Christmas Weekend

Another successful family Christmas weekend!   We celebrate a little early now - to accomodate the New Jersey schedules and the large family party.    Joe was all smiles as he celebrated, slept over, sang and played with his favorite cousins!

What I learned...

Although my career hasn't been a straight forward path, I am pleased to be where I am today and I've learned a lot along the way.  If my lessons help anyone else, I'm very glad to share.   A few off the top of my head:

1. Your career is a long game.  Have a plan for where you see yourself in 5 years.  Remember, even the best of circumstances and teams WILL change.  Be prepared for that change by continuing to grow, learn and broaden your network.

2.  Do not burn bridges.  Industries are small and your reputation is important.  People understand that things don't always work out, but do your best to maintain relationships with former colleagues.

3.  Self-motivate.  Just because someone isn't asking for a task to be done, doesn't mean there's not work to do. 

4.  Be useful.  Always.

5.  Your opinion matters, but only sometimes.  People know more than they may vocalize.   You don't have to say everything you think.

I want to go to that place!

Joe and I play a game with the backdrops that come on when the tv is in idle --- like the computer screensavers, they show pictures from all over the world and we race to say "I want to go to that place!!"   Since there are so many places I want to go, I figured I could start a little series here on the blog.

I.  This glamping spot at Slippery Rock Trails in Maine.   Hopefully this summer!!!

https://www.hipcamp.com/maine/slippery-rock-trails/camping-shelter-with-relaxing-views

Hamilton

Broadway's Hamilton came to Boston this fall and on a whim, I bought tickets and went to a Saturday matinee.  I didn't know what to expect - a rap about a founding U.S. father, let's see what all the buzz is about.   Maybe I'll like it, maybe I won't but since it's such a highly touted work and I have the time and resources, let's see.

Well, I LOVED it.  I truly felt like I had witnessed one of those larger than human life works of art; the same feeling I had when inside the Sagrada Familia years ago.  How is a person capable of this genius??!!   To me, masterpieces like that feel spiritual.  There is something superhuman in their creation.  

Inevitably, I have been listening to a few of the songs - That would be enough, Dear Theodosia, It's Quiet Uptown, Who Lives, who dies, who tells your story - since seeing the production and the beautiful lyrics never get old.  That random Saturday morning decision was such a good one!! 

One of my favorites

"Complaining is not a strategy.  You have to work with the world as you find it, not as you would have it to be" - Jeff Bezos

amen.

Motion

"Every day, you reinvent yourself.  You're always in motion.  But you decide every day: forward or backward." - James Altucher

I'm pleased to say, this has been a forward year for me.  I've done things I've never done before and in many ways feel stronger than I ever have before.  There's more work to do, always, but I'm confident and grateful to be going in the right direction.

Here I am at Point Lobos State Park in Carmel California.  It was a stunning hike along the Pacific coast that I did on my own.  Other than my first trip to the Northwest in 2011, I had not done much hiking before this year.  But my new hobby has grown quite enjoyable and I look forward to much more! 

Friends

I have been blessed with a life full of wonderful friends!   Friends from elementary school remain some of my closest and since then I've added with college friends, work friends and "mom" friends.  I think being able to have a friend and BE a friend is one of the single most important things we can learn and I'm so grateful when I see J starting to form true friendships.

This picture from his party warms my heart!  My boy with his pals Owen, Shuvam and Jacob - each of them feeling so comfortable in their own imaginative young boy skin - no judgement, pure freedom with each other.   One of life's greatest blessings.

What is a friend? I will tell you… it is someone with whom you dare to be yourself. - Frank Cane