Shangri La

There are threads that make up your life that catch up with you ever so often and take you aback. While surfing the Internet last week I found a CD available through Amazon of the music from my favorite childhood movie, Lost Horizon. It is hard to remember while I love this movie so much maybe it was my childhood crush on the Bobby Van, one of the actors in the movie but more likely it was the way in which I watched this movie as a child. I remember when the movie would be on late at night, my dad would wake me up to come watch it with him - kind of like our little secret. Dad has the album of the music and we would blast it in the house while cleaning. As I listened to to CD on the way to work this week all these memories flashed before me and I began to cry- even as I am writing this, tears stream down my face. I don't really know why- these are very happy memories for me - maybe I just miss them.
As I think about the movie it is important to note that this is the 1973 musical version not the 1937 original. Though the 1973 version did not receive critical acclaim I really like the music the lessons taught in the story. It's really all about perspective. Have you lost perspective on what's important? What you have versus others and how to look at the life you have and "Share the Joy" - a song title from the movie. I hope we are all lucky enough to gain perspective and find the Shangri la that already exists in our lives. I will probably write again about this story as I plan to read to the book something I have never had the opportunity to do and share more Lost Horizon wisdom.

Time Off

There is so much to do and so little time to get it all done. I struggle with time off and knowing what to do with it. Last year at this time I took a radical sabbatical to the Spa for 4 days. It was heaven. I was going to try to recreate that experience without the price this year but failed miserably. Between appointments, kids on spring break, and husband's with their own agenda I haven't even picked up a book. Don't get me wrong I have had a good time with the kids but there is something to be said for ME time. I used to feel guilty for wanting it but now I find it necessary to cleanse the soul and be fully engaged with family and work. For whatever reason everything seems to be a priority from cleaning the windows to dentist appointments when I have time off. I think the trick is to go someplace where there are no expectations and you can't be sucked back into the day to day things that slow you down.
Where I work, the amount of time you lose because you didn't take it is worn like a badge of honor. I was genuinely excited when I heard I would be getting another week of vacation a year before my 15th anniversary and am counting down the days until October 4th, but most people said, " Oh just more time that I can't take off." Do we just think that no one can do their job without us or is there somethings else at work here? Is there a lack of fulfillment in our non work lives? At one point in my life I would have identified with that, but now more than ever I am cherishing my time with family and pursuing life experiences that round me out as a person. We are 4 dimensional people after all- Feelings being the 4th dimension.
Wait! Connor is napping, Brendan is playing with friends, and Dad and Trevor are at baseball practice. I must go to the lounge chair with a book fast! See ya...

In Search of Romance

The Websters definition below explains why it is so hard to find

1 a (1): a medieval tale based on legend, chivalric love and adventure, or the supernatural
2 something (as an extravagant story or account) that lacks basis in fact

Since the definition of romance changes by whom you are asking, the chance that you will feel it and then capture it seems like a futile task.

I feel sorry for the man in my life who tries to decipher its meaning only to find out we are speaking different languages. Romance is an idea, its in your mind it is not physical. While romance can certainly lead to physical culmination, it is by itself, not romance.
My Romance requires thought about the other person and an element of surprise. My Romance can be as simple as completing a honey do list in the first attempt to actually putting away your laundry. My Romance is focused on the future and not something that I have to plan myself. My romance generally does not involve NASCAR, however a live sporting event with a foam finger might just fit the bill if the mood is right. It is important to note that the man in my life would like me to mention that he should get points for trying. When they award points for trying in of the various sporting events he is a fan of I will consider it. Until then we are entering spring training camp. Practice, Practice, Practice

Maybe I am just expecting the supernatural!