Baker’s Blog

Great Idea - Cash Mob

2011-11-14T05:04:00.000-08:00

We are very proud to share that we, Barb and myself, have been recognized as women entrepreneurs who have “Realized Their Dreams” for our work to create and nurture Carriage House Bakery and More. We celebrated our five year anniversary on October 24, 2011 which, “they” say, is the true mark of a successful food business. I guess this is because over 90% close within the first year. Guess the statisticians believe that five is some kind of magic number... more than one and under 10.

As much as I hate to say it, given the recognition and all, Carriage House wasn’t our dream... at least for the reasons you might suspect. Most people ask me when I discovered my passion for baking. I always say the same thing. Baking is not my passion. Teaching is my passion. Baking is something that I do to make the business run which, in turn, gives me a place to live.

Not too romantic, is it? But I bet if you ask most entrepreneurs and, if they will answer you honestly, they will tell you that their business may have started as a dream but it has become a way to keep their kids in school, pay the mortgage, and take vacations - although fewer than their “employed” friends. Sure, there is still the spark that you feel every once in a while when you walk in the door which gives you great pride to say this place is “mine” and people come here because we treat them well and give them a great product. But then the day begins and you realize that you work for your employees, your vendors, your customers, and only sometimes, for yourself.

In many ways, it seems like the recognition we are getting is simply because we have survived. Carriage House survived road construction, a poor choice in location, moving and people thinking that we are a dog bakery with maddening frequency. We survived one of the owners having to go get a job outside the business to fund the shortfall; it survived one of the owners being diagnosed with breast cancer and lung cancer and not being able to work anymore; it survived good friends and investors needing to volunteer just so that we could get by. But we did survive and we are VERY proud of that fact.

In our five years of business, we have developed a VERY LOYAL customer base...people who come in weekly, bi-weekly and monthly to say "hello" and to support our store. We've seen babies born, children grow up, couples get married, prayed people through illnesses and death. Our customers come for great bakery, great service and the personal attention that we give each and every one. To these people, we say a resounding "THANK YOU" as it is because of your support and our hard work that we have survived.

What I really appreciate, not instead of but in addition to, the recognition is the idea that Andrew Samtoy, member of Cleveland Bridge Builders, came up with - “Cash Mobs.” Unlike flash mobs that started out so positive and turned negative in a short time, Cash Mobs are designed to create commerce for small locally owned businesses like ours. His idea was, “what if 65 people showed up to a local business with $20 each to spend. What kind of impact would that have.” They target a store that is locally owned, has products for men and women, and it must give back to the community in some way. Hey, that’s us!!

You know, probably 5 times a month a person walks in our store who has never been in before asking for a donation for this or that. They are all good causes. We give as we can and we give to those who frequent our store for more than just the charity call to give them money. What Mr. Samtoy is saying is that instead of asking for something, Bridge Builders will contribute to the bottom line of these small locally owned businesses. Andrew, you are my hero!!

You know, the federal, state and local government show very little concern for the truly small businesses that line their streets. But we are what makes this locale different from other places. Folks don’t travel from North Olmsted to shop at Avon’s WalMart or Penney’s or Lowes. They come to go to places like Carriage House, Jameson’s Antiques, Jelly Bean, Details and Littlest Details, Strip, Nemo’s, Helen and Kal’s. It is these folks that make Avon unique and a destination different than some others. Rather than asking for a donation, please think of shopping at these and other locally owned stores to keep up the character and commerce.

One thing that is very hard for an entrepreneur to do is to ask for help. These times are different. We’re asking!

Because I Am An American

2011-09-11T06:47:00.000-07:00

I wrote this poem two days after the towers fell. It is still as true today as it was that day.

Because I Am An American...

Because I Am An American... I first listened, and then watched, my world change as images of fireballs, cascading buildings and innocent human carnage became forever etched into my mind.

Because I Am An American... I sat riveted in front of the television for hours as each piece of information assaulted my sense of peace and security; not believing that this could happen here but knowing that it did.

Because I Am An American... I awoke the next day hoping that it was all some kind of horrible nightmare but faced with the headlines that shouted otherwise.

Because I Am An American... I've sobbed and wept with hope, grief, anger and rage as each story appears of personal heroism, unspeakable loss, and senseless death.

Because I am An American... I've heeded the call to give blood, donate a day's wages and pray.

Because I am An American... I will use my freedom as a consumer to boycott those few gas stations and businesses who choose to gouge their brothers and sisters at a time of our greatest national crisis.

Because I Am An American... I will support my government in their response to this horrible crime, knowing that they will not wait one more minute that they have to to bring these cowards to justice.

Because I Am An American... I refuse to blindly retaliate against my innocent fellow Americans simply because of the color of their skin, their place of birth or their religious beliefs.

Because I Am An American... I will take all the emotion - the fear, the sadness, the grief and the rage - and I will focus it on going back to work and restarting my life because I know that is how we win.

And... we will win. I am more resilient, more courageous, more ingenious, more faithful, more compassionate, more human that "they" will ever be because... I AM AN AMERICAN.

9/13/01
Liz Adamson

Journey:One Woman's Story of Thriving With Cancer

2011-08-11T12:38:00.000-07:00

Most of you know that I have been dealing with cancer for the past 18 months. Since stastistically, I'm not supposed to be here, I am sure that I still have a purpose left to fulfill. I believe that it has much to do with sharing some important lessons I have learned about thriving - not just surviving - with cancer. You see I believe that being a victim of cancer is a matter of body, being a survivor is a matter of the mind and thriving is a matter of the spirit.

Over the past several months I have written a one woman play/presentation that mixes my story with that of others that I have met along the way and combines humor, brutal honesty and optimism based in reality to get a person thinking differently about your experience with cancer whether you are the person who has it or love someone who does.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. It would be a great time to schedule this presentation for your church, community or service group. The presentation itself is 45 minutes long needs some typical presentation equipment and a podium. Send me an email regarding your interest at lizadamson74@gmail.com. I already have scheduled a couple so don't delay.

As I said, this is what I believe I'm supposed to do with this experience. Thank you in advance for helping me make my dreams come true.

Liz

Now That's a Hero

2011-06-21T03:59:00.000-07:00

I love golf. It might have something to do with the fact that I started playing when I was four and got pretty good at it. When I was playing a lot I had a 4 handicap at a time when most women did not play that well. I won the club championship when I was in my teens at Cherry Hills Country Club in Denver, Colorado. I played tournament golf as a junior golfer and was second in the state. I went out for the men’s golf team at the University of Notre Dame in 1975, not because I was into breaking the ranks of the men, but because there was no women’s golf team. I came in third but later found there was no place in the budget for a woman to travel with the team so… Anyway, most of my experiences with the game were positive and I’ve played golf ever since.

I love the fact that you are outside for at least four hours, sometimes five if we get behind a group of men who believe that they are playing for the US Open at Bob-o-Link. (Did you know statically women play faster then men. We know we are not all that good. You think you are and will search for a ball like it was your last.) I love the fact that for the time you are out there, it is hard to think of anything else. I love the fact that it is an individual sport that depends on your skill AND your psyche to succeed. And I love the fact that you really get to know people on a golf course. That is why so much business is done there. You find the guy who is always so level headed at the conference table throws his clubs in the lake when he misses his approach. You’ll see the folks who play “winter rules” well into the summer and well into the rough. You can tell a lot about a person on a golf course.

That is why I love Rory McIlroy. But my love affair started at the Masters in April when he blew his four shot lead and totally fell apart. He, as far as I was concerned, took it like a professional not like the primadonnas that we so often see today. He did not blame an injury, the pace of play, he just knew that the game beat him that day and he would be back to play again.

And play he did. His game at the US Open was almost flawless. He was able to keep his game perfect and his head on straight for the entire tournament and broke all kinds of records to show for it. The same sportscasters (Johnny Miller) who said that the Masters would be a “career breaker” was now saying that he always knew Rory would come back, that his swing was so perfect.

Rory is my new hero. Not just because he won but because he lost huge AND won huge and could handle both. That is the lesson of golf. It’s just you and the game and you will have huge losses and huge successes and the total of a person is how you deal with both. It is hard to believe that he will be corrupted by fame and fortune as we have seen so often before. He seems to know that golf really is a game that can represent life but is not life. He went to Haiti just before the Open to get his head straight on what was really important in life while his competitors were at the course concentrating on the game. THAT is the measure of a hero. He lives what is important not just gives it lip service. Thanks, Rory. I want your game but since I know I can’t have that, I think I will emulate the way you live and I will truly get the better part.

Taking Care of Others - Gay or Straight?

2011-05-18T08:18:00.000-07:00

I have to admit that I am uniquely qualified to write this blog on this particular topic. You see I am not gay but pretty much everyone thinks that I am. I get all the prejudice and none of the pleasure. Anyone who knows me would know that if I were gay there would not be a closet big enough for me to hide in, as that is just not my way. This is not to say that I have been all that lucky in the “finding a man” department but, as far as I know, that same thing can be said by many heterosexual women. I am living with my best friend and soul mate who happens to be a woman but much like Gayle and Oprah, that does not define my sexual preference.

We have this weird idea in this country that marriage and parenting is defined a certain way. Oh, I know…I know…but the bible says. Well, folks, the bible says a lot of mean and terrible things about what you should do to philandering men and we obviously don’t care about that, now do we Governor Terminator or Mr. “IMF”. Wonder what the bible would say about Charlie Sheen. Hmmm

Well here’s just one story that begs telling and then trying to somehow make it sound different than it is. I know several gay couples, men and women. (By the way, you all do, you just might not know it or don’t care to admit it.) One lesbian couple lives in a major city, both women hold very good jobs and wanted to adopt a teenage child a while back but it did not work out. Had nothing to do with their sexual preference, just to the movement of life. One of the gals brother, quite “straight” and his “very straight” but crazy wife have divorced. The “husband” and “dad” is going to move to Alaska to live with his new girlfriend and her two kids. The “mom” started dating some guy online and got pregnant (she is well over 40 by the way) and told her kids just as soon as she found out and was “surprised” that they were not thrilled. Her 13 year old is having some real problems with all this. (Hey, wouldn’t anyone). The two gay aunts have opened up their home, their gay but very stable home, to this kid.

Now, close your bible for a moment. Sit there, in the silence of your soul, and ask yourself the question, “If you were God, which set of “parents” would you choose for this kid.” You don’t have to tell your neighbors or your family what you said in the silence of your soul. But you can’t, with any kind of love in your heart or sanity in your head, say “Gee, I would pick the dad who throws away his son for his girlfriend’s kids or mom who can’t understand that keeping her legs together and keeping her family together might both be important.”

I so applaud these two women. They stepped up when this kids own parents didn’t know how or didn’t want to or whatever. But they did it out of the best and purest motivation. Out of love and selflessness. That has to be it. Imagine taking in a 13 year old boy (remember hormones) who has “issues” to begin with. It’s got to be love.

Damn. The fact that I’m supporting these two gay ladies is just another reason that people can use to convince themselves that I’m gay. You know what??? Whatever??? I will always be for what makes sense and what brings the most light. Gay used to be a word that meant happy and carefree. So go ahead call me gay (my grandmother's nick name was Gay before the most recent conotation because her grandson could not say grandma) And, oh, if you know any good-looking, wealthy guys who want to date a stage 4 lung cancer patient, be sure to let me know.

Royal Wedding vs. Royal Grump

2011-05-01T07:13:00.000-07:00

I have to admit, I was not one who was waiting breathlessly for the Royal Wedding. However, as life would have it, I woke up on Friday at 3:30 am and thought, “What the hell? Why not turn it on?” And….then…I was hooked. The beauty, the pageantry, and, yes, the fairy tale…it was awesome! And it really did look – from what looks can tell you – that William and Kate really do love one another and the beauty of their love did shine through. The dress was amazing and those hats!!??!! I DVR’d the event and must admit to watching the wedding and the kiss more than once. I loved the sermon from the Dean of Westminster Abbey which included the prayer that was composed by the Royal Couple. I also noticed, with great joy, that Kate did not vow to obey. Since I don’t believe anyone should obey anything but their best spirit, it was perfect as far as I was concerned.

The next morning, I was reading USA Today and happened upon an interview with Dan Rather in which he expressed his anger over all the time and resources that were spent on The Wedding. How could the news agencies, with all the troubles in the world, give so much time to The Wedding. Well, Mr. Rather, you seem to have joined the ranks of that cantankerous group of curmudgeons knows as “Grumpy Old Men” since you have retired.

We are all very aware of the awful things in the world. We have 365 days, 24/7 of the problems we face and we can find it on hundreds of channels, websites, blogs and tweets. From my perspective, there is good reason to take a “depression and hate holiday”, and for one day watch and be a part of something that so obviously symbolizes love. Sure it also symbolizes a lifestyle that none of us will ever know, but that we can all—for just a moment—take pleasure in pretending.

As I sit in my living room, still bald from radiation, it was wonderful to see Kate’s beauty and imagine what it was like to be her…to have the future king look into my eyes with love, admiration and respect and take me as his bride. It was fun to see the amazing cars and carriages and horses and imagine that I was giving that royal wave to all my “well wishers”. In other words, is was nice to escape for one day into love, peace, grandeur, ceremony and pageantry.

Besides, the next day, it all came rushing back. Life doesn’t let us pretend for long. The killing, death and destruction were waiting to rush back like the tsunami’s wall of water and ruin our communal psyche once again. My MRI awaits me tomorrow to tell me if I have more months of life or if the tumors have returned to wreak havoc on an already damaged brain. So Mister Rather, we are back focusing on the misery you seem to feel is so important for all of us to dwell on.

But I have learned that you get what you think about - at least in the emotional sense. I have incredible prosperity in my life which does not look like jewels and palaces but sustains me with love every day. I have friends and family who love me with every bit of the intensity that I saw in the eyes of the Royal Couple. I have pageantry, as 5 days a week we open up our little business that attracts some of the most amazing people in the region and they drive their carriages right up to the front door.

I do understand that part of Mr. Rather’s comments reflect the lament that many of his peers and fellow workers are losing their jobs in the traditional media. His belief seems to be that it is because we waste valuable assets to cover frivolity. It just may be that if we covered more good news, more life sustaining events, that people would tune back in. 2 billion people around the world tuned in on Friday – from Afghanistan to Africa, from all of Europe to Euclid, Ohio. The people have voted, Mr. Rather. Love wins!!

Happy Easter - Happy Life

2011-04-21T09:18:00.000-07:00

Easter – Spring, Transformation and Miracles
I’ve been having a lot of fun lately doing research on “Easter”. I’ve shared in this blog before that I love etymology – finding out what the root meaning is of words. Often this will also take you to a better understanding of rituals and holidays and add to the richness of the celebration.

For example, the word “Easter” comes from a European Goddess of the dawn called Estra by the Anglo-Saxons and Ostara by other European peoples. Her name means “movement toward the rising sun”. One part of the lore surrounding this goddess is that during the festival of Easter, she entertained the children by performing a trick that changed her pet bird into a rabbit and the rabbit then laid colored eggs which she gave to the children. This practice of hiding Easter eggs for children pre-dates the Christian era by at least 2000 years but remains today an important part of the holiday.

Understanding the pagan root of the word also helps us understand why Easter is a different Sunday each year. Most of us are aware that the date we celebrate Easter moves every year, but not everyone is aware of the reason for this fluid timing. Easter is always the first Sunday after the first vernal equinox’s full moon – as in the early pagan rituals of spring. The vernal equinox signifies the astronomical arrival of spring and was the time for all people – not just Christians – to celebrate the rebirth and renewal as nature resurrects itself from the death it suffered in winter. Easter was originally a pagan festival co-opted by Christian missionaries starting in the second century after the death of Christ. It worked out great because it was close to the time of Passover, which it had to be given that the passion of Jesus began with the celebration of Passover with his friends.

But more important than the history of the holiday is the spirit of Easter. If you grew up in any Christian church you know that “Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins and that he rose from the dead to break the bonds of death.” That’s what he did, but what are we supposed to do? The New Testament is “transformative” because in every Jesus event – the parables, the miracles, the sayings – we are supposed to learn something and change our lives today. So again, the message of Easter is not about what Jesus did, but about what WE are supposed to do BECAUSE of what he did.

Sometimes, when I pray and I spend the time to listen, I often hear an answer. Not so much as words but as a feeling. This year, as I was meditating on the passion and resurrection, the message that I heard in response was “get over it”. It was as if he was saying to me, “Hey, that happened 2000 years ago. Can we move on now?” If his dying, death and resurrection has any meaning it has to be in the NOW otherwise it was worthless. He didn’t die and rise so we could be just the same as we were before. That event then is meant to transform us now.

The reality is that there are things that I need to let die in my life so that there is room for new life – spring, resurrection. I need to let my prejudices die to make room for the new life of inclusiveness and love. I need to let my American idea of success die if I want to live the fact that “it is the life in the years and not the years in a life that is important.” I have to live in the fact that I am “a spiritual being living a physical life rather than a physical being living a spiritual life.” Otherwise my impending death is something to be feared not something to be accepted as part of the cycle of nature. Jesus wasn’t sent to die on the cross. He was sent to live and the way he lived led to the cross. I am supposed to live that radical of a life speaking my truth not just what is popular.

I wish you an Easter and spring filled with transformation, life and grace. I wish you a life lived in the now. Happy life!!

Wisdom of a Teenager

2011-04-04T16:06:00.001-07:00

Many years ago, I owned a company called Hope Through Education which had a division called Growing Peace. We created prevention programs for alcohol and drugs as well as prevention of violence.

I will never forget a young girl – high school age – who was at one of my lectures and raised her hand to say, “You adults always talk about the fact that we (meaning her peers) are the future. But you always seem to forget that you (adults) are our present. And… you are not doing such a good job with it.” She was right in the mid ‘80’s and the same could be said for today.

When we say, with a smug or pompous tone, “what is this world coming to?” we try to convince ourselves that if “those” people would just behave, then “ we” would be fine. Those people are defined in various ways depending on your point of view. They could be Democrat, Republican, or Tea Party…they could be Catholic, Muslim or Fundamentalist …they could be Black, White, Latino, Native American… they could be anything but what we are.

Do we really want our children to grow up to be like the preacher in Florida who doesn’t care if he creates an international incident because he had the right to burn the Koran? Would you be proud of your son if he began to emulate Charlie Sheen? How about if your daughter turned out like Paris Hilton?

Here’s the news hot off the press! If we want our children to be different, then as Gandhi said “we will have to be the change that we want to see in the world.” We will have to listen when we would rather rant, we will have to be kind to those we would rather scream at. We will have to be the example of level headedness the next time we find ourselves in a volatile situation. And we will have to do this where we are… like the soccer fields (there is nothing as ugly as a pissed soccer parent) and grocery check-out lines (so they have 11 items instead of 10) or turning off the hate-speak that is currently on in your living room.

I will never forget that young woman. I hope she has gone on to be a great example to her family and community. I know that that day, she was what everyone in that room needed to hear. Maybe she is still what we all need to hear. How are we doing at creating the present we want for our children’s future?

The God That I Know

2011-03-27T07:07:00.000-07:00

Often in the past year, friends and acquaintances have asked me about my faith and religion due to how they perceive I am handling my diagnosis of cancer. Many don’t like the answer. For example, when I go to the hospital and they ask “religion” I say multi-denominational and usually they look at me for a moment and mark the “none” box on their form because they don’t know what to do. It makes me laugh inwardly as I know the other alternative – marking all the boxes - would probably cause pastoral care chaos. So I guess it is just as well.

So here’s the scoop.

I was raised Catholic during the time of change in the Catholic Church after Vatican II. The nuns and priests that taught and ran my grade school were very traditional and conservative and the nuns that ran and taught in my high school were about as liberal as you could find at that time.

Although this made for a somewhat religiously schizophrenic young woman, it was also the foundation upon which I built a rock solid faith that has lasted me through the years and has been the source of peace and joy in the midst of some very trying times. What it allowed me to do - actually encouraged me to do - was to question my faith and be sure that it was built on rock and not on sand. However, it also put me in direct conflict with the church within which I was raised.

I also had the opportunity to study theology under both the Holy Cross priests and brothers as well as under the Jesuits. At that time, they were some of the most progressive in the church. As a result, I had the privilege of teaching young high school women about their faith. And... I was able to do so by asking them to question the rhetoric, shake up what they had just taken on face value and make sure that it was strong enough to hold them for life. For most of these girls, it was the last "religious education" they would receive and I felt a real responsibility to make sure they were strong in faith when they graduated. For the most part, I think we succeeded. As I have come across the path of many of my former students through the years, they share with me that their faith in God is still strong. Some continue to express it in the Catholic church and others do not. But, as we agreed all those years ago, your faith is in God not in a church. If the church helps you deepen your relationship to God, stay, if not go. It is just that simple. Obviously, I would not be able to teach in a Catholic High School today. In fact, you now have to sign a document that would disallow encouraging students to question any tenet of the church. And we call others "fundamentalists". Hmmmm.

Anyway, back to the God that I know.

1) It's about the living, not about the dying. I believe that what was important about Jesus was his life, not his death. If he hadn't lived the life he did then who would have cared about the death he endured. But that fact seems lost in many churches. How can I say that? The time in the liturgical calendar that talks about and relates the life of Jesus is called "ordinary time" while the death of Jesus is called the "passion". In fact, it was the passionate life that Jesus led that was so countercultural that it led to his death. What we are supposed to believe is that the Father sent his son to "die on the cross". I believe that he sends his sons and his daughters to live passionately following the lead and model of Jesus and that part of life is death. Because of this, even if Jesus had died of old age he would have saved us because he showed us how to live and THAT is the point.

2) The hardships of life are not tests that are sent by God. They are simply part of life. Jesus told us this in Luke, "What father among you would give his son a snake if he asks for a fish, or hand him a scorpion if he asks for an egg? If you, with all your sins, know how to give your children good things, how much more will the heavenly Father give to those who ask him.". Life is tough sometimes because that is the nature of life. When I was diagnosed with cancer, well meaning folks would say, "God won't give you anything that you can't handle". The thing that got me through cancer was my belief that rather than giving me cancer as some sort of masochistic divine test, cancer became an opportunity for me to look to the God within for the strength and courage I needed to endure whatever came. How could I believe in a loving God who would do such a thing to me. Life doesn't happen to me, it happens for me. My God was right there by my side as I went through each treatment and he cried when I did. I believe that when Jesus "let out a scream" on the cross, the Father did as well, not because we had killed his son but because we had done this to one of our own. It is the same Father that cried out in the death of millions of Jews, thousands of Cambodians, hundreds of thousands of slaves and almost three thousand Americans in two tall buildings in New York. All the time crying out , "How can you do that to one of your own?"

3) We all have spiritual experiences. Scientists have found that when a person has a spiritual experience it is experienced in a particular part of the brain – whether you are Catholic, Buddist, Muslim or whatever – the circuits that fire are the exact same ones in every person. Then this spiritual experience is then filtered through your life experience. So if you were born into a Lutheran family, that spiritual experience would look and feel Lutheran. If you were born into a Muslim family, your experience would look and feel Muslim. It has nothing to do with, the “one true religion” but everything to do with where you were born. In other words, if I were to have been born in Iraq, the likelihood that my spiritual experience would be translated in my life as Muslim faith is about 100%. It would be highly unlikely that I would spontaneously convert those experiences into a Christian tradition because that is not my experience. As I write this, it seems so logical. But many millennia of wars have been fought over this exact thing. We all have the same God called by different names. And…if you take the time to read the spiritual texts of the various religions – not read what someone says about the texts - but really read the Koran, or the Talmud or the New Testament, you would know for sure that our biggest problems do not come from differences in religion but in how small minded people read some of those texts. It wasn’t the Catholic saints who were responsible for the Crusades and it wasn’t good Muslims who were responsible for the Trade Center. To believe differently makes no logical sense.

I’ve not shared any of this to be controversial. Rather, my belief is that the more we courageously share we believe, not with hate but with love, the more likely we will be to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem in our world.

My Gratitude to the People of Japan

2011-03-21T06:22:00.000-07:00

Over the past several weeks we have all seen the devastation that the earthquake and subsequent tsunami has wrought on the country of

Japan

. As much as I would like to send financial help, I can’t. Certainly I can lift these people up in prayer but there must be more. I believe that that “more” is to learn the lessons that the Japanese people are so eloquently teaching by their actions.

According to the news reports, the majority of the country of Japan is Buddhist but I have never seen a group of people who so literally are living the New Testament dictum to “love one another as I have loved you”. For example, since the beginning of this crisis, you have not seen the looting that you would have seen – have seen – in other countries when a catastrophe like this hits. Instead they believe, and live, the truth that we are all one and that what we do to one we do to all. Instead of the stealing from one another that you often see, in Japan people are doing all they can to serve one another out of their utter poverty. I saw the story of a man who had lost his home and family but went to work in his noodle shop to serve other survivors for free so they wouldn’t starve.

I have been amazed and impressed with CEO’s and Japanese politicians bowing low to their people in apology for perceived wrongs and shortcomings in the infrastructure of their country. Even though I can’t imagine anyone could have prepared for the double crisis that their country had endured, instead of blaming others, passing the buck, they took responsibility and said “I’m sorry”. When was the last time we saw that in our country.

I am amazed and humbled by the incredible strength in their conviction that they will rebuild and that, eventually, although life will have changed, they will come back better and stronger.

Since I firmly believe that life happens for us, not to us, I have to ask, “What am I to learn from this”. Certainly in Avon, Ohio it has nothing to do with earthquake preparedness or worry about nuclear meltdowns. Rather, the example of these people challenges me to make sure I am living in such a way that it is obvious that I not only have a spiritual life but that I try to live it.

They call me by their actions to not transfer responsibility for my life to others – the government, my neighbors, anyone else but myself. If I’m miserable, then I allow myself to be that way.

I hope that I can be strong enough to rebuild my life in the midst of crisis, whatever that might be, to be better than I was before.

And as I work on all that, I hope that we all might reflect on the debt of gratitude we owe to a people who have suffered so much. Thank you people of Japan.

Our Words DO Matter

2011-01-18T15:29:00.000-08:00

It would seem obvious to me that the actions of the shooter in Tucson was the action of a deranged young man who had descended into the depths of mental illness. Although many would like to see a direct causal relationship between the hateful speech in our country right now and his actions, I believe that would be a stretch. He is simply one sick young man.

However, because this one incident cannot be blamed on our hateful discourse, we should not conclude that our words do not matter. In fact, the ancestor of almost every action is a word birthed by thought. Words DO matter. As William Brennan suggests in his book Dehumanizing the Vulnerable saying words don't matter “negates the impact of name calling and minimizes the relationship between words and deeds. Disparaging designations may inflict greater damage that physical blows and foster a climate of antagonism leading to the actual breaking of bones and other forms of violence.”

Climate, whether meteorological or social, is created by the convergence of several integrated yet independent factors. Predictions can be based on watching these factors and relying on a few basic indicators. I am convinced that the best barometer of “this climate of antagonism” that Brennan alludes to is what we are saying to and about each other in this country. Based on that essential and telling indicator, I predict a very stormy future.

Some might read this and downplay he insidious nature of our use of words to degrade and objectify. However, the reality is that even though name calling does not always result in physical violence, it is always an essential component of the type of large scale oppression that shows itself as discrimination, segregation, enslavement or even annihilation.

The destructive power of words is nowhere more evident than in the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. Although it is difficult to find any evidence that Adolph Hitler ever personally perpetuated an act of violence against anyone, no one can deny the sadistic power of his words. What Hitler knew, and what we need to remember, is that a few key designations of degradation, continually intoned, like any persistent slogan, has significant impact.

Our Role.

We must come to believe how powerful words are so that we stop taking them so lightly. Words dictate what we think and what we do. The advertising industry banks on that fact – and they are right. They understand very well that bytes of information presented consistently over time persuades and compels people to change their behavior. We have to remember this the next time we hear just a few “slurs” here or a couple of “put-downs” there. These short sound bytes comprise the commercials for the “isms” that result in violence.

Each of us has a decision to make of whether or not we will work to change the climate of antagonism in our families, our schools, our workplaces, in our lives. That decision begins with what we choose to say about one another. We can either use our words for peace or for violence. There is no middle ground.

Now…What were you saying??

If It’s a Choice Between WalMart or Target, Please Choose Target and Here’s Why

2010-12-31T02:11:00.000-08:00

My initial decision to never shop at WalMart again came in 2001 when I read he book Nickel and Dimed – On (NOT) Getting by in America by Barbara Ehrenreich. Then the book was made into a play which I saw that next year which further concretized my decision.

Ms. Ehrenreich went undercover for three months in three different cities doing three different minimum wage jobs to try to figure out how non-skilled workers made ends meet. She was a waitress, a maid and worked at WalMart.

She experienced the term “working poor” and found that wages are kept low by reinforcing the low-self esteem portion she found inherent in each job, being treated like a child rather than the 50 something year old woman that she was.

When it came time for her stint at WalMart, I read about and then saw a practice that you hear about often from WalMart workers where they are made to “clock out” but then come back to work the floor for another couple of hours. And today, there are so many people in line for those jobs, one complaint or a little grumbling could mean losing your job and the next person in line would just step up. So you work for minimum wage and then you actually work for free, which effectively means you are working for well under minimum wage. By the way minimum wage right now in Ohio is $7.35/ hour. If a person works 40 hours, they would make $1176.00 BEFORE taxes. Take home, as we all know, is significantly less. And from this you have to pay your rent, car and food.

Recently there was a story in the LA Times that further underlined why I don’t shop at WalMart but know that there are some ethical big box stores that are really trying to do the right thing by their employees. The article by Andrea Chang was headlined Target in Compton helps store employees tackle their personal problems. It chronicles the fact that the bog box stores like WalMart, Target, Kmart, and Costco are seeing one avenue of growth in building urban stores right in the downtowns of major cities. They all knew, given where they were located, that they would have to pay more for “risk management” or “shrinkage”, a fancy way of talking about theft both by customers and employees. So they all spent the dollars necessary to beef up security.

However, only one, Target, understood that when you hire folks for these urban stores you hire folks with urban problems. Domestic violence, homelessness, no transportation and the list goes on. So rather than try to recruit suburban folks to come work in the city or just realize and accept that you will have a huge employee turnover rate, Target did something that made so much sense and speaks to the kind of company that they are. They hired a full time social worker to “man” the stores and help where they could.

In Compton that person was Sandra Edwards. Her only job is to come in the morning, drop off her coat and personal items and then walk the store, engaging as many employees as possible in conversation about what’s going on. In the past year she was able to find temporary housing for an abused employee. One young man was battling depression and she was able to find medical resources for him. Obviously employee turnover was reduced and employee retention was on the increase. And Sandra only comes to Compton twice a week. Based on her success, she now splits her time between three stores. They had to deal with domestic violence, teenage pregnancy. They had situations where folks were homeless and living in their cars. According to Barbara, it is not about giving advise, it’s about giving assistance.

And it is good business. Everyone who owns a small business knows that it is MUCH less expensive to retain good employees than to keep hiring new folks. WalMart just keeps churning though the people since they see them as no more than cogs and VERY replaceable.

I know the deals are sometimes better at WalMart and I, like everyone else is looking for ways to save, but there are still some small choices that we can make that will make a difference in people’s lives. Please shop Target. Shop where they care enough about people to hire people to help people. It just makes sense!!

PS By the way, I participate in Ad Sense through this blog site and last week the Ad was for WalMart. I have no say over what is advertised other than IO was able to check "no adult content" so.... I'm sorry if this blog is directly above a WalMart Ad. Irony is not intended.

Final Advent Post - Christmas Reflection

2010-12-24T18:36:00.001-08:00

The Christmas story has always been a beautiful narrative to read and contemplate. However, now more than ever we cannot afford to allow it to be a passive recitation of an important event.

Christmas is a moment in time that continues to call us all to bring peace and joy to others.

We, too, are asked to be the star, the beacon showing others the way to peace and serenity. Sometimes we are asked, like Mary, to let God use us to become present in others lives. Or, like Joseph, we may be asked to give our support to others even though we might not quite understand God’s plan.

Maybe this year we will be asked to merely witness to the work of a Higher Power as the shepherds were asked to do. Or we, like the Magi, may be called to share our most precious gifts and ask for nothing in return save the knowledge that we are doing the right thing.

The manger provided a safe, warm place for the new life those centuries ago. It may be that our job this year is to provide an emotional safe, warm and welcoming place for those struggling with a new way of life.

….So this year as we ask for peace to be granted to us and all those whom we love, we also pray that we all live our role in the bringing of peace and serenity to each other.

By Liz Adamson

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Today's Gift - Hard Work

2010-12-22T14:51:00.000-08:00

Okay, I am a republican…albeit not a very good one. I am fiscally conservative and socially liberal. I changed parties about 10 years ago to vote for a republican judge that I had spent time talking to and asking hard questions of when he was campaigning door to door and have never found the need to switch back. But that certainly does not mean I am a “lock-step” with Mr. Boehner (and I don’t really care one way or another if he cries). I used to listen to Rush Limbaugh when he was the voice of reason in the late ‘80’s early ‘90’s not the mean spirited, hatemonger he has become. Enough of that. I am a republican.

But here are two things that might make me go to the board of elections and switch. Senator Jon Kyl (R) boomed in a speech to the senate that “ having to work so close to the Christmas Holiday is “disrespecting one of the two holiest holidays for Christmas”. Later that same day, his fellow senator, Jim DeMint, said that having to work so close to the holiday is “sacrilegious”. WHAT??????

And republicans wonder why so many Americans don’t believe that they understand the plight of the “everyman and woman” in our country. Gosh I would love to say that working so close to Christmas is not necessary but I’m in retail and this is the time of year that you either make it or break it. You don’t just go home because it close to the holiday.

Actually I would like my congressmen and senators to work harder, not throw up their hands and go home. Man-up and get it done!!!! Okay, you don’t have to work on Christmas day. Take Sunday and Monday off if you want. Then get your butt back to work like the rest of the country. At least the one’s who have jobs. Remember.....that is still a problem we’d like you to work on.

Oh, and Mr. Kyl, what are the two holiest holidays for Christmas? Christmas and…..??

I’m quite sure he is not referring to Hanukkah or Kwanza so….? HMMM Maybe he thinks that since he opens his gifts on Christmas eve that is a holy event. Just don’t know.

We all know you want to spend less time in Washington so you can spend more time at home campaigning. But don’t couch is in holy terms. Be honest. And get back to work. We didn’t hire you to campaign. We hired you to fix what is broken. Get back to work. NOW!

Today's Gift - "Why Buffalo Dance" by Susan Chernak McElroy

2010-12-21T03:49:00.000-08:00

My good friend Peggy Chamberlain gave me this book to read knowing that I would love it. She was right! The author of the New York Times Best Seller Animals as Teachers and Healers takes us on a journey through the seasons of our lives. What she reminds us by doing that is to look closely and deeply at what life is offering us at every turn because that is where and how God speaks.

It is much more than a book of meditations. It is a collection of nature's wisdom translated by a master wordsmith. It is one of those books that you owe it to yourself to have in your collection. You will never see the seasons the same again and what a gift. Give it to yourself for Christmas! It will be one of those gifts that keeps on giving to you and others.

Today's Gift - "Shake it off and step up"

2010-12-19T05:35:00.000-08:00

I heard this story months ago but it has been on my mind lately so it becomes today’s gift to share with you.

A man had a favorite mule. One night the mule fell into a deep hole that was just big enough for the mule but nothing else. The man was beside himself and tried everything he knew to try to save his friend but everything he tried failed to work. After trying for hours and using every suggestion he was given, the man thought the most humane thing to do was to bury his mule.

So shovel by shovel full, the man threw dirt and gravel over his old friend. But with each shovel load the mule would simply shake off the load and step up. Several hours later the mule had compacted enough dirt, soil and gravel that he simply rose high enough to just walk right out of the hole.

What an awesome lesson for our life. We often experience things that are meant to or have the capacity to “bury” us if we let it. But, if we simply shake it off and step up nothing can have power over us.

So the gift today is the realization that we all have the capacity to “shake it off and step up”. Whether it is a physical, financial or personal issue, shake it off and step up. Use what was meant for your demise to rise higher, live richer, lover deeper. It is your choice. May you always be able and choose to “shake it off and step up”. I do (most of the time) and it has made all the difference!

Today's Gift - $15

2010-12-17T08:01:00.000-08:00

I sometimes feel that we have become a nation of complainers. We worry about this and fret about that as if the very act of worrying gives us purpose. I believe that we have forgotten just how lucky we really are in this county. For example, if you have a roof over your head you are better of than 75% of the worlds population. If you have $15, you are in the top 8% of the world wealthiest people. Fifteen Dollars!!!

We have so very much to be grateful for. And yet we so often hear, “yes. I’m grateful, but....” It’s those “yea, buts” that are like mental cockroaches that infest our minds with all the reasons why we really shouldn’t be happy or fulfilled.

Today is my birthday. According to the statistics, I should not have made it to this day but here I am. And I hope that simply that fact alone helps me to appreciate the roof over my head and the $15 I have in my wallet. The abundance in my life is huge and is measured in freedom and challenge and diversity and hope. I refuse to complain and snipe. We are called to be better than that and that is what we will be. This year. Right now!

Today's Gift - Alise Maria Adamson

2010-12-16T01:19:00.000-08:00

On September 29,2010 the Adamson Family welcomed Alise Maria, weighing in at 7lbs, 8 oz. She is the daughter of Alex and Diana Adamson formerly of London, England now residing in San Fransisco, California.

I’m incredibly lucky because I get almost one picture a day of little miss “Ali” which makes my heart sing. This new little life, so incredibly loved and cherished by her parents, grandparents, great grand parent (my mom) and various and sundry aunts, uncles and a great aunt (me).

She is promise and potential. She is holy and blessed, word made flesh. She’s what we think of when we try to do anything that might make this world a better place. She is our future but we are her present so she reminds me constantly to make the present more gentle, more loving. For her I must be the change I want to see in the world. She keeps me centered and focused on life and all the possibilities that each day holds. I imagine her discovering it all for the first time and try to discover it right with her. She makes me see all things new. She is loved and she is love. Thanks you Alise Maria. I love you!!

Today's Gift - Chinese State Circus & Swan Lake

2010-12-14T02:17:00.001-08:00

I know for sure that my current experience in life has made me more receptive to beauty. It is such a gift. It’s as if beautiful things are twice as beautiful and multiplied in breath and width. It was that way when I had the opportunity to watch a You Tube Video of the Chinese State Circus performing Swan Lake. There was actually a ballerina on point in the shoulder of her partner. She wasn’t just performing Swan Lake. She was the Swan, he the Lake. It wasn’t just performance, it was transformation. If it doesn’t move you\, you are immovable!!

My friend Jo-Ann sent it on. Thank you! What a wonderful gift. Simply Google Chinese Circus Swan Lake and let yourself watch the 6 minute version from You Tube. You won’t be sorry you did.

Today's gift - The Snow

2010-12-12T16:26:00.000-08:00

I’m not quite sure when “snow” became some sort of dreaded plague forecast by fear mongers – also known as weathermen – letting you know when and where each flake will fall but somehow that is what it has become. Grocery store shelves empty as if we will be socked in for days and people cancel parties and engagements even before they wake up to see if the forecast is really true.

My dad used to say that I am simple and he was right. I like the snow, at least early in the winter. I think a world blanketed in white is gorgeous and creates a winter’s quiet that gives rise to thoughts of peace on earth and good will to men. It slows people down. It makes us focus more on what we are doing and that attention is always a good thing. It moves us to be more mindful of each step, each breath, and that is a great thing – not one to be scared of and frightened about.

Oh, I know. Come late February and March when the snow is still flying, I won’t be quite so romantic about the beauty of it all. But for now, today’s gift is snow.

Today's Advent Gift - the Sun

2010-12-11T16:45:00.001-08:00

Although things have brightened up somewhat over the past several years, the reality of living in Cleveland and so close to one of the Great Lakes, Lake Erie, is that we have many cloudy days. The past two days, however, we have had gorgeous, beautiful sunny days. It’s almost as if it charges your batteries so that when the clouds and lake effect snow that they are predicting comes roaring off the lake you can still trust that the sun is still there and all is right with the world.

We have weather men here in Cleveland that seem to take great joy trying to scare everyone to death about the snow to come and the cold that will be coming in out of the north. It’s not like it doesn’t happen every year. That is what happens in winter. It snows and gets cold and get gray and cloudy. But, still, behind it all, the sun still shines and will warm us eventually.

Until then, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and for us – at the bakery – that’s a great thing. Amen!

Dr. Cathy Graham, An Angel To Be Sure

2010-12-09T09:15:00.000-08:00

There is a wonderful quote from the book “Pilgrim’s Progress” which says “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who cannot pay you back.” Dr Cathy Graham, and the kind and wonderful staff she had surrounded herself with in her practice live this dictum. Let me share my story.

I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in March of this past year. Although it had moved out of “situ”, it was very early stage and, certainly, a cancer people live with and through. The problem came after the lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy when I was experiencing some rather benign symptoms. To be safe, Dr. Graham ordered a chest x-ray. These x-rays used to be a matter of course before any surgery but with current insurances mandates, it never happened. I got a call from Dr. Graham’s office that they wanted to see me and made time for me to come in at the end of the day – her long day of surgery and office visits.

She took me into her office looked me straight in the eye and said, in her own immutable way, “You have one big honkin’ tumor in your right lung. It is very big and it was very serious. But we are going to help you take care of this. We are not going to leave you to fight this alone. I will be with you every step along the way. And she was. The staff stayed that night until they knew I could leave and safely drive home. She called in a favor to find a surgeon to take my case. She visited me in intensive care and made sure I was okay on the surgical floor. She facilitated my transition to the cancer center and my other angel, Dr. Nock. She even made sure that it was she, and no one else, that put the port in my chest so that they could give me chemo much more easily since my veins are so hard to access.

I stopped by her office yesterday to give her a Christmas hug and let her know what was going on with me presently. At a time in our country when we have a lot of negative things to say about health care, physicians, we all need to know that there are more healers and angels. And, Dr. Cathy Graham, you are one. Thank you!

Elizabeth Edwards

2010-12-08T12:19:00.000-08:00

Today’s advent window opens on Elizabeth Edwards. She wrote on her Facebook page this past Monday that “The days of our lives, for all of us, are numbered. We know that. But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful.”

She went through the death of a child, cancer and the infidelity of a husband – and that would be trying to any human being but she went through it all in the public eye and with a great deal of grace given the situation. Although there was a great deal of sympathy for her, I never saw her as a victim. She never presented herself that way. She was candid and open but not a victim. Thank you Elizabeth Edwards for your example of resilience. May I learn from and assume that in your stead to carry that on for myself and others fighting this disease.

The Phoenix

2010-12-07T03:55:00.000-08:00

Behind our advent door today is the Phoenix. The picture you see here is actually the one that I have tattooed on my forearm. She is beautiful.

Most of us know the legend of the Phoenix. She builds her own funeral pyre, throws herself into the flames, and as she dies, she is born anew and rises from the ashes to live again. – transformed. It is the very picture of transformation, change, continually becoming more.

It’s interesting to notice what the “pyre” (flames) are made of. Cancer, business, no longer useful ideas, institutions, and much more … all providing the energy to create something new, something amazing.

Is there a phoenix ready to be born in your advent this year? What transformations are you being asked to make? What needs to burn up in your fire so that you can become all that the universe is calling you to be?

Birds of a Feather

2010-12-06T15:31:00.000-08:00

Today’s advent window opens on “Birds of a Feather”. It’s a little shop that does all things sewing, quilting, and such and is owned by Liz Sheehe. When I found out that I was going to lose my hair due to the whole brain radiation treatments, I went in to see if they could make me a dew rag or scarf or hat or something. It had to be “funky”, not the typical and they said they were up for the challenge.

These gals took it upon themselves as a project to make sure that I have some very cute things to wear. And the fact that we are in the holiday rush, the fact that they have much more to do than think of the measurements of my head and the comfort of my noggin, did not matter. It was just a matter of course for them, doing the next right thing, being good to people and trying to make my life easier. That’s how they treat all their customers. I’m proud to call them neighbors and certainly grateful for their talent and compassion in this small but important area for me.

Angels come in all sizes and do all kind of things. These angels happen to be called “Birds of a Feather”.

Moxie

2010-12-05T08:31:00.000-08:00

Today’s gift is Moxie. Moxie, the word, means vigor, courage, nerve. But my “Moxie” is in the form of a little “runt-of-the-litter” Scottie that truly embodies her name. A small dog, by any standard, but you can’t tell her that. When we first went to pick her out, we actually had the name and we were looking for the dog that fit. She is certainly it! I mean just look at her??!!???

Not long ago we were walking down the street and we came across some folks walking their Rottweiler and rescue pit bull. My labordoodle, Bailey, fell sheepishly quiet as we passed but not Moxie. She, in her own immutable way, was right in their face saying you may be big and scary to some but to me, your just a visitor on my block. She is the classic big dog in a small body ready with big love, big mischief, big play, big Moxie.

When we used to live in a neighborhood where more dogs were off leash, she would play. The bigger dogs could throw her around pretty good, putting one paw on her neck just to try to held her down. Often I would see her doing cartwheels after some larger dog would try to set the record straight. But that was no problem to her. She just finished the roll, shook off the aggression, stood right back up and commanded her block once again. After all, she IS Moxie!

Always claim your moxie. It’s your birthright to know who you are and live happily in the skin your in.

Be the Eagle

2010-12-04T05:32:00.000-08:00

I saw an eagle yesterday. What an amazing bird. Certainly glad we, as a nation, decided on him rather than the turkey to represent all that could be best of our being Americans.

The eagle is a symbol of the power of the Great Spirit - the connection to the divine. The eagle soars and as he goes higher is able to perceive the overall pattern of life. Instead of getting involved in the fray, he simply takes off higher where other birds can’t come. According to the belief systems of many Native American tribes, the eagle represents a state of grace achieved through hard work, understanding, and a completion of the tests of initiation which result in the taking on one’s own personal power. It is only through the trial of experiencing the lows in life as well as the highs, and through the trial of connection to the Great Spirit, that the right to use the essence of Eagle medicine is earned.

I believe that my eagle was a reminder to me to take heart and gather courage because the universe is presenting me with the opportunity to soar above the mundane levels of life. I’m being called to fly higher, regardless of the fear because that is the only way that I can join in the co-creation with the Divine. And…I believe that I’m being called to share that with you.

So in the midst of the craziness that can be the holidays when families and friends often push buttons that have been installed for years, when the lists of what needs to be done seems to fill many more hours that could ever be available, remember the eagle. Sit for a moment and in your mind’s eye, take flight. Fly around up there for a while to get your bearings. Then, return renewed.

Oh, and by the way, it also the best way for the eagle to find what’s for dinner. So “Bon Appetit!”

Snowflakes

2010-12-03T04:34:00.000-08:00

The last couple of days here in northern Ohio we have begun to see snow. Out first! Nothing that has stuck on the ground but just enough to let us know that it’s on its way.

They say that no two snowflakes are the same. Each one has its own patterns, nooks, crannies. And none come to stay. They all come to pass.

But the really cool part is what makes a snowflake is the space between the actual wet stuff. Otherwise it would simply be a snowball, good for other purposes but not a flake, for sure.

And that is what my snowflake teaches today. We must appreciate the space between the “stuff” of life because that is where the real difference lies. Like music, it is the space between the notes that makes it come alive. Other wise it would just be some long droning note. It is in the space between the notes, the space between the thoughts, the nothing that is really the energy of the universe shouting though the nothingness of its love for us. And all neatly packaged in the passing of a snowflake.

May you experience and hear the grand energy in that space today. Take the time. Listen to the space between your thoughts. You will find God there! That’s just where he hides out in the open for us all to see. His reminder today is a snowflake!

Miracle on Detroit Rd.

2010-12-02T05:21:00.001-08:00

About a month ago we received a call from a gal who had stopped in the store and loved what she experienced here. She is a young mother, works part time and was interested in seeing if we might need some help for the holidays. Barb, my business partner, said that we were not in a position to hire but wanted to meet her so that if that ever changed at least a conversation could have been had.

When Barb and Maureen met, Maureen said she would be interested in volunteering. NOW is that a MIRACLE of what!! She’s great with people, she adds to the positive energy we always try to convey to our customers and is willing to do whatever it takes. So today, I opened my Advent window to find Maureen, my miracle on Detroit Rd.

So the take away from today. Everyday, we need to strive to do two things. One, be the miracle in someone else’s life. Two, make sure you look for all the miracles that are in your life today. They are there simply waiting to be discovered! May you have a miracle filled day!! And….Maureen, thank you for being my miracle today!

Turn It Over

2010-12-01T04:48:00.000-08:00

My life and times and jobs have taken me close enough to 12-step programs to have heard the phrase, “Turn it over to God” on one or more occasion. Usually, it had to do with some insurmountable (or seeming so) issue of paramount importance at the moment, I had done everything I knew to do to make it different, or better or more tolerable and, at the end I was at a loss. Hense, turning it over seemed a good choice.

Turning it over was supposed to leave it in God’s hands to do what he willed. But what I found is that that was not what my Source ever has in store for me. When I’m asked to “Turn it over”, I’m asked to look at whatever the issue is from another side. So instead of handing the book of my life over to God, he hands it back to me and says, “Well, hey did you ever think of looking at it this way, or could you simply change your perspective here or there.”

That is the gift of today. Perspective. My choice to believe that, for example, this cancer has come for me, not to me. That is current disability is the source of my ability to do things that I would not normally be able to do. What a gift! I choose to make it a gift and no one else has the power to do that in my life. WOW!

So choose door #1 and turn it over. Whatever, it is in your life right now, try to look at it from a different perspective. What that says, very forcefully, is that you are responsible for your happiness and nothing you can do can shake that force.

It’s Time for the Advent Calendar

2010-11-30T12:04:00.000-08:00

Funny how things pop into your head after years of absence. Out of the blue this morning, I thought about the advent calendars that we used to get around Christmas. Certainly if you grew up Catholic, you know the ones I’m speaking of. They had those little windows that opened up – one each for the last 25 days before Christmas, each little window revealing some special “something” that was to have acted as the present for the day or at least a thought for the day to get you head going in the right direction. It was a small, little ritual but it exemplified what the season could be – a waiting, a revealing - snippets of love and peace before the main event.

This is how my God speaks to me. In these remembrances, these urges to reconnect. It seems that the point, and not too subtle I might add, is that each and every day we need to actively look behind the veil of what seems to be to see the gift of what is. First we need to find the little opening, then spend the time examining the message and then wait for all the goodness to start up again the next day. Yep, I think that’s the message.

So here’s what I’d like to try to do… and if you’d like to come on along, that would be great. Starting tomorrow (December 1), I will share with you the gift of my day here in the Baker’s Blog. I’ll share with you what my Source shared with me and maybe that sharing can magnify the blessing and grace of the season for us all. Hope so. Let me know!!

A Huge Thank You

2010-07-01T12:42:00.000-07:00

In a lot of ways we consider Carriage House to be a lot like "Cheers" without the alcohol. We may not know your name but there is that neighborhood recognition of folks knowing one another and even parts of their stories. We usually know about who's having babies, getting married - the good and the bad news about many of our customers' lives.

Well, as many of you know we have had some news of our own that actually began in March and continues though today. Liz, one of the owners, was diagnosed initially with breast cancer and then a totally separate lung cancer was diagnosed in April. Currently she is in chemo for the lung cancer and it will be a long process through this and then the rest of what needs to happen with the breast cancer.

We bring this up to you more because we want to explain why you are seeing so many different faces when you come into the bakery and one not around near as much as she used to be. Life happens and you deal with it. But we have also had the most loving, amazing, supportive folks who have stepped up to work and help and those who have come into the bakery just to check in and we want to thank all of you. You are the greatest.

So many have asked what they can do and you are doing it. KEEP COMING!! We need to keep this little bakery rolling along so it can be here for us all in the coming years. Thanks for your support and understanding.

We Are Better Than This

2010-03-21T07:50:00.000-07:00

I started my professional career as a high school teacher in an all girls' Catholic High School here in Cleveland. As you might imagine, some of your time as a teacher was spent as a referee in the battles that took place between best friends, worst enemies and the whole range of possible relationships in between. When things had really degraded to the depths of misunderstanding, I would often try to move the participants to a "higher ground" by reminding them that they were "better than this" and that they needed to "show what they were really made of". Gratefully, I found that appealing to what is best in people usually worked and I could at least get them in their respective corners if not talking once again.

WE ARE BETTER THAN THIS. We are better than the cheap shots, condescending manners, and downright mean spirited tantrums that have become part of our "discourse". We CAN disagree about a topic without becoming enemies, without the mudslinging, without the personal barbs. Degrading someone into submission is not winning, it is simply another definition of rape -- pure and simple. And that is not America at it's best.

Making someone else look small does not make us bigger. It simply makes us appear larger. But illusion is always illusion regardless of how many people believe in it.

How We Greet Others Says A Lot About Us

2010-02-24T04:01:00.000-08:00

As an old (read former) English major, I love "etymology" - finding out where words come from and what they actually mean. Lately, I've be struck by how hollow our "hello" is. Basically, it has no meaning but is simply "a shout to attract attention" that was used by Alexander Graham Bell when he first answered the telephone.

Contrast this with "namaste", a sanskrit word which means "all that it best in me salutes all that is best in you" or "I bow to you. The light in me honors the light within you". Some people have further defined the word as meaning "the god in me greets the god in you". Now that's a greeting!!!

How about what they say in eastern Tibet? "Tashi delay" which means "I honor the greatness in you. I honor the place in you where lives your courage, honor, love, hope and dreams." Wow!!

And instead of a handshake, which is a holdover from medieval times when you offered your empty hand to show that you did not have a sword in it, they bow in respect to one another, placing their hands in what is understood in any culture as a gesture of prayer- palms together, fingers raised to the heavens in the middle of the chest over their heart.

I wish I had the courage to be totally counter cultural and simply start to greet all my customers, friends and family with the more intimate greetings of the east. I really do believe that small changes like this might bring some civility back to our culture. But... alas, I have a business to run and I'm afraid folks would surely think I had totally lost it. This might work in California but the midwest rust belt - not so much.

However, what I can do is be present enough at each juncture in my day that I look at the person I am speaking to and say inwardly to that person, "namaste" or "tashi delay". I can look at them with enough respect to say, "the light in me greets the light in you". My bet is that in doing so, the way I treat them will change.

Who knows? Maybe, I will be bold. Isn't it sad that it is a difficult choice to be more loving?

Einstein said it best. "How many people are trapped in their everyday habits: part numb, part frightened, part indifferent? To have a better life we must keep choosing how we are living."

Pollyanna Had It Right

2010-02-02T17:03:00.000-08:00

When I was growing up, my dad would often fault me for being such a "Pollyanna" and would suggest that he had never met anyone who was so "simple minded". Truth be known, like any good dad, he was simply trying to make sure that I wouldn't get hurt by being too trusting.

But the reality is that Pollyanna had it right. Simply by always looking for the good in people and in situations, she transformed an entire town and the people in it from a curmugeon's hide-a-way into a pleasant place to live. She accomplished this amazing feat by simply refusing to see the "dark side".

It would seem to me that we could use some of that unbridled optomism, or what people are calling positivity, right now. The truth is that what we given our attention to, we create both for ourselves and for our world. So isn't it about time that we focused on what is good and right instead of what is bad and wrong.

There is a wonderful story that emerges from the American Indian tradition. An old brave was telling his grandson that within every person there is a fight going on between two wolves. One is mean, cruel, pessimistic and hopeless. The other is joyful, optomistic, loving and hopeful. The little boy asked his grandfather, "So, which one wins?" To which the wise old man replies, "the one you feed".

It's time to stop feeding that negative side of ourselves. Turn off the 24/7 news channels and the talking - or more often, screaming - heads for a while. Take a newspaper "fast" for a week or two. Vow to look for the good in everyone you meet - especially the ones who grate on your last nerve. Be Pollyanna for a little while. You will be happier and so will everyone around you.

@ 2 for 60 for Peace

2010-01-26T17:16:00.000-08:00

I'm a baker. Not a politician. Not a religious leader. Not an academic. I'm simply a baker. And I have a challenge for everyone who reads this. Starting TODAY and precisely at 2pm every day from now on you need to stop what you are doing and for 60 seconds think of, pray for and intend peace. For just one minute out of your day. And convince as many other people as you can to do the same thing as soon as possible.

Why? Because we are better than this. All of us, throughout the world. We are much better than we are allowing ourselves to be. And I believe that most of us know it and that we simply feel powerless to change it.

There is tremendous power in our thoughts, our prayers and our intentions. And when they are joined with just a few others, we can and do change things. Imagine the power if for just one minute a day hundreds of thousands of people were focusing their intention on one thing - peace. And, if we can get this message around the world, because of all the different time zones that 2 pm prayer will be happening all day long. Imagine the possibilities.

So here is our challenge. Make sure everyone you know knows about and commits to focus the power of their intention "@ 2 for 60" for peace. I know it's simple. I know that believing that we really can change the world would be considered by some as naive. I personally believe that it is not just a place to start but it could very well be THE start the world need to get back on track. Let's give it a try. We have everything to gain.

Let's watch this grow. Write back and let me know how it's going; what cities, states, countries and continents are participating. And, just as important, can anyone sense a change. Look for it. It will happen if we believe it will.