Top Picks

     Photo Credit: Patrice Patrick


     Well, it's about to be July. Can you believe that mess?! And I haven't had a date since...well, yeah, you know. BUT, I do have some amazing people in my life that I love.

     I've profiled a few of these folks on my Facebook page, and I figured now would be a good time to tell you why they are my top picks for the month, starting with Lindsay Coleman.

     You may know Lindsay Coleman as the amazing artist, jewelry maker, and photographer of some of my artistic and eccentric profile pictures and other photo albums.

     But mostly, I know Lindsay Coleman as someone who presses past the walls of shyness to express her true being and freedom in her art. She strives to create something pure and sweet and right.

     And if you ever have the pleasure of being photographed by her, it's like spending the day with a best friend who allows you to be completely yourself without being judged.

     I've known Lindsay for years and years. I've had the privilege of watching her grow from the latter part of her adolescence to her young adulthood and womanhood.

     She makes me proud the most when she creates and speaks through her art on behalf of you and I. My prayer for you Lindsay Coleman, is that you would never stop speaking--never stop speaking.

     Next on my June Top Pick List, to be blogged about....Margot Carlson...




Wisdom's Knocking:

Artists often express those things that mere words fail to wrap around.



Well Then...

     

     Just when you think your heart is despondent. Perhaps not in the most passionate of states, something triggers the dammed up emotions of the past, and something tender begins to erupt.

     It feels good to be alive. But it hurts to hurt. This is a little and passing boo boo. But I realize more than ever my heart is truly a treasure.



Wisdom's Knocking:

"There's power in them rolling hills, come on
You're a prize possession, not everybody's worthy
Only reason I know, cuz I headed down that road
And it'd be a shame for you not to have your own glow, come." -- Jill Scott

Keen

    

     I'm still loving the NBC show, "The Voice". I'm currently on a DVR marathon. I'm finishing up the entire season in one sitting. But mostly, I've been the most surprised at how much I've loved the "Coaches".

     I didn't expect the "Coaches" to be the hit of the show for me, but they totally are. Blake Shelton never ceases to crack me up. And my baby crush on Adam Levine has now become full grown. Mostly, I never knew that Adam could appear to be so heartfelt, sweet, and articulate.



Wisdom's Knocking:

Just when you think you know someone...Everyone is full of surprises.


Probably Not

   Photo Credit: Ashley Johnson  


     Last week was an amazing work week for me. I managed an amazing team of about 10 folks in my department, to help execute a successful backstage experience for one of the top award shows in the world. But in my team, one of those folks working for me, kept asking,"Am I doing a good job? I'm doing a good job, right...Right?" This sort of blatant insecurity doesn't sit well with me in a professional work environment.

     Instead, I wish that these folks would simply take the approach of observing, asking pertinent questions, listening intently, and simply jumping in anytime there's a task at hand without me having to hold their hand or prod them to do it. Hesitancy in many arenas will get you killed. And in my line of work, if you are not able to execute something within a specific time frame and to the best of your ability, your job and reputation will be at stake.

     Now, I'm not a completely horrific task master, but I do have high expectations for those that join me and my team for the line of work that I do. At the same time, I  also exercise grace. I understand that being thrown into a pool and not being able to swim may be a bit stressful to say the least. But trying to lean in on my good graces through perceived favoritism, will get you know where with me. I simply want to see how you work, your initiative and how well you work within a team.

     I truly enjoy what I get to do, regarding my vocation. Mostly because it involves a sense of community. A majority of the folks that I work with know how to play well with others along with working their butts off.

     So if you're doing a good job, you won't have to ask if you are. Does that make sense? So, if you have to ask if you're doing a good job, you're probably not...

     Because if you aren't doing a good job, either you'll be told or not hired. But if you are doing a good job, you'll be commended and promoted without fishing for a compliment through your own insecurities.



Wisdom's Knocking:

Do little things with great love.


But It's You



     So sometimes, when I start surfing the web or getting ready to write a blog post, I like to hear noise in the background, so I'll just let the TV stay on a random channel while I do other things. 9 times out of 10, I land on some awful reality show that somehow hooks me.

     Tonight's special attraction is "Basketball Wives". I know you know what I'm talking about. And what the heck! Tammi from the "Real World" season 2 is on this show?  I can't believe season 2 of the "Real World" was 17 years ago. But I digress.

     Anyhow, the episode that played in the background while I thought of my next blog, was with the "character", Jennifer being set up on a blind double date. Meaning she was with her good friend and her friend's husband while waiting to have a nice dinner double date.

     Nevertheless, she was extremely nervous and anxious. And when her handsome date arrived, she was even more fidgety. Her fidgetiness made me nervous just watching her. And she kept saying in the scene, "This is all so awkward...so uncomfortable...I haven't been in the dating scene in years...This is so awkward."

     But looking at the other folks in the scene, no one else seemed uncomfortable--just Jennifer. Making me think...that it wasn't really an awkward situation, it was just her.

     How many times do we sabotage ourselves? Sometimes we're carrying a lot more baggage than we think, and we're so concerned with fitting in and not stepping on toes that we ourselves forget to breathe. And somehow along the way, we've forgotten that we already belong.

     Don't let this life's journey be about gaining someones approval and consideration, but let it be about resting in the truth that you are already loved, already accepted, and that you already belong.

    So the next time you're in an awkward situation--just step back for a second and reevaluate why you think it's awkward. It may not be the situation, it may just be you.




Wisdom's Knocking:

Allow yourself to get comfortable in your own skin: Appreciate and love your quirks, without being threatened by someone else's beauty and uniqueness.