A little piece I just wrote about work life for a client. Plus a little photo I took. Hopefully some Tuesday inspiration for whatever you might be doing:
Where do you get inspired to get work done?
#IDontBelongInABox #LoveYourWork #HeartOfANomad
Check out this video that promotes a youth film competition in Vermont. My little brother (who’s actually not so young, but I call him little brother, anyway:) is on the video at 1:37 until about 2:06. It’s a clip from when he spoke on the gay marriage bill at the Vermont State House back in 2009. How proud is this Peacock (thumbs pointed in at myself) to share blood with this good-looking’, hard-working, well-spoken, guy?
Awesome. I haven’t seen this footage (that made a ruckus, the news and a quote in the NY Times by the way) in a long time, but it just resurfaced last week. I can’t get enough of it, so I had to share again. My most amazing, kind-hearted, sweet, strong brother makes me want to be a better person and never stop fighting for what I believe in.
Thanks for always inspiring me, Brad! I love you.
What do you stand up for?
#SpeakUp #StandProud #LetLoveRule
I’d like to think I live a life of thanks giving. I wake up everyday, think about why I started Blue Lollipop Road, and why it is so important to me to do work that matters and be around people I love. I’m constantly reminded that time is precious and as I’ve written recently- I’ve thought about my own fate more lately than ever. Not a bad thing- just a holy sh*t thing; I’m not getting any younger and I have more and more of a desire than ever to live as much as possible. “They”, those people that told me years ago “Time passes even quicker as you get older- just wait.” They were right! I believe them now.
The Thanksgiving Holiday for me this year was a “Friendsgiving” once again. If you know me, you know I love my family more than anything, but I sort of boycotted the holiday stress/expensive/madness/freak-out/travel/shop/expectation-fest years ago, so I don’t usually spend any actual holidays with my blood. We talk nearly everyday in some fashion, we make a point to see each other several times a year, and well- if I can pat us all on the back for a second, I think we all have our priorities pretty straight about that. We don’t want to fight traffic, we don’t care about gifts, we’d rather spend the 100 bucks on 5 breakfasts out at our favorite diner when we visit back home, we save up and buy the gas or (much cheaper off-peak time) plane ticket to travel to see each other, and when we get there, we usually do little more than hang out, take walks, and chat over coffee and a treat of some kind on a patio together.
I’m so thankful for my unconventional family.
Back to this years’ turkey feast at a friends house, we set a pretty table:
…and took in a pretty sunset:
Lucky us.
Of course my family and I were having a photo text-off about what we were cooking as I enjoyed time with my friends. Love technology for that. If only Thanksgiving day text messages came through with those delicious food smells…
How do you celebrate the season?
#AlwaysThanksgiving #FeastWithFriends #Framily
Many years ago, I took the typical “Screw this/it/that!” and started saying; “I’m calling a f*ck it”, instead.
Calling a f*ck it, is that moment when you are so done, so over “it”, tired of something, someone, or ready to just make a move- any kind of move, literally or figuratively. It’s when you either stop dead in your tracks and draw a line, or when you begin sprinting towards something you’ve always wanted to- something brand new. A time when you smack yourself in the face or take a minute to look around and think; what the hell am I doing?! Then can’t stand living one more minute there- so you make a change. (It can also be a fleeting moment of letting yourself go and feeling free, like bum-rushing the dance floor even when you’re sober, to drop it like It’s hot.)
Oh the little things that can make you feel powerful and alive.
The girl in this piece called a f*ck it and changed her work life for good. Amen, sister! I love reading these stories. I wish we were surrounded by more of them. Life is short. We’ve got ONE life. Call a f*ck it and start doing what you want if you are not already.
Try to make otherwise serious, scary looking guys, laugh:
…let strangers kiss you from across the counter:
…or maybe just for one minute remember that no one is the boss of your life. You are in charge! You are capable of making any choice you want. We life in a free country. A FREE country, people! (I know this post is late for Veteran’s Day, but I am sending better late-than-never love to everyone who’s fought and protected so I’m able to live a life of whatever the hell I want, whenever the hell I want it, in America. Thank you, Veterans.)
How are you going to call a f*ck it today and let your freedom ring?
#LifeIsShortDoWhatYouLove #TodayIsTheDay #LetFreedomRing
I was invited to speak at Robious Middle School in Virginia again for their Career Day this week:
(I’m sandwiched between a funny sales guy, a high-energy teacher, and a sweet and sassy fire marshall. Not bad company for a Wednesday lunch:) We were just a few of the 30+ speakers on hand.)
The thought that kids who are between 12-14 years old might think I am the slightest bit cool is pretty great. (Let’s just assume they did.) It was a blast and honor to be at this school. Funny though, I found that once again, more adults (teachers and administrators) thought I was cool, than the kids did. I love having conversations with parents or teachers who say “I want to do what you did/are doing!” or “Um…do you mind if my daughter/son calls or writes to you?”
Um- yes please! Call me! Write me! Send a bird!
One particular teacher this week (who happened to be a writing teacher) was a welcomed and helpful force in my room of 25 antsy kids as I was on my soapbox. She occasionally piped in with something like; “Listen to that kids? Passion! That’s what makes you great at a career! That’s what we talk about all the time.” She was fantastic, she got it, and I am thrilled to know there are still teachers like her out there. After my talk was done, she came up to me and asked if I minded if her 25 year old daughter contacted me. Of course! I’ve heard time and time again from parents of 20-somethings, that they have these super smart and driven young adult children who “just don’t know what they want to do.”
Rest assured supportive, yet concerned parents; This “no idea what to do” is a positive big deal: Your 20-something has officially stepped out of the American Drone Zone. (Wahoo!) They’ve jumped off the gerbil wheel that’s labeled “This is what you do now.” They’ve taken a plunge into a pool that’s full of maybe a tad bit scared but actually really excited fellow troops, who are proclaiming; I don’t know exactly where I want to go/what I want to quite yet, but I know one thing for sure and the automated have-to life is not for me!
Your kid will be fine. In fact- better than fine. They can think for themselves, they value their happiness, and they don’t want to be like everyone else. That is totally awesome. They will figure it out and be better in the long run for jumping ship into their own ocean.
Some advice I gave the middle schoolers. Can be applied to all humans:
1.) Concentrate on what you’re good at, not what you suck at: Challenge yourself to try things that are hard for you, but if you genuinely don’t like something, if you pretty much still stink at it even though you’ve tried and tried- walk away and focus on your greatness. You will become a master and the opportunities are endless. In short: Stay in your lane.
2.) Stay top of mind; Keep showing up. Want a job at that place that isn’t hiring? Want to learn from that person or company you think is the bomb? Tell the company why you’d be the best ever at that job. Tell the person you admire why you think they are awesome and why they inspire you. Send a resume, send a video, send a chicken, send flowers, send a note, send yourself showing up at the door waving and smiling. I promise as soon as there is the need for a hire or room for an intern- they will think of you first. In short: “They” will find it impossible not to love you and want you around.
3.) Never be afraid to ask: Those who ask shall receive. I was mortified as a kid when my grandmother shoo’d me up to various counters asking if the store would still honor an expired coupon, or if they offered any discounts. Embarrassment central when you’re 8 or 10 years old, but you know what? – nearly every single time, I was met with a “Sure! We can do X,Y,Z” response. Just speak up; when you stand up you stand out. In short: You get what you ask for. Seriously.
Here’s to encouraging ship jumpers! I can’t wait to keep doing it again, and often
What advice do you give?
#DoWhatYouLove #ShipJumpersUnite #CareerDay
Oh what a ride it has been! One little post started it all on October, 16th 2008 and here we are 6 years later!
Many adventures:
…and much hard work on all of this, has taught me to love more than I ever knew possible, live more than I was already trying to, and dream bigger than I already knew I could. Thank you to all of you who have followed, loved, and supported me all these years! I hope I have inspired you to live like you mean it.
Here’s to always trusting your instincts, chasing everything that you’re curious about, and and never settling for anything less than what sets your heart on fire.
What are you doing to live like today is the day?
#BLRBirthday #LifeOnTheBluelollipopRoad #DreamItDoIt
Camping, (whether in the car or in a tent) is so much fun. (And so much cheaper!) We’d much rather spend those extra bucks on some good food and get the bonus of star-gazing and listening to the sounds of nature:
It was a little chilly at 45 degrees in West Virginia last night, but waking up to this:
…was so much better than waking up to 4 white walls. I’ll take a little chill for a morning like this one, any day.
When is the last time you slept under the stars?
#AdventureOnABudget #Camping #Fall #RoadTrip
…that makes me jump up and down with excitement, my heart skip a beat, me feel totally and completely alive.
Today we head out for a long wedding weekend. Of course I am thrilled to celebrate love, see old friends, meet some new, eat some yummy food, have some yummy drinks, and shake my booty on the dance floor- but mostly I am thrilled to get behind the wheel and JUST BE ON THE ROAD.
I woke up bright and early in the dark this morning feeling different than most days lately, being that I have a home base and don’t travel, travel, road trip as mush as I used to. (Which might I add, is very tough and by that I mean, often feels like torture.) I woke up feeling energetic, powerful and ready to seize the day in a whole different way than I usually do now in my “normal”-ish life.
This means a few things:
1.) Clearly I can’t fight it- this girl (thumbs pointed inward) is a road warrior, and that will never change no matter who else I try to bend myself to be.
2.) I need to check myself (translation; smack myself) to keep finding adventure any way I can, and write more in this “normal”-ish life. (Obviously if you are following me here still, you know my writing has MAJORLY slowed down since I went from road warrior to home base girl last summer and that is not Ok with me.)
3.) Everyone- I mean every, single, one of us- deserves to find, have, and keep something or some one (and as often and much as possible) that makes us feel excited, our hearts skip a beat, and totally and completely alive.
With that I will say (to myself and you reading this); Today is the day. What are you waiting for? What makes you feel completely and totally alive?
Figure it out and find a way to live it. After all…this is your one rodeo.
Random throwback photo from my road to trip to Alaska a few years ago:
…boy was I one happy girl that day.
#TodayIsTheDay #TheRoadIsMyReligion #FindYourRodeo
Do you ever read a book (or lots of them) and feel like you could’ve written it yourself? I do. Way too much. I’ve gotta get on this BLR book writing, more!
I’m scrolling photos from a summer read and thought this one I underlined was good to kick off this Monday morning. Who do you take advice from that’s walked the walk?
#DreamIt #DoIt #NecessaryBruises
Just living on the edge we are!
Who needs a bar to kick off the weekend (or a shower after the gym for that matter…)? No judgies at the farmers market. Farmers like a little dirt. I do too:)
Mini pupkins for a mini living space! I thought this one had some strong mojo:
This is Friday night on my road. What adventures will your road take you on this weekend?
#FridayNightFun #Pumpkins #Fall