365 Days in Aspen

Monthly Archives: August 2016

I Heart Aspen

peter max heartI went to the doctor yesterday and saw this classic Peter Max artwork in his office. We talked about my options for fixing my (literal) "broken heart." 

Ironically, my heart will (figuratively) break if it can't be fixed and I'm not able to stay here. crying 

I've often said that "hell is wanting something you'll never get." So to live here in the land of physicality, of challenging endurance and tackling mountains, and not be able to participate lends to a kind of existential crisis.

Who am I? Why am I here? 

It could be a temporary setback. My cardiologist could be instantly successful with a hit of electrical voltage. I could walk out of the procedure and "good as new" in 2 weeks. 

Or I could be like a diabetic working in a bakery. An alcoholic tending bar.  

 

 

 

In the meantime, let's sing a tribute to the "heart." Beautiful song: 

Dave Grusin's "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter." 

 

Free Flowing

happiness wordsimaginaryAs a writer, sometimes the words just flow. Your brain moves faster than your fingers can type. Your imaginary friends are so excited to talk and tell you about their "lives" they speak a mile a minute. 

And sometimes they're mute. 

Crickets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

rightbrainvoices 2The portal to creativity is through the right brain. While the left side of our brain is great for things like doing taxes or putting together an Ikea shelf, it's the right side that opens us up to inventive, original thinking. Art, music, writing, and more. 

I believe the right brain is our connection to Spirit. To the Divine Source. In her groundbreaking book, "My Stroke of Insight," Jill Bolte Taylor, a neuroanatomist, tells of her experience having a stroke in her left brain. She was left with "only" right brain awareness, and the story is beyond incredible. This excerpt from an article on her book describes it perfectly: 

Strangely, after her stroke, she felt a powerful euphoria, and that awareness of the state of near spiritual intensity never left her. So during a years-long and difficult recovery, she felt remarkably upbeat and happy, even when she had only a few minutes of energy during the day. Living primarily through right brain experience completely changed her sense of who she was.

She lost the feeling of separation from other people, declaring we are all "one." What I believe Jung would have called her "opening to the collective unconscious." 

As a creative person, sometimes this portal is wide open, like standing in a blizzard and ideas are like snowflakes you just have to reach out and touch – before they melt. And sometimes it feels like you're in a dark room searching for the slightest flicker of light. You're looking for anything to create that spark. Thankfully, I'm not much of a drinker or drug-taker. Meditation and isolation is the best path. When that doesn't work, I put the creative stuff aside and focus on checking off the things from my "left brain list," like reading articles or, yes, doing taxes or working with numbers. 

 

Check out Jill's Ted Talk: 

 

 

Up, Up and Away

up up and away 3Look up in the sky, especially in the mornings and mid-day, and you're likely to see parasailers enjoying the weather and the mountains. 

Up up and away2Seeing this has a way of lifting your heart. The idea of these adventurers feeling the lift, hearts racing with excitement, taking in the breathtaking vistas, embracing life. No, it's not a sport for the overly cautious. It takes a certain amount of courage-mixed-with-recklessness. It's not for the "watchers." It's for the "doers."

I remember when I used to hang glide, a guy came up to me and said he had no interest in taking lessons. "Just give me a kite and I'll teach myself." 

My response? "We hate people like you. You go and kill yourself and give the sport a bad name." 

I'm so glad I did this, took these chances, when I was younger. I wasn't a daredevil, but I was a go-for-it kind of person. 

Which is the same characteristic that brought me here to Aspen.

 

It’s a Dog’s Life

2016-08-27 12.04.31dog2While this picture isn't one I took here in Aspen, it certainly demonstrates something truly remarkable about living here: the love and acceptance of dogs. It truly is a dog's life. 

I googled the phrase and found that it "initiated in the 16th century when dogs would guard homes and small communities, were fed scraps, slept outside and had short lives. so it meant life wasn't good." 

Oh. Well, as we all know, today it suggests a human's envy for the life a beloved dog enjoys. I know of nowhere that it's more true than Aspen. The first time I went to the bank I was floored when I saw the dog biscuits by the teller window. The INDOOR teller window! 

All over town there are places for dogs, from watering holes to shady spots near restaurants. It seems everyone has a dog, with as much variety as the people here: from rescues to pure-breds, large "mountain" dogs to petite lap dogs. 

The biggest surprise was when I went to the doctor's office the other day – the office inside the hospital – and saw that an additional sign that dogs were welcome here. Oh, and the "wall of fame" for the volunteer dogs that helped with patient care allong the hallway. 

I'm not currently blessed with an animal, but I do love them. And this pet-friendly environment makes me love it here even more. 

As a tribute to dogs, here are some songs artists have written about their dogs: 

As You Like It

ShakespeareIf you're ever considering moving somewhere brand new where you don't know anyone (especially if you're on a limited budget), here's a piece of advice: Volunteer. It's a great way to get to know people, to get involved and attend events for free. 

Last night I helped a friend usher Shakespeare's "As You Like It." A fun performance by a very talented group of performers watched by a supportive and appreciative audience. Oh yeah, and the most spectacular view imaginable!

Even if you're "staying put," you can re-experience your hometown by getting out there and getting involved. And have fun at the same time!

Vulnerability

vulnerabilityappreciateAs I write this blog, I try to focus on the positive, to look for the things to appreciate, the reasons to be happy. I do this for several reasons.

First, I'm in the "honeymoon phase" in my relationship to my new surroundings. Everything is new and fresh and beautiful. A phrase I use in my novels called "Disney chemicals" – the urge to throw your arms out wide and sing on a mountaintop about butterflies and rainbows.  Another reason I focus on the positive is that I do believe that the things you appreciate will replicate. (A quote from one of my books). 

 

 

 

amazingYet I also believe in being "real" through honesty, transparency and even showing your vulnerability. And that includes admitting the ups and downs of my life. The quote to the left sums it up perfectly.

The other day I responded to a statement on social media that suggested that "postive people are the most successful." I said that while being an optimist helps, in order to be an innovator you actually have to become adept on what's missing. Creative people don't see the glass as full – they see an empty glass they can fill themselves! Inventors see what's missing and get ideas to make improvements. 

So while it's healthy to focus on the good things in life, it's also beneficial to have those "down" moments that prompt us to improve, to grow, to change. 

And, yes, to be vulnerable.

 

 

 

The River of Life

river1backyard1Rivers and streams are everywhere in my newly adopted home. Heck there's even one in my back yard!  (See the picture to the right). 

It's a great metaphor for life. A reminder to be fluid and adjustable. To "go with the flow." Streams vary from wide and slow (there's even a street here called "Stillwater") to fast with boulders and bumpy rapids.

Like life, sometimes we float effortlessly, relaxed in whatever direction we're guided. And sometimes we have to be keenly alert, adjusting to obstacles as they come at us with unpredictable force. 

Sometimes whirlpools form, dragging you down into the depths, gasping for air. While at other times the best thing – the only thing – you can do is sit back and enjoy the ride. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upstairs

upstairs groupWhenever I see a brilliant display of creativity in nature, I declare, "Someone must be having fun upstairs!" It's like there are artists and engineers and designers "upstairs" who are creating so many extraordinary gifts to share with us on Earth. Case in point: Look at the variety of wildflowers I see on a regular basis here in Aspen. Of course, there are signs of nature everywhere, and I would encourage whoever is reading this to go outside and find these specimens. It's just that here there's so much "unspoiled" nature. Wildflowers that pop up on their own without any human assistance whatsoever. 

The way I envision "upstairs" is that we all have different "jobs" to do. Some of us are artists playing with the canvas of the sky, swirling the clouds and colors to create magnificent sunsets. Some serve as guides to people on Earth. Some are designing wildflowers. 

When someone is pondering their "life purpose," I wonder if how might be related to their "other life" purpose. 

What do you think?  

Reinvent Yourself

reinvent-quotes-7Whenever I see a post on social media asking "What advice would you give your younger self?" I always reply, "Be prepared to reinvent yourself." 

reinvent2So often, especially when we're young, we're expected to settle on a singlular path – a career, a mate – and stick with it our entire lifetime. Making the "correct" choice is supposed to be the link between success and failure, between happiness and misery, joy and sadness. 

Maybe this is true for some people. They find that one career – or one mate – and are blissfully happy growing together. I confess – it sounds really nice. Especially to me who has changed my life more times than most people change shampoo. 

change inevitableSo maybe there are some people who don't need  to heed this advice. They can just "stay the course" and reach their destination. 

For the rest of us, we are likely to encounter changes. Some of which are self-inflicted,  by making choices that lead us in a different direction and some are thrown at us from an undefinable source. Instead of a straight path, we zig and zag on our way, often going south when we've been facing north. Health problems, marital issues, career crises all can blow us off toward a new horizon. In these cases, the ability to reinvent yourself is invaluable. 

I've reinvented my self immeasurable times. I reinvented myself my getting rid of just about everything I have and moving 1600 miles away to a place I hadn't even visited in 19 years where I knew no one. Now I may have to move and reinvent myself again. As the song goes, "You've got to know when to hold 'em, when to fold 'em." 

Plans

my way"Life has a funny way of sneaking up on you."  Yes, Alanis, it sure does. Like rain on your wedding day. 

As many readers know, I wrote a book called Five Reasons Why Bad Things Happen. I quite literally "wrote the book" on things happening for a reason. So I know my most recent setbacks are happening for a reason. I just need to figure out what they are, learn the lessons, make the required changes and move forward. 

life-is-what-happens-to-you-while-youre-busy-making-other-plans28My first question is: Why would my body rebel against living here? The weather is divine, the air so fresh and clean it's life-affirming and the views are awe-inspiring. In two months I've lived here I've become leaner and more accepting of my natural looks. (I love how so many women here eschew makeup and so many men let their hair and beards grow!)  So why would "she" (my body) decide to "act up?"  

I'll get back to you on that one. 

In the meantime, I need to go step-by-step through the healing process – both through medical means as well as internal and spiritual solutions. 

I also need to pursue the lessons that are springing forth from these experiences (because there always are!)