NICK'S GRADUATION DAY

     Today we honor Nick, class valedictorian, exceptional student, school leader, and dedicated athlete. This is his day. We've watched him relax into his gifts over the last four years, and come to understand him in new ways and with deep appreciation. Nick has distinguished himself in every way possible and earned the respect of his teachers, his peers, and his family. He is a young man I am proud to know.
     Congratulations, Nick! This is just the beginning. :)

I love my son and celebrate his high school graduation.

DEALING WITH UNREASONABLE PEOPLE

     People do not always behave the way they should, and some are unpredictable and difficult by nature- by nature of their mentality or possibly their circumstances. We are triggered into drama and defense and disbelief. How can they behave that way? We wonder. How can they be so inappropriate, so off-base, so out-of-line and out-of-touch? And yet, our wondering leads us nowhere. They simply do what they do and behave the way they behave, and all we can do is experience the ride and observe our instinct to get caught up and pulled out of whack, and then make the choice not to.
     As a general rule, things are not nearly as complicated as we think they are. We cannot control other people so we don't have to try. We can set boundaries and make choices. It's always up to us. We can choose the adrenalin rush of creating a tornado, or we can sit back and let the drama unfold around us. It's the difference between standing outside with a lightning rod during a thunderstorm, or taking cover and watching the show.

I allow others their right to insanity, but do not have to participate. I remember that I have a choice.

SIENNA'S GRADUATION DAY

     Our beautiful daughter, Sienna, graduates from high school today, with distinction and grace. We are all gathered to witness her transition and to applaud her achievements: the family personalities. May we all be graceful as well, and patient, and accepting of our heightened emotions.
     The day is not about us. It's about Sienna. It's about honoring the passage from youth to burgeoning adulthood of a small, fiercely determined girl with creative genius, extraordinary physical beauty, and wisdom beyond her years. It's a celebration of who she is and her journey to this moment.
     Congratulations, Sienna! You are some kind of wonderful!!! :)

I love my daughter and celebrate her achievements in life.

BEING COMPETITIVE

     I am competitive by nature and I like to dig deep inside myself and engage everything I have and all of my heart to give whatever is in front of me my best shot. And if I come out on top, what glory! And if I do not, I still feel good, and my own kind of victorious, because I didn't hold back. I left nothing in reserve.

     We get so focused on the "win," the achievement, the goal, and the destination, that we lose sight of the greater experience. It's not so much about the win as it is about the all out effort and the feeling of stretching beyond our previous limits. We are bigger than we thought, and stronger, and full of passion beyond our wildest dreams.

In competition, I give everything I've got. I'm a good sport, and I have fun. With that formula, no matter the end result, I win every time. 

TECHNOLOGICAL DEPENDENCY

     Having our kids watch television while driving in the car is convenient in the sense that they are distracted and quiet and do not pester us with questions or conversation. But what they are not learning is how to look out the window at the wonderful and curious world that is passing by... the other cars and people and stores and streets and houses and fields and signs. They are not learning to be observant and aware. Instead, we are teaching them technological dependency. Is that the best that we can do?

I engage with my children during car rides. We see things and share our observations and appreciate the world around us.

INTERPRETING LIFE

     How we feel on the inside is how we experience the world on the outside. If we are fearful, everything is scary, and if we are full of love it's beautiful. It's a true statement that we don't see things as they are, but as we are. Depending on out outlook, a rainy day can be cozy, or fun, or it can ruin our life. It's not one thing or the other in reality. It's just raining. We impose the meaning of our choosing; we slap it on like a packaging label: good, bad, miraculous, unfair...
     Let's consider the way we interpret our experience, and recognize that we can choose to experience it differently at any time. Let's make a regular reality check and be willing to change our minds.

My take on life is up to me. I can choose neutrality or negativity, optimism or despair.

THE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY

      We must seize our opportunities if we want them, because secure as they might seem in the moment, they may never return.We think we can come back, re-visit, re-do. We think that we can be better prepared. We figure that when conditions aren't quite perfect enough, or if we don't feel like it for whatever reason, that we will take advantage the next time around...
     But there may be no next time. We needn't be reckless, but we do need to be realistic. We need to see our windows and make the careful decision to open them, or not.

I appreciate my daily opportunities and do not take them for granted.