Accomplishments and Acquisitions vs. Joy and Meaning- Marcello Recommends: The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown

If you find that a little relentless introspection can be just as good for your soul as a big bowl of chicken noodle soup from time to time, chances are you’ll dig this compilation of quantitative and qualitative research via courageous story-telling.

After a pretty deep chat with my good friend, Miles Gilbert, a few weeks ago- he sent me the book, “The Gifts of Imperfection:  Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who you Are – Your Guide To  A Wholehearted Life.”

The author, Brené Brown, doesn’t hold anything back when she shares her real-life experiences and scientific data regarding courage, compassion and connection.   Brown also touches on what  I think is the key to personal fulfillment… the ability to define what “enough” means to you and how to avoid the trap of “comparison.”   Derek Sivers, the founder of CD Baby, wrote a great book called, “Anything You Want,” that really drives home the “enough” concept.  Derek’s book is already in the Marcello Recommends book queue.  Look for it here this fall.

Brown writes with brutal honesty. And not just in the ‘I want the reader to think I’m humble’-kinda way either.  She’s an imperfect perfectionist who happens to be book smart, real-world wise, tenaciously curious and pretty damn funny too. -mp

Here are a few excerpts to whet your appetite…

“I heard stories about the power of embracing imperfection and vulnerability.   I learned the inextricable connection between joy and gratitude, and how things that I take for granted, like rest and play, are as vital to our health as nutrition and exercise.”

“We don’t want to be uncomfortable.  We want a quick and dirty “how-to” list for happiness.  I don’t fit that bill.  Never have.  Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to skip over the hard stuff, but it just doesn’t work.  We don’t change, we don’t grow, and we don’t move forward without the work.  If we really want to live a joyful, connected, and meaningful life, we must talk about things that get in the way.”

“Mindfully practicing authenticity during our most soul-searching struggles is how we invite grace, joy, and gratitude into our lives.”

“I believe a joyful life is made up of joyful moments gracefully strung together by trust, gratitude, inspiration and faith.”

“If we want to make meaning, we need to make art.  Cook, write, draw, doodle, paint, scrapbook, take pictures, collage, knit, rebuild an engine, sculpt, dance, decorate, act, sing- it doesn’t matter.  As long as we’re creating, we’re cultivating meaning.”

Featured Quotes:

“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their beauty is revealed only if there is light from within.” – Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

“Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are.” – Marianne Williamson

“Comparison is the thief of happiness.” –Laura Williams

“The opposite of work is not play.  The opposite of work is depression.” – Dr. Stuart Brown.”

Connect with Brené on her blog, Twitter or Facebook.

Tara Griep Sends Out Her Ray of Sunshine

Special thanks to the very talented actor, model and MMP Team member, Tara Griep, for sending over the new theme song for our Sunshine Club.

It’s called The Sunshine Song and is performed by Jason Mraz. You can download it here from Amazon.  Enjoy!  -mp

“Well sometimes the sun shines on
Other people’s houses and not mine.
Some days the clouds paint the sky all gray
And it takes away my summertime.
Somehow the sun keeps shining upon you,
While I struggle to get mine.
If there’s a light in everybody,
Send out your ray of sunshine.

.

I want to walk the same roads as everybody else,
Through the trees and past the gates.
Getting high on heavenly breezes,
Making new friends along the way.
I won’t ask much of nobody,
I’m just here to sing along.
And make my mistakes looks gracious,
And learn some lessons from my wrongs.

Well sometimes the sun shines on
Other people’s houses and not mine.
Some days the clouds paint the sky all gray
And it takes away my summertime.
Somehow the sun keeps shining upon you,
While I struggle to get mine.
A little light never hurt nobody,
Send out your ray of sunshine.

Oh, if this little light of mine
Combined with yours today,
How many watts could we luminate?
How many villages could we save?
My umbrella’s tired of the weather,
Wearing me down.
Well, look at me now.

You should look as good as your outlook,
Would you mind if I took some time,
to soak up your light, your beautiful light?
You’ve got a paradise inside.
I get hungry for love and thirsty for life,
And much too full on the pain,
When I look to the sky to help me
And sometimes it looks like rain.

As the sun shines on other people’s houses
And not mine,
And the sky paints those clouds in a way
That it takes away the summertime,
Somehow the sun keeps shining upon you,
while I kindly stand by.
If theres a light in everybody,
Send out your ray of sunshine

You’re undeniably warm, you’re cerulean,
You’re perfect in desire.
Won’t you hang around
so the sun, it can shine on me,
And the clouds they can roll away,
And the sky can become a possibility?
If there’s a light in everybody,
Send out your ray of sunshine.”

Someone to Watch Over Me

This was one of my grandmother’s favorite songs.

It’s been 6 years since she passed away.  I still think of her often… especially during the summer.  That’s when we spent the most time together at her beach house.

We went to the movies, played bingo, watched Judge Judy, and walked the boardwalk every morning so we could eat like champs at night.

Grandma Dora seemed to have an endless supply of fresh mozzarella,  breaded veal cutlets, macaroni and perfectly- sweetened iced tea in the kitchen.

After mowing the lawn the other day it started to rain.  I looked up from the bottom of the driveway and saw this beautiful rainbow.  It was as if Grandma was letting me know that she’s still lookin’ out for me and my family.

Thanks grandma.  I really miss you.

 

 

Hot Town, Summer In The City: The NYC “Life Is Good” Bike Tour ’11

Once again- Tony, John and I tuned-in to our favorite radio station, WKIP (We Keep It Positive) and rode our bikes 35 miles to Brooklyn just to have a slice of Margarita pizza at Grimaldi’s.    This year- we were joined by my good friend and co-creator of the fictional feel-good frequency, Mike Walter.

It was sunny and 87 degrees in the big apple… this song kept playing in my head throughout our excursion. Everybody was outside doing their thang; running, walking, praying to trees, fixing the roads, sight-seeing, playing chess like they do in one of my favorite movies of all time, and lots of folks playing a little hooky.

As always, the highlights of the ride revolved around the food and the company.  Our friend, Terri, who couldn’t make the ride but joined us for breakfast at Le Peep, recommended  “The Spinnaker.”  It’s a delicious egg-white omelet with spinach, bacon, mushrooms, chives, cheese and tomato.  Yummy! The day was off to a great start.

Mike featured the trip route on his blog, so I’ll just focus on the pizza and the pics.

There’s something about Gramaldi’s home-made mozzarella, the perfect crust, and a red sauce so nice it should have a crayon named after it...  that will keep me coming back to Brooklyn on my bike year after year.

4 slices is usually just what the doctor ordered at the 17 mile half-way point.  But this time… John and I raced up the Manhattan bridge right after lunch…  that fourth slice wasn’t doing me any favors.       No unnecessary drama ensued, but note to self: next year you may want to wait another 15 minutes before challenging anybody to a race.  Especially someone like John, who is a ridiculously-strong rider and spins 8 days a week.

Throughout the trip… we joked, laughed and got personal.   We saw “every kind of people” and enjoyed a fun, alternative workout.

We all agreed there’s no doubt that being outside-  soakin’ up a sunny day & just livin‘, is a very good indication that Life- is indeed good.    See ya next year!    You are welcome to join us.   -mp

 

Encore Gallery:

The Catch Heard ‘Round The World

The Tampa Bay Ray’s 3rd baseman, Evan Longoria, makes a catch that’s worthy of ESPN’s Top Ten plays of the century.

It’s also worthy of being called an oscar-winning performance.

Kudos to Evan and the brilliant folks at Gillette. -mp

Another gem from Al Gerney.

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