This is a video of Brene Brown’s marvelous TED talk, The Power of Vulnerability.  This should be required viewing for the entire human race.

October 1st is the International Day of Older Persons.  About a month ago, I sat with a 97-year old woman and listened intently as she told me her life story.  Her perspective, experience, and wisdom made me so grateful for the life I have lived thus far.  Two weeks ago, I met an 86 year-old woman at the bottom of my hiking trail.  There are days when I can barely get through those trails because they are so challenging, but here she was, at 86, still walking them – with excitement and gratitude!  I have learned a lot in the past month from two women whom I had never met before.  Their spirit, thier stories, their grace, and their gratitude are truly inspiring.  Today, I honor them.

First as a teen yourself.
Then as a parent of a teen.
Is there no manual?
Nothing to prepare you?
Once surrendered, surely there is something to help get through it.
Regardless of whether it is your first time – as a teen, or experiencing it from the other side, for a second time – as a parent.

On this day, I will commit
To seeing you as you are.

On this day, I will commit
To finishing the race, no matter how far.

On this day, I will commit
To being honest with you.

On this day, I will commit
To not just one question, but rather two.

Commitment is not a subjective pledge.
Entrusting, binding, dedicating.
It restricts your freedom.
It is a state of being.
It is a reflection
Of your inner most desires.

“View a day’s work as a chance to generate gifts that last.”
-Seth Godin

What is behind your fridge?  Evidently, behind mine is a patchwork wall still sporting wall paper from the 1960s.

Why didn’t the manufacturers of standard interior doors co-ordinate with the manufacturers of refrigerators so that we consumers would not have to remove doors and handles from both to bring new appliances into and our of our homes?

Seriously, why would a new fridge have a standard (read – thick that sticks out) 3-prong plug, while a 15-year old fridge has a flush-mount (read – lays flat against the wall) plug?

Why, oh why, does each new appliance need an adaptor to fit the piping/plumbing of the old one?  Haven’t they seen how many adaptors come with iPod players? It’s inspirational.

My new fridge is sitting empty, unplugged in my kitchen while my frozen food sits in a cooler.  Why?  Because if you have to tip the refigerator to get it into your house (uh, see the door issue above), then it must stand upright, unplugged for 6 to 8 hours to allow the Freon to settle, or so I am told.  Soggy pizza, anyone?  Oh, and if you get thirsty, I don’t have filtered water, so BYO.