The Power to Act

Archive for May, 2010

It’s been a week since I read about it, but like a song that has captivated your mind, the concept of ‘bright spots’ keeps circling back into my consciousness. I’ve learned over the years that when my mind, like a dog with a bone, holds fast on an idea or a concept, there is something there for me to learn. I was turned on to the new book Switch, by Chip & Dan Heath, by my husband and two friends. With the third invitation, I knew I had to read it but I had no idea how captivating it would be for me.  Like a lone voice calling out in the wilderness of life, I’m so glad that I heard it  and responded to the call.

The book is about how to create change. It is not a Pollyanna practice of only ‘being happy’. Heavens knows that if we could just do that, we would all do it! Its for those who realize that change is inevitable, but growth is optional. According to the Heaths, you reeve-up the engine of change by identifying Read the rest of this entry »

I love the morning; I love those moments between waking and getting out of bed when I feel warm and cocooned.  Today as I opened my eyes, the first rays of morning sun filtered through the opened shutters and I was greeted by the expanse of the morning light filtered through the long, laden branches of old oaks that circle our backyard. A magical morning was unfolding. Fortunately there was no dire reason for me to jump out of bed, so I took a few more relaxing moments to let the beauty of nature nourish me. I was mesmerized by the interplay of sun light with the stately oaks set to the rhythm of a gentle breezes; the dance was graceful, playful and mesmerizing. As I watched I could feel my body come alive and a gentle smile made its way across my face. Bushy tailed gray squirrels were scampering from branch to branch with no real reason other than they could. The birds where chirping and cooing, involved in their own morning musical rituals. In front of me was a painter’s palate overflowing with shades of lush greens, yellows, and sky blues with sunlight twinkling through. As I took in the beauty around me I Read the rest of this entry »

Yesterday I went to dinner with two women friends, Marla and Kym. We had plans to do dinner at the Chelsea Café  in the Museum District, and then attend an art show at the Jung Center. The chatter of women friends, a great table outside on the patio, sumptuous food served up with a cool night breeze provided all the fixings of a gourmet experience. During the meal, however, I felt my energies crashed. A torrent of exhaustion washed over me that was not congruent with the relaxing day that I had created for myself. It was such a beautiful day, that earlier I shelved my plans to do anything that could deem constructive inside the house and instead sat quietly out on my patio, reading and doing absolutely nothing! I was ready for our night of merriment—happily unaware that I  was experiencing the quiet before the storm.

One moment I was up and flitting about and chatting away; and the next moment I looked like a folding chair ready for storage. It took energy to sit up in the chair. At dinner, perceptive as Marla is, she saw the change in my Read the rest of this entry »

Lying in bed before turning off the lights for the night, we frequently preview the next day’s schedule. To our delight Sunday was wide open! It was like finding a forgotten air line ticket to an exotic destination. We could create the day of our dreams! It had been a very busy month and we were both tired. While we always schedule something fun to do each weekend, most of our weekends are consumed with cutting the grass, weeding the flower beds, or just catching up on the work from last week. As we celebrated our good fortune, we also decided to make the best use of our open schedule by not filling the time with more to do’s, but to let the day flow naturally. Like two kids waiting for Christmas morning we went off to bed with thoughts, not of sugar plums, but of hours lost in the Sunday paper with steaming coffee and warm bagels and a leisurely walk along Hershey Park. But none of those things ever happened.

It was around 7 AM and my husband was standing over me. As I began to stir, long before I intended for my eyes to open, I could hear Bruce’s voice. It came as a muffled distraction. “Remember its only money. Don’t get excited, remember to stay calm, there is something I need to tell you, so please wake up.” Why was Bruce speaking to me? What could be so important that he would be attempting to wake me up so early? Then his words took hold in me; Read the rest of this entry »