Thanks Steve Jobs

Thanks Steve Jobs for what you have meant to the world.

I was late to the party but joined nonetheless.

It started with a iPod nano in the spring of 2007 and moved to the original iPhone that fall. Ironically, I bought that iPhone with my first side gig that would spark an entrepreneurial bug that I have yet to cure.

I marveled from a distance at your brilliance and only converted wholly to Apple a year ago last month. Just as I embarked on my journey to do my life's work, I invested in your life's work and took you as a cue to go build what people don't even know they want.

In my case that is relational harmony. While that is much less measurable than what you built. I am glad you were in my life to inspire me.

I remember the last quote of yours I tweeted recently:

"Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life."


Great advice and I'm so glad you lived yours.

Authentic Inspiration: Who's Your Maita Vende Ca?

Imagine 1999

Not sure what you were doing, but I was a single gal contemplating a move to Spain. I'd traveled there two times in the previous two years and was convinced a future awaited me there.

It was on my final trip before deciding to move that I bought the above CD - "No Hay Luz Sin Dia" ( There is no light without day/morning) by Maita Vende Ca.

The title song was the hottest song in all of Spain that winter. You could not go anywhere without hearing it. I fell in love with the entire album immediately.

Lately, I've been experiencing some minor setbacks and as a result have lost some momentum on several fronts that I was flying on earlier this summer before my injury.

Nothing that a few hours of Maita Vende Ca can't solve.

You see, for me, Maita Vende Ca represents hope, adventure and tremendous courage. Why? Because at the time I met this music group, I needed all those things to pack up my comfortable life working for the Chicago Fire Major League Soccer team and living in Oak Park to go to Spain.

Whenever I doubted my vision or my direction - I'd fire up Maita Vende Ca and all was well. My heart rate is accelerated and my mind opens up to do what I need to do to arrive wherever I needed to go. That strategy has served me over and over thru the years.

Guess what is newly cued up on the iPhone? Un Punao de Exitos de Maita Vende Ca!

What about you? What do you do to fire yourself up when you need it most?
Take a listen to my favorite song

4 Relationship Lessons From My Bum Right Arm

This post is brought to you courtesy of my left arm and the Dragon Dictation iPhone app.

The illustration shows you what I've been struggling the last 7 days in my right arm.

Dr.'s orders no typing, texting or any repetitive motion with the right arm until he tells me otherwise.

OUCH!

Both physically and mentally with all I have going on in my life.

The extra time has caused me to slow down and re-think how I operate after the initial shock wore off and the reality of limited typing set in.


4 Relationship Lessons have resonated in my head the last week and I wanted to share them with you:

1.  Recognize and act on non-verbal cues

My forearm was in dull pain in the weeks and days leading into its strike but I did little to respond. Often times in our relationships, very clear cues are in our faces - we need to recognize and respond. Immediately, whenever possible.

2.  Don't overwork

Seems simple enough, but we all know it is much easier in theory vs. in life. Take breaks. Delegate. Pace yourself. Ironically, a good friend and mentor sent me an email telling me that about my output of work the day before my arm gave out. Too bad I was busy working so hard that I deleted the email before I finished reading it. Bet you know who was digging in the deleted email folder pecking away with one hand to find that loving and foreshadowing note. Relationships have seasons just like everything else in life. In order to endure, we must not overwork them.

3.  Appreciate and never take anything for granted

Who knew that you need both hands for other stuff too? Like brushing your hair or cleaning the coffee pot to set the timer for your daily caffeine fix? My first thought when my hand gave out mid-spreadsheet was about the two launches I'm currently planning and it never crossed my mind that I would struggle to get ready for work every day. Think about people in your life - especially those with mundane roles (like my right arm). Be sure and show them your appreciation every now and then. They need to know you notice and appreciate their contributions in your life.

4.  Get creative

Clearly when I heal,  there will have to be grand changes to how I accomplish all I have set out to do. The goals before me are not changing. Things are not going to just slow down. Quite the opposite, in fact.  So I put the word out and found the dictation app. My almost nine year old has chipped in with emailing and texting on my behalf for pay. I'll be finding ways to keep my pace without harming my arm - either of them. Stuck in some patterns in your relationships that end up in the same place over and over? Do something different. Reach out to others for ideas. For goodness sake - be creative!

As for me, I head back to the doctor tomorrow for follow-up and I've been obedient to his orders, hoping I'm well and ready. Either way - I am working on my relationship with my right arm. Getting her some relief and possibly some BLING for all her troubles.