photo credit: libraryman

"When I was 5 years old, my mom always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down “happy". They told me I didn’t understand the assignment and I told them they didn’t understand life." ~ Author Unknown

Kindness

"Kindness, like a boomerang, always returns." ~ Author Unknown

Preface:  Random Acts of Kick Arse is a movement to bring more of {monthly theme} into our lives, and the lives of those around us. 

October Theme:  Kindness.  Find ways to incorporate more kindness into the world.

The Results:  Kindness.  I suppose it could really be an endless list of ways to bring some "good" to someone else.  Kindness is a pretty broad term.  How to really focus on this?  Hmmm…  It seems easy, and then…well…daily life kicks in.  What I found was that is was easy to "forget" this focal point for the month.  Caught up in my own daily life, this idea of kindness took a backseat.  Then I'd remember it.  And I'd be more purposeful, more deliberate…until, well…I wasn't.  If I were in school I'd give myself a B, or maybe a C.  There's room for improvement, and the biggest improvement for me is in making each monthly theme more of a focal point.  Lesson Learned:  Without focus, it's all too easy to do what I've always done.

I still hope that I've stepped out of October and into November having left a little more kindness in the world.  What I do know is that throughout the month, I experienced great kindness from others, and I think that's an important point to think about too.  How often do we really appreciate the kindness shown to us?  Do we sometimes miss it?

With that in mind, this month I highlight just a couple of the many moments where I witnessed beautiful kindness.

Moment #1
Through the month of October, I had the privilege of working with Joanna Sutter, from Fitness and Spice, on creating an e-book to raise money for breast cancer research (we've raised almost $1000!!).  Joanna shined in so many amazing and kind ways all month.  It began with her enthusiasm, and that kindness rolled into her doing the lion's share of putting the e-book into a completed format.  I know it was a lot of work, and she did it all without complaint (and making my life so much easier!) – and put up with my calls from early morning into the late evenings.  Joanna – you are a kindness superstar!

Moment #2
Through her writing, I witnessed deep kindness from friend Angelia Sims, of Living, Loving, Laughing… Everything from participating and raising money to fight diabetes, to volunteering to help women at a homeless shelter.  True examples from Angelia of kindness in action, and in ways that directly help people – out there on the front lines of kindness!  And all of it done from the heart.  Angelia – you are a kindness superstar!

Moment #3
A coworker, Rebecca, with whom I've worked on a project the last several months.  Rebecca worked tirelessly to see this project come together – highlighted by culmination into a final product in October.  This was Rebecca's "baby", and I was involved to support making it happen all through the process.  At the completion, I suggested lunch to celebrate.  She insisted upon paying (after I asked her out to lunch!).  A small act (of many throughout the project).  Spoken from a sincere and caring heart.  And something not at all required.  Rebecca – you are a kindness superstar!

Moment #4
My wife, Lora.  October became a crazy month, and it consumed me.  Through it all, Lora was there to pick up the pieces, make sure everything happened at home – and there to listen when I started to "whine"…  That included when I was ready to throw in the towel on some volunteer activities, and she stepped in to get it all organized.  And that made all the difference in the world.  Lora – you are a kindness superstar!

What is Random Acts of Kick Arse (RAOKA)?  With the idea that there are so many ways we can do small things to change the world for good, Sami, from Life, Laughs, and Lemmings took an idea she had and created this movement.  The movement:  A new theme to focus on each month, bringing a little more good to the world.  The movement started in October 2009, with a core group of participants:

Melissa from Operation NICE
Lori from Jane Be Nimble
Dani from Positively Present
Brandi from Joy Rebel
Sami from Life, Laughs, and Lemmings

Each month a topic will be chosen to focus on, and then at the start of the next month, the participants will write about their experiences from the previous month.

Interested in joining the movement?  Contact Sami for details.

November Theme:  Beauty (as chosen by Brandi from Joy Rebel)

A Special Event
Saturday, November 7th:  Katie and The Levity Project movement are coming to Chicago!  Get all the details right here!  This will be a day filled with laughter and joy, and one I'm excited to be taking part in, too!!  If you are near the Chicago area, check this out – for the cost of getting to downtown Chicago, you can be part of a very special day!

Keep up with Katie by subscribing to her blog, and following her on Twitter.

photo credit: kwerfeldein

The Little Things

It really is the little things
That mean the most of all…
The "let me help you with that" things
That may seem very small
The "I'll be glad to do it" things
That make your cares much lighter,
The "laugh with me, it's funny" things
That make your outlook brighter…

The "never mind the trouble" things,
The "yes, I understand,"
The interest and encouragement
In everything you've planned
It really is the little things,
The friendly word or smile,
That add such happiness to life
And make it more worth while.

~ Mary Dawson Hughes 

photo credit: Traveling Fools of America

"Become a possibilitarian.  No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see possibilities – always see them, for they're always there." ~ Norman Vincent Peale

Blogging For A Cause

Breast cancer has affected countless millions of people – from the women and men who have had this disease, to their family and friends who love them. 

Estimates show that breast cancer is newly diagnosed in approximately 200,000 women each year.  And while the risks are much lower, men are not immune from this disease either.  That's about 550 new cases of breast cancer EVERY DAY.

Much is being done to develop cures and bring awareness this deadly disease. 

The Susan G. Komen foundation is the leading breast cancer movement in the world, working together with people from all reaches of the world, in search of a cure. 

Today, you have the opportunity to help support the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization. 

Together with my friend, Joanna Sutter, we have teamed up to create an e-book. 

Blog-4-Cause

This is no ordinary e-book.  This is the collective effort of over 150 writers from throughout the world.  Writers uniting together in a race for the cure. 

Every one of these writers has contributed a favorite article to this e-book, creating a wonderful collection of stories.  Stories of inspiration, personal growth, fitness, food, humor, and more. 

Today, Joanna and I are asking for your help. 

Please visit the Susan G. Komen Blog-4-Cause website to learn how you can support the mission to end breast cancer.  In addition, you'll find information on how to recieve this Blog-4-Cause E-book, our gift to you.  A bonus e-book, from author and life coach Tim Brownson, is included as well.

There is much hope in a future filled with possibility.  Together, we all can make a difference!

With deep gratitude,
Lance and Joanna

photo credit: onkel_wart

“I am like a falling star who has finally found her place next to another in a lovely constellation, where we will sparkle in the heavens forever.” ~ Amy Tan

Preface

This morning, a cool and brisk start to the day.  In fact, with the shifting sunlight hours, and darkness staying longer, it seemed like the middle of the night.  Now was the time, though, if I was going to get outside and get a morning jog in.  A quick three miles, down mostly deserted streets. 

The Dawn of Something More

The early morning darkness was made even darker by a heavy fog engulfing the area.  So dark, that I couldn't make out the edge of the road from the grass beside it.  No traffic. An occasional light as I happened by a house here and there.

I approached the top of a small hill.  The road surrounded by woods on both sides…complete darkness. 

Then, light, faint light. 

I looked up. Greeting me, a chorus of stars as I came out of the fog and into a clearing.  Stars, shining bright in the darkened skies.  It all seemed so surreal, so larger than life..coming from complete darkness, into these amazing stars shining their light into my life! 

In the quiet stillness of this morning, out amongst the stars up in the sky, I was drawn into the magificence of our world!  More than that, though, I was drawn into the light from these stars, and the deeper meaning that has for me.

The Star In YOU

Like all those stars up in the sky, lighting up the night, each one of us has that star within. 

YOU.  Yes, you.  You have that star within you.  It's there.  Maybe it hasn't been fully discovered.  Maybe some days a cloud cover comes over, drowning out your light.  Maybe the star within you doesn't seem as bright as someone else's. 

It's there.  Within.

It matters not how bright your star is compared to someone else.  To one, you could be the light that matters.  It matters not that your star within is not fully discovered – it's not for any of us, and will continue to become more present as we continue on the journey through our lives.  And it matters not that you don't shine that same brightness every day.  That's what other stars are there for, to brighten our way when our light alone is not enough. 

It's there.  Listen to your heart, and that light from your star within will shine it's true colors.  Colors that shine the real you!

Believe!  Believe in you, in the light that you have to share! 

YOU are amazing!

photo credit: h.koppdelaney

"When just starting out on a new journey it's only natural to feel vulnerable. After all, it may seem that you have much to lose. But may I remind you that never again, at any other point in the same journey, will you have so much to gain." ~ Mike Dooley

photo credit: kevindooley

"All my life through, the new sights of Nature made me rejoice like a child." ~ Marie Curie

We live in an amazing world!  Just look around and try to fully grasp all that we are part of.  It's so filled with awe, don't you think?  And let's just look at our natural environment, and forget, for a few minutes, about our man made things.

Look at what nature has given us. 

Today I'm over visiting Kristin Tennant, at Halfway to Normal. 

Kristin, creator of the Love List project, invited me over to look more deeply at what love means.  This Love List project began in late September, and I was drawn into the concept Kristin had of sharing more freely about those things we love – all of them, big or little. 

Join me over at Halfway to Normal, as I discuss the wonder of love settling like fog.

Kristin's writing style is filled with her heart, shining through.  You can keep up with her by subscribing to her blog or following her on Twitter.

Comments are closed.

photo credit: jill d

“Life is but a brief moment. The years go by quickly and old age arrives suddenly before we have an inkling. People desire so many things and waste their days in vain. Some yearn for gold, others for power, yet others for glory and a higher station. But when death’s moment nears and they look back at their lives they’ve lived, they realize they’ve been happy only during those moments when they’ve loved.” ~ Borje Vahamaki

 We all have moments that challenge us.  Some of those moments can challenge us deep within our core.  And it’s in those moments,  having a rock to lean on – whatever that "rock" is for each of us – can be the something that helps pull us through. 

Today I am honored to have Peggy Nolan, from Serendipity Smiles, here as she talks about some of the adversities she’s had in her life, and how deeply connecting her yoga routine was for her during those dark days. 

One of the challenges Peggy has faced was breast cancer.  Today she talks about that and more, and how yoga has been a source of comfort and healing through it all.

Please read and be inspired, as Peggy so beautifully writes about…

Finding My Yoga

 
photo credit: B Mully

"Adversity is like a strong wind.  It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are." ~ Arthur Golden, Memoirs of a Geisha

The frigid January night I kicked my ex-husband out, my yoga mat took a beating without complaint.  She absorbed the fire from my feet, the sweat from my body, and the tears from my heart.  She rooted me like a tree while the tornado of his deceit swirled around me.  Standing on my right leg with my left foot tucked inside my right thigh, I lifted my heart and my arms upward toward the sky.  I had learned how to breathe through four months of rage, anger, and emotional upheaval.  My yoga mat gently held me in child pose as night after night, I wept my pain away.  She bore witness to my discovery that the impermanence of ever after is no different than the impermanence of each breath.  Letting go of my nineteen year marriage and life as I knew it was not easy but I learned to un-cling myself from the past and live my life forward.

In hero pose I let my yoga mat help teach me to be still in my anger.  Sitting with my right knee wrapped around my left knee and both feet flexed outwards I rounded my spine as I bowed my forehead to my top knee.  I learned how to recognize my anger, accept it, to imagine holding it the palm of my hand and gently blowing it away with each exhalation.  At first my ex husband was the object of my anger – a speck of dust that I’d visualize blowing away with my breath.  But as I unpeeled my anger I learned who I was really angry with – my self.  I did everything I could to save a marriage irreparably damaged by my ex husband’s double life and in doing so, I compromised my self, my daughters, my values, my principles and my own dreams and aspirations.

Grappling with a profound sadness, I let my yoga mat convince me to take flight in eagle pose. Twisting my right arm over left with my palms touching each other while wrapping my left leg around my right leg I could feel the return of my independence.  Balanced in this posture, I often imagined myself flying triumphantly out of Salvador Dali’s "Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory." I could see myself standing in the middle of the painting surveying the loss of time as it melted off the clock. I could see the shattered world I was afraid to leave.  I knew this fractured miserable world – for years I had determined to keep my family together no matter what.

When I discovered that "no matter what" came at the expense of my own self-respect, I decided that a leap off the canvas of devastation into the great unknown was the best option.  I learned that when I made decisions that were right for me they were also right for my daughters…even if they didn’t see it at the time.

Yoga helped teach me to be my self without someone else defining who I was.  I mended fractured relationships with people in my family and friends that my ex didn’t like.  I made choices that were right for me, like selling the house my daughters and I lived in and buying something smaller and easier to manage.  Through my divorce yoga taught me to connect my body with my mind and my spirit.  In doing so, I found my internal spring of love, hope and gratitude from which my soul is immeasurably replenished and nurtured.  This discovery came not a moment too soon because five short months after my divorce was final and one year to the day after my ex husband and I began our disentanglement, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

While I needed the steadfast strength of my friends, my family, and especially my father, it was the loving solitude of my yoga mat that I craved.  Breathing into the powerful warrior poses I’d watch the questions as they entered my mind: "Who am I when I no longer am who I was?" "What am I supposed to be doing?"  "Am I on the right path?"  "What am I supposed to be learning right now?"  In between breaths, I’d listen for the answers. 

While the answers didn’t come right away, I began to learn patience.  I became more aware of my thoughts and how my thoughts affected my circumstances.  In order to face breast cancer I cleaned out the remaining negative skeletons from the far reaches of my mind and I decided to face this disease the only way I knew how – with gratitude and a deep appreciation for being alive.

Four days after my first surgery to remove a three-inch cluster of non-invasive cancer cells, my yoga mat hugged me close as I lay uncomfortably belly down. Poses that were once simple, like cobra, bow, and airplane now presented a physical challenge that I couldn’t just bulldoze my way through.  Lifting my shoulders off the floor for the first phase of cobra pose, something I could easily do just a week before was an incredibly painful challenge.  Laying face down on my yoga mat, I know I heard her laugh as I learned to be humbled by the power that resides in not doing.  After my doctor called with the results of the first surgery, I realized that I’d be doing a lot of not doing on my yoga mat.

My doctor started with the bad news first.  Pathology determined the cancer to be invasive as well and that it had spread to my lymph system.  The good news, she told me, was that this was all treatable with surgery and chemotherapy.  I would lose my breast and in return I’d most likely go on living for another 40 or so years.

Nine days after having a mastectomy, I unfurled my yoga mat in the studio. 
Surprised, well meaning friends asked me what I was doing back so soon after surgery.  My yoga mat didn’t question me for she understood why.  She knew I needed to be there and move my body – to see what worked and what didn’t work.   The compassion of my blue sticky mat supported me, cradled me, and kept me safe.  While I couldn’t do downward facing dog I could and did modify the pose and was the only one in class mastering the fine art of the one armed down dog.

Through chemotherapy, my yoga mat hung onto me.  Quietly coaxing what little my body could give she made me dig deep and helped me discover the place within myself where the Divine resides and where I am at peace.  I battled with loneliness – and cancer is a very lonely disease – only to uncover that by accepting my loneliness I found a freedom and liberation that transformed my perspective on living my own life.  Laying in shavasana, or dead man’s pose, my arms and legs stretched out in relaxation, I found that my someday is now and now is all I have.

During radiation therapy my yoga mat welcomed back my energy and strength. 
I put her through the paces often doubling up on Monday nights and doing back-to-back classes.  One hundred and eighty minutes of yoga to which my friends thought I was nuts but my yoga mat knew I was catching up on some long over due work.  Plank, side plank, chatterunga, up dog, down dog, back to plank.  I’d repeat the series until I heard the white lotus blossoms whisper, "less is more."

Two months after I finished treatment and one year after I was diagnosed, the company I worked for laid off my entire group.  The day after I lost my job I sat in a twist on my yoga mat trying to figure out how I was going to deal with one daughter in college, the other in high school, reconstructive surgery, health benefits, the mortgage, and still put food on the table.  With surprising forcefulness I heard her say, "another silver lining."  I untwisted myself and felt an amazing release. 

After all I’ve been through I now saw that losing my job was an opportunity to change direction. Inspired by my favorite TS Elliot quote, "If you are unwilling to impose your own terms upon life, then you must be willing to accept what life offers you," I knew it was time to impose my own terms upon life.  I renegotiated a better severance package; I found a new position within days but took a six-week break from the insanity of corporate America; I went on vacation; I started writing again; and with a clean bill of health from my doctors, I became a breast cancer thriver.

Oil and sweat from my feet and hands have left indelible marks on my blue sticky yoga mat.  My toes have worn out spots – all those lunges and warrior poses – and my yoga mat is crumbling where I ground down with the balls of my feet.   My mat has carried me through three major life-altering events in less than three years: divorce, breast cancer and losing a job.  I can count on my yoga practice to be there, unfailing and supportive of the parts that are all of me.

The answers I seek through my yoga practice are open ended.  I’m no longer plagued by the sense of loss of who I was because I haven’t really lost who I was – she’s with me as I create a new vision of who I am.  I believe that the Universe is unfolding exactly as She should and I’m standing in the middle of my own unfolding.  Rooting down into my yoga mat, I stand in Goddess pose completely receptive to my own inner strength, courage, and wisdom.

About Peggy Nolan
Peggy Nolan is a freelance writer, breast cancer survivor and certified yoga teacher living in Derry, NH.  Peggy is the author of two blogs, Serendipity Smiles and The Stepmom’s Tool Box, and is passionate about helping others help themselves.

“Youth is not measured by the age of a person, but by the curiosity a person keeps.” ~ Salvador Pániker

Rolling in the grass!  Yep, I’m guessing that’s a typical day for Kim and Jason Kotecki! 

It is with great enthusiasm that I introduce you to this amazing couple, a husband/wife blogging couple from right here in Wisconsin!  And today I sit down and ask them a few questions, as we bounce around between the philosophical and the goofy.  And that’s right up their alley, a good mix of what makes life worth living while having fun doing it!  Kim and Jason are the proprietors of the very successful and deliciously fun Escape Adulthood website.  Escape adulthood?  What’s that all about, anyway?  Read on, as we dig more deeply into what truly makes life grand!

NOTE: We’re having a give away here today!  For the price of a comment, one lucky winner will be chosen to receive a copy of Kim and Jason’s recently released book, "There’s An Adult In My Soup".  Winner will be chosen at random, from all received comments – on Friday October 16th.

And with that, please help me in welcoming Kim and Jason here today!

I ask the questions, and they answer with a mix of lightheartedness and wisdom…

1. Tell us a little bit about who “you” are (family, career, any special life experiences you’d like to share, etc.) 
Jason: I am a lot of things. I’m a dad, husband, son, and brother. I suspect I could be better in all four areas, but I’m working at it. Professionally, I’m a cartoonist, author, and speaker, which is a far cry from my early ambition of becoming a superhero. But at least I feel like I’m making a difference, which is something I share with my leotard-clad, cape-donning colleagues. I drew a comic strip called "Kim & Jason" for about seven years. It’s now officially "retired," but the characters still serve as mascots for our company. My mission in life is to help people struggling with Adultitis and get them living with less stress and more fun.
Kim: I share the same mission as my husband, but my official title in our company is the “Director of Everything.” I am a work-at-home mom, wife, and youngest of four girls who somehow manages to continue to feel five-years-old, while being six times that (okay- a little more than 6 times). I am a former kindergarten teacher who also moonlights as an author and sales director for our speaking side of things. 

Lance’s Commentary:  Nice title, Kim!  And the word "adultitis", it just sounds like a disease, doesn’t it!  Which, speaking of adultitis, if you’re curious whether you’re affected, I see the Adultitis website has a questionniare to help you determine that.  Hmmm….I wonder what it says about me?

2. How long have you been blogging, and what led you to start your site?  
Jason: I started blogging back in 2002, before there really was such a thing as a blog. I started out on a message board we hosted on our site, and it was just a personal journal about the early days when I was doing the comic strip and we were starting our business. It has evolved quite a bit since then.
Kim: Our blog is a good example of what happens when you take baby steps towards your interests and passion. Little by little it evolved right before our eyes. 

Lance’s Commentary:  Gosh, Jason – you’re like an Internet pioneer in blogland years!  Your dedication and passion shine through in all you present, and I especially love the videos you’ve created.  My personal favorite is your Water Balloon Warfare – although I’d only want to be a spectator, Kim, when you’re launching those balloons!  Ouch!

3.  Kim and Jason, when I think of you two (and the name of your site – Escaping Adulthood) – I think of tunneling out of a jail cell with a Tonka truck – escaping the mundane that we too often let into daily life.  Maybe I’m off-base a bit.  Tell us what “Escaping Adulthood” is all about.  
Jason: I love that concept of the Tonka Truck. Nice. I think that when we were kids, we had this idealized notion of what adulthood would be like. It sounded so awesome, and we were eager to grow up and take advantage of al the perks, like staying up late, being able to drive, and eating dessert first. Of course, there’s a lot more that comes with adulthood, like work, bills, and responsibility. It’s easy for Adultitis to sneak in, robbing us of the joy and happiness we had when we were younger. Stress piles up, and way too many people live lives of quiet desperation. Our message is that no, we’ll never be six again, but we don’t have to settle for the "adulthood" that seems to be so common. We encourage people to "escape" the busyness that comes standard with most modern lives, and rekindle some of the secrets from childhood that make life more fulfilling, exciting, and fun. 

Lance’s Commentary:  Ah, yes…adulthood!  That place we yearned for when we were kids.  To be "older", and be able to do all the cool stuff!  And then to find out…the cool stuff also involves bills, and work that isn’t always fun and games…  So, keeping fun in daily "adult" life, that sounds pretty sweet!

4. You’ve just published a book – “There’s An Adult In My Soup”.  Tell us about this book, and what inspired you to write it. 
Kim: "There’s An Adult In My Soup" is a collection of essays we’ve written over the years. We wanted to create a book that was easy and fun to read, something reminiscent of "Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff," in which you can open it up in the middle and just start reading. Probably the best way to describe the concept is by sharing a poem Jason wrote for the back cover: 

When I was a kid, my soup was just right,
Yummy and tasty, a veritable delight. 

Two cups of dreams and a full pint of play,
A pinch of curiosity for the perfect bouquet. 

Passion and wonder and faith it had, too
I’d dare you to taste a happier stew! 

But when I got older, my soup it did turn,
Enough to warrant a cause for concern. 

It’s gunky and goopy and lacking in fun,
It’s not nearly as tasty as when I’d begun. 

It’s bland and it’s bitter and tastes just like poop,
The problem is clearly the adult in my soup! 

Lance’s Commentary:  I’m currently reading this book, and it’s great!  And one thing I really love are the short chapters (it fits my attention span well!).  More than that, though, I think it’s really a great "idea generator".  You two share real-life examples of living Adultitis-free, and those are examples that spur thoughts in me of how I can be more kid-like myself.  And that right there is the real "meat" in that soup!  And don’t forget, everyone – one of these fantastic books will be given away – so comment away!

5.  So you author a blog, have written a couple of books, sell “fun” toys on your site (for any age), have a weekly video series, and do speaking engagements.  What are the joys and challenges with all of this, and what have I missed? 
Jason: That pretty much covers it. The joy lies in waking up every morning in love with what I do for a living. The challenges are making sure we’re focusing on the right things, keep our lives in balance, and just like every business, figuring out the best ways to market things without breaking the bank.
Kim: A big job for me is being able to work from home and tag team childcare for our little one between myself, Jason and our associate (our daughter’s godmom). With this joy also comes the challenge of knowing when to close the laptop and when to answer the phone. We do well with this overall, it’s just always at the forefront of our efforts. 

6. And you’re recently new parents (hi Lucy!).  How has that changed things both in your household, and in writing and speaking engagements?  
Jason: We have a lot less time to work on the business than we did before Lucy. Balance has become a bigger challenge. But I think it has made us much sharper and efficient with our time. I also believe this experience of parenthood has added a level of richness to our writing and speaking that allows us to connect with people on a whole new level. Parenthood has made us better teammates and better people. 
Kim: We always joked (BL- before Lucy) that the business was our first baby, and I still believe that in a lot of ways. Both require tremendous effort and passion to continue to manage in a Adultitis-free manner. Lucy is along for the adventure. By the time she was four months old she had joined us on 25 flights. We’re including her in on the journey!

Lance’s Commentary:  Lucy is one well-traveled little girl!!  And yes, an additional little life in your household sure does change things!  Enjoy the "moments" with that little wonder in your life!

7. Tell us one unexpected thing that has happened to you in the last year (Lucy doesn’t count!). 
Jason: We bought our first house! We spent almost nine years in an apartment, building our business. Then we had Lucy last December and were just focused on trying to get our legs under us as new parents. My dad started pestering us to look into what was out there on the market and what we might be able to afford. Like I said, it was probably the last thing on the radar for us, but he was very persistent. We started the process in January as our busy speaking season kicked off, and by mid-April we’d found, financed, and moved into a house we absolutely love. I guess it goes to show that sometimes it pays to listen to your parents, no matter how old you are!  

Lance’s Commentary:  Ah yes, our parents…they’re always our parents…and sometimes they really do know what they’re talking about.  Now, if I could just convince my daughter of that.  For some reason, as she’s quickly approaching the start of those teenage years…my "words of wisdom" just don’t hold the same value they used to!  It won’t stop me from sharing, though!

8. If you had to pick one thing as your greatest achievement, what would it be (and why)? 
Jason: I suppose it’s a big cliche to say having Lucy is our greatest achievement, but it is right up there, although it’s not complete. It will be even bigger if we can accomplish the job of helping her to grow into her full potential as a person, someone making an impact on the world. That’s our goal. I’m also very proud of being able to build a business from the ground up, creating a career that I enjoy so much. It’s been harder and scarier than I ever thought it would be, and we’ve had so much help along the way that I can’t take much of the credit, but there’s a great feeling of fulfillment.  

9. A fun day as a family – tell me what that might consist of.  
Jason: Hmm. Very low key, that’s for sure. Lounging around. Being goofy. Good food. A nice walk by the lake or a visit to the zoo. The elaborate and more expensive experiences are great, but I quite like the simple fun that can be had doing everyday things. Most people are living life too fast to notice some of the Cracker Jack prizes hidden right under their nose.
Kim: Jason hit it on the head. People think of us as the adventurous type and in many ways we are, but we sure love to be lazy together as a family. I’d add to his list- movies, a drive to get Dairy Queen, and some homemade cheesy beer and brat soup- hey, we DO live in Wisconsin! 

Lance’s Commentary:  Hey, I’m all for being goofy!  And we have this killer custard stand just down the road from our house, that’s a family favorite here.  And being fall is in the air (brrr…it was chilly this weekend in Wisconsin!), that soup sounds about perfect!

10. Hypothetically speaking, you’re stranded in the middle of Wisconsin for a year (maybe this isn’t hypothetical!).  You have enough food to eat, and you have shelter.  What do you do to keep yourselves connected and engaged and loving life? 
Jason: Staying curious and asking questions. As an introvert, I like to get "deep." The more quickly I can move past small talk and get to a meatier and more interesting discussion, the happier I am. Like a cross-country road trip, I suppose being stranded would be a great catalyst for that.
Kim: I imagine there to be lots of made-up games and silliness. We all love to have fun and a large part of what we do in our mission is to give people permission to do this. When we were kids we would “get bored” and eventually get creative, using our wild imaginations to create worlds and challenges that we’d tackle with courage and zest. Now, people just turn on the TV or video games to be entertained. Being stranded would force you to dust off the ‘ol imagination.

Lance’s Commentary:  You two have a great prescription not only for a stranded day in Wisconsin, but also – a great prescription for life in general!  Connecting more deeply, and using your imagination – wow!  Good stuff!  And now, I’m also in the mood for a cross-country road trip!!  You won’t even notice me in the back seat, singing classic Willie Nelson songs ("On the Road Again…")….

11.  Deep down, what makes you uniquely “you”?  Kim?  Jason?   
Jason: Deep down, I think I am as curious and creative as ever. That’s the little boy in me shining through. I have a great sense of wonder about things, about people, and about God. I hate structure and I hate rules, but I love to learn.
Kim: Deep down, I am a spunky little five-year-old girl that refuses to grow-up into a grumpy ‘ol adult. I like wearing mismatched clothes. I hate making the bed and doing the dishes. I’ll eat three rows of brownies if no one is looking. I’m just looking to have as much fun as possible while I’m here. I think this life is a gift and I’m not going to waste what I’ve been given.

Lance’s Commentary:  What I love here, is that you both relate back to those early years in life, and to the kid in you!  I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, given the premise behind everything you do!  Still, I think it’s part of the culture we live in today – that this is NOT the norm.  So hearing you say that – proudly – is refreshing!    Keep on being spunky and curious!  And a reminder to self:  bring extra brownies the next time we visit!

Closing Thoughts:  Kim and Jason, this is all sorts of awesomeness!  And what’s so great, is that our families have had the opportunity to meet recently.  So, I know that what you’re saying here is much more than just words on this page – it really is how you live your lives!  It can be one thing to say something, and another altogether to follow through and do it.  And you guys do!  You exude child-like wonder, love, and playfulness in all you do!  That shines through so brightly!  And there’s a gift in that for everyone whose path you cross.  You give others the belief that you CAN listen to our heart, you CAN love what you do, you CAN be happy on many levels! 

It has been an honor to have you both here today.  Kim and Jason, I wish you much success and happiness as you continue to share your mission with the world!  It’s a message that is so worth hearing…

photo credit: ChrisK4u

"Know that although in the eternal scheme of things you are small, you are also unique and irreplaceable, as are all your fellow humans everywhere in the world." ~ Margaret Laurence

Note:  Special thanks to Belinda Munoz, for the direction to this quote.

"Once you choose hope, anything’s possible." ~ Christopher Reeve

We’re writing an e-book for the cure. That’s right, WE are writing an e-book. And by "WE" I mean any writer that wants to be part of Blogging For A Cause.

Joanna Sutter, who writes the blog Fitness and Spice, and I have teamed up to work on something very near and dear to our hearts.

We’re working together to raise money to support breast cancer research through the Susan G. Komen foundation. To raise money to support this wonderful organization, we’re creating an e-book which we’ll then sell, with 100% of the profits going to the Susan G. Komen foundation.

To make this a reality, we need your help.

If you are a writer, we would love for you to be a part of this e-book project, Blogging For A Cause.  All it takes is for you to choose a favorite post from your site. That’s it!  Your post can be on any subject at all from a favorite story, workout, recipe, quote, idea, whatever! We’ll include the article you select in the e-book with a link to your site.

If you would like be a part of Blogging For A Cause, here are a few more details:

What We Need:

• Your name as you want it to appear in the e-book
• Your Website address and name of your site
• A link to the post you’re including for submission
• A copy of the entire article pasted into the body of the email

Please send your information to:  Lance.Ekum [at] gmail.com by Friday, October 16th. 

Note:  If you have any problems submitting information, please contact me via the Contact Us form on this site.

Within a couple of weeks, we’ll both have posts written and links to buy the e-book.  Note that there is no obligation for you to buy one of the e-books.  If, however, you do choose to know that all the proceeds will go to breast cancer research.  We’ll be selling the e-books for a suggested donation of $5.

Thanks to Jay Schryer who inspired Joanna and I to act, to everyone who already submitted their articles, and to Mack Richardson who generously agreed to help with the e-book design.

Together, we will make a difference!

With appreciation,

Joanna Sutter
Fitness & Spice
Joanna.Sutter [at] gmail.com

Lance Ekum
Jungle of Life
Lance.Ekum [at] gmail.com

P.S. Please share this post with writers you love that might want to participate, too!

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photo credit: David Winnie

“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” ~ Teilhard de Chardin

The journey into our deep spiritual side is one that is a personal journey for each of us, and one that continues throughout our time here on earth.  Today I’m honored to be sharing a part of my own journey with all of you, as I join Jan Lundy over at Awake Is Good. 

Please stop by and check out Today, A Voice For Men’s Spirituality.

And while you’re there, check out some of Jan’s other very meaningful works, including:

What Do You Do When a Storm Swoops In?

Meditation Monday – Spread the Love

Jan’s site, Awake Is Good, is a great place to visit and explore, for anyone wanting to expand on their own personal journey into that spiritual connection with soul.  As well, Jan is a published author, having written the book Your Truest Self ,which contains twelve transformational truths to guide and enable women to live more peaceful, confident, and open-hearted lives.

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photo credit: Reigh Sierra

 “Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” ~ Scott Adams

RAOKA?

Random Acts Of Kick Arse.

 Or….how can we give a little something back to this world we live in. 

The Concept

The concept here is the brainchild of the very gifted and talented Sami, from Life, Laughs, and Lemmings. 

Sami has a wonderfully large heart, and a deep desire to share that heart of hers with the world.  And she’s come up with a concept to do just that.  Through monthly themes, her plan is to offer some level of positivity back to this world and the people around her.  And that sounds great, doesn’t it!

If one person can do this, what if there was an army of people going out and sharing some extra goodness with the world?  What if this could be more than just in one small corner of the globe?

The Concept Expanded

And this has led to the creation of a group of people who will spread this message each month.  Sami has graciously asked me to join in, and it is with great honor that I am here today as a part of this group of people spreading some RAOKA!

Each month, a new concept will be shared.  Then, throughout the month, we’ll put a bit more focus on sharing that concept with the world – how we can bring more of the month’s theme into our lives, and the lives of those people we touch.  Then, in the early part of the month following – we’ll each write up a post on our experiences over the month.

October Theme

Kindness.

And the more, the merrier!  You are ALL welcome to join in.  If a particular month resonates with you, go for it!  Write about it if you want.  Or just go out there and "do it".  Or, let the words of the other participants inspire you to what you can do in your corner of the world.  It can be as much or as little as you want. 

The Army

Brandi from Welcome to the Joy Rebellion
Dani from Positively Present
Lori from Jane Be Nimble
Melissa from Operation NICE
Sami from Life, Laughs & Lemmings
YOU!

Let’s all make this world a better place…one person at a time!  Share YOUR awesome kindness, and let the ripple begin!

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