Fleeting Moments

Have you experienced moments of pure joy or happiness... when everything seems beautiful and Just Right?  You want to stop time, stay in that moment, and savor the joy, happiness, and beauty.

One of my friend's repeated phrases is "Life is Good!"  That phrase crossed my mind as I climbed aboard the Mexican Navy's training vessel, Cuauhtemoc ("one who has descended like and eagle").  San Diego was the first stop for the crew of 261 officers and cadets as it began its round-the-world ambassadorial journey of friendship and outreach.

When do you reach out in friendship?
(Photo: ARM Cuauhtemoc, Mexican Navy
training vessel visiting San Diego - Larry Gardepie)

When we arrived at the Embarcadero, long lines of San Diegans were waiting to tour this tall ship.  Officers and crew were located throughout the ship welcoming us and answering our questions in English and Spanish.  You could sense the pride and excitement -- both from sailors and tourists -- about this beautiful boat.

Time stood still on this warm and sunny day -- imagining centuries of sailing similar vessels across the waters... exploring, trading, and encountering new peoples.  I felt connected across time and cultures!

What moments have surprised you -- where you stopped and marveled?
(Photo: Deer at Asilomar, Pacific Grove, CA - Larry Gardepie)

I began to reflect on this technology-driven world -- so different from this sailing vessel:  though we can be connected in a fraction of a minute with news, posts, and texts, in many ways we are no longer really Connected -- united or linked -- with Nature, with one another, or with what is important about Life.  Ideologies separate us, and we are distracted by our smart devices, sound bites, and overburdened schedules and responsibilities.

It takes these "Life is Good" moments to remind us of our shared humanity, our fragile mortality, and our real connections -- relationships of beauty, friendship, and welcoming.

Can you see the fragile nature of this moment in time?
(Photo: Soap Bubbles Dancing in the Sun - Larry Gardepie)

These fleeting moments remind me of our Sacred Worth and Value -- something we have in common!  These moments also can remind us of the importance of hope:  we can welcome; we can cross barriers and cultures; we can become ambassadors of friendship through outreach and caring.

This week, let us hope for and savor moments of fleeting joy, happiness, and beauty... and let's share these experiences with others.

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

(click on link for website)

Curiously Exploring

Have you ever wondered how your childhood has influenced your adulthood?  I grew up in the era of TV programs like "Gilligan's Island," "Brady Bunch," and "Star Trek" (the original series).  Then came the "The Carol Burnett Show," "The Mary Tyler More Show," "The Love Boat," and "All in the Family."  See any changes in how life presented itself to a young TV viewer?

Whether you grew up in this same period or before or after, certain images, quotes, and theme songs probably draw you back to your earlier self.

Let's get lost in a few of these memories!

Do you remember when you were curious about life?
(Photo credit: Curious About Curiosity?
Professor Studies How Children Learn, UVAToday)

For instance:

• What did "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia" mean?  (Everything centers around Marcia!)
• What was the Skipper's affectionate name for Gilligan?  ("Little Buddy")
• Do you recall the name of Mary Tyler More's theme song?  ("Love is All Around")

Just think of how these messages affected many of us: we didn't need to be the center of attention, and love and friendship were important even when there are disagreements.

How do you envision your universe?
(Photo credit: Carina Nebula, NASA's Webb Space Telescope)

 
Star Trek taught us to explore, seek out, and boldly go where no one had gone before.  And, it introduced us to Vulcan's IDIC philosophy ("Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations") and "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few" -- or as Captain Kirk would reply, "Or the one."

 

These messages merged with our innate sense of curiosity:  we wanted to explore, accept, and put others first.

Are you willing to explore the depths of yourself and others?
(Photo credit: Ocean Exploration - Technology, National Geographic)

Why am I reliving childhood memories and messages?  I was working with members of a leadership team this past week.  As I listened to their struggles and challenges, I noticed that I was curious about how organizational structure and norms had overridden messages common to many of our childhoods:  sharing, caring, and listening.

 

 For this week, maybe we could return to the images, quotes, and theme songs that spoke to us as children... of friendship, love, and attention... and explore curiously where no one has gone before?

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

(click on link for website)

Accepting What Is

This week has been about Acceptance... of information received; of what others have experienced or are experiencing; of what I cannot control... and Choice.  That is, accepting what is and making a choice on how best to respond.

Earlier in the week I had a conversation with a family member.  We talked about how we were raised, our family memories, and who we are now as adults.  We are no longer those younger siblings who grew up in the same house together.  We have changed.  (I want to believe we have matured!)

A few days later a childhood friend notified me that he has been diagnosed with advanced prostrate cancer.  I sat with his texts, recalled our childhood antics, and asked how I might be a friend.  His responses were uplifting as he shared his love for family, his faith in God, and his trust in the medical professionals.  He seemed at peace with the challenges before him.

How might I accept what is happening to a family member or a friend?

How do you approach stormy days?
(Photo credit:  Charles Schultz)

And today, another friend texted about losing his "dream job" unexpectedly and with no reason given.  For several days he has been trying to understand why it happened and did he do something wrong.  As we texted, I sensed a struggle between trying to understand and acceptance, questions that cannot be asked and answers not given, despair and relief.  Were these his struggles or mine?  Maybe with the holidays coming up, this was a Gift to be with his young family as he took care of himself and them?

How might I listen and be present when Mystery Remains Unknown?

Can you see beyond what is happening?
(Photo:  Morning Fog over San Diego Bay
- Larry Gardepie

It seems that Life Happens... in very unexpected ways... and then we have a Choice in how we will respond.  It's not fun being moved off-course of plans and aspirations we desire, but maybe the lesson is more about letting go, accepting, and being tender with ourselves as we consider... What comes next?...  How do we survive?...  Will we be okay?

Towards the end of our text conversation, my friend said that each of his last few jobs have been better than the one before.  And, he concluded, maybe the next one will be even better!

How might I listen for Hope and Surprises?

What choices can you make?
(Photo:  Carnival Panorama - Larry Gardepie)

Listening, asking questions, being present, and trying to understand opens us to the possibility of What Is... Next.

Maybe it is time this week for us to accept what is, know that we have the power to choose, and Expect to be Surprised!

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

(click on link for website)