Back in March I attended a Jesse Cook concert with some friends.  I have never seen Jesse Cook in concert before and for those who don’t know who this is, he is a very talented guitarist focusing on flamenco, rumba and latin music.  Wow, can that man play a guitar!  I have never seen someone’s fingers and hands move so fast and with such precision!  At one point in the concert, he answered questions from the audience and someone asked him when he learned to play the guitar.  He said he started taking lessons at the age of six.  No wonder he is so good at what he does! 

I realized it was another example of how much time it takes to master something.  Even though he makes it look easy and he is inspiring to watch, he has definitely put in his time.  And he hasn’t stopped.  He continues to learn more about the music of other cultures so that he can weave it in with what he already knows.  One of the true marks of a master – someone who is already masterful yet continues to learn about and expand their craft.

It’s a good reminder for me as I lament my lack of washboard abs after 83 days of sit ups and push ups.  Apparently 5 minutes a day is not going to yield the immediate results I was hoping for!!  Despite the lack of a visible six pack, I am noticing that my posture is better.  I have also noticed how much I have been using other parts of my body to hold myself up because my core muscles have been so weak and underused.  It is going to take more than 100 days to fully retrain myself but this has been a magnificent start!  If I had started doing sit ups when I was six years old like Jesse started taking guitar lessons I might be a master at it by now too!  So take heart…even if you haven’t accomplished exactly what you wanted to in your 100 Day Challenge or in life in general, remember that little bits everyday will eventually pay off! 

Joyfully,

 Deb

Recently, I was driving to my office.  I had a bad cold and I was feeling quite sorry for myself – quite whiny actually and I would rather have stayed at home in bed.  But then a van changed lanes in front of me and changed my whole attitude.  It was the license plate that caught my attention.  BLISS.  There I was, staring at BLISS and all I had to do was follow it!  And follow it I did!  Verging on stalking actually!  Every time the van changed lanes, I changed lanes.  Weaving in and out of traffic I followed BLISS most of the way downtown.  Briefly another car came between me and my BLISS but I could still see it and was still able to follow it.  

Eventually BLISS took another route and I continued on my journey but now I was in a completely different frame of mind.  I was delighted and arrived at my office in a good mood which was not only a bonus for me but also for my clients!  This adventure reminds me that there are times when things aren’t so great and then there will be times to follow your bliss and then again there will be times when bliss takes another path and we are left to continue on our journey, hopefully a little better for having experienced some bliss – however brief.  

Have you had any moments of bliss during your 100 Day Challenge?  I’d love to hear about them!  

Joyfully, 

Deb