Monday, January 27, 2014

Passion Party #500 - A Lovely Day

There are things that annoy me about Los Angeles
 
(like the other day when I was being tailgated on the freeway by someone driving a car with a vanity plate that read, "B JENTL").
 
And then there are days like yesterday where you have an experience that truly could not happen in any other city in the world.
 
Diana and I drove to downtown Los Angeles,  parked at Disney Hall and then took the subway to the Hotel Figueroa next to the Staples Center for a pre-Grammy music party, sponsored by one of the big entertainment law firms here in town. 
 
We spent the afternoon sipping Chardonnay and eating middle-eastern food while we listened to young upcoming bands and thought about all the high-heels being packed into those overpriced seats in Staples Center.
 
Then around 5:00 PM we took a walk through downtown, up to Grand Avenue.  After a beverage stop at Nic + Stef's, we walked to Disney Hall to see the Los Angeles master Chorale perform Bach's B Minor Mass, one of the greatest choral pieces ever written.
 
Surrounded by glorious architecture, we listened to the chamber orchestra and 100-voice choir perform in the acoustically perfect concert hall.   The 2 hour work is one of the great monuments of Baroque music, and it carries you on a journey from forgiveness, to death, resurrection and finally to glory and a  glowing finale.
 
From Daft Punk to J. S. Bach, all in one day... only in L.A.

Friday, January 24, 2014

Passion Party #499 - The Servant Master: Self-abnegation

I have had some questions about this last series of posts.
 
I wrote them to remind myself that I am not in charge.
 
Self-abnegation is an interesting term with two very different definitions.
For me it is not "the denial of one's own interests in favour of the interests of others", as much as "the setting aside of self-interest for the sake of others or for a belief or principle."  (a subtle differentiation there, but very important).
 
I do not feel that I am denying my own interests - they are very much alive and important to me.
 
My day is filled with talking to people that want to buy or refinance a home and need counseling and guidance.  I need to keep remembering that it is not about "the sale" as much as "the service".  In the end I make money, but that is not my primary focus.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Passion Party #498 - The Servant Master: Humility

I teach by doing.
I give in anonymity.
I remember where I came from.
I do not lord over others.
I start the day by asking, "Who can I serve today?  How can I make the world a better place?"

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Passion Pasrty #497 - The Servant Master: Forgiveness

When I forgive those that have hurt me, it is the first step towards making myself whole. I can forgive, and take the next action.

The choice of living in anger, hatred, revenge and violence leads down a road that is like a feedback loop - it gets louder as we listen to that voice, and there is no resolution, no completion, just more anger and hatred.

Once I forgive, I can start to build trust and love again. Or I can move on. Either way, I am complete.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Passion Party #496 - The Servant Master: Patience

I am not the most patient person.
 
I don't suffer fools.
 
But I can be patient when working on a project.  I can put hours into learning something new, or organizing things or creating systems that will make my life easier in the future.  
 
I guess I am patient with things, just not with people.
 
This is why I am not a great teacher, but I am an excellent student.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Passion Party #495 - The Servant Master: Gratitude

When I start my day with gratitude it is always a better day.
 
I am grateful that my feet hit the floor for another day.
 
I am grateful that I am capable of breathing, stretching, meditating and  exercising.
 
I am grateful for the place that I live, grateful that I am surrounded by love and support.
 
These thoughts of gratitude carry me into another day.

Monday, January 13, 2014

Passion Party #494 - The Servant Master: Truthfulness

I start from a place of openness.
 
Then I share the truth.  My truth.
 
For me, truthfulness is not an absolute, nor is it something I can embody fully.
If I am honest with myself, I will admit that I live in about 75% truthfulness.
Sometimes the truth hurts, and then I need to decide, is it worth it to experience that pain?
 
I may think I know "the truth", but I must be open to the other person's view and opinion.
I must be sensitive 
never using my "truth" in as way that hurts another person.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Passion Party #493 - The Servant Master: Acceptance

Acceptance is the key. 
 
I can spend my life struggling with the way things are, with the people I work with, with the changes in my business, or I can accept the things I cannot change and work on the things I can. 
 
When I let go of the struggle I begin to see the true nature of things.
 
Then I can move forward.

Thursday, January 9, 2014

PassionParty #492 - The Servant Master: Compassion

Compassion
 
            For me, compassion is personal.  I can feel that the world is in trouble, but I don’t do anything about it.  When I see a person in need, and I feel I can help, then compassion takes hold.  I need to act locally, having compassion for those I can directly affect.
 
   If I do one compassionate act a day, whether it is caring for a sick friend or giving a dollar coin to the busker at the mall, my day becomes better.