Inspiration – Thought Changer

I read this phrase the other day. “Progress, not perfection.” It got me thinking about the lightness of the former versus the weightiness of the latter. Progress is fluid and open. Perfection is rigid and inflexible. Perfection is exhausting. Progress is invigorating. Perfection wears a mask. Progress is transparent. Perfection is endless because you never get there. Progress is endless because you’re always there. Perfection focuses on what’s not working, the flaws, the not-enoughs, the old paradigms. Progress looks at what is working, the improvements, the discoveries, the aha moments that come from the realization of looking at things in a new way. Perfection is obsessed with time. Progress doesn’t measure time because it’s right now. It’s a continuation to the next right-now. And, the next. Progress represents the in-betweens, the moments between milestones and goals reached. There’s beauty in progress. There’s simplicity. There’s freedom in the unknowing of what… Read more →

“I had an epiphany.” We’ve all felt that inspiring moment of realization at one time or another, the powerful insight that was going to change everything. It’s a great feeling, right? Okay, you had an epiphany. So, now what? While reading Step 2 in the Twelve Steps of Overeaters Anonymous this morning – yes, I admit I’m an overeater – I was hit by a wave of epiphany. As part of my work in this program I’ve committed to “no dieting”. Dieting, I’ve learned, for me is an aspect of the compulsive behavior that’s part of the problem and not the solution. Intellectually, makes a lot of sense. But, as a lifelong planner, my mind got to working: how was I going to shed these extra pounds if I don’t diet? Hmmm. I have to figure this out. Cut portions? Cut bread? Cut chocolate? Cut sugar? Cut carbs? Cut, cut… Read more →

The snow was new, with over a foot falling in the past 24 hours. It was fun to be out in it and, as I like to say, I was getting my “fix” of winter wonderland before heading back to LA. To make it all the more wonderland I was coming back from having a heart-to-heart lunch with my 19-year-old “old soul” of a nephew, Kirk. We were pushing the clock, trying to stretch time before I had to leave for the airport. And, as is so often a way of life in December in Michigan, the road held surprise patches of ice. One such patch presented itself with much fanfare as we approached a back-up of cars stopped on a two-lane road outside of town. Brake lights appeared and in an instant we were swerving onto the shoulder and into the yard, thankfully without a ditch, with all four… Read more →

By Cindy Yantis “We’re heading into heavy snow.” I heard someone in the airport utter this as he got ready to board my flight. Flights were cancelled, roads were closed, plans were diverted, all due to heavy snow. I find the phrase “heavy snow” intriguing. It’s hard to think of anything lighter than snow. Or to break it down further, there’s not many things lighter or more delicate than a snowflake. Each tiny piece of frosted crystal sweet and unique, completely different that the millions of other perfect ice sculptures cascading down along with it. They create a silent symphony of white and calm, of peace and newness. That is until there are too many of them all at once, storming on top one another so that they’re packed into a heaviness that can become treacherous, even deadly. One could imagine the breezy conversation taking place among them. “What happened?… Read more →

There were so many amazing photos posted recently of the Blue Moon. It was awe-and-then-some! I took several moments on my patio, breathing into the seeming expansiveness in the air created by the sight of the magnificent orb. I tried to get a photo, but couldn’t capture it. The best one I found was posted by my friend John Tamerlano on his FB page, so I’m borrowing it! Thanks, JT. Just looking at it creates a sense of wonder abou t what lies beyond it. It got me thinking about the Unknown and what an impact, good and bad, it can have on our lives, and how the prospect of the Unknown can bring on excitement, anticipation, fear or terror in varying degrees or all at once. As we strive to raise the level of our playing field we will continually approach and cross the threshold to the Unknown. To… Read more →

The notion of legacy washed through my consciousness several times recently. I took in the new flick, THE BOURNE LEGACY, which in my opinion did nothing to add to Robert Ludlum’s real legacy as a prolific writer of mysteries, including the Bourne novels, which were full of rich levels of intrigue and character. This new one, not written by Ludlum, not so much. CBS Sunday Morning did a profile on the late Marvin Hamlisch, celebrating his life legacy of music. As I watched it I remembered seeing Mr. Hamlisch live in Detroit when he conducted the orchestra for Barbra Streisand. I was moved to tears the way his music transported the audience down memory lane. It got me thinking about the art of legacy and what that means. What is a l egacy and how do we decide what ours is to become? Or are we even the ones who… Read more →

One of my favorite photographers, Jennifer Kelley Lublin, posted this mesmerizing photo this week. Photo by JennKL I could imagine myself on this path and wondered what kind of magic lay just around the bend. The trees seem to be willing to lend a helping hand or to part their branches to shed more light along on the way. Wherever it leads, I want to go there. It got me thinking about life’s journey and the many paths, full of twists and turns, that are available to us every day. Which to take? Which way to turn when a fork presents itself? The big moments and life-altering milestones many times present themselves as these forks in the road, where you have to make a decision. Sometimes it’s scary and really hard to make that first step. This is where the magic of the Path of Least Resistance comes in. Have… Read more →

It was a shiny new menu sign. All the yummy drink choices with the prices lined up perfectly next to them. Dollar signs aligned vertically in almost lyrical fashion. And, then… an oops. The third item from the bottom, the Ice Blended Mocha, was missing the dollar sign. The $ was “v”. v3.80? Clearly it was a typo on a freshly printed menu board, one that had likely been proofed by several sets of eyes. And, it wasn’t just a local job. This was a board that had been special ordered and hung by professionals. I’ve ordered lunch in this café numerous times and have never noticed this little flaw. So, what do you think happened as I sat there waiting for my lunch order? I was unable focus on anything except for that measly v3.80. The typo. The one imperfect note amidst the otherwise perfect symphony of $$$$$$$$$$$$. What… Read more →

Gilligan: Hiya, Professor. What are you doing? The Professor: I’m making notes for a book. It’s to be a chronicle of our adventures on the island. I think people will buy it, don’t you? Gilligan: Sure, I’ll buy one. I’m dying to find out what happens to us. ~ Gilligan’s Island 1964 It always seemed to me that the stranded castaways on Gilligan’s Island had it made; and even though their mission was to find a way to get off or to be rescued, every week they found contentment on their uncharted desert isle. They became increasingly laid back and adapted to life on the island. They were livin’ on Island Time. I woke up on Island Time today. I spent this past weekend on Catalina Island and we heard several people use the phrase Island Time. “I’m in no hurry, I’m on Island Time.” “The service is slow; they’re… Read more →

By Cindy Yantis I don’t know about you but I went through another holiday season completely overbooked. And, if history repeats itself, by the time the day of celebration actually arrives, I’m exhausted and have thoughts that I’m sure echo those of many others: too many shoppers, too many commitments, too much commercialization, not enough time. And, then the holidays whiz by and you’re in the middle of January before you realize it. Maybe you can relate. Well, it hit me yesterday that this didn’t happen this year. Sure, I was still overbooked with all of the above and then some, but somehow time felt slower this year, more joyful. It got me thinking about why that might be. To my summation, here’s the difference… I took control of my time this year, rather than the other way around. And, what really slowed things down for me were what I… Read more →