Dealing...

So Erin from Palo Alto, California asked if I deal with the everyday insanities of boyfriends, friends, singleness, being alone, etc. And while I think everyone deals with one of those aspects, I do identify with one more then the other.

As of now I am single, but it hasn't always been this way. Love is, and will always be a great mystery to me. It's something that no one has mastered, and something that everyone has encountered; whether on a daily basis or not. What I found truly interesting though is the word, "deal," which Erin used. I think dealing with things sounds like a negative connotation; and while sometimes life is something that does have to be dealt with, it has definitely been the most rewarding experience.

I was recently watching an episode of the reality show "The City," and I was really struck by the way Whitney dealt with her love and life situations. In the episode she struggles with the move to a new city; wondering if she made the right decision or not. She felt alone, recently dumped by her boyfriend, and it was very apparent she didn't know what to do. While sadness seemed to be the clear theme of the episode, it was truly courage and independence which rung true. At the end of the episode, Whitney's character turns down her ex-boyfriend's plea of getting-back together. Instead she told him she was ready to discover who she was, and not have to rely on him to make her happy. I was shocked! I was expecting the hugging and forgiveness, and the take-me-backs.

I was refreshed by Whitney's story of independence. And I may not be screaming Beyonce's, "Single Ladies," but I may hum closely to the tune.

To answer your question Erin, I believe that there's a strength that lies in each of us; whether it be when we're single, attached, alone, whatever. I really like the line in Ray Lamontagne's song"Be Here Now," when he says, "Don't look for love in faces, or places. It's in you, that's where you'll find kindness."

So Erin, be courageous in whatever situation you are in, and in the words of Diane Von Furstenburg, "The most important relationship you have is with yourself."

Love and Peace,

G

Too Simple?

Have you ever noticed how complicated we try to make things. I mean everything has to be a jumbled mess of confusion, busyness, and loudness. Why is school so expensive that you need to get 5 loans just to attend...why do you have to wait three days to call someone back after a first date...why does stubbornness and ignorance always seem to get in the way? Is it a crime for things to become more simple?

E.F. Schumacker said, "Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage - to move in the opposite direction."

I thought about this particular quote and was inspired. Is it so hard to make anything in life simpler? I challenged my self today to live in simplicity. This is what I came up with.

1. Know the amount of hours of sleep you need to function.

2. Tell the truth.

3. Tell someone you love them.

4. Say, "I miss you."

5. Believe in commitment.

6. Admit you're wrong.

7. Compliment someone.

8. Hug someone.

9. Be diligent.

10. Be a hard worker.

11. Smile often.

12. Laugh harder.

13. Tell someone what's wrong.

14. Be honest with yourself.

15. Communicate well.

16. Reach out.

17. Take a deep breath.

An architect, Dr. Koichi Kawana, said, "Simplicity means the achievement of maximum effect with minimum means."

I just feel this need to remind myself to keep it simple. I want to have the maximum effect with minimum means. I want to start with myself, and hopefully rub off on others. I encourage you to write down a list of things which can be made simpler in your life. It really puts things in perspective...

G

Truly Getting Ready...

It's an interesting time of day when you begin to get ready. It's a conscious decision to dress in a certain color, wear your makeup a certain way, and to accessorize with attentions to detail. The final product is hopefully close to what you envisioned. If only we addressed our minds the way we did our bodies; how much better we'd be as people. I work in retail so I see shallowness in a lot of people; but it's always refreshing to see someone who blossoms because of what's inside. Maybe if we'd challenge ourselves to spend more time on becoming better people, then better looking people maybe we'd feel more sustained and full. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people." I hope that we can all be great minds and discuss what's actually important. Intrigue one another, fascinate someone, captivate an audience. To me; that's when getting ready is worth it; when the person shines through making looking good, look even better!!!

G