I AM Symposium

Technology – ND #21

Posted on by Lisa Weikel 2 Comments
Photo: Macrumors.com

Technology

Technology. Ugh. Talk about having a love/hate relationship with something. Ever since Karl and I bought one of the first Macintoshes for Christmas back in 1984 (at a department store called Hess’s!), I’ve been fascinated by the possibilities.

I’ll always remember the anticipation we felt taking it out of its box and setting it up in our first apartment here in Pennsylvania. We moved back to Pennsylvania after living in New York for three years while I attended law school. Karl was a toddler and Karl and I felt like we were making a visionary investment in his future by purchasing that machine.

Only just graduating from law school a year earlier, I had typed every paper I submitted both in undergrad and law school on an electric typewriter. I kept handwritten track of all our finances in a 10” x 13” grid-lined notebook. So the prospect of inputting and organizing all our finances on the computer boggled my mind. The concept of writing letters, papers, memoranda, briefs – heck, writing anything – and being able to edit and delete without Wite-Out® or Liquid Paper®(which were still pretty revolutionary in their own right) seemed like science fiction. But here it was: a grayish plastic cube sitting on a desk in our living room.

We watched the now legendary Apple commercial “1984” and felt like we were part of a movement that would break the future wide open. I literally fantasized over all the things I thought we’d be able to do with that Macintosh.

Afraid to Break It

I have to laugh at my dreams now. To say that I was disappointed in that first Macintosh is an understatement. Quicken®didn’t become a part of my reality for probably another decade. And by that time we’d moved to PCs because we could get a wider selection of better games for the kids and word processing programs for me (as well as the aforementioned Quicken®).

Through it all, though, I was so afraid I’d ‘break’ it. Or heaven forbid, I’d touch a key or engage in a function that would delete everything. It didn’t take long for our sons to zoom past us at light speed in their comfort level with this ever-evolving technology.

Of course, that was the whole point of why we’d invested in that very first Macintosh. And why we found ourselves upgrading to the latest and greatest amazingness every year or two. The technology changed so quickly, and the software became so sophisticated, we simply had to get machines with more power and memory if we were going to successfully greet the future.

One Foot In, One Foot Out

All of this is forefront in my mind because I gave a presentation today in the I AM Symposium and used a new desktop computer. I thought I’d figured out ahead of time how to ‘go live’ on Facebook, which was ironic, since I’ve become fairly comfortable with Zoom. How different could they be, I thought? Ha. (Never challenge worse. Where have I heard that before?) When a notice suddenly popped up moments before I was to start indicating that my ‘frames per second’ were too slow, I wanted to run away.

Luckily, Sage was close by and he messed around with it. (Truth be told, I don’t think he did anything to it that I hadn’t tried – but it was infinitely reassuring that he was there as my tech support.) The ‘show went on,’ and I eventually regained my footing. But it was a tough start.

And so it is, I have a beauty of a new computer – the first desktop we’ve had in the house in probably a decade. I’m excited by the power and speed it has – and the possibilities, again, feel limitless. It also feels like another ‘coming full circle.’ I remember seeing Karl (son) sitting at our last desktop, right where this one is situated, the last time he was home. That’s when he put a ton of his favorite songs on my iPod (which are now on my iPhone) – and through which he still communicates with me today.

Technology. I love it and hate it at the same time.

(T+21)

High Hopes – ND #19

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The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin

High Hopes

I always have high hopes heading into the last two weeks of the year. No matter what, I always look upon this time of year as my cherished opportunity to find a cozy spot in the house and just READ.

Mostly, I let myself read after I’ve posted for the evening. Believe me, I don’t get very far, since I usually fall asleep within about five minutes. But see, between Christmas and New Years each year, I actually bring my book downstairs! It’s allowed to mingle outside the bedroom, which increases its potential for being picked up and read rather significantly.

The fiction I’m reading at the moment is The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin. It’s the first in a trilogy, which means if I love the writing, I can look forward to months of delicious anticipation each night. So far so good.

Sunset 26 Dec 2021 – Photo: L. Weikel

Slightly Ragged Start

I have to admit that my experience of the book literally got off to a slightly ragged start. If you take a look at the photo of the book, above, you’ll see that the puppies discovered the joys of paperbacks a few weeks back. Luckily, I discovered their transgression before any words were harmed in the process.

Just in the past night or so, in spite of the ridiculously late hour I found myself sliding between the sheets and snagging a few minutes with my book, I actually managed to read enough to finally feel ‘hooked.’ Now I’m finding the book is calling to me – enticing me to ‘write already’ so I can return to the world so persuasively created by N. K. Jemisin.

Besides Reading

Besides the allure of spending unrestricted time immersing myself in another world, I’m also looking forward to breaking in a new tarot deck. It’s always fun to do a spread for the coming year, choosing a card for each month, just to get a sense of what that month might hold.

But first – during the days just after Christmas especially – it’s fascinating to go back to my notes and reflect upon the cards I chose last year. I’m finding my sense of time has been altered significantly by the pandemic. Nothing feels the same. Time doesn’t flow in the same way it used to. Not that this is a bad thing; it’s just vastly different in some ways. And I’m wondering if time will continue to feel this abstract and obtuse from here on out.

Wintry Mix

We’re supposed to get a ‘wintry mix’ of weather tomorrow. All the more reason to stay home and hunker down. I’ll watch the I AM Symposium, play some games, read some of my book – and maybe even write a little something myself.

I hope you’re giving yourself permission to do some of your favorite things this week too.

Photo: L. Weikel

(T+19)

I AM Solstice Symposium – Day 400

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Friends

This will be a short post tonight. I only have about half an hour to get this written, as I’ve been struggling with – no – agonizing over – no – crafting the Hoot Alert I just sent out, advertising the upcoming I AM Solstice Symposium.

To any of you out there who are fluent or even simply conversant in creating marketing materials in the digital age, you probably think I’m exaggerating the effort it took me to send that out. But alas, the struggle is real.

I titled this post “Friends” because the host of the I AM Solstice Symposium, Renee Baribeau, is my friend. Indeed, she is one of those friends who pushes me to break through my comfort zone. She challenges me. She pokes and prods and offers me opportunities that I would otherwise probably never have.

That’s Friendship?

Some of you may be thinking, “Yikes. With friends like that…” But I beg to differ.

To me at least, friends are not people who just rubber stamp your feelings. They listen; yes. They have compassion; absolutely.

But do they indulge you when they think you’re misperceiving who you are or what you have to offer to the world? Do they give you a pass when you think you can’t do something, just because you’ve never done it before?

Not in my book.

To me, being a friend is holding a vision of a person out so they can see themselves from your perspective. Being a friend is refusing to buy their bullshit about what they think they can or can’t say, do, or accomplish. Being a friend is holding them up to a higher aspiration than they dare hold for themselves.

I AM Solstice Symposium

Renee and I have both grown a lot in the past 15 years or so that we’ve known each other. Ever since I met her, she’s been pushing me to “get myself out there.” Our first collaboration was the Business of Healing – a weekend-long event she produced in Joshua Tree, CA in which she persuaded me to speak. This was the first time I’d ever given a ‘class’ of any kind – and the first of many times Renee has pushed me past my comfort zone.

Back then, I was the one who’d published a book. Now look at her: a Hay House author. And not ‘just’ an author with a major publisher, but creator of  Winds of Spirit, a book that is “Winner of the Nautilus Award, Body Mind Spirit President’s Choice Award, Indies Finalist and the Readers’ Choice Award.”

That’s pretty amazing. And I’m very, very proud of her.

When Renee invited me to participate in the first I AM Symposium, I did not readily accept. I really had to think about it.  I was flattered that she asked me, but just the thought of being heard by so many made my blood run cold. If I’m honest, I have to admit that she cajoled me into taking the risk.

This year’s Solstice Symposium is my 4th I AM Symposium event. Obviously, I’m grateful that she thinks enough of me to include me among the roster of the much ‘bigger’ names who are also participating. But even more, I’m grateful that she cared enough to push me past my comfort zone.

Bottom Line

I don’t know if I’ve pushed Renee to break through any of her self-imposed limitations, because I honestly don’t know if I’ve ever seen her let a barrier get in her way. She’s a dynamo. She makes things happen. She’s…indefatigable. And she’s a true friend.

I’m actually extraordinarily lucky. I have more truly amazing friends than anyone’s entitled to have. And I hope they know I try to be to them the type of friend I’ve described above – one that pushes them to be the best and most amazing versions of themselves that they can be. The version of themselves that I see shining out of them whenever I look at them.

Please join us this weekend for the I AM Solstice Symposium. For more fun, and to bring the sacred into your home in a unique manner, sign up to be a Fire Tender. It’s a cool way to join a community of soulful people who listen to the wind.

(T-711)

“I AM Symposium”

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Today is a big day for me!

As many of you know (those who are already on my “Hoot List”), I’m honored and delighted to be participating as a presenter in an online gathering of 24 fascinating people from all walks of life who have faced great loss or major life challenges and not only survived, but also discovered truths, approaches, perspectives, and strategies that serve them well in moving forward with their lives.

The “I AM Symposium” began two days ago, on Monday, October 12th – and if you sign up today for the entire program, you’ll still be able to hear the first presenter’s talk for free. Each day a single presentation is broadcast, and those who have signed up for the event have 72 hours to listen each one.

If you can’t manage to snag the time each day to listen – or if you miss the talk of someone you’d love to hear but didn’t catch them within the “free” 72 hour window – or if you just find you would like the opportunity to listen to each presentation at your leisure, as many times as you would like, you can purchase and download the entire 24-speaker package for $47. (Just scroll to the very bottom of the sign-up page.)

Sorry for such a detailed explanation, but details are helpful. And no matter which way you look at it, either “completely free” (but requiring a somewhat disciplined listening approach) or 24 unique presentations for $47 – it’s a pretty sweet deal.

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I started this post out by saying that today is a big deal for me because my “story” airs today. It’s personal, it’s real – and this is the first time I’ve ever participated in such a venture, so I have no baseline as to what to expect. And even though I often write with stark honesty, direct from my heart, about personal issues, I rarely “speak” of such things.  So, this was a stretch!

If you’ve come to my website because you just heard me on the “I AM Symposium” broadcast, welcome! I’d like to offer you the opportunity to receive a free chapter of my book, Owl Medicine, in thanks for signing up for my Hoot List, if you choose to do so. (And I’m trying to figure out how to do this on my own, without bugging my most revered Web Master, Mark. If I don’t figure it out within a day or so, I will ask him to set it up!)*

As I mention (a lot) in my presentation, I feel listening – true, deep listening – is one of the greatest gifts we can give both ourselves and other people in our lives. And as much as I am a fierce advocate for the necessity of listening as a part of a healthy and fulfilled life, I also know how very, sometimes uncomfortably, challenging it can be to really and truly LISTEN to the messages we’re receiving. The chapter from Owl Medicine that I’m offering you shows you just what I mean (and how I’ve sometimes had to learn the hard way).

I hope you enjoy the I AM Symposium!  Of course, if you love it, please do not hesitate to share it with your friends.

Finally, I urge you to “stay tuned” if you’re interested in perhaps attending a Listening Retreat with me…

*And if anyone who already is a part of my Hoot List would also like to receive the free chapter, just send me an email and I’ll get it out to you!