) passed away I found this post it note among her things. It was actually one of hundreds of post its, she was a bit of a hoarder when it came to small scraps of paper, always capturing random thoughts which ranged from "send Krissy Rachel Ray's spaghetti carbonara recipe" (yes, I'm the Krissy in question), to "gold chain purchased in Rome 1985."

From the looks of it, she heard the line listening to one of her financial talk radio programs. My grandmother could hang with the best of Wall Street's day traders. As a child, I recall that this 'skill' was directed more towards 'playing the numbers.' Like many Italian grandmothers you could find Dolly in the kitchen on Saturday stirring a big pot of sauce, (or gravy for the true Italianos) the scene made slightly askew with the pile of Dream Books (used to decipher your dreams into numerical bets) on the kitchen table and her bookie arriving at the side door.

She eventually transferred that passion into the stock market and until she died continued to rue the day she sold her Dell stock.

But back to the quote. The note was written several years before learning she had cancer, however the impact of its' message is just as strong.

No one has enough money to buy time.

It is a fact of being human, and we get to choose what we do with that reality.

For me faith, family, and fitness are paramount.

I consider my family to extend beyond my biological family and fitness isn't just my daily workout, but fitness of my mind, body and spirit encompassing many aspects of my life.

We can't buy more time. We must make the most of what we have each day.


I keep the post it to remind me.



Dolly would have been 89 yesterday.

The Empty Pickle Jar

I can't believe it's already hump day and I have yet to post a blog this week.  Had some big stuff going on, but perhaps my pickle jar was just a little too full and I have to remind myself not to sweat the small stuff (and it's mostly small stuff). 

Thanks to one of my beautiful customers for sharing this....

The Empty Pickle Jar

What an important reminder!

 You can also check out my friend Kevin Briody sharing a similar message with his song Walnuts and Rice


Remember it's mostly small stuff.......and maybe have pickles and walnuts for lunch!

Weekend wish list

Do your weekends pass at the speed of light? 

Do you find yourself on Sunday night feeling that there wasn't nearly enough time to get everything you wanted done, and you never did get around to relaxing

As we head to the magical Friday 5 pm moment when the whistle blows...(anyone getting an image of Fred Flinstone at the Slate and Gravel Co?) have you thought about what's ahead this weekend?

Is there time for rest, for play, for family? All those things we claim to be top priority but often get

Here are a few things on my wish list for this weekend:

Enjoy a family girls' night of dinner and the local production of Sound of Music

Teach one Jazzercise class and one yoga class

Have breakfast with associate and friend Terri

Take a bubble bath!

Cook at least one healthy and delicious dish for next week

Spend an evening of fun with the Hargraves in Guildford

Attend a business cocktail party

Do three loads of laundry, at least!

Finish reading my current library book (can multitask on this one in the tub)

Hang out with hubby - maybe watch Mad Men Sunday night :)

That still leaves some wide open time too, which is also important.

 Looking ahead to the weekend but keeping my eye on my priorities.  

Yabba dabba do!

Look for the LOVE

Close

Rainbow last Thurs night - the most spectacular I've ever seen

We all have those days (ok, lately it seems like it's been weeks) where there is more bad, sad and frustrating news then we feel we can handle. Both in the news and in our own backyards.

It's especially hard when difficult things happen to people we care about, and even worse when it feels like there's not a thing we can do about it.

I've heard more than a few earfuls of tough stuff going on lately.  At some point I figured enough was enough, I mean how much more can there be?  Then I arrived home Sunday night after a very long day to some very upsetting family news.  That was about the last straw.  It would have  been easy to go down the rabbit hole into despair and negativity.  I'm not saying I didn't shed some tears, because I'll be honest, I did.

But then I got to thinking.  I can dwell on this or I can LOOK FOR THE LOVE.  Even when things are dark, there's some love, somewhere.

Here's where I've found love floating around lately.....

• A daily continuous stream of instant messaging among my two BFF's - these women are my rocks!
• A cool surprise from my hubby last week
• Wonderful emails from two of my China kids in my inbox Monday morning
• A bunch of beautiful inspiring women whom I get to work out with every day
• A much needed Mastermind meeting on Friday with my support team - PLUS it was at the beach (and followed by a glass of wine and a friend always ready to lend an ear)
• Fun unexpected treats from my Reiki partner
• My mom -  'nuff said. 
• A spontaneous, and very special, family dinner 
• A sweet note from a long time colleague
• Glorious weather today and the chance to eat lunch and do some work outside (love the virtual office)
• A spectacular rainbow spotted in Milford during an impromptu outing to spend time with my stepdaughter (photo above - which does not do it justice!)

I'm not saying that this love takes my mind off the tragedies people I love are enduring and the courageous battles being fought.  I just know that amidst it all I need to keep an eye out for the love.

 Where do you see the LOVE this week? 


Trust me it's there (oddly I now feel like breaking out into the Mary Tyler Moore theme song...."Love is all around...")

When does busyness end and balance begin?

There has been a lot of tough stuff happening the past few weeks. My Facebook inbox is filled with a few dozen messages about difficult times rather than the usual routine chit chat from friends and clients.

Sending prayer requests to my Cursillo community has become a daily occurrence.

Sunday we reflected and remembered and recalled how our priorities shifted along with the NYC skyline. But how has that translated into our week just three days later?

I often refer back to these questions from author and coach, Cheryl Richardson, just to keep myself in check:

• If this were my last hour on earth, would I be happy with how I've spent my time today, this week, or this year?

• Would I feel good about the priorities I'm focused on right now at this point in my life?

• Do I feel complete and at peace with the people who matter most?

I think I can answer a strong yes to each of those questions, but I need to continue to ask them. It's so easy to get drawn off course.

Today's been jam packed and I look back at the day so far....teach a class, cover the desk for the remaining classes, participate on a conference call, finish a marketing project, write a blog post, a physical therapy appointment,  a hair appointment (like I said priorities!), prepare for a charity walk where I've volunteered to do the warm up, and get ready for a meeting and presentation in Rhode Island.   Am I happy with how I've spent my time? 

Actually yes. It always feels good to be productive.  But when does busyness end and balance begin? 

There's a small business meeting I could/should/had planned to attend later this evening,  but if I'm really listening to what I need, I think I'll be ready to hang out with my hubby and chat and then curl up and watch my latest Netflix (High Society - can't believe I've never seen it!).  Ah, I feel more relaxed already.

What do YOU need right now?