Hear Me Universe #95. Has Clear Boundaries

Defining your boundaries means trusting yourself to know what’s best for you. The tricky thing about boundaries is that today’s may look different than tomorrow’s, and it’s having confidence in your own inner guidance that allows your boundaries to be both firm and flexible. Experience teaches, and I wrote this item on my love list with the intention of inviting a partner who was committed to learning about himself. One of the greatest gifts we can give to ourselves is a curiosity about who we are and how we desire to move forward to become the next, best version of ourselves.Firmly saying, “today, I know this and today, I am this,” while remaining open to throwing out today’s belief in favor of new, wiser ones that serves you better is a growth mindset and is the art of living fully.Invite yourself to examine your own boundaries. Assess which are serving you and which you’ve outgrown. Be both resolved and adaptable.

Hear Me Universe #94. Plays Hard

“Today is life-the only life you are sure of. Make the most of today. Get interested in something. Shake yourself awake. Develop a hobby. Let the winds of enthusiasm sweep through you. Live today with gusto.”   –Dale CarnegieI believe that how we show up in one area of life is how we show up in all of life.  What motivates part us, motivates all of us. In yesterday’s Blog, #93, the descriptor was, “works hard.” “Plays hard” is its corollary, based upon my observation that people who work hard also tend to play hard. And the tie that binds working and playing hard is gusto.I wanted to attract a partner who lives with an appetite for LIFE—who delights in all pursuits and pursues that which delights. Playing hard embraces the adventure that this life offers. Playing hard means being willing to experiment beyond your comfort zone.  Playing hard means saying “yes” more than “no.”  Whether it’s a hobby or an athletic pursuit, I was calling in a fellow adventurer.What's your favorite way to "play hard"? How could you challenge yourself to play harder?

Hear Me Universe #93. Works Hard

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” –Mary OliverI’ve begun to confront my own beliefs around hard work in the last few years and, truth is, I am still seeking balance in my own life. When I wrote my love list, I was much more clear on what I meant by hard work: do more than others; push yourself every single day beyond what you think is possible; invest extreme amounts of time in work; begin early and continue late.These beliefs served me well in the way success is normally defined. My corporate career proved lucrative and was both emotionally rewarding and draining. Yet, when I resigned from that career earlier this year, I was exhausted. I had notable adrenal fatigue. Ironically, I had to work at slowing down. I had to make a deliberate effort to choose leisure. My body didn’t know how and my mind rebelled. And, I’m still practicing what inspiration action looks like.This I do know: my “wild and precious life” is still calling me forward to a greater and greater purpose. And, your “wild and precious life” is calling you forward.Will you listen?

Hear Me Universe #92. Finds Ways to Help Others

To find something, we must look for it. I desired to attract a partner who was on the look out for how he could offer a little help to others. It’s kindness, generosity, compassion, and action all rolled into one.Craig and I had been dating for a few weeks before the Christmas holiday season began, which offered a lot of opportunity for us to get to know each other, and that holiday, he jumped right in an helped me wrap gifts and throw an elaborate dinner party, so his kind spirit was already evident.Then, a few months later, when a flight was delayed for a whole day and we were leaving the airport, Craig offered to drive a young man, whose flight was also not departing that day, to his car...in another city...60 miles round trip...so that the young man could still make it to an important job interview on time.I adored his kindness toward this young man.It’s kindnesses little and big that make this world better for everyone. What if, for one day, everyone agreed to be helpful? To let a car in front. To pay forward a cup of coffee. To yield the passing lane to another. To help carry a heavy load.What if?

Hear Me Universe #91. Compatible Traveler

When did I know that my husband, Craig, and I were compatible travelers? Remember when we paid for 2 vacations and took 1? I wrote this story in Blog #46, about how my husband calmly solves problems. That story also is one way that we are compatible travelers.Traveling can offer up unexpected obstacles, so being flexible, open, and unattached to some details is the kind of compatibility I desired when I wrote this item on my love list. Traveling is such as adventure and approaching it in that spirit makes any kind of trip exciting. We’ve traveled a couple of hours to a rustic cabin at a state park with our sweet dog, Goldie, and it was as fun as any trip we’ve ever taken. The distance nor destination are the essentials, really. Certainly, waking up in Paris is fabulous and magical, but without that sense of adventure, any exotic locale would fall short in the mind of someone who isn’t flexible and doesn’t possess wide-eyed enthusiasm.Travel is good for my soul, and I am grateful that my partner is also my life’s travel companion.Are you drawn to explore the world through travel? Do you desire a partner who is a harmonious travel companion?

Hear Me Universe #90. Likes Central Park

Central Park is one of the greatest places on Earth.Not only because it’s in New York City, one of the most beautifully diverse and powerful cities on this planet.Not only because before the turn of this century visionaries set aside over 800 acres and dedicated it to public use.Not only because Olmsted and Vaux, who won a design competition for the park, but also because other socially conscious citizens understood how a grand public park would improve society.Not only because the park had periods of decline, erosion, barrenness, crumbing structures, but also because humans rallied and took responsibility and brought it back from two decades of devastating decline.Not only because Elizabeth "Betsy" Barlow, a visionary, Yale-educated urban planner and writer, became the park administrator and created a revolutionary public/private partnership duties.Not only because the Park is  156 years old and is thriving in the longest period of sustained health and beauty.And, mainly, because a walk in Central Park makes my heart sing, to feel the touch of millions of people who have walked the land for recreation, health, leisure, celebration, art, mourning, community and solitude.Have you been to Central Park?What do you like about it?