DD – Day 100



And here we are: day 100. I can’t believe it.

What You’re Good At vs What you Like to Do

Jake and I were talking about work the other day. I kept wondering,
what’s more important: to work with something you’re good at or to do
work that you like to do?

I think some of this point is a bit moot. Generally, if you’re really
good at something, you must enjoy it at least a little bit or you
wouldn’t have been able to become that good at it. And if you truly love
doing something, you’ll eventually get good at it. Or, at least, better
than mediocre.

However, there are real case examples where I might be really good at
something but it’s not my passion. And I could be really passionate
about something that I am just not that great at. Even if I am above
mediocre. Is that good enough? Will I constantly struggle and always get
frustrated? Should I just stick to what I know best for my job and make
the other my “hobby”?

I honestly don’t know the answer to this one.

Life Lessons



This is a minibook I had made for the Maya Road CHA call. It’s called
Life Lessons from the playground. It was selected and showcased in Maya
Road’s booth at CHA Winter 2008.



You can see the full album here.

You’re No Angel



I’m still trying to do a one-hour layout daily. Day two. So far so good.
I’ve actually done two today but the other one is a future catalyst.

The journaling is about how we caught David sneaking into the candy
drawer and how he figured out that if he opens the bottom cabinet, he
can step on the ledge and gain the extra few inches he needed. I guess
he gets points for creativity.

PotD – Day 99



Love purple.

DD – Day 99



Another shot from school. He loves school. I love that.

PotD – Day 98



Some more from the backyard. Resting a bunch for the last few days.

DD – Day 98



I can’t believe I’ve been doing this for almost 100 days.

David’s still fascinated by the ants and I have a bunch more photos from
today.



Friend



This is the one-hour layout I did today.


The journaling is about how we were worried David wasn’t playing with
any kid his age until he met Franklin. And then we realized, there was
nothing wrong with him. He was just picky.

Mommy: I Diego



So I decided I wanted to scrap more so I can use some of the materials I
have. I have so much of everything and I keep buying more so I need to
use some. I also want to start scrapping a bit faster, not to save time
but just not to wonder too much, let the process be more organic and see
if I can trust my instincts a bit more.



So here’s attempt one, from last night. This photo is of David wearing
the little Turkish backpack book my sister got him when he was born. The
other day I came home, and he was wearing it, telling me that he’s Diego
and that he needs some rope. He’s a riot my little one.

The Best Thing

Last week’s catalyst was a response to a question from my energy class
as well. The teacher told us to all go home and ask someone close to us
about the best thing that happened to them today. This is interesting to
me on three levels:

1. Most people aren’t used to being asked a question about themselves.
(Most people talk about themselves and don’t listen to the other person
that much.)

2. Most of us concentrate on the negative and being asked to think about
something positive is a wonderful change.

3. It’s amazing how small and insignificant-seeming events can be the
best part of our day most often.

Try asking someone close to you. And tell me…

What was the best thing that happened to you today?

More on Being Valued

Of all the things we discussed in the Managing Your Energy class the one
that resonated the most with me was about the importance of being
valued. I know I wrote about this recently but I wanted to repeat it.
For me.



Take a moment and think of each and every time you have gotten upset at
something that you can remember. Now go ahead and analyze what was going
on. I bet you that you can trace each of them to “not feeling valued” by
someone. It’s amazing how strongly the need to be valued is tied to the
core of our being. It’s why we do much of what we do. Sometimes it’s
also why we don’t do something.

It’s why we get angry at others. Why we get disappointed and hurt.
Jealous. Why we feel proud. Thrilled. Loved. All the bad feelings and
all the good are tied to feeling the lack or presence of a sense of
value. Each time I get mad or sad now, I step back to find where I felt
lack of value so I can collect myself and move on. I learn to stop
interacting with people who make me feel not valued.



And now that I realize this, I also understand why it’s so important to
recognize others. To thank them. To make them feel valued.



It changed my entire perspective of life. And weeks later, I am still
thinking about it.