Passion Party #307 - The Road Of Life

The road of life is too short
to spend time driving with f---ed up people.

There are times on the road of life
when you need a good mechanic
and other times when you need a new road.

Sometimes you just need ingenuity:
Steven Wright took his car to the mechanic because the brakes were failing.
"I couldn't repair your brakes," the mechanic told him, "so I made your horn louder".

The other day I saw my favorite bumper sticker:
HORN BROKEN -
Watch For Finger

Passion Party #306 - Ask For Help

Don't be afraid to ask for help
There is nothing weak about it
It shows character, strength and trust.

Don't be afraid to ask for clarity
More clarity earlier means fewer emergencies later
It is not a sign of ignorance when you don't understand.

Don't be afraid to say,
"Can you explain this"
or "I can't do this alone
I need your help."

Passion Party #305 - I Will Be There

Smart, funny, caring,
concerned, truthful, musical,
loving, questioning, responsible,
brilliant, talented, thoughtful...
I know at times it all feels like dust
but believe me,
your character will carry you through
It may feel like you are at the top of the mountain
but really the journey is just beginning
and it will be full of
twists and turns and surprises
and know
that I will be there to love you
I will be there to support you
I will be there to care for you
I will be there to hug you
No matter what

Passion Party #304 - Open For Business

There was a time about two years ago
that I was praying for business
Now I have plenty of business
and I am praying for relief.

The work is cyclical
and when it hits it can be overwhelming
the detail and intricacy
leaves me ready to only focus on the challenges directly in front of me
to forget the past and future.

At times like this
I must remain open for business
remember that people need help
and I can use my knowledge and ability to guide them.
As long as I am honest and don't over-promise
I can stay open to receive
new business

Passion Party #303 - Embrace the Unknown

There are things that I know
There are things I know that I don't know
And then there are things that I don't know that I don't know.

The world is full of wonder
if I just open myself to it.
I shut myself off from possibilities
when I approach things
from the place that I know what I know.

Today I will let go of fear
and embrace the unknown
opening up to what I don't know
to see what I can learn.

Passion Party #302 - Upon Waking

There is a pleasure
in waking before sunrise
when the world is still and quiet
with only the white noise of the distant freeway
in the background

It is a time to view this blank slate
the sense of energy in my body buoys me
It is not yet a day of happiness or sadness
tethered not to moods or expectations

To accept that there is pain in life
that there is loss in life
that as we travel this path from birth to death
we have the ability to experience
both joy and pain
and to be open
to where the currents take me today
knowing
it is all part of life.

Passion Party #301 - A Gift of Health

There are many things in my life that I put up with, but when it comes to my health, I can't compromise any more.

After countless years of "tolerating" my current gym, I took a leap and joined a new sports facility. My old gym was fine - the equipment was up-to-date, but the place always felt kind of dirty and the locker room area was barely serviceable. At any given time there were always 2-3 showers out of service, etc.
The new club I joined is a major step up (in quality as well as price). It is more like a four-star hotel spa, without the hotel. Valet parking. Full-service restaurant for breakfast, lunch or business meetings. Salt water lap pool and basketball court. The men's locker room has a huge steam room, sauna and jacuzzi.

My new commitment: 3 times a week to the gym. It is a gift to myself.