Day Seventy-Nine ... Friday Returns

As holiday weeks usually go this one seemed to fly by and here we are at Friday again. I am very grateful to have a day to sleep in (though I almost never do just knowing I could makes all the difference ...) and enjoy my day at a more leisurely pace.

There is still no central air or air conditioning and it is insanely hot. I am adapting and find I am far more even tempered and less cranky than I was on Monday. I am sure everyone that interacts with me can appreciate that ...

Even so I am looking forward to a hot Saturday. I have some goals for the day: to read and learn something new, do some cleaning, make something healthy to eat and get in a workout. I like to have a goal before I start the day this way by the end of the day I can enjoy a sense of accomplishment.

Thinking cooling thoughts,
Nicola Byrne

Only Robinson Crusoe had everything done by Friday.
-Author Unknown

Day Seventy-Eight ... A Nice Email from Tut

I love my daily (Monday through Friday that is) emails from Tut.com via "The Universe".

There's never been a conflict, Nicola, from which both parties
didn't have something very cool to learn.

That's why we call them parties.

Gr-r-r-
   The Universe

They are very simple, short, sweet and unfailingly motivating or thought provoking. They also provide a smile and we can never have too many of those.

Good night everyone,
Nicola Byrne

There's an alternative.  There's always a third way, and it's not a combination of the other two ways.  It's a different way.
-David Carradine

Day Seventy-Seven ... When Discipline Becomes Rigidity

I was speaking today with a good friend who reminds me so much of myself. We are both very disciplined, set a plan or a goal and do quite single mindedly pursue it. However, sometimes a plan needs to be adjusted, delayed,  and re-evaluated. Discipline keeps you on track. Rigidity goes beyond discipline to cause a stress that need not be there. Discipline is a grand thing. Rigidity reminds me of the story of the mighty oak and the reed. And that is what my conversation with my friend reminded me of today.

The Oak and the Reed by Jean de La FontaineTranslation by Eli Siegel

The oak one day says to the reed: —You have a good right to blame the nature of things: A wren for you is a heavy thing to bear. The slightest wind which is likely To wrinkle the face of the water Compels you to bow your head— While my brow, like Mount Caucasus, Not satisfied with catching the rays of the sun, Resists the effort of the tempest. All for you is north wind, all seems to me soft breeze. Still, if you had been born in the protection of the foliage The surrounding of which I cover, I would defend you from the storm. But you come to be most often On the wet edges of the kingdoms of the wind. Nature seems to me quite unjust to you. —Your compassion, answered the shrub, Arises from a kind nature; but leave off this care. The winds are less fearful to me than to you. I bend and do not break. You have until now Against their frightening blows Stood up without bending your back; But look out for what can be. —As the reed said these words, From the edge of the horizon furiously comes to them The most terrible of the progeny Which the North has till then contained within it. The tree holds up well; the reed bends. The wind doubles its trying; And does so well that it uproots That, the head of which was neighbor to the sky, And the feet of which touched the empire of the dead.

There are so many times that I set out to do something and in my single minded drive to be disciplined I realize I am causing myself and those around me far more discomfort than good. There are times when going with the flow does not equate to being lazy or undisciplined. It simply is acceptance of the fact that there is more than we see to life and like driving a car sometimes a road is closed or there is a pothole and you need to adjust course. It doesn't mean that you aren't going to arrive at your destination. There just may be another stop along the way that is needed and you didn't even know it.

That reminds me of another saying:

Men plan, fate laughs ...

Visualizing ice cubes,
Nicola Byrne

Don't miss the forest for the trees.
-Author Unknown

Day Seventy-Six ... Hot Hot HOT

I was unable to post yesterday due to no internet and no central air. The storm knocked out the central air on Sunday night. I have to admit that focusing on the positives opportunities, lessons, and moments is a challenge when it is close to 100 degrees inside. I feel bad for the pets, however they oddly enough don't seem quite as cranky as I feel. Maybe I can learn something there?

Anyway, this is why there was no post on Independence Day (Day Seventy-Five). The internet is back (gratitude, definitely ...) however sitting upstairs in the 100 degree office won't last long.

There will be someone coming to look at the central air unit tomorrow ... and after that we should have some sort of plan as to when the house will be cool again.

Living in Las Vegas is wonderful and beautiful but central air or at least air conditioning is a non-negotiable requirement during June, July, August and September (or most of it). This is clearly another instance of taking something for granted until it is gone ... I have a feeling I will be mentioning my gratitude for central air more in the future ...

I hope everyone had a great Independence Day,
Nicola Byrne


Don't look where you fall, but where you slipped.
-African Proverb

Day Seventy-Four ... Lake Las Vegas

We were rained out today at Lake Las Vegas. No fireworks either. None the less it was wonderful and fun and beautiful. There was amazing lightning. The deluge was incredible. I wouldn't have changed a thing!

Gratefully,

Nicola Byrne

For what avail the plough or sail, or land or life, if freedom fail?

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Day Seventy-Three ... Holiday Weekend

This is my first July living in Las Vegas and my first 4th of July holiday here too. Also, in just a few weeks it will be one year since I moved here. These past eleven months have brought many challenging opportunities for growth.

They have also brought many wonderful experiences. Hiking at Red Rock. Walks in Pueblo Park. A Chris Isaak concert. Exploring the Las Vegas strip. My first Christmas in Las Vegas. Dinners at Sirio and Jean Georges. Line dancing at Stonies.

Not to mention making new friends ... one of the best experiences anyone can have.

I am grateful to add this weekend to my list of wonderful experiences to be thankful for!

Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better. 
-Albert Camus

Day Seventy-Two ... A Quote

I read this yesterday and loved it and decided to share it today:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?' 

Actually, who are you not to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small doesn't serve the world.  There's nothing enlightened about you shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.  We were meant to shine, as children do.  We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us 

It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.  And, as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

-- Marianne Williamson

Good night,
Nicola Byrne