Show Me the Beef!

Over the course of nine months, I have made an investment in learning about Social Media. Some hands on (I have a twitter account @tishpiper and Tweet for other concerns) and done some Facebook for a non-profit and chocolate company. Yet I have this nagging feeling that I am just plain too old to get it or, for that matter, be able to successfully engage with the new media. That nagging stems from some Tweetups and the general age group involved with SM.

But wait ... I have to admit that I learned how to use a slide rule before calculators were readily available, yet I still think I am viable in today's world of nanotechnology, device deluge and apps for this and that. Good technology is intuitive and I still possess the ability to think.

So what's the problem? Is the technology of today only understandable by those under 35 years of age? Or are we "older" folks are just getting aced out because of preconceived notions by youth and business that breeds "New is the only good"?

In one Social Media presentation, the speaker had a slide with "No Rules" as the basis for engagement and then gave example after example of how to play by the new rules. Even at my advanced age, I thought how ridiculous.

Really, you have to play the game better and with those who have more savvy and experience before I toss in my towel. Show me the beef! (For those old enough to remember.)

Room For One

Last weekend, I saw the most amazing thing while I was stopped in traffic. A guy in a navy blue, four door sedan of undetermined origin pulled up along side my car and I just glanced in his direction. The car was filled with empty plastic bags!

I mean the entire car with the exception of the driver's seat was filled with plastic shopping bags ... the kind you get in a grocery store kind of plastic. The bags reached over the back seat and spilled onto the back deck. There were some bottles of generic Ginger Ale loose in the mess, but the bags were compressed enough to stay in place. Sunlight was glinting off the bags nestled half way up the door windows.

And, to add to this vision of chaos, there were stacks of newspapers on the dashboard. Only six inches or so ... the guy could still see through the windshield. The newspapers were yellowed with age.

Now, some people's cars are like traveling toilets but this car was the epitome of personal trash collection. What would have to be present in this man's life to surround him with the remains of food shopping excursions?

I had just ordered "Zen to Done: The Ultimate Simple Productivity System" by Leo Babauta and "Unclutter Your Life in One Week" by Erin R. Doland, David Allen. If ever there was a reminder to purge my life of the unnecessary, that car certainly sealed the deal with me.

It Doesn't Take Much Or Does It?

Saturday, I had an amazing conversation with a fellow NLP 'er and we discussed the various aspects of our lives with respect to the power of personal change. Each of us has had some transitions in life that, in retrospect, have turned out to be hidden pearls. By that I mean, situations that were definitely emotionally and mentally challenging, yet over the course of time have created richer and fuller lives.

The adage, "No pain, no gain" comes to mind.

In order to grow and develop, some pulling and parting occurs and can be temporarily devastating for us. The key word is temporarily. We may chose to hang on to that devastation for days, weeks or may make it our permanent condition until we opt for something else. The choice is ours.

Some people may object to that notion, that it is our personal choice, and that outside forces have taken our choice away. Something or someone outside of us has created the havoc and we are blameless victims. That thought only works if you chose it.

You cannot control anything outside of yourself ... and within yourself you have the reserves to control how you chose to respond to life's dilemmas, problems, and pains. Only if you want to.

I suspect that the decision to take charge of our change centers around our ability to embrace it and learn it well. Then move onward.

September Sun

September has always been an enigma for me. Not quite summer but definitely not autumn. A transition month of epic proportions. After removing the back to school thoughts, this month has a certain glow that distinctly makes it retrospective.

My daughter was born in September and that has held moments of total joy for me from the past and with each celebration of her birthday. For the rest of the time, I remember the ripe tomatoes still warm from the sun, the color of roses, the tastes of the herb garden, all slowly passing into the last stages of summer. I am reluctant to let that go each year because the horizon of frost robbing life is expected.

Each September, I struggle with the change of weather which relegates the sandals and flip flops into the recesses of the closet and the restrictive leather of a full shoe pinches toes. Linen lets the cool evening air settle into my bones and fleece jackets ward off the chill. I think "Wasn't it just 90 degrees a few weeks ago?" Where has the time gone? That is what transition does for the mind and the soul.

You cannot grasp a moment and hold it but only in memory. And, as we move closer to the next season, I will hold onto the moments of summer as long as I can.

Six Month Reflection

Half the year is over and a good time to reflect on what has passed thus far. My biggest change has been the ability to live in the present moment however it may appear ... meaning a joyous, sad, troubling, or peaceful moment. I realized that I was spending more time resisting the moment instead of embracing it. That's a lot of energy tied up with avoidance.

When I finally welcomed whatever was happening and what I was feeling, all the stress dissipated and I had a sense of quietness, peaceful acceptance. Someone called it surrender in a conversation last night. I don't like that word surrender because, for me, it means to give up, however, giving up gives a chance for the workings of the universe to prevail. If I orchestrate my life with detail, then I am missing out on a chance for the universe to create one far more powerful, colorful and enjoyable. To surrender to the universe's infinite design, I have a life that is large and not diminished by my narrow vision.

That revelation was tremendous in allowing myself to get unburdened and start living a life that comes with grace and ease. I am still paying bills, working for money, interacting with people and seeing a bigger picture for me. Really marvelous. Yihaaaaaa!

And, I'd like to give thanks to Marilou, Dale and Tom for this one!

The Sounds of Silence ... Maybe Not

It is a perfect summer evening and I am sitting at the keyboard writing and biding time. Why? Salem is a snug little city with history and cramped housing. As each dwelling is situated nearer to its neighboring home than, let's say, an outhouse to the main house, there is a distinct lack of distance and shrubs to deaden a whisper.

Now, comes my neighbor with the Hasbro karaoke entertainment center ... dials turned to the number 10 on all output channels. I suspect he fancies himself a late 60's rock star with a nibble at the 70's. The music raises in crescendo and this thin, flat voice rises from the din. Is that Freebird I hear?

I have shut all the windows on that side of the house in the hope of muffling the noise but despite my hermetic attempts, he is still beamed to my ears via the evening air. I don't begrudge his artistic sense, his strained vocal chords or his flat tone but I value my chi. His dog has now begun to yelp. Ah, he (my neighbor not the dog) has moved onto the mojo rising refrain of Jim Morrison.

Wait, there is a lull in this musical Tet offensive. Is he done? Shhhhh, it's quiet for the moment. Has he blown a fuse, forgotten the lyrics, received a threatening call from a less flexible neighbor? What else can be in store for this magical summer?

The Sun Will Shine Tomorrow

It has been a few months while I figured out how to best weave this blog into my business model. And, then I decided I can have both a personal viewpoint and business blog together. Today's bit of fluff is the weather. Now, I live in New England and as the locals say, "If you don't like this weather, wait a few minutes 'cause it will change." They lie.

It has rained continuously for weeks. There was a brief window for the Jimmy Buffett concert in which fair weather prevailed but that is about it. People are down right depressed, lacking luster and dragging. Where is the sun? We've got global warming and no sun.

I don't like to complain but we need some relief here. I head down to the beach all year long but I haven't made it since spring time. Heck, I'd have to wear my fleece at the shoreline to keep warm. By nature, I am a flexible sort of person but I am treading the fine line of snapping like a mime without a street corner.

In the recesses of my mind, I know that all I have to do is ride this out ... the sun will shine eventually but right now I'm not betting my bottom dollar.

A Little Silence Please

In the mainstream of life, it is noisy out here. TV, radio, birds, cars, wind ... just to mention a few auditory distractions. I am aware that silence is not golden; it is non-existent. I will take a little white noise and focus on the nothing of silence. I suppose if I were that interested in silence I would head out into space.

Learning how to filter out all the noise of life is my intention. Just the sound of me being, whatever that is.

There Comes A Day

There comes a day in winter that hints of spring! A day like today when for a small window, the sun sparkles like gems in the white beach sand and reflects back a warm glow from the melting snow. Although the wind pushes like a hand to your back, you know without a doubt that nature takes one step closer on its circadian journey toward spring.



It's a day unparalleled in the winter of discontent.

The Weather Outside Is Frightful

Can this only be the beginning of February? From the amount of snow, sleet, and freezing temperatures, New England has turned tundra-like in landscape. But what does this kind of weather do to people for an extended period of time?

We are New Englanders and 10 degrees can take on a balmy aspect when the winds don't blow but they have ... unyielding vents of cold, seeping into layers of sweaters, jackets and hats. Bitter beams of pale yellow sunlight, casting vague earthly shadows ... oh, the memory of scorching asphalt through flip flops. Seeking shade instead of heat huddles.

While I personally have not visited a tundra, the intense feeling of being blocked by the elements is evidenced by my perception of a never ending season. And, to add fuel that that non-fire (sorry about mixing metaphors), the economy is also signaling a freezing up of sorts. Getting squeezed into a place of unrestricted fear with no place to run!

Ultimately, in times like this, going inward is the only safe haven. And, by doing that gain the grace to press onward with plans, goals and dreams. Moving forward with new ideas and prospects for a better and warmer tomorrow. No one or thing can take that away unless you give permission.

Ditching The Clutter

With this New Year only days old, I have come to yet another major realization ... time to ditch the clutter. I am talking the things, people and places that no longer have a purpose, place or positive relationship with me. Wow, I feel 10 pounds lighter (and I could use that!).

In reading about limitations people place on themselves, the most common is carrying around the past too prominently in their present. If you cannot ditch the past, then it is in your present life and soon to be in your future. That makes me feel claustrophobic, hemmed in, too heavy.

And, to follow the Laws of Attraction, you just don't have any space for any new thing, person or place to enter your life. I think I will spring clean my life early this year.

Minute By Minute

As I reminisce back to an old Doobie Brothers tune (or at least I think they performed it), daylight is returning minute by minute. I am a definite spring/summer fan but this winning back the daylight is a wonderful challenge. Now, some people may think that I have so little to think or do, but the late afternoon light is a favorite sight. It is visually interesting to me how the slant of light changes as the day presses on through the hours until dusk.

I always recognize this change of light first and not the morning side of day. Perhaps, it is because I am a night owl. Or is it the cusp between the light and dark that fascinates me and creates that moment of stillness? What ever is the driving force, the entire process leaves me sated that all is well with nature.

A Year of Change and More Change

Can it be that change is taking place at breakneck speed and also at a snail's pace? I am not talking parallel universes here but making the observation that some aspects of my life change dramatically and quickly while others seem to languish on and on!

2009 is a pivotal year for me. I am making few New Year's resolutions but the two that I have selected are enough for 12 months of work, fun and grace. After a series of years in introspection, it is time to put those thoughts and notions into action. I get a sense that the train is leaving the station this time and I had better get on board.

As I take a quick look back at 2008, what a ride but no particular direction. This time, it is different ... I have a mission and I am off to make it a reality. The journey has always been in the map book; I just came across the page.