Take Time Out

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“Sometimes it is the smallest decisions that can change  your life forever”      ~Keri Russell

I am usually one who eats lunch at my desk.  Keeping my nose to the grind and trying to get the most accomplished in a work day as possible.  On Thursday, it was a picture perfect Colorado day. I decided to take an hour out, wander down to the Yampa River Botanic Park and listen to the Steamboat Woodwind Trio. The mountain backdrop, the splendor in the gardens and the fabulous music left me renewed, refreshed and ready to get back to the business at hand.

We all get stuck in ruts, doing the same thing day after day.  By just making little changes throughout our daily lives, we see life through new eyes.  Next time, you go about business as usual, put a little “bent” into your day:

  • If it is usually orange juice in the am, try apple!
  • If you usually use a black pen, try red!
  • Leave a little early and take the scenic route!
  • Pick something off a menu that is outside of your usual choices!

We have all heard these words of advice time and time again. Nothing new is being revealed here, yet we all tend to fall back into our patterns of business as usual. Must be that is why we need to hear these words time and time again.

My most delightful lunch hour on Thursday was my reminder to take time out of my day and smell the roses. Actually, any kind of flower will do it for me!

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Joy in an Ordinary Day

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I  have had  careers in the hospitality/travel industry, as an insurance agent and branch manager, employment in the fine arts field, and now, as owner of an order fulfillment company specializing in e-Commerce. I have always enjoyed working. There is the good feeling of being productive, collaborating with co-workers and clients and the sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. No matter what type of work I have done, it has been satisfying. I guess it is all in the way that we look at things. And as they say, your outlook can determine your experience in life. I would much rather walk in the sun than in the clouds.

Some would say I am a stickler for details but, my feeling has always been the way I do my job is a reflection of my attitudes in life. I want to represent myself well!

Yesterday afternoon, I was a recipient of an email from C J Scarlett in North Carolina. She was writing  to tell me she had read my blog posts and I am “a  great writer.” Say what? For someone that just recently confessed to being a writer, it was pay back enough for the day’s work.  Maybe she was just spreading a dose of  kindness for the day. But, her comment was much appreciated and gave me JOY in an ordinary day!

See what you can do to spread a little kindness to someone each and every day!  See www.thekindnesscure.org.

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In my Book – The Winner Is!

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This weekend I went to Arts in the Park in Steamboat Springs, CO.  I love going to Arts and Crafts events in communities that have a real appreciation for the Arts. You never know what you are going to find.

There were artists of every medium displaying their wares – potters, painters, birdhouse builders, fiber artists, jewelers and more. Each one interesting, unique and serious about their craft. I enjoyed it all!

The artist that really inspired me the most was a photographer, pictured above, Kenny Tong. His magnificent photographs of China were anything but ordinary. He came all the way from Chino, California to share his photography with Steamboat Springs, CO.  His photography is better than a day at the Spa. The images were pure serenity and tranquility. They captured places and scenes in China that few of us have seen before in books or from other photographs of China. For more information on his art, please visit www.kennytong.com.  And by the way,  you have to see his images first hand to really appreciate what I am talking about.

Kenny, you won my prize for artist of the day! Thanks for sharing your work with Steamboat Springs, Colorado and come back again! I am glad to know your images can be ordered on-line at www.kennytong.com.  Any plans for a coffee table book with your magnificent images?

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 Enjoy the glorious summertime!

 

 

 

 

 

A New Day Rising!

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There is a group 1,600 filmmakers that have come together to produce “films that matter.” This group of filmmakers, Nomads Land Network www.NomadsLand.com partner with non-profits, ecotourism and volunteerism groups to produce social issue media and documentary films. I am so excited about this network of filmmakers. This is the stuff we at Cornerstone Fulfillment Service, LLC get all excited about and want to shout “Hurray!”

I told you there is alot of good stuff on the horizon in independent filmmaking!

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Up, Up and Away! Worth Rising For!

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There was  a sight to behold in Steamboat Springs, CO this morning. This weekend is the 29th Annual Hot Air Balloon Rodeo!

Folks came from everywhere to watch this beautiful event at 6 am in the morning.  Some balloonists came from as far away as Florida, Iowa and California to participate. There were 32 balloons in all. Can’t wait till tomorrow to see more of the action!

Also, happening on site was one of the Dallas Cowboys’  cheerleaders participating in a photo shoot for their annual calendar.

There is so much to do in Steamboat Springs, CO in summertime. I am not sure what to do this afternoon. Perhaps a visit to the Arts in the Parks event. This evening I think we will take a picnic dinner and see what the American Laughingstock Theatre has to offer.  I don’t know though, there are quite a number of other events that sound pretty darn enticing.

 I would like to try that hot air ballooning stuff someday. I wouldn’t be afraid! And while I am at it, maybe we will take some of our client’s independent book and DVD orders and deliver them personally. After all, we do ship with all major carriers. Perhaps shipping via hot air balloon would be more economical. Maybe our postmaster would like to come along for a ride.

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The Arts – Enriching Lives!

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Over the weekend, I attended two cultural events – both musical in nature. One was a concert in “plein air” – out of doors on a beautiful Colorado evening in Steamboat Springs. It had been a long time since I had been to a concert of that kind – a stand up and dance kind of an affair! I enjoyed it because it was family friendly! Grandparents to toddlers could join in the fun, and they did!

The next evening, the setting was entirely different. I am a volunteer usher at Strings in the Mountains this summer. The new Strings Music Pavilion is gorgeous and even while inside, you can still see the great out-of-doors. The Strings Music Festival is host to Grammy award winning artists all summer long. Last night, I laughed till I cried at  “Four Bitchin’ Babes! ” Don’t let the name of the group offend you. There was nothing offensive about it – just pure fun and reflection on my own gender – women! The group gave a fun-lovin’  musical review of women’s quirks, frustrations and lives.

Even the men in the audience seemed to enjoy every moment.

I think more fun is in store for me this summer at Strings in the Mountains.

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Three Candles

 

Three CandlesI just read the sad news about Farrah Fawcett loosing her battle with cancer. She was an inspiration to us all, battling a devastating disease with such grace and determination. Makes me grateful for my own wonderful health and sad for  all those stricken with cancer. For Farrah,  for my friends Amy and Brian , and all the others that are so courageous in their battle, I light three candles.