There are lots of factors that impact professional sports scores, and I won't devalue the influence of field conditions, pressure to perform, or a players' physical health on any given game day. That being said, there are two opportunities that can be practiced and perfected, and when you get paid what professional NFL and NBA players are paid, there's no excuse to have a mediocre accuracy: field goals shorter than 50 yards, and free throw shots at the basket.
This season in the NFL, there have been some miserable field goal kicks. When you have to do something that you have been practicing for months - probably years of your life - you should be able to do it well. In my fantasy team, I've had to pick up a new kicker three times, because people have been cut for under performing. Normally I'd be sympathetic to them, but each of them has missed multiple field goals in a game they lost, when scoring one of them would have won for their team.
Across the league this weekend(week 4), there were collectively 14 missed field goals! One announcer referred to it as "an epidemic, for which there is no known cure." For the love of extra points, get your act together!
October 6, 2015
September 28, 2015
Run the Gamut
I have a thousand brilliant lies
For the question:
How are you?
I have a thousand brilliant lies
For the question:
What is the Beloved?
If you think that the Truth can be known from words,
If you think that the Sun and the Ocean
Can pass through that tiny opening
Called the mouth,
O someone should start laughing!
Someone should start wildly Laughing!
Someone Should Start Laughing by Hafiz
In this world of superficial how-do-you-do's and rushed human encounters, this resonated with me. I am sharing in hopes that it might lift the spirits of someone else as well.
For the question:
How are you?
I have a thousand brilliant lies
For the question:
What is the Beloved?
If you think that the Truth can be known from words,
If you think that the Sun and the Ocean
Can pass through that tiny opening
Called the mouth,
O someone should start laughing!
Someone should start wildly Laughing!
Someone Should Start Laughing by Hafiz
In this world of superficial how-do-you-do's and rushed human encounters, this resonated with me. I am sharing in hopes that it might lift the spirits of someone else as well.
July 26, 2015
One of the biggest challenges I have faced over the past year has been finding a way to talk about myself. Not my elevator pitch about who I am and what I do. But what makes me unique, and what I have to offer that will add value to potential clients/current customers/the world around me. It's really hard for me to articulate.
I recently finished reading Peggy Klaus' book Brag! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It, and she addresses all of these things, and more. Working through her exercises and examples has given be a fresh perspective, and also helped explain why it's a frustrating process for me.
My first problem is that I am never satisfied with my accomplishments, because there is always something more I could have achieved. There is always room for improvement! Whether it's in my nature or it's due to my upbringing, I tend to seek my weaknesses and errors, and dwell on the things that didn't turn out the way I imagined them. The solution to this is to honor all of the small steps taken towards a goal, even if I don't actually achieve the goal I set in my mind.
The second thing I struggle with is that I find myself rather boring. Perhaps it's because I live with me every day - but there aren't many things about my life that I imagine anyone else would find interesting. This is, of course, because we are raised to compare ourselves to others around us, regardless of their unique circumstances and their journey. My social media feeds are loaded with amazing photos of friends who visit exotic far-away locations, spend endless afternoons at happy hours with craft brewers or gourmet chefs or California vintners, or have adorable kids developing into fascinating small people. I have none of those things at the moment, and looking at my days I don't think of anything I am involved with as having the potential to be of interest to anyone. However, I have been to many beautiful places, and have lots of lovely people in my life. I have been blessed to be able to experience a variety of wonderful arts, sports, adventure, and leisure.
The third reason this is a challenge for me is because I have put myself in the situation where I have to be confident and brag about my accomplishments in order to convince people to hire me. My success in this endeavor literally depends on my ability to sell myself! Like I said, there is always room for improvement, and I am hoping that becoming more intentional about the messaging I share about what I have to offer will point me down a path of growth on this front.
I recently finished reading Peggy Klaus' book Brag! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It, and she addresses all of these things, and more. Working through her exercises and examples has given be a fresh perspective, and also helped explain why it's a frustrating process for me.
My first problem is that I am never satisfied with my accomplishments, because there is always something more I could have achieved. There is always room for improvement! Whether it's in my nature or it's due to my upbringing, I tend to seek my weaknesses and errors, and dwell on the things that didn't turn out the way I imagined them. The solution to this is to honor all of the small steps taken towards a goal, even if I don't actually achieve the goal I set in my mind.
The second thing I struggle with is that I find myself rather boring. Perhaps it's because I live with me every day - but there aren't many things about my life that I imagine anyone else would find interesting. This is, of course, because we are raised to compare ourselves to others around us, regardless of their unique circumstances and their journey. My social media feeds are loaded with amazing photos of friends who visit exotic far-away locations, spend endless afternoons at happy hours with craft brewers or gourmet chefs or California vintners, or have adorable kids developing into fascinating small people. I have none of those things at the moment, and looking at my days I don't think of anything I am involved with as having the potential to be of interest to anyone. However, I have been to many beautiful places, and have lots of lovely people in my life. I have been blessed to be able to experience a variety of wonderful arts, sports, adventure, and leisure.
The third reason this is a challenge for me is because I have put myself in the situation where I have to be confident and brag about my accomplishments in order to convince people to hire me. My success in this endeavor literally depends on my ability to sell myself! Like I said, there is always room for improvement, and I am hoping that becoming more intentional about the messaging I share about what I have to offer will point me down a path of growth on this front.
May 1, 2015
Joy You May Define in a Thousand Ways
Happy May Day!
It's been a long week catching up from several trips in April. Feeling fairly productive so far, I invested this Friday in appreciating some of the people who have had a positive impact on me over the past six months that I've been working on this entrepreneurial gig. I loaded my sidekick and a field of tulips into the car with me, mapped out the best order to hit all of my destinations, and dropped off small colorful offerings of May Day joy.
I had nothing to sell, was not intending to interrupt anyone or take up any time, and just wanted to let people know that thinking of them makes me smile. However, what happened today was so much more than I anticipated! My first stop happened to be in the middle of a meeting that had sequestered everyone in the office except for one person who I had met before, but had not had an opportunity to work with directly. After a five minute conversation and an offer to take her out to coffee next week so we could continue to chat, she walked me out to my car and told me that I had been sent by the Universe to answer a question she had been struggling with, and that she suddenly felt free to enjoy her weekend.
My second stop was to a supplier who was entertaining a customer in her store, and I honestly tried to be clandestine but ended up getting absorbed into their conversation. We exchanged introductions, and I had to go back to the car to get a business card so we could connect. Three of the people I stopped to see were out for the day, but those instances allowed me to meet new people within their organizations who were quite excited about the flowers they now got to deliver to colleagues on my behalf. Some of my gifts were left with receptionists to deliver, which resulted in several gracious emails and phone calls.
In addition to brightening the desks of my clients, partners and mentors, I was able to introduce myself and my services to new people in a natural way that didn't feel the slightest bit sales-y. And everyone I interacted with was in a great mood! What started out as me wearing my heart on my sleeve and expressing my gratitude turned into a very productive day of networking. It is truly amazing what can happen when you stop thinking about what you need, and consider what you can give(or give back) to others who have shown you kindness.
My second stop was to a supplier who was entertaining a customer in her store, and I honestly tried to be clandestine but ended up getting absorbed into their conversation. We exchanged introductions, and I had to go back to the car to get a business card so we could connect. Three of the people I stopped to see were out for the day, but those instances allowed me to meet new people within their organizations who were quite excited about the flowers they now got to deliver to colleagues on my behalf. Some of my gifts were left with receptionists to deliver, which resulted in several gracious emails and phone calls.
In addition to brightening the desks of my clients, partners and mentors, I was able to introduce myself and my services to new people in a natural way that didn't feel the slightest bit sales-y. And everyone I interacted with was in a great mood! What started out as me wearing my heart on my sleeve and expressing my gratitude turned into a very productive day of networking. It is truly amazing what can happen when you stop thinking about what you need, and consider what you can give(or give back) to others who have shown you kindness.
February 17, 2015
Life's a Ball If Only You Know It
I had a fantastic weekend! It included plenty of family, lots of being lazy, and some amazing food and beverages. We started off Friday with a family birthday celebration, Mom grilled salmon and asparagus just for me, and of course made another scrumptious carrot cake. All of the birthday greetings that trickled in throughout the week warmed my heart, and it was such a joy to hear from friends and family far away!
Saturday I got to spend the whole day with my Valentine. I woke him up with a customized breakfast of s'more-stuffed french toast grilled in a waffle iron, because that's how we roll. They actually turned out pretty well - if you're in the mood for a sugar rush and a carb-coma. We overcame, thanks be to some quality caffeinated lattes, and spent a couple of hours purging the file cabinet and sorting through a ton of paperwork that has been piling up.
After some productivity, we took a dip in the hot tub and got cleaned up for dinner. He took me to the pairing dinner at BRU, five courses paired with five different brews. We started with a smoked oyster and finished with a cream puff topped with cherry ice cream. The pairings were delightful, the food was delicious, and the company was both.
The night was still young when we finished at BRU, so we headed to the Lee Hill Upslope taproom. See, they canned their small batch of Wild Saison, and I had my heart set on getting a few of them. As a bonus, I got to try their special Valentine's Day cask that had hibiscus in it, and then got to lose at a tough game of darts. Overall, it was a great night.
Sunday was another lazy day - we have a game of Lego Batman going (he's Batman, I'm Robin), and we made some headway against the Joker level. Dad came over and helped with some electrical connections and then we snuggled in for another delicious home-made meal and a wood fire.
It was one of those weekends that makes you grateful for everything life is dishing up. I am so lucky to be facing the challenges and enjoying the benefits with a partner who loves me, family who support me, and friends who make me smile. La vie est si belle.
Saturday I got to spend the whole day with my Valentine. I woke him up with a customized breakfast of s'more-stuffed french toast grilled in a waffle iron, because that's how we roll. They actually turned out pretty well - if you're in the mood for a sugar rush and a carb-coma. We overcame, thanks be to some quality caffeinated lattes, and spent a couple of hours purging the file cabinet and sorting through a ton of paperwork that has been piling up.
After some productivity, we took a dip in the hot tub and got cleaned up for dinner. He took me to the pairing dinner at BRU, five courses paired with five different brews. We started with a smoked oyster and finished with a cream puff topped with cherry ice cream. The pairings were delightful, the food was delicious, and the company was both.
The night was still young when we finished at BRU, so we headed to the Lee Hill Upslope taproom. See, they canned their small batch of Wild Saison, and I had my heart set on getting a few of them. As a bonus, I got to try their special Valentine's Day cask that had hibiscus in it, and then got to lose at a tough game of darts. Overall, it was a great night.
Sunday was another lazy day - we have a game of Lego Batman going (he's Batman, I'm Robin), and we made some headway against the Joker level. Dad came over and helped with some electrical connections and then we snuggled in for another delicious home-made meal and a wood fire.
It was one of those weekends that makes you grateful for everything life is dishing up. I am so lucky to be facing the challenges and enjoying the benefits with a partner who loves me, family who support me, and friends who make me smile. La vie est si belle.
January 25, 2015
If You Love Somebody, Better Tell 'Em While They're Here
This has been a rough week. Bosco had to have an emergency surgery to correct a GDV and a gastropexy to hopefully prevent it from happening again. Very fast, very scary, and very expensive. He spent a few days in the clinic struggling with a rocky recovery, which the vets blamed on his age, and I blame on his Addisons. He's been home for several days now, is off of the pain meds, and thankfully seems to have more energy and appetite every day. He is also rocking a t-shirt that covers up his healing incision, and minimizes the time he has to spend in the cone of shame every day. The vets sent him home in a kelley green tee, that totally brings out the gold flecks in his eyes. He's definitely a winter - cranberry and cobalt are also good colors on him! Only half-kidding...
This week also included multiple memorial services. It's been an interesting experience to engage at various levels with them. One was for a dear lady I knew through church who was struggling with declining health and dreading potential long-term care solutions. Her children said that she "decided to go out on her own terms," and left this life a week before she was scheduled to move into an assisted living facility in Tuscon. We also sang at a memorial service for a friend's son, who lost his battle with brain cancer at 22. This service was packed, standing room only, and was full of the joy that he spread around him in his short time with us.
I've spent a lot of time thinking this week about what is truly important to me. At the end of the day, what will I remember? What seemingly urgent issues will be swept into the archives of memory and never brought out again? My little family was put through the ringer this week, but the joy that we shared when we could all be home together and at peace again made the challenging days worth the emotional and physical efforts. At the end of my life, what will be remembered about me? I would love to be able to say I created a legacy of joy and light. Since I've spent a good amount of time over the past few weeks considering what my priorities for 2015 should be, this has adjusted them slightly. What is the legacy you want to create?
Life is always unexpected, and sometimes it is hard. But the sun shines much brighter after a storm.
This week also included multiple memorial services. It's been an interesting experience to engage at various levels with them. One was for a dear lady I knew through church who was struggling with declining health and dreading potential long-term care solutions. Her children said that she "decided to go out on her own terms," and left this life a week before she was scheduled to move into an assisted living facility in Tuscon. We also sang at a memorial service for a friend's son, who lost his battle with brain cancer at 22. This service was packed, standing room only, and was full of the joy that he spread around him in his short time with us.
I've spent a lot of time thinking this week about what is truly important to me. At the end of the day, what will I remember? What seemingly urgent issues will be swept into the archives of memory and never brought out again? My little family was put through the ringer this week, but the joy that we shared when we could all be home together and at peace again made the challenging days worth the emotional and physical efforts. At the end of my life, what will be remembered about me? I would love to be able to say I created a legacy of joy and light. Since I've spent a good amount of time over the past few weeks considering what my priorities for 2015 should be, this has adjusted them slightly. What is the legacy you want to create?
Life is always unexpected, and sometimes it is hard. But the sun shines much brighter after a storm.
January 3, 2015
I Wish I Were Brave
I just did something that truly terrifies me. I took a huge leap of faith and put myself on the line, and laid bare my personal and professional aspirations to friends and colleagues, asking for their support. In my head, I know that at the end of the day these are people who are in my life for a reason, and if they change their opinion of me based on this request, they simply are not the member of my support network I assumed they would be.
That's where the fear lies - no matter what the responses are to this request, it will be obvious who does not support me. Yes, I will continually need to remind the ESFJ sensor-feeler in me not to take it personally, like just about every other human interaction I have. However, this feels really big because it's honestly the first time I have had something concrete to ask for since I started my business. Assuming you have people on your team is different than knowing who's there for sure.
Last January, I started off 2014 knowing that life would look a lot different at the end of the year. And oh, did it ever! There were a lot of things I decided to do that I had to justify to myself and to naysayers - start a company, support a husband who's job took him across the country for months, arrange a song for performance, quit a job. Big, life-altering decision, but changes that I have hope will lead to the flexible, fulfilling, happy and healthy life I dream about.
Now that the year is over, I am trying to decide if pushing myself to face my fears and try to embrace my true self has made it any easier to "hit send," so to speak, and follow through with decisions I make. I don't think that it really has, but I do know for sure that in the past year I experienced more moments of joy in my life than I have in a while. Inspired to continue designing the life that I want to live and share with my family, I resolve to ask myself, "Will this add joy to my life?" when facing a dilemma, and if the answer is yes, I'm in.
So long to last year, it's all becoming so clear
There's no use living in regret
Let's fight a good fight, train our eyes to find the light
And make this year the best one yet
Starting right here
Happy New Year
~ JJ Heller, "This Year"
That's where the fear lies - no matter what the responses are to this request, it will be obvious who does not support me. Yes, I will continually need to remind the ESFJ sensor-feeler in me not to take it personally, like just about every other human interaction I have. However, this feels really big because it's honestly the first time I have had something concrete to ask for since I started my business. Assuming you have people on your team is different than knowing who's there for sure.
Last January, I started off 2014 knowing that life would look a lot different at the end of the year. And oh, did it ever! There were a lot of things I decided to do that I had to justify to myself and to naysayers - start a company, support a husband who's job took him across the country for months, arrange a song for performance, quit a job. Big, life-altering decision, but changes that I have hope will lead to the flexible, fulfilling, happy and healthy life I dream about.
Now that the year is over, I am trying to decide if pushing myself to face my fears and try to embrace my true self has made it any easier to "hit send," so to speak, and follow through with decisions I make. I don't think that it really has, but I do know for sure that in the past year I experienced more moments of joy in my life than I have in a while. Inspired to continue designing the life that I want to live and share with my family, I resolve to ask myself, "Will this add joy to my life?" when facing a dilemma, and if the answer is yes, I'm in.
So long to last year, it's all becoming so clear
There's no use living in regret
Let's fight a good fight, train our eyes to find the light
And make this year the best one yet
Starting right here
Happy New Year
~ JJ Heller, "This Year"
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