Missing John Denver

'Annie's Song' was on the radio yesterday and suddenly I was back in college, seeking a Coors beer (a novelty back then; especially when you were in school in Kentucky) and hoping for a ticket to a John Denver concert.

With all the business buzz about branding and marketing yourself to the world, I find that a memory of John Denver produces an instant love for the environment and the feeling that freedom is out there in Colorado. Or, at the very least, there's a 'Rocky Mountain High' like none found here in the Ozarks.

Music is a universal language, isn't it? It grabs our hearts and reminds us of the times of our lives: special or not so special. We can remember who we were with, what we were doing and where we were, all within the first few notes of the song. And for just that one minute and thirty-four seconds, we're back in that time and space, reliving the lessons or missing the people associated with the song.

What song takes you back to a special time or person? I'd love to hear about it!

Am I Missing Anything?

I am amazed at all I have accomplished in the past four days, without a schedule and without 5 million appointments to get to each day. In fact, I have stayed in my house for 3 of the 4 days; just enjoying the breeze through the windows, reading, creating jewelry, sleeping and even working a bit.

Its a grief issue I didn't expect to have: grieving for my unstructured time like I used to have as a kid. It is the kids, in fact, who have inspired this brief respite from the usual daily demands of life. After all, they had a spring break so why shouldn't I?

What childhood gifts are you grieving and how can you incorporate them into your life today?

Maybe it is going out to play with the neighborhood kids after dinner; why not take an early evening stroll after eating and set a goal to say 'hello' to 2 neighbors? Or you might miss a Hardy Boys adventure and the time to read the book. Go ahead, check that book out of the library and curl up on the front porch with some Kool Aid and a pillow. If you fall asleep, all the better!

This business of being an 'adult' can produce a lot of stress, so I advocate becoming like a little child. Relax and watch as it helps you become even more focused on, and productive with, the things you truly care about.

Springing Forward

It's starting. The trees are budding and the flowers are springing forth; a bit early for me, though. Oh yes, I love the sunshine and the temperatures, but there is still a part of me that would love to have just two more "snow days".

You know, those days where the power remains on, but there is enough snow to cover the roads and people freak out about it and stay home? Not too much benefit to those of us in a home office, but enough to make the phones stop ringing because others are stranded and can't call to ask you about business.

I relish those days when I have a chunk of time to create new products for Life Preservers, complete some articles and just read from the tall stack of business books by the bed. Ahhhh.

It doesn't look much like snow today, but that's okay. I'll be fooling Mother Nature in her own game soon-I have scheduled two "spring break" days of my own next week!