Today is ¡Hola! Day

October 1, 2007 is the first time we celebrate ¡Hola! day. It fosters a greater understanding and appreciation for the Spanish language in the USA. It also salutes all Americans who choose to learn Spanish as a second (or third or fourth) language. It’s the brainchild of Myelita Melton, a Spanish language teacher, author and keynote speaker from Mooresville, North Carolina. See www.officialholaday.com for more details.

Growing Controversy
I’ve been reading and watching with concern, the growing controversy about illegal immigration. It always seems to be about our border with Mexico—when was the last time you heard someone worried about the French Canadians from Quebec sneaking into our country, “taking our jobs,” and refusing to speak English?

I’ll Be Nice To You, But Only If You’re Exactly Like Me
It’s human nature to settle into communities of like-minded people with similar backgrounds. It’s much more comfortable to be able to immediately communicate with each other because we can assume we speak the same language and have the same ideals.

Many of us are forgetting the courage it took our parents, grandparents or great grandparents to leave familiar surroundings and emmigrate to the United States of America—we forget that it took them years to learn English and that some of them only learned enough to be able to do their shopping (and that sometimes even that was too much for them—so they only shopped at places where they spoke the same language and felt welcome). It was their children and grandchildren that truly became a part of our country.

Education Not Confrontation
Fear of the unknown is the basic element of most confrontational situations. Fear that somehow each of our lives will be less if we let someone different into our community. Remember that your fear of the unknown is equally matched by a person who doesn’t speak English no matter what country they come from. Many immigrants have daily bad experiences instead of welcoming ones.

Visiting Germany In 1987
I met a German exchange student and he invited me to visit his country over the Christmas holiday. I spent the 3 months before my trip learning as much German as I could. My teacher thought I would be able to have a limited conversation in a shop, know how much things cost and be able to know if I received the correct change.

In the German educational system of that time, all students spent approximately 10 years learning English as part of their standard curriculum. (I thought I would be fine with my limited German, because most everyone would know English!)

Few If Any Of His Friends Would Speak English With Me
Even though they knew I understood only about one-third or less of what they were saying to me in German—They were afraid of making an embarrassing mistake, so they wouldn’t try at all.

I Have Never Felt So Alone
When my friend got tired of translating, I couldn’t communicate with anyone. The few conversations I did have—like what do you do for a living—most Germans didn’t believe my answer! (I was a computer consultant.) At that time, it was unbelievable for a woman to run her own business or compete in highly technical fields. Although I was college educated with a bachelor’s degree and and master’s degree, I felt like an idiot. Thankfully, my friend’s family was warm and welcoming. Between their English and my German, we could and did communicate. I will remember their kindness all of my life.

Meet Each Other Halfway
Making the effort to learn a few words of a foreign language like ¡Hola! (which means Hello! in Spanish) is a great way of getting to know someone new. You can be the person who is remembered for being open and welcoming. Taking the first step makes it easier for the other person to learn English because they have a friend in you.

Be Brave—You Can Do It!
Today as you go about your daily activities, make a new friend, add to the richness of your life: Just Say ¡Hola!

Thanks for sharing a few minutes with me.
Ellen

Ellen Wass Beckerman is a student of Spanish, a Macintosh computer consultant, professional photographer and a graphic designer. She is proud to design the Official ¡Hola! Day website and other graphics for Myelita Melton President of SpeakEasy Communications, Inc. You can see other examples of Ellen's work at www.gardentextures.com.

Life Long Learning

On September 6th, the students from the Internet and the Job Search class at the South Statesville Skills Center graduated. This was the second of two classes teaching computer skills for employment.

I know the individuals in this class are extraordinary. Each of them made a commitment to be in class, twice a week for 10 weeks—BUT to be in my second class, they had already been through 10 weeks of my first introductory class! I’d been teaching them since last March.

As a computer professional, there are so many skills that I use every day that I take for granted. Touch typing, email, and using a search engine to look up web sites on topics that interest me. Sharing the magic of technology with my class and then watching them make it their own was a joy.

Each student used the information learned in a different way on projects that held importance for him or her. Whether it was looking for mustard greens and kale seeds to plant this Fall or gathering more information on a potential employer, each project was new and interesting for me—but more importantly, a pathway to additional learning for the student.

From left to right in the photograph above:
Ellen Wass Beckerman (Instructor—me), Seifullah El-Amin, Darlene E. Moore, William M. Jones, Jr., Susan M. Pinkerton, Amonda Daniels, Betty Christie, Jerry W. Settlemyre, William H. Maxwell.

I commend each and every one of you for your commitment to learning and to improving your skills. Congratulations!

Thanks for sharing your time with me.
Ellen

Ellen Wass Beckerman
Writer/Photographer/Graphic Designer
Photography portfolio: www.istockphoto.com/zmacgal
www.gardentextures.com

Five Tips For Great Resumes

1) Your resume should read and work like it is an "invitation to an interview." Make sure there is something interesting and inviting about your resume in the top 1/3 of the page. Most employers will not read beyond that if nothing matches their needs or curiosity.

2) Make two resumes. The first resume you make should include everything about you. It's your "laundry list" of job experience, education—include all certificates, seminars and training, and your skills—list all of your strengths. (This is the resume you keep. This resume will help you prepare for a job interview and you can bring it with you to refer to, so you don't have to worry about remembering all of the details.)

The second resume is the one you tailor to the jobs that you are applying for. Use only the best parts of your "laundry list" resume. Ideally, this resume should be one page long depending upon your job experience. (Two pages are okay if you're older and have more job experience. Three pages are even okay if you have more than 15 years job experience.)

Do not be tempted to make your text smaller to fit more on the page. The font size should be 12. Most resumes are faxed. Type/font sizes smaller than 12 are not readable. Unreadable resumes are thrown away immediately upon receipt.

3) Use bullets to emphasize a list of attributes such as things you did on a job to increase sales. Make your points short and easy to read. Use "white space." (White space means you should have at least one line of space between paragraphs. More space actually means it's easier and faster to read.)

4) Use your cover letter to emphasize why you are qualified for the job—don't put lengthy explanations on your resume. Although you use the cover letter to introduce yourself, explain why you are qualified for the job (often called a position), and ask them to reply/contact you—you need to keep the cover letter short and to the point as well. Three paragraphs is ideal.

5) Proofreading your cover letter and resume is essential! One of the best methods of proofreading is to read your cover letter and resume out loud. If you have trouble saying it, it probably needs rewriting to make the sentences less awkward.

Double check all of your dates by reading your resume from the back to the front. When you read from front to back, sometimes your mind will automatically put in words that are missing because you know what you meant to say.

When you think you are completely finished, then ask a friend or someone at the job center to read/review your resume. Don't be surprised if they find a typo or a mistake. (That's why you are asking them to help you.)

Good luck on your job search!

Ellen Wass Beckerman
Writer/Photographer/Graphic Designer
Photography portfolio: www.istockphoto.com/zmacgal
www.gardentextures.com

Lessons Learned From My Dad

Today, I’d like to share with you four things I’ve learned from my Dad:

Go The Extra Mile
My Dad likes to drive. He believes family is important. He knows that the way to maintain our connections with each other, is to talk with and to see each other. If there is a family event, he’s the one to make sure we’re all there. All of my life, if it was possible to get together by driving, we did.

Now that flying is a little cheaper for long distances, sometimes we fly. But whatever the method of transportation, my Dad is the one who encourages us to make the extra effort, literally “go the extra mile,” to let our friends and family know that we appreciate them and love to spend time with them.

If You See A Problem You Can Fix, Do It.
If You’ve Never Done It Before, Give It A Try Anyway.
My Dad taught himself how to fix many things, as a mechanical engineer, he is good at fixing things. What it took me a few years to understand, was that Dad didn’t know everything—but he knew where to look and he wasn’t afraid to try something new.

Whether it was the car, the house, the plumbing, electrical wiring or a bicycle, Dad was ready to tackle the job. I have four sisters and Dad wasn’t about to lose helpers by following old-fashioned ideas of what girls could or could not do. He taught us to read instructions and ask questions. He taught us to look at a problem from a different angle when we ran into an obstacle. He taught us to be independent, but also to ask for help when we got into deep water.

Read—Share Stories With Others
My Dad has always read the newspaper out loud to my Mom while she’s fixing dinner. We always had something to read in our house: magazines, short stories and books. There is something wonderful about reading out loud to each other and sharing a story with another person; both of you experiencing the story as you read—that is more exciting than reading alone.

And Of Course, Great Conversations
In person, by telephone, by letter or email. Dinner conversations are usually the best. Spending time over a leisurely dinner, catching up on each other’s lives—talking, listening, laughing and eating. What great memories.

My Dad is a generous man, extraordinarily giving with his time to his family, his friends and his community. I’ve learned so much about honor, integrity, ethics, doing what’s right, and doing your best from him.

Happy Father’s Day, Dad!
Love,
Ellen


Ellen Wass Beckerman
Writer/Photographer/Graphic Designer
Photography portfolio: www.istockphoto.com/zmacgal
www.gardentextures.com

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

One of the first things I learned to bake as a child was banana bread. It’s a child-friendly recipe that has been handed down in my mother’s family from her Grandmother Johnson. Each generation of women in our family makes this recipe with slightly different ingredients depending upon what she has on-hand in her pantry.

My Great Grandma Johnson made it with white sugar and butter. My Grandma Camp made it with Crisco shortening because there was a butter shortage during World War II and made it with the shortening thereafter, because that was the way she liked it.

My Mom originally made it with Crisco like her mother, but currently makes it with butter like her grandmother. (We’re avoiding those trans-fats now.) She is the one who discovered that you can use vegetable oil for part of the butter and it bakes up very moist, almost like cake. She also uses brown sugar for part of the white sugar which is equally delicious.

Making this recipe was the beginning of learning graciousness and hospitality with family, friends and guests for me. My Mom simply showed us by example these lessons. At holiday times, she frequently made 5 small loaf pans of bread with this recipe instead of the two large loaf pans, so she could give them away as gifts.

She taught us to value our family and our history by noting on her recipe cards which family member gave it to her. She experienced the joy of making these recipes with those family members and the additional joy of teaching younger family members to make them too.

Thank you Mom for teaching me so many wonderful things.
Happy Mother’s Day.
Love, Ellen

Ellen Wass Beckerman
Writer/Photographer/Graphic Designer
Photography portfolio: www.istockphoto.com/zmacgal
www.gardentextures.com

Great Grandma Johnson’s Banana Nut Bread
(Waity Rebecca Douglass Johnson’s recipe. She lived from September 18, 1894 to January 29, 1991. Age 96.)

1 and 1/2 cups white sugar
(you can part brown sugar such as 1 cup white sugar and 1/2 cup brown sugar)
3/4 cup butter or shortening or oil
(I sometimes use one stick of butter which is 1/2 cup and then 1/4 cup walnut oil)
3 eggs
2 cups mashed bananas
(bananas that have a few brown spots on the skins are at the perfect ripeness for this recipe)
3 and 3/4 cups flour
1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Measure and mix the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda and salt) in one bowl.

In another bowl, cream the sugar and the shortening (or butter whichever you are using). Add eggs and bananas and mix. Add the dry ingredients from the bowl into the wet ingredients gradually. (It’s easier to mix, if you don’t dump it in all at once.) Mix well.

Pour into two greased loaf pans (use butter, shortening or spray to grease pan). For a glazed, crusty top: sprinkle sugar on top before baking. Colored sugar makes a pretty top.

Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees F.

Bread is done if you insert a toothpick, pull it out and it comes out clean. If toothpick has dough on it, continue baking 5 or 10 minutes longer.

The Importance of an “i” in Spelling

Many of us take our language for granted. We speak it, we write and sometimes we type it, all as a matter of every day living. I doubt that I think about how to spell a word even once a week, it’s all a pattern of previously memorized letters that I use automatically.

However, there are days, when it is advisable to take your brain off autopilot.

This week I was teaching my students about:
www.dictionary.com

It’s a great on-line dictionary that makes it easy to find definitions of words and it also has a thesaurus which helps us find words with similar meanings (synonyms) and opposite meanings (antonyms).

Our group was a bit sluggish, so I asked the students to pick a word to define. No one answered. So I encouraged them—I firmly believe that people should use words that are meaningful to their lives.

One student answered with a question about the different sects of Muslims that she had heard about in the news. I told her that she would probably get a better idea from www.wikipedia.org (an online encyclopedia), but sure, since no one else had any ideas, let’s all type it into the definition box.

How do you spell it?

Instead of thinking about it, I and everyone in the class typed in the word exactly as she spelled it.

s, h, i, t, e.

It only faintly occurred to me that this spelling didn’t look quite right.

We pressed our enter keys and got the definition almost immediately.
shite, noun, obscene terms for feces [syn: crap]

The word we wanted was Shi’ite.
Shi ite also Shi’ite, noun, A member of the branch of Islam that regards Ali and his descendants as the legitimate successors to Muhammad and rejects the first three caliphs.

The lesson to be learned (once we had all stopped laughing) is that missing an “i” can turn a beautifully crafted piece into a pile of “you know what,” if you aren’t careful about your spelling.

Thanks for sharing a few minutes with me.
Ellen

Ellen Wass Beckerman
Writer/Photographer/Graphic Designer
Photography portfolio: www.istockphoto.com/zmacgal
www.gardentextures.com

Four Techniques For Proofreading

1) Use your spelling checker! In Microsoft Word, the software automatically checks spelling and underlines any suspected mistake in red. Items underlined in green are considered grammatical mistakes. Right-Clicking on the underlined word, brings up a menu of suggested corrections.

Spelling checkers are not always correct, but they are a good start. Remember, a spelling checker may not catch a typographical error that spells another word. For example: I don’t here you instead of I don’t hear you.

Hint: If you can’t determine whether or not a green underlined item is a genuine grammar error—Don’t bother! Most green underlined sentences are at the very least awkward. Rewrite or rearrange the sentence until the green underline disappears. New users and poor typists, be aware, extra spaces in a sentence will cause a green underline.

2) Read Your Document From Beginning To End. Out loud. After typing, rewriting and polishing your document, do a full read through. Many people catch awkward writing by reading the document out loud to themselves or to another person. If you have difficulty saying a sentence, people will have difficulty reading and/or understanding your sentence.

3) Read Your Document Backwards! From the last page at the bottom right—read each sentence—one at a time—going backwards through your document to the first page.

Many people automatically fill in any short words that are missing from a sentence they are reading. (Most people think in patterns of words and your brain sometimes sees the meaning of a sentence rather than its words.)

Reading a document backwards, forces you to concentrate on each word of each sentence. It is easier to find errors with this method because you are not thinking about the content of each paragraph, but the construction of each sentence.

Note: This method is tiring and it takes time. Do it LAST, after you’ve read through and polished your document to the best of your ability.

4) Have another person read it. There is a reason for the job title Writer and the job title Proofreader. A person who writes a document is often too familiar with the intent and content of the writing to see minor mistakes.

Whether or not you are a professional proofreader, the first time you read a document is the best time for you to discover errors, whether spelling, typographical or grammatical.

Thanks for sharing a few minutes with me.
Ellen

Ellen Wass Beckerman
Writer/Photographer/Graphic Designer
Photography portfolio: www.istockphoto.com/zmacgal
www.gardentextures.com

The “Eye” of Editing

Most people know what proofreading is—reading through a document to look for and correct any misspellings or typographical mistakes.

However, not many people know what it is like to take advantage of the skills of an Editor.

An Editor looks at your document with a different set of “eyes.” Yes, she looks for the same types of general errors that a proofreader does, but then goes the extra mile. At the very least, editors check for grammar errors and awkward sentences. At their best, editors help you say what you want to say, better than you have written it.

The easiest method of explaining working with an editor, is to show you—I am working on a website with a client that is new to the internet. He would like to use his website as an informational business card or an expanded “Yellow Pages” ad.

The following example is of a portion of the text he has provided for his biography:
Dr. Colter moved to Huntersville from Iowa and opened his practice in 1993. As the first chiropractor in Huntersville “way back” in 1993, Dr. Colter has seen the tremendous growth of the area over the years and has been an integral part of the community with his involvement in the following organizations:
• Board Member of the Chamber of Commerce
• District Chairman of the Boy Scouts of America for 8 years
• Member of the Optimist Club
• Sponsor of the Huntersville Youth Athletic Association

Here is the edited version of that text:
Dr. Colter moved here from Iowa and opened his practice in 1993. As the first chiropractor in Huntersville “way back” then, Dr. Colter has experienced the tremendous growth of this area. Over the years, he has been an integral part of the community through his involvement in the following organzations:
• Board Member of the Chamber of Commerce
• District Chairman of the Boy Scouts of America for 8 years
• Member of the Optimist Club
• Sponsor of the Huntersville Youth Athletic Association

Thank you to Dr. Colter and the HFC staff for your permission to share this example!

Thanks for sharing a few minutes with me.
Ellen

Ellen Wass Beckerman
Writer/Photographer/Graphic Designer
Photography portfolio: www.istockphoto.com/zmacgal
www.gardentextures.com

What Does A Visionary Problem Solver Do?

First and foremost, I listen. When I work with a client, whether on information technology, graphic design or writing, it is important to clarify what that person wants to do. Everyone starts with a project idea or a problem.

For example, one client asked me to review and proofread the book cover design for a Spanish instruction book.

Second, I ask questions. Usually to determine the scope of the project. Some questions are very literal, such as: What is the size of the book? Where is it being printed? What software would you prefer to use for the final file?

Other questions are meant to delve a little deeper into the purpose and usefulness of a printed piece such as: Who will be using this book? What images or messages would you like them to remember about your company?

Third, I listen again and throughout the project.
One of the most interesting parts of my job, is picking up on what people say, even if that person doesn’t think it may be important.

In the above book example, my client ended a telephone conversation with the following: By the way, my business partner just noticed that the photograph I found on the web and used for the cover of my book looks exactly the same as the new first class stamp. Do you think this will be a problem?

Fourth, I bring experience and education to each project. Yes, using the artwork from a first class stamp on the cover of your book that you will register a copyright in your name and sell commercially could potentially be a serious problem.

Many people feel that anything found on the web, especially in terms of images, is free for anyone to use. While is some instances that may be true for personal use, it is almost always not true for commercial use.

Fifth and my last point for this entry, I create alternative solutions. For the book cover, my client loved the image of the Statue of Liberty with the American flag in the background.

My solution? Buy two stock photography images from a major company: one of the Statue of Liberty and one of an American flag.

Combine the two images to create a new photograph that is similar to, but not exactly the same as the first class stamp. We avoid intellectual property and copyright issues by having a clear track record on where the initial photography came from by purchasing it.

The client likes the final photograph better because it shows the Statue of Liberty’s torch and her face instead of only her face in the original photograph. By the way, this client is the one who dubbed me with the title of Visionary Problem Solver.

Thanks for sharing a few minutes with me.
Ellen

Ellen Wass Beckerman
Writer/Photographer/Graphic Designer
www.gardentextures.com

Becoming Comfortable With Uncertainty

Today is a beautiful Sunday morning here in North Carolina. The weather is unexpectedly cool—around 60° F and breezy.

I walked down to the Access Lot. For those of you not living near a lake, an access lot is one piece of property in a housing development that provides access to the lake for the people living in that development. Our lot has two boat ramps, a small swimming area and a dock.

The dock has a walkway that extends into the water and at the end is a portable platform that is literally attached to four tall posts. The platform raises and lowers with the water level of the lake. Walking on it takes getting used to because it rocks with the water's movement.

It was too pretty a day not to spend some time sitting on that platform.

I sat down to meditate. What an unusual feeling!

The platform itself was hard and solid under my butt—but under the platform everything was shifting with the movement of the waves.

As I breathed, I became aware of the breeze on my face, the sun shining warmly on my back and the shushing of the waves.

Is it possible to relax into the uncomfortable, unsteady movement of the platform?

That was the question that I posed to myself. I changed it into an intention for my meditation by asking: Is it possible to relax and be peaceful, when I don’t like the uncertainty or the unknown elements of my life at this moment in time?

Today’s answer in that moment in time, on that hard wooden, but moving dock platform, was YES.

It took about 30 minutes and the conscious choice to relax.

The most surprising part of the exercise was the balance that it required. Since I had impulsively decided to meditate, I hadn’t brought a pillow or blanket to sit upon. I needed to find the balance point between relaxing my lower back, keeping a slight tension on my hip muscles and remembering to lift my chest so I could breathe properly.

It was an odd feeling. I was NOT comfortable.

But I did relax. I could feel my tense muscles, the ones I hold almost subconsciously, release. But it wasn’t a simple release, it was a tightening and a lessening, tightening and lessening—all in response to the movement of the platform. It took time, but I ended up very relaxed.

Relaxing was much more than a “giving up” of tension, it was more like a “give and take” with my environment. A moving connection.

If you haven’t read anything by the Buddhist nun, Pema Chodron, please check out the link below to her book Comfortable With Uncertainty.

Thanks for sharing a few minutes with me.
Ellen

Ellen Wass Beckerman
Writer/Photographer/Graphic Designer
www.gardentextures.com


Comfortable With Uncertainty by Pema Chodron

Link to her website
Pema Chodron

Link to Shambala Books to this specific book
Comfortable With Uncertainty

The Only Constant With Technology Is Change

I have the privilege of teaching basic computer skills to the unemployed and the working poor during my evenings, four days a week. There are two classes, one that is more than halfway through the ten week instruction period and one that is at the beginning.

All of the people who are in my classes are bright, intelligent students.

They are eager to learn.

In my opinion, all of them will be able to learn enough skills to be able to type a letter and a resume on the computer which is the main objective of the classes.

Think about that.

Think about the technology skills that most of us take for granted as we go about our daily tasks.

Working with technology is primarily a matter of access and experience. You must have access to a computer with reasonably current versions of the software to be able to learn.

You must be able to receive enough instruction whether on your own or in a class to gain experience.

One of the things I stress to my students is not a computer skill, but a life skill.

It is vital to “learn-how-to-learn.”

The only constant with technology is that it changes. Software updates have SLOWED down to upgrading about every 18 months. (When I started in the computer industry, I was learning new versions of the software every 3 to 6 months.)

It is possible to keep up with the change by creating a pattern of learning. There are similarities between the majority of software programs. Use the items that are same such as creating a new document, opening an existing document, saving and printing, as a stepping stone to any new version of the software.

As you master a software program, you will gain experience that will help you with any other programs that you wish to learn.

Our current technology is represented by our computers today. These computers are at their most basic level a tool to perform a desired task, like the telephone. One hundred years ago, we communicated differently. One hundred years from now it will also be different.

BUT, in the present, REMEMBER one thing: the computer is a tool, what you do with it, what you achieve with it, is up to you.

Thanks for sharing a few minutes with me.
Ellen

Ellen Wass Beckerman
Writer/Photographer/Graphic Designer
www.gardentextures.com

Take A 10 Minute Break — Plant a Tomato!

This morning I remembered it is Wednesday. There’s nothing unusual about today, except that it’s our neighborhood’s scheduled day for garbage pickup. So I was outside, bright and early, dragging my garbage can to the edge of my driveway.

I live in the Southeast and the temperatures are starting to get warm here during the day (the upper 80s). The early morning temperature is beautiful. It is the perfect time for planting tomatoes. I took an extra ten minutes out of my day to plant a Carolina Gold.

This year is the first time I’ve planted a yellow tomato, but I’ve heard they are delicious. Tomatoes are one of the easiest vegetables to grow (although I’ve heard technically they are considered a fruit). You can put one in the ground or in a large container.

Sweet 100 is a great variety for growing in containers. It’s a cherry or small type of tomato and it grows like a tall bush. I’m also going to try a pink variety called German Johnson. I bought one from the Farmer’s market last year and it was fantastic.

You can purchase Sweet 100 at any garden store in the bedding section. Carolina Gold and German Johnson, you’ll have to look a little harder for a plant. Farmer’s markets are a great location to look, also check out smaller, independent nurseries and produce stands. I found my German Johnson and Carolina Gold at Gene’s Produce in Statesville, NC. It was the first time I had stopped there and I found varieties I had never seen before!

My plan for today is WORK, WORK, WORK!

BUT, it is important to take a short break every hour or so. During my breaks today I will plant the last two tomato plants in my garden.

One item to note: my garden isn’t a straight forward rectangle in the middle of my sunny yard. I do live in a suburban area, so I’ve planted my tomatoes in the sunniest corners of my garden beds surrounding my house. (In fact, two of them are in my rose garden along with my day lilies, mint and parsley!)

Thanks for sharing a few minutes with me.
Ellen

Ellen Wass Beckerman
Writer/Photographer/Graphic Designer
www.gardentextures.com

When is an Opportunity Missed?

There were yellow irises and maroon irises blooming in my garden on Monday of last week. They were beautiful. I thought to myself, I should cut some of them, take them into my studio and photograph them. But then I thought, no I don’t have the time. I have too much to do. I have WORK to do. Taking photographs would be fun, I should do my WORK first.

The interesting thing about WORK is that it expands to fill all available time.

Today is Saturday. The iris blossoms are gone.
I missed my opportunity.

That opportunity is gone until next year. BUT, when is an opportunity truly missed? Can we save an opportunity that has gone by?

In April of 2006, my husband did not survive his first heart attack and died. Many people sent cards and a few wrote beautiful letters expressing their sorrow at my loss.

I was unable to write back to them.

For people who know me, it is very unusual for me not to be able to write a thoughtful expression for almost every occasion. I have been writing all of my life.

I lost a part of my soul when he died. That center part of me was the well-spring of my writing. His stability, his love for me and the comfort I had known throughout our 17 year marriage was gone. I was lost.

I appreciated every expression of condolence more than people could know—because I couldn’t tell them.

Gradually, over time, I was able to talk with most of them. But there were a few that I didn’t know well, that I wasn’t sure whether to write and that I didn’t know what to say.

Seeing the irises bloom and fade without any action on my part spurred me to realize that the only things preventing me from talking with these people were my embarrassment and my failure to make the time to do it.

Yesterday I made time—During the WORK day, no less.

I made up my mind to do it and I had two lovely conversations. A new connection made with each of them. A missed opportunity regained.

Sometimes the fear and pressure of losing an elderly relative prevents people from making contact. In almost all instances, your effort is worthwhile.

I still have a few people left to contact, but I will make time again soon.

I hope you do too.

Thanks for sharing a few minutes with me.
Ellen

Ellen Wass Beckerman
Writer/Photographer/Graphic Designer
www.gardentextures.com

Today Is A Great Day To Begin

Last week I realized that I was pushing myself to complete all of the activities on my task list without taking into account whether there was enough time in my day. I had stopped doing my yoga, I was eating only when starving and I didn’t feel that I could take even 5 minutes to meditate.

Naturally, I felt miserable.

I had a friend tell me—isn’t it great to know that all those things DO make a difference in your life?

So today, I begin again.

Not with a full workout, simply a gentle stretch. My lower back muscles have been sore from sitting working at my computer—a full set of yoga stretches would be a mistake. The old “no pain, no gain” would probably put everything into spasm and then where would I be? (Miserable and in pain.)

No, today I walked out onto my back deck and smelled the breeze. I gently performed a modified forward bend and then some other beginning stretches. It is a beautiful day to begin.

There is nothing wrong with beginning. (Even if it seems as if that is the place you start again and again.) Each beginning is a chance to care for yourself and treat yourself well.

There’s a new book out this year, called This Year I Will… by MJ Ryan. It’s funny and inspiring. She helps each of us realize that no one is perfect. The process of changing and growing is messy and filled with moments where it’s more than possible to feel like a failure. BUT, the awareness of failing is the beginning of true change.

It is uncomfortable.

BUT, if you can persist through your uncomfortable feelings, learn from your experiences—you can achieve lasting change.

Today is a great day to begin.

Thanks for sharing a few minutes with me.
Ellen

Here's a link to MJ Ryan's book, This Year I Will…

Ellen Wass Beckerman
Writer/Photographer/Graphic Designer
www.gardentextures.com

Name Two Things You Care About

Many of us struggle to get through our day—our mundane activities keep us so busy, I'm not sure we even think about whether we care or not. BUT, take a moment and name two things that you care passionately about. Are any of the scheduled activities you have today related to something or someone you care about?
My two things are:
1) Photography. I am crazy about light and shadow. I am also passionately in love with noticing small details. The texture of of our lives is for me what makes living worthwhile.

2) Teaching Technology to the Poor. I have the great privilege of being an instructor for a series evening classes in Statesville, NC that teaches Computer Skills for Employment. I use a computer every day for my job, my research and my hobbies. Most computer users can’t imagine a life without their computers. (Just notice what happens when the power goes out.) There are many things that computer-savvy people take for granted, such as applying online for a job or emailing a resume, that non-computer users do not have access to or do not know how to do.

Name your two things. Imagine what the world would be like if everyone did something that they cared passionately about.

Thanks for sharing a few minutes with me.
Ellen

Ellen Wass Beckerman
Writer/Photographer/Graphic Designer
www.gardentextures.com

Morning's Grace

I've been struggling to get through my day today.

It hasn't been particularly difficult in terms of activities, I was at the car dealership to have my car repaired.

But, sitting in the waiting room, I heard more news of the tragedy at Virgina Tech over and over again throughout the day. My heart breaks with sorrow at their losses.

It reminds me of the death of my husband last year at this time. He died of a heart attack. One moment we were watching television together and two hours later he died in the hospital emergency room. I am still struggling with missing him and it has been a year. My life was changed permanently by his death.

I try to keep in mind a few things:

Rest when you are tired, let go of your burdens for a short while.

Even in pain, keep your heart open.

There is enough love in the world; especially when things don't make sense and we don't understand; love is the only thing that remains constant.

Thanks for sharing a few minutes with me.
Ellen

Ellen Wass Beckerman
Writer/Photographer/Graphic Designer
www.gardentextures.com

My Philosophy

1) Kindness and patience are at the top of my list.

2) I will listen to you.

3) I believe that we can make a connection with every person we meet.

4) Technology is like a good shovel—it's meant to dig deeper faster—but it's not a replacement for a good gardener.


If you love this illustration, check out the illustrator's portfolio at www.istockphoto.com/dovestudios



Thanks for sharing three minutes with me.
Ellen

Ellen Wass Beckerman
Writer/Photographer/Graphic Designer
www.gardentextures.com

SPEND A MOMENT Instead of A DOLLAR

How many times have you gone to the mall because you were bored and bought something you didn’t need? Or the next day after purchasing a new something—thought why did I buy this?

The next time you are feeling restless, bored or lonely—try this:

SPEND A MOMENT instead of A DOLLAR.

Three Things To Do In Less Than Three Minutes (Or take MORE time if you are having fun!)

1) Lie down on a blanket and LOOK AT THE CLOUDS in the sky. What shapes do you see? What memories does this bring back? CALL your best friend and share your thoughts.

2) DRINK A CUP of tea. Find the best tasting tea in your cupboard and notice everything about making a cup of tea from boiling the hot water to the sound of the tea bag dropping in the cup (or the water poured over loose tea). Notice the change in the color of the water as it steeps. When do you notice a fragrance? How does it smell? Once your tea is ready. Notice everything you can about your first sip and your first taste.

3) SEARCH the deepest, darkest corner of your closet. Ignore all of the STUFF in the front. Spend three minutes in the BACK. What’s there? Why? Did you find something you’ve forgotten about? Did you find a treasure? Did you find three old shirts that you can give away? If this activity brings up an unhappy memory, gently think about it. Can you let both the object and the feeling go at this moment in your life? If you’d like to keep what you found, can you bring it out into the light and use it every day?

Thanks for sharing three minutes with me.
Ellen

Ellen Wass Beckerman
Writer/Photographer/Graphic Designer
www.gardentextures.com

REVERSE Busy-ness in Five Minutes

Everyone is busy today. Busy-ness CLOSES doors, DECREASES our interactions with other people, and SHUTS DOWN our hearts and minds.

Busy-ness IS REVERSIBLE.

GIVE yourself the gift of 5 minutes. Set a timer and do one of the things below.

WARNING SIGN: If your first thought upon reading the sentence above is “I don’t have the time!!”; then you should do this exercise immediately.

FIVE THINGS to do in only FIVE MINUTES
1) MEDITATE. Listen to Your Breathing. Relax.
You don’t have to DO anything. Stop. Listen. Breathe. Create the space for something unscheduled come into your life.

2) STRETCH with 5 Sun Salutations (Or any exercise of your choice.)
How many times have you been told to exercise 30 minutes a day? You haven't begun yet, because you can't figure out where the extra time could possibly come from.

Start with five minutes instead. Many of us set goals so high and objectives so big that we are overwhelmed before we begin. (Failing in the beginning of a goal is a great excuse to stop.)

START with a goal that is so simple, so easy, and so much fun that you will succeed immediately. Increase your goals SLOWLY and in SMALL steps. SUCCEED with each step. String together lots of successes over a period of time and you can achieve a really big goal in a fun, easy way.

3) REFLECT on 5 things in your life.
Focus is the key to achieving almost everything. Being busy all the time saps our strength and causes us to feel a sense of loss or a feeling of being deprived. Acknowledge your accomplishments and your blessings. Take a moment to feel positive about what you've done before moving on to the next task on your list.

Note: Sometimes and in some situations, we may not feel grateful for anything. If that is your case, then I extend a big, heartfelt hug to you and recommend that you try the Meditation exercise. Create a moment of space and comfort. Rest. By changing your awareness, you’ll allow the space for something good to happen in your life.

4) REMEMBER the first time in your life that you were happy.
It's ironic that some of our worst moments and memories in life often stick with us longer than our happy ones. Change the groove of your record (Or in more up-to-date terms: Change the song on your MP3!) Think about happy times. What qualities that made them memorable? Can you add more of those qualities to your life today?

5) TELL Someone Them You Love Them & Why
I have had many people tell me: “Of course, I love my spouse, my parents, etc.”

BUT, how would they know?

Do you call them? Do you email them? A lack of communication leads to a loss of connection. If YOU are feeling lonely, then someone you love could also be feeling lonely.

Our connections are our strength. Love gives us more than enough energy to get through a busy day. The next time you are tempted to buy something because you are feeling empty or lonely—Spend a Moment Instead Of A Dollar—tell someone you love them.


NAME one thing you would do, if you had five minutes

NAME one reason why you aren’t doing it.


Thanks for sharing five minutes with me.
Ellen

Ellen Wass Beckerman
Writer/Photographer/Graphic Designer
www.gardentextures.com