Undervaluing ourselves-- originally written in 2012

It's interesting how we all minimize our importance once we get good at something. All the learning and struggles, invested energy and time become less. Today a doctor I know ho-hummed what she was headed into work to do. Someone who saves lives today felt her contributions are insignificant. She had to be convinced (by myself and through talking to herself out loud) that in fact, not "any monkey" could do what she does.

"Love is such a nice and shitty thing." -- Sounds like a Coco Chanel quote, but actually my best friend.

Music for 2012

Just the beginning of a music list for 2012. Varied (and excellent, in my opinion)--some of these artists are definitely worth further exploration, especially the ones in bold! Enjoy : ) and revisit for updates

"I wanna have your babies" -- Natasha Bedingfield

"Geografia" -- Oreja de Van Gogh (Spanish)

"We are the people" -- Empire of the Sun

"Please don't go" -- Mike Posner

"Time to Pretend" -- MGMT

"Ocean Breathes Salty" --Modest Mouse

"You are a Tourist" -- Death Cab

"This Land is Mine"-- Dido (Life for Rent album is pretty great)

"See the Sun"

"Little Lion Man" -- Mumford & Sons

"The Cave"

"World on Fire" -- Sarah McLachlan

"A Sorta Fairytale"

"Jilted Lovers & Broken Hearts" -- Brandon Flowers

"Was it something I said?"

"Technicolor Phase" -- Owl City

"Dangerous & Sweet" -- Lenka (Two album is great)

"Heart Skips a Beat"

"Roll with the Punches"

"Got it all wrong" --Wakey! Wakey!

"Time After Time" -- Quietdrive

"Welcome to the Black Parade" -- My Chemical Romance

"Changing" -- Airborne Toxic Event

"Into the Night" -- Santana ft. Chad Kroeger

"Islands"-- The XX

"When did your heart go missing?"--Rooney

"Loca" -- Shakira (Spanish)

"Sympathique" -- Pink Martini (French)

"Red Solo Cup" -- for some American party culture, very funny (video is even better)

"Shake it Out"-- Florence & The Machine (especially the Lungs album)

"Howl"

"I'm not calling you a liar"

"Rabbit Heart"

"Gotta Have You" -- The Weepies

"Not your year"

"1973" -- James Blunt

"Starlight" -- Muse

"Supermassive Black Hole" --> excellent

"Lay Me Down" -- O.A.R.

"Swimming" -- Jack's Mannequin

An old favorite: "View from Heaven" -- Yellowcard

Human treasure

One of the things I like about people:

Their, at times surprising, perception.

You go about your life thinking that you've adequately hidden parts of yourself in whatever nook or cranny you could find. Then all of a sudden, someone unlikely presents your hidden self back to you like glimmering, buried treasure, unbidden and frankly, forgotten. And for a moment you feel bizarrely connected.

I should be working, but I'm not. Get over it.

Today I just wanted to share somebody else's quote. A middle school friend posted this status yesterday, and I just thought, "Yeah. That's true sometimes".

Here it is: Overall, I'm just really mad I have to put on pants today.

The Dogged Pursuit of Meaning

What is this life really about?

Can you answer? And without turning yourself around in circles?

The only measure I have is my fellow humankind. Is it about

power

expression

companionship

pain

going through it

creation

money

finding happiness

the pursuit

helping those less fortunate

?

Teacher Story ALERT!

The best thing I heard today...

There is a little, first grader who really needs recess. He uses it to its utmost potential. Everyday he runs out to the playground, climbs the red, ropes structure until he reaches the very top, and there he screams at the top of his lungs for the entire 15 minute recess. Every. day.

Imagine if we took that recess away from him.