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setting digital boundaries and carving a space to breathe

on March 24, 2009 · 4 Comments

Balance. Pure and simple is something that I not only crave on daily basis, but strive to achieve. Am I always successful? Of course not. I work full-time, attend graduate school part-time, am a devoted wife, daughter, sister, and friend. I’m an advocate for digital literacy, a seeker of infinite information, a lover of art [...]

Balance.

Pure and simple is something that I not only crave on daily basis, but strive to achieve. Am I always successful? Of course not. I work full-time, attend graduate school part-time, am a devoted wife, daughter, sister, and friend. I’m an advocate for digital literacy, a seeker of infinite information, a lover of art and music (oh, and let’s not forget food and wine). However, the day does not simply allow for mindful, intentional implementation of all of the above. It’s hard enough to squeeze it all into a month.

The internet, the web, social media, technology, new technology, web 2.0, whatever you call it, is the conduit for my true passion: communication, collaboration, access to information and an ability to share stories, experiences and knowledge on a global scale. That’s truly what I love about the internet.

I’m finding it all becoming way to intermixed – my personal, professional and academic lives, my purchasing behavior and my constant knowledge consumption. To some, this is the point and opportunity within the context of the web. I don’t want to be an opportunity. I want to present opportunities to others, be attentive to those around me, the missions I hold dear and the stories I wish to share – perhaps all in the altruistic hope of changing the world.

To do this, I’m setting boundaries – digital ones.

Facebook will be for my personal relationships of fairly direct connection. Twitter, that’s still to be determined. LinkedIn, is the place to continue to connect with me as is my blog. My blog was the space that first spoke to me and this is where I return. The increasing constraint of character restrictions is not me. Anyone who knows me knows this and knows the my thoughts are far too verbose.

The question that lies is my profession and career aspirations involve the web and it’s infinite platforms. Am I less knowledgeable of the web, social media or technology, because I’m no longer juggling 100+ social networks at a time. No, in fact, it’s just the opposite. Expect more from me, so much more, because that’s the point of establishing boundaries. There will be more of me, my true self, to go around. I’m carving out a space to breathe, think about it, when’s the last time to carved out space of your own to reassess, re-energize and to simply be.

 

on hiatus: new year, new opportunities

on January 7, 2009 · No Comments

With the new year comes a new job. This past week I started as a Community Manager for WEGO Health. A stellar start-up that’s shaking up the online health space in innovative and community-centric ways by “empowering health activists to help others.” In order to focus my energy on integrating into my new community responsibilities [...]

With the new year comes a new job. This past week I started as a Community Manager for WEGO Health. A stellar start-up that’s shaking up the online health space in innovative and community-centric ways by “empowering health activists to help others.”

In order to focus my energy on integrating into my new community responsibilities (as well as academic ones) I’ll be taking a temporary hiatus from blogging here at Left Behind Bottle Caps. In my absence please read what’s been written – and be sure to visit me at my new home within the WEGO Health community.

My hope is to return by February with fresh insight and inquiries. In the meantime, may the new year bring happiness, creativity and laughter. Many thanks, and be well.

 

beautiful birds

on December 18, 2008 · No Comments

Every now and again I feel the need to share something I love: Ann Wood’s handmade birds are one of these things. How can you not fall for these little lovelies, which are delicately made from vintage fabrics. I’m happy to say that I have one of the “Jollies” en route to brighten my home, [...]

Every now and again I feel the need to share something I love: Ann Wood’s handmade birds are one of these things. How can you not fall for these little lovelies, which are delicately made from vintage fabrics. I’m happy to say that I have one of the “Jollies” en route to brighten my home, and in time may need a second to keep ‘em company.

Be sure to visit Ann’s blog for more on her handmade creations.

 

give the gift of sustainability

on December 14, 2008 · 1 Comment

This evening we came across a new gift option from Heifer International: Fund a Project. While I’ve always loved the mission of Heifer, this takes it to a new level that resonates in a very tangible way. You pick the project that you want to invest in. We chose Zambia – Rural Community Development Project [...]

This evening we came across a new gift option from Heifer International: Fund a Project. While I’ve always loved the mission of Heifer, this takes it to a new level that resonates in a very tangible way. You pick the project that you want to invest in.

We chose Zambia – Rural Community Development Project in an ode to friends that we cherish.

This five year effort will improve the lives of many families living in poverty in Zambia. These families are displaced mineworkers, facing high unemployment rates and food shortages. Through the work of this project, Heifer will not only provide the lifesaving livestock these families need but also provide them with valuable agroecology skills and training in marketing and sustainable agriculture.

My husband and I have been proactively seeking out gifts with meaning. We desire to give gifts that are more than simply “stuff”, but have an intentionality to them that truly speaks to the recipient and relationship all while promoting social good in a sustainable way.

 

the secret: tribal faire for bloggers

on November 14, 2008 · No Comments

In each case, the function of the blog is to be a standard bearer, the north star that tribe members can point to as a place to meet or for ideas to circle around. The blog isn’t about the writer, it’s about the readers. The key takeaway is this: once you realize that your job [...]

In each case, the function of the blog is to be a standard bearer, the north star that tribe members can point to as a place to meet or for ideas to circle around. The blog isn’t about the writer, it’s about the readers.

The key takeaway is this: once you realize that your job is to find and connect and lead a tribe, to give them something to talk about and a place to go, it’s a lot easier to write a blog that works (Courtesy of Seth’s Blog, “The number one secret of the great blogs“).

Seth Godin pinpointed something I’ve been grappling with over the past few weeks: an inability to blog and an insecurity with identifying, and owning, the role I want – leader, participant or follower? My points of interest are many, and increasing rapidly, but my focus, expertise and passion is yet to  be determined. Thus why blogging of recent has been an unfortunate challenge and chore – despite a constant craving to write, share and explore numerous ideas.

Seth has given me something to mull over – and mull I will as I wrap up a redeeming post in process. Seth, if you do read this, let me know if you’re ever in need of an inquisitive, hardworking and fun intern, researcher or organizer.

 

muted excitement

on April 17, 2008 · No Comments

For the first time in quite a while I received a notification that a comment had been left on my blog. The excitement was surprising. I experienced a twitter of butterflies as I went to see who had commented – but alas, it was nothing, but spam pertaining to some male enhancement or another. Not [...]

For the first time in quite a while I received a notification that a comment had been left on my blog. The excitement was surprising. I experienced a twitter of butterflies as I went to see who had commented – but alas, it was nothing, but spam pertaining to some male enhancement or another. Not what I was hoping for, but I should have known better. If I could only rekindled my relationship with blogging.

What happened? As with most relationships there’s a transition when one member of the relationship changes – the other is left trying to reconnect the dots with their lost companion whether literally or figuratively. I’m presently in the process of doing just that – connecting the dots – but it has proven to be a bit more challenging then when I was in kindergarten. The dots are more complex in form and trying to figure out what connects to what is an exercise in and of itself.

But progress is being made. I’ve realized, which dots are absent. My soul has been craving creativity, which has repeatedly been stifled for one reason or another. Music is back. Hearing a song or artist for the very first time is indescribable. I’m relishing in simple moments. So my relationship with blogging is changing. It’s not solely about the external movements occurring out within society, but rather exploring the internal shifts within myself as I move through that ever present and changing society.

Where do I go from? That’s to be continued…

 

an absolute deviation

on February 29, 2008 · 1 Comment

I’ve been feeling a bit out of sorts recently. There’s a multitude of reasons for this including a perpetual state of flux – which has been synonymous with my life over the past year. As a result I’ve been craving physical balance and mental clarity, and therefore have opted for a two week cleanse (which [...]

I’ve been feeling a bit out of sorts recently. There’s a multitude of reasons for this including a perpetual state of flux – which has been synonymous with my life over the past year. As a result I’ve been craving physical balance and mental clarity, and therefore have opted for a two week cleanse (which kicked off this morning).

It’s a slightly daunting proposition.

Two weeks with a restricted diet. Foods that I’ll be avoiding include the usual suspects: dairy, meat, sugars, anything (and everything) processed, wheat and alcohol (only to name a few). There’s comfort in knowing that the list of excluded items isn’t dramatically different from what I typically tend to avoid. And therefore this might not be that bad.

What will I be living off of for the next two weeks? Well, lots of fruits and vegetables, brown rice, miso, seeds, almonds, hemp milk, fish, beans, lentils and other assorted oils, spices, and grains. I find it a somewhat refreshing challenge. Dinner is to be comprised of any combination of items, but those items are select.

So how’s day one. Interesting to say the least. It’s going to take a few days to get into a rhythm. I’m good for breakfast, lunch and work day snacks. But dinner will take some adjusting and then there are the herbal supplements that are regimented throughout the day. That’s where I’m bumbling a bit, but will be on track in no time.

I’ll continue to share my progress as I’m equally as curious about the progression. I’d like to say that I’m blogging all this to simply share it with the inquisitive masses, but in fact I am writing as a means to take the much needed time to reflect – and to continually cultivate (and refresh) the commitment needed for this little venture.