Hi there.
Sometimes when I write ‘Palm trees and margaritas’ it bothers me that I could sound like I am evangelising a lifestyle choice. That is not my intention. I hope to spark ideas for all of us to think about and use if we wish.
And I do not see myself as the poster girl for life balance. I most certainly am not. I work like a crazy woman, often day and night. I am as in need of real, or virtual (hey any I can get), ‘Palm trees and margaritas’ moments as the next person. It is my desire to live my life according to my own (changing) plan that sees me reading, thinking and observing ways to live a ‘big’ life as best I can.
So when I talk and write about ‘Palm trees and margaritas’, what I hope to share is an ideal and a set of ideas around that ideal that creates an opportunity for us to understand that ours is a shared experience. We are not in this alone and we can’t rely on being around forever and putting living life our way off too far into the future. ‘Palm trees and margaritas’ is not intended as a prescription, as who would I be to prescribe?, just some inspiration and reflection along the way.
None of us knows how our life will unfold so as much as we are in control, empowered living means making sure there is time in our lives for palm trees and margaritas*, however we define them.
How was your month?
Karen Morath
karen@mpowercct.com
www.palmtreesandmargaritas.com
August 2007
* Life can’t be all palm trees and margaritas, but there are worse game plans.
TIPS
1. ‘Happiness is easy. Everything we need to be happy is easy to get.’ Alexander Kjerulf.
2. Borrow some books on getting organised from your local library. You have to wade through a bit of junk, but there is some good advice to be had.
3. ‘Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.’ Anias Nin
4. Put some spring in your step as we embrace the new season. What can you do to enjoy Spring? (It’s almost balmy in Melbourne). Why not walk in the evenings, plant some summer-producing vegetables or hatch a plan to visit every park in your suburb? Let me know your tips.
5. Try a new look. Put yourself in the hands of a new hairdresser, buy a new accessory, wear a different colour. Why not?
STORIES
1. I was catching up with a friend one weekend over a coffee, as you do. We were discussing the problems of the world, life, the universe and what really matters, as you do…
She asked me when I thought we ever get to stop. It seems like we constantly plan, do and plan some more. We work out how we will meet our expenses while incurring more. We live today while planning tonight’s dinner in our mind and tomorrow while sorting through our priorities for getting through next week.
That conversation strengthened my commitment to ‘Palm trees and margaritas’ as a way of thinking and living.
It was a ‘Palm trees and margaritas’ moment in itself. Maybe we never get to stop. Maybe we wouldn’t really want to. What we need to do is have coffee with friends frequently enough to enrich our lives or do whatever it is that defines life for us. It’s not all about the big stuff. Maybe life’s achievements are not just in planning ‘Palm trees and margaritas’ moments, or even in having them, but in recognising them when we do.
READER STORIES
1. Reader Anne is in her fifties. She is a highly competent and successful woman in business and in life. Kids, grandkids, established business, great marriage, holiday place, sports car, holidays – you get the picture.
Every year she very responsibly takes herself off to her GP for a full medical and then actually listens and acts on the feedback she is given.
This year, the news was all good. In acknowledging her good fortune she could no longer allow herself to continue her 30 year smoking habit. It just seemed selfish given that she had been lucky enough to avoid any major health issues.
So reader Anne is now a non-smoker. May she enjoy four decades of good health and great living.
REFLECTIONS
1. Sometimes we don’t need to have all the answers. Or do we?
2. What would a meeting of the minds look like?
3. What if you're right?