The Parish Family Blog

I Want To Do a Podcast Interview with Safari Duo

Can you help? You folks in the UK that are readers of this blog - I know you're there ...

Really, I want to get them on my Talking Portraits show. It would mean the world to me. If you send me a note, I'll explain why. There are many who already know. Regardless - this is a little secret desire I've had for months and months. It hit me today to just put it out to the universe and let's see what happens. I'm hopeful.

This song in particular is one that I just enjoy every time I hear it or, even better, DANCE to it - all over the house. And yeah it brings out the drummer in me - the one that got started when Dad taught him to play at age 5. Give me my sticks!

Tom

Can Someone Find Me This Clock?

Goodness gracious, is this a conversation piece! Even my father-in-law, Fred Tischler, who is a reknowned clock aficionado, has not seen one before. Maybe it's not real (might be the  case ...).

Regardless - if you happen to know the source of this - write me! tom.parish AT gmail.com

Tom

 

Loving Your Marriage and Going for More in 2008

I saw this post on Shonnie and Bruce's blog at their  "I Do I Do" The Marriage Vow Workshop website.

Personally I find their continued wisdom around keeping your relationships fresh, open and authentic very welcome advice. Though the website is about marriage vows, their on-going insights are about your relationship - which is what really counts, right? You get married one day then the rest of your life together is your relationship. What I find all to often is the vows at the wedding are said and forgotten. The notion of actually co-creating 'relationship vows' is something I can get on board with because that is part of what helps any relationship evolve and become more loving with greater levels of gratitude being experienced. To make that work you have to talk about them and check in with each other and evolve the vows as your relationship evolves. Or maybe the vows stay as is, but the point is you talk about them periodically - and I'm not saying talk every year or two - much more often. Sure, it's scary at first, but over time it's just part of what you do to reinforce why you love each other so much.

So with that I'm reposting their recent blog entry for those of you who are married or in a relationship and you're choosing to continue down your path together to find more ways to grow together.

I miss being in a relationship - guess you could tell. I hold the vision for a new one for sure.

Best to you
Tom
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Blog Post From 12-30-2007

Most people I know make New Year’s Resolutions an individual thing. If you want your marriage to be better, however, it’s best if you both resolve to make changes instead of making this a solo act. That doesn’t mean you both have to make the same resolutions. It simply means that you’re both committing to doing your part for the health of your marriage. Based on my experience, here are suggestions about two areas to consider for improvement — changes in these areas can profoundly alter your relationship for the better.

Past = resentment and grudges. 2008 = forgiveness and growth. Resolve to forgive each other for those hurtful things that we all sometimes do in our relationships. Let go of hurt feelings, talk about the pain, offer and accept apologies, then choose a new path forward.

Past = busyness and lots of “priorities.” 2008 = slowing down and reserving time for the relationship. Resolve to hold your marriage as sacred and give it the time and attention that it needs to thrive. Instead of waiting for special moments to say “I love you” or to give a gift, do things to show that any moment is a special moment in your relationship.

“Loving people live in a loving world. Hostile people live in a hostile world. Same world.”

~ Wayne Dyer

May 2008 be a truly magical year for you and your beloved. May all that did not serve you in the past be gently left behind. May those dreams which you deferred now blossom and grow in the light of a new year. May you find more joy, love, and peace in the journey to come than that which you already have known. Happy New Year!

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Thinking about the New Year

I'm ready for it, for 2008. Well, as ready as we can be, eh? Let's see how we meet the New Year and what will be called inside us to live into the challenges and changes that come our way.

I'm reminded that life has its way and we have our choices. Helps me to recall, especially when events I'm experiencing are not what I wanted, that there is much in my life around me through which I can re-experience a sense of gratitude.  That seems to help me revitae my inner self.

I saw a quote this morning, and it resonated with me and gave me pause for thought.

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus published 1800 years ago: “Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.”

Wishing the BEST to you for the New Year.
Tom

Traveling to Marquette Today with Lily

The house is all tidy. Jenny is our beloved housesitter and caretaker of Tinkerbell and Wendy. We have a ride to the airport - thank you, Gerry.

I'm taking two books to dive into.

The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable, by Nassim Nicholas Taleb,
and
Shadow Dance: Liberating the Power & Creativity of Your Dark Side, by David Richo

I have a feeling I'll be posting some insights along the way this week.

Write me!

Tom