Quick quote from a newsletter I received today:

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
-Victor Frankl, M.D., PhD., Therapist, Author, Holocaust survivor

My friend, Michelle Saul, used to be a river rafting guide. She shared an interesting metaphore: “When I talk about the River, it is as a metaphor for facing into fear… I  use the story of kayaking on the river and there is a rock in the middle of the river.  In the kayak, if you lean away from the rock (to get away from the obstacle) you end up in more trouble (the currant catches the edge of your kayak and you get flipped upside down, and are underwater pinned against the rock).  It is only by leaning ‘into’ the rock that you end up supported by the river and having more options.  (You don’t get flipped over!).  It is ‘counter-intuitive’, but it is safer to face into fear then to lean or run away from things we are scared of.  A Celtic quote says it this way, ’If you run from a ghost, it will chase you forever.’ “

I once took a business class on “management decision-making”. One thing from the semester stood-out. A brief statement in the texbook warned to be careful not to judge the soundness of a decision based upon its outcome. The author’s point was that a poor decision can turn out OK, but that doesn’t make it a good decision. The reverse is also true. If I choose to drink and drive, and I make it home without hurting anyone, it doesn’t mean I made the correct decision. Likewise, a well-made decision can result in unwanted consequences, and yet it doesn’t mean the decision was a poor one. I think it’s counter-intuitive in a sense, but worth bearing in mind.

I ordered running supplies from a little company called Revel Sports. On the invoice in the box, a handwritten note said, “Find your passion and revel in it.” The personal touch was a nice surprise, and I particularly liked the sentiment.

If I were to “title” my life, I’d borrow its name from a collection of Calvin & Hobbes cartoons called “There’s Treasure Everywhere.” In an uncomplicated way it captures my sentiment. I’d like to invest my days treasure hunting….