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Did you ever complain about something that ‘they’ should have done only to discover that it was ‘you’ who had the problem all along?

As you may or may not know, Paris is organized into 20 arrondissements – districts of the city. Businesses and hotels often advertise their location in terms of their arrondissement. Travel and guide books often organize their information on Parisian sites and eateries according to the districts in which they can be found. (more…)

We noticed this little fella on a warm and sunny morning near the Octagonal Pond in the Jardins du Luxembourg of Paris.

His Dad, empty stroller in tow, patiently followed the toddler around and around the pond – back and forth, to and fro, come and go. It was the birds that kept the little guy busy. Each time the pigeons and sparrows swooped in to nab a leftover crumb or two, Spunky gave chase. When the ducks paddled near the water’s edge, Spunky took a run at them, too.

What a lovely lesson on the simple pleasures of life and the pure, unadulterated optimism of childhood. In Spunky’s world, the sun was shining, someone he loved was close at hand, adventure called, and he just knew that next time out success would be his.

Does life get any better than that?

Our flight from Toronto to Paris was delayed by two hours while the company air-lifted in a fresh pilot from Montreal. Personally, I like the idea of flying with a well rested pilot at the helm. But, such a commotion there was as people lined up at the counter to air their complaints – voices raised, arms flailing, scowls from ear to ear.

Given that Air Transat deals mostly with vacation travelers, I’m guessing there were very few people on business trips that evening. However, some folks were catching trains or tours out of Paris, and, for a number of them, the window of opportunity to make their connections was squeezing tight. Things were about to get messy for them. (more…)

Ever wonder how to get some relief from collegial interruptions? Try this strategy complements of a recent seminar participant.  Hang a Closed sign on the door to your office.

That’s exactly what one creative individual did about 4:00 on a hectic Friday afternoon. The traffic to her door and desk had been hot and heavy all day long. She decided if she was ever going to get away for the weekend, she had to find a way to stem the endless tide of incoming tasks and questions. And so, up went the sign.

Apparently her action created quite a stir and a lot of laughs. And darned if she didn’t get away from the office at a decent hour. Of course every sign has a flip side, and Monday morning she was once again happily and graciously open for business. 

REFLECTION:  It’s been well over a year since my husband and I committed to planning a major vacation get away to celebrate his looming milestone birthday. Well, loom no more! It’s now two days to D for Departure Day and our longest vacation break ever.

Surprise! Surprise! There are a ton of things that need to happen to disengage from work and everyday life while preparing  to travel for  six  weeks.

We’re excited, of course. And despite our best efforts to plan ahead, work ahead, and set things up in good time, there are an astounding number of  tasks still on the list; and I’ve found myself growing anxious about the load. (more…)

Sometimes there is truth in advertising. This license plate is attached to a racy yellow sports car that’s often parked on a side street near my home.

I walk past it most mornings, and it makes me smile every time. At least the owner is being honest about the power this car has over his or her life. It reminds me of that old line used often by comedian, Flip Wilson,  ‘The Devil Made Me Do It’!

REFLECTION:  One of my annual Labor Day weekend tasks is a job that I’ve come to enjoy. With notebook and pen in one hand and digital camera in the other, I make a leisurely tour of the garden taking photos and making notes about what worked and what didn’t in this year’s plantings. 

Sometimes I try something new and it ends up being wildly successful.

Sometimes I take a chance on a plant or a location or a combination, and it’s a dismal failure.

Sometimes I notice a not so great result and realize I’ve made that mistake two or three years running.

Sometimes the conditions are just right for an outcome that no one would have predicted, and planning or past experience has very little to do with the result.

It’s both a rewarding and a humbling exercise. This habit of reflection and evaluation is one that is helpful in other areas of life beyond the garden. (more…)

Ever wonder whether or not it’s possible to get there from here?

These encouraging words from a signpost  in the French countryside assure us that it is indeed possible to get pretty much anywhere from here.

‘Toutes’ means ‘all’ in English.

Would that life were just that easy!

REFLECTION: Clients often ask me, “How can I put some distance between my work concerns and my personal life?” 

So I was intrigued when one of the Overload Survey respondents commented that he had learned to separate work from family life and turn off the ‘static’ of work when he gets home. I wanted to know more. When I inquired how E had accomplished this, he described a process that partners specific actions with sound intentions. (more…)

I could see by the name on the phone display, that the caller was an old and ailing friend. We hadn’t spoken for quite some time. Given that a mutual friend of ours had just passed away, I knew the call would be a long one.

I looked longingly at the breakfast bowl of Special K with Vanilla Almond bits (my crunchy favorite). I had just flooded the flakes with milk – and experience told me I was about 5 minutes from soggy.

My thinking went like this.” I hate soggy cereal. I love my friend. There’s more cereal in the box. Friends are much more precious than corn flakes.”

I picked up the phone and took the call. When the visit was over, I dumped out the bowl of soggy slush and poured a fresh one.

It was the right decision.