Deanna Davis

A Note on Resiliency

 "Resilience is our ability to 'bounce back' from stress or challenges.  It isn't born from safety or security, and it isn't cultivated from complacency or self-criticism. 

Instead, it's nurtured by taking reasonable risks and by trying out new ways of thinking and acting.  It's fostered through equal parts challenge and creativity, practice and patience." 

How will you embrace resilience today?

From Chapter 4, Adaptability, in Laugh, Cry, Eat Some Pie (by yours truly).  25 days and counting till release date!

Carrier Pigeons Waiting in the Wings

Ok...technology meltdown time and my life is on hold.  My laptop battery is dead (for good), so I can't unplug my computer without having to wait for six billion years for it to re-boot elsewhere, and the new one won't be here for a couple of days.  My Outlook e-mail program crashed yesterday, with no short-term repair in sight.  And, my cell phone works only randomly (most specifically when I don't need it to).

Unfortunately, my work depends on my computer, my email/calendar/task software, and my phone working correctly.  I thought technology was supposed to make things easier.  But it does seem that I'm attracting some seriously counter-productive technology mojo my way.

I'm thinking there are two possible lessons I'm meant to take from this experience.  One is that I could demonstrate that it is, indeed, possible (though perhaps not particularly efficient) to revert to age-old methods of communication to achieve remarkable outcomes in work and life.  Thus, it is possible that calligraphy pens, carrier pigeons, and tin cans connected by strings are in my future.

The other potential "aha" is that it's time for me to take a deep breath, exercise a heretofore unprecedented level of patience, and find creative solutions to move my projects forward in the absence of any 21st century conveniences.  While one would be far more entertaining to write about (and to read about, I'm sure), the other seems more likely to prevent a technology meltdown from becoming an emotional meltdown.

Breath executed, patience iniated, creativity engaged.  Backup plan:  carrier pigeons waiting in the wings.

Portrait of Smoothie Bully/Success Story

With regard to yesterday's post, I ask you...does he LOOK like a smoothie bully?  I'm thinking born success story...in a box!

 

Smoothie Bully or Success Story?

Earlier today, I posted to Facebook that my son Carsten (age 2) is a "Smoothie Bully."  He's currently obsessed with fruit smoothies of any kind, to the extent that he asks for them for breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner, and I'm sure if he knew what it meant, would seek IV smoothie therapy.

But upon significant reflection, I think I've realized that rather than being a smoothie bully, he's really more of a success story. 

For instance, this morning he chorused "Mommy, please make me a smoothie," no less than 15 times before crescendoing to an irritated finale of "I WANT A SMOOTHIE NOW!"   I politely asked him to be patient while I finished talking with his sister.  He wheeled around and left the room in what I thought was a huff (and a rather entertaining one given the wonky gross motor skills of a toddler).

I soon found that it was less a huff, and more a purposeful stride, because he proceeded to bring every single smoothie ingredient to me in the family room, from whey powder to bananas to flax seed, with his last trip delivering the Magic Bullet blender to my waiting lap.

With a fluorish he thrust his chubby little digit toward the heap of fixings and said, "NOW WILL YOU PLEASE MAKE ME A SMOOTHIE, MOMMY?" 

Sure, he pulled together the ingredients for a smoothie.  And he eventually got one.  But seems to me he also shared the ingredients for a success story.  Things like:  Ask for what you want politely.  Ask repeatedly.  Try something different when your first attempts don't work.  Do the work you can on your own.  Then do your best to offer people the tools they need to help you.  Be persistent.  And creative.  And vocal.  Be charming when it's called for and assertive when you need to.  Stay true to your goals. 

Yep, the smoothie bully becomes a success story.  All depends on how you look at a situation.  Food for thought.