Inspiring you to live a simple life and be on vacation every day
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Susan and I volunteered today for the Tucson Food Bank picking citrus fruit. We had a horrible time in the 60 degree March sun. Just kidding. Actually we had a lot of fun with about 20 other volunteers picking an estimated 7000 pounds of grapefruit and oranges.
Not only that. We did this as part of a program where you get a free day at a Disney Park once you volunteer a day at one of their approved volunteer opportunities. Check it out.
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I photographed this sign while at a Non-Violent Communication training in Carefree, Arizona. The place is full of crazy street names. There is Nonchalant avenue and Lazy lane. There is even a corner of Ho and Hum.
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“Be the change you want to see.” – Gandhi
This quote has been speaking to me a lot lately. Especially when I find myself having thoughts of “This isn’t working” or “I wish so & so would call me”. Ever have thoughts like these? Or, maybe thoughts of “If only we had a woman for President” or “If only there was recycling at this campground”. I have thoughts like these all the time. One example of this happened just the other day. My cell phone stopped working. It would ring, but hang up as soon as I picked up. My initial reaction was to say, “I’m pissed! I need my phone. How will I do my work?”
Then, I remembered Gandhi – “Be the change you want to see.” I realized that this reaction was way too familiar and that it hasn’t helped in the past except to cause me (and others) misery.
So, I got curious and asked myself what I could do to create the change I want? The answers started pouring out. Well, I can take this opportunity to partner with Scott and share time on his phone. I also thought that this could be an opportunity to enjoy how life used to be before we relied so heavily on our phones. Another option I tried on is “What would it be like to accept and allow these things to be in the world?” Sometimes it just is. My cell phone stopped working. There is no deeper meaning.
There is no one way or even two ways to be with this situation. There are always several ways that we can respond to life’s circumstances. Another favorite quote of mine is from Marianne Williamson – “Our internal state determines the experience of our lives. Our experiences do not determine our internal state.” For me this quote deepens my understanding of the quote from Gandhi – it is up to us to create our experiences in the world. To choose how we respond to life’s interesting plot twists.
How will you be the change you want to see, today?
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When you last heard from us it was September and we were leaving Minnesota heading towards California. A lot has happened since then. We regret that it has been so long since we sent out a newsletter. What can we say?! Life is full. Last October we started a Leadership program. It has been an amazing experience! One of the highlights (we mean literally, we were high up in the trees!) was the adventure course. See the photo below of Scott hanging from a tree after swinging out from a 40-foot drop.Lake Tahoe – On our way out west last fall, we stopped at Lake Tahoe. Oh, what beautiful scenic drives. One of our favorite spots is Emerald bay (see photos above), which of course was a lovely emerald color. Another favorite experience was Susan’s coaching call from Inspiration point at the south end of the lake. And yes, it was inspiring!
Vegas – Ahhh, Vegas. City of magic, dazzling lights and cigarette smoke. We met Susan’s parents here and enjoyed full-filled days frolicking in this den of gambling and eating. We climbed the Eiffel tower, enjoyed fine dining and one of Vegas’ fabulous light & water shows. We also were flying high again on the roller coaster at New York, New York (photos below).
Minnesota – Susan flew back to Minnesota, twice! It was just a year ago January that Susan flew back to welcome her new nephew, Andrew. This year it was to welcome her new niece! Sydney Lauren Smith was born February 22, 2006. Congratulations to Julie and Tony and the rest of the Smith-Swedberg clan! Besides spending time with friends and family, Susan’s visit also included co-leading a workshop called, “Awakening the Leader Within” (find out more about other workshops from Susan below). As a part of our Leadership program we were assigned to co-lead a 4-hour workshop. Susan, her co-leader Suchitra and a group of fabulous women, experienced a Sunday afternoon of fun and learning in this workshop on leadership. A few weeks later, Susan returned to Minnesota to celebrate Sydney’s baptism with the family.
Malibu – Ahhh, the beach. Here we stayed in a campground overlooking a lovely beach (photo below). At night we could hear the waves crashing against the shore. While we were here we also offered our first workshop together! We decided to do a workshop on how to “Get what you want without stomping your feet.” It was a raving success and we will be bringing this workshop soon to a city near you!
Santa Rosa/Napa – Since we have a Leadership retreat in California every 3 months, we enjoy visiting Scott’s nephews (see below in the pumpkin patch) who live close to the retreat center. Oh. It’s nice to see Scott’s sister and brother-in-law, also.
On our way we also enjoy our favorite campground in Napa where we get to blend our love of wine and nature. The campground has many trails where we see deer (that’s them in the photo below), wild turkey and cute little rabbits.
Whew! There is lots more we could have shared including our leaky toilet adventures, juggling cell phones and the night of the never ending winding road (creepy).
See Scott and Susan in person: In June we will be visiting the national parks in southern Utah, the north rim of the Grand Canyon and then head back toward northern California for our last Leadership retreat in July. If you’re around them parts, give us a call and stop in.
Adventure Course Arizona British Columbia butte California Carefree Arizona Communication Training Crazy Names Deep Thoughts Eiffel Tower Emerald Bay Gandhi gratitude havasupai Inspiration Point labyrinth Lake Tahoe Lazy Lane Leadership Program Marianne Williamson Minnesota Montana Mount Rushmore Nevada nonviolent Oregon photography redwood Roller Coaster South Dakota Street Names Susan Lee Texas Travel blogs Washington
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