Happy break
Wore nice boots with little heels today. And a black suede jacket with skinny pants.
As opposed to treaded clunky boots and a scarf wrapped around half my face.
Oh yeah. A little respite from Old Man Winter.
Made me feel lighter and freer.
Cool.
Successful and feisty
Fell asleep last night before I had a chance to blog. Almost never happens. But I have things to say, so …
Went to see Suze Orman last night at Barnes and Noble in Union Square. That is one dynamic woman. What a bright star. Her latest book has her on a crusade to get women to engage their relationship with money. She outlines a plan and even offers a savings incentive with TD Ameritrade.
I’m so there. Suze has timed this just right as far as I’m concerned. She wants to get America saving more and I’m happy to do my part. I bought the book, with a great coupon, I might add. Even shared an extra coupon with the woman in line behind me.
Successful, feisty people like Suze who came from working class families inspire me so. Interestingly, it was just a few nights ago that I caught Oprah’s special on her school in South Africa for girls. Certainly Oprah falls into the “successful, feisty” category, but it was riveting to see her select girls for her school who exhibited that same potential. Oprah said she was looking for girls with “it.”
I cried as I watched that program because it is unfathomable for me to imagine living in a one-room shack with no plumbing or walking to school through dangerous streets praying no one would harm me. These girls know school is the answer to the prayer of getting out, of helping others, of bettering their country. It was so moving.
Was talking to a friend who also saw the show and we marveled at how anyone could criticize Oprah for doing this. My friend recalled that Oprah asked viewers to watch the show with their children. After seeing it, it was clear why. American children can use a dose of that. It’s eye-opening, it’s humbling, it expands one’s heart.
To be in a position to help others because you’ve made millions out of almost nothing, and to use that opportunity the way Suze and Oprah have, well, it’s amazing to me.
It’s been a week filled with inspiration.
Write, baby, write
Love the story of Michael Arndt. Won the Oscar last night for best original screenplay. Quit his job as Matthew Broderick’s personal assistant to write Little Miss Sunshine. Next thing you know, he’s standing on that stage with the gold.
My life coaching clients will be hearing that story again and again. Especially the writers.
Guts. Dedication. Sacrifice. Good stuff.
Drag
Here it is 11:15 p.m. and I still don’t know who won Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director or Best Picture. Disgraceful.
A good performance by Ellen. A happy moment for Jennifer Hudson. Some subpar entertainment otherwise.
What were they thinking?
Please release me.
Space
I am purging like crazy today. Three bags of books to the local bookstore. Clothes and shoes to the homeless shelter. Bags and bags of garbage. Do I really need to save every box from every blessed pair of shoes?
I love this.
Out with the old, in with the new. Room in my life for growth. Space to think. Breathing room. Yowza.
Even a walk down memory lane was in the cards. Found a box of autographed baseballs — Lefty Gomez, Gaylord Perry, Wally Joyner — from my old days in sports. Pictures of me with Brooks Robinson and Lefty Gomez, both autographed.
What really stopped me short was finding two certificates that listed me as a finalist for Women’s Sports Foundation national journalism awards in 1994 and 1995. Interesting how I always remember winning the award in 1996, but forgot I had come close two years prior. A good lesson in there, I think, about patience and persistence.
An illuminating, if exhausting, purge.
Receptacles
Went to The Container Store this afternoon. My first time. I almost had to be forcibly removed, such was my fascination. So much possibility for organization, in bright colors and clean-lined containers.
I emerged relatively unscathed, but couldn’t resist a pill box in the shape of a capsule, half red and half white. Also, decided I was becoming a crazy lady with plastic grocery bags, so grabbed a plastic dispenser that holds 30 bags. Total was under $10.
Man, I love streamlining.
V-Day
Went to see The Vagina Monologues in Hoboken tonight. Wowee. So good. All the better because it benefitted The Hoboken Shelter.
Eve Ensler’s writing is sharp and moving and the material is alternately funny and tragic, but spirited, rousing readings made it all the more powerful. It really came alive.
A fabulous evening.
Ad sense
I have been noticing something about the advertising posters in the subway. The ads on the New York subways are edgier, more intelligent and have more depth than those on the PATH train.
Sad but true.
Woe be gone
Snow be gone.
Cold be gone.
Wind be gone.
Be gone.
Be gone.
Sanity … return.
Diana
Do you know where you’re going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Where are you going to?
Do you know?
I’m watching Diana Ross on The Actor’s Studio and can’t help thinking what a phenomenal, sustaining talent she is. She just sang that piece. Always resonates.
So … do you?
