Live the questions now....

I was in one of my favorite places the other day (Barnes & Noble) when I came across a magnet that, once I read it, I knew I had to buy it.

I don't really like to cover the entire refrigerator with a bunch of magnets or, for lack of a better term, crap, because it looks junky to me. I have what I call, a traveling fridge. The magnets that I do have, are from places that I've been, like Paris....Hawaii, Charleston....

I've always liked to read things that make me think, even if it's just a short inspirational message. This one is pure gold, so I'm sharing it with you.

"I beg you....to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live.....everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way....into the answer" -Rainer Maria Rilke

I havent read truer words in a long time. It was like an "a"piphany! See what I did there?

I had to research Rainer Maria Rilke, I haven't heard his name before. I believe I've stumbled upon another favorite.

See you soon friend,
Tiffany

PS I'm happy to report that Breakfast at Tiffanys has been on the patio most of the week. I hope this beautiful weather stays in N. Texas. It's fall after all!

Who really inspires me is the friend that pushes me to be better....

You know what inspires me?

Art. Looking at beautiful paintings, portraits, photographs, chalk drawings, sand art (while walking a beach).

Music. It can totally change the mood of my day. I rely on it much like an old friend, because that's how I perceive it.

Random Acts of Kindness. Even if they're not random. Just acts of kindness period. Especially when done with no expectation of a return.

The weather. Autumn breezes....Winter snow. Icicles melting from awnings as Winter fades and Spring peeks around the corner, bringing rain that flows a clean scent through my open windows. A Summer sun making the surface of a pool glitter like diamonds.

Nature. If you ask me if I'm a bird watcher my first inclination is to reply with "no". Because who has time? But I do have time. And I do watch them when I can. Butterflies mesmerize me. Sometimes this nature watching is on t.v. but that's is SO not a replacement for being out in it. But to see an Elephant pounding through the jungle, trumpeting loudly, I either have to go on African Safari or turn the t.v. on. I guess I could go to the zoo. Hmmm.

A tide rolling in from the shore. I think this is nature and weather combined.

Quotes. Ah the written word. I love it.

"I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was" Muhammad Ali

Books. The Noticer.....The Last Lecture....Tuesdays With Morrie.....do you have a few hours while I compile my list?

Movies. Quotes falls within this one. Movies like Nightmare on Elm Street? Not so much. I love scary movies, but they don't inspire me. But those like The Kite Runner, or Ray....The Soloist....Into the Wild, do. I'm leaving about four hundred out......


You know who inspires me?

The person who fights cancer, HARD, and wins.
Someone brave enough to take leaps of faith to make positive changes in their lives, for a brighter future.
The student putting themselves through school with no help.
The parent who lost a spouse that has to continue with life, raising kids and making sure love is always present.
The parent of a handicapped child.
A person who is comfortable in their own skin, and it shows with ease.
The person who puts their hand up and says NO.MORE. to the abusive relationship they're in.

Audrey Hepburn was an actress, but also a UN Goodwill Ambassador. I've always liked her. That is inspiration on a large scale, but it doesn't always have to be. It can come from family and friends who do small things as well. If a neighbor has surgery and needs their lawn cared for while they're recuperating, the person who steps up to help without being asked .....yeah, that person inspires me too.

Who really inspires me is the friend that pushes me to be better.

That's the friend I'm going to have breakfast with this week. Is it you?
See you soon,
Tiffany

Soulmates, Muses, Friends

A best friend and I talk on the phone a lot because we live in different states now. She's the kind of friend where geographical distance means absolutely nothing. Telling her what is happening with me and my world is my comfortable, 'feels like going home' place, where there is nothing but unconditional love. You know the old saying, most people have a lot of acquaintances, but can count their true friends on one hand? Well she counts as two fingers, one wouldn't be enough. I could rob a bank, she would drive the getaway car. Don't worry, we're not planning a Thelma and Louise trip across the country. (Um, unless Brad Pitt is in my script, thennnnnn maybe we will, just sayin) If I call her and say "I'm an idiot" she will reply with "then so am I". She won't tell me I'm not one if I've done something stupid, but she'll join me. My point is, and I'm sure you get it already by now, she is the kind of best friend that I hope everyone has at least one of, in their life. We begin the conversation as though we're already in the middle. I can get a three word text from her that makes me laugh out loud for an hour.

Todays conversation included something we talk about a lot. Muses. What is a muse? One definition reads,
"the power regarded as inspiring a poet, artist, thinker, or the like"
When people question why others come into their lives for a short time, I often say, "maybe you were their muse". You inspired them, to be better people. To become who they dream to be but are afraid to try to achieve that dream. You gave them confidence, made them believe in themselves, boosting their ego enough that they took steps they were afraid to take before they met you. The "short time" part sucks, especially when you become attached to someone. But if I'm right, sometimes your story is just written that way.

Then there is the soulmate conversation. I read something once that I've kept since I saw it the first time, it was a different perspective on what I had always thought a soulmate was.
(Excerpt)
Elizabeth Gilbert writes: ""People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life.
A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then leave....."
 
Sounds like a muse to me in a way. The muse isn't supposed to fall in love with who he/she is inspiring. They are to just "inspire", and not overstay their welcome. I don't know if I'm in total agreement with Elizabeth Gilbert, but I really like this part "the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life."
 
Which brings me to friends. A true friend won't lie to you. If you ask them if the new haircut is becoming, and it truly isn't, they will tell you the truth. Let's hope that truth has kindness in it =). I know the good friends that I'm blessed to have well enough to know who wants the real truth and who wants the inspiring words that will help them get through whatever tragedy they may have going on at the time. I'm not saying the inspiring words are lies per se, but raw truth needs to be administered in small doses, depending on the receiver.
 
BEST friends will say, oh honey, it will grow out, don't worry. (lol and yes I am, laughing out loud for real)
 
I'm lucky, I think I've had a very nice combination of all three, four if you include best friends. Whatever role anyone in my life plays, I'm grateful they are here. I usually learn something about myself, that's what it's all about......
 
So the thing is, there are going to be times when you feel like there is a big question mark hanging above things that happen, people that come and go, relationships that shift and change and take on new roles......don't question all of these things. Let some of them just, be. And learn.
Okay?
 
“It's always been a gift with me, hearing music the way I do. I don't know where it comes from, it's just there and I don't question it.” Miles Davis
 
The next time you have breakfast at Tiffany's, remind me that I have to tell you about the haunted elevator at work. You think I'm kidding don't you.
Until then, sleep well friend.
Tiffany
 
PS This post is dedicated to Muffin, thank you for throwing pom poms in the air every time I do something. Oh and sorry about telling the interwebs your childhood nickname that still follows you around. (LOL I can't wait to get the text about this one)
 
 

 
 
 

Paying it Forward

I'm gonna love this one.

A friend of mine had a really cool status update in Facebook today, I asked her if I could blog about it. Just in time for me to give up Facebook for Lent on a positive note, w00t!

Her story:

Best part of the day, we were pulling into a parking space and I saw a $20 bill blowing by in the wind, so I jumped out of the car and ended up with $70! No one around to claim it so we bought the bagged meals for CCA donation to feed the hungry. It was like being in the money box with the wind blowing the bills around.

I immediately went to Ellen Degeneres's show in my mind, she's always surprising people by sending her crew to their house with a wind money machine. They're asked to get inside the machine, the internal fans are turned on, and they get a small amount of time to stuff money anywhere they can in order to have it "on" them when the machine is turned off. Whatever they have on them, they get to keep. I have to also say that I've heard her say hundreds of times; "oh you get to keep ALL of it by the way". I love this part of her show, she's helped so many people that are down on their luck.

My friend chose not to keep it for herself, but to donate it to CCA (Christian Community Action) to help feed those that can't afford food. I've been to the CCA center in Lewisville, TX. What they have going on there is nothing short of wonderful.

I was wondering how many people would have done the same thing my friend did, or kept the money for themselves. Human nature is a funny thing. It could go either way. It could be that the person that found the money, actually needed it. Maybe they had a bill they didn't know how they were going to pay, or needed groceries they didnt have money for.

But Molly chose to help someone else with it. I love that.

Thanks for the inspiration Molly, and the reminder that there really are good people out there. This post is for you.

Until next time,
Tiffany

P.S. NO idea what is for breakfast at Tiffany's in the morning. But I'm oncall, working from home, beginning at noon. Did you just say CAFE BRAZIL? I thought I heard you say that. =)

American Idol.....inspiring?

I know. I KNOW. But let me explain. I can't believe this happened, but it did. I had an inspirational moment occur when watching.....wait for it.....American Idol. Oh you probably guessed, it's the title of this post.
Was I inspired by Simon and his rude but dead on reaction to someone's voice singing whatever song they were inspired by? Uh no.
Randy 'from the dawg-pound' Jackson's laughing at someone's pitiful attempt at Somewhere Over the Rainbow? Nope.
Kara's hipster attempts at critiquing each person with flair? This is a big hell no because she's my least favorite judge. Don't misunderstand, she's a great lyricist. But I disagree with her often in her judging....

This sliver of inspiration came from someone that auditioned for the show, and made it through to Hollywood mind you, and we knew she would because she was interviewed before they showed her audition and there were no "antics", she was portrayed as a nice, normal human being.

She said: "You can't just take all of the no's all the time. Sometimes you have to turn the no's into yes's"

This can be applied EVERYWHERE in life, oui? *warning, I may slip in and out of French at regular intervals, being a Francophile.

What I gleaned from this one sentence is as follows:

Just because you are turned down for whatever you are trying for, does not mean that you can't keep reaching for what you want. Keep. Going. Have the "everything happens for a reason" attitude. Yes I know, it's a cliche. But one I believe in, wholeheartedly. Maybe your presentation needs tweaking #business. Maybe the person you think you like isn't ready for what you are ready for, or isn't the one for you and you just can't see it #relationships. Maybe the book you're writing needs more editing #dreams. Maybe the interview didn't go well because there is a better job waiting right around the corner #career.

If you say you can't, you can't. If you say you can, you most defintely can, and eventually will, given the hard work required for anything worth obtaining. My grandpa used to always say, "nothing in this life is ever free. If they tell you it's free, there's a catch". Pap, I listened to everything you said. (I wish I had written down more, but I remember).

If something isn't working for you, try a different approach. Don't give up, just be smart about it. There is, of course, always a time to know when to fold your hand, right?

Back to work tomorrow after this lovely four day weekend. I won't say tomorrow is my Monday though, I would never cheat Tuesday like that! TODAY was my Monday, and it was very relaxing. I hope yours went well.

Breakfast at 7a, be there.
Until then, sleep well friend
Tiffany

Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it. -Winston Churchill

The sun is setting on 2009 yawl

From the "Letters to my fam" Series

While I share my usual ramblings to my family lets have coffee shall we?Good morning mi familia. I seem to wake up before the crack of dawn when my house is silent. I dont mind the quiet but the quiet itself seems to wake me. I've got a meeting scheduled with the workout room in a little while, I'm feeling the pull to nature's prozac, cardio! I've already started making a mental list of what I want to do in 2010, too early? Nah, there are 5 days left in 2009, I'll make the best of them but I am very ready for the New Year. Lots of things to look forward to, a possible trip to Hawaii in May (crossing everything I have that this trip includes me getting on a plane headed west), getting my kitchen ready for new appliances and floors, (mom will you believe this, they've sent me a note saying its scheduled for march, I know I know), work is going to be interesting as my "team" is gaining 4 new members, not a bad thing given these times of layoffs and whatnot, my workout zone needs me to get back in it, hence the workout room today, lets see......personal growth. Well I always do that. At least I think I do. We all do, without even meaning to, unless we're sleeping through the days and not paying attention. Mom got me "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch, for Christmas. I've almost read this entire book in two days. I'll finish today. This will be one I keep, its going on "the shelf". Only my favorites go on the shelf. Or books I havent read yet. Or books given to me as gifts. What I mean is, the luxury of having a Half Price Books nearby is that I can get a few books for ten dollars, read them, and then sell them back and get more. But if they fall into those 3 categories, they stay with me. I will now share what we all would like to know, so that we can wake up fresh each morning. I hope everyone had a delightful Christmas, and you're still enjoying the weekend. Monday calls early, I suppose I'll answer.

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/10-ways-to-wake-up-beautiful-439583/

Love to the masses,
Apiphany

And a word from Randy Pausch:"The brick walls are there for a reason," he said during his lecture. "The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something