Moving in the direction of "on"

Sometimes we learn by contrast.. an experience that brings profound emotion, that helps you realize that your present experience is "off" kilter, to your well being. Tonight my dear friend jokingly referred to me not as a "Type A", but a "Type A+" Personality. I adore her, because her wisdom, her values, and oh what a delight to share time with people who know you, more than just for the "profession". I also appreciate that we discuss creating situations that produce a healthier approach to this dominant strength or weakness.

My personality is only part of the picture, I have learned from this week's business travel what "on" is in regard to what resonates for business satisfaction.

1. People are my inspiration and I delight in knowing them, their stories, their triumphs, their life. Positive choices: balanced life, time for spontaneous friending, and healthier balance.
   
2. Dreamers and visionaries are fun to work with, that and a great cause makes for some really neat synergies for business potential.
   
3. When lifes work is feeling "uninspired" it is time to make new decisions that bring your purpose, your good feeling of alignment and optimism into play. This can not be "faked" however, alignment happens by moving beyond the stuck feeling emotion, through to the possibility discovery.
   

You Have A Type A Personality

You are hyper, energetic, and always on the mood You tend to succeed at everything you attempt And if you don't succeed at first, you quickly climb your way to the top! You could be called a workaholic, but you also make time for fun As long as it's high energy and competitive, you're interested You have the perfect personality for business and atheltic success

Do You Have a Type A Personality?

Exploring More:
Discovery Health Type A Personality Test
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Cultivating Fields of Abundant Compassion..

There is a cure for fear, lack, sorrow, and loneliness. It is human nature to develop a habit of routine as we move through our lives. When the day to day demands and obligations pile up, it is common to "autopilot" on life, and too much time spent in "autopilot" is really not good for our senses.. The solution is in finding a stillness to reset our vital connection and creativity. To reconnect to that essence of life that cultivates fields of abundant compassion.

While I aspire to living with character and inspiration, I fall short when leaning on my old familiar autopilot habits. Things go better when I am able to "roll with it" finding and appreciating the flow of life, choosing to accept life on life's terms, and appreciating the glorious moments on the path.

Okay, while indulgent to compare, and fun to amuse myself with how hard I have it, the real story is not in the difficulty of our travels, or even how far we have come, but how we have lived this moment. Now we look at Mother Teresa, the Pope, and the Dalai Lama as beings of high grace and compassion. I joke with myself that it would be easier for me to become a being of higher grace and compassion if I did not have the incredibly close family, friends, community, work and relationships that caused me to deviate from that path... Show me a Mother Teresa with 2 young kids a corporate job, and a list of obligations, and show me how they make those decisions WITH the obligations they have. Given there is an alternative, even a choice to living a life of service either way, but this is clearly the most colorful expression of my personality, to be a Type A personality, trying to become the best mom she can.

What of this Cultivating Fields of Abundant Compassion? I envision stumbling upon a field of lavendar-- an herb I adore, growing in the wild and I enjoy both appearance and in fragrance. What creates such an expanse of color-- the explosion of lavender and green, the sophisticated, and relaxed fragrance whispering on the air. We see the flower, sense the fragrance, and touch the fields border-- our senses satiated with the experience of connectedness to this expansive moment.

What makes this field is a seed, time, soil, organics, sun, rain, the elements all in favor of helping this field to grow, to multiply, and to offer itself to the universe. The field is not just the flowers, it is the flowers connectedness to the earth. It is the roots that reach through the earth and gain nutrients from the soil, and precipitation from the sky. It is the sun that heats the seed and the combination of nature and nuture causes growth!

How different are we really? Are we not all part of a common field, similar elements of nature, of earth, of weaknesses and capacity? What can we do then to cultivate fields of abundant compassion?

• Be willing to stop being to busy to live in this moment!
• Appreciate beauty and take time to wonder as you wander.
  
• Cultivate growth-- spread love. Most things living, thrive on appreciation and love?
  
• Rain happens, it is part of the cycle, as is Sun.. Balance takes care of itself, if we stay out of the way.
  

Optimism and the 6 Pillars of Human Character!

I believe in justice and truth, without which there would be no basis for human hope. ~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

I saw a bumper sticker this week that pleased me on the pillars of character. A lovely reminder that we are all accountable for being our best, and helping those smaller than us to develop a sense of character, by the kindness we invest in the tending of their development.

In the school system, these values are taught as "TRRFCC".. My son Kyle was in Kindergarten he was introduced to the Six Pillars of Character-- a lovely notion that we grownups would do well to study and teach as well to be our best and develop character that counts! The picture above was taken when Kyle was in Kindergarten.

"True Blue" Trustworthiness

Be honest • Don’t deceive, cheat or steal • Be reliable — do what you say you’ll do • Have the courage to do the right thing • Build a good reputation • Be loyal — stand by your family, friends and country

Respect (The Golden Rule)

Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule • Be tolerant of differences • Use good manners, not bad language • Be considerate of the feelings of others • Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone • Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements

Responsibility (Ever green and growing)

Do what you are supposed to do • Persevere: keep on trying! • Always do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act — consider the consequences • Be accountable for your choices

Fairness (All with equal shares o'the orange)

Play by the rules • Take turns and share • Be open-minded; listen to others • Don’t take advantage of others • Don’t blame others carelessly

The "Heart" of Caring

Be kind • Be compassionate and show you care • Express gratitude • Forgive others • Help people in need

Citizenship (for a more Regal State of being)

Do your share to make your school and community better • Cooperate • Get involved in community affairs • Stay informed; vote • Be a good neighbor • Obey laws and rules • Respect authority • Protect the environment

Wisdom in stillness

"Do not follow the ideas of others, but learn to listen to the voice within yourself. Your body and mind will become clear and you will realize the unity of all things.

The Buddha meditated for six years, Bodhidharma for nine. The practice of meditation is not a method for the attainment of realization—it is enlightenment itself."

-Zen Master Dogen, "The Practice of Meditation"

From "Teachings of the Buddha," edited by Jack Kornfield, 1993. Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Boston, www.shambhala.com.

To really appreciate this quotation, one needs to find a stillness in mind to be able to actually hear and become clear on the connectedness and unity to all things. It is well worth the effort of meditation however to find such a stillness, and in stillness from our lives that appear too busy, comes some sort of relief and vision for a better life.

YellowCreek Day Spa-- The Gift of Tranquil Luxury!

March is our month of celebration. March 9 being my birthday, March 12 our anniversary and March 15 being my husband's birthday. This year Kevin found a real delightful gift of tranquil luxurious pampering at The Spa at Yellow Creek. Described as a haven of serenity and rejuvenation,seems like the perfect approach to my 40th birthday.

My day will be a sheer delight of Asian Treatment -- Asian Bodywork, Meditation, and Breathwork... Followed by a pedicure, facial and a fantastic spa lunch.

Sheer Delight..