Month: September 2011

9/12/01

We woke up to such a different world that day, didn’t we…

I remember the hugs that morning being a little longer, a little tighter. We found comfort in each other as we collectively embraced this new paradigm of uncertainty.

As the dust settled everything seemed suddenly fragile.

On a recent visit to a local glass museum I noticed a most exquisite piece of hand blown glass in the shape of a butterfly, artistically crafted in such beautiful detail.

A glass butterfly, life is. Beautiful, yet fragile.

So very fragile.

To fully respect the inherent nature of human fragility is to fully appreciate the gift of human life. For when we grasp our own temporal nature we acknowledge the preciousness of each moment, of each breath. It is only in this very moment that we can live, love and be loved. Future moments are never guaranteed.

Looking at life through a lense of fragility gives us the perspective that reframes everything.

We are all glass butterflies, beautiful yet temporary gifts to each other.

There is no better time to give the gift of you away to the world.

It’s a great day to be you.

Guess What? Your Life Is Over and You Missed It

Dude, where’s my summer?

Remember when summer used to last forever? September was so far away it was never going to happen. Of course that was back in the days before kids and a mortgage and all those other grown up responsibilities.

This summer has already come and gone, and it feels like it never even started.

Or was I just too busy to notice?

Life’s greatest joys are usually found in the details. It’s the little things we notice when we actually take the time to notice them. Fully immersed in the present moment. But with the pace of life these days, who has time for details?

There’s always some place we’re trying to get to. There’s always something else to be done. Life sometimes feels like an all-you-can-eat Continue reading “Guess What? Your Life Is Over and You Missed It” →

Why The World Needs You To Be A Three-Year-Old Again

My three-year-old drew this picture for me today at school. She enthusiastically tells me it’s a picture of a “grab hopper”. I have no idea what a grab hopper is.

But it really doesn’t matter.

I love her art. Because it’s art in the truest sense. It’s her innocent untainted expression of what was inside of her, her vision, beautifully showcased on a canvas of 20 pound multipurpose paper with a cheap brown felt-tipped marker.

I’m certain that during the creative process she was never once concerned about what anyone else at her table thought about her drawing. They, too, were far too busy expressing themselves as well, gleefully showing each other their unique masterpieces.

Art. Without the art critics. Just art.

How much of the art that lies within us is never shared with the world simply because we fear it will be harshly measured, judged, evaluated, compared, criticized? How much of what we really are – our voice, our vision, our passion – remains suppressed simply because we’ve empowered the critics and cynics around us? You know, the ones that will lovingly tell you all the reasons why things probably won’t work out anyway?

The best way to silence the critics is to dive in anyway. Then just keep on swimming. At your own pace.

Within each one of us lie unique gifts that only we can offer to the world. A gift that makes the world better. Wouldn’t today be a great day to again start sharing them?

C’mon. How often do you get to act like a three-year-old?

It’s a great day to be you!