Space and Perspective

This image is from the "egg" in Beijing. An amazing bit of modern architecture if I do say so myself (cause I am such a critic, but no expert). I am sitting today in Kuala Lumpur and thinking about the month and a half that have just past.

I have traveled to Malaysia 2 times. I have been to Beijing, I have been to LA and Dallas. Total miles logged around 20,000 miles. That is one hell of a huge carbon footprint. It also means that the one thing I love the most-being with my family- was totally a wash. I was with the family 15 days of January.

Good news is February is looking better. After this trip I intend to be home until March 1st, but March will be just as bad. While awesome trips are planned, including my first trip to India, it again stresses my family.

So, what does space and perspective mean, what types of changes am I making this year to slow down and be more deliberate. A few goals I think are in order.

1. Be Financially Independent (save $). I just spent a ton of $ on clothes for myself. I suppose it was needed. I work in a professional environment and tend to have clothes that fit poorly or make me look short and drab. So, now that a shopping spree has taken place, it is time to cut back and save. Jeff and I figure that to retire early we would need enough to survive in a manner that we could be comfortable, plan for un-anticipated expenses and cover the kids college. We are a long way off.

2. Be Present- When i am home, be there, be with the family, not be distracted and give my whole to the kids. Last week it was easy. I just got home from travel so the 2 days I was home it was easy to sit down and do homework, be patient and be there. I hope I can keep it up.

3. Be healthy. A few health issues have been circling around the family. We all need to take better care of ourselves and be well.

4. Be Grateful. Appreciate the blessings I have in life and share them with those I love.

5. Be Proactive. Take things in order and take action when needed rather than procrastinate.

6. Be Organized. Home, Business, Finances, Lifestyle.

7. Be Beautiful. Again, my home, myself, my family, my surroundings.

8. Be at Peace (my word of the year) and if the above come to fruition (or don't) be at peace with what happens and enjoy this life.

More about what I plan and how I plan to reach these goals soon.

Finding Rythm

I really should be better about listening. Listening to my body, listening to the seasons, listening to others. I really was very down and out after going 110 miles and hour the last few months. After CHA (and all of the huge amounts of preparation that takes) I flew back home, jumped into a large amount of work, plus filling orders, plus getting ready for a big huge training spree I am on for the next few weeks. So, when the house of cards came down, I went with it.

I had the signals, the signs I was tired, but I ignored them and pushed. I am generally the type that feels I am getting sick, can take a half a day off, sleep a bit extra and knock it out before it hits. I failed to listen and I paid the price.

I realize I should listen more to the other things. Listen more to my family, why is my daughter being such a little poop recently. Why is D taking this opportunity to poke at her. What is the dynamic here and why is this taking place. I need to sit down and listen, find the problem and solve it.

One of the more interesting things I have been doing is continuing with my picture a day. I haven't posted them yet and many of them are boring to "the outsider" but I am seeing a lot of those day to day things that make up my life. Now, I need to find my picture for today. Just not in my office ;-)

In Freakin' China Man!

Sometimes my life is a bit incongruous. I want to live a slow deliberate life, one filled with an understanding of the things and life around me. You know the sucking the marrow from the bone of life type of thing. Walden....pond...its all good.

But then life sometimes doesn't work that way. I am truly an Aquarius. With mixed desires and intentions. I want simple, but I crave excitement. I want slow but I drive at 90 miles an hour when ever possible.

But, I guess once and awhile the two sides of my neurotic life actually come together and I can grab a moment of appreciation even while traveling around the world.

To whit: I am in Shanghai this week and last night and after dinner as I was walking down Nanjing Xi Road I recalled that it was almost 15 years ago (by just a couple of weeks) that I was in this city for the first time. The first time I walked down Nanjing Road in Shanghai in June 1992 I was amazed by the place. I was in awe and in love with a city filled with history. I was in freaking CHINA people. I was a young law student and I was going to be an international lawyer by God. I was going to live and work overseas. I was going to be HERE...

So, last night I had the similar revelation. I am here. I am doing what I wanted I savored the moment and then nearly said out loud...I AM IN FREAKIN CHINA PEOPLE.... ISN'T THAT COOL?