Not So Grounded

New Ventures

It seems I'm starting several new businesses, which -- I gotta say -- are exceptionally time consuming but oh such a blast.  I've been an organizational consultant near 20 years, but 'till now have always purposely stayed away from expanding my own endeavors any larger than just me selling my own time & expertise. 

But awholebuncha stars have aligned or something and suddenly these really cool things are falling into place.  I'll write more details when I actually have some and when it's not 10:25 pm & my old self ain't so tired.  But mostly right now I'm floating along the serendipity of it all.  The universe's ability to take my simple decision -- that I want to expand my professional life & my income and flex some rusty innate skills -- and create a slew of new open doors & windows, things I never would've imagined just a month ago. 

Of course, early on I did tell my best friend I needed an assistant and so (of course) she found me the absolutely perfect person within 5 minutes.  (Yup, the same amazing woman who also found my editor, my husband, and a very comfortable red leather couch -- in that order -- which once again confirms that she ultimately IS one & the same with the universe that waves magic manifesting wands over simple decisions & requests ...)  And so these whole new adventures begin ...  It perpetually reminds me to get clear, ask for help, and then let go for the ride. 

Saturday Night at Home

The kids are sick, the temperature's dropping and the wind speed's increasing, the dogs are restless.  So we gathered around this longer tribute to the local Jimmy Smith Park.  Okay, we laughed through all 9 minutes, which suggests one of a couple of things ...

Yes We Can

At Christmas dinner my father -- unsolicited -- said if Barack Obama became the democratic nominee for President not only would he vote democratic first time in his whole life, but he would also mobilize his friends to do likewise.  I nearly fell off my chair.  I have two degrees in political science and long ago stopped talking politics with him out of respect for family peace. 

I have admired and paid attention to Mr. Obama since his consistent opposition to the Iraq invasion.  But perhaps, really, my support for Mr. Obama is because being able to work side-by-side with my father politically -- politics something that ultimately shapes the core of everything in my life -- means the world to me. 

And, heck, if Obama can inspire dinner-table peace, just imagine what other divides he can bridge ...

In case you haven't seen Yes We Can ... and make sure to scroll through will.i.am's explanation.

Gloria Steinem, Part 1

I promised my editor, Jill Jordan, that I would not blab about my interview with Gloria Steinem until it was published in All About Women.  The issue came out Friday, so now I can gush ....

I've been totally starry-eyed, excited, nervous about it since the first day I discovered she was speaking at ASU and I asked Jill if maybe she could get me an interview.  (Have I mentioned lately, by the way, that Jill is a Goddess?)

And it's been worth all my excited, obsessive, over-preparedness.  I poured through all the written and video information I could find on-line and at the Watauga Public Library, and, so, learned significantly more about her than I previously knew.  Prolific writings.  Front-line activism on behalf of farm workers, progressive candidates, enslaved children, trafficed sex workers.  Founder of two new media organizations just in the last few years.  Still present and inspiring to women of all ages.

But here's the most compelling thing for me ... two weeks ago I sat in this very same chair in my office talking on the phone for 45 minutes with an exceptionally famous woman I have admired long as I can remember.  And she was as gracious, bright, unassuming, and down-to-earth as every other woman I've interviewed for this magazine.  I had just finished another piece about musical creativity -- had talked with 8 local women I also enjoyed and found fascinating.  I realized Ms. Steinem was as real and open as each of them.  Intentionally so.  Despite having every right not to be.

And so I hung up the phone with Ms. Steinem given something I hadn't anticipated, given something a woman of her stature genuinely wasn't obligated to give:  honest, heartfelt respect.  Respect for herself, respect for me, respect for this magazine Jill has lovingly nurtured, respect for her audience ... I realized when she advocates for equality -- whether on the op-ed page of the NY Times, the steps overlooking the famous reflecting pool, or the stage at little ol' Farthing Auditorium, she actually means it.  She actually lives it.