It's always exciting and bewildering at the same time to get a comparison to a celebrity. In my younger days, Geena Davis was a common comment, along with Paulina Porizkova (the Czech supermodel who married the lead singer from Cars, Ric Ocasik? Remember?). Well, now the leading look-alike seems to be none other than the Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin. Of course, that's only when I wear my glasses, which tends to be a relatively rare occurrence. As luck would have it, though, one of those times was when I attended the Voices columnists' training session a couple of months ago for the Dallas Morning News. My eyes were not in the mood for contacts, so rather than fight it, I went for the totally new look.
While I'm not a huge fan of Mrs. Palin's politics, she is an attractive woman who isn't afraid to speak her mind. I think we could have a lot of fun camping out together, as long as she wasn't in the frame of mind to field-dress any wild game. Hey, I've "processed" quite a few chickens in my time growing up on a KS farm, and that is not an activity that is high on my list of experiences...but I digress. The simple fact is, she's made glasses cool again, and I really appreciate her doing that for the rest of America. Thanks, Sarah!
Now if I could just figure out why another friend of mine thought I looked like David Bowie...that was certainly a new one for me! Oh, and for the record, these frames are nothing like hers, but I'll still view any physical comparisons as a compliment. Bowie, on the other hand, not so much, but it could be fun to parade around like Ziggy Stardust for a while!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Nyquil Kisses and Cold Feet
Ah, Fall! When the bedtime routine consists of putting on old socks to keep your tootsies from freezing, and the smell of Mentholatum and Nyquil fills the air along with the sounds of a phlegmatic's raspy grasp for a deep breath. It's that time of the season when the crunch of the leaves wafts mold & old pollen up through the arboreal jaunts, and the sinus passages find new things to be irritated by. That's when you know what true love is all about.
It's a helpless feeling to watch as your family tries to rid itself of that extra lung. It's even more challenging to snuggle up with someone as their body collapses in paroxyms of coughs, making the cuddle time more of a moving-target time. Still, it's because of these moments that I appreciate all of the healthy ones that we can spend together, making me appreciate my trips to the gym all the more rewarding. Thanks, God, for another day of being able to breathe easily and move relatively pain-free!
It's a helpless feeling to watch as your family tries to rid itself of that extra lung. It's even more challenging to snuggle up with someone as their body collapses in paroxyms of coughs, making the cuddle time more of a moving-target time. Still, it's because of these moments that I appreciate all of the healthy ones that we can spend together, making me appreciate my trips to the gym all the more rewarding. Thanks, God, for another day of being able to breathe easily and move relatively pain-free!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Labels
OK, let me say for the record: I’m not a Realtor! Well, technically, I am, since I hold a valid license, though I haven’t been active for over a year. Why all of the uproar over this? I was introduced as a Realtor for my job title for the Dallas Morning News Voices gang! It was simply a mistake, since I had held that title in the past, but that’s not the hat I wear these days (for the record, I’m a Feng Shui consultant, home stager, and life coach).
Still, once I got over my surprise at being miscategorized, I began to analyze why I was upset over this at all. After all, a job title doesn’t even begin to describe the complex, multi-faceted individual that I am. A simple little change in the job description at the end of my columns will fix it, so what’s the big deal?
I chalk up my agitation to the holidays. Nothing like getting together with extended family that you only have minimal contact throughout the year for several days of forced intimacy to get your guard up. As the youngest of 8 children, I constantly battle the illusion in my siblings’ minds that I’m a hot-headed 12 year old agitator, not the passionate 40+ idealist that I’ve become. And, conversely, I’m not entirely sure who THEY are, either. Sometimes I think that we should all take some type of survey in advance of the gathering, so we don’t have to spend the entire brief time span lamenting the fact that no one understands who we are anymore.
Labels and job descriptions give people a jumping-off point, a way to fix in their minds the character, tone, and direction of conversation. Every networking group I attend stresses the importance of the 30-second “elevator speech”, where you neatly sum up your job and interests in an effort to entice the other person to find out more about you. When done well, you can find out a lot about a person in a very short span of time. Developing a good one forces you to focus on what’s important to you, which is a key component to being successful in your life.
When labels are too limiting, skewed, or just plain wrong, they can have devastating effects. Just look at any political campaign for a myriad of examples. The terms “liberal” and “conservative” were both used to bludgeon the voters into toeing the party line. Even the word “patriotic” got sullied by candidates and their handlers, all in an effort to win the electorate’s hearts and minds. Prejudices creep silently into conversations if one isn’t aware of their words, too. That’s why it is so important to weigh what you say, since you can’t un-say things. You can pull the nail out of the board, but the hole still remains.
So what do you do if you are trying not to pigeon-hole yourself and others into a narrow little box? It’s actually very simple, yet extremely difficult at the same time: you have to take the time to actually listen. I know, I know, this is a tall order for today’s sound-bite generation, but even 30 seconds is asking a lot of some folks, let alone 30 minutes. It’s undeniable that the more our lives speed up, the greater the need to slow down at times. That’s why I personally have carved out one night each week just for me. Sometimes it’s spent with family, playing games or enjoying an outing together, other times it’s with friends, and still others, my most treasured times, it’s spent in a nice hot tub filled with Epsom Salts and orange peels.
Looking through your heart instead of your eyes is another way to get around the label game. After all, the executives at Enron looked great on paper and even more impressive in person with their designer suits and elegant homes, but their hearts were shriveled and lifeless, polluted with selfish desires for their personal gain. Years of being in sales positions taught me that some co-workers would gladly stab you in the back just for a couple of bucks. Look in the mirror, and if you see that person staring back, perhaps it’s time for some personal introspection. No one needs that kind of negative energy polluting their environment.
At the end of the day, it really doesn’t matter if people think I’m a Realtor, a Feng Shui consultant, or a glow-in-the-dark alien from the planet Krelzop. I know who I am, and I’m happy to share that with anyone who is interested. Hello, my name is Beverly. Would you like to get to know each other over some tea? My treat!
Still, once I got over my surprise at being miscategorized, I began to analyze why I was upset over this at all. After all, a job title doesn’t even begin to describe the complex, multi-faceted individual that I am. A simple little change in the job description at the end of my columns will fix it, so what’s the big deal?
I chalk up my agitation to the holidays. Nothing like getting together with extended family that you only have minimal contact throughout the year for several days of forced intimacy to get your guard up. As the youngest of 8 children, I constantly battle the illusion in my siblings’ minds that I’m a hot-headed 12 year old agitator, not the passionate 40+ idealist that I’ve become. And, conversely, I’m not entirely sure who THEY are, either. Sometimes I think that we should all take some type of survey in advance of the gathering, so we don’t have to spend the entire brief time span lamenting the fact that no one understands who we are anymore.
Labels and job descriptions give people a jumping-off point, a way to fix in their minds the character, tone, and direction of conversation. Every networking group I attend stresses the importance of the 30-second “elevator speech”, where you neatly sum up your job and interests in an effort to entice the other person to find out more about you. When done well, you can find out a lot about a person in a very short span of time. Developing a good one forces you to focus on what’s important to you, which is a key component to being successful in your life.
When labels are too limiting, skewed, or just plain wrong, they can have devastating effects. Just look at any political campaign for a myriad of examples. The terms “liberal” and “conservative” were both used to bludgeon the voters into toeing the party line. Even the word “patriotic” got sullied by candidates and their handlers, all in an effort to win the electorate’s hearts and minds. Prejudices creep silently into conversations if one isn’t aware of their words, too. That’s why it is so important to weigh what you say, since you can’t un-say things. You can pull the nail out of the board, but the hole still remains.
So what do you do if you are trying not to pigeon-hole yourself and others into a narrow little box? It’s actually very simple, yet extremely difficult at the same time: you have to take the time to actually listen. I know, I know, this is a tall order for today’s sound-bite generation, but even 30 seconds is asking a lot of some folks, let alone 30 minutes. It’s undeniable that the more our lives speed up, the greater the need to slow down at times. That’s why I personally have carved out one night each week just for me. Sometimes it’s spent with family, playing games or enjoying an outing together, other times it’s with friends, and still others, my most treasured times, it’s spent in a nice hot tub filled with Epsom Salts and orange peels.
Looking through your heart instead of your eyes is another way to get around the label game. After all, the executives at Enron looked great on paper and even more impressive in person with their designer suits and elegant homes, but their hearts were shriveled and lifeless, polluted with selfish desires for their personal gain. Years of being in sales positions taught me that some co-workers would gladly stab you in the back just for a couple of bucks. Look in the mirror, and if you see that person staring back, perhaps it’s time for some personal introspection. No one needs that kind of negative energy polluting their environment.
At the end of the day, it really doesn’t matter if people think I’m a Realtor, a Feng Shui consultant, or a glow-in-the-dark alien from the planet Krelzop. I know who I am, and I’m happy to share that with anyone who is interested. Hello, my name is Beverly. Would you like to get to know each other over some tea? My treat!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
The Fat Lady Has Sung!
Oh, I am so happy that the elections are over! It's even better that my candidate of choice won! I am thrilled for the prospect of having a highly educated man in office for a change. I am also extremely grateful for the excellent choices of people that he will surround himself with. I am encouraged by the causes that his wife will pursue, and will keep them all in a protective bubble in my mind. Positive thinking can do wonders, and I am finding myself correcting a lot of naysayers and doom-n-gloomers again. It's unfortunate that so many people are focusing on what didn't happen and what might happen instead of being grateful to be a part of this historic event.
I am, however, exceedingly grateful for the excellent Secret Service contingent that has been charged with the Obama's safety!
Now, time to wear purple!
I am, however, exceedingly grateful for the excellent Secret Service contingent that has been charged with the Obama's safety!
Now, time to wear purple!
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