Snow

I spent 20 minutes at the gym on the Exercycle and missed getting a walk before the snow storm. From shirt sleeves this morning to snow this afternoon, the weather in Albuquerque changes very quickly. It's definitely winter and we are not in California anymore. Not everyone enjoys year round walking weather, but there is nothing like walking out to a blanket of white and a spray of big white snow flakes.

Slow Walking

This was the first day in 203 days that I walked less than 20 minutes and slow walking at that. My five year old grandson stepped in front of me as I was stepping out onto the cement patio while holding the baby. I balanced on my toes to break my fall. Hazel and I both hit the concrete. Hazel is fine, but my toes are quite sore.

1o minutes walking

Feels Like Fall

Everyday feels like a fall getting ready for school day. The sunshine, crisp air, and cool breezes give me that feeling of anxious anticipation I had when I walked across the Sac State campus on the first day of school.

What images does January weather conjure up for you?

30 minutes walking

Pen & Paper

I seem to have lost my computer power cord going through security at the airport. I wondered how I would write or work during my month's stay in NM. I can get my extra cord from home in a few days, but I feel lost without my own computer.

It was interesting that today I caught a podcast on The Accidental Creative #177 about ways to work more effectively while generating new ideas. One suggestion was to turn off your gadgets, Take a pen and paper and go outside. Observe, write, and imagine.

I got out my pen & paper and started writing. It was actually fun. Innovative ideas come from new experiences, changing your environment, and connecting with creative people.

I will need to be more resourceful to keep up my writing, but in the meantime I am learning to use my daughter's iPad. Thank you, Jenn! I am glad to have some access to technology. Have you found ways to take a break from the volumes of information coming at you on the Internet?

20 minutes walking

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Shining moments

I don't need to be a genius everyday. Shining moments come in dollops between inspiration, drudgery, and hard work.

20 minutes walking

Stars

On a short evening walk in Albuquerque after a day of traveling, I was delighted by a light show in the sky. Not a comet, just lots of sparkling stars. The sky is so clear and the stars so bright. It feels very safe walking around at night on an Air Force Base. Families leave bikes out and doors unlocked. It's a different world than Elk Grove in the winter.

20 minutes walking

Baking

A short walk after a busy day baking and frosting cookies etc. The boys, 3 & 5, loved cutting out and decorating cookies to send to their Papa in Qatar. Off to Albuquerque in the morning to help my daughter out with the kids.

20 minutes walking

A Ripple

I saw a duck sailing across the smooth glassy pond. At a constant speed it moved gently through the water leaving a ripple in the wake behind him.

Do you leave a ripple behind as you pass through your life? One of the nicest things a student I was supervising said to me was that I left a legacy wherever I went. Not a big splash. Just people feeling better about themselves, people getting jobs, training, and knowing someone cared.

We can all make some kind of ripple in the pond as we swim or sail across the water.

60 minutes walking

Procrastination

It's so easy to take a walk, make a few notes, and put off writing and editing for the next day. The next day brings work from the day before. A simple job grows into a game of catch up. As I thought about procrastinating and putting off work until tomorrow, I realized that's what I needed to write about--the need to keep up or change goals and expectations. If something is not working, I shouldn't keep doing it.

Every day I ask myself if this is what I want to keep doing. I hesitate and then decide to keep walking and writing everyday. At least for now. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

30 minutes walking

Longer days

The days still last 24 hours, but they seem longer because we are starting to get more daylight hours. As the  dark winter nights give way to longer evenings, there's more time for walking in the light of day. It was exciting to find that it was still dusk at 5:30. As the holiday lights come down, the sunlight peaks into the night to make it a little shorter.

My step quickened with enthusiasm in the warm evening light. We're heading toward spring and long evening walks.

30 minutes walking

American Flamingo

We spent four hours at the Sacramento Zoo with the family. Our five-year old grandson's favorite animal is the flamingo. I am always fascinated by their bright pink color, posturing, and ability to stand on one leg to rest or stay warm. The flamingo's different stances with it's long legs in different poses keeps me watching. According to the Fort Worth Zoo blog, WhoZoo, "What appears to be the flamingo's knee is actually its ankle."

I read about the flamingos on the zoo's billboard, but I left more curious than ever. How do the birds stay so pink in the zoo? At the Honolulu Zoo's website I learned more about their feeding habits in captivity. I found it interesting to learn, "The food that flamingos eat is rich in carotinoid pigments (named after the pigment found in carrots) which they use to create the pink coloration in their feathers. Without this pigment, their feathers would slowly bleach out and lose color, so in the Zoo they are fed a diet which has carophyll red pigment in it." In their natural habitats they eat shrimp and other crustaceans to keep their colors bright.

According to the Carrot Museum website, the carotene from carrots keeps our hair and skin nourished and healthy looking just like the carotinoids keep the flamingo colorful and healthy. Give your skin that healthy glow with a diet rich in carotene.


30 minutes walking

Gnarly Roots

My neighbor has a tree with gnarly roots that meander across their lawn. The big shallow arms seem to be reaching for the surface of the earth on the other side of the yard. I walk past another house and the landscape seems to be in harmony. The roots are tucked comfortably under the earth being nurtured by the underground water supply.

Like trees, some people seem deeply rooted and thrive in their environments, while others seem to be transplanted from their natural habitat. A person who needs sunshine and exercise to feel mentally and emotionally healthy may find themselves working in a cubicle for eight or nine hours a day. They can feel stifled, shut down, and disengaged.

The need for color, light, fresh air, and physical activity affects each of us differently, Some of us work better surrounded by beauty and music while others get a sense of accomplishment from spending hours looking at a computer screen developing a new program. We often underestimate the value of our environments.

If you feel like the gnarly tree scratching at the surface to find a breath of fresh air, you may be in an environment that stifles your growth. Look deeper. What can you do to make your environment more pleasant? Where are your roots trying to take you?

30 minutes walking

Learning to Walk

I watch my 14 month old granddaughter toddling around the house. She walks, runs, falls forward, and then gets up and runs again. The ups and downs of learning to walk are similar to any learning process. If we have the courage to leap forward, we will then fall, get up, and go again.

No one learns to walk if they are afraid of falling. As soon as the child realized she can fall down and get back up, she is no longer afraid. Fear of looking stupid and failing can keep learning in check. Take a leap, fall down, and get back up. People forget your mistakes much quicker than you do. Let them go and move on.

20 minutes walking

Getting it done

I like to think about things before I say them. Whenever possible I check the facts and do some editing. But in the world of blogging information moves at high speeds. I may not know the exact words I want to use, my thoughts are still raw, but I can speak honestly about what is on my mind at the moment.

Blogging can be informal like a journal or conversation--a growth process. Or a blog can be used for formal professional articles. Taking the time to write and edit an article can be a lot of work, but it feels good to have an article I am pleased with. To keep up with the webisphere we often need to move quickly or we can be lost in the stream. I don't like to share my growth. I like to look competent and knowledgeable. But thinking out loud has its benefits such as immediate feedback, working harder to finish something quickly, and willingness to share a process with others.

50 minutes walking

Add Color

So many great ways to eat fruit and vegetables. It's was fun to see our 14-month old grand daughter eating blackberries and blueberries like candy. Grated carrot pancakes and chopped spinach scrambled eggs. The kids ate it up, and I found it delicious. Add color to every meal with healthy fruit and vegetables.

30 minutes walking

Healthiest Hamburgers

A nice long walk to the store for dinner ingredients made the meal that much healthier.  We had sweet potato french fries and fabulous hamburgers with oats, potatoes, Watkins BBQ sauce. Walking before eating makes the meal taste better. Buying fresh fruit for a beautiful fruit salad topped off the meal.

70 minutes walking

Looking for Sunshine

I often hear people say they are looking for sunshine after a number of cloudy or foggy days. I'm enjoying the weather and every time the sun peaks through the clouds (a few days ago.)

30 minutes walking

Collaboration

Deciding whether someone will be a collaborator, colleague, or friend is like a walk in the park. You may have a friend that you respect. You can talk about your interests and passion and if you have similar interests, you may be able to work on a project or business venture together. You may decide the person is a colleague who is in a similar business that you can learn from their expertise. Or you may find that you are friends with different business interests. Take a walk, listen, observe, and respect the different goals people have in their lives.

Collaboration and relationship building are the keys to success in your life and work in the 21^st century, but determining how to collaborate and with whom takes time. A passionate entrepreneur can overwhelm friends and family and they may even feel taken advantage of if there are not clear boundaries. Communication, honesty, and integrity are the keys to finding collaborators and partners while keeping your relationships healthy.

If you are receiving this blog post in an email, I consider you an interested friend, colleague or collaborator. If you would rather not receive this blog in an email, just unsubscribe or let me know. Communication and understanding are the keys to building a successful network.

30 minutes walking

Smooth Sailing

The water on the pond had barely a ripple. The ducks had smooth sailing across the water. Geese grazed on the lawn as the sun set across the lake. It's nice to have a day where things just go smoothly.

Collaborating with my mother on writing her story, working with my sister on her business plans and new ventures, and ending the day with losing badly at Farkle and Quiddler. Work I enjoy, family, friends, and lots of laughs with barely a ripple in my day.

50 minutes walking

Can't Do That

Have you ever set a goal or decided to do something you thought was important and later felt like you just couldn't do it? Some days it's hard to squeeze in a walk, but I do it. The hardest part of my goal seems to be writing something everyday. It has been an amazing discipline, and I can write much faster now, but there are days I think I must have been crazy. I have nothing to say. My mind is a blank slate. "I just can't do it," comes to my mind. Or the old saying, "I bit off more than I can chew."

Why didn't I say once a week rather than ever day? This self-imposed challenge can get tiresome after186 straight days of walking and writing. I brush away my thoughts of skipping a day and write. I did it again!

45 minutes walking

Resting My Mind

Enjoyed a walk to rest my mind. I spend a good deal of time gathering and synthesizing information. There is no better time to live on this earth than now if you love information. The problem is that the more you love information, the more likely you are to suffer from information overload.

"In the last 30 years mankind has produced more information than in the previous 5,000."  (Information Overload Causes Stress. (1997, March/April).  Reuters Magazine.

I was thrilled when I realized how much good information is readily available at no cost on the internet. I started signing up for newsletters and tele-classes. I’m amazed at how much I’ve learned, but I can easily overload myself with information without gaining wisdom. I don’t believe we are smarter just because we have so much information. I have to wade through a lot of junk before I get to reliable sources. It can easily be overwhelming.

So nice to just walk, watch, and listen. Facts and information need to be analyzed to determine their value, but living in harmony with nature can teach wisdom.

30 minutes walking

The Guest

I read a lovely little story on my walk today called, "Where Love is, God Is" by Leo Tolstoy. The story is about an old cobbler who has suffered much loss and feels bitter about his life. One night he was reading the gospels and began to wonder what kind of man he was. He read the  Luke 7:44 story of the Pharisee who did not welcome Jesus into his home. Martin, the poor cobbler said,

"He must have been like me, that Pharisee. He too thought only of himself -- how to get a cup of tea, how to keep warm and comfortable; never a thought of his guest. He took care of himself, but for his guest he cared nothing at all. Yet who was the guest? The Lord himself! If he came to me, should I behave like that?"

 

The story goes on to tell about Martin's visitors and how he welcomed them. In the story Martin found happiness by welcoming his guests.

I find it easy to bask in comfort, fuss about details, and miss opportunities to entertain strangers in need. Even when guests come to my home I often spend more time fixing things than really "seeing" my guests.

I felt inspired by Tolstoy's tale written in his later life as he contemplated how he had lived. You can read the print story at Webliterature.net. The audio version is available at The Classic Tales Podcast. I am always amazed at the great selection of classic literature available at no cost.

40 minutes walking

Walking Inspiration

This morning my husband came in from his walk exuberant from the fresh cold air and long walk. He said he would watch our granddaughter if I wanted to take a walk. "Maybe later," I said. I was engrossed in a writing project.

His energy was contagious, and I soon put my papers away and took a walk. I made a commitment to walk everyday because I know it's healthy. My husband walks for the fun of it. His enthusiasm is my walking inspiration.

Some people love to be outdoors to run, walk, and garden, while others of us go out to improve health, brain power, and creativity. What inspires you to walk and exercise?

40 minutes walking

Does Anyone Care?

I take long walks and listen to creative entrepreneurs, interesting podcasts, and birds in the trees. I get so many thoughts and ideas that I would like to share with the world. There are so many exciting things happening with business, cultural diversity, and new ways of thinking and seeing the world. I can't wait to get to my computer and share them.

I start writing and wonder if anyone cares about what I have to say, who I am, and the things I am passionate about.  Am I an observer in life or one who is able to create positive change and make the world a better place to live?

I saw a cat sitting in the upstairs window of a neighbors house. It seemed to be an observer of the world outside. LIke the cat, I feel comfortable observing without taking a risk and expressing how i really feel. I admired the cat because it sat there handsomely without interrupting my thoughts or my day. Sometimes it seems easier to just go with the flow without disturbing, distracting, or influencing. But what would be my purpose on this earth? I am not a cat. I am a human being who can observe, analyze and act.

I have the power to learn, share and listen. If I can't talk about who I am, then who am I really? I will continue to journal my observations and thoughts and send them out to the digitisphere.

70 minutes walking

CALM

Holidays, shopping, family, and business. Life can feel like a balancing act. "Eustress" means good stress, but even too much good stress can bring up unexpected feelings and occasional tension. When things get hectic, use these simple steps to stay CALM.
Tips from the Flying Solo entrepreneur's website to help you calm down:

C: Courage to step back
A: Analyse your options
L: Logic instead of emotion
M: Master of actions versus reactions

20 minutes walking

Great Idea!

It was a nice long walk to the coffee shop. I didn't check the weather first and found it to be cold and misty with possible showers. I took a chance and dashed off remembering my post about checking the weather first. That would have been a good idea. It stayed brisk and misty. Perfect day for a walk.

Enjoyed a nice conversation with an entrepreneur about goals and business ideas. She had a great idea to add a stylish tangible product to her business portfolio. In addition to her Prepaid Legal Business, she is looking into selling versatile handbags.  In the current business climate having a tangible product is a great way to introduce yourself to customers and let them know about your valuable service.


70 minutes walking

Walking Games

I don’t often play “red light,” “green light” while taking a walk. But walking with a tired 3-year old brings out the playfulness and resourcefulness in me. When kids start lagging, it’s fun to hop and skip, be a train and use train sounds, and jump over and around things. Playing walking games brings out the smiles in me and the energy in the child.

20 minutes walking

Ready to Dash

As we hurtle into a new year, let’s not get too anxious about uncertainty. Instead we should focus on doing what we do best and make a commitment to constantly improve along the way. Robert Gerrish, Flying Solo. www.flyingsolo.com/au

January brings us uncertain weather in Sacramento. When I wake up in the morning I don’t know whether I will see sunshine, rain, or fog. In fact, we often have all three in one day. When I get my coat to go out for a walk, I don’t know if I will need a scarf, raincoat, or short sleeves. What to do? I look outside to get a clue about the climate, and then I often walk outside to test the weather.

When our lives feel uncertain, we can look at what is going on in our environments, take a short test, and then go where our talents and intuition take us. Sounds simple and obvious. Barely worth saying. The truth is that it has only been a relatively short time ago that people were buying risky mortgages without taking a look at the climate, doing any research or testing the waters. Sometimes we’re just ready to dash out into a storm and see what happens. It can be great fun on a wintry day to take a guess at the weather and just take off. When it comes to financial and career decisions, being prepared can keep you from getting soaked.

20 minutes walking

A Single Footstep

If you have nothing to say, quote someone who does.

As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.
Henry David Thoreau

30 minutes walking

 

The Life of a Dog

Panting
Running
Jumping

Anticipation
Excitement
Happiness

A walk in the park
One meal a day
Ah! The life of a dog.

30 minutes walking

Happy 2011

Nice walk in the rain to Starbucks to enjoy a green tea latte and feta spinach wrap with my newly retired husband. Nice start to the second decade of the 21st century.

60 minutes walking