Inside Out Cafe

Archive for the month “January, 2012”

31 Jan 2012
18 Comments

I got a QR Code

Hi there!

I’ve been reading the paper and noticed ‘QR’ codes… so I decided to go and get one for me too!marge katherine.com qr code

According to Wikipedia:

A QR code (abbreviated from Quick Response code) is a type of matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) first designed for the automotive industry. More recently, the system has become popular outside of the industry due to its fast readability and large storage capacity compared to traditional UPC barcodes. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded can be made up of four standardized kinds (“modes”) of data (numeric, alphanumeric, byte/binary, Kanji), or by supported extensions virtually any kind of data.[1]

So, if you scan this code, it will take you to MargeKatherine.com

Now that I have this funny looking code – where do I put it… I mean besides on my welcome mat, car magnet, bandanna, bicycle flag, cocktail napkins, wall hanging, henna tattoo, dog collar, ceiling above my bed and … ??? Suggestions?

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Posted in No Comfort Zone-2012 Challenge and tagged , , , ,
29 Jan 2012
21 Comments

A Small Act: Documentary Review

I watched a documentary this past weekend titled, A Small Act. It’s a story about a woman who donated $15 on a quarterly basis to a young Kenyan boy named Chris Mburu.  That money helped to pay for Chris to attend grammar and secondary school, eventually leave his village and attend Harvard Law. His role as a human rights advocate brought him full circle as he began a foundation to help others. Chris named the foundation after his benefactor, Hilda Back.

If you are like me, you see the ads on television that tell you “your money will help” but I often think that my money will never really make it to the village or family or child. It’s all a scam.

Hilda Back, a Holocaust survivor,  didn’t think those thoughts and instead she sent money and often wondered if her small act made a difference.

I love when this type of story crosses my path because it makes me understand how one person, one act, a kind word, a touch, a smile – really does matter.  That one small act by Hilda helped get Chris and his family out of poverty.

I believe we all do things that cause a ripple. We give, hug, create, write, dance, ask, sing, donate, bake and on and on. It seems ordinary but many times the recipients of our creations benefit in ways we can’t imagine. A kind word can bring sunshine into a dull room. A hug can chase away sadness,  a song can bring a smile.

I do nice things all the time. I pick up trash, send cards, make phone calls, volunteer, leave comments, give compliments all in the course of a day, week or month. I’ll bet you do too. We do these things just because…  We have no idea if that person was desperate to hear a compliment or if bringing someone soup made them feel more alive. We can only hope the giving continues and as we touch someone, they reach out and touch someone too.

Hilda gave because it was the right thing to do. Chris set up the Hilda Back Education Foundation because he understood that education was the way out of poverty.  The Kenyan children who receive scholarship will no doubt reach out and extend their helping hand to their siblings, family and community. A small act. We do it all the time. The circle widens, pulsates and grows. It’s a beautiful thing.

A Small Act

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Posted in Book Review, Communication, Education, No Comfort Zone-2012 Challenge, Relationships and tagged , , , , , , ,
25 Jan 2012
15 Comments

And the winner is …

About a year ago I came across a book called The Power of Kindness By Piero Ferrucci. It was a sweet book filled with words that captured my heart. After reading, I wrote down the following paragraph. OK, so who writes down a whole paragraph? The words spoke to me and me alone. I think I needed to know that what I do, what I love to do, is my talent.

The faculty of contact is a true talent – like musical, literary or athletic talent. Some people are talented jugglers or mathematicians. Some are talented in making contact with each other…Knowing the right way to engage, a comment that breaks the ice, body language that expresses openness and spontaneity, a look that, without invading, touches you deeply.

It took me a long time to realize that what comes so easily to me are my talents.  The ability to ‘work the room’, meet new people, speak in public, lead an effort, write a blog, design a newsletter, and put others at ease … is where I shine.

The faculty of contact is a true talentSince the art of contact, communication and interaction come so naturally I used to think 1) anybody can do this, 2) it’s no big deal 3) it’s not really a talent.  Since I didn’t play an instrument, win awards, create a sculpture, win an Oscar, or design a building, I figured I was hopeless.

But here I am … talented beyond measure. I read, write, learn, share, teach, train, engage, inspire, include, and blog.  I’ve come out of the closet and shared a little bit more about me. Here I am, stepping out of my zone, strutting my stuff and smiling the whole time.

‘What now,’ she wonders…

 

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Posted in Book Review, No Comfort Zone-2012 Challenge and tagged , , , ,
24 Jan 2012
11 Comments

Growth, Freedom and Fresh Air (NoCZ-12)

What I love most about the No Comfort Zone Challenge is the week long duration. Each week I begin with something different and if I like what I did last week I find a way to incorporate into my life. And if I don’t like it, well, it’s only a week, right?

You cant start the next chapter of your life if you kee re-reading the last one ...

I had no idea that spending time in my basement away from my regular routine would lead to hot baths, quiet mornings and a more organized basement!

Last week, I challenged myself to read a book out of my comfort zone and … and boy oh boy did I pick a doozy.  The nonfiction book called The Imperial Life in the Emerald City is an expose about the misadventures of the US occupation in Iraq after Saddam’s fall. As I read, my heart dropped and my disgust grew. The arrogance and deceit were evident everywhere you looked. My heart hurt to read it. So, good-bye book… I gave it a good try (6+ Chapters) but the leadership, greed and disregard for the citizens was too demoralizing.

A second book I have open and am reading is called The Happiness Project and it’s a study about …yes, you got it right — Happiness. Talk about two sides of a coin! Whew…

This week will be 30 minutes walking per day – outside. NO treadmill, track or elliptical machine. Out in the fresh air under the sky I love so much. I’ll let you know how it goes.

What do you plan to do?

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Posted in Book Review, happiness, No Comfort Zone-2012 Challenge and tagged , , , ,
22 Jan 2012
21 Comments

NoCZ-12 Week 3 Update

Funny how doing something differently changes everything else.

This past week I decided to head to the basement within the first hour of returning from work. Normally I scarf down some food and read while I’m eating. This deviation from my normal routine was actually quite nice.

  • Monday was spend jumping on my trampoline, cleaning things up, stretching and doing some laundry. When I returned upstairs it was after 7 pm. I was ready to settle down, read, eat and relax. Most important of all, I did something I haven’t done in a VERY long time – I took a long hot soak. After reading Joss commit to a week of  taking baths and how it affected her, I wanted to be in that place again. I used to take baths all the time but now it’s an afterthought and one I usually skip. This week I committed to myself…
  • Tuesday morning, I awoke and sat in the dark morning silence for a bit. That quiet time gave me time to remember my dreams and I took time to write them down. I’ve noticed that I’m having more dreams lately and by writing them down, I am inviting more into my world.
  • Tuesday night was book club night, 7 women, wine, hot tea, lots of food, book discussion, life sharing, laughter… no newindy hike on a gray day with Margeed to go to the basement!
  • Wednesday morning I was up early and sat in silence – then spent some time reading before I began my day. What an amazing effect that stillness has on my day. It transforms what lies ahead into the here and now. Oh so sweet!
  • Wednesday evening was back in the basement, stretching and throwing darts.
  • Thursday evening back in the basement, playing darts, jumping up and down, more darts, singing, lalala… That evening was another soak in the bathtub. The bath water scented with Hawaiian Coconut Sea Salt helped to slow me, ground me and calm me.
  • Friday morning started off with a bit of reading in my quiet house.
  • Friday night is group therapy at the local pub with 3 other girlfriends. It’s a fun way to end the week – sharing, connecting and getting caught up with each other over a beer and wings.
  • Saturday morning was a solo hike up Rabbit Mountain. The changing sky kept my eyes facing up and the appreciation I felt toward the landscape multiplied.  You all know how much I adore Colorado with so much sky, sun, mountain views and tons of reasons to be outside. Love, love, love!
  • Sunday morning the wind was blowing like crazy but I don’t cancel a hike when it was I who suggested it! The sky was a blanket of gray clouds and we were dressed for the weather and off we went. It was a glorious hike filled with conversation, laughter, ideas, book suggestions and friendship it was an amazing way to begin a Sunday.

Do more of what makes you happy - quote

It was a great week for me and I especially loved the disruption I caused which helped change everything up. Taking baths was the best, followed by morning quiet time.

Spending so much time with me kept me from blogging and visiting you. I’ll work on that this week, ok?

Did you do something out of your comfort zone?

If you have a minute, I learned that we two others who’ve joined our NoCZ-12 Challenge. Take a moment to visit Nimi’s Musings and Allen Jambalaya.

More to come …

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Posted in No Comfort Zone-2012 Challenge and tagged , , ,
20 Jan 2012
16 Comments

Things are happening here… NoCZ–12

Crying means you are aliveMy focus this week is to break my pattern of coming home from work and eating whatever happens to be within my reach. Instead I decided to spend the first hour in my basement.

Because of this decision the whole feel of my week has changed.

I’ll find more words and let you know what’s different when the week ends.

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Posted in No Comfort Zone-2012 Challenge and tagged , ,
18 Jan 2012
8 Comments

If you can feel the sun… life can’t be bad!

I have a playlist of songs that I have ready when I need some good music and I need it fast …

Every time, without fail when Blessed by Joan Armatrading plays … I stop in my tracks. It’s powerful and sweet and a reminder of all the wonderful things I already have in my world. I couldn’t find her singing it so I am including a YouTube video so you can hear the lyrics and music. It’s less than 2 minutes long and leaves you wanting more.

Blessed

Life is hard
Work is dirty
Friends plead poverty
Fame and fortune
Keeps it’s own time
So don’t wait up

But if you can feel the sun
If you can feel the rain
Life can’t be bad
If you’ve got food to eat
And all your dreams to dream
Life can’t be bad
If you can walk away
and fight another day
Life can’t be that bad

For all the things that I can do
How could I complain
I’ve got no broken wings
I’ve got a heart that sings
And I feel blessed

 

Posted in No Comfort Zone-2012 Challenge and tagged , ,
17 Jan 2012
14 Comments

Judgement and Perceptions: NoCZ-2012

No Comfort Zone 2012 Weekly Challenge badgeI found this wonderful video on Magsx2′s blog. Going to the movies turned out to be an amazing act of getting out of your comfort zone for these moviegoers.
What would you have done?

 

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Posted in No Comfort Zone-2012 Challenge and tagged , , , , ,
16 Jan 2012
12 Comments

No Comfort Zone-2012 Challenge Updates

A new week filled with challenges and opportunities to do things differently is upon us. As for last week …

First of all I wore a dress again. Yes, I think it’s like breaking in new running shoes; it’s a slow process that becomes easier each time. My two dresses can be worn a few more times before anybody realizes that perhaps I only own two?

The toilet got fixed! You can call me Marge Katherine or you can call me Rosie the Riveter!

I resigned from my role as a board member but agreed to stay on and be the Fiddle Festival coordinator. This will be the 2nd year for the organization and for me. I’ll keep you tuned in.

As for my online and off-line friends:

Carol at Quillfyre got her hands dirty trying out a pottery class. Her descriptive poem sums it all up for us.

Anne at Heaven Sent made a phone call to ask for forgiveness for something that she didn’t do. This was totally out of her comfort zone but she did it anyhow.

Joss at Crowing Crone decided to call one person each day for a week. After reading her post I wrote down a list of people I want to call. They are all still on my list – I am expecting that she did much better than I did.

Jackie at A Heart’s Whispers stated for the whole world to read that she was going to 1) contact her chiropractor and 2) honor her commitment to Ahna.

At Diggingher the opportunity to volunteer and step up to work with Dress for Success was offered and received.

ChittleChattle will surely give an update on her TV appearance. To think we have a star in our mist!

More updates to come…

Now for this week:

When I come home from work, I usually open the fridge and grab something to eat, whether I’m hungry or not. This week I plan to come home and head to the basement for the first half hour. I can throw darts, jump on my trampoline, lift weights or read a book – but it will be in a brand new environment.

Ha!

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do more of what makes you happy

Posted in No Comfort Zone-2012 Challenge and tagged , , ,
13 Jan 2012
32 Comments

Sibling Angst: If Only…

NoCZ-2012

Sometimes it’s hard to step away from a role that we do so well. In my family, I was always the peacemaker and I hated conflict. I was close to all my siblings but not anymore. There’s been dis-ease between a sister and myself for over 5 years and it’s sad.

Now this sister is recovering from surgery and I get to read emails that others have received about her health and progress. I hear about her pain and I am in pain.

3 young sisters and one brother dressed up to attend a wedding

Yet, my role as friend and confident has changed to that of observer offering love, prayers, hope and healing. It’s not a place I’d ever imagine I would be and yet … it’s where I am.

Something tells me that I need to put these words on paper and share them with you. Maybe you’ve experienced something similar or know of someone who has. Maybe you shut someone out and don’t know how to let them back in? Maybe you’re on the outside looking in …

Maybe…

What if …

If only…

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No Comfort Zone 2012 Challenge
NoCZ-2012

stay in your heart

Posted in No Comfort Zone-2012 Challenge and tagged , , , ,

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