The Blogathon is Back!

Beginning June 1, I'll be back at it on a regular basis. I've signed up for Michele Rafter's WordCount Blogathon again this year -- my sixth year in a row to participate. I'm looking forward to blogging 30 days in a row and reconnecting with you. Please plan to join in on the fun.

Do men care about connection?

I think the worst thing in the world is to be disconnected from yourself and your environment. ~Venus Nicolino in "LA Shrinks" on Bravo TV

The second I posted this quote on my Facebook page today, I was surprised to see two immediate "Likes." Why? Because they were posted by men. So, happily surprised would more closely match how I felt. Reason being: I don't always think of men in this way. In past personal relationships with male partners, half the time I haven't felt like they even understand the word, let alone agree that it's important.

If they have been connected, it's been with their jobs or their cars or their drinking buddies, but not to me or to our environment. At least, not all the time. I'd more likely noticed a disconnect.

So this was a heartening revelation to me. It reminds me to let go of gender biases. It's just like my boyfriend tells me, "I don't speak for all men. And they don't speak for me." Men, in general, are no different than women. They feel, think and believe just as women feel, think and believe. Maybe not in the exact same way, but, clearly -- I've been enlightened -- they do care about connection.

When I posted that quote this morning, I must admit, I was expecting my girlfriends to agree, but I wasn't thinking my guy friends would care one way or the other -- or notice the quote at all.

If the worst thing in the world is to be disconnected from yourself and your environment, a reverse quote might read that the best thing in the world is to disconnect from your biases. At least, that's what happened to me this morning. I have been schooled. So, thanks guys. And I mean that literally. 

What life lessons have you learned?

Here's one of mine:

Obstacles aren't meant to stop you; they're meant to strengthen you.

Discuss.

My first video interview about BIKE

Thought you might like to watch me discuss a few brief thoughts about how I came up with the BIKE program and how I realized I could turn it into something more than just another bike ride:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPWdY64-KaY

This interview took place last year via the Author Learning Center, a subscription-based, author education community that provides tools, content and motivation to support writers. Suzette Conway, director of author education interviewed me at the American Society of Journalists and Authors conference in New York City last April.

Not bad for a first interview. Now I need to get busy and create a speaker demo--and get back to blogging, too! 

I've missed you guys!

Maine Your Days Be Merry...Bright and Peaceful

A winter's view while snowshoeing along the Maine Huts Trail