I have become my father

The ides of March are upon us. And, I have not tended to this blog since the new year. Already failed at my resolution. Perhaps it is because my mind these days is in turmoil, like the world about us. I have never listened to so much talk radio in my life and realize I have in fact become my father. He thinks it is funny. I had not planned on becoming a 74-year old white man before I managed to turn into a 50 year-old female. Since I cannot decide what to do with this blog--today I am just checking in. So much to say without offending the sensitivities of someone else. What a crazy, upside down world in which we all live. Is the universe just working out a few kinks--maybe embracing a new style of yoga and soon the planet will unfurl itself from its pretzel-state smoothing out in a year or so. There is no doubt that we have all needed to save more, be kinder to one another and think about what is truly important in life. But, we have swung so far--where is the balance. Are all corporations really greedy bastards? Have we forgotten the numbers of wealthy people in our communities who help support the arts, the homeless and a horde of other nameless philanthropic organizations? I agree with Glenn Beck--charity is a personal thing. The government should not force that on anyone. This democratic nation of ours seems to be fading into the sunset. And me and my father are starting to look a lot alike.

Happy Now

I just spent the last 20 minutes listening to a radio show online about branding. As a marketing professional who has spent her life thinking about what that means I was intrigued by what Tom Asacker www.acleareye.com had to say. He is rather a brilliant man and anyone with an interest in consumer marketing, branding, etc. should take heed. I strongly recommend subscribing to his newsletter which is always thought provoking. Sometimes, it just makes me shake my head because what he says seems so simple. Simple, but rarely put into action. Today he said something that no doubt will be the prevailing topic for water coolers around the globe. Americans are taking stock of what he calls "Happy Now" versus "Happy Life." The crisis swirling around us has finally forced the generation of me, me, me, to ask: will this purchase, service, product X make me happy now or will it improve my life. Can it be that we will finally put the brakes on unnecessary spending and think about what matters in the end? Back to basics, right? More on that in a moment. Tom also talks a lot about the need for integrity, urging business owners to understand what their customers are feeling and not just try and sell them something. Consumers are tuning out advertising right and left because they don't have faith in the messenger. Where does this leave the legions of consumer based marketing departments? If they have truly been brand focused, in a very good position. Because brand-driven organizations talk regularly with their customers and know how they are feeling. They respond to those needs in a way that shows a customer that they are important. That seems pretty simple doesn't it? But, honestly how many businesses do you know that function this way? I know many a service provider that I'd like to toss right out the window because they don't listen, don't care and don't treat me like a valued customer. Perhaps if there had been a bit more integrity along the way, our country would not find itself in this current pickle. Consider what the impact that back to basics will mean for our nation. Sounds a little like a commandment from way back--treat each other how we would like to be treated. Back to basics is no doubt just warming up. I suspect it's a term we'll hear a lot about in the days ahead. And, honestly, not a moment too soon. Let's hope that integrity, empathy and trust become the norm. Then happy now and happy life will converge.

Namaste

Greetings in this new year. I do not know Sanskrit nor do I practice any of the eastern religions where Namaste is used in conversation. I do however, take yoga, where the word is generally used as at the end of class with one's hands folded over the heart. I looked it up today after my practice and have opted to start my 2009 blog with Namaste because I think it is appropriate. While there are several meanings for the word--it is used both as hello and goodbye--much like aloha in Hawaii. But, the meaning that I take to heart is this one: the light in me honors the light in you. Or, I bow to the divinity in you. Here is why I believe this is more important today than ever. If peace is to replace war in the next decade then people everywhere must accept the notion that it is incumbent upon each of us to shine a little brighter. Whatever your personal feelings are about God, it does make sense that when we project light and positive energy rather than negative, the planet and its inhabitants stand to gain. My yoga teacher today said he was having a conversation with an Iranian doctor and the question of God arose. Kind of like the proverbial chicken and egg. Never the less, what struck me about their conversation was that the discussion centered on the notion that God may need our help. Hmmm--could it be that rather than looking up at the heavens wondering what God can do for us, we might ask what can we do to help. Eliminate the ego. That's a tough one for some of us and I'll raise my hand, first. Rather than concentrating on how the outcomes of our labor benefits us as individuals, simply enjoy the doing. When we become less self-centered, society stands to gain. Seems simple enough. If I can succeed in bending myself into a pretzel, surely I can work on being less ego-centric. Today, I start with Namaste. Pass it on.

Moral Dilemma

Hmmm. Two posts in one day for me. Must have really gotten the urge. So, here's why. I was shopping at my favorite HEB this afternoon. I used the automated scanners (I just love the scanner--it reminds me of when I wanted to be the window washer at the gas station. Sure my parents would have been proud.) At any rate, got all the items checked out and back in my cart proceeding to aisle K in the parking lot. Loaded all my groceries and then picked up my purse from the top of the cart to discover my sister's birthday card. The word BLISS staring back at me. This card I had not paid for. I got in the car and sat that staring at the word BLISS pondering what to do. Did I want to walk all the way back to the store to pay $3.99 for the card. Or just consider this a gift from the universe. Like when you find a penny in the parking lot. What would you do? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Katrina

Just returning from a visit to New Orleans. A college friend turned 50--thankfully, I am still a year behind her. Although, all of my college friends look exactly the same to me. Is that viewing through rose-colored glasses? If so, bring on more of those glasses. It has been two years since I drove down the streets of the Big Easy--which were still very much showing signs of Katrina. This was the first time I had walked through my friend's house with furniture and paint. The last time the house was a mere shell--having been completely gutted. It was a reminder that while the outside world goes on, for the residents of New Orleans life is very different. Many of my friends suffer a variety of physical and mental ailments. The trauma of losing their most personal belongings, being uprooted from homes, schools and work for months takes a toll. Having grown up in a military family I am well aware what war does to one's psyche. Katrina was definitely New Orleans 9/11 and every war rolled into one. I do not write this though to elicit pity, but rather awe. The city may never be the same--there are blocks of empty buildings rotting, providing blank canvas for graffiti. But for my friends who have lived here all of their lives they soldier on. Material things have lost their importance having been replaced by what is truly most valuable in life. Family, friends and loved ones. New thought teaches and reminds us to be a light in the world. To shine brightly through our words and actions. Katrina may have changed the physical landscape of New Orleans, but it certainly did not douse the light. My friends showed me that. Happy new year and keep burning brightly.

Post Christmas

Having not written in quite some time, I find that I do not have a real theme for this post. Christmas was yesterday and today has been about recovery. Cleaning off my office desk, paying bills and taking a collective sigh that 2008 is nearly finished. It has been an interesting year. Leaving a job, starting a new company, watching a hurricane ravage our beloved coast, enduring a presidential election and watching the economy take a nose dive all have made for an eventful year. Oh--and getting engaged somewhere in between. I don't want to start making predictions for 2009 or resolutions. But, having spent some time with some folks at Schipul Marketing--the real social marketing gurus of Houston, recently--I do promise to tend to this blog. Here's why. While, I relish the thought that Oprah or some influential news source might find me pithy enough to publish, I love to write. It is a bit of a cathartic experience and sometimes I actually have things of interest to say. And, my personal brand could use a jumpstart. I tell my clients how to keep themselves top-of-mind with constituents, but rarely take my own advice. So, first resolution for 2009--listen to my own good advice. There are challenges ahead--we know that because the media reminds us daily. But, challenges do shake us up and often for the better. Like most of you, my retirement account is not looking so hot at the moment. But, as a roadside sign I saw once while traveling through Bastrop, La. said: you can not stumble over the things you put behind you. That is true. So while listening to my own advice I vow not to turn around and wonder what happened back there. Lastly, I am going to steal a mantra I read in SELF Magazine from a young woman undergoing a traumatic surgery. How hard can it be? How long can it take? I like that one a lot and hope that I can put it to good use. 2008 isn't even over and I am 3 good resolutions into 2009. It is going to be a good year.

Hurricane Ike

No doubt there will be many a post about what Hurricane Ike brought the gulf coast. As a resident of Houston, we have watched our neighbors, friends and families endure Katrina, Rita, and Gustav. The tides turned and unfortunately brought Ike right to our door step. The past few days have been a blur of boarding up and preparing; riding out the storm and watching as those to the south of us lost homes, lives and belongings. It is sad beyond any mere words can adequately express to see our seashore town of Galveston blown away. I did not grow up here. As a military child, my family moved many times across the U.S. But, we were stationed twice in El Paso and vacationed one summer in Galveston. There was a sea shell shop on the sea wall where my parents bought us sea shells. My mother still has some of those shells. As an adult who relished strolling down the sea wall and wading on the sandy shore, I recall fondly that trip to the sea shell shop. Those memories can not be washed away by a storm. Oddly enough I had hoped to spend a weekend soon in Galveston. Galveston has always provided solace for me. And, I know for many, many others. The sound of the waves crashing on the shore. Watching the sea gulls. It would be easy to curse that sea, but that would not return the material parts of Galveston. Instead, my heart and prayers turn to those who have lost their sea treasures, knowing that one day soon Galveston will be restored. And another child will be drawn to its shores in search of shells. Last night, and again this morning, mother nature presented a very different landscape. A sunset awash with colors and a brilliant full moon. Cooler temperatures and a clear blue sky. Perhaps that is easier to see for those of us who only have the inconvenience of no electricity and yard clean-up. A bit more difficult for those who have endured the brunt of Ike. Or maybe not. For those that love the sea are a hardy bunch indeed. This mere visitor to your shore is grateful for every seaside stroll. And wishes you all God-speed as you awaken today to start anew. Perhaps infused with the enthusiasm that drew you to the shore for the very first time. We mourn with you for your loss. And pray that recovery is swift. And, most importantly, hope that your venerable spirit has not been dampened by Ike.