20 February, 2015

Perplexed and speechless

Recently I was walking though Hamburg awashed in political posters and billboards for their upcoming elections. All of them pretty normal: the visionary, the steadfast, the game changer. 

Then I stumbled over this poster...

A portrait of female politician from the conservative party. She is starring out of a golden guided frame hanging on a white sterile tiled wall. A black - orange froufrou dog sitting on a plastic chair gazes at her.

It leaves me speechless. 

On the road

Four years of working with what was on hand, which was never very much (though it was oddly all consuming). Running after this opportunity or trying to pursue that possibility; which seemed a smart thing to do under such circumstances, but often enough didn't pan out. Running in circles. Hitting walls. Jumping over obstacles. Taking leaps of faith. Keeping my nose to the ground. Putting in the hours.

More than all of this, what counted were the kind and generous people on the way. Those that mentored. Those who quietly lead by example. The nay-sayers, who questioned my ideas and helped me test my resolve. The cheerleaders who bolstered me in those times of desperation. The ones who blindly believed in my abilities. Those whose lives touched me. Those who listened to my fears and aspirations. What a rowdy tribe.

Now, four years into my self-employment I have this amazing feeling of being the navigator of my own journey. To celebrate this, I am on the road visiting family and friends and doing business in between. Sweet! Who would have thought...

08 February, 2015

10 years of blogging

Hard to believe it folks, I have been writing this blog for the last 10 years. The last 3 or 4 years have been a challenge. Not because I don't want to be here, but just time wise, inspiration wise, and energy wise it's been a struggle. Becoming self-employed at 54 years old is not an easy task.

Sure do not want to complain since work wise things are stable and even growing. Big feelings of gratitude for that.

My kids asked recently why I continue with this blog. It is not an easy thing to explain. Part of it is building upon a body of work I want to leave them and their children. It is a very modest way to sharing thoughts with those of you who still read it because I still get so much from reading your blogs. In this era of twitter, it also seems old fashion to write in complete sentences and develop ideas in a meandering way.

Thank you for all the considerate words you place in the internet and the kindness you give me for reading this blog.