The rain fell, the sun shone
the snow melted, the ice froze
The light was dark, the night brought hope
the warmth cooled, the wind was hot
Same Day
Top Dog
My dog is neurotic and I’m not talking a little bit. She’s always been a barker, jumping around like crazy when someone comes to the house, or leaves. Barking at leaves blowing around the front yard. Spinning in circles when we get up to get the phone. Now she’s chewing the door, eating the carpet, humping the kids, peeing, pooping around the house. I’m nuts.
An animal behavourist is scheduled to arrive here on Sunday at 11:00. I’m anxious to get started. I also watched a few Dog Whisperer episodes on National Geographic. These were helpful. I’m learning to become the pack leader and my dog is actually responding to the “shhh” thing. I like the power. I like my dog again.
Shining
“Hold the door,” she said, rushing toward him.
His eyes fell upon her. There was something familiar.
“Thanks so much,” she said, gazing a moment.
He viewed her curiously. “You’re welcome.”
“I think we’ve met before,” she said, breaking the subtle silence.
“I’m sure I would remember,” he said.
She smiled. “I’m sure I’ll never forget.”
Web Stats, Web Content
I know this blog is simply a personal journey, but the marketer in me is addicted to watching my blog stats. For some reason I can’t leave without checking to see if anyone has been on and what they are interested in. It’s not an ego thing, I simply have a festering need to know how people are experiencing web content.
A website is made up of three interdependent components: content, technology and usability. Get one of these wrong and your website loses its impact. Content is the most important piece. Great content attracts the right people to your site and keeps them coming back. For content to be great it needs to be relevant and speak to the visitor.
- Don’t tell them what you want them to know, tell them what they want to know.
- Value their time. Make it easy to find what they want.
- Don’t confuse them with details. Give them a little bit and drag them in.
The days of the CEO calling the switchboard to simulate a customer’s experience are likely gone. But, the theory of this practice extends well to the web. Sit down at home as if you were a visitor (being in your underwear wouldn’t hurt), decide what you want to find out from your organization and then see if your website works.
In the absence of daily usability testing, web stats give a clear picture of exposure, engagement, task completion and what’s hot and what’s not on your site. Interpreting stats correctly is an important part of measuring your success—the success that comes from having a highly usable website with great content and reliable technology.
Lilly
A very good friend of mine performs bellydance at a Lebanese restaurant. Last night I had my first taste of authentic Lebanese food and Lebanese wine. I enjoyed the food, the wine and the time spent with friends.
A jazz singer played during dinner, which sounded great but diminished the authenticity of the experience for me. Feeling the energy of the Lebanese music which pumped though at the end of the evening, I realized the missing ingredient.
When my friend began her dance, it was magic. What beauty in the way she interpreted the music and invited the customers to be with the moment. Her grace and energy moved me. Her confidence and passion inspired me. How proud I feel to call her my friend. Thanks Lilly.
Moist
The light filters through and with its company
I see past this moment.
I see the brillance of a new day.
With stillness as my guide
my body directs me toward my true place
where I will be free and open.
I am not looking for direction, I have it.
I am not looking for hope, I feel it.
I am not looking for peace, it is within me.
The earth feeds us and we give back,
becoming a part of it. We are moist with possibilities.
Love is our water.
Open
How can I tell if there is hope when the road seems long
and there is nothing to guide me.
I look within and see a scared little girl
who is shy and quiet, not wanting to let herself down.
But what of the future and what of the past.
I’ll set them aside and let the present be my guide.
I’ll feel what I feel and love what I love.
With yesterday’s pain behind me and
tomorrow’s joy yet to be conceived.
Readings – #6
At Church last Sunday we were invited to open the bible each day for a week, point to a verse and keep a journal of what we found as well as the message that broke through for us. I thought this would be a great way to practice writing. It is, but I’m discovering much more than that.
Here’s the 6th reading for the week, you’ll find them all in Faith.
Luke 11:21-26
When we guard our belongings with weapons we can be defeated by someone with more weapons. When we send out evil thoughts and do evil things, these things come back to us stronger than when they left. When we are not with Jesus we are scattering ourselves.
What does this say to me today?
Have faith that you will be safe and open yourself up to the joy around you. Don’t guard yourself so tightly that you cannot be known to others. Send out only positive thoughts and do good things for others, for these will also come back to you.
I did that today!
School
Child’s play is a miracle of the human spirit. One minute two children can be fighting and kicking and screaming at each other and the next they are playing joyfully, sharing, hugging, encouraging each other. As I experience this from a distance, I’m really learning so much about how we can love and fight and forgive and forget and love again. It’s a learning. The best class I’ve ever taken.
Scratches
If someone brings you fun, absorb it. If you are feeling hurt by something or a situation, move out of the way and let it go by. If you are feeling loved, let it surround you and bring you peace. If someone leaves a mark, be gentle with yourself till the scratch is gone.
Just a Moment 