Apollo 13 lesson

We recently watched the movie Apollo 13 that stars Tom Hanks...based upon the true story of the NASA mission. When everything hits the fan and they realize the mission will not be completed, one of the NASA team members says, "This is going to be the most embarrassing moment in our history." The flight commander corrects him and firmly and confidently replies, "I think this is going to be our finest hour."

The team of people who solved complex issues and overcame all obstacles did not accept failure as an option...even though all the data was pointing to losing their astronauts. Those men returned home, and the mission went down in history as the "most successful failed mission." The team's goal of landing on the moon was replaced with simply surviving...making it back home to their families.

During the tough times we are facing individually and collectively, we have a choice on how we will respond. Will we look upon our challenges as the worst of times or will we decide that this may indeed be the opportunity for the best in each of us to shine brightly?

Multi Generations

Since I was in high school, I've been studying the unique generations and how the culture has shaped each of them. For the first time in our history, we have four different generations working together...or trying to anyway. Family life is no exception with multi-generations living under one roof. As conflicts and frustration rise, let me just offer some very basic suggestions (fyi...I have an excellent program that helps one understand the strengths of each generation and how to work together towards a common goal...contact me for more information):

1. Spend time with your elders. The Traditional or World War II Generation have lived through a wide range of life experiences. They have lived with and without. Their wisdom is priceless. Ask questions, listen and learn before it's too late. Besides, you will someday be considered an elder.

2. Encourage and support your peers. We are all on a journey trying to find our way. Let us not get so caught up in ourselves that we forget to offer a helping hand to those who need it. The holiday season is the perfect time to phone friends with kind words or a listening ear. Stuff is just stuff. We're all on this planet together, and we need each other.

3. Invest in our youth. Rather than complain about what they aren't doing, help kids develop areas they are lacking. Volunteer, mentor, coach, train or simply cheer our younger generations on. We'll get from them what we expect, so expect great things!

Lorraine is on Facebook

I haven't been blogging, but I have been Facebooking. If you are on, look me up! It's a great way to stay in touch...share ideas and have some fun.

Tea Party

I was very pleased to see our town respectfully holding American flags today in our fight to regain our country. We drove up and down the street honking our horn in support, and we heard many other folks doing the same.

My only fear is that our outrage will disappear by week's end. If you haven't seen V for Vendetta, I urge you to watch it carefully. It's fiction but not far from the truth...what could be the truth if we continue to sleep walk and allow the government to own our lives and ruin our country.

One sign that really caught my eye: Silence is acceptance. America...we have been silent too long. We let prayer be pulled from our schools which led to taking the word "Christ" out of Christmas. We've let terror invade our schools, and we're giving away all that our fore Fathers worked so hard to protect.

To all who participated, may it just be the start of our involvement in letting government know...we aren't going to take it any more!

Check Your Temperature

I recently attended a discussion on Intelligent Design, and the host reminded us at the beginning what a controversial subject it is and to take our own temperature before we participated. She used the analogy of a meat thermometer...the kind that pops out when the meat is done. Well, she said if anyone got to heated/hot over their opinion, she'd yell out "the roast is burning!" We all laughed.

What a GREAT way to measure how we are doing...in any conversation. Most arguments or conflicts are a result of not getting our way or someone not seeing our view point. We have a clash of ideas, desires, values, etc. If we monitor our temperature and are aware that "our roast may burn" if we aren't careful, we could defuse some situations before they even start. Besides, who likes burned meat?

Gotta move

I've been sitting at a desk a lot more lately than I am used to, and I'm finding that I munch more. I'm not a muncher! It isn't that I'm hungry or even bored. I'm busy enough. I got to thinking that my movement creates energy for me. Sitting still depletes it, thus creating a feeling like I "need" something. So, I'm walking the stairs more and moving as much as possible to curb the cravings. Awareness is the first step. Worth exploring why you might munch and looking for solutions. I certainly don't want a winter layer to have to work off in the summer!!

How Great We Are

I've been learning more about puppies, and I've come to realize that they think they are pretty great. Give them a bone, and they say, "Hey, I'm such a great pup that I got a bone." Give them a hug, and they say, "Wow, I'm such a loveable pup." Buy them a new toy, and they say, "I deserve that new toy because I am the greatest pup ever!" They don't quite seem to get that their owners have something to do with it.

This made me think of how we can often think of ourselves. God gives us special talents and abilities, and we say, "hey, I'm pretty great." I think that we can often forget WHOSE we are and and WHY we are. Our goodness comes from Him, plain and simple. I'm not saying we are worthless...I'm not into the beat ourselves up. To me, that isn't honoring God. But acknowledging that God gave us all that we have and made us all that we are is important...even critical.

Perhaps that is why the song "How Great Thou Art" continues to be a classic...to remind us of who really is great!

Ups and Downs...and Flats of Life

We went skiing on Superbowl Sunday. What a great day to go...everyone was gearing up for the game. The snow was fantastic. We were able to go up, ski down and immediately go back up and repeat. We skied enough for two days worth I think!

It made me think about life, as most things do. Some times we can feel like all we do is climb up hill. But I think we forget about the times when we get to zip down. They go so fast they they are but a mere memory. Yet, they are good times and part of life. Let us not forget them.

Then there is the flats of life. We encountered way too many cat walks at Winterpark. They require extended push and pull, and you don't feel like you are getting anywhere. At least with a hill, you feel each step getting you closer. These days feels like flat times. We are all drudging along doing the best we can. The end doesn't seem in site...or feels so very far away.

I encourage you to remember the fun times and moments when it went smoothly and easily. We all have them. In Biblical days, people would erect Standing Stone monuments so that they wouldn't forget the good that God had done.

Zipping down the slopes in tucked position, skiing as fast as I could, I was reminded of good times. I mean the snow was great, the skies blue and the people scarce. Hold on to your good memories. They will get you through, and they will come again.

What I'm Learning from my Puppy

Kuma turns 4 months old on Monday. He's growing like a weed! Never having a dog in my life, this has been a new experience for me. Dogs are way more work than cats, but they are more interactive. And, I'm learning some valuable lessons:

-Play EVERY day!
-Moving creates energy
-You can't get or give enough kisses to those you love
-Walking not running can be just as fun
-When it is 20 or below with high winds and snow, sometimes the fireplace is a better option
-Sometimes you just have to howel!! :)

Be Engaged

Recently, two teenagers were caught smashing in the windows of 17 car windshield in Loveland, Colorado. When the police asked them why they did it, their reply was "We were bored."

With all the ways we have to stay connected these days (cell phones, text message, Facebook, blah blah blah), you would think we would be busy. The reality, as I see it, is that people are being put into a trance, thus why these feel bored. They stare at computer monitors, cell phone screens and Blackberries but aren't "in the moment." Life is literally passing them by, and they don't know it.

Life is a big, exciting adventure. But if we rely on technology and others to "feed us," we will miss the ride.

I have ran into two families who opted not to buy a single Christmas present this past December. On Christmas day, they played games instead of opening gifts. They interacted, laughed, hugged and spent quality time together. What a concept!

I think 2009 is going to force of to evaluate how we have been progressing (or digressing in many ways) and look for a better way. I hope we snap out of it and start participating in life!

Another Year

The calendar page turned, and here we are in 2009. Although knowing what we did right and didn't accomplish last year is helpful, we reach a point where we must move forward. Don't beat yourself by constantly looking back...look forward! Create a better year by being "in" every day of your life.

Times are indeed tough, but we all have something to be thankful for, so concentrate on that and put your energies into things that you have control over...basically yourself! We can change our attitudes, not others. We can make steps towards being healthier but cannot force someone else to do it. We can be more responsible with what we have and be an outstanding role model for others.

Here's to a better year, one day at a time.

No Excuses!

Happy New Year! I don't know what your weather is like, but here in Colorado it has been cold with highs in the 20's.

I've been wrestling with these temperatures since I got spoiled living in Southern California for six years. As I told myself that it was just too cold outside to run, I decided to attack each and every excuse with a solution. And you know what? We always have options!

So, with umpteen layers of clothing on, a hat, a hood, gloves and apprehension, I went for it today...running in 25 degrees. My face hurt for the first 1/4 mile...note to myself that this is not an excuse...get a face mask...otherwise, I felt pretty good. I brought along my new puppy for moral support. Alas, this helps the excuse of having no one brave enough to venture out with me. He was game--sorta. He wasn't happy for a spell but then warmed up.

All this to say, instead of submitting to your excuses this year...attack them logically with solutions. What do you need to overcome them? Even if it is time itself, we all have things we waste time on that we can forgo in order to exercise. And remember, it doesn't have to be hours worth. Jumping rope for 10 minutes will do the trick. If you are telling me you don't have 10 minutes to spare, well then, you do have serious problems.