Thanks, Abe

As it turns out, honesty can resolve the most awkward or baffling situations in life.

Who'd have thunk?

Night

Was about 20 minutes early to meet a friend for an early dinner at Thalia. Had walked for blocks anticipating a crisp glass of white wine. Ordered the Reisling. It was so perfect, so cold, so easy on the palate. Can't remember when I've enjoyed a glass of wine that much.

Followed it up with splendid food, really good conversation and a walk in the vibrant Manhattan streets.

This is living in the moment.

Pause

I read a story today about five girls who were killed in a car accident just two days after their high school graduation. They were on their way to a fun vacation. Four friends were following in another car and watched their friends' SUV explode into flame. It cut to my core.

So often we obsess about how much to put into our retirement accounts, tell ourselves we are sacrificing today for the greater good tomorrow and all that jazz. I hear a story like this and I am reminded that we don't have guarantees on tomorrow. I know that isn't a new thought, but I feel strongly we need these reminders to live in the moment as much as we can, to have a quality of life now and not tell ourselves we'll get to everything later.

It just makes sense.

Living things

The little piece of tree is thriving in the kitchen. The ivy is burgeoning in the bedroom. So I figured it was time to add another life form to my home.

Went to the farmer's market and bought some red impatiens in a little round pot.

Welcome to my haven.

James

Today a homeless man told me that my personality makes me beautiful.

How about that?

Let's get physical

My recent workouts have made me that good kind of sore. It's that feeling that everything is working, that my body is like the proverbial well-oiled machine.

What I love is how that translates to everything else. Confidence, endurance, emotion.

Like a deep breath.

Room

The new desk is having a ripple effect in my apartment. It is glass and rather minimalist, so I started taking purging to a whole new level. My space has so much more of a clean and fresh feel to it.

Feng shui, baby.

Worth noting

All work and no play makes Nancy a dull girl.

She's back

Just read this in the June issue of More magazine. Love that Ellen Barkin, an inspiration at age 53:

I remember turning 40 and really feeling spectacular, like, I feel substantial, I feel like I take up space. I know who I am, I know my strengths and weaknesses -- and now I'm going to figure out what to do with them. And I feel like that again. I feel awake.

A great way to go through life.

Quoteworthy

When she went upstairs to dress, and looked into the looking glass, she noticed with joy that it was one of her good days, and that she was in complete possession of all her forces -- she needed this so for what lay before her: she was conscious of external composure and free grace in her movements.

-- Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy

Ebb and flow

It feels like I'm undergoing a major shift. I always love this, seeing where things land when the dust settles.

Money, creative endeavors, love.

Abundance.

Respite

I'm back from a long weekend. A good getaway.

I feel more focused on my life coaching business and my book. They give me such satisfaction.

I'm back.

My place

I have a new desk. It's gorgeous. Big glass top. Very architectural looking pedestal. It was given to me. For months I've been pricing desks and carrying measurements around in my Filofax and this just drops in my lap in a gesture of kindness. Man, I love that.

So it is facing out a window that looks north. It is home.

A writer's dream.

Writing: Luxury or Necessity?

I'm excited to be teaching again, this time in a very relaxed setting in Hoboken. I've created a workshop called Writing: Luxury or Necessity? and it's designed to indulge and maybe prod the "writer" inside participants.

This is something that comes very naturally to me, this encouraging and nurturing of writers or would-be writers. For me, writing is meditation, purge, art, recreation. I love helping others see how it can best be used in their lives. What a rush.

So I've brought this passion to a place called ZenTouch, where Kristen Mangione does fabulous Ohashiatsu bodywork. Her space is crisp white and there's a futon and pillows. It will be a laidback evening of exploration.

For details, check out my web Calendar: http://nancola.com/pages/calendar.html/

Chase this

I think Tony Soprano is dead.

I was absolutely certain when the show ended last night.

After reading tons of commentary to the contrary today, I am still certain.

The hitmen were there. The lights went out. Done.

Thanks for the memories.

Tidy

I've been tackling little corners of my world the last few weeks to keep things tidy. It's kind of like my life coaching philosophy -- baby steps en route to a goal.

If the goal is a clean house, then it's got to be done in increments. A new shower curtain and a clean sweep of the toiletries a few weeks ago. One shelf in the kitchen last week. Today, it was lugging all my bedding and throws to the laundromat, plus a good cleaning of the bedroom window.

My home feels good.

King Author

So my brother gives me the May 7 issue of The New Yorker because he knows I'll be into the piece on Paulo Coehlo.

It begins with, "Paulo Coehlo wrote The Alchemist in two weeks, in 1987."

What????????????

I froze on that line for what seemed like hours, humbled, stunned, awed.

Inspired.

Awed.

Write stuff

Sometimes the best way to get a sense of the kind of impact you'd like to make with your writing is to read someone else's.

I just finished My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult and was happily held captive. It was the kind of absorption that made me annoyed when the PATH train pulled into the station and I had to close the book. The kind where I was swept up in the world she created.

A great experience in the moment. A great lesson moving forward.

I so love writing.

Life is a bowl

So I'm addicted to white cherries. They're $9.99 a freakin' pound. I justify the purchase by telling myself they're a great snack. I mean, what would a bag of pretzels cost?

Sweet. Juicy. Worth every penny.

Striving

I am burning the candle at both ends. Something's got to give.

Methinks it will.

Keeping it relevant

Today Rev. August Gold quoted Rumi, the New Testament and Christina Aguilera all in one sermon.

This is why I go.

Quote-worthy

Let me tell you this: If you meet a loner, no matter what they tell you, it's not because they enjoy solitude. It's because they have tried to blend into the world before, and people continue to disappoint them.

-- from My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Flair

It is almost surreal how good it feels to wear a dress. The right dress. One that floats around your legs when you walk. Or should I say, strut? City sidewalks are your runway.

Work it.