I Heart Mail. I Do!

Yesterday it was Make-Shift Mailboxes. Today it is Friendship Journals and Flat Stanley. Clearly I have mail on the mind!

I have Friendship Journals on the mind, because my very good and patient friend, Dawn, is still waiting for the journal's Arizona arrival. Here's the quick low down. About eight years ago ten women I knew tried to join forces to begin a never ending Friendship Journal. The idea was the journal would fill with entries as it moved from person to person. I think the journal started in Georgia, stopped in Arizona, then LA, and then New York where it was lost and never recovered. That was the end of that.


Two years ago my friend Dawn suggested we revive the idea, but this time modified to be a touch more realistic. Round two has worked much better. She started us off. Back and forth between the two of us the journal has gone, ever since. The pages are filled with funny stories, serious reflections, family photos, recipes, winning ideas, life ambitions, and so much more. There's no timeline and no pressure. Hang onto it for a month (or more...) or turn it right around. Tag your it. That's why it works. It's just a simple gesture reflecting our own going commitment to stay in touch... forever.

I savor the days the journal shows up in my mailbox. I never let myself open the envelope immediately, as it is impossibly tempting to flip to the last page and get her latest update. No, instead I savor the experience. I tuck the journal away and make a date with myself. I either go to Starbucks for a cup of coffee, where I can hide in the corner of the store and read the pages slowly, or I curl up under the covers in my bedroom. Either way, it is quiet, uninterrupted time. For those fifteen or twenty minutes I am single, with no kids and remembering what life was like surrounded by supportive and loving girlfriends. It is my oasis.

We've learned a few things along the way... things you might think about should you be inspired to start up your own journal.

• Ship it "Media Mail." It costs less and because there's no rush... it works out fine.
  
• Bubble envelopes can be recycled if you using mailing labels and cut the top.
  
• You'll be surprised to find all the fun, one-dimensional things you can fit in the pages of a journal (DVD's, CD's magazine clippings, stickers, quotes, photographs). Have fun with it and view it as another venue for your creativity.
  

So today the journal is Arizona bound. Off for another journey - carrying with it fun tales, hopes and dreams, pictures, and thoughtful questions. And, maybe a small treat is included in the envelope to boot. From the moment I mail it, the wait begins for its long journey back to Texas. Dawn, tag you're it!

Speaking of journeys... check out Helena's Flat Stanley adventure under today's posts. She did a great job of hosting Stanley in Canada and now he's off to his next destination. Julie beat our readership to the punch, so she is his next host. I am not sure where Julie is posting from (we have a couple), but where ever it is, Flat Stanley is sure to have fun! Julie, pass along your mailing address and I will be sure Helena gets it.

Signing off until tomorrow when we will DEFINITELY will be whacked on the side of the head...

Maintenance Monday and Makeshift Mailboxes

We are a busy group. If you are new to this site, you should know this. The philosophy... For those who much is given (fun, friends, and creative ideas), much is required (participation, input, and even new referrals).

So a quick update for all those... new and returning...

• If there are any Leadershapers out there... HI and thanks for joining us! In the next couple of weeks we will embark on a selection process to determine which of 13 dedicated students we will support in his or her work toward achieving the vision statement developed last week at Leadershape (for some sample visions check out Vision Showcase (5/8) .
  
• Mark, if you're out there check out the picture below. Read it and weep! Yes... I've been home for LESS than 24 hours and Harvestwood Court has already had its inaugural "Open Grill." For those of you just tuning in, Mark's Colorado neighborhood is the ultimate community. I recently shared (The Value of One, The Power of All - 5/7 ) examples of fun activities shared by he and his neighbors. The concept of an "Open Grill" was one of the many. If you do something fun, let us know so we can feature (and possibly copy) your neighborhood.

• We've had lots of new people post in the recent past. Welcome... Dawn, Beekayroot, Dr. Russ, Jennie, and the others who I might have missed. As for some of our loyal readers... Cassie had her surgery and is in recovery; cspgradstudent graduated on Saturday; Stacie returns to Louisville with her beautiful two-month old baby boy after six successful weeks in Maryland; and sending positive thoughts Heather's way.
  
• Jennie asked last week what title was for someone who worked with college students at a university. A quick note and invitation to Jennie. Jennie, if you think you might be interested in learning more email me at cbeeny@lslog.com and we can talk in greater detail. In the meantime... The position I most recently held was Dean of Students. The work I did at Leadershape was that of a Lead Facilitator, through the Leadershape organization. It is great and rewarding work! Many of the readers, in fact, are in a similar line of work (or will be soon). If you post questions, I am sure you will great lots of helpful information and insight.
  
• Taste of USA will be starting very shortly. Cheryl and I will meet one day this week and with a little luck, we will kick off the contest next week. Last I looked, we still need representative readers from North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, and West Virginia. If you know anyone in those four places then please, please, please pass our site along. Our goal is to start the contest with at least one reader per state.
  
• Flat Stanley is in the house! Yes, Helena has had quite an adventuresome month or so with our beloved Stanley. We will hear all about it tomorrow when I post a summary of her adventure and the ONE surviving picture (the explanation is all part of her great adventure). What YOU need to know is that Flat Stanley is up for grabs. The first person to reply TODAY will serve as his next host.

And now for Makeshift Mailboxes....

Yet another great use for paper bags (see This is Your Bag Lady Speaking).

This morning I was unpacking my suitcase from Leadershape and out came my makeshift mailbox. One of the Leadershape traditions is to post a brown bag with the name and picture of each participant on front. Throughout the week participants are encouraged to jot short notes to one another either paying a compliment, making note of an insight one shared; thanking someone for a kind gesture; encouraging someone; or just providing a pick-me-up. I stopped what I was doing and took time to read the notes people wrote me. Fifteen minutes later, I felt GREAT... set for the rest of the day.

I was quickly jolted from the day dream of me standing on a stage, thanking all the people who helped make it possible when Jack hit me over the head with his toy fire engine. But that was ok, because at that particular moment, according to my new found Leadershape friends, I was superwoman!

Maybe I'll try it at home in the next couple of weeks. Each of us will decorate our own brown bag, hang them in either the kitchen or laundry room and for one week we will leave treats or encouraging notes to one another. You can argue... What do you need a brown bag for? Why just a week? Why write down the compliment when you can just open your mouth and just say it? All good, legitimate questions. So, I ask you... when is the last time you took out five minutes to formally acknowledge the things about your family members for which you are proud and appreciative? Our lives are busy and sometimes more time passes between thoughtful gestures than we think.

So, how about it? Brown bags... $1.99, tape for posting bags... $1.00, markers to write with... $4.99, knowing your family is proud of you... priceless.

Signing off until tomorrow...

How Fascinating!

Today I am homeward bound after being gone from home for seven straight days.  It is a long time to be away from family, but as I've mentioned throughout the week it is well worth the investment.  These students from St. Edwards represent our future, so what could be more important than spending time developing them as young adults.  I can't think of a single thing.  ... Except maybe hugs from all my boys.

The ritual on the last night of Leadershape is for each of the Family Clusters to perform skits.   The only criteria is that they must include one leadership concept, assigned to them earlier in the day.  The skits are always very creative and help illuminate which points made over six days and eighty-four hours worth of content are most memorable. 

 

You can imagine with so much air time in front of these students that my co-lead and I were are fair game for lots of poking and prodding.  After all... to keep these students engaged we had to pull out a lot of stops.  We found ourselves doing things we might otherwise never do... start the wave, sing My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean, and start the Conga Line.  Then of course there are all the things that aren't intended to be funny, but, that after six days, are quickly turned into a parody.  These are things such as impersonators of my co-lead entering the stage with a Diet Pepsi in hand (the drink he could not be found without); me wearing the same black sweat shirt I wore all week; hand gestures; and inflections to our voices.  It made for a fun-filled night with lots of laughter.

The one phrase that seemed to stick out most to students throughout the week, as made evident in their skits, was from a video they watched titled, "Radiating Possibility."  The video tells of passionate man who teaches young students in the New England Conservatory.  He makes five major points about life... "Live in the Front Row of Your Life," "See Mistakes as Fascinating," "Quiet Your Inner Voice," "Live in Possibility," and "Realize It Is All Invented."  

 

In the video he describes the importance of taking risks and not being scared to make mistakes. He,  in fact, demonstrates what one ought to do when they make a mistake.  He throws his hands in the air, raises his eyebrows, and then in a high-pitched and enthusiastic voice exclaims, "How fascinating!"  His rationale... mistakes are actually very similar to successes.  We learn when we do something well and we learn just as much when we make a mistake.  Both are valuable learning experiences.  So... "how fascinating!" 

I made lots of mistakes this past week and when I get back to Grapevine later today will embark on a whole new week of mistake-making.  But, I'm invigorated.  I am rejuvenated by the idea that I have high hopes and lots of vision.  The future of Highlowaha is bright and with the creativity and enthusiasm of this readership, we will do something big.  What, I don't know. What mistakes will we make a long the way?  I don't know that either.  But, you can be sure they will be fascinating.

Signing off until Monday....  Tomorrow I will take a well-deserved break and get re-connected with the other job I love so much... that of being a mother!

Free For All Friday: Next Big Challenge

T.G.I.F. everyone! These students and this curriculum have meant an average of four hours of sleep over the past five nights. It's starting to take its toll, so I am committed to knocking out today's entry so I can steal a quick nap.

A few announcements:

• Today is Cassie's surgery. By the time she reads this it will be over, so... Cassie, I hope you bounce back quickly and I'll be home Saturday afternoon if there's something I can do.
• Rock the Vote!!! Today is the day we need to gather forces and place a vote for Gwen Beauchamp as America's Favorite Mother. You can vote by going to the Today Show's website. Her name will be listed under Chair of Everything (COE) Mothers.

Today is Free For All Friday - the day when we harness the collective creativity of our readership to solve problems. Boy have I got a goody!

As you know this whole week has culminated in students developing visions about which they are passionate and willing to commit their lives. We instruct them when developing their visions to have a healthy disregard for the impossible.  Great examples exist of leaders who against all odds changed the course of history (or their industry... or their neighborhood/community), because they were willing to focus not on what was but on what could be.  We explain that what so many of these visions have in common is they are vivid, challenging, service directed, expandable, and compelling. Finally... we prepare students that their visions can take years - even decades - to implement and that they must be persistent and patient in its pursuit.

What you don't know is that I too have been developing a vision statement this week... about something for which I am passionate. Why of course... highlowaha.com!!!!! Are you ready? I am about to unveil my vivid, challenging, service directed, expandable, compelling, and serious... vision for highlowaha. Then we will use Free For All Friday to generate brilliant ideas about how to make it happen.  The blog can be the primary vehicle or only a portion of the method.  

One, two, three... (drum roll, please)...

My vision is to "Foster creativity in communities around the world"

Ok, that' it. What are your creative, bold, ideas about how that can happen? Think Big. No boundaries. We're just brainstorming. When you brainstorm there are no wrong answers. Be my partners is this endeavor and let's see how big we can think.  

Signing off until tomorrow and sitting on the edge of my seat to see what you come up with...

Vision Showcase... Check it Out!

Challenging What is, Looking to What Could Be... That is theme for today. I know I am supposed to be whacking you on the side of the head, but I am inspired so I am going to ride the leadership wave.

Today is the day we channel all the students' energy into issues and projects for which they have passion. It is nothing less than miraculous to watch college students accept the idea that with their privilege of going to college comes great responsibility. They spent the day thinking and talking about matters of heart. Late in the afternoon we asked the students to imagine their visions realized and to develop newspaper headlines announcing their accomplishments. It is my favorite part of the week, because it fills me with hope about the future and reminds me why I love working with young(er) people.

I wish you could be here with me. I wish you could walk the Vision Showcase and feel the energy filling the room. There is a low hum of students and leadership coaches exchanging feedback. Some are helping their peers refine their visions. Some are sharing resources. But ALL are fully engaged and committed to the process.

I thought if I couldn't bring you to Leadershape then perhaps I could bring a bit of Leadershape to you. So... below are a small sample of the student's visions.

Something for you to think about while viewing them. ...I shared a quote with the students from a book titled, The Alchemist. It states, "And when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." We are part of the universe that can conspire to help bring these students' visions to reality. So, if you have an idea, insight, resource, or contact that can advance any of these visions, let us know. I will be sure to pass the information along. And... we will be going a long way in doing our part to improve the world.

HITTING THE NEXT LEVEL WITH WEARABLE ART
Fashion designer takes her designs to the next level with pieces that aim to shine light on current issues facing the community.


TAKE LIFE ONE ACT AT A TIME
Actors bring awareness through mind-opening performances all around the world
to set audiences free.

FIRST PLACE FINISH
Student-led efforts help crew team become fully funded varsity
sport at St. Edward's University.



BACK IN SCHOOL
Student establishes day care system to provide affordable child care
for young mothers in pursuit of higher education.



SHOOTING CREATIVITY ONE PICTURE AT A TIME
Student creates organization to show the benefits of photography and its ability to provide a new lens on the world through individual creativity.



SHARING OF ART
Young entrepreneur starts Annual Art Festival to allow all kinds of
young artists to show their work and be recognized.



EXPRESS YOURSELF
College student finds breakthrough way
to help kids find themselves through the arts.

CREATING COMMUNITY ONE IDEA AT A TIME
(That's me! I figured I throw one in for good measure)
Entrepreneur and educator finds new ways to insert creativity
into communities around the world

The Value of One the Power of All

Another exhilarating day from Leadershape. Yesterday's theme was all about the value of one individual and the power of all! That is to say... when we acknowledge the unique contributions of each person, the power of we can accomplish increases exponentially! We - Highlowaha - are a GREAT example of this principle. Each day an idea is thrown out there. Through the valuable contributions of each individual, our blog site becomes so much more than just a creative idea a day. For that, I thank you.

Speaking of highlowaha. We had a fabulous day yesterday. I love that so many of you participated in sharing some of your favorites. It was fun to read and I actually feel like I know some of you better. Others.. I feel like I know you less well. HEATHER, I thought you were an American Idol junkie like me. What happened?!?! If I wasn't so out-of-pocket, I'd be calling you up right this second to get the low down.

The rest of my answers from all of yesterday's great prompts...

Hugs or Kisses: Hugs
Cats or Dogs? Dogs if I have to, but honestly my preference is neither
Beach or Mountains: Mountains
Email or Phone: Phone
Warm or cold weather: Warm
The Book or The Movie: The book
White or Dark Chocolate: Milk
Flip-flops or sneakers: sneakers
Kids or adults: Adults (unless they're mine and CSP grad is willing to babysit twice a month).
Italian or Mexican food: Italian
Thanksgiving or Christmas: Christmas
Homebody or Travel Junkie: Homebody
Cake or Pie: Cake
PC or Mac: Mac
Hot coffee... Starbucks, Cinnamon Dolce, non-fat, no-whip, heated to 180 degrees.
Chocolate ice cream

A couple more quick announcements and then it is on to today's creative idea for the day.

• First, it has been drawn to my attention that Richard (my husband) and Matt (his best friend, author of May 1 blog, and husband to Cristine) are boycotting our blog. It seems that on the few occasions they have posted a comment, we have not given them enough attention by replying directly to their posts. So please, join me in giving a special "hello" and "we appreciate you" to Richard and Matt - two of our loyal and valued readers. Maybe a Richard and Matt Appreciation Day is in order. Hmmmmm... I'll think about that and get back to you.
• Second, Cassie (not "P") had surgery yesterday. Let's all send nice thoughts her way for a speedy recovery.
• I have no concept of days (it's Day 3 in my curriculum -that's all I know), so while I just realized it is supposed to be Whacky Wednesday, I am going to need to postpone until tomorrow. Sorry. Today's idea is too much fun to postpone.
  
• Friday is the day we will all want to vote for Gwen Beauchamp for America's Favorite Mother. I will provide directions on Friday.
• Taste of USA... coming your way SOOOOOOOOOON! Stay tuned.
  

Now to the idea of the day. I LOVE concepts of community! I am the cheesy one that wishes people still sat out on their stoops; neighbors knew each others' names; block parties were still a big deal; and on and on.

Today I was sharing a future blog idea with someone at Leadershape and he was telling me about the neighborhood in which he lives. It is a street with about 20 houses, 8 of which are on a shared cul dae sac. He rattled off about 10 or 11 major events the neighbors did together every year. SOME of them included things such as: Annual Pumpkin Decorating; neighborhood Easter brunch and egg hunt; road trip to the mountains for Christmas trees, followed by a tree hop the following night to view each others' trees; a New Year's day pajama party brunch; and numerous "Open Grills" throughout the spring and summer (people bring their own meat, drinks and a side dish and cookout on the grill of someone in the neighborhood).

I want to be a resident of Snowbrush Court! Don't you? He told me the reason there are so many events is that basically each family in the neighborhood has developed their own "Signature Event." Do you love that? So how about it? How about we all work on developing our own "Signature Event" for our own neighborhood... and then watch the ripple effect. If you already have one... share it with the rest of us. If not, get those wheels turning and claim your day of the year!

This, my friends and fellow readers is the Value of One and the Power of All. If each of us committed to starting just one Signature Event in our neighborhood, we would be planting seeds of community ALL over the country. And wouldn't the country be a better place if we learned... really learned... how to live in, and celebrate, community!

That is our challenge...

Signing off until tomorrow...

Community... Take it or Leave It!

Greetings from Leadershape. Yesterday was Day One for the students... though it was day three for me(I'm beginning to feel like an Austin native). Yesterday's theme for the day was Building Community. The idea is that before we can begin developing leaders, we must build a safe community in which these students can share.

Mark, my co-lead facilitated an icebreaker yesterday that I thought could be fun for our group. We (highlowaha), after all, are working on building a community of readers, so the idea of community building seems relevant. The better we know one another, the more able we are to provide ideas catering to the group's interests.

The activity required the group of 60 students to move from one side of the room to the other depending upon preferences. For instance...

"American Idol... Take it or leave it?"
"Coke or Pepsi?"
"Today or Tomorrow?"
"Hawaii or Paris?"
"Morning person or night owl?"
"Formal or informal"

So let's get to know each other better... Answer the six questions I posted and then add one or two of your own. The list will get progressively longer and we'll each commit to answering as many as we can. I might even print off our cumulative list of questions and use it as an activity one night at the dinner table.

Me...

American Idol.... Take it (think of me tomorrow night. I'll be missing it!)!
Coke
Hawaii
Morning person
Formal

Your Turn...

Signing off until tomorrow...