Author: Kris Evans

Cool

Kris Evans 0 Comments

When I was younger there were words I used to express what I thought of things. Whatever was good was cool or groovy or far out. I never really used far out very often but I did use cool and groovy.

Now I still use cool when I think something is good and sometimes even resort to groovy. But the words used today I just can’t seem to put my head around. In fact, I just don’t like them. Words like awesome (unless said by Eddie Murphy in Bowfinger) or Bro or word. Or sayings like “It’s all good.” Awesome is probably my least favorite.

Everything is awesome from winning the lottery to coffee being on sale. That word is used too much for my liking. It is originally from the 16th-century meaning causing or inducing awe. It became popular in the 1980s referring to Frank Zappa’s song Valley Girl. You know, surfer/Valley Girl type, a general positive adjective meaning anything from “good” to “incredibly amazing”.

I guess that could also mean cool in a more modern way. I do hear the word cool used every now and then. But not half as much as awesome.

So why should it bother me so much and why do I feel a need to write about it? Well, maybe it’s because I want the world to be a bit more how it use to be and not so much how it is now. I am definitely guilty of watching too much of the news and being on my computer more than I should.

I use to think a lot of information about things was a good thing, even cool, but now I’m not so sure. I know I need to be aware to be socially conscious but sometimes it seems overwhelming. There is too much to fix and it will never be done. Everywhere I turn there seems to be sadness and destruction. I find myself gravitating towards any romantic comedy or old musical I can find to help me escape from too much information about the world today.

I love watching CBS Sunday Morning for that reason. It seems to find a way to show all the good things in the world. Wonderful stories about everyday people and their kindness towards one another. Or the interview of an author or celebrity that is out of the ordinary and actually very informative in an inspirational way.

Maybe if I lived in a smaller city it wouldn’t seem so in my face. But this is where my work is and my family. Expecting a grandson any day now is also probably the reason why I am questioning so many things. Ok, awesome may not be so bad….Lighten up Grandma.

Wealth

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I recently listened to an interview with Suze Orman, the money gal. She is the one always on PBS talking about how you can keep your hard earned money. She corrects the mistakes people have already made in their financial choices and sometimes does it in a very eye-opening way. In other words, she preaches.

Now I like what she says most of the time but sometimes I feel down right stupid when it comes to my finances. Let’s just say it’s not one of my strong points. So when I listen to Suze I don’t feel like I’m the brightest one on the block.

But this last interview really stuck with me. She talks about her eight qualities of success. I liked what she said so much I wrote them down and put them on my bathroom mirror so I would remind myself every day what it is to be wealthy.

Here they are…Harmony, balance, courage, generosity, happiness, cleanliness, wisdom and beauty.

“Now I know this seems very basic and obvious,” I said to myself until Suze started taking each word and describing what it meant to her. And that’s when I started thinking about what it meant to me. I have to say it was more difficult than I thought. I can tell myself what each of those words means to me but actually living them is a completely different animal.

Courage is the ability to make choices that bring harmony and balance. And that comes from being in a total agreement between what you think, say and do. And then to be calm about it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve asked myself why I said what I did and then not have the courage to own it. Feeling more ashamed and embarrassed.

Generosity is giving with no strings attached and happiness comes when all four of the above comes together. Sometimes easier said than done. Definitely a work in progress.

As is wisdom which is the ability to make the right decision at the right time. Cleanliness stems from the wisdom to clear your thoughts and access the balance and harmony to find courage.

And last but not least the beauty when you incorporate all of it to find the wealth in life. Not necessarily all about money. In fact, very little.

As Suze sees it, it’s the foundation that propels you from being overwhelmed to empowered. Gotta say I’m right there with her. And I didn’t even have to use math.

Overload

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Where did five months go? My calendar was full. Not with work but with life. House, reading, visiting friends, dinners, baby shower, etc. And in between all of that starting a new venture that has been in the back of my mind for five years.

My to-do list always seemed to be too much and too longterm. Which meant the same things kept being carried over day after day after day. I still haven’t cleaned up my computer or my garage and God knows when that will happen. I know the computer especially is a necessary evil but because I am so computer illiterate I can’t imagine I will conquer that anytime soon.

Yes, I should hire someone to sit and help me but I haven’t taken the time to find the right person who will be knowledgeable, but more importantly, patient. I know I will have to strap myself down to go through it so I can’t imagine it will be any fun for someone holding my hand through the process.

I have said before my life worked even before computers and cell phones and all the other things that are now at my fingertips. But I have to admit it is a hell of a lot easier to find information, communicate for business and connect with people I have lost touch with over the years.

I know I get anxious when I don’t have any internet service because God forbid I miss that life changing email that will tell me what direction I should go in my life.

I am an information junkie and can spend hours just on google alone learning new things. I use to carry a book everywhere I went especially when I lived in NYC and spent many hours riding the subway. Now I pulled out my phone when I was riding the subway instead of the NYC Times or a magazine or book.

I must confess I still get the Sunday NYC Times delivered every week and have stacks of books by my bed to read. I still love the physical feel and the familiar smell of a new book. Old habits die hard.

But there are days when I feel overwhelmed and overloaded. And I’m not even working! How did I do it before? I just did. I was overtired and anxious and grumpy. I am starting a new project soon and feel better knowing I took that time to organize what was missing in my life. Me. I took the time to find out what I needed to somehow keep a bit of balance in my life and work.

Not saying that it will be perfect but I feel clearer now knowing where I want to go. I know my home is my haven and being able to come home to my own bed has been heaven.