365 Days in Aspen

Monthly Archives: March 2017

Dream a Little Dream

swdreamI've been into dream analysis for most of my life. My dreams often provide insights into my subconscious – and sometimes even offer prophesies for things to come. 

The other night I had a dream with a symbol I've seen several times before. I'd always dismissed the message, but this time it stuck with me, forcing me to see things differently.  

The dream symbol was a book. Okay, I admit – not that big of a deal for a writer, right? Before I tell you what my Dream Analysis book says, what would you think the symbol of a book would foretell?  

The truth is, often a symbol denotes something very different from what you'd expect. 

Here's what my go-to book on dream analysis says: 

You can anticipate slow but steady progress
and a calm, pleasant life ahead
if books were the main feature of your dream.

Hmmm…

When I read this prophecy before, it seemed boring. And certainly not exciting! Who wants slow but steady progress? I want it all and I want it NOW! And even though a calm, pleasant life sounds, well, nice, it also sounds uneventful. 

Or is that just me?

I'm reminded of the "Tortoise and the Hare" fairy tale. And then I look at my life. Not sure if I've had that much "progress." Would I have had more if it had been "slow and steady?" I have to admit; yes. 

It's just that darned word "slow." Still, there's a lesson in it for me.

Now to the next part. "A calm, pleasant life." I kind of have that now. Yes, I'd like more "progress." Yet one thing I've been contemplating – a lot – are the perils that go along with "exciting."

Then I asked myself: Could I achieve my goals if I had a "calm, pleasant life with slow but steady progress?" 

Why not? What if I was able to achieve my dream of getting my script made into a film/TV show? Slow but steady progress would mean that yes, the script gets optioned; yes, the funding is raised; yes, the director and actors signed; yes, the movie/show made. Sounds good to me!  

How about the "calm, pleasant" part? Also, why not? What's so wrong with calm? And pleasant? What if it all came together with no drama, but instead with ease?

Oh, what a fool I've been…

(Now let's see what happens). 

Here's the "fractured" version… wink

A favorite lullaby of mine…

Can You Guess? #2

Here's another one… though I don't have the answer. At least not yet… What is it? whatisit4

whatisit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

whatisit3

Can You Guess? The Answer

Here's the answer to yesterday's "Can you guess?" post.

No wonder I'd never seen one before. I hadn't been to Aspen in the Spring.

canyouguess2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

aspen tree spring

 

 

 

 

“Giving Up”

giving up2When you hear the phrase, "Give up" or Giving up" what comes to your mind? 

Is it a good thing? Or a not-so-good thing?

To some, it connotes an image of quitting. 

To others, of letting go. 

And to a select few, it means "releasing to a higher power."

I've been enjoying some audio books by Caroline Myss as I hike. I hadn't really "read" much of her work until recently, so even though the teachings have been out there (and "out there") for a while, it's still "new" to me.

Most of the concepts are familar to my own belief system, adding reinforcement to my views. Some of her theories I disagree with (to a certain degree), which is also another form of enlightenment. And a lot of it is adding new vernacular in dimensions that are expanding my brain. 

Her work on Archetypes has been very helpful, not only for my own self-analysis but also for my writing. I also recently finished her book on Soul Contracts, which I'm sure I'll write more about in a future blog. 

Today's post is about "giving up," which I define as "releasing to a higher power." When you've done all you can do, what other choice is there?

As I was hiking the other day, Caroline Myss was talking about the importance – and often impossibility – of "surrender," which, to her, is akin to "releasing to a higher power." She suggests that releasing our will to that of the Divine is the highest goal. It's also the most difficult, she says. 

giving upIn my own personal journey, it's a part of my daily life. Trying to align my will to the Higher Power. "Let me walk in thy will and delight in thy ways" was ingrained in me in my upbringing as an Episocopalian. Another way to say it is "Let Thy Will and mine be one." Or, as I wrote in my Five Reasons Why book, "Let Divine Will Fill My Heart and Guide My Actions." 

I agree with Caroline that most people spend so much time trying to figure out what they want that they rarely ask "is this in my best interest?" And even if the answer is, "yes," they might get frustrated and confused when "Divine Will" isn't so much fun. 

Yes, I certainly know that feeling all too well. 

But I do know that "life isn't easy, and not always fun." (From my children's book). I also know that "easy is boring, like games always won." 

It's so seductive to follow teachers like Abraham or go to psychics who lure us with "The Secret." "If only I do/say/think ____, I'll have a life of ________ (peace, wealth, health, perfection.)" You create your own reality.

Do they realize that "you create your own reality" is in direct conflict with a belief in destiny? And if you don't believe in destiny, then if follows that you don't believe in "purpose." (Think on that for a bit).

I personally believe in the confluence of Fate and Free Will. That what happens to us is a reflection of both our pre-ordained destiny and the decisions/choices we make once we're here. 

And I agree with Caroline: the ultimate in achieving our destiny is to "give up" (or surrender) our will. To God. To Destiny. To Purpose. 

 

What is Courage?

courage fearMany (most?) of us spend a part (all?) of our lives doing things that we hope will impress other people. Whether it's a way to stand out and be noticed (or different) or to attract something we want (usually love in one form or another), we yearn for uniqueness. It builds our self-esteem. Keeps us motivated. And, let's be honest, keeps life (and us) from getting boring (and bored).  

What's interesting, however, is that sometimes we can be admired for things that come easily to us, but might be daunting for others to even imagine. Which makes me wonder about the quote to the left. Is it only "courageous" when we're scared? Or is courage in the eye of the perceiver? 

My example is (at least to me) an interesting one. There are a number of things I'd like to be admired for. My writing. My ideas. My tenacity and diligence. My creativity. My ability to reinvent myself. My trying new things and ability to see things through (which does feel courageous, especially compared to so many others who rarely get past the first step).

What I didn't expect is the response so many people have to my moving here. Without a job. Without knowing a soul. My donating all my possessions to charity (except for a few boxes I shipped and what could fit in my car). Not only my commitment to stay a year, but my apparent "burning the ships in the harbor" so there was no turning back. (Okay, the option of turning back was feasible technically, but not in any way emotionally). 

question5To me, it was part fluidity, part adventure and part necessity. I needed a change. And I NEEDED a change. So I was, in part, running away from something, and in part running toward a big question mark. 

So, what's the moral of this story? I'm not sure, exactly, except that you never know when you might be inspiring someone else. And that (a) you need to take risks and (b) tell others about it. 

 

Innovation in Action

innovationInnovation is one of my passions. It's not only exciting to explore new ventures; it's important. Crucial to the future of this country and this planet. 

Some kinds of innovation might seem superfluous. A new flavor of potato chips. But that new flavor of potato chips could actually create new jobs. And a new treat to enjoy life just a little bit more. Even if you don't like potato chips; even if you think they should be eliminated from the diet of every human on earth, which I can understand, they still represent innovation in its purest sense. 

Last week I was in a meeting discussing the need for innovation to keep Aspen thriving in the face of changing weather conditions and off-season challenges. Some were suggesting that the off-seasons were a way of life for the town. Sure, I agreed, it's not as lush and green as the summer in the fall, and the leaves only change for short while, leaving a gap in time between the getting enough snow for ski season. In a previous article on this blog, I called it "Aspen Without Makeup." It's still beautiful, though. It's still a town with a lot to offer and a lot to do. 

Then I saw this article and cheered up. (I'd always wondered why there weren't more things like this. I especially questioned why people can't learn to "luge" here. Why there aren't bobsled rides and the like. This is an even more interesting option. Sure, I can appreciate the downsides. But this is an example of my being more of a capitalist than a liberal. 

http://www.aspentimes.com/news/forest-service-favors-aspen-skiing-co-plan-for-alpine-coaster-at-snowmass/

Innovation is about solving problems. Finding creative solutions. Uncovering new opportunities and ideas. Yes, there's risk involved. And potential "resisters."  Goes with the territory. 

They don't call innovators pioneers for nothing. 

 

I’m Melting!

meltingAs I've been getting more familiar with the town, I'm starting to recognize its cycles. The seasons and weather have a significant influence on just about everything, from the comings and goings of the people here – some here for summer, some for winter and some all year – to the economic shifts and the changing optiHons for outdoor activities. 

Today is Thursday, March 23 and the ski season looks to be nearing its end. This article in the Aspen Times today expresses the concern, not only for the loss of business from skiing but also the impact that the early snow melt has on, well just about everything. At least everything that matters. 

In Atlanta, the weather impacted life outside as well. The summers got too hot and humid to want to do anything outdoors except perhaps lounge on a raft in a pool and the overwhleming pollen made even the lovely springs intolerable outside. Pretty much every year there was a debilitating ice storm or two that shut down everything. But basically it is like so many other cities – focused on "indoor" life. 

Aspen is different. And it's one of the reasons I love it. Sure, there are days when it's not much fun to go out. Rainy afternoons or blinding snowstorms come to mind. But into each life and all that. And frankly, the rain is welcomed in order to keep everything green and healthy and the snow is celebrated – if maybe only by people like me, the next day when it creates soft banks of powder your skis cut through like butter. 

http://www.aspentimes.com/news/warm-march-temperatures-eating-into-aspens-once-amazing-snowpack/

As the article says, we could easily get another storm to "bank things up" so to speak. And we probably will. But we CANNOT deny there's a bigger story going on. And that unless things change – in politics and corporate corruption in particular – and change FAST – this problem will continue to destroy our planet. 

 

 

 

Act Locally

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One thing that's nice – really nice – about living in a small town is the opportunity and accessibility to get involved locally. Unlike Atlanta, where just the logistics to get to a meeting are overwhelming, here I can walk a few blocks and make a few calls. 

As a self-acknowledged Hermit Archetype (among others, which I'll write more about), I balance my time between staying at home and working and writing and getting out to know my new "home town." The last several months I've been fast and furious to get my newest book out and on the market, so I haven't been out as much – except to ski. But the last couple of weeks I've ventured into all kinds of new activities. 

Some of these include getting involved in the Aspen Entrepreneurs group – a topic that's not only near and dear to my heart, it's also one I believe to be critical to the future of our country as well as our town. On Friday I helped facilitate a meeting with many of the local government officials, and I'll be leading an interactive discussion (using DrawSuccess) next month. 

I've also been enjoying our new Aspen Screenwriters and Playwrights group, which is fun and stimulating. And several other outings, including physics lectures, talks about the Environment and more. 

Welcome to Aspen!