The other day a colleague told me about an encounter she had with someone else in our office.
The person with whom she was talking hit a streak of bad luck - medical issues, two fender benders, a death in the family, and some disappointments at work. In an effort to cheer him up, Terry reminded our friend, "It is often after the fiercest storms that we get some of the prettiest rainbows."
He replied by joking, "The best rainbow would be the one with a pot of gold at the end."
That very same day, it rained in Grapevine. I walked outside to check the mail and Jack, who was traipsing behind me, began yelling and pointing at the sky. The picture above is what Jack spotted.
Overwhelmed by the coincidence, I got very excited and ran inside to grab my camera. My excitement created ripples. The neighbors wondered what the commotion was about and ran outside to see.
Before long eight or nine people were in the driveway visiting and admiring the rainbow - people who, otherwise, would be inside making dinner, watching t.v. or sorting mail. For a brief period, the growing crowd, enjoyed the natural beauty of a rainbow and the simple joys of living in community. To me, that feels darn near close to a pot of gold.
I've had some of my own disappointments lately. Rejected by Seth Godin for a three-day intensive workshop for women entrepreneurs; dumped by Fancy Flours who wants to give other bloggers the chance to show what they've got (I think it was the armadillos that did us in), and House of Shine projects continuing to move at a snail's pace!
But, I believe Terry. There's a rainbow out there, just waiting to see if I am willing to weather the storm. And, I will - with a camera in one hand and, in the other, a pot of gold that is sure to shine!
How about you? Visit us in the Community Forum labeled, Today's Post. Tell us about the storm you are weathering and what will be waiting in your pot of gold?
Shining off until tomorrow...
How much is too much?
My car is a Honda Pilot. To start the engine, I must put my key in the ignition and turn.
Is it an improvement over cranking the engine, the way Ford and his friends did in the early 1900s?
Yes. Especially on cold, dark winter nights or hot, hot summer afternoons.
Richard drives a car that is sportier than mine. To start his engine, he must insert his key fob into an ignition and then push a button.
Is it an improvement over my Honda Pilot?
Maybe, if you consider turning a key too much work.
This weekend we went out of town and rented a car. Alamo gave us a Lincoln MKX. To start the engine, simply push a button. No need to insert anything, like in Richard's car. The key fob, only needs to be in the car's vicinity for the engine to start.
Improvement over Richard's car?
I'm not so sure.
We went to a dinner party on Saturday night. The hotel valet brought our car to the front of the hotel and off we drove, thirty minutes away, to a wine store not from the host's house. It wasn't until we left the wine store and got back in our rented Lincoln that we realized the valet still had the key fob and that, without it, we were stranded. A phone call and forty minutes later the hotel valet delivered our key fob to the store and we were back on our way.
We were twenty-five minutes late to the party and not at all inclined to grant Lincoln our Shine Seal of Approval.
How much is too much?
Has the 2010 Lincoln MKX improved because the manufacturer requires you insert nothing to get it started - even if a key fob must be in somewhere in the vicinity? If I must carry a key fob - bigger than any key chain I would ever own - then why not require it be inserted and - God forbid - turned? At least then, when you've lost your keys, there is comfort in knowing you had them to get where you were going.
Manufacturers, celebrities, policy makers, and other industry leaders often confuse standing out with shining. Standing out in a crowd says nothing about shining. Edgy political ads might stand out, but most will agree they do not shine. The t.v. show Girls Gone Wild might stand out as racy, but unless you are 17 and male, the word "shine" will never show up in a critic's review. Increasing amenities (and college tuition), under the guise that an institution must meet students growing demands, might make for a stand-out view book, but the impact on student learning and student attitudes does not always make for shine.
Richard and I agree. We would have gladly traded in our new-fangled key fob for a good old fashioned key, some extra space in the center console, and better gas mileage.
How about you? Visit us in the Community Forum labeled, Today's Post and tell us how much you think is too much. Who, or what product, have you experienced that has confused standing out with shining?
Shining off until tomorrow...
Knock, knock
Who's there?
Orange.
Orange who?
Orange you glad it's October and time for another round of Shineworks?
Shineworks, for those new to our community, is a monthly ritual dedicated to spreading shine. It seems fitting, right? We are a website 100% focused on teaching and promoting principles of Shine, so the idea that once a month we roll up our sleeves and physically spread shine, should seem in keeping with what our community is all about.
Participating is easy and requires no Shine credentials, no Shine equipment, and prior Shine experience. In fact, all that's required to participate is a little creativity, an interest in spreading Shine, and...
Something orange.
Each month I designate the item participants must use to complete their Shineworks. Last month we used popcorn, the month before post-it notes, July was paper towel rolls, and I think in June we used brown paper bags. This month, in honor of Halloween, the only criterion is that your item must be the color orange.
Orange paint, orange paper, or orange side walk chalk.
Orange candy, orange cupcakes, or oranges.
Orange food coloring, orange material, or orange mums.
The possibilities are endless.
Paint it, sew it, write it, glue it, bake it, or arrange it. Simply, combine your creativity with something orange and commit to spreading Shine in your corner of the world.
We don't tell you how to spread your shine or to whom your Shineworks should be directed. You decide. Think you postman could use a little Shine? Let him be the recipient of your gesture. A friend, teacher, colleague, or the conductor who punches your train ticket each morning? You decide.
All we ask is that you complete your Shineworks sometime before this Friday, October 15 at midnight. And - if willing - that you visit us in the Community Forum labeled, Shineworks, to tell us about your experience.
Of course, we would also love to hear from you today. Visit us in the Community Forum labeled, Today's Post, and tell us two things. First, are you in or out on this month's Shineworks and second, what suggestion do you have for an orange item that could be used?
Shining off until tomorrow...