Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for a season and reason to volunteer.
The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me.
~Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead
During this season of my career, I find that volunteer opportunities abound. Every nonprofit I approach can use my time and needs my expertise (what a switch from the corporate world that deems me too old, too experienced and too expensive). So, right now, as I begin to follow my 2008 plan, I have my pick of positions.
I've already narrowed my choices. First on my list is Barack Obama's presidential campaign. It's a short term experience with limited impact, but an important personal endeavor.
The second opportunity is with a group that promotes ecological stewardship through educational programs. I like the fact that the organization is local, small and getting ready to grow - much like the start-up companies I prefer to work for. Its mission aligns with my personal environmental activism. Plus, the executive director and staff are willing to teach me as much as I want to learn about grant writing, fundraising and the nonprofit world in general. I know I can be an impact player if I work for this group.
All of this because I have a specific goal in mind: to invest at least one year getting the experience required to lead a progressive nonprofit organization.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Sunday, 27 January 2008 - A bouldering crash pad
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for a bouldering crash pad.
S and I are thrilled with the professional grade bouldering crash pad that we bought from friends who own the climbing gym. We picked it up on Friday and used it for the first time this afternoon. Although we're always careful when we fall or jump off the rocks, the crash pad greatly reduces our chances of injury.
We had an excellent bouldering session - nearly two strenuous hours on the rocks in Ute Valley Park. Not bad for a late January workout. I happily worked on several challenging problems - ones I've avoided in the past. I attempted difficult moves repeatedly and, when I missed, fell and landed safely.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for a bouldering crash pad.
S and I are thrilled with the professional grade bouldering crash pad that we bought from friends who own the climbing gym. We picked it up on Friday and used it for the first time this afternoon. Although we're always careful when we fall or jump off the rocks, the crash pad greatly reduces our chances of injury.
We had an excellent bouldering session - nearly two strenuous hours on the rocks in Ute Valley Park. Not bad for a late January workout. I happily worked on several challenging problems - ones I've avoided in the past. I attempted difficult moves repeatedly and, when I missed, fell and landed safely.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Saturday, 26 January 2008 - "Magic" words
Dear God:
Today, I am grateful for a few "magic" words.
It didn't take long for Barack Obama to win my vote. He caught my attention with a few "magic" words - actually one sentence from his book, The Audacity of Hope. As soon as the Colorado Springs campaign office opened, I signed up as a volunteer and precinct captain.
It took S a little longer to join me. And, he wasn't directly persuaded by Senator Obama. This afternoon, at a Colorado Springs rally, Federico Pena, former Denver mayor, former Clinton Administration Cabinet member and one of Senator Obama's national campaign managers, said the "magic" words that S needed to hear.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am grateful for a few "magic" words.
It didn't take long for Barack Obama to win my vote. He caught my attention with a few "magic" words - actually one sentence from his book, The Audacity of Hope. As soon as the Colorado Springs campaign office opened, I signed up as a volunteer and precinct captain.
It took S a little longer to join me. And, he wasn't directly persuaded by Senator Obama. This afternoon, at a Colorado Springs rally, Federico Pena, former Denver mayor, former Clinton Administration Cabinet member and one of Senator Obama's national campaign managers, said the "magic" words that S needed to hear.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Friday, 25 January 2008 - Extra doses of kindness
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for extra doses of kindness.
I don't know why, but people were very considerate and generous today.
I'm thinking about the librarian who, despite the long line at the check out counter, asked me how my novel was progressing and recommended a new Italian cookbook. I'm thinking about the butcher who suggested that I try the house brand chicken - all natural, no antibiotics or hormones, much cheaper than the name brand I usually buy. I'm also thinking about the cashier who pointed out that I had selected an inferior brand of tortillas (I replaced it with a better brand). He also gave me his "secret" family recipe for making authentic enchilada sauce. And, I'm thinking about the owner of the climbing gym who gave S and I every possible discount on today's user fee.
I mentioned these kind gestures to a neighbor. She thought that maybe my number had finally come up; that instead of giving, it was my turn to receive.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for extra doses of kindness.
I don't know why, but people were very considerate and generous today.
I'm thinking about the librarian who, despite the long line at the check out counter, asked me how my novel was progressing and recommended a new Italian cookbook. I'm thinking about the butcher who suggested that I try the house brand chicken - all natural, no antibiotics or hormones, much cheaper than the name brand I usually buy. I'm also thinking about the cashier who pointed out that I had selected an inferior brand of tortillas (I replaced it with a better brand). He also gave me his "secret" family recipe for making authentic enchilada sauce. And, I'm thinking about the owner of the climbing gym who gave S and I every possible discount on today's user fee.
I mentioned these kind gestures to a neighbor. She thought that maybe my number had finally come up; that instead of giving, it was my turn to receive.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Thursday, 24 January 2008 - A compliment
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for a compliment.
I can live for two months on a good compliment. ~Mark Twain
Marge, you're as pretty as Princess Leia and as smart as Yoda. ~Homer Simpson
So, I just learned that today is National Compliment Day. I'm not sure where this designation came from. It's an unusual one, to be sure.
I admit that I struggle over compliments. My challenge is not giving them but accepting them graciously.
So, I practice this scenario over and over again: When someone compliments me for whatever reason, I simply say, "Thank you." It's not that hard.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for a compliment.
I can live for two months on a good compliment. ~Mark Twain
Marge, you're as pretty as Princess Leia and as smart as Yoda. ~Homer Simpson
So, I just learned that today is National Compliment Day. I'm not sure where this designation came from. It's an unusual one, to be sure.
I admit that I struggle over compliments. My challenge is not giving them but accepting them graciously.
So, I practice this scenario over and over again: When someone compliments me for whatever reason, I simply say, "Thank you." It's not that hard.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Wednesday, 23 January 2008 - Heath Ledger
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for Heath Ledger (1979-2008).
Smart lad, to slip betimes away
From fields where glory does not stay,
And early though the laurel grows
It withers quicker than the rose.
~A. E. Housman (1896)
Whenever a young, talented person dies, I read A. E. Housman's poem, To An Athlete Dying Young. I first read the poem as a junior in high school. Housman tells of an athlete who dies at the peak of his greatness. In Housman's mind, the young man will live forever as a champion and hero. His youthful glory will never fade. He will never grow old or be forgotten like the rest of us.
Today, I read the poem because of Heath Ledger (1979-2008). A talented young man. An actor. A father. A mere 28 at his death. His resume already filled with impressive performances. An Oscar nominee for his role as Ennis Del Mar in Brokeback Mountain - I think he should have won.
I feel the void of another promising life cut short. I think about Housman's poem and message. I have to disagree with Mr. Housman. I think that the world wanted Mr. Ledger to live a long, full life. Yes, I'll always remember him for his accomplishments, but I wanted to see more. And, I'm sure that Mr. Ledger would not have disappointed me.
I also reflect upon my own life. Nearly 54 years long. For whatever reason, I am still here. But, I often feel that I have too little to show for my hard work, talents and dreams. Clearly, I have much work left to do and so little time.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for Heath Ledger (1979-2008).
Smart lad, to slip betimes away
From fields where glory does not stay,
And early though the laurel grows
It withers quicker than the rose.
~A. E. Housman (1896)
Whenever a young, talented person dies, I read A. E. Housman's poem, To An Athlete Dying Young. I first read the poem as a junior in high school. Housman tells of an athlete who dies at the peak of his greatness. In Housman's mind, the young man will live forever as a champion and hero. His youthful glory will never fade. He will never grow old or be forgotten like the rest of us.
Today, I read the poem because of Heath Ledger (1979-2008). A talented young man. An actor. A father. A mere 28 at his death. His resume already filled with impressive performances. An Oscar nominee for his role as Ennis Del Mar in Brokeback Mountain - I think he should have won.
I feel the void of another promising life cut short. I think about Housman's poem and message. I have to disagree with Mr. Housman. I think that the world wanted Mr. Ledger to live a long, full life. Yes, I'll always remember him for his accomplishments, but I wanted to see more. And, I'm sure that Mr. Ledger would not have disappointed me.
I also reflect upon my own life. Nearly 54 years long. For whatever reason, I am still here. But, I often feel that I have too little to show for my hard work, talents and dreams. Clearly, I have much work left to do and so little time.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Tuesday, 22 January 2008 - Signposts
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for signposts.
You can only go halfway into the darkest forest; then you are coming out the other side. ~Chinese proverb
Everyday, I travel further into the darkest forest. My journey is already several months long, and I crave light, joy and freedom. I pray that I will know for certain when I cross the halfway point and begin the long but welcome journey out of the forest.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for signposts.
You can only go halfway into the darkest forest; then you are coming out the other side. ~Chinese proverb
Everyday, I travel further into the darkest forest. My journey is already several months long, and I crave light, joy and freedom. I pray that I will know for certain when I cross the halfway point and begin the long but welcome journey out of the forest.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Monday, 21 January 2008 - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for Martin Luther King, Jr.
This morning, T and I brave the cold and snow and tour the neighborhood and park. The snow blows in from the south. Big, fluffy flakes.
We complete our first loop around the park. As we begin our second lap, I notice that the snow has already filled in my footprints and T's paw prints. Lost in thought, I didn't realize the snowfall was that heavy.
I think about many things while T sniffs around the freshly flocked fir tree before pulling me towards the children's playground. The weather. My various writing projects. How M is "enjoying" his team's morning practice in the snow. And, of course, Martin Luther King, Jr.
In my minds eye, I hear Dr. King speaking, his voice conveying power and authority, his eloquent words expressing universal messages that speak to my heart.
The local PBS station celebrates Dr. King by broadcasting an excerpt from one of his speeches. Not the famous, "I have a dream" speech, however. Rather, a timely exhortation.
3 December 1956, Montgomery, Alabama
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for Martin Luther King, Jr.
This morning, T and I brave the cold and snow and tour the neighborhood and park. The snow blows in from the south. Big, fluffy flakes.
We complete our first loop around the park. As we begin our second lap, I notice that the snow has already filled in my footprints and T's paw prints. Lost in thought, I didn't realize the snowfall was that heavy.
I think about many things while T sniffs around the freshly flocked fir tree before pulling me towards the children's playground. The weather. My various writing projects. How M is "enjoying" his team's morning practice in the snow. And, of course, Martin Luther King, Jr.
In my minds eye, I hear Dr. King speaking, his voice conveying power and authority, his eloquent words expressing universal messages that speak to my heart.
The local PBS station celebrates Dr. King by broadcasting an excerpt from one of his speeches. Not the famous, "I have a dream" speech, however. Rather, a timely exhortation.
Whatever your life's work is, do it well. Even if it does not fall in the category of one of the so-called big professions, do it well. As one college president said, "A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better." If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, like Shakespeare wrote poetry, like Beethoven composed music; sweep streets so well that all the host of Heaven and earth will have to pause and say, "Here lived a great street sweeper, who swept his job well." As Douglas Mallock says:
If you can't be a pine on the top of the hill
Be a scrub in the valley--but be
The best little scrub by the side of the hill,
Be a bush if you can't be a tree.
If you can't be a highway just be a trail
If you can't be the sun be a star;
It isn't by size that you win or fail--
Be the best of whatever you are
~Martin Luther King, Jr.
3 December 1956, Montgomery, Alabama
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Sunday, 20 January 2008 - One more year
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for one more year.
It's official. Just one more year until the end of the Bush/Cheney administration.
I join my progressive friends in counting down the days. No celebrations, yet, however. Despite our cautious relief, I know that it's going to be one very, very long year.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for one more year.
It's official. Just one more year until the end of the Bush/Cheney administration.
I join my progressive friends in counting down the days. No celebrations, yet, however. Despite our cautious relief, I know that it's going to be one very, very long year.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Saturday, 19 January 2008 - A well-stocked freezer
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for well-stocked freezer.
S just invited M, our Air Force Academy cadet, to spend Sunday at our house and watch the AFC and NFC championship football games on our HDTV.
Although we haven't seen M since he returned to the Academy after Christmas break, we do know that he survived fall semester, his first at the Academy. We also know that his current schedule is even more grueling: six academic classes, military training and athletics (his sport's season begins in a few weeks so he'll also travel out of state for tournaments and league games).
S agrees to clean the house as long as I do the cooking. Fair enough. I'm a lousy housekeeper but an excellent cook.
As usual, I am unsure of the menu. M frequently complains about the Academy food - typical dorm food, nothing special for the athletes. So, when he visits, I want to be sure to feed him healthy and hearty home cooked meals.
After a careful search of the freezer, I find packages of beef and pork (baby back) ribs. Great! The menu comes together quickly: ribs (oven braised Sunday morning for 2-3 hours and basted with homemade BBQ sauce), Greek coleslaw (made with an olive oil and lemon juice dressing), cornbread (spiked with roasted jalapenos), apple crisp (topped with vanilla ice cream) and biscotti (studded with sliced almonds and dried cherries). The only store bought item is the vanilla ice cream.
Well, time's a wasting. Today, I need to bake the apple crisp and biscotti and thaw, prep, and marinate the ribs. T, sensing my excitement, anticipates a very good day for him in the kitchen as my "sous" chef. (Actually, we call him "Chef Underfoot" because he gets in my way when I work in our small kitchen).
So, our house is very busy right now. Cleaning. Cooking. We love M's visits. For us, it's always a great day when a young person spends time with us in our home.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for well-stocked freezer.
S just invited M, our Air Force Academy cadet, to spend Sunday at our house and watch the AFC and NFC championship football games on our HDTV.
Although we haven't seen M since he returned to the Academy after Christmas break, we do know that he survived fall semester, his first at the Academy. We also know that his current schedule is even more grueling: six academic classes, military training and athletics (his sport's season begins in a few weeks so he'll also travel out of state for tournaments and league games).
S agrees to clean the house as long as I do the cooking. Fair enough. I'm a lousy housekeeper but an excellent cook.
As usual, I am unsure of the menu. M frequently complains about the Academy food - typical dorm food, nothing special for the athletes. So, when he visits, I want to be sure to feed him healthy and hearty home cooked meals.
After a careful search of the freezer, I find packages of beef and pork (baby back) ribs. Great! The menu comes together quickly: ribs (oven braised Sunday morning for 2-3 hours and basted with homemade BBQ sauce), Greek coleslaw (made with an olive oil and lemon juice dressing), cornbread (spiked with roasted jalapenos), apple crisp (topped with vanilla ice cream) and biscotti (studded with sliced almonds and dried cherries). The only store bought item is the vanilla ice cream.
Well, time's a wasting. Today, I need to bake the apple crisp and biscotti and thaw, prep, and marinate the ribs. T, sensing my excitement, anticipates a very good day for him in the kitchen as my "sous" chef. (Actually, we call him "Chef Underfoot" because he gets in my way when I work in our small kitchen).
So, our house is very busy right now. Cleaning. Cooking. We love M's visits. For us, it's always a great day when a young person spends time with us in our home.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Friday, 18 January 2008 - Bobby Fisher
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for Bobby Fisher.
'Tis all a chequer board of nights and days,
Where destiny with men for pieces plays;
Hither and thither, and mates, and slays.
~Edward Fitzgerald
If it hadn't been for Bobby Fisher, I don't think I would have learned to play chess when I did.
True to form, my parents never encouraged me to learn the game. One of my younger sisters, however, became an avid student of the game when Bobby Fisher's notoriety and genius was front page news in the United States.
She followed Bobby Fisher's exploits and studied his moves, often replicating situations on the chess board so she could understand his strategies. She cheered louder than anyone when he dethroned world chess champion, Boris Spassky, in 1972. Anyway, my younger sister taught me how to play chess. All because of Bobby Fisher.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for Bobby Fisher.
'Tis all a chequer board of nights and days,
Where destiny with men for pieces plays;
Hither and thither, and mates, and slays.
~Edward Fitzgerald
If it hadn't been for Bobby Fisher, I don't think I would have learned to play chess when I did.
True to form, my parents never encouraged me to learn the game. One of my younger sisters, however, became an avid student of the game when Bobby Fisher's notoriety and genius was front page news in the United States.
She followed Bobby Fisher's exploits and studied his moves, often replicating situations on the chess board so she could understand his strategies. She cheered louder than anyone when he dethroned world chess champion, Boris Spassky, in 1972. Anyway, my younger sister taught me how to play chess. All because of Bobby Fisher.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Thursday, 17 January 2008 - Labrador retrievers
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for Labrador retrievers.
Now, despite his lover boy nature, T has negative points. He sheds 24x7x365 and his fur smells "fishy" when damp or wet. Although S and I don't mind his slobbery kisses, others not used to his affection do. T's extended puppy stage lasted well over five years. He also has an annoying obsession with people food. And, sadly, his life span will be too short - maybe 13 years at most.
T turned 11 in December so he is an old guy. I look into his big golden eyes and give him one more hug before returning to work. The three of us look forward to being a family for a few more years.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for Labrador retrievers.
2007 Most Popular Dogs in the U.S.
1. Labrador retriever
2. Yorkshire terrier
3. German shepherd
4. Golden retriever
5. Beagle
6. Boxer
7. Dachshund
8. Poodle
9. Shih Tzu
10. Bulldog
Now, despite his lover boy nature, T has negative points. He sheds 24x7x365 and his fur smells "fishy" when damp or wet. Although S and I don't mind his slobbery kisses, others not used to his affection do. T's extended puppy stage lasted well over five years. He also has an annoying obsession with people food. And, sadly, his life span will be too short - maybe 13 years at most.
T turned 11 in December so he is an old guy. I look into his big golden eyes and give him one more hug before returning to work. The three of us look forward to being a family for a few more years.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Wednesday, 16 January 2008 - Personal chauffeur
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for a my personal chauffeur.
It's cold this morning. I mean really, really cold. Bitterly so. Life threateningly so. I shiver just thinking about the single digit thermometer reading. I cringe as each wild, take your breath away wind gust beats against the house, dropping the wind chill index into negative numbers.
The local weather station reports that the storm has not yet reached downtown. We live along the Rocky Mountain foothills in a northwest suburb where visiting winter winds and storms often arrive early and stay late. Lucky us.
Anyway, it's time to leave the house. I'm glad that S is home and willing to be my personal chauffeur today. I could drive myself to my speaking engagement venue south of downtown, but, given the weather, I would probably arrive a complete wreck. Of course, T comes along for the ride.
The moment I step outside, the arctic air literally sucks up my body heat. I sigh. It's going to be a tough day for anyone going anywhere outdoors.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for a my personal chauffeur.
It's cold this morning. I mean really, really cold. Bitterly so. Life threateningly so. I shiver just thinking about the single digit thermometer reading. I cringe as each wild, take your breath away wind gust beats against the house, dropping the wind chill index into negative numbers.
The local weather station reports that the storm has not yet reached downtown. We live along the Rocky Mountain foothills in a northwest suburb where visiting winter winds and storms often arrive early and stay late. Lucky us.
Anyway, it's time to leave the house. I'm glad that S is home and willing to be my personal chauffeur today. I could drive myself to my speaking engagement venue south of downtown, but, given the weather, I would probably arrive a complete wreck. Of course, T comes along for the ride.
The moment I step outside, the arctic air literally sucks up my body heat. I sigh. It's going to be a tough day for anyone going anywhere outdoors.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Tuesday, 15 January 2008 - Bold participation
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for bold participation.
Empower me
to be a bold participant,
rather than a timid saint in waiting,
in the difficult ordinariness of now ...
~Ted Loder
I know. I have stood on the sidelines too long during the current Presidential primary season. Not because of indecision about a candidate either. My inaction comes from lingering burnout from volunteering during the 2004 election and my intense guilt about volunteering when I should be doing paid work.
Yet, if I don't do anything to effect the change I want to see, then I have no right to complain about my party's eventual candidate. So, I am jumping into the fray with a new sense of urgency and purpose. Senator Obama needs my help. And, the February 5 Colorado primary is just around the corner.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for bold participation.
Empower me
to be a bold participant,
rather than a timid saint in waiting,
in the difficult ordinariness of now ...
~Ted Loder
I know. I have stood on the sidelines too long during the current Presidential primary season. Not because of indecision about a candidate either. My inaction comes from lingering burnout from volunteering during the 2004 election and my intense guilt about volunteering when I should be doing paid work.
Yet, if I don't do anything to effect the change I want to see, then I have no right to complain about my party's eventual candidate. So, I am jumping into the fray with a new sense of urgency and purpose. Senator Obama needs my help. And, the February 5 Colorado primary is just around the corner.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
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