If you're building an airplane while it's flying, build fast"

The last part of that statement- "build fast"- caught my eye. Do you often hear of the "speed of doing business" or being open to change and thinking in flexible ways? These and countless other phrases all translate, "if you're going to succeed in any endeavor, you must be open to change, willing to step out before you have all the answers, and GO." Do. Act.

Is part of the success equation not simply the willingness or desire to adapt, change, grow, and innovate... or even the action itself, but also the ability to do so with urgency?

Wishing you blessings and abundance-
Laura

Discoveries

For several reasons, I recently adopted a gluten-free diet as an "experiment." My discoveries after only five days of true GF eating?
1). Intentional eating requires planning- spontaneous snacking doesn't work so well in this scenario.
2). While I don't think I'm truly gluten-intolerant, already I feel changes- diminished sugar cravings (and I'm eating plenty of fruit, believe me!), thinning in my face, and my pants have loosened around the belly area. Hmm. Maybe I AM gluten-intolerant...
3). Food and my emotions are closely connected- no shock there, but now (in my early 40s), I'm rather fascinated with how I work, so I'm really paying attention to what triggers emotions and what my options are in those moments.
4). I INTENSELY miss the idea of some foods, but not enough that I've caved and eaten them. And I am very thankful I don't suffer from debilitating forms of gluten intolerance.

Long story short- this experiment has led me to be VERY PRESENT with myself and AWARE of my decision-making,  emotions, and physical/ emotional state. Good things to ponder...
Wishing you abundance, balance, and blessings

PS- IF the GF beef enchilada recipe I'm trying this weekend rocks, I'll share it here :)

Finding options

It's an old question- some variation of "Could you kill someone if it came down to you or them?"  Sarah McKinley, the young mother who recently  protected her home and family by killing an intruder,  is my model for calm in the face of terror. She is resilient, a trait that will serve her well in life, and has proven that, in the face of evil and danger, she could respond- thoughtfully, aware of her options, and with a clear head. Was she terrified for herself and her baby? I would imagine so.But she was not paralyzed by emotions. She took action, after calling on the only human assistance she would have- a 911 operator. It strikes me that even though she was the victim in the situation, she still identified some choices- she refused to be totally powerless. Had she chosen a different course of action, she (and her child) might be the body(ies) in the morgue instead of the man  with the knife who chose to hunt the wrong 18 year-old mother.

View the story here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/04/mom-kills-intruder_n_1183336.html

I'm now wondering how often I may have failed to act when faced with a situation (not this extreme, thankfully!) because I did not accurately identify my options. Instead of bemoaning a set of circumstances that I didn't necessarily ask for (or felt that I "deserved"), could I have acted/ responded decisively? Even if the outcome was not ideal, could I have done something instead of passively having something done to me?
Sarah McKinley did not ask for or deserve the situation- it simply was the situation she was presented with at that moment. Her choice was to respond decisively.

Just keep swimming...

Consistency...for me, it's been the most difficult word in the English language. So, in 2012, my BIG resolution is to do things with consistency. To find inspiration (since I'm usually good for about two weeks before those routines fall apart), I've adopted Dory's philosophy (the forgetful fish from Nemo, remember?). Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming... she forgets almost everything else, but she keeps going, an image I've borrowed to represent my commitment to consistency.

Since "being consistent" is still vague and allows me a lot of wiggle-room, I've decided to focus on consistency in these areas for 2012-

1). Writing each day
2). Moving/ exercise each day
3). Spending focused quality time with family (as opposed to the multi-tasking,divided-attention time I am susceptible to now)
4). Spend time each day in the Word of God

What are YOUR top New Year's Resolutions? I'd love to hear what my friends are doing!
Wishing you a year of life abundant!
Laura

Life Lessons from Mint

Ah, Mint, you torment me so...your uncontainable and tenacious persistence and flat-out, in-your-face refusal to acknowledge boundaries (such as the container I PLANTED you in!!!)  frustrates me while also earning you my grudging respect. I admit it- I do admire how you so earnestly flourish wherever you land, adapting and thriving readily in new environs, doing what you were created to do- LIVE! THRIVE! BE! (I may need to add INVADE to this list someday).

I, too, seek to flourish where I live, regardless of circumstance, supported by deep roots in my environment, community, family...with a tenacious spirit that continues regardless of obstacles, so that I emerge stronger and more vibrant as a result of the struggles I may have faced.

Hmmm- who knew such ready life lessons could be gleaned from such a simple thing as mint?

Miracles afoot in the garden

As an avid and VERY amateur gardener, I've previously dabbled with growing my own edibles, sticking safely with tenacious, easy-to-grow mint (the stuff spreads like kudzu!), predictable herbs, and the trusty container-varieties of tomatoes (with great success, I must add). Well, this year, it's a whole new world in Laura's garden...planting is focused on practicality over aesthetics...in other words, that little patch of earth I own better produce some FOOD!

HOW does such a sudden transformation occur, you may wonder...or not, but I'll tell you anyway. I read about it in a book. Inspired by a container-gardening guide I discovered earlier this year, my initial plan to grow "a few veggies" has turned into Green Acres on the Back Patio. I figured if THOSE ladies could do it, certainly I could be a master small-space gardener also. Now, I have no idea if my efforts will actually produce edible vegetables and herbs, but I've been planting, transplanting, and cultivating with gusto this weekend....if enthusiasm counts for anything, we should expect a bumper crop!

And I know I'm an "authentic" gardener because I'm obsessed. Even now, after dark, all earth-working done for the day, my mind is on the garden, where subterranean miracles will be unfolding throughout the night. Imagine it- tender young roots, adapting to their new nutrient-enriched, appropriately hydrated soil homes, are, even while I sleep, engaged in the DNA-mandated acts of growing, living, and (hopefully!) bearing fruit (well, vegetables actually...but you know what I mean) with great abandon. Oh, and talk about miracles- just visualize the transformation of those SEEDS we've planted! Bursting forth with life just because they came in contact with water and soil, the catalysts for all that amazing possibility and stunning growth. They can't even help themselves!

Now, on that overzealous note, I think I must go say "Goodnight, garden" and offer up my own prayers for a forthcoming abundant harvest.

Please enjoy these "before" photos and remember that miraculous workings, unseen on the surface, are unfolding even as you read ( in addition to being a philosophical statement with deeper layers of meaning, that's also my way of saying

"Yes, I know there are a lot of pots of dirt in the picture").

(And yes, those are 3" tomato plants on 4' stakes...call me an optimist. I have 8' stakes at the ready, too...)

But seriously, I do pray that your own harvest, whether in a garden, in work, or in play, will be abundant and full of blessings.

Laura