GOOD LUCK BAD LUCK… WHO KNOWS? Part 1

My priest/professor friend used to tell me a story of Good Luck, Bad Luck. It was of a farmer whose horse had run away. The town cried…"Oh what bad luck you have!" He simply replied… "Good Luck, Bad Luck… Who knows?"

That's the theme around this series of posts. Good Luck, Bad Luck… its all a matter of perspective.

I recently traveled back from a trip to the midwest and there were more people than seats on my flight home.

One of the common things for airlines to do today… well at least Southwest Airlines… is to overbook seats in assurance all seats are filled at take off.

I remember being very irritated with this practice when they first began to implement it. I remember taking my mother to the airport for a flight and as we stood in this really long line, it was clear they had more people than seats! "Oh,What Bad Luck!"

Since then, they seem to have perfected their technique and I have learned to use it to my advantage… "Oh What Good Luck!" Last year I volunteered my seat and had enough flight credit to take a trip to Puerto Rico with my daughters, where we met Evolve to Live's first official recipient, we were able to support, as he made necessary changes in his life so that he could support his family in Columbia.

So this time, when I found myself in So Cal, (San Diego), and it was clear there were more people than seats, I took a proactive approach and asked if they needed volunteers…."Yes! But there are no more seats to Tucson the rest of the weekend!" "Let me think about it!"

So I decided to turn what could have been perceived Bad Luck… into Good Luck! I used my own philosophy of Why Not? And said Yes to the opportunity that presented itself. "Oh… What Good Luck!"…… or was it?

EVALUATE: ADAPT AND EVOLVE!

While researching how to develop a success media campaign, I ran across a young company from Scotland and their advice really hit home with me. EVALUATE: ADAPT AND EVOLVE! It really resonated with me because its how ETL got its start. A young priest said to me, "Evolve or die!" And after much contemplation my sentiments became, "You have to evolve if you want to truly live!"

I could see how I could I apply this philosophy not only to my business but that I could also use it in my personal life.

IN BUSINESS: I've been doing ETL since 2011 and haven't made a profit. Now, I've lived a life that I wouldn't have changed one thing about, but as far as growing ETL, it's time to EVALUATE: ADAPT AND EVOLVE!

PERSONALLY: After having time to think about what my aunt said, "You got fat!" I decided to EVALUATE: ADAPT AND EVOLVE! Evaluate: How is what I'm doing working for me? Adapt: what can I do that will help me make some changes in my life? Evolve: How can I implement them in a way that makes sense in my life right now… today?

My conclusion: Now that I've been able (relatively so) to accept my body exactly how it was created to be… can I consciously make decisions about my health… meaning body, mind and soul? And how can I implement staying awake and present in each moment in a balanced way that makes sense?

I'm going to run a triathlon! Why? WHY NOT?

WHY NOT?

Why not....why not get up and join the sunrise at the ocean?
Why not...go to the amazing new hotel...The Strand and enjoy the luxurious yet simplistic beauty of just being there?
Why not play in the water or go kayaking?


This trip, like all  others have a theme...this one...Why Not?

I arrived in Huntington Beach, CA on Saturday. I started to work early Sunday morning helping my friend remodel her one bedroom apartment, by ripping up the carpet, tacking strips and linoleum, hauling it all away and dealing with mold!....OMG! Why not? (You're nearly 60!)

We later went to Fred's Mexican Restaurant on the beach to watch the football game and enjoy a margarita. Why not? (There's more work to do!)

Next day: the ocean was calling and I went for an early morning walk on the beach, remembering you all to her and she waved back!  Why not? (There's work to do!) Later, we ripped up the carpet in her son's room (after moving all the furniture) and relaid new...OMG!

I took the time today to visit my sister. The days right now are beautiful...70 degrees...the sun warm, the  crisp ocean smell in the mornings and the smell of campfires in the evening...the already sun kissed, deliciously sweet strawberries that can purchased at the road side stands from the few farmers who still have small fields in town.

Pati, why not enjoy the journey of everyday living? After all....it's all you have. Life doesn't begin....someday....when.....you retire, (LOL) when the kids leave home or the dog dies.....this is it...this is your life....today...in this moment.....My mission this trip to try everything that presents itself to me without making excuses as to why I can't, shouldn't, won't......and just say Thank you....WHY NOT?

PS...to my conservative friend....why not date the girl with pink hair and tattoos?