Dance Like No One’s Watching

I dance every single day in my kitchen.  It’s usually in the morning.  These days it’s to Taylor Swift’s Red album, but it doesn’t take any particular tunes to get me moving.

Last Friday I went out dancing at a club for the first time in four years.  I can’t believe I let such a long time pass before doing something so simple that brings me so much joy.  While the music at Mighty wasn’t exactly my favorite, it really didn’t matter.  From the moment I started dancing, I couldn’t stop smiling.  And I really haven’t stopped all week long.  Of course, it helps to have a dance partner who you absolutely adore.

I recently heard someone conjecture that most mental illness could be eliminated by dancing for an hour a day.  While I doubt this is true in all cases, I think there’s something to it.  Next time I get in a funk, I’ll be turning up the tunes and shaking my groove thang.

p.s.  Orelia got a haircut over the weekend.  Is she gorgeous or what?!

Off the Grid

I’m excited to get out of town and relax before starting a new consulting assignment.  To make sure I’m fully recharged, I’m going off the grid for an entire week and taking a break from all things digital…even posting to this blog.

Have a great weekend and see you in a week!

Smells Like Spring

I’m loving the glorious smell of spring blooms all around the neighborhood these days.  With just a couple of days before a week long vacation, I definitely have a case of spring fever.  Hope it’s as beautiful in your neighborhood today!

This Plus That

Brunch Outside at Cafe Des Amis + Dinner with B and melt-in-your-mouth arctic char at Bar Crudo + Laughing until I cried with my BFF in Mill Valley + Screen printing class at Workshop SF + Dutch Masters exhibit at de Young Museum = a very happy weekend

Make Someone Happy

{Orelia: Thanks for making me happy every single day!}

I was in a bit of a slump a few weeks ago.  I knew I needed to make a change, but couldn’t really put my finger on it.  I had too much time on my hands and spent most of it worrying.  And it finally hit me…the problem was that I was focusing on myself way too much.

So I did a few simple things to help others.  Nothing big.  A small donation here, a phone call there to a friend in transition and a handwritten letter to the little girl I sponsor via Christian Foundation for Children and Aging in Tanzania.  Can you believe I was holding off on writing her back because I was embarrassed to tell her that I was single?  She had asked about my family; and I held off on responding to a child because of something so ridiculous.  So I wrote that letter and told her all about Orelia…if she’s not family, then I don’t know who is.

Doing those little things brought me so much joy and clarity.  I not only could see what I needed to do next in my life, but I was in a much better emotional state to actually do it.  It’s amazing how making others happy is the fastest ticket to making myself happy.  If only I had known this years ago.  But alas, life is a journey.   And as a wise woman once said (aka Oprah)…when you know better, you do better.  Cheers to doing better every single day.

Beautiful Things: Black Sheep Postal Service

It’s been a while since I’ve profiled someone who makes beautiful things.  I can’t think of a better person to revive this series for than Justin Kerr of Black Sheep Postal Service.  I love mail.  I love handwriting.  And I absolutely love beautiful hand-made things.

The idea behind this one-man shop is quite simple, but brilliant nevertheless.   We don’t have time to write notes anymore.  So, Justin will do it for you.  $5 gets you a beautiful hand-silk screened, hand-written postcard mailed to your grandma (or whomever you choose) with a carefully curated postage stamp.  With cursive handwriting disappearing from classrooms and the postal service slowly dying, this business makes me very happy.  Who doesn’t love seeing a personal letter or postcard arrive in the mail instead of the constant stream of bills and junk mail?!

I felt inspired by Justin’s interview and found the photo of him with his grandma below adorable.  It’s comforting and validating to know that someone so accomplished (and not to mention handsome…heeeelllo!!) often feels lost and wonders what the hell he’s doing.  It’s a feeling that I’m slowly becoming comfortable with as a consultant.  Anyway, I just placed my first postcard order and can’t wait hear how happy it makes the person who receives it.  Rock on, Justin!

Onward and Upward

The highlight of my weekend was a celebratory dinner with my good friend, B.  Is she gorgeous or what?!  We toasted to new beginnings and all the excitement that comes along with starting fresh.

For me, half the battle to achieving my dreams has always been simply getting myself to believe that it’s possible.  Once I’m committed to achieving something and truly believe that I have the power to make it happen, everything seems to fall into place…almost as if by magic.  Whether it’s magic, hard work or God watching out for me, I’m feeling beyond grateful today.

Onward and upward, baby!