Decisions, I hate decisions. What is the best action plan for my terminally sick cat? What about this relationship which is good but not great? Could it be great if I tried? What about my job and advancement opportunities? What about moving on to a different place?

All of that can be overwhelming, especially if you’re facing a couple of those at once.  Situations like these are often very stressful and take over our life.  Instead of worrying or going through the “what am I going to do!” mantra, try this simple task:

See the situation as it is; nothing more, nothing less.

Remove the emotional attachments, remove the expectations, remove what other people think , or anything else that clouds the reality. Just the facts.

Often we embellish a situation to make it fit our needs or wants. When the situation doesn’t work as we expected, we feel as if we’ve lost something; something that was really never there.

Whether it’s dealing with a sick pet, a relationship, career change or some other situation with a lot of emotion and possibilities the one thing you need is the facts. Just the facts.  Get those and then you’ll have the clarity you need.  

Lately I’ve been wrestling with some life changing decisions. My friend, who is involved, keeps sending me articles on being happy, being in the moment, etc. I agree and you should be thankful for all that you have. Your days should begin and end with thanks for everything.

However, I’d like to add to that a bit. I think being a bit unhappy is good for change. If you’re always happy about everything, what imputus do you have to change? Why go to school, why change careers, why take on something new? Just because isn’t enough motivation for some us. We have to get uncomfortable, out of the usual routine and wake up.

Yes, be happy and enjoy what you have and where you’re at. But don’t be afraid to be a little unhappy and motivated to make changes that you really want.

Just my take on it:)

I attended a critical thinking seminar last week and just had to share the information. I found the last point the “missing link” so I’m going to emphasize that one.

Steps to Problem Solving:

1) Identify the problem             2)Clarify the cause                     3)Make a decision

4)Ensure Success: Ensure success is where you consider all the things that could go wrong and make contingency plans ahead of time. NASA is an example of this concept in action. They consider everything that could go wrong and develop a plan before anything leaves the ground.

Most of our decisions are held back because of fear. What if this happens? What if this doesn’t work out? If we plan ahead for those “what ifs” then we can confidently move forward.

Thanks to whomever created these concepts and shared them. Hope you enjoy them as well.

I had been wanting change for a long time and had a less than stellar focus on my situation.  Like they say, be careful for what you ask for, because you just might get it! So, here’s what I’ve learned the last month:

1)If you focus on what’s wrong, that’s all you’ll see.

2) You can complain and run all you want but the person you’re running from is in the mirror every day.

3) The grass is always greener on the other side because it’s watered and cared for. 

4) You don’t know what you have till you send it away.

5) It’s easy to miss the view when you’re always looking down at the sidewalk

6) Whatever you want in your life, you’re going to have to be first.  

7) Where ever you go, there you are. If you don’t like it, then change.

8) Life is good,  don’t forget to enjoy it along the way

9)If you’re going to complain, make sure it’s because your efforts didn’t work not because of no effort. If you don’t try, you can’t complain.

10) Talking about stepping out on faith is easy & exciting, till it’s your turn to walk. 

11) Never underestimate the value of good friends. If you don’t have any, you’re too busy.

12) Don’t forget why you’re here and what you want…..It’s easy to get lost if you’re not paying attention. It’s never too late to wake up, unless you’re dead.

13)There are things which will fade and things which will last forever. Make sure you focus on the right ones.

14) Your instincts never lie, but your rationalizations can take you off track. Make sure you’re being true to yourself.

15) Ask for help and be willing to listen to the answers, whether you agree with them or not. Just might learn something.

16) Life is like chocolate: it’s much better enjoyed than just sitting on the shelf waiting for the perfect moment.

I’m talking with a friend describing my “dreams” and at the same time expressing concern for my lack of progress toward them. I have the vision boards, wish lists, but they end up being stagnant papers floating around the house. Yet other goals in my life are clicking right away and being accomplished. I pondered the disparity and the next morning the answer hit me like a baseball bat….

There’s a huge difference between dreams and goals! I mean just saying the two words evokes totally different emotions. Dreams conjure up fantasies, situations that are distant, circumstances that are almost unattainable. Goals make you think of effort, hard work, success. Goals are an action word and dreams are a wishing word.

So now the challenge is to turn my dreams into goals. I see the first step is to change my inner dialogue from “I have dreams” to “I have goals”. Next is detail the steps to take toward them. And most importantly, keep moving forward, even if I don’t know all the answers.

Now it all makes sense and I know why I’m able to knock out various things while others sit idly. So join me and let’s change our “dreams” to “goals” and see how quickly they become reality:)

Climbing a fourteen thousand mountain (a fourteener) has been on my list of goals for a while. 2 weeks ago I had the opportunity to do just that.  I’ve hiked the Grand Canyon from rim to rim, run ½ marathons, workout regularly during the week, and eat healthy. Even though I live at sea level, I figured my active lifestyle would prepare me. While I managed to drag myself to 14000 feet, the climb turned out to be the hardest thing I’ve ever done physically or mentally and taught me a lot about myself.

1) Take care of yourself.

I didn’t eat or drink like I should’ve on the days previous or the actual day of the hike and consequently ran my body down very quickly.  When you strip away everything (money, fame, relationships, jobs) you’re left with only yourself.  In short, your health is your lifeline & you need to make sure it’s strong as possible.  Often we take our bodies for granted and just run them into the ground; sometimes in a single day, sometimes over a course of many years.

Take care of yourself first; not in the middle, not after someone else, not when you get time, not someday. Ever notice on an airplane they tell you to put your oxygen mask on first and then your children? It’s so the most capable person stays coherent. Same principle applies in life; be healthy so you can live your life and provide help to others as needed.

2)Determination:

When I woke up that day, I was determined that no one was going to stop me from my dream. In spite of starting late, being hungry, low on water, and losing energy with every step I finally made it to 14000 feet. Every turn there was a new obstacle such as finding the trail among the snow & rocks, catching my breath, or just looking up and realizing I still had hours of climbing to go. At high altitude, the simplest tasks require significant thought. Take walking for example. Sometimes it’d take a few minutes just to take a step. Then there were times I picked a route only to realize it was a dead end. Already exhausted, I wasted energy I really didn’t have. But in spite of the odds, I reached my goal of 14000 feet. I’m fortunate to return healthy from my adventures. Many people die trying, which brings me to the last point.

3) You can do more than you thought, but know when to say enough:

As my strength waned, I pressed on for the top. I thought if I just kept going, I could make it.  As I reached 14000 feet the combination of everything had taken its toll. My body and mind were thoroughly spent. Just taking steps required a lot of thought and at times was wobbly. I sat down in the warm sun and just wanted to go to sleep. I knew that was a mistake at this altitude so I stood up and tried not to fall over.  The tip-top of the summit was at 14,500 feet and required traversing a boulder field with no discernable route. At lower altitudes, I’ve climbed similar terrain effortlessly, but not so here. I looked up and realized it would easily take another 45 minutes of hard climbing. I looked down and my watch said 3pm; typically you’re off the summit by noon so I’m way late already.  Thoroughly exhausted, I made the call to turn back. I didn’t like not getting totally on top, but we arrived at the car just as the sun was setting. Another hour spent climbing would’ve left us on the trail in pitch darkness with no way to find our bearings. As much as I like the mountains, I’m not yet ready to become part of them.

Not a day goes by that I don’t think about that climb and now I look at what “fourteeners” I need to climb in my life. If I would apply the same unrelenting determination, I could really do some great things!  I already have a plan for the next attempt; this time, I’ll do it right!

It was one of those perfect moments. You know the ones, where everything just comes together. I was in Siesta Key, Florida standing on a perfectly groomed, baby powder white beach. A cool breeze was blowing and the sun was leaving behind a beautiful display of pinks and purples.  In front of me was a drum circle full of lively, happy people and great beats.

As I looked around I felt lighter, like that usual nagging feeling wasn’t there. That feeling of I’m supposed to be doing something else like writing, taking pictures, fixing something, planning, etc. You know all that low level noise that permeates our being on a daily basis.

It was just a time to enjoy the moment at hand and everything that encompassed. It was a great feeling to just be.  Not surprisingly, when I spend time just being and leaving my mind alone, I find an incredible peace and clarity. Afterwards, I move forward much more effectively, smarter, and of course relaxed.

Our soul needs those times to rejuvenate and air out. Being bombarded daily and only given 5-6 hours of fitful sleep at night just isn’t enough.

So when you’re feeling overwhelmed or just plain stumped give yourself a break. You don’t have to spend a wad of cash or go far; an early morning walk before the world wakes up or a stroll in the forest will do wonders. Play with your pet and give it your undivided attention.  Whatever you can do, take the time to give your soul those times of rejuvenation.  You’ll feel incredible inside and out and move forward with clarity.

I was privileged to watch seaturtle hatchlings make their trek to the beach. Here’s the videos of them and their incredible determination. Just think if we applied this level of committment to what we do. Amazing!

Start with video 1 and be sure to catch the one where they dive off the rocks.

http://www.youtube.com/user/peakreflections?feature=mhee

My friend and I are doing our usual stair run at work. Our stair run is where we walk from the 1^st floor to the 13^th floor and back. Usually we complete at least 2 trips and today day, we’re attempting 4 round trips.

On our 3^rd ascent, we’re telling stories to keep each other motivated because it’s hot, humid and we’re covered in sweat. Our office is air conditioned; the stairwells are filled with hot, humid, Florida summer air. As we round a landing, my friend comments “you know, the hardest part is getting started, once you get started it’s pretty easy”.  Having run ½ marathons, I know that’s true because once you get started, you get fully warmed up, fully stretched, & settled into a pace or rhythm.

He was talking about working out, but that’s true for most anything we’re trying to accomplish. Pick anything you want to do; write a book, go back to school, run a ½ marathon, change your diet, etc. You can plan it, research it, buy the equipment, talk to those who’ve done it, whatever. But the actual getting out there, taking that first step is the hardest part. Once you taken that first step you’ve committed yourself to make it happen.

I know I’ve said “I want to eat healthier” as I’m perusing the kitchen cabinets.  I grab a bag of chips and say  “Yeah, I’ll start tomorrow”.  Well, that was Monday and here it is Friday and I haven’t done it.  Another week completely gone…..

So think about your goals. Plan, study, prepare, but take that first step and get started. Once you get started, you’ll build momentum, confidence,
& gain experience plus it’s easier to keep moving.  I’m off to have my bowl of fresh cut fruit.  Your turn ….go start something:)

When I first moved to Florida, I worked for Pratt & Whitney and daily encountered rocket engines, jet engines and the people who
built them. I’m not sure how I got any work done there, but it was an unforgettable experience.  Since then, I’ve been on Kennedy Space Center for unforgettable shuttle night launches & seen numerous launches from local places. Living 2.5 hours from the Cape, we’re privileged to have front row seats to whatever is launched.  I’ve never seen a shuttle land, so seeing the final flight of Atlantis touch down would be a fitting completion to my shuttle experience. I knew it’d be dark when Atlantis returned, but I’d love to hear those famous dual sonic booms first hand.

The goal was to get near runway 15 and according to the maps, it’d be 2.5 hour ride. Atlantis returns at 5:56a.m. so if we leave by 3a.m.
that’s plenty of time to find a spot and relax. I set the alarm for 2:30a.m. & looked in disbelief. I don’t think I’ve gotten up that early for anything…..that’s okay, we’ll go to bed early. 10:30p.m. came and went before we finally got to sleep. Only 4 hours of sleep; that’ll have to do.

I don’t hear the alarm clock, but I’m awake and I can tell it’s very early.  I’m just excited and woke up early I think as I peer down at the clock:  3:35am!!  I look twice, wiping the sleep out of my eyes.  What!!  I jumped out of bed and ran down stairs hoping this was a fluke with this clock (it’s happened before) and the other clocks would somehow show 2:30.  Nope, it’s an hour later than planned. Now my mind is racing;  Is it too late? How far can we get if we left at 4am? Would we end up hurtling down the highway & miss it all? At least if we stayed home we could watch it all on TV.

I recounted our numerous trips to Orlando and how long it took to reach certain exits, scoured maps, & the space center page hoping they’d push the landing back an hour to the second return window. That second return window would be perfect because it’d be daylight and give us extra time. My girlfriend wants to know if she should get up & dressed or just stay put. Okay, so now I have two important decisions to make:)  I’m not a real spontaneous person so times like this are always a little challenging.  One final calculation on time and distance and I decided we could make it.

We got on the road at 4: 20am and head out with a lot of hope.  We pass Vero Beach at 5:05am; Melbourne is the goal because there are plenty of exits & we know the area. I’d rather be closer to Kennedy, but that’s the closest we can get in this time frame.  The sonic boom supposedly has a
30 mile range so it’s a 50/50 shot we’ll hear it.

5:20am, and a rest area is up ahead and of course I really have to go. Of all the times to have to stop…..must be all the excitment.  I swing in and there are porta potties out front. Great, I don’t have to make the hike all the way to the real restrooms. A few minutes later we’re on the road and my mind is a lot clearer and relaxed.

At 5:30am, she checks the NASA home page and the shuttle is on schedule and recommends that we be situated at 5:45am. No problem, there are
plenty of exits at Melbourne. I look for the Brevard Zoo exit because I know where to go from there. The road construction, darkness, and probably just excited, I didn’t see it. I crest an overpass at 5:40 and see nothing but open road and a sign that says Cocoa Beach 20 miles. Oh no…..did I just go too far? I can’t turn around and  I can’t  just stop on the side of the interstate. It’s dangerous enough stopping on the side of the interstate during the day, let alone in the dark.

I peered down the road looking for any sort of exit; I just needed to get off the busy highway safely.  Up ahead a flashing road construction sign listed an exit. Perfect!!  I successfully navigate the maze of bright orange construction barrels directing me off the highway. I have no idea where
we are but we’re off the highway and just need to find a quiet place. The next light we turn right and to the left is a small parking lot. It says residents only, but at this point we don’t care.  We park and tune into to my phone for the latest NASA updates.

Looking up into the sky, it was a perfect morning; the moon was out, stars were twinkling and a tinge of dawn was showing to the east. We
intently listened to the conversation between mission control and Atlantis. Shortly they said those magic words:  “Atlantis just went subsonic”.

At that time, as if from the great beyond we heard two deep, thunderous booms. Boom-Boom!!   Wow, that was cool!!   I can’t believe I waited till the last flight to hear those in person! We give each other high fives excited that we made it.

Via the phone, we watched Atlantis make a picture perfect touch down and roll to a complete stop. After a few accolades exchanged by mission control and the crew, we hit the road back home.

We arrived home by 8am and had already traveled 187 miles and been up 4.5 hours. We kinda felt a little like an astronauts. In spite of
the alarm clock(turned out to be operator error) and missing an exit, we still made it and that’s what made it all worthwhile. Like so many night launches that left me speechless, I will never forget the beautiful Florida morning when I heard the final return of Atlantis.