Barefoot

On By jeff ludlumIn Attitude, HappyLeave a comment

A little more relaxed, maybe a lot. Barefoot.

When I get up, get ready, dressed for they day, keeping it a little chill before the storm of the day, barefoot.

Get home after the day’s doings, first thing, shoes off, socks off, home again maybe where ever I am, barefoot.

An old friend taught me part of this lesson, almost never wore shoes in school, only sandals if at all, barefoot.

I’ve tried and strived to follow the same, tho’ I don’t like my feet as much and they’re not as tough, all the same, I like going, barefoot.

Anxiety: An Expected Superpower

On By jeff ludlumIn AttitudeLeave a comment

A revelation of sorts, a concept that might just shift the balance in favor of better coping and action and good.

How to think about anxiety? Rather than a burden, a heavy yoke…instead, actually consider it a superpower.

It’s like Spider-Man’s “Spidey Sense” ~ anxiety will give you acute, reliable indication of what’s most important in the moment. What demands your attention?

Whatever it is, lean in, and don’t shy away. That’s a blessing, knowing what you need to pay attention to.

Lean-in, engage, fix-it, and be cleansed.

Lyrics Post: “Can’t Stop The Feeling”

On By jeff ludlumIn Attitude, culture, Happy, lifestyle, mental health, musicLeave a comment

This song speaks for itself. Yes. Yes it does.

I got this feeling inside my bones

It goes electric, wavey when I turn it on

All through my city, all through my home

We’re flying up, no ceiling, when we in our zone

I got that sunshine in my pocket

Got that good song in my feet

I feel that hot blood in my body when it drops

I can’t take my eyes up off it, moving so phenomenally

You gone like the way we rock it, so don’t stop

Under the lights when everything goes

Nowhere to hide when I’m getting you close

When we move, well, you already know

So just imagine, just imagine, just imagine

Nothing I can see but you when you dance, dance, dance

Feeling good, good, creeping up on you

So just dance, dance, dance, come on

All those things I should do to you

But you dance, dance, dance

And ain’t nobody leaving soon, so keep dancing

I can’t stop the feeling

So just dance, dance, dance

I can’t stop the feeling

So just dance, dance, dance, come on

Ooh, it’s something magical

It’s in the air, it’s in my blood, it’s rushing on

I don’t need no reason, don’t need control

I fly so high, no ceiling, when I’m in my zone

Cause I got that sunshine in my pocket

Got that good song in my feet

I feel that hot blood in my body when it drops

I can’t take my eyes up off it, moving so phenomenally

You gon’ like the way we rock it, so don’t stop

Under the lights when everything goes

Nowhere to hide when I’m getting you close

When we move, well, you already know

So just imagine, just imagine, just imagine

Nothing I can see but you when you dance, dance, dance

Feeling good, good, creeping up on you

So just dance, dance, dance, come on

All those things I should do to you

But you dance, dance, dance

And ain’t nobody leaving soon, so keep dancing

I can’t stop the feeling

So just dance, dance, dance

I can’t stop the feeling

So just dance, dance, dance

I can’t stop the feeling

So just dance, dance, dance

I can’t stop the feeling

So keep dancing, come on

I can’t stop the, I can’t stop the

I can’t stop the, I can’t stop the

I can’t stop the feeling

Nothing I can see but you when you dance, dance, dance

(I can’t stop the feeling)

Feeling good, good, creeping up on you

So just dance, dance, dance, come on

(I can’t stop the feeling)

All those things I should do to you

But you dance, dance, dance

(I can’t stop the feeling)

And ain’t nobody leaving soon, so keep dancing

Everybody sing

(I can’t stop the feeling)

Got this feeling in my body

(I can’t stop the feeling)

Got this feeling in my body

(I can’t stop the feeling)

Wanna see you move your body

(I can’t stop the feeling)

Got this feeling in my body

Break it down

Got this feeling in my body

Can’t stop the feeling

Got this feeling in my body, come on

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Justin Timberlake / Max Martin / Shellback

Short

On By jeff ludlumIn Attitude, business, Insight, workLeave a comment

Not the measure of height, but measure of materials, do we got enough to go?

Do we got enough to build what we need? What the schedule says, demands, screams for.

Life of a planner, manufacturing life, too much, not enough, go go go again.

What’s short? Can we pull-in?

Can’t make the schedule if they can’t improve on delivery.

Sales up, good!

Running lean, good?

Running out, not so.

Don’t be short.

Flat

On By jeff ludlumIn AttitudeLeave a comment

Feeling that way, not ideal, for sure. Week just underway, plenty on the list, for the day, and days ahead.

How do I feel? I feel flat. Forced energy, stomping the kick-start again and again, where’s the spark? Need it. Need it NOW.

Know I can get there; not sure why I’m not there already. Why does it alude me? The easy start, start this way instead, so many days I’ve lost count.

No matter. Flat or alight, I’m going. Going forward.

Observations: Mother’s Day

On By jeff ludlumIn Attitude, parentingLeave a comment

Coffee & mochi donuts, Hawaiian style. Sticky green Mancha!

Mama duck and two little ducklings crossing Pruneridge;

Lone duck crossing Saratoga a little later; truck with hazard lights on, guy helping the duck to safety. his mama taught him well.

My own mom, an afternoon patio visit. First time my kid had seen her stand up and “walk”, even if only a couple steps.

So many moms, so much love. That’s what it comes to — LOVE.

You Already Belong

On By jeff ludlumIn AttitudeLeave a comment

Let’s start with this: I’m just your average, white American. Something like third, or maybe even fourth generation. I’ve pretty well always thought I was the most “vanilla” of ethnicities.

I can remember in elementary school, classmates talking about being “Mexican-American”, “Italian-American”, etc…and all I had was “English, and Irish”…not much going on there. So that’s the preface.

And all I really want to say, in a nutshell, is that regardless of your ethnicity, regardless of your “status”…in my opinion…here in “my America”…YOU BELONG.

THAT is what America stands for. That is what we are. That is the country I want to live in.

That’s it.

Who’s included? Not an inclusive list, but in part…

Africans

South Americans

Central Americans

Asians

Middle Asians

Pacific Islanders

Europeans

Natives from Everywhere.

Hmm. Maybe that is pretty inclusive. Anyway,

You belong.

And I’m glad you’re here.

YOU BELONG.

—

Inspired by this piece. Worth a listen.

https://www.npr.org/2021/03/26/981644223/-we-already-belong-a-conversation-with-r-o-kwon

POSITIVE = HAPPINESS

On By jeff ludlumIn AttitudeLeave a comment

The following lines come from a company communication about a series of wellness the company is sponsoring this month. I fully support this program, and it’s message. I align to this thinking. This perspective pulses through my veins every day. Super thankful.

“Henry Ford famously said, “Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you’re right.”

Ford’s adage highlights the power of positive thinking, warns of the danger of negative thinking, and it reminds us how much mindset matters.

While we may think that success leads to happiness, studies consistently demonstrate that the reverse is actually true: happiness leads to success. Happiness promotes success in health, work, and relationships.

POSITIVE = HAPPINESS.

Inside, Outside

On By jeff ludlumIn Attitude, faith, family, health, Insight, leadership, marriage, mental health, parenting, politics, social change, voices, workLeave a comment

Where we spend our time, inside, outside. Literally, and figuratively. In the world, in our heads.

Who are we outside? Inside? The same, or different…?

These questions churn through my noggin most days, challenge me, inspire me, forward, the stop!

Then forward again. Striving to understand, live the truth, each day, nudge, speed, forward.

Inside, and outside,

Ever forward. Ever forward.

Lyrics Post: “Zoo Station”, U2

On By jeff ludlumIn Attitude, Happy, musicLeave a comment

“Zoo Station” —

— this song broke the ice and set the tone for what was to come, in my humble opinion, when U2 released their album, “Achtung Baby”, following the world changing sounds from “Joshua Tree” and “Rattle & Hum”.

The lyric, and sound, the vibe Zoo Station delivered, especially as the opening track, lit the fuse, and showed us what was coming from U2, what they were capable of.

“I’m ready

I’m ready for the laughing gas

I’m ready

I’m ready for what’s next

I’m ready to duck

I’m ready to dive

I’m ready to say

I’m glad to be alive

I’m ready

I’m ready for the push

The cool of the night

The warmth of the breeze

I’ll be crawling ’round

On my hands and knees

Just down the line…Zoo Station

Gotta make it on time…Zoo Station

I’m ready

I’m ready for the gridlock

I’m ready…to take it to the street

I’m ready for the shuffle

Ready for the deal

Ready to let go of the steering wheel

I’m ready

Ready for the crush

(She’s just down the line)…Zoo Station

(Got to make it on time)…Zoo Station

Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright

It’s alright, it’s alright, it’s alright, It’s alright

Hey baby, hey baby, hey baby, hey baby

It’s alright, it’s alright

(Alright, you can turn it up)

Time is a train

Makes the future the past

Leaves you standing in the station

Your face pressed up against the glass

I’m just down the line from your love…(Zoo Station)

You know I’m under the sign…(Zoo Station)

I’ve gotta make it on time

Make it on time…(Zoo Station)

That’s alright…(Zoo Station)

Just two stops down the line…(Zoo Station)

Just a stop down the line…”

Writer(s): Clayton Adam, Evans David, Hewson Paul David, Mullen Laurence