Tidal wave of possibility

How does one start? A tidal wave of possibility, that is. Where does it come from? Is it even real?

The answers are: you, inside and yes.

Think about it. You believe in good. "Good" What it is, it really up to you. But if it is good and you believe in it, your attitude and belief in whatever is good has the potential to grow.

Goodness begets goodness. In the same way that anger and hate begets the same.

What sort of wave you create depends on what type of attitude you chose to have. You might not be able to tell right away, but you effect people. Like it or not. You're not living your life in a bubble. How you act, what you say, your mood and attitude all effect the people around you...see the tidal wave forming?

What sort of wave do you want to create today?

Believe

Sometimes all we can ask for is to believe.

If we stop believing, no matter what it is, then does it really matter? Does it really mean anything?

If we don't believe in each other, then we might as well all just live alone. If we don't believe in what we're doing, then we might as well stop doing it.

Belief makes us human. It gives us purpose. Everything we believe in is part of who we are. Whether it be religion, reason, love, hope – all the things you put weight in craft your outlook. They form your perspective.

It's that time of year when everyone talks believing in things both real and fictional. Santa Claus, elves, reindeer, even baby Jesus. So it stands to reason that we should reflect on what we truly believe in. Whatever it is – believe the heck out of it.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

We're only human

I've wondered a number of times in my life how I got to where I am. What had to happen to get me here? We all go through it and what I've concluded is we're all connected. We effect the future of those around us, and like it or not, it's not always in a positive way.

What we can remind ourselves is that every interaction is an opportunity to do something good. No. It's not always possible. But more times than not, being a shit head to someone for no reason can be controlled. It's the random acts of kindness that could be the difference in a stranger's life. Easy enough, right?

Don't be a shit head for no good reason.

Our personal lives are a different story. Family, dear friends, coworkers – we're stuck with these people. You can't get away. Sure, you can walk away when you're in a bad mood, or turn a deaf ear when they start to crab at you – but before how much damage is already done? It's these people we need to be the most sensitive to.

It's give and take. You're right. You can't be in a good mood all the time. What I'm saying is, it's possible not to take your bad mood out on the people around you. It's possible not to bring them down with you. It's possible to take their love and support without heaping your grief and sorrow upon them.

At the end of the day, all we have is each other. And maybe. Just maybe. We're all closer than we think.

"We have all been hurt, and we have all cried. Each one of us knows how it feels to love someone dearly. No matter what our political views are, we all love to laugh. Regardless of how much or how little money we have, our hearts pump blood through our bodies in the same way. With all this in common, it is clear we are each individual members of the same family. We are human."

Deep shit...I know. Don't you just love it?

Happy Thursday!

Fear and forgive

"A leap can be exceedingly difficult for individuals with control issues because the act of embracing uncertainty requires them to trust that surrender will net them the rewards they seek."

How many times do you stop yourself from doing something you've wanted to do? Why? Because you were scared? You didn't trust in yourself and your decisions? I'm guilty of it. I know we all are guilty in some way. And although you can't change the past and the ease the pain that making the wrong decision inflicts on your heart and soul, you can move forward with the intention of never letting it happen again.

Fear can be a debilitating feeling. At least that's how many of us are programed to respond to it. We fear all kinds of things for all kinds of reasons. It's fear that holds us in place and stagnates our ability to grow as people. It's fear that keeps us from making decisions that are scary or abnormal. It's fear that prevents us from following our heart and instincts. It's fear that tells us no and plants doubt in the exact place where you desperately go seeking reassurance.

So, where does that leave us? Besides drowning is a sea of uncertainty and regret?

Everyday is an opportunity to move forward. It's an chance to change and grow stronger. It's also a chance to learn how to forgive yourself. If you can't forgive yourself, then who will? If you can't learn to forgive yourself, your past will eat you alive and the fear will never leave.

Instead of reflecting on this post as a total debbie downer, maybe look at it as a little nudge. Maybe look at it as inspiration to overcome your fear and do something about it. Even a little risk can reap big rewards.

Cherish time

The other day I was trying to figure out how to schedule the next couple months of our life. It's hard to divide the days equally. It's hard to do everything you want to do when you want to do it. But what I have realized is that days mean nothing. Time means everything.

It shouldn't matter what day you see a person. What matters, what really matters, is the time you spend with them. Maybe it's only a short lunch or a quick coffee, but if that's all you can do then why not make it time well spent? Cherish it. Enjoy it.

Memories can be incredible no matter what day they happen. Usually, it's the unexpected days that turn into the best. It becomes this beautiful memory you weren't even trying to make.

Concentrate on giving time to someone you love. Even if it's a little bit at a time. It shouldn't matter when it happens. What should matter is what you do with that time. So do something with it already.

True that

"What most people need to learn in life is how to love people and use things, instead of using people and loving things."

written or spoken by someone, no doubt, very wise. Sadly, most people will never learn this lesson.

Friday

I woke up this morning at 6:15. What? I got up. Ate breakfast. Got to work on time. I felt rested. I was relaxed. I was ready to take on the day for one reason and one reason only...it was Friday.

Everything is easier on Fridays. It's like the last 100 meters of a race. No matter how tired you were with 150 meters left, somehow, somewhere you find the energy to sprint to the finish line. (And then you die, but that's not important.) Right now, what's important is that it's Friday.

And it's pay day!!! Bonus. (Well, no. No actual bonus. Just the same paycheck I get on the 15th and the last day of every month. Do bonuses even exist anymore?)

I think Friday is like a drug. It makes everything seem ok. It makes everything seem possible. Maybe it's the fact that tomorrow I get a rest. Friday - sure, I'll put in my time. Do my work. Get done what needs getting done. Tomorrow? I'm the boss. And being the boss is sweet!

Happy Friday! What are you doing to celebrate?

Oreos

I've noticed that the ads that appear on my page try to tailor themselves according to the content on my page. I mentioned the word cancer and greeting cards a couple of posts ago and all of a sudden I think my blog thinks I'm dying. So in an effort to have some more relevant and happy ads pop up on my page, I thought I would use this blog to pepper in some more interesting words like – Eiffel Tower, Venice, Italy, the W Hotel. Can you tell where my mind is?

I get in these moods sometimes where I just want to get away. I want to move. I want something new. I want something different. Although, I love stability and the comfort that it brings me, part of me always wants to be going or doing something else. Strangely enough, the other half of me sometimes wants to stay at home and read a book beginning to end without stopping to eat or sleep, or watch 5 girlie movies in a row. I'm sort of a freak like that (hmmmm...I wonder what sort of ad that will make pop up on my page?) It doesn't mean I'm unhappy. I'm not sure what it means. I've always sort of been that way, and I will probably always be that way.

So until I get over this overwhelming feeling to get in my car and drive somewhere (that happens every once in a while too). I'll just keep throwing words out there like Upstream Brewery (it's in Omaha and it's a great little place), KENO, Las Vegas....take that adsense.

I've got an opinion, too

Gus is obviously disgusted with the whole thing.

Just because I work at an advertising agency shouldn't mean my opinion doesn't matter. I'm not tainted goods. I'm not part of this estranged society that is incapable of presenting a rational and honest opinion. I can be unbias. I can be a nuetral third party participant. I shop at Target just like everyone else, damnit.

What? If you work in advertising you have some sort of special skill or insight that doesn't make me a consumer like everyone else? Does everyone else who works in advertising shop at a special advertising only store? Can someone send me the location. I'm out of deodorant.

Maybe it's the words like strategy, objective or creative magnifier that disqualify me. For the record, I don't even like those words.

"Where is all this coming?" from you ask. Occasionally, I get these emails from a research/focus group company in St. Louis. I finally qualified for one. Usually they are rather obscure and incredible specific (like you just gave birth to a baby no more than 6 weeks ago by c-section and they are allergic to soy). Whatever. This one was about dog food. I have a dog! He eats this certain food! Jackpot!

I filled out the survey. Got on the phone for a screening and was cut after the first question because I work for an advertising agency that has nothing to do with the subject matter in question. This wasn't even about me. It was about my dog. I'm pretty sure he hasn't be corrupted by my evil advertising powers. Still, no dice.

FINE! See if I care. Gus and I will go share our opinions with someone who actually cares. I'm not sure who that is, but I'm sure they're someone out there who appreciates why I chose Science Diet over Iam.

Now

I want to say what I feel when I'm feeling it. I want to feel what I say when I'm saying it.
"Before the Sun Goes Down" Phillip LaRue

But, sometimes you shouldn't. Knowing the difference is the key. God knows I don't have the answer.