Las Olas [my poem inspired by the waves at the Rosarito Beach in Mexico]

Greetings all!

Recently a friend invited me to join a group on a weekend trip to Rosarito Beach in Mexico. The location was perfect to unwind and do nothing in the great company (you know who you are – and thank you!!).

 (A friend took this amazing picture!)

Here is a poem I wrote that Sunday afternoon while looking at the waves (las olas in Spanish).

The waves are sneaking upon the sand,

Relentless in their pursuit.

But Time, for a moment, stops its demands

And stands in the sunset, mute.

A glass of Lambrusco reflecting sun...

The salty breeze on my cheek...

And just for a moment - I am no one,

With nothing to hide or seek.

I hope you find some time to relax and unwind this weekend! A glass of Lambrusco might help!

Wacky Packing [Creative travel tips]

Greetings all!

Here are some ingenious ideas from travelers compiled by Laura Daily (Westways AAA magazine - March/April 2018 issue) and readers’ comments in the May 2018 issue. 

There are so many interesting ideas that I will do another post with more travel/packing tips. For now, here is my contribution - doesn't this bag tag make you laugh?

Image from https://www.after5catalog.com/products/bag-tag-dirty-clothes

- Binder clips:

• money clip
• key chain
• smartphone prop
• clothespin
• I think it will also work to close the gaps in hotel curtains (I use a hair clip)!

- Paper clips:

• zipper replacement (I have done that a couple of times - it definitely works!)
• use it to hit a reset button on various electronic devices

- Balloon:

• portable drying rack (drape your clothes over it)

- Empty pill bottles:

• q-tip holder
• change sorter (useful when traveling to multiple countries)
• cash/key holder on the beach
• jewelry (contact lenses storage containers also work!)

- Dental floss (better to use unflavored!):

• thread to reattach a button
• cheese slicer (love this idea!! picnic in Tuscany!!)

- Beach ball:

• footrest on a plane
• headrest on a plane (bring a pillowcase)

- Golf ball:

• sink stopper

My favorite on the list was using dental floss as cheese slicer! What was yours? Do you have any interesting packing tips? Drop me a line!

Juggling Elephants – How to get things done! [Book by Jones Loflin and Todd Musig]

“There are so many things trying to consume our time and energy. Don’t you sometimes feel like the demands are going to squash you?” Sounds familiar?

Greetings all!

I started this post with an excerpt from the book “Juggling Elephants: An Easier Way to Get Your Big, Most important Things Done – Now!” - and what a quick, enjoyable, and useful read!

It is the story of Mark who has “too much to do, too many priorities, too much stress, and too little time.” Mark says, “There is so much to get done that I just can’t seem to give any one area of my life the attention it deserves. Just when I think I’ve made progress by getting one elephant in motion, two more drop to the ground.” Recognize anyone?!

Image from https://www.jugglingelephants.com/

A reluctant visit to the circus with his family, a chance conversation with a wise circus ringmaster, the AHA! Moment – all of this and more is in this lighthearted parable on how to balance the most important things in your life (the typical rings being self, work, and relationship).

Our life might seem like a circus with multiple performances going on simultaneously. We all have important things – some big, some small – that we are constantly juggling. The book gives great tips on “how to run your circus instead of letting the circus run you.”

Here are my favorite book's lessons:

The ringmaster (My note - that's YOU!!!):

• The ringmaster has the greatest impact on the success of the circus.
• The ringmaster cannot be in all three rings at once.
• The ringmaster always reviews the next act before bringing it into the ring.

The acts:

• I need to figure out which ring should I be in at this moment.
• I need to decide what acts I should be focusing on right now.
• Not all acts belong in my circus.
• All acts need to fulfill my purpose.
• The key to the success of the circus is having quality acts in all three rings.
• I need to maintain my efficiency and effectiveness by scheduling major acts at different times.

The performers (My note - that's other important players!!!):

• The relationship between the ringmaster and the performers affects the success of the circus.
• Every member is important and has to be fully engaged on the right acts to make the team successful.
• Constantly offer positive reinforcement for good behavior and consistently give constructive feedback for negative behavior.
• People sometimes need to laugh, relax, and not take themselves so seriously.

Intermission:

• What have you done to improve your performance in one or more of your rings?
• Your circus is only as good as your next performance.
• Intermission is an essential part of creating a better circus performance. 

I loved the book! I found the two questions below very helpful in the balancing act:

1. Does this act belong in my circus?
2. When should this act appear?

What did you think? Drop me a line and “let the performance begin!”

Quote of the week - Success

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. 

Ralph Waldo Emerson