Flippin' Out

I began last week GETTIN' IT ON at the gym and I posted this pic in reference to my fitness goals:

On Tuesday, this blog's viewership reached over 17,000 and I was psyched!  Then, my "Congratulations!" tweet to the creator of a musical that just moved to Off-Broadway and is getting rave reviews was retweeted by him, to my surprise and delight.

I was having a great time!  I thought, "I am going to look for more things to celebrate.  Maybe I'll create more things to celebrate!"  I fully expected this blog to be titled "Happy Dance" or "Celebrate Good Times Come On!" or something like that.

I soon found this Dr. Wayne Dyer quote and it served as confirmation for me that positivity and celebration could be found everywhere if we choose to see it...

"Everything that happens to you 

is either an opportunity to grow 

or an obstacle to keep you from growing.  

You get to choose." 

- Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

After that, I heard a radio segment about Amazon's new version of the assembly line, which utilizes robots to bring the shelves to the workers, instead of the workers having to go to the shelves.  The newscaster mentioned a Yale professor who strongly advocates the idea of flipping things around (as Amazon had done with the robots).  There it was again - the same message...

"It turns out there are potential symmetries all around us – ways of flipping things around that might be just as good or better – if we just look for them." 

- Barry Nalebuff & Ian Ayres

"Did you ever store a ketchup bottle upside down?  How long did it take for Hunts and H.J. Heinz to figure out that they could turn the label upside down?" 

- Barry Nalebuff & Ian Ayres

(Barry Nalebuff is Milton Steinbach Professor of Management at Yale School of Management)

When "one of the worst storms in recent memory" (www.nytimes.com) dumped over seven feet of snow on some areas of Buffalo and its suburbs in three days, it wasn't exactly time to celebrate.  When a relative attending Florida State University texted me to inform me of a shooting in the school's library, stunned disbelief and concern seemed the more appropriate response.  

When my relative at F.S.U. immediately informed me that she was alright and perfectly safe and sound at home that evening, though, I was naturally overwhelmed with gratitude for that.  While the events of that day were undeniably tragic, and our prayers continue to be with the student in critical condition and with the family of the troubled, there is also much to be grateful for.  So many students, teachers, parents, relatives and law enforcement officials are surely grateful to be safe and for the safety of their loved ones.  We can all be reminded of how precious life is and to appreciate and celebrate every moment of it.

I was scheduled to drive to Buffalo on Thursday and was watching the weather forecast very carefully.  As I saw the terrible conditions and even heard the death toll rise, I was also hearing that relatives and many people I know were out of harm's way and doing well.  While we prayed for those in need and for the families of those lost, we were also grateful for the health and well being of so many others.  

Families all over Western New York were making the most of their situations, and stellar examples of neighbors helping neighbors were everywhere.  (Buffalo is called "The City of Good Neighbors" for good reason!)  Miracles were taking place when a little "Lucy Grace" came into the world at a firehouse.  Just prior to her parents being unable to make it to the hospital for her delivery, her dad just "happened" to meet up with a stranded woman who was a labor and delivery nurse.  Shortly after their meeting, another stranded nurse (this time a maternity nurse) found her way to the same firehouse where little Lucy was born.

click here for CNN's coverage: "Father of baby born in snowstorm: It's not odds; it's God":

click here for for WIBV's (Buffalo's news channel 4) coverage: "Storm Baby 'Lucy Grace' born in Buffalo Firehouse"

Social media was flooded with the humor and good spirit of Western New Yorkers flipping their predicaments around into seeing the bright side of things.

click here for ABC News' article: "Social Media Has a Sense of Humor About the Ridiculous Amount of Snow in Buffalo"

We only delayed our trip to Western New York by one day, making it through cleared roads on Friday.  On Saturday, we attended an ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL middle school performance of Seussical Jr.  Those kids were fantastic to see!!!  Two of my cousins were among the performers and I was so happy and proud to see them up there on stage.  I loved every minute of that show.  I smiled the whole time and when it was done I told Russ, "THAT was the best show I've seen in a long time!"  As the kids hurried off to their cast party to celebrate their accomplishment, I smiled for them.  They deserved a good celebration for an outstanding job well done.

As we begin another week, we'll celebrate our dear friends as we record new songs in the studio.  We'll all celebrate Thanksgiving and family and a whole host of other things that we remember to be grateful for this time of year.  We'll celebrate the fact that there's ALWAYS SOMETHING to be grateful for.  I will be looking forward to all of the wonderful experiences that await.  When challenges come, I'll look for a way to flip them into opportunities of growth.  I'll flip out.

:) :) :)

Here's wishing you all a most joyous holiday!

Namaste!

T

"Choose to be in close proximity to people who are empowering, 

who appeal to your sense of connection to intention, 

who see the greatness in you, 

and who live a life that gives evidence 

that Spirit has found celebration through them." 

– Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Kool and the Gang - live performance of "Celebration"

featuring Buffalo's own (Lackawanna native) Shawn McQuiller, 

who has been a member of Kool and the Gang for the last 23 years!

Prayer of St. Francis

#Truth...

First thing last week, I read an incredibly inspirational post from Dr. Wayne Dyer (one of my favorite authors) about the Prayer of St. Francis.  I absorbed every word of his post and strived to live the philosophy all week.  As I sat down to write this blog, I reviewed Dr. Dyer's words.  I don't think I can say it any better, so I'll be sharing his words along with the original prayer and a lovely vocal version by Sarah McLachlan.

There's nothing else to say.  These words were like a guiding light for me all week.  Once I adopted this mindset and applied some practical applications a few times, I walked with a sense of confidence and peace.  That's what I'll carry with me this week.  :)

Namaste,
T

The Prayer of Saint Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled as to console,

To be understood as to understand,

To be loved as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life.

Sarah McLachlin's vocal version...

Click here for Wikipedia article on Saint Francis of Assisi

From the Facebook page of Dr. Wayne W. Dyer (posted on Nov. 11, 2014):

"Lord, make me a channel of thy peace.
…That where there is sadness, I may bring joy.
- from The Prayer of St. Francis

Perhaps the surest way to find happiness and joy for yourself is to devote your energies toward making someone else happy. If you make an effort to search for joy you will find it elusive, largely because you will become engaged in the search itself. Your life will be about striving. However, if you try to bring happiness to someone else then joy will come to you.

How To Be Happy 

You come into this life with nothing and you leave with nothing. The only thing you can do with your life is give it away. This is the true essence of feeling purposeful. This is the way to have joy in the face of sadness. You experience joy when you attempt to bring it to others. This is what Saint Francis understood to be the goal of life.

The entire second part of the prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi is a testament to the truth that we find joy by giving it away. And in order to give it away, we must possess it ourselves.

…grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love;

I have found that most of the times that I am engrossed in sadness due to a problem it is because of something that someone else has said or done, or failed to do. So this is the “problem.” I am sad because of the actions or inactions of others. Now, of course, this is an illusion; something that I have created in my thoughts. It is in my mind that I am experiencing the “problem.” So, what is the solution? It is always so simple.

Would You Rather Be Right or Be Happy?

The solution is to align with Spirit and attempt to bring some joy to someone else. When engaged in helping others, my sadness disappears instantly. I send joy to the people whom I perceive to be the source of my sadness. That seems difficult. After all, my ego reminds me, they are wrong and I am right. And, of course, my ego would much rather be right than happy.

But I tame my ego, and change the thoughts I have of being wronged to thoughts of joy for those who I perceived have annoyed me. Instantly and permanently my sadness dissolves like magic. By sending joyful loving thoughts to others, particularly to those whom I have perceived to be the source of my sadness, I end the problem, which only existed in my mind to begin with.

Find Joy By Giving it Away

As you get better at finding joy by giving it away you will find that another shift takes place. First you were working with your thoughts only, which is where you experience sadness. As you transform those thoughts of sadness into joy, your emotions will follow. You will experience a shift in your sense of physical well-being and begin to feel better. You will feel lighter, more comfortable, and healthier. Your feelings of despair, anger and depression will begin to dissolve, and then your behavior will change to follow the path of joy. You will reach out to those who have “wronged you” with forgiveness and extend a helping hand to those who used to be classified as your enemies.

From thoughts to feelings to behaviors, your entire life shifts away from problems when you find your purpose by giving joy away."

Thank you Dr. Wayne Dyer!  That was just what I needed.

Unchartered Territory

At the beginning of the week I saw a few online posts like this...

"If you want something you never had, 

you have to do something you've never done."

- The Mind Unleashed (Facebook)

"An open mind allows you to explore and create and grow.  

Remember that progress would be impossible 

if we always did things the way we always have."

- Dr Wayne W. Dyer

So I started trying to think of things that I've never done, and then do them.  

I found a new gym and signed up for a trial membership.  I quickly decided to join and took a Zumba class (never did THAT before).  The gym membership included a complimentary physical assessment with a personal trainer.  I liked the session so much that I signed up for twelve weeks of personal training sessions (never did THAT before either).  The fitness routine with the trainer included many new exercises, some on machines that were new to me and which I was excited to learn about.  After realizing that Russ could be added to the same membership, I brought him to join too, and we both took a cycle class (spinning class) together.  THAT was new for both of us and was NO JOKE!  WHEW!!!  That was a serious workout.

Thursday and Friday included meetings in the city and in a spirit of adventure I went to two new restaurants that I had never been to before.

Waterfall art inside Rosa Mexicano restaurant - NYC

On Broadway

So, by week's end there were a number of new things I had done.  I soon realized that they had all cost money and wondered if I should do something new that didn't cost anything.  What about volunteering somewhere?

I Yelped "volunteer opportunities" but nothing came up in my area.  What did come up required advanced training and an application that would take time to process.  As "coincidence" would have it, my gig on Saturday was a fundraising event for an organization that is dedicated to developing and promoting volunteerism.  It was one of the same organizations that came up on the search!  The idea was reinforced, and I knew I was on the right track.  Although several meetings that I attended this week involved volunteering my time and efforts for various causes, I wanted to find something NEW, and to do something I have never done before.

At the gig with Joe (bandleader/guitar) and John (bass)

At the gig with Dean (drums)

Sunday brought with it just the opportunity I was searching for and I seized the moment.  After church service, I approached the gentleman who had made announcements, and introduced myself.  I knew that they had been looking for volunteers for various tasks in the past, and asked him what types of things I could help out with within the parameters of my usual "last minute" type of schedule.  He was very nice and welcoming and offered several suggestions of things I could help with - even though I am only a visiting guest to that congregation.  He insisted that Russ and I join the gathering downstairs for brunch and fellowship.  There we were met with friendly faces, hot food and a lovely sense of community.  There was a table near the door with signup sheets for various volunteer activities.  I smiled and stopped to sign up for a few before I joined Russ, who was conversing with a couple of people.  It just so happened that they were talking about the concept of "ask and ye shall receive" as I approached.  I smiled again at the recollection of just how true that had been for me all week.

Just as soon as I had looked for something new to do, I had found it.  Just as I (literally) had searched on Yelp for volunteer opportunities, circumstance had placed me directly at an event held by an organization at the top of the search list!  Just as I set out to find a more immediate opportunity to volunteer, I found several.

Today, as I sit here writing this, it occurs to me that there are many other new things that we can do that cost nothing.  We can forgive someone.  We can love greater.  We can care more.  We can shift something inside of ourselves to a new level.  We can strive to understand someone better.  We can let go of some anger or resentment we've been holding on to.  We can smile at a stranger.  We can go the extra mile on almost anything we do.  We can surprise a loved one with something unexpected.  There's always something new to learn.  All of these things would fall under the category of something "new."  They can cost nothing, require little time and can have great significance!

Russ surprised me with this bouquet :)

This week, I'll keep my eyes open for anything new.  I'll seize moments and take new steps forward.

Namaste!

T

Change Change Change...

Has the world gone mad?

I attended a meeting in the city where a woman stood up and wanted to discuss the rights of pixels.  Yes, pixels - the little dots that comprise the picture on your television and digital images everywhere.  Apparently, people worry about the rights of those little dots.  I was almost convinced the evening would prove to be a complete waste of time, and was teetering on the fence between amusement and irritation.  It seemed I had trudged my butt all the way into the city for no apparent reason.  Thankfully, my attitude turned all the way around when a lovely and perfectly sane casting director got up to speak.  She was inspirational and motivational.  I was fortunate enough to meet her and she invited me to submit my résumé to her.   Suddenly, I was launched forward into résumé updating, photo shoot scheduling and online submission forms, etc.  I felt good leaving the city that night and had a nice sense of accomplishment.  It turned out to be a wonderful way to start the week after all.  I fully expected this blog to be about forcing yourself to just put one foot in front of the other until something makes sense, as it had done that night (Just keep going!  One step at a time...), but as the week evolved that idea changed.

It was a busy week of travel and photo shoots, but I also managed to spend some time in nature...

"Speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee."

- Job 12:8

I don't normally think of this as my favorite time of year.  It seems kind of depressing when it gets cold and dark.  The winter coats come out of the closet and the patio furniture gets put away.  I start thinking about shoveling and I get the snowblower tuned up.  Air conditioners, bikes and summer dresses are put away.  (Sigh)  I wanted to get out and take some pictures of the pretty trees before all the leaves disappear. 

Funny how nature reflects everything...

Change and growth...

The beauty of things...

The climb...

Out of the darkness and into the light...

The sometimes ominous look of things...

The fork in the road...

Crossing that bridge when we get to it...

Everything I saw inspired thought.  I thought about that fence between amusement and irritation and how easy it is to go over the brink.  I thought about falling back (just like the clocks) into old habits and how effortless it is to just write off other people when we don't understand them.  (I'd been battling irritation all week and posted this link on Thursday:  "Sometimes, the first step toward forgiveness is realizing the other person was born an idiot" -DJTOD.)  I was searching for a way to keep from sinking into the negative and to keep a bright, positive spirit - even in the face of challenge.

On Sunday, I met the most wonderful and amazing woman.  She wrote a book, "From Stage IV to Center Stage."  She was diagnosed with stage IV cancer in her throat/neck, and was given three months to live.  Twenty-two months later, she sang the National Anthem at Fenway Park.  Nine years later, there I was, sitting in church listening to her story and hearing her say, "Challenges are nothing more than doorways to transformation."

"Denise DeSimone is an ordained interfaith minister, an inspirational/motivational speaker, a singer, and is also certified in multiple alternative healing modalities.  She is a wellness coach to cancer patients.  Denise also created Pray Peace, a multimedia offering of personal and global peace."

- from the back cover of her book, "From Stage IV to Center Stage"

click here for Denise's website

I attended her workshop on sound healing and had a most wonderful experience.  Before beginning a guided meditation that utilized vibrational sound energy, we set deliberate "intentions" for the experience.  My intention was "love space" - the place of positive energy.  I don't want to be in a negative space, or think that other people are idiots, or waste ANY time being anything but joyous.  I know that we can transform any thought, any idea, any pattern.  I know we are capable of letting go of old ideas and habits, and capable of change.  I wanted to bring in the happy and the new, and weed out all sources of irritation at the core.  As Denise introduced us to sound healing, she spoke about how easy it can be to transform an irritating sound to the point that you don't even hear it.  :) :) :)

Perfect!!!!!

This week, I'll continue the meditation practices she taught us and learn more.  (I bought her book and her CD.)  I will not have to resort to thinking of anyone else in a less than favorable light just to make myself feel better.  I'll train myself to hear joyous sounds and see miracles everywhere.

"There are two ways to live: 

You can live as if nothing is a miracle; 

or you can live as if everything is a miracle."

- Albert Einstein

"We cannot love without evolving 

and we cannot evolve without love."

- Denise DeSimone

Namaste!

T