I'm on week 2 of bronchitis and it is taking its sweet time going away - I suppose I provide a comfortable home for it or something. My focus is a little short these days, thanks to some awesome cough medicine and so I haven't been great about writing my own stuff. I'm hopeful that will change shortly. In the interim I offer you a manifesto I found on a greeting card:
Change the rules.
Dream big.
Keep your eye on the moment.
Learning is a muddy business.
Expect to get messy.
Lead with your heart.
Detours can become main roads.
Everyone needs a big eraser.
Add relish.
Play fair.
Sometimes you find buried treasure when you're out looking for worms.
There are lots of different ways to get there from here.
You can learn from the stupidest things.
How is more important than what.
If you wait until you're ready you'll never suit up for the game.
Get out of your own way.
Kindness counts.
Be thankful.
28 July 2010
21 July 2010
Right when you need it...
It's funny, the last few weeks I have had several blog posts rolling around my noggin and yet every time I have sat down to write them the words have moved just out of reach. And then earlier this week a trip to my sports medicine doctor revealed that apart from the scar tissue growing unhappily (for me) in my knee, there is a strong possibility that I have torn the meniscus. In my twice reconstructed knee. Now this is hardly the end of the world though I'd be lying if I didn't admit a third knee surgery is discouraging and disheartening.
So I've been feeling a little bummed.
And then right when I need it, I find a link on Facebook from a friend (Steph). The words aren't going to heal my torn meniscus but they will provide those simultaneous anchoring and setting spirit free feelings we all need and crave.
In case you need it, here it is. It is called the manifesto of encouragement and can be found at White Hot Truth:
right now:
There are Tibetan Buddhist monks in a temple in the Himalayas endlessly reciting mantras for the cessation of your suffering and for the flourishing of your happiness.
Someone you haven't met yet is already dreaming of adoring you.
Someone is writing a book that you will read in the next two years that will change how you look at life.
Nuns in the Alps are in endless vigil, praying for the Holy Spirit to alight the hearts of all of God's children.
A farmer is looking at his organic crops and whispering, "nourish them."
Someone wants to kiss you, to hold you, to make tea for you. Someone is willing to lend you money, wants to know what your favourite food is, and treat you to a movie. Someone in your orbit has something immensely valuable to give you -- for free.
Something is being invented this year that will change how your generation lives, communicates, heals and passes on.
The next great song is being rehearsed.
Thousands of people are in yoga classes right now intentionally sending light out from their heart chakras and wrapping it around the earth.
Millions of children are assuming that everything is amazing and will always be that way.
Someone is in profound pain, and a few months from now, they'll be thriving like never before. They just can't see it from where they're at.
Someone who is craving to be partnered, to be acknowledged, to ARRIVE, will get precisely what they want -- and even more. And because that gift will be so fantastical in it's reach and sweetness, it will quite magically alter their memory of angsty longing and render it all "So worth the wait."
Someone has recently cracked open their joyous, genuine nature because they did the hard work of hauling years of oppression off of their psyche -- this luminous juju is floating in the ether, and is accessible to you.
Someone just this second wished for world peace, in earnest.
Someone is fighting the fight so that you don't have to.
Some civil servant is making sure that you get your mail, and your garbage is picked up, that the trains are running on time, and that you are generally safe. Someone is dedicating their days to protecting your civil liberties and clean drinking water.
Someone is regaining their sanity. Someone is coming back from the dead. Someone is genuinely forgiving the seemingly unforgivable. Someone is curing the incurable.
So I've been feeling a little bummed.
And then right when I need it, I find a link on Facebook from a friend (Steph). The words aren't going to heal my torn meniscus but they will provide those simultaneous anchoring and setting spirit free feelings we all need and crave.
In case you need it, here it is. It is called the manifesto of encouragement and can be found at White Hot Truth:
right now:
There are Tibetan Buddhist monks in a temple in the Himalayas endlessly reciting mantras for the cessation of your suffering and for the flourishing of your happiness.
Someone you haven't met yet is already dreaming of adoring you.
Someone is writing a book that you will read in the next two years that will change how you look at life.
Nuns in the Alps are in endless vigil, praying for the Holy Spirit to alight the hearts of all of God's children.
A farmer is looking at his organic crops and whispering, "nourish them."
Someone wants to kiss you, to hold you, to make tea for you. Someone is willing to lend you money, wants to know what your favourite food is, and treat you to a movie. Someone in your orbit has something immensely valuable to give you -- for free.
Something is being invented this year that will change how your generation lives, communicates, heals and passes on.
The next great song is being rehearsed.
Thousands of people are in yoga classes right now intentionally sending light out from their heart chakras and wrapping it around the earth.
Millions of children are assuming that everything is amazing and will always be that way.
Someone is in profound pain, and a few months from now, they'll be thriving like never before. They just can't see it from where they're at.
Someone who is craving to be partnered, to be acknowledged, to ARRIVE, will get precisely what they want -- and even more. And because that gift will be so fantastical in it's reach and sweetness, it will quite magically alter their memory of angsty longing and render it all "So worth the wait."
Someone has recently cracked open their joyous, genuine nature because they did the hard work of hauling years of oppression off of their psyche -- this luminous juju is floating in the ether, and is accessible to you.
Someone just this second wished for world peace, in earnest.
Someone is fighting the fight so that you don't have to.
Some civil servant is making sure that you get your mail, and your garbage is picked up, that the trains are running on time, and that you are generally safe. Someone is dedicating their days to protecting your civil liberties and clean drinking water.
Someone is regaining their sanity. Someone is coming back from the dead. Someone is genuinely forgiving the seemingly unforgivable. Someone is curing the incurable.
10 July 2010
The value of time and perspective
Do you remember those emotion-filled days after September 11th? It felt as though the world had gone crazy and everything we knew was proven to be wrong. In popular media there was a rush to provide perspectve and understanding. And yet the wounds were too fresh, the disbelief too strong to make sense of anything.
I flew to Europe on one of the first flights once the skies had re-opened. Everything felt different and people everywhere were taking longer looks at each other, wanting to know who was in their city and their neighbourhood. It was a feeling I have not experienced since that time and trust me when I tell you I have been around the world a few times since 2011.
While I was in Europe, the television show, the West Wing, opted to delay the start of its third season and in its place showed a special stand alone episode "Issac and Ishmael". It was Aaron Sorkin's attempt to bring some sanity to the myriad of debates raging unchecked in the public and private spheres.
I remember watching it when I returned and partially dreading it because after all the weeks of non-stop discourse on Islam, fundamentalism, terrorism, foreign policy etc, I was tired of it. But I watched it anyways. And I didn't like it. I found it simple and a bit messy. I filed it away and waited with great anticipation for the real start of Season 3.
I recently had a chance to watch that episode again (yes, I own every season of the West Wing) and almost 10 years later, here's the thing:
Aaron Sorkin is a freaking genius.
GENIUS.
All my complaints that I had about that episode were temporary and no doubt informed by the media noise filling all available airwaves at the time.
But now, the simplicity I derided reveals its brilliance. It is a stunning episode and provides more context and colour than anyone could possibly expect an hour long television show to do.
If you don't believe me, check out this line:
"Islamic fundamentalism is to Islam what the KKK is to Christianity."
It is a profoundly powerful testament to the need and importance of smart television - smart entertainment period.
It is amazing the lenses that both time and perspective provide.
I flew to Europe on one of the first flights once the skies had re-opened. Everything felt different and people everywhere were taking longer looks at each other, wanting to know who was in their city and their neighbourhood. It was a feeling I have not experienced since that time and trust me when I tell you I have been around the world a few times since 2011.
While I was in Europe, the television show, the West Wing, opted to delay the start of its third season and in its place showed a special stand alone episode "Issac and Ishmael". It was Aaron Sorkin's attempt to bring some sanity to the myriad of debates raging unchecked in the public and private spheres.
I remember watching it when I returned and partially dreading it because after all the weeks of non-stop discourse on Islam, fundamentalism, terrorism, foreign policy etc, I was tired of it. But I watched it anyways. And I didn't like it. I found it simple and a bit messy. I filed it away and waited with great anticipation for the real start of Season 3.
I recently had a chance to watch that episode again (yes, I own every season of the West Wing) and almost 10 years later, here's the thing:
Aaron Sorkin is a freaking genius.
GENIUS.
All my complaints that I had about that episode were temporary and no doubt informed by the media noise filling all available airwaves at the time.
But now, the simplicity I derided reveals its brilliance. It is a stunning episode and provides more context and colour than anyone could possibly expect an hour long television show to do.
If you don't believe me, check out this line:
"Islamic fundamentalism is to Islam what the KKK is to Christianity."
It is a profoundly powerful testament to the need and importance of smart television - smart entertainment period.
It is amazing the lenses that both time and perspective provide.
25 June 2010
Wise words
The last few weeks have been filled with conversations about falling in love, staying in love, finding love and losing love - and zoe sent along today a most honest quote about love from Captain Corelli's Mandolin:
When you fall in love, it is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake, and then it subsides. And when it subsides, you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the desire to mate every second of the day. It is not lying awake at night imagining that he is kissing every part of your body. No...don't blush. I am telling you some truths. For that is just being in love; which any of use can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over, when being in love has burned away. Doesn't sound very exciting, does it?
But it is.
When you fall in love, it is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake, and then it subsides. And when it subsides, you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the desire to mate every second of the day. It is not lying awake at night imagining that he is kissing every part of your body. No...don't blush. I am telling you some truths. For that is just being in love; which any of use can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over, when being in love has burned away. Doesn't sound very exciting, does it?
But it is.
19 June 2010
Random Musings
1. How is it people consider themselves to be in a possession of a strong world view when the only culture they can speak knowledgeably on is is their own? It's a big wide world out there - stop comparing everything to your culture and use the time instead to understand how the rest of the world operates.
2. Drama. Why is it there are some people who can't live without it? And in the absence of any real drama in their lives do their level best to manufacture it? And do so to the point they can no longer tell the difference between drama and a real crisis. It's modern day wolf-crying. And like the fable, when the resident drama queens and kings hit a real situation, a real crisis no one will come to their aid.
3. The loudest voice in the room is not necessarily the most credible. Just because some talks a lot does not actually mean they know what they are talking about. In the cacophony of talking heads on television and in your life, look for those who are quieter, reflective and tend to offer opinions and advice when appropriate. Chances are they actually know what they are talking about.
4.How is it that some people are willing to overlook others lack of credibility or substance or honesty because of what that person can do for them? Or advance their career? Does that wilful overlooking not also then speak to the values of the overlooker?
5. How people treat you is their karma, how you react to it is yours. This is one of the most profound quotes I've read in a long time. And so true. We cannot control how others treat us but we can control what we do with it (and yes, there is some conflict between this point and the one above - that's the nature of the musings being random)
6. The raspberry lemon drop at Milestones might possibly be the best summer drink ever.
7. I miss Dublin. I'm back there in two months and have much work to do before I get there but I miss it all the same. The rhythm of the city, the easy smiles of the people, my favourite haunts all over the city and even the taxi drivers who will talk your ear off - I miss it all.
ps - welcome to the new look blog. the photos above are mine, with two exceptions. The photos of me and of SF at sunset are taken by the uber-talented zoe.
2. Drama. Why is it there are some people who can't live without it? And in the absence of any real drama in their lives do their level best to manufacture it? And do so to the point they can no longer tell the difference between drama and a real crisis. It's modern day wolf-crying. And like the fable, when the resident drama queens and kings hit a real situation, a real crisis no one will come to their aid.
3. The loudest voice in the room is not necessarily the most credible. Just because some talks a lot does not actually mean they know what they are talking about. In the cacophony of talking heads on television and in your life, look for those who are quieter, reflective and tend to offer opinions and advice when appropriate. Chances are they actually know what they are talking about.
4.How is it that some people are willing to overlook others lack of credibility or substance or honesty because of what that person can do for them? Or advance their career? Does that wilful overlooking not also then speak to the values of the overlooker?
5. How people treat you is their karma, how you react to it is yours. This is one of the most profound quotes I've read in a long time. And so true. We cannot control how others treat us but we can control what we do with it (and yes, there is some conflict between this point and the one above - that's the nature of the musings being random)
6. The raspberry lemon drop at Milestones might possibly be the best summer drink ever.
7. I miss Dublin. I'm back there in two months and have much work to do before I get there but I miss it all the same. The rhythm of the city, the easy smiles of the people, my favourite haunts all over the city and even the taxi drivers who will talk your ear off - I miss it all.
ps - welcome to the new look blog. the photos above are mine, with two exceptions. The photos of me and of SF at sunset are taken by the uber-talented zoe.
16 June 2010
Work in Progress
Hi all -
I'm changing things up in here and it will take me a few days to get it all sorted - please be patient.
Cheers!
I'm changing things up in here and it will take me a few days to get it all sorted - please be patient.
Cheers!
31 May 2010
Pinkie does the Middle East
I have, as mentioned a few times in this space, an interesting job. Said interesting job took me to 10 countries in 4 months this year and while I know that sounds exciting but in this world of crackberries it meant I was literally working across time zones (except for Syria. Bless them and their blackberry network hating ways) which made appreciating the local sites not always an easy thing.
I was fortunate enough to spend three weeks in the Middle East (Lebanon, Syria and the UAE). And in the spirit of sharing (and notice I said sharing and not over sharing.) I thought I would pass along a few observations and tips in case you find yourself winging your way out there:
1. Do you wear seatbelts in taxis? If not, please consider putting one on when riding in a taxi in Beirut.
2. Do you close your eyes in taxis? Please consider doing so in Beirut only after having attached your seatbelt.
3. It is impolite to tell the taxi driver he is driving the wrong way down a one-way street. He knows. He just doesn't care.
4. While in Beirut if you are not wearing some kind of bedazzled or bejewelled outfit in the morning you are underdressed.
5. There are no limits to hair height in Beirut. Nor are their limits to the quantity of makeup worn.
6. Kibbeh is raw meat. Kibbeh tastes nothing like tartar and in fact is very good when rolled in a freshly baked pita and drizzled with olive oil.
7. I have now learned that truly jaw-droppingly good pita bread feels like velvet on the inside. I have also learned that you will get many stares if you stroke and mumble things like "mmmm. so soft."
8. In the Middle East dinner often ends with platters of fruit. It's generally more fruit than the produce section at Loblaws. It's also delicious. Everything is locally grown and oh so awesomely good. Do not a) try to eat it all b) pick a lemon and sniff it (that's right Maha, I'm looking at you)
9. When in Damscus and walking the Old City looking for the Spice Souq, best just to sniff. Your nose knows.
10. Previous readers of this space will know that a trip to Argentina resulted in a love affair with Volta ice cream. Well Volta, I'm sorry but I'm breaking up with you. If you've not had ice cream in Damascus - hand rolled and then covered in fresh crushed pistachios, you have no freaking clue what real ice cream should taste like.
11. Having travelled to well over 50 countries and having touched every continent but Antarctica, I am well aware of my blondness and my pinkness. I have had all kinds of fun experiences with people unaccustomed to the pinkness. But Palmyra takes the cake! Arriving at the ancient ruins, I was spotted by two 11 year old boys who said hello and then told me they loved me. I was then swarmed by a group of school children who wanted pictures. Gaga has nothing on me!
12. What happens when you choose to film a movie about Cleopatra at a castle built by Crusaders? Lots of plastic fake Egyptian crap amid Crusade relics. Weird.
13. You can, with much hand pointing and miming, order the best shewarma of your life from a man who speaks no English. If you are going to Damascus, drop me a line and I will tell you where to get one.
14. Coffee purchased on the side of the highway in Damsacus is almost as good as the ice cream. I think they put crack in it.
15. As discovered at dinner one night, it appears I may have a dictator fetish. Pictures of the leader of Syria are everywhere. He's waving in some, menacing in others and downright commanding in others after that. He's tall. And kind of attractive. I mentioned that out loud at dinner and thus Leaderman became my boyfriend. You can play quite the fun game trying to spot all the pictures of my boyfriend throughout the country. Extra points if you find the pictures of him attached to cars.
16. The dumb blonde act works in dire circumstances. Like in an airport.
17. Dubai is....void.
18. But it feels less void when you meet a friend's family and they are some of the coolest people you have met in a long time. (and they serve you the most awesome home-cooked dinner after a month of hotel/restaurant food.)
19. I picked up several words of arabic including how to say thank you, no, definitely, and cartoon. The arabic word for cartoon is...cartoon. But with an accent.
20. Bagdad Cafe on the road to Palmyra is hella cool.
Pictures of my travels can be found at www.flickr.com/mcsmartypants
I was fortunate enough to spend three weeks in the Middle East (Lebanon, Syria and the UAE). And in the spirit of sharing (and notice I said sharing and not over sharing.) I thought I would pass along a few observations and tips in case you find yourself winging your way out there:
1. Do you wear seatbelts in taxis? If not, please consider putting one on when riding in a taxi in Beirut.
2. Do you close your eyes in taxis? Please consider doing so in Beirut only after having attached your seatbelt.
3. It is impolite to tell the taxi driver he is driving the wrong way down a one-way street. He knows. He just doesn't care.
4. While in Beirut if you are not wearing some kind of bedazzled or bejewelled outfit in the morning you are underdressed.
5. There are no limits to hair height in Beirut. Nor are their limits to the quantity of makeup worn.
6. Kibbeh is raw meat. Kibbeh tastes nothing like tartar and in fact is very good when rolled in a freshly baked pita and drizzled with olive oil.
7. I have now learned that truly jaw-droppingly good pita bread feels like velvet on the inside. I have also learned that you will get many stares if you stroke and mumble things like "mmmm. so soft."
8. In the Middle East dinner often ends with platters of fruit. It's generally more fruit than the produce section at Loblaws. It's also delicious. Everything is locally grown and oh so awesomely good. Do not a) try to eat it all b) pick a lemon and sniff it (that's right Maha, I'm looking at you)
9. When in Damscus and walking the Old City looking for the Spice Souq, best just to sniff. Your nose knows.
10. Previous readers of this space will know that a trip to Argentina resulted in a love affair with Volta ice cream. Well Volta, I'm sorry but I'm breaking up with you. If you've not had ice cream in Damascus - hand rolled and then covered in fresh crushed pistachios, you have no freaking clue what real ice cream should taste like.
11. Having travelled to well over 50 countries and having touched every continent but Antarctica, I am well aware of my blondness and my pinkness. I have had all kinds of fun experiences with people unaccustomed to the pinkness. But Palmyra takes the cake! Arriving at the ancient ruins, I was spotted by two 11 year old boys who said hello and then told me they loved me. I was then swarmed by a group of school children who wanted pictures. Gaga has nothing on me!
12. What happens when you choose to film a movie about Cleopatra at a castle built by Crusaders? Lots of plastic fake Egyptian crap amid Crusade relics. Weird.
13. You can, with much hand pointing and miming, order the best shewarma of your life from a man who speaks no English. If you are going to Damascus, drop me a line and I will tell you where to get one.
14. Coffee purchased on the side of the highway in Damsacus is almost as good as the ice cream. I think they put crack in it.
15. As discovered at dinner one night, it appears I may have a dictator fetish. Pictures of the leader of Syria are everywhere. He's waving in some, menacing in others and downright commanding in others after that. He's tall. And kind of attractive. I mentioned that out loud at dinner and thus Leaderman became my boyfriend. You can play quite the fun game trying to spot all the pictures of my boyfriend throughout the country. Extra points if you find the pictures of him attached to cars.
16. The dumb blonde act works in dire circumstances. Like in an airport.
17. Dubai is....void.
18. But it feels less void when you meet a friend's family and they are some of the coolest people you have met in a long time. (and they serve you the most awesome home-cooked dinner after a month of hotel/restaurant food.)
19. I picked up several words of arabic including how to say thank you, no, definitely, and cartoon. The arabic word for cartoon is...cartoon. But with an accent.
20. Bagdad Cafe on the road to Palmyra is hella cool.
Pictures of my travels can be found at www.flickr.com/mcsmartypants
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