Uncategorized – Appreciation Magic

B-R-E-A-T-H-E

(Originally published August 15, 2007)

This time of year is extremely busy for me in my work. This week in particular can be a challenge to remaining positive. Sometimes it seems as if there is no time to breathe! And that’s exactly what I need to do each and every time I get that feeling of stress.

It is much easier to “breathe” these days, especially when I remember a day years ago when I was laid off from work for 6 months, unable to find a job in my area of the country because of the economy there, availability of jobs and I was so overqualified… full of worries about supporting my children and paying the bills, thinking that this was the worst thing that ever happened to me…I didn’t “breathe” very well back then.

I found a job 1,000 miles away and it all worked out in the end. I made it much more difficult than it had to be though and how much easier it would have been had I been better at breathing back then! I know that this was all a part of the learning process so I’ve now learned to step back, stop and remember to B-R-E-A-T-H-E when I am stressed out from work these days. Even if it’s only for a few minutes, I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths, clearing my mind and remaining in a state of gratitude.

So this week, I am filling my lungs with lots of oxygen and saying “thank you” for my job, for the work that I have so much of, for the financial abundance that continues to flow into my life, for the opportunities that it brings me, for the people who cross my path and enter my life, reminding me to breathe, for the people who force me to breathe, and for my lungs that I am able to breathe! Thank you! It makes my day so much easier. I suggest you try it the next time you feel that stress level rising.

It’s Been Awhile

I haven’t posted in over a year here. I lost my original website and have very slowly tried to recover some of the posts from years ago. I will post some of those earlier posts here as time goes on. I appreciate the Wayback Time Machine that makes it possible to find internet posts in the archives. I intend to make this a fresh start for this blog. Stay tuned!

Skydiving is Not For me

What’s the thing you’re most scared to do? What would it take to get you to do it?

The one thing I’m most scared to do is skydiving. Nothing would convince me to try it. I’m sure it’s exciting for those that enjoy it, but it’s just not for me. Years ago, we had a family friend lose their daughter due to her parachute not opening. I realize that’s probably not that common, but that’s good enough reason for me never to try it!

Family Traditions

Write about a few of your favorite family traditions.

Today’s writing prompt asks to write about a few of my family traditions. While I don’t think we have many, I thought of a few things for today’s prompt.

One thing that has always been constant and is still so, is playing cards at every family gathering on my dad’s side of the family. We love to play euchre and always have a great time.

Particular foods at the holiday time are also part of my family traditions. Having married a Venezuelan, we typically have pan de jamón at Christmas gatherings. Sometimes we make hallacas , and since it’s a lot of work, we don’t always do it,

When the kids were little, I always took photos of them in front of our house on the first day of school. I think a lot of people do that and it’s always so nice to go back and see how they’ve grown from year to year.

Niagara Falls

Name an attraction or town close to home that you still haven’t got around to visiting.

I lived in NYC for almost 18 years. While there, I never made it to see Niagara Falls. While it is quite a few hours from NYC, it’s still a lot closer than where I’m at now in Iowa. In fact, I’ve been to Iguazú Falls in Brazil and that’s certainly a lot further away.

I think it happens a lot that people often don’t see places that are in their own backyard. While in NY, I met a lot of people that hadn’t explored the many great attractions in their own city. I’m thinking my chances to seeing Niagara Falls are likely better now that I moved back to Iowa!

The Meaning of My Name

Write about your first name: its meaning, significance, etymology, etc.

Today’s prompt needs no research for me. I know the meaning of my name. My first name is Barbara and the name comes from Greek, meaning foreign or strange. I assume that the word barbarian is derived from that, and I can assure you I’m not a savage! Ha!

I think it’s fitting that I spent my professional career in international education and traveled to many countries and did many cross-cultural workshops along the way. The name suits me! In fact, I took this photo in Spain.

I was named after a great aunt on both sides of my family and that name is also the middle name of one of my grandmothers. That has more meaning to me that the origins of my name.

Good Leaders

What makes a good leader?

A good leader has several qualities that make them successful. Good leaders inspire others to do their best. Good leaders can make decisions when necessary that others may be fearful of making or when decisions are difficult. Good leaders listen to the people they’re leading. Good leaders lead by example. A good leader will uplift and support the people they lead to be better: never keeping them from rising to the top or advancing in their careers. Good leaders have integrity, ethics and are accountable for their actions. I appreciate good leaders and have had a few in my life that I admire.

I Love Cats

What is your favorite animal?

I really like cats. I had my first cat around the age of 8, and had others growing up. I would say they are my favorite animal. This isn’t to say I don’t like other animals: I do! But I am most comfortable and experienced with living with cats, more than any other animal.

Each has their own personality yet each exhibits the same cat-like behaviors: sleeping a ton, pouncing on toys, jumping up on things and purring! I love the sound of purring. It is so soothing. The photo below are of my two cats I have now: Zelda (left) and Linguini (right).

They provide me with loads of love and entertainment everyday!

One of my daughters asked me recently which cat was my favorite. I couldn’t come to a conclusion, as they have all been special to me in some way.

Rubik Cube Solutions

Come up with a crazy business idea.

Today’s writing prompt made me laugh. Rather than linger on it, I just spent about a minute and came up with this: Rubik Cube Solutions. I envision booths found in all airports where people often get delayed or have to sit around for hours for their next connection. In the booth, a video would teach you a way to solve it, after paying a fee for playing. Each player gets two chances only. The attempts would be timed and at the end of the day, a winner for the person solving it in the fastest time would be awarded a travel voucher. Participants would have to enter their emails and preferred frequent flyer airline. The times for each day would be from midnight to 11:59 and a winner would be chosen everyday.

Living a Quality Life

What are your thoughts on the concept of living a very long life?

Just living a very long life isn’t necessarily ideal, if the life isn’t full of beautiful moments, relationships, passion and love. I’ve already passed the age of my maternal grandmother when she died and I feel like I’m living a life of quality in most aspects. I’m living comfortably, have had a wonderful professional career and a beautiful family. I laugh frequently and I feel young. I personally would love to continue living a long life, as long as it’s healthy and full of loving and fun moments.