"The Arrow and the Bow"

I can tell by the traffic that school is about to start. Everyone is back from their vacations. The stores are packed with shoppers aiming to cross dozens of items off of their lengthy supply lists before the big first day.

My youngest sister, and baby brother (who really isn't a baby at all) have started back at their classes already. They are both in college - and with my other sister and I on opposite coasts - it's once again an empty house for my parents.

While I hear many friends and co-workers talking of the last few days of summer camp for their little ones - and how difficult it is to occupy a child all summer long - I've heard a very different story coming from my Mom. Rather, the past weeks have been comments similar to, "What will I do when they go back to school . . . I'm going to miss them . . . When will I see you next . . . Do you think everyone will come home for Christmas . . . I wish that you all were closer."

I was thinking about my own daughter - and how big and smart she already is. I was thinking about her growing up - and then innocently going away to college - but possibly like me, meeting a man that would become her husband - finding a career that she loves, and setting down thousands of miles away from me. I was sad - I was anxious - and she is only one year old. I already felt that I just couldn't possibly have enough time with her!!

Recently, I was sharing this story with one of my co-workers, and she shared a remarkable poem with me. It gave me such a great perspective - I needed to share it . . . and especially with you, Mom.

"Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, and though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts, for they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your childrens living arrows are sent forth. The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.

Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness; For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.

- Kahlil Gibran, 'On Children'


Although this poem was written about 100 years ago - it could not be more relevant.

I hope it gives you perspective and purpose - and inspires you to be the strong bow that allows your children to fly.

Cheers.

"Through the Eyes of a Child"

"If I could see the world thru the eyes of a child, what a wonderful world this would be. There'd be no trouble and no strife, just a big happy life, with a bluebird in every tree." - Patsy Cline, If I Could See the World (Through the Eyes of a Child)

Olivia has a new favorite word, "Wowwwwwww!!!". Even writing this makes me smile - because it's not a simple, "Wow", it's a looong, exagerated, eyes w-i-d-e open and jaw dropped to the floor, "Wowwwwwww!!!".

For example - the first photo below was this morning, enamored by a bouncing ball; and the second was last night, as we were sitting on our bed watching the planes fly by.

You would think that she had just seen a flying pig - but instead, this is her reaction to a bus going by, a tree's leaves blowing in the wind . . . a dog running, a plane in the sky, a bouncing ball, a flower in her hand . . . anything. Everything.

I wondered where she learned this word, and then I realized that I shouldn't be suprised at all:

People often ask, "What is the greatest thing about being a mother?".

My answer has changed a few times over the last 15 months - but now, with a child that can run wild on her own, and is starting to talk - my answer is simple. I am truly able to see the world through the eyes of a child - and just as the lyrics above suggest, it really is the most wonderful thing in the world.

The world is filled with such beauty and grace, with moments so simple but which have the power to take your breath away. Moments that make you stop and just say, "Wowwwwwww!!".

I'm not sure if it's the innocence of a child, or the raw emotion that they naturally convey - but the little outbursts of Olivia's new favorite word, allow me to see the world through her bright blue eyes, and I love the view.

I know she'll soon speak sentences . . . but I hope she never outgrows this simple word. I hope she never loses sight of the beauty in everyday things, and everyday moments. I hope they continue to make her stop, and drop her jaw, and open her eyes big and wide, and take her breath away.

So for now . . . this is my favorite thing. A gift that she'll never know she's given to me . . . and I get to open it time and time again . . . every single day.

'Catching Kindness'

So, I have to bring in the troops to support something that I think would be A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!


This may seem like quite a random thing to be striving for - but I was inspired by someone really special, and I just couldn't avoid at least giving it a shot. I was inspired by my Grandad.

If someone asked me to describe my grandfather in one word, I would say, "kind". Now if they gave me a sentence, I would have to say, "He was a man that loved deeply, was loyal, kind, honorable, and inspired a family and a town to believe in love, in dreams coming true, and to fight for things you believe in."

You see, to me, he was my hero - or one of them, at least.

My grandfather passed away in May, and was laid to rest on his 65th wedding anniversary to my Grandmother - Grandmommy.

It was at the service honoring him, that I realized that he was a hero to many people . . . and for many different reasons.

To me he was the pillar of our family. He was a man that showed me that true love can exist, and that there is nothing more beautiful than seeing love in the eyes of two people who have spent a lifetime together. He showed me what a family is, and that there is nothing more important.

But, what I found so interesting and inspiring - was that I sat at his service surrounded by people whom some I knew - and many I did not . . . but he was a hero to all of us, and in so many different ways.

To some he was remembered as a wartime hero who fought in the second World War. To some he was remembered as a Hardware store owner who 'sold' a refrigerator to a woman in need of one - and then let her pay a quarter at a time over the years . . . just because "it was the right thing to do". Everyone there had their own story to tell - but we were all united by one. We all remembered him most as a kind and giving man.

As the service ended . . . I couldn't stop thinking that I wanted to hear more of these stories. I wanted to learn more about the other facets of the man that I knew as just my Grandad.

I thought . . . wouldn't it be great to hear these stories about all of the heroes in our lives. We should all share these stories . . . we should honor the people that have changed our lives, just with their kindness alone. And, we should tell these stories now - when they are able to realize the impact of their actions, and see the beauty of their influence.


Now fast forward . . .

I was faced with an opportunity to submit a video for a chance to host a show on the Oprah Winfrey Network. I know this is crazy . . . but what an amazing venue! An entire network dedicated to 'Living your Best Life'.

It was, as Oprah would say, a total "AH-HA MOMENT"!

This could be a chance to support a show that would honor these simple acts of kindness. It could be a voice to share these stories . . . to honor the people that have changed our lives, just with their simple kindness alone.

I'm sure we have all have heroes that have touched us with kindness - and this show could celebrate them. These stories could inspire us all to be a little bit more grateful, a little bit more kind . . . and realize the power that we all have to change a life, and together even change the world.

So - I did make a video . . . and I did post in online . . . but now I need your help! I just made the video on Wednesday, and uploaded it on Saturday night . . . but the deadline for voting is JULY 3rd!! Obviously I don't have much time to reign in the votes - so I need your help.

Pass this along . . . vote once or twice . . . and I do expect as many votes as y'all sent out for Lee on American Idol!!

Anyway, I know it's quite a L-O-N-G shot . . . but I think a show like this would be great, and I'd love to have your support.

So, VOTE NOW!!

http://myown.oprah.com/audition/index.html?request=video_details&response_id=22113&promo_id=1


P.S. If you're having trouble with the link above - go to: www.oprah.com/own

Then, you'll want to follow the links for "Oprah's Search for the next TV Star: Your OWN Show" - you can "Browse + Vote" - just search my name, or the name of the show that I've pitched, "Catching Kindness".


Yay! Now I hope to see you all on the big screen!!

Until then . . . don't forget to spread a little kindness today.

"One Voice"

I work for an office that has about 150 employees.

There are 26 offices, world-wide.

I am one person . . . I sit in one task chair . . . behind one computer monitor . . . at one desk . . . every day. There are about 2 1/2 millions Americans who can probably say something quite similar.

The really cool thing . . . is that while I am only one person . . . I work for a company that actually wants to listen to my one voice.


About two months ago, I presented a concept to my HR Director, and the firm-wide HR Director - asking them to support an idea that embraced community service and philanthropy, made it part of our business model, and a requirement of it's employees. Immediately, they jumped on board. I could not ask for more.

Then, just two weeks ago - the Executive Board asked for 'Big Ideas' that could transform our practice, and push us to be even bigger leaders in our industry. I put forward the same recommendation that I had spoken with the HR Director's about.

My entire office broke into groups to discuss the 40 'Big Ideas' that were being considered. Those 40 'Big Ideas' were narrowed down to 6. And those final 6 were presented in front of the office for a final vote. We were voting on a single idea that we would commit to and stand behind, and put into action by the end of the year.

I spoke passionately about an office-wide dedication to global community service, and philanthropy - as well as mentorship programs, partnerships with our vendors and manufacturers, integrating moments of outreach into our business model and our personal development plans . . . using our office as a pilot office, with the hope of making this new 'standard' something that spreads firm-wide.

I spoke about how this would be a great opportunity for team building, community involvement and public relations. How we could partner with our clients, our peers, our competitors, all to give back to the world that gives so much to all of us.

Well . . . guess what . . . this 'Big Idea' won the big vote.

It will be discussed in depth at the Executive retreat . . . laying the ground work for actually putting it into place. It will be formally integrated into our practice by the end of the year.


Now, while I am just one person . . . with one little name tag on my one little space, at the very back of our big warehouse of an office . . . today I made a difference.

Today I took the opportunity to gain the support of my peers, influence the Executive's of one of the most highly regarded Architecture firms in the country, and make my passions known.

Today my voice was heard.


I'm so excited! I feel like I just won something really big . . . like I want to jump up and down and celebrate!! And I did win . . . and it was a big win . . . and we all won something today . . . and I do want to celebrate that.

For anyone who has ever thought that they were just one person . . . guess what, one person is enough!!

"A Mother's Shoes"

There are very few moments in life when we get the opportunity to step foot into the shoes of someone we love.

The irony in this - I don't think we ever know that we're going to, until we're standing there - small feet in the big shoes that we can't quite fill, taking snapshots of life through their eyes.

It's Mother's Day today, and my mother has a pair of these shoes. While she'd probably like for them to be red patent leather pumps - I'd say that they are most likely a worn pair of tennis shoes. They've chased multiple kids through milestones, victories, loss and celebration - for nearly 30 years now. They've witnessed tears and laughter, they've trekked from coast to coast to make sure that these same children who slept for years in her bed, now have a comfortable place to call their home away from the home that will always be home.

Thinking back to the day that my daughter was born . . . I had been in the hospital for 18 days. I had 18 days worth of hairy legs to stare at . . . and 18 days worth of no make-up, no blow dryer, and chipped nail polish. I had 18 days of hospital gown wearing, daytime TV show watching, and more jello eating than a single person should ever admit to. Those were the things that were on my mind before Olivia actually came into the world. What happened after is a whole new story. It's when, what I think of as, my true life began.

I remember the moment when she took her first breaths out of my body. I remember when I heard her first cry. I remember her being carried to the weigh station in the corner of the room - and all I could do was hold my breath and think, that's my baby girl . . . she's here . . . I need to know her, I need to hold her . . . that's my baby girl . . . and I am her mother.

At that moment I remember having tears in my eyes - and just wishing that somehow, through the thousands of miles that were separating us, my mom could hear me exhale and just say, "Thank You".

That was the first moment that I really knew what it felt like to stand in those hard-to-fill shoes. I had brought a beautiful little girl into the world. I was going to keep her safe for the rest of my life. I was going to love her and hold her, and support her, and lift her up to do wonderful things . . . for all of the rest of the days of my life. It was the most powerful moment I could have ever imagined.

So - as today is a day of gratitude and appreciation - I just have to say, "Thank You, Mom". Thank you for wearing those shoes so wonderfully. Thank you for keeping me safe, thank you for loving me and holding me, and supporting me and lifting me up do wonderful things. I got to stand in your shoes at that moment.

With your guidance and love - I stepped out of those shoes and have been breaking in a pair of my own now. I'm still getting used to them . . . they do give me blisters sometimes, and sometimes I trip on the laces . . . but with any luck - I'll break them in just as you have, and just as you have - I hope that someday I'll have the opportunity to lend them to Olivia.

This day was created for Mom's like you.

"Inspired by a Friend"

We are inspired by our mothers, our fathers, our teachers and mentors. We are inspired by the great heroes of the world, the stand-up figures that we idolize for their values, for their talents, for their ability to contribute to our world.

But . . . it is truly the greatest gift of all to be inspired by a friend.


A dear friend of mine is a talented dancer. While this is no longer her "day job" - it is where her heart always is. She stands tall, speaks gracefully, conveys confidence, and is a complete and radiant beauty. I am proud to call her my friend.

Last week she started volunteering her time with an incredible program, 'Free to be Me Dance', which teaches dance to children with Down Syndrome. You'll have to view the link below - it's such a great program:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBwQvOOeVkU


To have a friend remind you, through her actions alone, that it's not about using your talents to climb to the top of a corporate ladder - or use them to acquire wealth or fame, or to be the best, know the best, have the most or associate yourself with those who have or want the same . . . it really about using your talents to inspire - to create - to open the minds of others - to change the lives of those around you, and the world around us all.

We are all talented - we all have something to give.

It's donating this talent that gives us all the opportunity to change a life, be a hero, and change the world.

"Have you thanked a Teacher today?"

Today is Day 3 of the Orange County teacher's strike. 90% of the district's teachers are on strike, and 90% of the district's students were absent from school . . . again.

While I live in Downtown Los Angeles, and am not directly affected by the strike - I can't help but be saddened by what is going on. Sad, and disappointed.

Sad that the state is intending to cut teacher's pay permanently by 10% - sad that the students are loosing out on their right for a quality education - sad that this is the resolution for a $34 million budget shortfall for the coming school year, and this will only make up half of that . . . but disappointed in our community and lack of support for those that educate our children.

Lack of support for our educators, for the ones that have the power to inspire our children, the next generation. Lack of support for such huge role models, mentors, and friends.

These are some comments posted online regarding the strike:

"Give the teachers the weekend to think about it, and if they're not back in class by 8:00am Monday, REPLACE THEM. There are THOUSANDS of unemployed teachers in California that are looking for work. These spoiled OC teachers don't realize how good they have it. Medical, pension, 401k (or 457), good benefits, JOB SECURITY, etc......"

"And all these years the teachers and the LIBERAL school system has ENCOURAGED illegal immigration and FOUGHT any attempt to deport illegals, now you get your pay cut. Thanks to you, and to the illegals for BANKRUPTING YOUR OWN SCHOOLS and CUTTING YOUR OWN THROATS."


I have to believe that this is not a strike over money - it's about respect.

How many of us have said that we want to be a teacher when we grow up? How many of us have mothers or fathers that are teachers - or friends who have mothers and fathers that are teachers? How many of us have had teachers at our weddings - or stood amongst a giant crowd at their funerals?

Inspired, loved, honored and cherished teachers are the best gift that we could possibly give to our children, to our future, and to this world.

While I hope that I have the power to change the minds of the cynics who've posted their negativity online - I know that I have the power to touch the minds of the teachers.

So - in times of educational uncertainty - all I have to say, is "have you thanked a teacher today"?