I just returned yesterday from the trip to Seattle. We had three wonderful classes with great people--How to Increase Synchronicity, Getting Past Fear to Make Changes, and Intro to Passion and Life Purpose.  When I asked for a few people to share what points they got out of the classes, they said

"When you have a fear about something, try to come up with a tangible goal or first step to deal with that fear."  For example, one woman had a fear that she wouldn't be able to express her desire to write.  In this case, she decided she had to mark in her calendar one hour (or less) a week when she would sit at her computer and write, no matter what.  If she couldn't make it, then she had to reschedule that time again by writing it down in her calendar."

We all have big "fears" about becoming a bag lady or never fulfilling our potential.  Those fears--when left alone in our head to cycle over and over again-- are not empowering. What gives us what we actually want is the power to move forward--which we can only do by taking action--for example, committing to putting away a portion of our earnings in a savings account, or beginning to buy a reputable mutual fund for our retirement.  So many times we fear that we are not brilliant enough to success.  Brilliance or having a special talent are not the only requirements, or even guarantees of success.  A more reliable key to success is consistent action in the direction you want to go.

Another comment by a participant was about our exercise where I asked peple to rate the segment of their life they were happiest with right now--such as career, income, savings, physical fitness, relationships, etc.  Then I had them write down 3-4 factors which they thought contributed to the success in that area.  Next, I asked them to identify one area of life that they wanted to improve, and to list specifically, how they could use their success factors from the other area to this less-satisfactory area.  Some people got a big insight about how they can work to improve something--specifically.  

Success factors tend to be

consistent involvement

networking

keeping in touch with people

researching

moving out of your comfort zone when necessary

doing things you love to do

Thank you to all those I met in Seattle--

And big KUDOS  to the Seattle Art Museum!!  They have some stunning exhibits (I loved the seven white cars suspended from the ceiling and spiraling through a simulated crash--complete with flashing nerves of light. 

I was beside myself with joy when I viewed a case of several exquistely thin and clear, slightly greenish handblown vases and bowls by a glass blower names Julius Alexander.

In addition to the bowls and vases, there is an big  glass "hairpin" about six or seven inches long decorated with a glass ball.   As I read the description, I began to realize I was looking at pieces of perfectly intact glass from  the third century A.D.!!   The glass hairpin was a  gift from Julius Alexander to his wife.  He died before her, so she placed the glass hairpin by the side of his head in his tomb.   This exhibit is one of the best things that I have ever seen in my life--especially, knowing that this couple loved each other, and that their love is still being expressed by this hairpin 1700 years later!

One last thought from the weekend.  My friend, Gary McAvoy and I watched the DVD,  Letters from Iwo Jima.  It is always hard to watch the scenes of war, but near the end of this  movie, I was flooded by the idea that love and compassion are the only things that matter in life.  When the letters flowed down at the end, I was moved to tears.  Clint Eastwood is in those ranks of great masters in other art forms,  in being able to paint a canvas that moves us to remember and strive to express the best of humanity. Acts of kindness and expressions of love-- such as the letters from the soldiers and the centuries-old hairpin--are what make life bearable and worthwhile. 

I harvested the two pepper plants--red chilis, very hot.

It's been a lovely summer.  Anders already started kindergarten last week, and I visited the clean, new classroom.  I am so grateful for the new school, only 2 blocks away.

Auggie starts pre-school tomorrow.  Eliza feels a little sad--a new era as the kids grow up.

Down in Studio City, Chloe starts kindergarten, and Trevor first grade--both at the same school not too far from where they live.   

One of my Japanese books on numerology comes out this month, another next month.  In the meantime, I have another personal year book to write for one of the Japanese publishers.  I never get tired of this subject!

I am just finishing up the brilliant book, On Beauty, by Zadie Smith.  I read her first novel, White Teeth a few years ago and loved it.  This one is even better.  After reading my favorite author, Margaret Drabble's latest novel, Sea Lady, I think Zadie Smith is another young Margaret Drabble--both brilliant observers of character and subtle commentators on life.  They both make me see everyday life in a more conscious way, urging me to reflect on how I would choose the words to describe something I am seeing.  On my walks, I've started listening to Elmore Leonard's book on tape--Be Cool.  Now I want to see the movie!

I've been feeling so restless.  I need to expand. 

Too busy to blog.

Just got home from Studio City visiting Sigrid, Jim, Trevor and Chloe.  I also visited my mother's cousin, Zelma Haber.  She's 91 and we haven't seen each other I think since I was about twelve years old.  She has a photo of my with my family up at Lake Shasta, and I'm a scrawny girl in a bath suit, sitting on the shore in the broiling sun, eating something.

I finished the stunningly good book by my favorite author, Margaret Drabble--The Sea Lady. have I mentioned this?

Now I'm reading On Beauty by Zadie Smith--in my mind a young Margaret Drabble.  Both writers  boggle my mind with their ability to tell a tale by their brilliant observations of the most minute interactions between characters.  I am in thrall of such writing.  Both had academic faculty themes, which I adore, since I was a faculty wife for about five years when I was very young.

I'm going a way for a few days.  Eliza will water the plants.  Today she had a birthday, and Robert and I cooked her dinner.  Pork chops with mustard, garlic and rosemary, baked potatoes, sour cream, anaheim chilis stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon, salad, and lava cakes.   Could this be more caloric?  

A great online magazine (and it's in print, too) is Going Bonkers.  The magazine is filled with short, funny, and useful articles!  You can subscribe online.  http://www.gbonkers.com/

I have an article BEING AUTHENTIC :  How to Reveal Your True Self and Not be Afraid in this month's issue on page 9.   I think you will love the other subjects such as,

Control Freaks:  Taming the One Within and Coping with the Ones Around You.

Obsessive Compulsive--A Survival Guide for Family & Friends

Bad Childhood, Great Life--Letting Go and Moving On

Crazy Money--Inside a Millionaires Mind

Why We Behave in the Ways we Hate:  and How to Stop 

there are lots more.....

Enjoy