The year 2010 is about to end... Less than six hours to go. I resolve to not make any resolutions. It's so cliche, after all, everyone makes them and no one keeps them. So, I will be honest with myself. No New Year's Resolutions.
I will, however, promise myself to keep doing all the good things I've been doing, to stop my bad habits, and to lose more weight. I will not start smoking. I will not go out at night carousing, drinking, and hanging around with loose women. I will not gamble away the mortgage.
Come to think of it, I don't do these things now.
Okay, so I do have a resolution: I resolve to be a little less boring.
Have a great night. Don't drink and drive. Make 2011 your best year yet.
God bless you,
Adolfo
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Day # 216 - Life In The Way
2010 is about to end and what can we say about it? I can't say much about the year that was except for my own year because I've sort of insulated myself from the world. It's been a good year for me. I'm happier than I was when it started. The last 216 days have changed me. I'm glad I took this project on.
Of course, there is still the longing for more. In my case, I find myself wanting more time. I find myself learning to appreciate the things that truly matter and wishing I could go back in time and enjoy the things I was missing when I was trying to be a man, or when I was angry at things beyond my control. I want to go back to the times when I let life get in the way of my life and change that. But I can't. All I can do is make sure that from here on out, I find that balance. Regrets will never amount to anything. Nothing was ever accomplished by looking at the past, or the future for that matter, and wishing.
Right now, life is keeping me from sleeping, so I respond by living, not by lying in bed, cursing the darkness. I write, I read, I learn. The sun will be up soon and the day will begin; another chance to get it right.
Of course, there is still the longing for more. In my case, I find myself wanting more time. I find myself learning to appreciate the things that truly matter and wishing I could go back in time and enjoy the things I was missing when I was trying to be a man, or when I was angry at things beyond my control. I want to go back to the times when I let life get in the way of my life and change that. But I can't. All I can do is make sure that from here on out, I find that balance. Regrets will never amount to anything. Nothing was ever accomplished by looking at the past, or the future for that matter, and wishing.
Right now, life is keeping me from sleeping, so I respond by living, not by lying in bed, cursing the darkness. I write, I read, I learn. The sun will be up soon and the day will begin; another chance to get it right.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Days # 214 & 215 - The Missing
I was in Key West again so I couldn't write. I guess I could have written last night when I got back, but I found it preferable to fall asleep on the couch watching Despicable Me with the girls. What is it about being alone away from home that makes you miss everything? Absence indeed makes the heart grow fonder.
I wonder how people do it. I think of long-distance truckers who are away from their families for long periods. I think of my close friend who moved to Georgia, temporarily leaving his family behind. How long his nights must have been. I think of the troops gone for months or years or forever, and I wonder how people do it. I was gone for one night and couldn't keep my eyes from welling up.
Maybe it's because we're still in the holidays and one of my sons is in Fort Myers and the other is in Philadelphia, while my daughters were home. I just want them all with me, but I know it can't be. I know fathers have to go out and do their work wherever that may lead them.
Time and distance, huh?
God bless you, make it your great day. Hug your babies.
- Adolfo
I wonder how people do it. I think of long-distance truckers who are away from their families for long periods. I think of my close friend who moved to Georgia, temporarily leaving his family behind. How long his nights must have been. I think of the troops gone for months or years or forever, and I wonder how people do it. I was gone for one night and couldn't keep my eyes from welling up.
Maybe it's because we're still in the holidays and one of my sons is in Fort Myers and the other is in Philadelphia, while my daughters were home. I just want them all with me, but I know it can't be. I know fathers have to go out and do their work wherever that may lead them.
Time and distance, huh?
God bless you, make it your great day. Hug your babies.
- Adolfo
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Day # 213 - That Organization Thing
Christmas has passed and now it's time to get to work. I am back on my mission to organization. I've learned you start with your mind, not your desk. If your thoughts are disorganized (as mine have always been) you have no chance at organizing your world.
Lesson # 1: Amateurs remember, pros write it down.
Carry a notebook. I have always done this and I can tell you it could work, except that the notebooks I carry reflect what's happening upstairs: messy, disorganized, etc... It does no good to write down important information if you can't easily find it when you need it. I am learning this.
Lesson # 2: Listen Actively: In other words, ask questions.
When you are being given instructions, it's easy to zone out. If you make yourself ask questions, even simple, or stupid, questions, you're more likely to stay involved. I am learning this.
Lesson # 3: Create a system and stick to it.
Do whatever works for you. It may be a notepad, a PDA, or a spreadsheet. Whatever you do, just do it. As an old co-worker of mine used to say: a place for everything, and everything in its place. I am working on this one.
Lesson # 4: Have an accountability partner.
I work on my own and my office is in my house. I have enlisted Abby to help me stay organized. She warned me that she would be on my back constantly. I accepted because that is the only way this arrangement could possibly work.
Think of how much time you lose looking for papers, notes, whatever. Have you ever lost a deal because you lost a memo and didn't get back to someone on time. I have. I've made these mistakes and I am determined to never let them happen again. This is why I am creating the system.
I hope you had a Merry Christmas. God bless you. Make it a great day.
- Adolfo
Lesson # 1: Amateurs remember, pros write it down.
Carry a notebook. I have always done this and I can tell you it could work, except that the notebooks I carry reflect what's happening upstairs: messy, disorganized, etc... It does no good to write down important information if you can't easily find it when you need it. I am learning this.
Lesson # 2: Listen Actively: In other words, ask questions.
When you are being given instructions, it's easy to zone out. If you make yourself ask questions, even simple, or stupid, questions, you're more likely to stay involved. I am learning this.
Lesson # 3: Create a system and stick to it.
Do whatever works for you. It may be a notepad, a PDA, or a spreadsheet. Whatever you do, just do it. As an old co-worker of mine used to say: a place for everything, and everything in its place. I am working on this one.
Lesson # 4: Have an accountability partner.
I work on my own and my office is in my house. I have enlisted Abby to help me stay organized. She warned me that she would be on my back constantly. I accepted because that is the only way this arrangement could possibly work.
Think of how much time you lose looking for papers, notes, whatever. Have you ever lost a deal because you lost a memo and didn't get back to someone on time. I have. I've made these mistakes and I am determined to never let them happen again. This is why I am creating the system.
I hope you had a Merry Christmas. God bless you. Make it a great day.
- Adolfo
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Day # 212 - Merry Christmas
It's 4:30 in the morning. I go out to the living room and turn on the Christmas tree lights, giving the girls the illusion that they've been on all night. I lay in bed and try to sleep but I'm excited. I can't wait. I never really got to enjoy this with my sons.
Around six, I hear them in their room over the monitor. They're trying to figure out whether it's to early to get out of bed. It's an awesome conversation to hear. They come out to the living room and see the gifts under the tree. They're trying to contain their excitement but I no longer need the monitor to hear them. I hear them coming to my room, Abby is awake by now, but we pretend to be asleep. They look at us from the door, two silhouettes. They decide to let us sleep. I'm losing my mind by now, wanting to go out there and watch them open their gifts. Abby tells me to sit tight. She's the patient one in this dynamic.
The girls get loud all of a sudden and, with Abby's permission of course, I call out, "Who's out there?"
"The kids."
"Oh, okay. What are you doing?"
"We got presents!"
"Really?"
"Yes!"
And they come over with our present: a 2011 calendar Melissa made for us in class. Melissa patiently, and proudly, watches us go through each of the twelve months, explaining what each drawing is.
Now, it's time for presents. Instinctively, they take turns opening their presents, allowing me to shift the focus of the video camera from one child to the other. They're happy and we're happy because of it.
They won't believe in Santa forever and I'm fine with that. They have to grow up and they don't need permission to do so. But I see nothing wrong in maintaining their innocence for as long as possible. Magic is real if you believe in it and want my children's lives to have as much magic as possible. I owe them that.
It's also important, in my house, for them to be mindful of the reason for Christmas. There is no "X" in Christmas and we plan to keep it that way. Christmas is a great opportunity for teaching your children. Teach them that there are other people in the world and that the spirit of this holiday is not about receiving, it's about giving. That is the greatest gift I can give my children, that while we celebrate the birth of Christ by sharing gifts, we honor His life and sacrifice by sharing our blessings.
Merry Christmas. May the blessings of God be upon you and your family. Make it a great day.
- Adolfo
Around six, I hear them in their room over the monitor. They're trying to figure out whether it's to early to get out of bed. It's an awesome conversation to hear. They come out to the living room and see the gifts under the tree. They're trying to contain their excitement but I no longer need the monitor to hear them. I hear them coming to my room, Abby is awake by now, but we pretend to be asleep. They look at us from the door, two silhouettes. They decide to let us sleep. I'm losing my mind by now, wanting to go out there and watch them open their gifts. Abby tells me to sit tight. She's the patient one in this dynamic.
The girls get loud all of a sudden and, with Abby's permission of course, I call out, "Who's out there?"
"The kids."
"Oh, okay. What are you doing?"
"We got presents!"
"Really?"
"Yes!"
And they come over with our present: a 2011 calendar Melissa made for us in class. Melissa patiently, and proudly, watches us go through each of the twelve months, explaining what each drawing is.
Now, it's time for presents. Instinctively, they take turns opening their presents, allowing me to shift the focus of the video camera from one child to the other. They're happy and we're happy because of it.
They won't believe in Santa forever and I'm fine with that. They have to grow up and they don't need permission to do so. But I see nothing wrong in maintaining their innocence for as long as possible. Magic is real if you believe in it and want my children's lives to have as much magic as possible. I owe them that.
It's also important, in my house, for them to be mindful of the reason for Christmas. There is no "X" in Christmas and we plan to keep it that way. Christmas is a great opportunity for teaching your children. Teach them that there are other people in the world and that the spirit of this holiday is not about receiving, it's about giving. That is the greatest gift I can give my children, that while we celebrate the birth of Christ by sharing gifts, we honor His life and sacrifice by sharing our blessings.
Merry Christmas. May the blessings of God be upon you and your family. Make it a great day.
- Adolfo
Friday, December 24, 2010
Day # 211 - Noche Buena
I've always loved Christmas Eve. Mostly because Cubans, like many Hispanics, are too impatient to wait until Christmas to open their gifts, so we wait until midnight (or earlier) to open them. It gives away the Santa Secret maybe, but who cares? I want presents!
I have tried to build my own traditions with my family and for the most part, they've worked fine, but there are some which I love. Noche Buena is one of them. The family will gather, eat, and chat, and watch Christmas movies. Same thing the Gringos do, but sooner. Christmas becomes Boxing Day, when we go visit relatives so the kids can pick up what Santa left in other houses for them. It's when we pass out the socks and the perfume and the books. Speaking of which, last year I got my mom a book and a pair of soft slippers. She asked if I was planning to send her to a home. That crafty old woman was on to me from the start!
The important thing is the fun of being with your family and loving them as best you can. A hug and kiss mean more than the ribbons and bows and what's beneath them. In the end, when fate separates us from the ones we love, it's the hugs and kisses and voices that we'll miss, not the stuff.
Love someone today. And every day. Let every day be a good day and every night be a Noche Buena. Don't be reserved in your emotion; love with reckless abandon. Call a relative who's far away; a sister or brother, an old roommate, someone who may be alone. Wish them a Merry Christmas. Let them know someone is thinking about them. You never know what a difference you can make in a person's life.
God bless you. Make it a great day.
- Adolfo
I have tried to build my own traditions with my family and for the most part, they've worked fine, but there are some which I love. Noche Buena is one of them. The family will gather, eat, and chat, and watch Christmas movies. Same thing the Gringos do, but sooner. Christmas becomes Boxing Day, when we go visit relatives so the kids can pick up what Santa left in other houses for them. It's when we pass out the socks and the perfume and the books. Speaking of which, last year I got my mom a book and a pair of soft slippers. She asked if I was planning to send her to a home. That crafty old woman was on to me from the start!
The important thing is the fun of being with your family and loving them as best you can. A hug and kiss mean more than the ribbons and bows and what's beneath them. In the end, when fate separates us from the ones we love, it's the hugs and kisses and voices that we'll miss, not the stuff.
Love someone today. And every day. Let every day be a good day and every night be a Noche Buena. Don't be reserved in your emotion; love with reckless abandon. Call a relative who's far away; a sister or brother, an old roommate, someone who may be alone. Wish them a Merry Christmas. Let them know someone is thinking about them. You never know what a difference you can make in a person's life.
God bless you. Make it a great day.
- Adolfo
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Day #210 - Man vs. Bridge Round 1
I'm back on the mainland and it's fantastic! Good to be home. Not that I won't be going back. I will and soon, I'm sure, but I am closer to putting the bridge nonsense behind me.
I learned that it's good to chew gum when your nervous because it will keep you from grinding your teeth. I also learned that nothing is scary. How's that for some insight?
What I mean when I tell you nothing is scary is that we assign fear to things. We are scared of certain things and that has nothing to do with the thing we fear. (The thought is clear, but I am having a hard time articulating it.) Why is one person afraid of heights and another isn't? A mountain isn't scary, but someone may be scared of a mountain while another person can't wait to climb to the top of it. The difference is in the thought process, the belief, of one person compared to the other.
I'm tired. I didn't sleep well last night. I never sleep very well in hotels, even in very nice ones. If what I've written makes no sense, it's not you, it's me. Good night.
- Adolfo
I learned that it's good to chew gum when your nervous because it will keep you from grinding your teeth. I also learned that nothing is scary. How's that for some insight?
What I mean when I tell you nothing is scary is that we assign fear to things. We are scared of certain things and that has nothing to do with the thing we fear. (The thought is clear, but I am having a hard time articulating it.) Why is one person afraid of heights and another isn't? A mountain isn't scary, but someone may be scared of a mountain while another person can't wait to climb to the top of it. The difference is in the thought process, the belief, of one person compared to the other.
I'm tired. I didn't sleep well last night. I never sleep very well in hotels, even in very nice ones. If what I've written makes no sense, it's not you, it's me. Good night.
- Adolfo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
