Life is for Living: A Public Service Announcement

September 1, 2010

You are the Sunshine in my Life

Last week, I wrote about being boxed in, and some of my favorite tools to break myself out of it. (And, I am happy to report that my tools worked — I am box free!)

So, I thought I would follow-up this week with a few words on happiness and life. You know, the stuff that actually matters…

Gather up your telegrams
Your faded pictures, best laid plans
Books and postcards, 45’s
Every sunset in the sky

Carry with you maps and string, flashlights
Friends who make you sing
And stars to help you find your place
Music, hope and amazing grace

Maybe what we leave
Is nothing but a tangled little mystery
Maybe what we take
Is nothing that has ever had a name

- Mary Chapin Carpenter

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Slow down. Live your life to the fullest. Laugh until you can hardly breath. Increase your capacity for joy. Enjoy the feeling of the breeze on your face.

Focus on experiences and people versus things and labels. Wiggle your toes in the sand and mud.

Unplug and PLAY. Jump for joy, and pass it on.

In your pursuit of happiness you have to remember that it’s always there inside of you. Even on days you scarcely believe it possible. Even when you are inside that box.

Sometimes, you just have to kick off your shoes and go look for it.

Now, if you will excuse me, I need to go feel the sun on my face and walk barefoot through the grass. How about you?

See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru

Creative Commons License photo credit: LadyDragonflyCC -Loving the Summertime!!!

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By Bethe | Posted in Blogger's Note, Perspectives | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (2)

Breaking the Box: Permission to Dream

August 23, 2010


Evans Cycles Wasted Packaging
Ever feel boxed in?

You know the feeling, right? It’s not a good one, but I have come to realize over the years, it is an incredible useful one — the feeling of being boxed in.

It hit me this weekend. Feeling boxed in. Under-inspired. Again, like an old acquaintance that you would rather avoid, but once you agree to that cup of coffee with them, you realize they are in your life for a reason.

Hello box, shall we dance?

Over the last few years, I have found some really useful tools to help me turn that feeling into an opportunity to break the box.

One was starting this blog, and giving my voice a place to live other than inside a meeting room or simply inside my head.

My favorite tool to fight the box is my passport, and letting the girl with the crooked smile and the phrase book wonder off on her own to see what there is to see. Naturally, this tool is not always accessible, but I really do try and keep it dust-free.

Often, I turn to the words of others as useful tools for busting the box that I have made. In books, poems, or songs I seek inspiration. Volunteer work is another great tool — giving back or trying something totally new.

Oddly enough, some of my favorite tools come to me via You Tube, which amidst the funny cat videos and cover songs of earnest young musicians, hides a treasure trove of box-breaking tools and footholds for those in need.

Favorites include Elizabeth Gilbert and Sir Ken Robinson, of course. And the list would not be complete without Randy Pausch. If you have never watched his final lecture — or if it’s been awhile — find some time to do just that and give yourself the permission to dream. Again.

Today I am not TGSG, simply Bethe, who is writing and dreaming her way out of the box.

See you out there…
Creative Commons License photo credit: futureshape

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By Bethe | Posted in Blogger's Note, Perspectives | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Go Play: Have Fun & Win Prizes!

August 17, 2010

puddle jumping

As readers of this blog know, I am the #playoutdoors pied piper in the social media world, and a firm believer in the benefits of play, time in nature, and unstructured time for kids and adults alike. So, when the great folks at SC Johnson’s Shout asked if I wanted to partner on their new Go Play initiative, I jumped at the chance!

Go Play is dedicated to getting children and families outside to play – it’s that simple. Whether it’s going on a nature scavenger hunt , building a fort in the backyard, playing Frisbee, or running through a sprinkler, Go Play encourages families to make the active decision to unplug and head outside for some active fun.

Research indicates that children who play outdoors regularly:

  • Have stronger immune systems
  • Have reduced stress levels
  • Are more creative
  • Sleep better
  • Are fitter and leaner
  • Have a greater respect for themselves, others, and the planet

Naturally, time outdoors and play offers lots of benefits for adults too – including decreased stress levels! Who doesn’t need that these days?

I applaud Shout  for recognizing the importance of this issue for the health and well being of today’s children and families, and kicking off this initiative. You can follow the conversation on Twitter – we’ll be using the hash tag #GoPlay.  Also, make sure to keep up with the Go Play news on Shout’s Facebook page.

To kick off this initiative, Shout is launching the Go Play Sweepstakes. One lucky winner per week (for four weeks) will win a $200 gift card for Growing Tree Toys. One grand prize winner will receive a  Sunshine Castle II, which is a Best Seller from Rainbow Play Systems Inc.

Click here to enter!

Sending you lucky vibes. See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

Disclosure: The Grass Stain Guru is a proud partner of Shout and is quite happy to share the sandbox with them!

photo credit: redjar


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By Bethe | Posted in Blogger's Note, play | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comment (1)