May21
Posted on May 21 by Ruth Davis
Last weekend I drove the RV up to the Bay area for a retreat with my Wisdom Council Mastermind. We are seven women solo-preneurs who have been having video meetings online every other week since July, 2012. In addition to supporting each other in our businesses, we offer compassion, inspiration and a place to share our biggest fears. And we have become deep and true friends. To further deepen our connections, we all decided to meet in person, in Emeryville, just outside of San Francisco, where one of the women has her art studio. Instead of dealing with hotels that accept dogs, I decided it would be easier and less stressful to drive the RV up so that Laddy would be comfortable while I was in my meeting. And, even paying $4.00/gal for gas, it would be less expensive than driving my car and staying in a hotel for three nights. It was a long, five hour drive from Cayucos, with a stop for lunch and gas and ripe cherries from a highway fruit stand. When Marika and I...
May08
Posted on May 8 by Ruth Davis
There is a rhythm to sewing Prayer Flags: measure, cut, tear, sew sew sew, measure, cut, tear…repeat…. measure, cut, tear, sew sew sew, measure, cut, tear…pause. This morning I sat outside at my picnic table, the sun warming my neck and a slight breeze fluttering the piles of finished flags. I sewed for an hour, pulling stray threads off the torn lengths of muslin, then folding the edges over to sew the seam so that a string can be pushed through to hang them. It is easy work, meditative, even, as long as the machine stays threaded. Prayer flags are an ancient pre-Buddhist custom used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. According to Wikipedia, “…the flags do not carry prayers to gods, which is a common misconception; rather, the Tibetans believe the prayers and mantras will be blown by the wind to spread the good will and compassion into all pervading space. Therefore, prayer flags are thought to bring benefit to all… …The prayers of a flag become a permanent part of the universe as the images fade...
May06
Posted on May 6 by Ruth Davis
“When we compare ourselves to others, we will always feel better than or less than our true selves.” That said, it’s also important to surround ourselves with people who challenge us to run faster, think bigger, walk longer. But not because THEY do, but because that is what we want and need for ourselves. With all of the people that I meet, it is no surprise that many are living big and powerful lives. They inspire me, motivate me, and serve as a beacon for how full and rich I want my life to be. But sometimes, I meet someone who seems to be doing everything that I envision for myself. They are clearly doing their heart work. They are financially very successful and they seem to have a beautiful balance of mind, body and spirit. They are leaping and bounding with such joy and authenticity and effortlessness. While I am excited and happy for their successes, I sometimes fall into that place of comparing myself, my progress, my life, with theirs. And it is not a pretty place....
May01
Posted on May 1 by Ruth Davis
I have been very busy these past few weeks, seeding. Seeding is an entrepreneurial business terms that means spreading an idea around. Seeding happens after all of the behind the scenes work is in place, but before the actual event or program takes place. Seeding is how you get people interested in your idea. And so for the past month I’ve been getting everything in place for a new Mac training course. I gave a free tips webinar and shared some great content, I invited folks to register for a full six week class to learn even more ways to work smarter. I’ve been posting on Facebook, sending reminder emails to my peeps and talking with the Universe about serving my clients. And so far, only six people have signed up for the course. Seeding in business, like planting real seeds, does not a guarantee that anything will grow. Yes, you can tend the seeds, water them, protect them from the wind and the birds, but you cannot force the seeds to sprout. And so, when only six people...
Apr03
Posted on Apr 3 by Ruth Davis
I’ve been home for just a couple of days and I’m still adjusting to being here. It’s like coming back from any vacation: I need to re-ground, re-group and remember what’s important and why I’m here. A part of me thinks I should rush back into things and focus on work. But my wiser self says to move slowly, to pay attention to my breath, to reconnect with the rhythm of the tides. And to notice the things around me and and the feelings within me. The landscape has changed in the month that I was gone. The rolling hills are now covered in golf course green and the bright yellows and oranges and lavenders of wildflowers gather across the hills like giant throw rugs. Low tide seems lower and the sun comes up further from the east, causing less glare during my morning writing. The whole coast is blooming with color and life and once again, I can’t believe that this is my home. Inside, I feel a bit of loneliness. Not surprising since I got pretty used to...
Mar20
Posted on Mar 20 by Ruth Davis
Being a camp host has been on my Bucket List for as many years as I’ve been RV camping. The idea of staying in the same campground for a three month stint, greeting campers, talking with people from all over the world, putting in 20 hours a week in exchange for free rent and full hookups was a dream for me. And the bonus of driving around the campground in a golf cart took the dream over the edge. And so, in January I thought hey, this would be a perfect time in my life to apply for a host position for the summer. I perused the listings on the California State Parks website and narrowed my choices to two parks, one just 20 miles north of Cayucos at San Simeon State Beach, and the other, three hours south at McGrath State Beach in Ventura where I’ve camped many times. I met a Park Ranger when I was volunteering at the Morro Bay Bird Festival and asked if she would put in a good word for me with the...
