IMPRESSIONS: I was hiking in San Francisco and came across this rock formation on the ground.
When you look at it, what do you see?
To many, it is the peace symbol that was designed for the British nuclear disarmament movement and later made popular by hippies in the U.S. during the 1960s. It was a beacon of hope for those who protested nuclear weapons, pushed to protect the Earth and create a new age utopia.
To some, though, it is a symbol of destruction…
IMPRESSIONS: This March I was in Jackson Hole, Wyoming visiting a friend.
Even though I had lived in Massachusetts for eight years during my school days and had spent time in Switzerland, I had never been a snow person. The layers of winter always seemed to be a burden.
This trip gave me a new perspective. Listen to the full story on Cowbird…
PERSPECTIVE. What type of lenses are you looking through? Do you generally see problems or possibilities? Just as a photographer uses various lenses to show “reality” in different ways, we each have a set of filters – experience, culture, economic status, mental and physical health, etc. — through which we see the world. If life constantly looks dismal to you, it could be your perspective. Your viewpoint shapes your thoughts, decisions, actions – and ultimately, your feeling of success. For example, have you ever wondered why people in some of the poorest parts of the world seem happier than those in the wealthiest nations? It’s probably because…
PERSEVERANCE. Are you a “finisher”? How do you remain focused and not let criticism and obstacles shut you down? After the devastating loss to Bobby Rush in his bid for Congress in 2000, Barack Obama could have given up his dream to break into national politics. The defeat weighed heavy on his ego…
PARTNERSHIP. Are you a loner or a connector? What type of genuine partnerships have you formed in your life? I was a tom-boy athlete growing up. I ran track, swam and did gymnastics competitively and was successful at winning many medals. Although I was technically on a “team”, I realize now that in all of those sports the final result was really determined by my individual performance. Except for in a relay race, I wasn’t really dependent on the other members like with sports such as football or basketball.
QUESTIONS. How curious are you? Do you take things at face value? Do you ever avoid asking questions because you think you’ll sound naive? Are you willing to ask the tough and unpopular questions? If you’ve spent time around a young child then at some point you’ve probably experienced a seemingly endless stream of questions, such as “Why is the sky blue?”, “Why does a dog have a tail?”, “What makes the grass grow?”, “Where do babies come from?”
YES. How many times have you said “no” to something you really wanted to do? Does indecision or fear hold you back? What could you experience if you simply said “yes”? An old boyfriend used to accuse me of “thinking too much.”
NO. Have you ever agreed to do something you really didn’t want or have time to do? Have you ever said “No” to something that seemed like an opportunity to other people, but just didn’t “feel” right for you? How do you respond when you are told “No”? There’s a funny thing about this simple two-letter word. It is a word we’ve all used and we’ve all heard before. When it’s said to you, you may not like it very much; when you say it, it can be quite liberating. Sometimes the word is open for interpretation; other times, it is absolute. For example, when making a sales call, “No” may very well mean, “Not right now.” However, when asking for a romantic date, “No” most likely means “NO!”
SPECIFICITY. Are you aware of the content of your thoughts? Are you speaking abundance or lack? Do your actions reflect deliberate choices or unconscious rote behavior? My sister and I both…
FREEDOM. How free are you? Is your freedom dependent on someone else? What are your divine rights? When I was in China in 2006 I was struck by the display of prosperity in places like Shanghai, with its large LED screens touting the latest fashions and movies. It was like New York’s Times Square on steroids.
