The Joy Factor

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For the Love of Learning

Posted by on September 22, 2011 · 2 Comments 

• philomathy •

 

Pronunciation: fi-lah-me-thee                                                                                                                    

Part of Speech: Noun

Meaning: The love of learning.

Notes: dating back to the end of the 16th century. Its family includes an adjective, philomathic or philomathical and an adverb philomathically.  (Thanks to Dr. Goodword.  www.alphadictionary.com)

“Personally I’m always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught.” —Sir Winston Churchill

Neither of my parents loved their jobs; they worked out of duty and responsibility.  Nor could they understand how seduced and enthralled I was by design. My college years fueled me, and I recounted the connections, the ah-has, the gleanings at the dinner table most nights.

I have been fed, spiritually and professionally, by my life’s work.

To this day, I do my best work—indeed, my best living—when I am learning. With each client, an interesting conversation, a lecture or film, every book. . . opportunities abound. I am philomathic!

At TEDxAtlanta this week, I heard some mighty fine music, and 18 minutes from nine speakers who are experts in their field, all of whom have found something unique, some new take, or a spark that led to a new application or outcome. Each provocative and compelling.

Once home, I stared into space for a while, then phoned to cancel my evening plans. I’d had as much pleasure as I could take in for one day—like eating, and not being able to take another bite.

I feel such gratitude for my ability to think, feel and understand. The willingness to give what Dr. Rita Charon called “exquisite attention” to people who have such passion for their noble work, inspires me to listen more, do good, and be better.

Oh! How I love learning.

Carpe diem

Rebecca

If you haven’t  discovered TED.com, don’t wait another minute. Go there NOW and watch this: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight.html

Then watch http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html

Then,  pick something—anything— at random, even something you think may not be interesting, and expect to be wowed.

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Missing Miss Kitty

Posted by on June 20, 2011 · 3 Comments 

Think of Amanda Blake’s role at the saloon on Gunsmoke – pretty, kind, firm and no-nonsense: that’s Miss Kitty.

She went out to play Thursday afternoon, and didn’t come home that night. Or Friday, or Saturday. Nor Sunday or Monday.  I put notices on the neighborhood message boards, asked friends to hold the vision of her return, and tried not to fret. Cats do these things, sometimes.

There were moments of imagining the worst, then of knowing she was fine.  Moments of intense longing, and wishing.

Finally, she came bolting in, mewling loudly, demanding food and water. I filled her bowls, and waited for her to tell me about her five-day adventure.  But noooooo. No explanation. No apology.

I tried to be at least a little ticked at her, but wasn’t able to. My friend Christina said of four-leggeds: “ . . . they know not the ultimate depths of how they touch us… which may be part of the charm they hold.”

Dictionaries say joy is “great happiness,” which I think of as a big emotion. But what I love most is her rubbing up against my ankle, or nestling against my side or my neck on the sofa. Sliding under the covers to curl up in the crook of my knee or at my feet as I sleep. Her purr after she dines or when I scratch her neck. My elation at her homecoming was somewhat short-lived, yielding quickly to the simple pleasure of her presence, her company, her touch.  Is there something smaller than “great happiness” but equally as grand? As important?

I don’t know what it’s called, but every day Miss Kitty brings me sustainable, consistent, unadulterated joy. I’m glad and grateful that she’s home, and I think she feels the same way. She’s been stuck to me like Velcro ever since.

Purrrrrrrrrrrr. Purrrrrrrrrrrr.

Carpe diem

Rebecca

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Are You “The One”?

Posted by on January 25, 2011 · 2 Comments 

My sister always says, “You never know when you’ll meet ‘The One.” You know, the one person who can introduce you to the CEO you want as a client, or the celebrity you want to meet, or the person who’ll give you your dream job…you get the picture. Until last week, my favorite story about that was when I met a young man at a conference who wanted a job with the Florida Panthers hockey team and he told the event speaker about it. From the stage, the speaker mentioned his desire. A hand went up in the audience, “I babysit for the owner of the Panthers.” Wow.

That was my favorite story until…

I’m at Starbucks ordering a latte. In front of me is a man trying to figure out what to order. Me, being the friendly girl I am, I offer a couple of suggestions and we start chatting. He says he’s an artist and avoids caffeine when he’s working. “It makes me jittery too,” I tell him. What type of art?” I ask.  “I’m a photographer,” I ask for more details. “I photograph people mostly,” he says. Still curious, again I ask for more “Well, he says, I’m the photographer for Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band.” My heart stopped. OMG, here, right in front of me — “The One.”

You see, I don’t just like Bruce Springsteen, I’ve been a crazy fan for years. I travel to shows, collect memorabilia, own all the bootlegs! And here’s someone who works for the man we reverently call, “The Bruce.”

Every day people cross your path. Every day there’s the opportunity to connect with “strangers,” people who have the power to bring your dreams to life.

Today treat each person you meet as if they are “The One.” Make a decision to connect with people, to say hello, to chat, to share yourself and share your joy. It’s a small world and when you treat it that way, magic happens!  Oh, yes, the photographer and I are staying in touch. I’ve got another “The One” yet to meet…

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Are You "The One"?

Posted by on January 25, 2011 · 2 Comments 

My sister always says, “You never know when you’ll meet ‘The One.” You know, the one person who can introduce you to the CEO you want as a client, or the celebrity you want to meet, or the person who’ll give you your dream job…you get the picture. Until last week, my favorite story about that was when I met a young man at a conference who wanted a job with the Florida Panthers hockey team and he told the event speaker about it. From the stage, the speaker mentioned his desire. A hand went up in the audience, “I babysit for the owner of the Panthers.” Wow.

That was my favorite story until…

I’m at Starbucks ordering a latte. In front of me is a man trying to figure out what to order. Me, being the friendly girl I am, I offer a couple of suggestions and we start chatting. He says he’s an artist and avoids caffeine when he’s working. “It makes me jittery too,” I tell him. What type of art?” I ask.  “I’m a photographer,” I ask for more details. “I photograph people mostly,” he says. Still curious, again I ask for more “Well, he says, I’m the photographer for Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band.” My heart stopped. OMG, here, right in front of me — “The One.”

You see, I don’t just like Bruce Springsteen, I’ve been a crazy fan for years. I travel to shows, collect memorabilia, own all the bootlegs! And here’s someone who works for the man we reverently call, “The Bruce.”

Every day people cross your path. Every day there’s the opportunity to connect with “strangers,” people who have the power to bring your dreams to life.

Today treat each person you meet as if they are “The One.” Make a decision to connect with people, to say hello, to chat, to share yourself and share your joy. It’s a small world and when you treat it that way, magic happens!  Oh, yes, the photographer and I are staying in touch. I’ve got another “The One” yet to meet…

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The Flip Side of Negativity

Posted by on January 6, 2011 · Leave a Comment 

I don’t know about you but I will often make a certain situation ‘wrong’, ‘hard’ or ‘negative’. It’s a natural thing that when I feel challenged – there must be something wrong.

Recently I began doing an exercise that has been monumental when it comes to my translating a circumstance. When I feel a pull to judge what’s happening as negative, I now ask myself.. Is it REALLY negative or am I just saying it is because it’s unfamiliar and I don’t know what else to call it. What if it were a blessing? What if it were a life lesson and I am poo pooing all over it because it’s foreign or maybe even too familiar? Because there ARE those times when some things occur over and over again and we say.. This is ridiculous, and feel you like a victim of a constant reoccurring episode.

For instance, I have a family member who is very good at pushing my buttons. They have been doing so for many years in many upsetting ways. When this happens, every ounce of growth I have accumulated over my lifetime goes out the window. I yell, I blame, I may even use profanity. Now to the naked eye this looks like a ‘bad’ thing. But what if I were to turn this situation into a positive thing. (how the heck do you do that you say?)

What if I were to say, look at this wonderful opportunity I have to evolve. How could I have ever done this without this person in my life to show me who I am in the face of adversity. What a gift.

With that said, I seem to calm down, and embrace the situation with love and gentleness. Not always, but more and more. And the results benefit all involved.

Take a look at the flip side of negativity. See what lies before you as a gift.

Happy New Year

Enthusiastically,
Fran

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