Dear Melissa,

Bite-size pieces! I have felt overwhelmed a lot these days. There is so much to accomplish between design - still my livelihood, speaking - my passion and purpose, and writing - the next book is due. Every time it gets to be too much, I remember the advice I give my coaching clients “break it down into bite-size pieces.” Everything is possible when you take it one step at a time. Too much will give you life indigestion! So I am a master at short lists, quick reminders and celebrating every small success.

Spring arts inspiration! I made it to the Magic City Arts Festival in Birmingham last weekend and had a blast! Crowds were much lighter than here in Atlanta, the weather was glorious, and I picked up a really hot birdhouse for my backyard jungle. The picture of me with the towers is fascinating because each tower is made of bits of tire, you know those blown out pieces we drive over on the highway? Artists are often the best recyclers, certainly this one is. And, I loved the mosaic hunter's trophy!

Expand your circle of influence! As I write this, I have a huge pot of chili simmering on the stove, and will be soon setting up the buffet table and putting out the balloons for a gathering of gals to join me Sunday night for potluck. The idea is that we meet every other month, hoping to garner a minimum of 12 and maximum of 24 each meeting, to share what we've got going on, answer a fun and thought provoking question (this week is “what is your greatest adventure to date, and would you do it again?”) and get to know each other well beyond the limitations of our career titles . This pushes each of us just outside the usual zone, and this is all about netliving, not networking. We aren't trading cards but anecdotes and experiences. I'll be sure to post you on the fun next letter!

Happiest of upcoming Mother's Days to those of you who are Moms and those of you who still have your Moms. Cherish the chance to reconnect and thank Mom for all she does, you are included. And remember Mom deserves to Celebrate Her Life!

Live well and beautifully,

Seek And You Shall Find!

For the first five years following college and armed with a degree in hospitality management, I was a Purchasing Agent in hotels, including Opryland Hotel, Callaway Gardens, and Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. If you ate it, drank it, wrote with it, or slept on it, I bought it! Research was critical, and I've always been good at finding a source. The hotel, and particularly the chef, relied on my abilities to track down the best product at the least cost (translates to optimum value). Today, for me, design is no different. Every design professional is only as good as their resources.

As a speaker and author, I am constantly on the look out for new resources to build my platform. This includes resources that can produce product for me, services that can video and photograph, talent that can edit and format, and much more. I never stop looking because as fast as technology is changing, the next best provider may be around the corner. Don't get lazy and set in your ways, it will cost you too much.

Any professional is only as good as their rolodex, though in this day and age it may be phrased as their blackberry book. Yet so few seem to be versed in the art of the hunt and will sooner default to “ I don't know how to do that, I don't have a source for that, I can't find it.” Wow, this is so short sighted in the information age. With the advent of the internet, you can find everything and anything. I guarantee it - so does Google and Yahoo!

Even with my coaching clients, I find that often they want to give up quickly when faced with needing a new resource for either a service or a product. I then ask them where else can they look? How can they dig deeper? Often it is one more connection away. If it is a service, sometimes checking local universities and colleges for part time talent can be a cost effective answer, or even tapping Craig's List or elance.com. Get outside of your own circle, and stretch yourself. Without the needed service provider or product sought you won't achieve the goal you have set. Ask, ask, and ask again. Tell everyone you come into contact with what you are looking for, ask for their recommendation. Some of us are natural connectors and will do whatever we can to connect you closer to your goal. Others will shrug their shoulders and say “I don't know.” Remember to say to yourself “next” and move on.

"A great attitude does much more than turn on the lights in our worlds; it seems to magically connect us to all sorts of serendipitous opportunities that were somehow absent before we changed."
~ Earl Nightingale
1921-1989, Philosopher and Syndicated Radio Personality
 

Tricia Molloy: Divine Wisdom at Work

Divine Wisdom at Work is a powerful, practical guide to getting what you desire and deserve by using univeral principles—like the Law of Attraction, Affirmations, Visualization and Gratitude. Author Tricia Molloy is a friend and business colleague who has used these principles all her life. I fully recommend and endorse Tricia's work, it mirrors much of my own in designing your signature life. Through talks, workshops and coaching, Tricia inspires others to work with wisdom . To order this book, go to http://www.divinewisdomatwork.com/Buy.asp.
 

Newly opened, this feels a bit like a fast food take out but truly boasts an eclectic menu of fresh Mediterranean recipes, and European quality pastries. The portions are huge, having ordered a half salad that appeared larger than most full salads, and dinner portions enough for at least two meals! I enjoyed a roasted vegetable plate with eggplant, peppers, squash, tomatoes and mushrooms, and a friend had the stuffed tilapia, both very tasty. We indulged in chocolate roulage with berries for dessert the only disappointment was the whipped cream was coolwhip (I know shocking!) not the real deal. I'd return for lunch in a heartbeat, their grilled sandwich menu looked particularly appetizing.

Flavors Cafe
236 Johnson Ferry Road
Sandy Springs, GA 30328
404-255-7402

"Waitress" - Keri Russell, Cheryl Hines, Jeremy Sisto, Nathan Fillion

Directed by Adrienne Shelly, who sadly was found murdered in her Manhatten office while she was wrapping up the final takes on this film. Sad too because a truly delightful film maker is gone. This is a fun, campy, yet edgy movie. Russell is a real treat as the star of this slice of life (or should I say slice of pie!) She is the pie making creator behind a pie diner, owned by Andy Griffith's character Joe. He is a tough old guy, with a heart of gold that sees much more than she realizes. She is married to a real lout of a guy that considers her a possession and controls her every move. When she finds herself pregnant, she is none to pleased and promptly falls for the dishy new doctor in town. Enjoying a torrid affair during the pregnancy makes it all bearable. Her gal pals reminded me of Flo and Vera on that old sitcom “Alice” in Mel's Diner. The names for the pies Russell's Jenna crafts are as uniquely delicious as the pies themselves, you've gotta see this to savor it. As a designer, I loved the diner makeover at the end, complete with bubble gum pink bubbles!

 

Rumi's Kitchen - Sandy Springs, GA

This gift of a dining spot is from the former chef of Persian restaurant Persepolis, another favorite. The décor is divine, really making you feel like you've entered the romance of the Casbah. The food is plentiful and well flavored. From traditional favorites like Tahdeeg and Dolmeh (stuffed grape leaves) to a fantastic assortment of kabobs including chicken, beef, lamb, Cornish hen, shrimp and more. You won't lack for variety or spice and will enjoy a trip overseas without ever leaving the city. Most entrees are served with saffron Basmati rice, my personal favorite, and veggies include eggplant, squash, tomatoes in a ratatouille format.

Rumi's Kitchen
6152 Roswell Road
Sandy Springs, GA 30328
404-477-2100
www.rumiskitchen.com

 

"Miss Potter" - Renee Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, Emily Watson

This was a splendid movie, despite being restricted to watching it on a thumbnail size screen flying from Hawaii to Atlanta. I'm so glad I saw this, it is heart warming, deeply motivating, and forever encouraging to writers worldwide, and those of us not yet married, but ever hopeful. Zellweger is a delight and complemented more so by Watson. Their friendship is truly to be treasured, and Zellweger imbues Potter with an indomitable spirit that nothing can sink, despite the continued lack of belief of her family and initially the publishing world, until she became the best selling author almost overnight. She always remained true to herself and her characters, honoring her desire to rescue the land and the save the animals that inhabit it. What a remarkable legacy and a story that inspires always.