Thursday, December 31, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Take Up The Act of Smoking; a Healthy New Year’s Resolution
Let’s begin with the obvious, cigarettes are bad for you. Smoking them is unhealthy, harmful, and they make you smell bad. So, I'm not talking about taking up smoking. What I'm recommending is the act of smoking.
The act of smoking has four distinct and beneficial components.
One, you make a decision. It’s a decision to change the attention and focus from what you're currently doing to get up, go outside to do something else. So, your mind and body get a break, a change and a shift.
Two, you then go outside. At this time of year where it gets light at
7:30 in the morning and gets dark at 4:30 in the afternoon, most people do not see daylight at all. They leave for work in the dark and come home from work in the dark.
Most people, except those who are practicing the act of smoking, don't get outside into the sunlight. Sunlight is like vitamins. You need some sunlight (even on a cloudy day, the rays from the sun pass through the atmosphere, and the effects will be felt) in your body everyday to be happy and healthy. Study after study has proven that exposure to sunlight not only creates Vitamin D in your body, it also boosts mood, serotonin, and can prevent depression. Take up the act of smoking, you get outside.
Thirdly, taking a deep breath; when was the last time you took 10 deep breaths? Really deep breaths, where you filled up your lungs, all six directions of your lungs (top to bottom, side to side and front to back). When do you remember that you took a deep breath, held it for a while, and then let it go and let your shoulders relax and your body come back to neutral. Breathing like this is required in the act of smoking… maybe this is one reason smokers say that smoking relaxes them. Maybe it’s the breathing? Take 10 deep breaths at the top of every hour.
And finally, if others are also outside un-smoking, breathing, regrouping, refocusing, you just might meet new people. You will have new conversations. You will get new perspectives outside of your daily circle of people. Imagine that, a group of people; standing outside, unsmoking, hey, you may even make a new friend or two.
So, taking up the act of smoking could just be the healthiest New Year’s resolution you could make. I wish you a happy, healthy New Year.
The act of smoking has four distinct and beneficial components.
One, you make a decision. It’s a decision to change the attention and focus from what you're currently doing to get up, go outside to do something else. So, your mind and body get a break, a change and a shift.
Two, you then go outside. At this time of year where it gets light at
7:30 in the morning and gets dark at 4:30 in the afternoon, most people do not see daylight at all. They leave for work in the dark and come home from work in the dark.
Most people, except those who are practicing the act of smoking, don't get outside into the sunlight. Sunlight is like vitamins. You need some sunlight (even on a cloudy day, the rays from the sun pass through the atmosphere, and the effects will be felt) in your body everyday to be happy and healthy. Study after study has proven that exposure to sunlight not only creates Vitamin D in your body, it also boosts mood, serotonin, and can prevent depression. Take up the act of smoking, you get outside.
Thirdly, taking a deep breath; when was the last time you took 10 deep breaths? Really deep breaths, where you filled up your lungs, all six directions of your lungs (top to bottom, side to side and front to back). When do you remember that you took a deep breath, held it for a while, and then let it go and let your shoulders relax and your body come back to neutral. Breathing like this is required in the act of smoking… maybe this is one reason smokers say that smoking relaxes them. Maybe it’s the breathing? Take 10 deep breaths at the top of every hour.
And finally, if others are also outside un-smoking, breathing, regrouping, refocusing, you just might meet new people. You will have new conversations. You will get new perspectives outside of your daily circle of people. Imagine that, a group of people; standing outside, unsmoking, hey, you may even make a new friend or two.
So, taking up the act of smoking could just be the healthiest New Year’s resolution you could make. I wish you a happy, healthy New Year.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
My Ideas for Creating an Optimal Holiday Season….With Love….
Set the stage: First decide who your family is this season. What kind of energy you will have in your home when people come to visit? Choose three words to describe your family this season, post them in your home…even put them on your refrigerator for everyone to see each day, and you’ll be amazed at how those adjectives show up each day during this holiday season. Some adjective ideas: peaceful, joyous, excited, grateful, interesting, interested, funny, playful, intriguing.
Set the intention: Create a sign-in board/ poster for everyone who comes to your home this season. On the top of the board write something like: “The Best Thing That Happened to me between 2000 and 2010”. Keep it next to the front door; Invite everyone that comes in to sign it. This then becomes an incredible energy booster for now, and a family memento from this holiday season.
Create moments: Have each member of your family choose one thing every day, first thing in the morning that will happen before the end of the day that will make them happy and be good for them. Let everyone participate in being sure that happens for that family member.
The Visuals: Decorate your home with the ornaments, candles, pictures, lights, trees, anything that mean something to you. As you are decorating your home, when you pull out your decorations, ask yourself if it still fits who you are, or works with your family. If it no longer applies, put it in a box and donate to charity. This holiday will be set with intention and also, by donating, brings joy to others.
Participation: Ask the people that come to your home for the holidays to participate. First they will participate by signing in on your “best of the decade board”. Next have everyone bring something to your home. If you are the kind of person who wants to control and do everything, try to let that go and see what comes! When people are allowed to bring things and participate, they are more invested in the outcome of everyone having a good time.
Music: Surround yourself with sounds of the season that make you happy. Music is the soundtrack of our lives. Set up your music system in your home to play music that sets the mood for whatever you intend to have happened during that time.
Smells: Scent is the most powerful memory inducer for human beings. As often as possible, through either the use of candles, baking, (which it also works with cookies from a package in the refrigerator section at the supermarket) room sprays or potpourri, surround yourself in your home with smells that make you happy. This is a low cost way to boost the mood of everyone in your home
Gifts: Decide this year what’s important to you as a family in terms of gift giving. One of my favorite families, (my god family, who as a child I spent Christmas with every year) always set a price limit to what it they would spend on each member of the family. The challenge with that is that sometimes you want to get someone something that costs more than the budget. I know it’s unromantic, but you might want to ask the people in your world what they want for the holidays. If it’s something big, everyone can go in on it together. If someone says they want nothing, ask again, and then believe them. One of the best gifts you can give anyone is your love, support and appreciation for everything they have done for you.
Appreciation: Make a list of all of the things that someone has provided for you in your world, and put that on a holiday card. Let people know that their time and attention is appreciated.
The People: Invite people to your home whom you like. Have each member of your family make a list of all of the people that have been most supportive and loving over the past year. Compare that list to a list of the people that are most important to them to have in their world next year. First, invite those people who are on both lists, and then use the holidays as an opportunity to spend time with those who are worthy of your time and attention. When people know they are there because they are wanted, and not by obligation, everyone wins.
Turn your holiday “have to’s” into holiday “get to’s”, as in, I get to have the holiday season that works in my world.
I wish you a happy, healthy, beautiful holiday season 2009. Namaste.
Set the intention: Create a sign-in board/ poster for everyone who comes to your home this season. On the top of the board write something like: “The Best Thing That Happened to me between 2000 and 2010”. Keep it next to the front door; Invite everyone that comes in to sign it. This then becomes an incredible energy booster for now, and a family memento from this holiday season.
Create moments: Have each member of your family choose one thing every day, first thing in the morning that will happen before the end of the day that will make them happy and be good for them. Let everyone participate in being sure that happens for that family member.
The Visuals: Decorate your home with the ornaments, candles, pictures, lights, trees, anything that mean something to you. As you are decorating your home, when you pull out your decorations, ask yourself if it still fits who you are, or works with your family. If it no longer applies, put it in a box and donate to charity. This holiday will be set with intention and also, by donating, brings joy to others.
Participation: Ask the people that come to your home for the holidays to participate. First they will participate by signing in on your “best of the decade board”. Next have everyone bring something to your home. If you are the kind of person who wants to control and do everything, try to let that go and see what comes! When people are allowed to bring things and participate, they are more invested in the outcome of everyone having a good time.
Music: Surround yourself with sounds of the season that make you happy. Music is the soundtrack of our lives. Set up your music system in your home to play music that sets the mood for whatever you intend to have happened during that time.
Smells: Scent is the most powerful memory inducer for human beings. As often as possible, through either the use of candles, baking, (which it also works with cookies from a package in the refrigerator section at the supermarket) room sprays or potpourri, surround yourself in your home with smells that make you happy. This is a low cost way to boost the mood of everyone in your home
Gifts: Decide this year what’s important to you as a family in terms of gift giving. One of my favorite families, (my god family, who as a child I spent Christmas with every year) always set a price limit to what it they would spend on each member of the family. The challenge with that is that sometimes you want to get someone something that costs more than the budget. I know it’s unromantic, but you might want to ask the people in your world what they want for the holidays. If it’s something big, everyone can go in on it together. If someone says they want nothing, ask again, and then believe them. One of the best gifts you can give anyone is your love, support and appreciation for everything they have done for you.
Appreciation: Make a list of all of the things that someone has provided for you in your world, and put that on a holiday card. Let people know that their time and attention is appreciated.
The People: Invite people to your home whom you like. Have each member of your family make a list of all of the people that have been most supportive and loving over the past year. Compare that list to a list of the people that are most important to them to have in their world next year. First, invite those people who are on both lists, and then use the holidays as an opportunity to spend time with those who are worthy of your time and attention. When people know they are there because they are wanted, and not by obligation, everyone wins.
Turn your holiday “have to’s” into holiday “get to’s”, as in, I get to have the holiday season that works in my world.
I wish you a happy, healthy, beautiful holiday season 2009. Namaste.
Monday, September 21, 2009
My Today's Special poem for September 09
As I begin my 24 hour day of my final today's special for this decade, and yes, we have been consistantly on Home Shopping Network through this entire decade, I am aware of how blessed and grateful I am to be able to be invited into the homes of millions of women. I share this with you in print and will share it from my heart on HSN this evening. I hope your first day of Fall is magical!
"This first day of Fall
With the weather getting colder
How lucky for us
Fall colors are bolder
Like leaves on the trees
It’s time for transition
With our 2 piece pant set
An outfit with a mission
for you to look great
and mix and match back
To our 5 other new collections
All easy to pack
We’ve got purples and reds,
Browns and greys
Your find something special to wear
On each of your days
So with our final Todays Special before 2010
I thank you for inviting me
into your homes again."
"This first day of Fall
With the weather getting colder
How lucky for us
Fall colors are bolder
Like leaves on the trees
It’s time for transition
With our 2 piece pant set
An outfit with a mission
for you to look great
and mix and match back
To our 5 other new collections
All easy to pack
We’ve got purples and reds,
Browns and greys
Your find something special to wear
On each of your days
So with our final Todays Special before 2010
I thank you for inviting me
into your homes again."
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Quick Criteria for Decision Making
With all of the demands on our time and attention, I think it is important to have a template through which, to make decisions on where to spend these most valuable resources. Here is mine, and it has worked incredibly well for years:
Will it be good for me?, Will it be fun?, and Does it matter?
If the answer to any of these is yes, you may want to accept the invitation to spend your energy there. If the answer to all 3 is "no", I invite you to find something else to fill that space.
Have fun with these and let me know how they work for you. Happy choosing!
Will it be good for me?, Will it be fun?, and Does it matter?
If the answer to any of these is yes, you may want to accept the invitation to spend your energy there. If the answer to all 3 is "no", I invite you to find something else to fill that space.
Have fun with these and let me know how they work for you. Happy choosing!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
The powerful shift from member of a group to part of the community
I just got back from the National Speakers Association annual convention in Phoenix. AZ. This is my tenth convention and to have the opportunity to play with a group of people who are amazing and more outgoing than I am, is a blast….and very noisy!
Having attended this convention many times, I have an awareness of what it is to be a full fledged member of this organization, and I participated as such. I have spoken at this convention several times, first in 2005 at the convention in Atlanta, where I got to speak to the youth program. And again, last year, in 2008 I was invited to present a breakout session in NYC. These opportunities came after years of attending these meetings, and getting to know some of the people who make these meetings happen.
This time, however, was different. As an attendee, during the convention and culminating with the CPAE (hall of fame) dinner awards banquet, I noticed a powerful and emotionally moving shift.
How the awards dinner works, is they have someone from the organization who knows the hall of fame recipient, introduced them, give their bio, and then finally announced the name of the recipient. This year there were five.
As I sat in the audience at my table with people, six of whom I knew and 3 who were new to me, I watched Scott McKain and Patricia Fripp, two members of the fall of fame, M.C. the event and bring on stage the people to introduce the inductees. As each of the introducers came out I knew who they were. Over the past 10 or so years, I have had contact with each of the introducers at some point.
Then something even better happened, in their description of the nominee, even before the names were read I knew who they were. I had a connection with each of them at some point during the past many years. To my surprise one of them, Terry Brock, is a good friend of mine and my heart pounded and leapt for joy, seeing him receive this incredible, well-deserved and distinguished honor.
So not only was this a memorable night and a memorable convention for the people on that stage getting that award, I felt as if the “family” and community that NSA prides themselves to be for me become a reality. As an adult I have always said that your friends become the family you choose. It's interesting to me how, after so many years of being a member of an organization, I am now a part of the community. It feels warm, inclusive, an incredibly supportive… and who couldn’t use more of that in the world.
I want to invite you to choose an organization or a group that is in alignment with who you are and what you believe in. Invest the time and energy that it takes to become a part of the community. The gift you will receive is that every time you’re with them, you get to go “home”.
Having attended this convention many times, I have an awareness of what it is to be a full fledged member of this organization, and I participated as such. I have spoken at this convention several times, first in 2005 at the convention in Atlanta, where I got to speak to the youth program. And again, last year, in 2008 I was invited to present a breakout session in NYC. These opportunities came after years of attending these meetings, and getting to know some of the people who make these meetings happen.
This time, however, was different. As an attendee, during the convention and culminating with the CPAE (hall of fame) dinner awards banquet, I noticed a powerful and emotionally moving shift.
How the awards dinner works, is they have someone from the organization who knows the hall of fame recipient, introduced them, give their bio, and then finally announced the name of the recipient. This year there were five.
As I sat in the audience at my table with people, six of whom I knew and 3 who were new to me, I watched Scott McKain and Patricia Fripp, two members of the fall of fame, M.C. the event and bring on stage the people to introduce the inductees. As each of the introducers came out I knew who they were. Over the past 10 or so years, I have had contact with each of the introducers at some point.
Then something even better happened, in their description of the nominee, even before the names were read I knew who they were. I had a connection with each of them at some point during the past many years. To my surprise one of them, Terry Brock, is a good friend of mine and my heart pounded and leapt for joy, seeing him receive this incredible, well-deserved and distinguished honor.
So not only was this a memorable night and a memorable convention for the people on that stage getting that award, I felt as if the “family” and community that NSA prides themselves to be for me become a reality. As an adult I have always said that your friends become the family you choose. It's interesting to me how, after so many years of being a member of an organization, I am now a part of the community. It feels warm, inclusive, an incredibly supportive… and who couldn’t use more of that in the world.
I want to invite you to choose an organization or a group that is in alignment with who you are and what you believe in. Invest the time and energy that it takes to become a part of the community. The gift you will receive is that every time you’re with them, you get to go “home”.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Giving Birth to a New Website
It may seem strange to position launching a new website: http://www.carolynstrauss.com/ as "giving birth" but when I thought about it, here were some similarities that showed up. First, we (my support team) began discussing creating a new site about a year ago. Next, we "conceived" the template, style and concept about 9 months ago.
The first three months gave me morning sickness, each time I sat at the computer to envision this site, what pages it needed, what styles it should have, what I keep from the old one, how do we upload stuff... (Hey, have I mentioned that one should always know her/ his strengths and weaknesses, and a huge weakness of mine... technology!) so I would feel sick until I figured out a piece.
Then it was about 3 months of just plugging away, not obsessing, just working on it piece by piece. And seeing tiny changes every day.
Then the final and past 3 months I got REALLY uncomfortable. I had to COMMIT to this design, which buttons to keep and which to lose, which quotes and which pictures go where, who's testimonials go on which page, do I even include this blog in the site, and how do we do that? ... on and on. My temper even got short with my "team" as I wanted something and I wanted it "now"....
Until last night, at 10:05 p.m. on July 15th. After the months of agony and joy and fear and excitement.... there it was. Live. On line for the world to see.
OK, so maybe I'm being a little dramatic, maybe I'm overstating things a bit, but I'm excited to see how this new website grows in the world, and changes with time, and has an effect on those who visit. And to that end, I say "Welcome".
The first three months gave me morning sickness, each time I sat at the computer to envision this site, what pages it needed, what styles it should have, what I keep from the old one, how do we upload stuff... (Hey, have I mentioned that one should always know her/ his strengths and weaknesses, and a huge weakness of mine... technology!) so I would feel sick until I figured out a piece.
Then it was about 3 months of just plugging away, not obsessing, just working on it piece by piece. And seeing tiny changes every day.
Then the final and past 3 months I got REALLY uncomfortable. I had to COMMIT to this design, which buttons to keep and which to lose, which quotes and which pictures go where, who's testimonials go on which page, do I even include this blog in the site, and how do we do that? ... on and on. My temper even got short with my "team" as I wanted something and I wanted it "now"....
Until last night, at 10:05 p.m. on July 15th. After the months of agony and joy and fear and excitement.... there it was. Live. On line for the world to see.
OK, so maybe I'm being a little dramatic, maybe I'm overstating things a bit, but I'm excited to see how this new website grows in the world, and changes with time, and has an effect on those who visit. And to that end, I say "Welcome".
Sunday, June 28, 2009
The passing of people I honor
This has been an exceptional week. Beginning with Ed McMahon, then Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson and tonight hearing that my personal friend Billy Mays has also left this lifetime, my heart breaks. Not that when anyone leaves it isn't sad, it is, however, these people all touched my life in different ways and each brings a sense of completion of an era to my world.
Each of us touches one another on some level. And, through the experiences we have our memories are tied to people, places and times in our lives. Ed McMahon put me to sleep many nights with his friend Johnny Carson for decades, including many of my years in NYC.
No young woman of my era didn't have the "Farrah" feathered hair, and we all wanted to be that "bright" and glamorous. Her persona defined beauty for an entire generation of young women and young men. I didn't know one boy who didn't have the "Farrah" poster in the red bathing suit on his wall. Legendary.
Michael Jackson defined the 70's and 80's with the most innovative videos, dance moves and albums that have ever influenced a generation. The talent that man possessed is and will most likely be unsurpassed forever. And his personal life gave millions of people hours of interesting conversation. How many other people can be credited with creating a topic of conversation that never got boring?
And then there is my personal friend, Billy Mays. The man was a gentleman, handsome, charming, brilliantly talented as a pitchman and showman. Mostly though, when you asked him about his family, his eyes and face would light up, and that smile would melt anyone's heart.
Tonight my heart breaks at the loss of Billy, mostly for his family who know that they were the light of his life and the motivation for everything he did.
My lesson from all of the "loss" this week is this. Enjoy today, do the best you can do with what you have, aspire to contribute all you can, and be grateful for every moment because you never know when the moments will end. Namaste.
Each of us touches one another on some level. And, through the experiences we have our memories are tied to people, places and times in our lives. Ed McMahon put me to sleep many nights with his friend Johnny Carson for decades, including many of my years in NYC.
No young woman of my era didn't have the "Farrah" feathered hair, and we all wanted to be that "bright" and glamorous. Her persona defined beauty for an entire generation of young women and young men. I didn't know one boy who didn't have the "Farrah" poster in the red bathing suit on his wall. Legendary.
Michael Jackson defined the 70's and 80's with the most innovative videos, dance moves and albums that have ever influenced a generation. The talent that man possessed is and will most likely be unsurpassed forever. And his personal life gave millions of people hours of interesting conversation. How many other people can be credited with creating a topic of conversation that never got boring?
And then there is my personal friend, Billy Mays. The man was a gentleman, handsome, charming, brilliantly talented as a pitchman and showman. Mostly though, when you asked him about his family, his eyes and face would light up, and that smile would melt anyone's heart.
Tonight my heart breaks at the loss of Billy, mostly for his family who know that they were the light of his life and the motivation for everything he did.
My lesson from all of the "loss" this week is this. Enjoy today, do the best you can do with what you have, aspire to contribute all you can, and be grateful for every moment because you never know when the moments will end. Namaste.
Monday, June 1, 2009
HSN New Sizing Initiative begins June 1
Today begins the HSN new sizing initiative where HSN has changed the sizing to accomodate sizes 0-18 in Missy sizing. The new size chart for the Missy sizing looks like this:
Missy: XS (0/2); S (4/6); M (8/10); L (12/14); XL (16/18)
Please check the sizing chart to be sure you order your correct size going forward!
As for our June Today's Special which airs tonight beginning at 12 a.m. Eastern, here is the poem... with love, Carolyn
The Today's Special dress and 4 collections for June
How amazing that Summer has shown up so soon
Our colors this month are a rainbow plus black
In styles that look great from the front and the back
With a fly away cardigan in prints so new
You'll spend mere pennies per wear and be your most beautiful you
We resized our patterns to include XLarge and Xsmall
An HSN initiative so we can better serve you all
We're grateful your watching and know you are smart
We invite you and hope you will refer to the new sizing chart
Missy: XS (0/2); S (4/6); M (8/10); L (12/14); XL (16/18)
Please check the sizing chart to be sure you order your correct size going forward!
As for our June Today's Special which airs tonight beginning at 12 a.m. Eastern, here is the poem... with love, Carolyn
The Today's Special dress and 4 collections for June
How amazing that Summer has shown up so soon
Our colors this month are a rainbow plus black
In styles that look great from the front and the back
With a fly away cardigan in prints so new
You'll spend mere pennies per wear and be your most beautiful you
We resized our patterns to include XLarge and Xsmall
An HSN initiative so we can better serve you all
We're grateful your watching and know you are smart
We invite you and hope you will refer to the new sizing chart
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Social Media and Diet
So I spent today with David Nour www.relationshipeconomics.net at the Rocky Mountain Meeting Planners International (MPI) meeting, learning from him about using Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter to build my business. This is the second time I have taken an intensive training from David... and I HIGHLY recommend it!
I had one huge "aha" moment. That was for me that people are the most valuable element in the universe. Time and Attention are the most valuable assets, but people are the juice, the air and the sustenance. So I ask, are you attracting the people who are healthy, supportive and good for you and your business?
Social networking is like the big cocktail party, you can meet and talk to many people, but who do you want to have call you the next day and thank you for coming? I think that is the game, to find those people who appreciate what you have to offer, and to be open to receiving the "nutrients" they bring to your world. Good luck and happy connecting!
I had one huge "aha" moment. That was for me that people are the most valuable element in the universe. Time and Attention are the most valuable assets, but people are the juice, the air and the sustenance. So I ask, are you attracting the people who are healthy, supportive and good for you and your business?
Social networking is like the big cocktail party, you can meet and talk to many people, but who do you want to have call you the next day and thank you for coming? I think that is the game, to find those people who appreciate what you have to offer, and to be open to receiving the "nutrients" they bring to your world. Good luck and happy connecting!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
How You Show Up....
I just got back from BC Canada after presenting to a group on bright, talented, highly acclaimed people who were open, and challenging to the points I presented. How wonderful to be in that space with so much enthusiasm and talent. I was thinking about doing "presentation training" as a follow up with several of the members, and I thought, what is the one secret for being "the speaker" in the room.
What I came up with is this..... Always be the person in the room who wants to be there the most. If you show up with that.... others will want to be there with you.
What I came up with is this..... Always be the person in the room who wants to be there the most. If you show up with that.... others will want to be there with you.
Monday, April 6, 2009
12th Anniversary on HSN
Well, I'm off to HSN to celebrate 12 years of bringing wonderful, USA made clothing to the women of America. Who would have guessed that my realtionship with one of the most successful corporations in America would last so long... and so it seems, is thriving.
I wish everyone the opportunity to work with people they like and companies they trust. I got really lucky.
See you on April 8, 2009 through out the day on HSN.
I wish everyone the opportunity to work with people they like and companies they trust. I got really lucky.
See you on April 8, 2009 through out the day on HSN.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Elle B Willson is DYNAMIC at the Highline Ballroom
On Monday night, I got to be in and experience a DREAM of my friend, Elle B Willson. I was sitting at the Highline Ballroom in NYC with 250 other people, friends, family, fans and music industry people, who all got to share a very special evening with an amazingly talented artist. Elle B's voice, soulful lyrics and range of styles made the 90 minute CD release concert and celebration fly by!
For anyone who wants to hear wonderful music, and support an artist who through hard work and determination made her music dream a reality, I invite you to go to www.ellebwillson.com and check it out. Pick up a copy of her just released CD, "Just Me", and enjoy!
For anyone who wants to hear wonderful music, and support an artist who through hard work and determination made her music dream a reality, I invite you to go to www.ellebwillson.com and check it out. Pick up a copy of her just released CD, "Just Me", and enjoy!
Friday, February 27, 2009
My post to the Rocky Mountain News Blog as the paper disappears
As we say goodbye to yet another hometown newspaper which has been in business just 55 days short of its 150th birthday, this is a sad day; and we are entering a dangerous age. Television is going digital, meaning should the digital signal become "compromised", access to information will be unavailable, and getting "around the system" to make it work becomes impossible. Newspapers have been the free-market dissemination of information for over 150 years and now the "free" part of that is also being compromised, as choice by readers is being taken away.
I fear with the absence of balanced, competitive journalism, the public will be spoon fed only that which the "powers that be" deem appropriate, and keeping people in the dark is the first step to controlling behaviors, decisions and free will.
This is not the "promise" of the bright future we discussed as kids in the then wonderful public school system.
My heart goes out to all who have spent their careers as print journalists at the News, and I wish you blessings and opportunities that continue to provide you a voice in this city and this world. Namaste.
I fear with the absence of balanced, competitive journalism, the public will be spoon fed only that which the "powers that be" deem appropriate, and keeping people in the dark is the first step to controlling behaviors, decisions and free will.
This is not the "promise" of the bright future we discussed as kids in the then wonderful public school system.
My heart goes out to all who have spent their careers as print journalists at the News, and I wish you blessings and opportunities that continue to provide you a voice in this city and this world. Namaste.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
A story to remind us to stop and breathe
PEARLS BEFORE BREAKFAST
A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.
Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried, but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk at their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million.Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats averaged $100.This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people.One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?
Adapted from a fuller article by Gene WeingartenWashington Post Staff WriterSunday, April 8, 2007; Page W10(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR200704...)
- Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it?
- Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?
A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.
Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried, but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk at their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million.Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats averaged $100.This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people.One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?
Adapted from a fuller article by Gene WeingartenWashington Post Staff WriterSunday, April 8, 2007; Page W10(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR200704...)
- Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it?
- Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?
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