Copying What Works

I usually don't post things without my own commentary. However, today is an exception. I love this! Worth sharing without my thoughts getting in the way.

"Perhaps your anxiety is specific to magicians"

I found that quote in a strangely-translated instruction manual for an obscure but beautiful trick.

But it has wide applicability.

Perhaps your anxiety is specific to artists or musicians or to anyone who has to stand up and stand out and stand for something.

It turns out that your anxiety isn't specific at all. Perhaps it is due to the fact that you're trying to control things that you can't possibly control.

Your anxiety might merely be a sign that you care deeply about your work.

Anxiety is almost never a useful emotion to carry around. Even for magicians.

Now that you've been reminded that you care, it pays to let the anxiety go. Good riddance.

To Live Would Be an Awfully Big Adventure

My roommate and I were talking last night and she commented about the differences between our lives. She lamented that nothing random or crazy ever happened to her like they do me (see movie moment post). I laughed and told her that with all the fun also comes the trial. You can't experience all the wonderful moments life has to offer if you aren't willing to accept the adversity that comes with it too. Knowing the sweet cannot happen without the bitter. I love my life. Yes, it's been very difficult at times. But I've also had the most amazing experiences. Living, with all the ups and downs, has been my greatest adventure.

Once Upon a Time...

...a girl searched for answers to life. Everything unexpected came her way and life became a complicated mess. She wondered at the next step to take, the next turn to make, the next chasm to cross. While sitting at dinner deeply perplexed, an answer came as clear as the sun on a cloudless day. But what was asked made no sense to her. It couldn't happen. It shouldn't happen. Everyone would think she was crazy. One particular person would find her downright mad. Sleep escaped her that night as the answer weighed on her mind. Over and over again the debate played out until finally she succumbed and agreed. The next morning, she stepped into the dark unknown and began her journey. Someone was looking out for her as she traversed this path. Doors opened. Opportunities came. Miracles unfolded. And suddenly, she landed in a place she knew she needed to be but still wondered why. As events played out more insights came, more situations experienced, and more wonders unfolded. Overwhelmed did not begin to describe the feelings of gratitude or confusion she felt. A divine hand was definitely involved, even though the reason remained unclear. However, she trusted in that higher power and pressed forward little realizing the story had just begun...

Riddikulus

Sometimes I laugh at the things that pop out of my mouth. What I mean to say sounds so normal in my head, but when the words actually are said, they sound so ridiculous. Tonight I was out shopping with my roommate and while contemplating the inevitable purchase that we both knew was coming, these words slipped out: I really can't afford to buy this. I just bought a website today.

No. I didn't buy a website, but I did buy a domain name for a project I'm working on. Yes. I bought the outfit.

Why I Love My Job

Google Hangout with the marketing team

No Lasting Regrets

I read this article today and loved it so much. Great lessons to live by and explanation as to why I make the decisions I do. I'd rather fail miserably than wonder what if? about something. I have no idea what is around the corner for me right now, but whatever it is, it's going to be good.

“I wish I had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life that others expected of me.”

Many people will go to great lengths to avoid failure. I certainly get this; I don’t like to fail either. However, I hate to be stuck even more than failing.  If given the choice of failing or being stuck, I take failing.  You know why?  Because I believe that I’ll just dust myself off and try again. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll just dust myself off…and try again. Rinse, lather, repeat. This is the way YOU need to think about life.  The bottom line is this: failing is not a great feeling, but it’s so much better than NOT going after your dream. At least you’re moving in SOME direction.  In the end, you won’t regret not being courageous enough to go after your dream. There will never be the perfect time to go after what you want— you just have to make right now the right time.

Lesson for the Day

I've had 14-15 hours of total sleep the past three nights. I'm physically and emotionally spent from the fun-filled weekend. As I was contemplating something that happened over the weekend and how I wanted to react, I saw this line hanging next to my desk: When in doubt, default to calm and kind. I'm not angry about anything, but that advice just hit me. No matter what the situation in life, that default button seems to be the best answer.

Movie Moment

I think at one time or another we've all hoped for that movie moment. You know the kind I'm talking about. The meet-cute where two people are brought together in an unlikely situation that couldn't have been planned by either of them. Well, I finally had my movie moment and it's so fun that I had to share.

I went to California this past weekend for a big mid-singles conference in Huntington Beach. I had low expectations. I had been involved with a guy in a weird sort of long distance situation but that recently ended. We weren't dating but we did have a lot of interaction. So I was going to the conference with an open mind and hoping to have some fun. 

I was late getting to the airport. Busy day and I misjudged timing. I got to the security line 30 minutes before my flight was scheduled to depart. Gratefully, I got through in 10 minutes and then ran to my gate which was the furthest possible place from the security line. I breathed a sigh of relief as I arrived to my gate and heard the announcement that our plane was delayed. Whew! I sat down and caught my breath and took a moment to relax.

When boarding was finally called for my flight, I got up and headed over towards the line. I heard a voice behind me ask hesitantly, "Annette?" For a brief second I thought nothing of it but remembered how often my sister and I have been mistaken for one another. I turned and saw a guy looking at me curiously. I realized the question came from him and replied, "No. But I'm her sister." We laughed and introduced ourselves to one another. He and my sister were in the same ward in the Bay area, and he told me later that he when saw me, he thought I looked like my sister but not exactly. If it was my sister, he didn't want to be rude and took a shot and said something. I'm glad he did.

Turns out we were both heading towards the same conference. As we walked towards the plane, he asked where I was staying and how I was getting there. I told him I was renting a car and I asked if he needed a ride. He did. He had planned on taking a cab but since he was staying so close to me it worked out for him to ride with me. I took my seat on the plane and it turns out he was sitting the row behind me. He changed seats with the person sitting by me and we talked most of the flight. Picked up the car the airport and talked all the way to his place as well. Charming, intelligent guy.

So do I have a movie ending? That remains to be seen. He has my number and I've seen him multiple times throughout the conference. Nice guy and we have things in common. But I realize how important it is for him to chase me. I learned that with the last guy—who by the way was at the conference as well (Definitely not interested in me anymore). It's nice to know that the Lord is constantly looking out for us and placing people in our way at the most opportune times. I also love that I finally had my movie moment.

Shockingly Rare

This image relates far too well to my current situation: job and dating. Can you guess where I fit with each one?

I Know How You Love a Good Adventure

Today, I realized I had the following in my car:

• tarp
• blanket
• jacket
• car emergency kit
• running clothes and shoes
• climbing clothes, shoes, and harness
• temple clothes and pencil skirt

What can I say? Just being prepared for any adventure that comes calling.

My Mother's Day Tribute

For a mom who caught all the pain I couldn’t heal, who wore the cape when I was too tired, who always had a supply of chocolate and an extra set of rain boots. She taught me how to see the world when the world was dark and cold. And when I was blind, she showed me how to find the ocean and to taste all that lay before me. My eyes shine because of her. She is my mother.

There’s a wonderful poem that reads: “Oh snail / Climb Mount Fuji / But slowly / Slowly.” My advice is to work hard, find inspiration in unconventional places, and don’t rush it. You will get there when you stop trying to get there. —Joe Chernov

Scariest Thing Imaginable

Whenever something new or overwhelming comes my way, I find myself paralyzed, unable to move. I've had a few of those recently. After talking with my boss a few weeks ago about a frustration at work, I realized I didn't understand the depth of the feelings I was experiencing. I took some time over that weekend to reflect on what was holding me back and realized, after reading an article, that it was fear. The author had asked his audience to tell him their biggest fears. The results astounded me. The most common two fears were quite...contrary.

1. Fear of failure
2. Fear of success

After the conversation with my boss, I was assigned new projects at work, something that nobody was working on or had worked on, and I was now responsible for them. Though I was excited about this idea, it also generated quite the internal conflict between failure and success. What if I completely bombed the projects? What if I succeeded, raised expectations, and then failed? What would they think of me then?

I feared failure but the thought of success was just as unnerving. I know. Sounds crazy. But it was the reality I was living in. And I found those same feelings came with thoughts of dating.

Of course, the author also brought up exactly what I was trying to avoid. "In between failure and success lies comfort and mediocrity. Living in comfort isn’t really living at all...Comfort is a feeling that holds us back. Comfort keeps us mediocre." In trying not to fail, I was allowing myself to be average and boring. I was holding on to the status quo. To really grow and become more, I had to take that leap of faith, break out of my shell, and embrace change.

So I'm tackling a few projects, both professionally and personally, that are challenging me. I have no idea how any of this will play out, but I'm trying. I'm plowing forward and doing all I can—which, ironically, in one case is to do nothing. I'm already seeing great results at work. Now, I'm just waiting to see how all this personal stuff plays out. Going to be an interesting adventure but one that will be far more enjoyable than sitting around waiting comfortably in my pseudo-protected bubble. Whenever I'm feeling nervous or discomfort or fear, I remember a favorite movie quote*, strap on my Calvin suit, and face the world head-on.

*"Okay, so the scariest environment imaginable. Thanks. That's all you gotta say, scariest environment imaginable."

Driving Limits

As I was driving home from work yesterday, I thought about limits in terms of speed limits. Somehow my brain was able to dig up in the random school file hidden somewhere deep in the recess of my brain the mathematical concept of upper and lower limits. At that moment, I finally realized why people have a difficult time with speed limits on the freeway. Too many think of the speed limit as the upper limit. Whereas others—myself included—view it as the lower limit. If you aren't going at least the speed limit, you aren't in an acceptable range. Of course, I recognize an upper limit does exist and I find that to be 10-15 mph above the lower limit. My understanding of freeway speeds has taken me to a much higher dimension (or is it actually lower?) than I should ever admit. Oh well. Now you get an idea of what I think about while driving.

Setting Goals

I like setting goals. I like feeling like I am accomplishing something. Some of my goals are pretty simple: Not eating any candy while at work; not falling while at the climbing gym; not letting technology run my life (which annoys those who call or text me and my phone is on silent and nowhere near me). While others are a bit more difficult: Working out before I got to work (6am anyone?); coming home and reading instead of watching tv (which actually is getting much easier); making time for the important things. My favorite goals are those that can't be measured. They test my courage and push me to become more than I am. Remember my three goals for the new year?

• All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.
  
• All you need is 20 seconds of insane courage and good things happen.
  
• To be surprised.

Right now I feel like all three are actively pursing me. So I'm meeting them head-on and it's an interesting ride. No, I have nothing to report. No big surprises. No life changing events. But one day, all of that will change because of these three random, immeasurable goals.

Life Lessons Learned

Today KSL highlighted an article with Elizabeth Smart. In the article she said something that resonated with me and I hope that I can live my life with the same optimistic outlook.

"Nobody is trial-free, but we have a choice. We can choose to allow our experiences to hold us back, and to not allow us to become great or achieve greatness in this life. Or we can allow our experiences to push us forward, to make us grateful for every day we have and to be all the more thankful for those who are around us."

Quote of the Day

‎"There is no royal road to anything worth having. We must work for what we get. The prizes are not for the weaklings and triflers, but for the persistent, earnest individuals who will “hang on” until they succeed." -Theron Q. Dumont

Spring Morning

Out of the bosom of the Air,
Out of the cloud-folds of her garments shaken,
Over the woodlands brown and bare,
Over the harvest-fields forsaken,
Silent, and soft, and slow
Descends the snow.
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Political Activism

Yes. I am a state delegate for Utah's Republican Convention in April. I went to the caucus meeting in March, listened to what people were saying, and realized, "I can do this. Actually, I want to do this." I had one of those "Oh crap!" moments. You know those right? When you become aware of what your mind has been telling you all along.

The thought of running for a state delegate first came when a letter was read in church encouraging us to become actively involved in the political process. I dismissed it. It came again as we were walking into the meeting that night. I figured I was just being cocky. When it came the third time, I went with it. I prayed and asked, "What should I say?" The answer came quickly and clearly, and the rest is history.

I'm a bit overwhelmed with all that is going on but I'm enjoying being involved. I listen to debates and to the candidates more than I have in the past. The state convention is going to be an interesting event with many people wanting to oust Senator Hatch from his office. I'm curious to see how this all plays out.

On another note, I had an "Oh crap!" moment the other day while traveling for work. Wonder what will come of that one...

Life is Good

Loved watching General Conference this weekend, especially with this little guy. He's kind of captured my heart.