Too Nice to Say NO

"I don't know how to say No," she told her friend, "I'm too nice."

Not saying "No" when what you want to say is no, is not nice.  In essence, you are lying to people.  Sure, we all do things we are not extremely excited to do - take care of loved ones when they are sick, take out the garbage, homework, etc.  Even these things I'd say are more like responsibilities and opportunities to learn, grow, better ourselves, to be there for the people who count on us, to keep our space clean and comfortable.  These things are not much of a choice, but we do them, and in the long run, most of us would probably agree that it's a good idea to do them.

But when you say, I'm too nice, not good at saying No - keep in mind that people have choices, too.  So if you're "too nice" and then are upset or make others miserable hanging out in your presence, you're not doing anyone any favors.

Let's be clear and direct. Yes means yes. And no means no. Please?

Creativity Problems

Problems I'll gladly accept. Bored isn't part of the vocabulary.

When your struggle is too many fun ideas and an overload of inspiration, it can be daunting, it can feel overwhelming. Treading water as the waves try to take you down. But swim in it, flow with it. Because at least with these problems, you know you'll never be bored, never be short of life energy, of vitality. Let your creativity guide you.

And here's a secret: there's never enough time and there's always enough time.

Dance. Create. Be. 

Disposable Everything

Feeling like #MacGyver. With some guidance from John (thank you!), I played electrician and got the severed phone charger to work!

We live in a culture of #disposability: disposable containers, disposable gadgets, disposable relationships. But anything worth having will take some mending once in a while - your favorite socks, your car, miscommunications & disconnections are all opportunities. Sure, it's sometimes easier to just get a new one, but each stitch, each piece of tape, each twist of the wire is an investment in the sustained growth of the relationship. It makes sense that we have trouble investing in something we view as disposable. With the first sign of difficulty, we throw it out. The most meaningful things however, are often the ones we mend and patch over and over again, those we can't bear to throw away.

People are so Nice

At Carpinito Bros. Pumpkin Patch last weekend, I asked a nice gentleman where to get the wheelbarrows as I grappled awkwardly with my big pumpkin on one hip and my smaller sugar pumpkin in the other hand. Over there, he motioned with head and hand. I followed his arm past the couple rows of wheelbarrows already occupied by pumpkins to a couple empty ones on the far side. Then I looked back to my left at the long lines by the veggie stands and back again at the distant wheelbarrows.

He must have seen my hesitation, because before I could decide which direction to walk, he said, But you can have this one and I'll grab another one, and lifted his big pumpkin out of the wheelbarrow right in front of me.

Really? Thank you so much!

Cherish them Today

I just thought of Linda McDaniel who kindly hosted me in Lexington, Kentucky during my 2012 Tour. She took such pleasure in life - in her passion for dance and music and her pride in her kids. I think of her from time to time, remembering the tour she took me on of the beautiful countryside - the green rolling hills she loved so much, Bourbon tasting and cooking dinner together, and the people we met along the way. 

So I went to her facebook page to write her a message and say hello, and found out that she passed in March this year. We just never know. Reach out today, hug a friend, tell your kids you love them, take the time to cuddle. We just never know. 

I am sure that you are missed -- for even in a few days, you touched and inspired me deeply, Linda. Hugs to your kids.

Linda McDaniel, April 2013. Photo taken by her son.

Sur16 hosts launch of Mingle&Move!

This Thursday, July 30th Sur16 hosts the launch of Mingle&Move! A family-owned Latin fusion restaurant, Sur16 is one of the newest additions to Capitol Hill's 15th Ave East. Mariana Martos - who owns the restaurant of her dreams with her husband Javier Dalzell - will offer a special happy hour for the event, but the menu is a surprise. Their menu is inspired by what is freshest on the market and they are constantly changing things up, guided by family recipes and Latin fusion inspiration.

More about Sur16 at Sur16.com

Mingle&Move™ launch party!

Making mingling/networking fun & easy, with movement!

Thursday, July 30th 8pm

Sur 16 ~ 340 15th Ave E, Seattle

tickets: MingleandMove.com

My Shoe Angel

My Shoe Angel, one of the few cobblers in Seattle, might have to close his doors!  

Raymond Angel saves soles. With 103 years of experience and family history behind him, he now faces being pushed out by one of the many new shops coming to Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood. Let's help him find a new spot and organize a moving party. Moving his shop - with the heavy machinery that has been in his family for longer than many of us have been alive - will be a lot of work. But Angel's Shoe Repair is one of the last of its kind, and quite frankly, he saves the "souls" of my shoes. I'd like to see him keep practicing his craft. In our culture of disposability, here is a person who fixes our beloved shoes and shows us that being "broken" doesn't mean all is lost.

Please #share his story.

Stay in touch...
phone: 206.328.2747
website: AngelsShoeRepair.com
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Angels-Shoe-Repair/162801600404903