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dreams and signs
Mar. 22nd, 2012 08:53 amI'm considering a business opportunity. It feels like a good match with what I've been trying to do; it would bring in a small income stream but also be a source of potential coaching clients. I'm moving cautiously, but a couple of things have made me feel as if the universe is nudging me to say yes.
I saw Les Miserables this weekend. It's an amazing show, and the music stayed with me; I've been humming it all week. I decided I wanted to hear the lovely, melancholy "I Dreamed a Dream" again, so I went to youtube, and of course, found Susan Boyle's performance on "Britain's Got Talent."
One of the things that struck me was the initial meanness of the audition, which, sadly, puts the reality in "reality" shows. A frumpy, frizzy-haired middle-aged woman walked out on stage and said she wanted to be a professional singer, and everyone laughed and rolled their eyes, including the judges. No one took her seriously--until she opened her mouth and her strong, powerful, beautiful voice emerged, singing her dream. Jaws literally dropped, as she stood on a bare stage and sang for a bigger audience than she'd ever had before. Susan Boyle amazed everyone by taking a risk, putting herself in front of another mocking crowd who only saw her unassuming exterior. She amazed the people in her town, some of whom had bullied her when she was a learning-disabled child, who had only seen a spinster who spent her life taking care of her aging parents and singing in the church choir and at karaoke night.
She dreamed a dream and made it happen, and the world cheered.
The business opportunity I'm exploring is a partnership, and my potential partner sent me some information today. The manual she has created is prefaced by a poem by Mary Oliver, "Journey." Since I am a poet myself, this choice spoke to me. It signaled a deep level of compatibility. Someone who values poetry, who understands how a poem can speak more clearly than a thousand sentences, is someone I can work with.
I was thinking about this as I drove my daughter to school today. After I dropped her off, I turned on the radio, and heard the first notes of Tom Petty's Running Down a Dream.
It was a beautiful day, the sun beat down
I had the radio on, I was driving
The trees went by, me and Del were singing
Little Runaway, I was flying
Yeah running down a dream
That never would come to me
Working on a mystery, going wherever it leads
I'm running down a dream
I felt so good, like anything was possible
I hit cruise control and rubbed eyes
The last three days the rain was unstoppabl e
It was always cold, no sun shine
Yeah running down a dream
That never would come to me
Working on a mystery, going wherever it leads
I'm running down a dream
I rolled on as the sky grew dark
I put the pedal down to make some time
There's something good waiting down this road
I'm picking up whatever is mine
Yeah running down a dream
That never would come to me
Working on a mystery, going wherever it leads
I'm running down a dream
I saw Les Miserables this weekend. It's an amazing show, and the music stayed with me; I've been humming it all week. I decided I wanted to hear the lovely, melancholy "I Dreamed a Dream" again, so I went to youtube, and of course, found Susan Boyle's performance on "Britain's Got Talent."
One of the things that struck me was the initial meanness of the audition, which, sadly, puts the reality in "reality" shows. A frumpy, frizzy-haired middle-aged woman walked out on stage and said she wanted to be a professional singer, and everyone laughed and rolled their eyes, including the judges. No one took her seriously--until she opened her mouth and her strong, powerful, beautiful voice emerged, singing her dream. Jaws literally dropped, as she stood on a bare stage and sang for a bigger audience than she'd ever had before. Susan Boyle amazed everyone by taking a risk, putting herself in front of another mocking crowd who only saw her unassuming exterior. She amazed the people in her town, some of whom had bullied her when she was a learning-disabled child, who had only seen a spinster who spent her life taking care of her aging parents and singing in the church choir and at karaoke night.
She dreamed a dream and made it happen, and the world cheered.
The business opportunity I'm exploring is a partnership, and my potential partner sent me some information today. The manual she has created is prefaced by a poem by Mary Oliver, "Journey." Since I am a poet myself, this choice spoke to me. It signaled a deep level of compatibility. Someone who values poetry, who understands how a poem can speak more clearly than a thousand sentences, is someone I can work with.
I was thinking about this as I drove my daughter to school today. After I dropped her off, I turned on the radio, and heard the first notes of Tom Petty's Running Down a Dream.
It was a beautiful day, the sun beat down
I had the radio on, I was driving
The trees went by, me and Del were singing
Little Runaway, I was flying
Yeah running down a dream
That never would come to me
Working on a mystery, going wherever it leads
I'm running down a dream
I felt so good, like anything was possible
I hit cruise control and rubbed eyes
The last three days the rain was unstoppabl e
It was always cold, no sun shine
Yeah running down a dream
That never would come to me
Working on a mystery, going wherever it leads
I'm running down a dream
I rolled on as the sky grew dark
I put the pedal down to make some time
There's something good waiting down this road
I'm picking up whatever is mine
Yeah running down a dream
That never would come to me
Working on a mystery, going wherever it leads
I'm running down a dream
so many thanks
Feb. 26th, 2012 01:51 pmto ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
enigmaticblues for the charming blue dragon who now lives on my profile page, and for the sparkly glass heart next door to him!
enigmaticblues for the charming blue dragon who now lives on my profile page, and for the sparkly glass heart next door to him!Begin as you mean to go on
Jan. 1st, 2012 01:03 pmAccording to various superstitions, how you start the year sets the tone for the next 12 months.
I began the year last night surrounded by friends, laughing.
I began today hanging around with my family, relaxing. In while, we'll be seeing friends again, at a new year's day brunch.
Hope the superstition is correct, at least for me.
I began the year last night surrounded by friends, laughing.
I began today hanging around with my family, relaxing. In while, we'll be seeing friends again, at a new year's day brunch.
Hope the superstition is correct, at least for me.
The Janus Moment
Dec. 31st, 2011 01:10 pmHappy New Year to all! I wish you health, joy, and abundance all year long.
I've been thinking about why we make such a big deal about New Year's Eve, and I've decided it's all about the Roman God Janus.
I've been thinking about why we make such a big deal about New Year's Eve, and I've decided it's all about the Roman God Janus.
a very pleasant surprise
Dec. 20th, 2011 12:05 pmI got a card and a package in the mail today. The card was from England, sent by my second-cousin, Ian. I haven't seen him in perhaps twenty years, but his grandmother and mine were sisters: Alice stayed in Birmingham, while Ann came to America back in the 1920s. We've been in touch via Facebook, so it was great to get a real card.
The package was entirely unexpected, as all the best packages are, and is part of a story that started in September, whensharonsays invited me to a party at Harvard. One of her several degrees is from there, and so we went to the opening of Harvard's 350th birthday party, which took place in Harvard Yard, in the pouring rain. We had a grand time. There was a band, and free chocolate and an excellent ale brewed specially for the occasion, and we talked to people and danced in the mud and enjoyed the sheer silliness of it all.
At one point, we noticed an iPhone lying sadly in the mud, along with a flash drive on a cord, and picked it up. Nobody nearby seemed to have lost it, even though it hadn't been there long, since it was still working. I opened the email program and sent a message to its "from" address, with my own cell phone number and email. I figured if I didn't get a call from the owner before the evening ended, I'd hand it over to University security.
I then dropped it into my purse and promptly forgot all about it.
Two days later, my cellphone rang, and I met Alison, who was delighted to find out that her phone and flash drive were safe. As it turns out, she had just moved back to the Boston area from Tennessee, and the phone was full of useful information that wasn't readily available anywhere else. She came by my house to pick it up, and we wound up having a long conversation.
Today, I got a lovely card from her, and a book: 14,000 Things to Be Happy About. The book and the very nice note in the card made it 14,002 happiness-causing things.
May you find happiness-causing things in your path today!
The package was entirely unexpected, as all the best packages are, and is part of a story that started in September, when
sharonsays invited me to a party at Harvard. One of her several degrees is from there, and so we went to the opening of Harvard's 350th birthday party, which took place in Harvard Yard, in the pouring rain. We had a grand time. There was a band, and free chocolate and an excellent ale brewed specially for the occasion, and we talked to people and danced in the mud and enjoyed the sheer silliness of it all. At one point, we noticed an iPhone lying sadly in the mud, along with a flash drive on a cord, and picked it up. Nobody nearby seemed to have lost it, even though it hadn't been there long, since it was still working. I opened the email program and sent a message to its "from" address, with my own cell phone number and email. I figured if I didn't get a call from the owner before the evening ended, I'd hand it over to University security.
I then dropped it into my purse and promptly forgot all about it.
Two days later, my cellphone rang, and I met Alison, who was delighted to find out that her phone and flash drive were safe. As it turns out, she had just moved back to the Boston area from Tennessee, and the phone was full of useful information that wasn't readily available anywhere else. She came by my house to pick it up, and we wound up having a long conversation.
Today, I got a lovely card from her, and a book: 14,000 Things to Be Happy About. The book and the very nice note in the card made it 14,002 happiness-causing things.
May you find happiness-causing things in your path today!
I have been wrapping presents and watching TV (SGA) for the last few hours. Also making lists, checking twice, figuring out what I still need to get, including gift tags, and hoping that if I mail stuff on Monday, it will get there by Saturday. That's five full days, especially if I get it to the Post Office first thing in the morning, should be enough, right?
Did not manage to clean house, which is desperately needed. That's next. I did put up a blog post.
As the poet said, miles to go before I sleep.
Did not manage to clean house, which is desperately needed. That's next. I did put up a blog post.
As the poet said, miles to go before I sleep.
(no subject)
Dec. 13th, 2011 08:23 amI feel like baking today. That rarely happens, I'm not much of a baker. But it's cold out, my cheeks stung a little for the first few minutes I was outdoors. Maybe I'll make banana bread, I have some bananas that are aging all too rapidly.
Meatloaf is definitely on the menu tonight. It's comfort food, and my kids like it a lot, so I'll get the warm fuzzy feeling of hearing them say "meatloaf, nom!" or something to that effect.
I'm a little melancholy today, which happens around this time of year. At least part of it is due to getting out of bed while it's still dark out, I know. So I'll fill my house with the warm smell of something yummy in the oven, to drive away the winter blues.
Meatloaf is definitely on the menu tonight. It's comfort food, and my kids like it a lot, so I'll get the warm fuzzy feeling of hearing them say "meatloaf, nom!" or something to that effect.
I'm a little melancholy today, which happens around this time of year. At least part of it is due to getting out of bed while it's still dark out, I know. So I'll fill my house with the warm smell of something yummy in the oven, to drive away the winter blues.
tis the season
Dec. 12th, 2011 08:25 amOr, Update on the State of Me, with Linkspam
Had the unnerving revelation yesterday that Christmas is only 2 weeks away. So I did the only sensible thing, and invited four more people for Christmas dinner. Given the limitations of space and furniture, there will probably be a 'kids table' this year, for the first time. I am amused to realize that our guest list includes: one churchgoing Christian, three non-observant Christian/agnostics, two non-observant Baha'is, four pagans, and two observant Jews. Christmas is an inclusive holiday at our house.
Revelation occurred in the middle of my annual tree-trimming brunch, attended by more than 30 people. The house is now fully decorated. I have done some shopping online, and will do more today, as part of my mall-avoidance strategy. I have NO idea what to get for stocking stuffers, so any suggestions will be appreciated. Also, what to get for 17-year-old boy who has no idea what he wants.
In happy happy me news, I have had a poem accepted by Evergreen Review. I get to tell my poetry group tonight, and I am looking forward to that. *gleeful grin*
I'm also trying hard to market my coaching business, mostly via social media right now since I have no time for other methods. Blogging like a mad thing, posting on Facebook and Twitter, and getting no response. I'm told being consistent is the thing, so I keep putting myself out there and hoping I'm not as invisible as I feel.
(BTW, blog is here, and I'm @OwnSuccess on twitter and Success with Sandra Larkin on Facebook. Feel free to share/retweet/comment etc. Or not. I'm also offering a new coaching program to help people make and keep New Year's Resolutions.
Had the unnerving revelation yesterday that Christmas is only 2 weeks away. So I did the only sensible thing, and invited four more people for Christmas dinner. Given the limitations of space and furniture, there will probably be a 'kids table' this year, for the first time. I am amused to realize that our guest list includes: one churchgoing Christian, three non-observant Christian/agnostics, two non-observant Baha'is, four pagans, and two observant Jews. Christmas is an inclusive holiday at our house.
Revelation occurred in the middle of my annual tree-trimming brunch, attended by more than 30 people. The house is now fully decorated. I have done some shopping online, and will do more today, as part of my mall-avoidance strategy. I have NO idea what to get for stocking stuffers, so any suggestions will be appreciated. Also, what to get for 17-year-old boy who has no idea what he wants.
In happy happy me news, I have had a poem accepted by Evergreen Review. I get to tell my poetry group tonight, and I am looking forward to that. *gleeful grin*
I'm also trying hard to market my coaching business, mostly via social media right now since I have no time for other methods. Blogging like a mad thing, posting on Facebook and Twitter, and getting no response. I'm told being consistent is the thing, so I keep putting myself out there and hoping I'm not as invisible as I feel.
(BTW, blog is here, and I'm @OwnSuccess on twitter and Success with Sandra Larkin on Facebook. Feel free to share/retweet/comment etc. Or not. I'm also offering a new coaching program to help people make and keep New Year's Resolutions.
The wheel turns
Sep. 15th, 2011 03:19 pm(also posted at my other blog)
It’s gray and damp today, and while it won’t officially be fall for a few days yet, the season is definitely turning. Already, a few trees are showing bright colors here in New England, at least one or two branches.
I’ll miss summer, especially the one just past, ( Read more... )
It’s gray and damp today, and while it won’t officially be fall for a few days yet, the season is definitely turning. Already, a few trees are showing bright colors here in New England, at least one or two branches.
I’ll miss summer, especially the one just past, ( Read more... )
(no subject)
Aug. 29th, 2011 05:07 pm“My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.”
-- Jack Layton
The death of Canadian politician Jack Layton, which took place while I was vacationing in Nova Scotia last week, highlights difference between Canadian and American politics.
-- Jack Layton
The death of Canadian politician Jack Layton, which took place while I was vacationing in Nova Scotia last week, highlights difference between Canadian and American politics.
Forward Momentum!
Aug. 3rd, 2011 11:38 amLately I've been posting primarily at my coaching blog, Forward Momentum. Sadly, I've been neglecting to link here. So here's a link to my latest post, on three ways to connect with your teenager.
Over the next couple of weeks, I'll be posting links here to both current blog entries and ones I hadn't yet linked here. I hope you enjoy them, and if you do, please feel free to share them with friends, or link to them here or anywhere else you like!
Over the next couple of weeks, I'll be posting links here to both current blog entries and ones I hadn't yet linked here. I hope you enjoy them, and if you do, please feel free to share them with friends, or link to them here or anywhere else you like!
(no subject)
Jul. 23rd, 2011 04:54 pmAmy Winehouse. Utoya Island. Oslo. Degrees of sorrow and words beyond tragedy.
Busy days here at Chez Singinglark....
I've really been enjoying anticipating our trip and doing some of the advance planning. We've got reservations to visit the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, as well as take a bus tour in the midnight sun, and go horseback riding. In Paris, we'll be renting an apartment in Montmartre, and we've got a list of places we want to see. Best of all, we'll be in Paris for Bastille Day! I hear the fireworks over the Eiffel Tower are spectacular. Four weeks to go...
I'm also working on marketing my coaching practice. I'm now posting to my blog, Forward Momentum, three times a week...please, if you read anything you like there, feel free to share it! Now that the site has been up and running for a while, I have a few changes I want to make, so next on my to-do list is writing all those ideas up and sending them to my webmaster.
The weather has been mostly lovely, and I've been blowing off the gym in favor of walking three miles around the lake and enjoying the sun. I figure I'm getting the Vitamin D I need from the sun...I'm slathering my face with SPF 30 sunscreen and soaking up sunshine through my arms and legs.
Today I put off folding laundry to drive to Somerville and have lunch with a friend who is briefly visiting from San Francisco. Deb Grabien is an author, and she's here to read and sign her work at Newtonville Books tomorrow night, so if you're in the area and you like mysteries or rock and roll, show up--her latest series, the Kinkaid Chronicles, combines both into a truly fun read.
The kids have just two more weeks of school--yikes!
Next on the agenda: dinner prep, laundry, watching Jeopardy, eating dinner, falling over in a heap....
I've really been enjoying anticipating our trip and doing some of the advance planning. We've got reservations to visit the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, as well as take a bus tour in the midnight sun, and go horseback riding. In Paris, we'll be renting an apartment in Montmartre, and we've got a list of places we want to see. Best of all, we'll be in Paris for Bastille Day! I hear the fireworks over the Eiffel Tower are spectacular. Four weeks to go...
I'm also working on marketing my coaching practice. I'm now posting to my blog, Forward Momentum, three times a week...please, if you read anything you like there, feel free to share it! Now that the site has been up and running for a while, I have a few changes I want to make, so next on my to-do list is writing all those ideas up and sending them to my webmaster.
The weather has been mostly lovely, and I've been blowing off the gym in favor of walking three miles around the lake and enjoying the sun. I figure I'm getting the Vitamin D I need from the sun...I'm slathering my face with SPF 30 sunscreen and soaking up sunshine through my arms and legs.
Today I put off folding laundry to drive to Somerville and have lunch with a friend who is briefly visiting from San Francisco. Deb Grabien is an author, and she's here to read and sign her work at Newtonville Books tomorrow night, so if you're in the area and you like mysteries or rock and roll, show up--her latest series, the Kinkaid Chronicles, combines both into a truly fun read.
The kids have just two more weeks of school--yikes!
Next on the agenda: dinner prep, laundry, watching Jeopardy, eating dinner, falling over in a heap....
