Brilliant Chaos

5-Day Creating Challenge Coming Up!

2011-11-29T22:17:00.001-07:00

Hello, Brilliant Chaos fans!

Time for yet another Creating Challenge! This one will be a five-day Challenge running from Monday, December 5 to Friday, December 9, 2011.

Here are the four steps for each day of the Creating Challenge:

Before you take any actions, sit down for a minute or two and conceive of the result you want to create. (Have a clear vision of the finished creation.)
Note the current state of the creation. (What is the current status and materials/elements needed to complete the creation?)
Take action. (Move from vision to completed reality. Stay true to the vision and resists improvisation.)
Once you have finished the project, look at it and live with it for a few minutes. (Reflect on the process and your experience.)

We hope you join us for this upcoming Creating Challenge. As well, if you wish, please join our Facebook group so you can post your creations and responses to this challenge both on this blog and with our FB community!

Momentum

2011-07-15T17:38:00.000-06:00

A week or so ago we completed our seven-day Creating Challenge. How do we all keep the creating vibe alive? We leverage the momentum that naturally occurs in the creating cycle. In this podcast, we describe how!

Creating Challenge #2--We're Halfway There!

2011-06-30T22:08:00.004-06:00

Hey, everybody!

We're at the halfway mark of our most recent Creating Challenge. Congratulations for making it this far! To celebrate, we made a podcast just for you--it was our creation for Day 4. It's a little on the rough side--Lisa sounds sometimes as if she's underwater--but we decided to eschew perfection and embrace enthusiasm.

So please take about eight minutes to listen to our five-minute podcast. And thanks for embarking on this challenge with us!

Creating: Not Just for the "Creative" Anymore

2011-06-21T19:28:00.006-06:00

"Oh, I can't participate in a Creating Challenge. I'm just not a creative person."

We tend to think that creating is the realm only of the creative: the artist, the writer, the musician, the dancer, anyone with a hand in a free-flowing expression of self. When we don't fall into a more right-brained way of being, we dismiss the concept that we, too, can be creators.

Well, none of you get off that easy! ;-) We are throwing down a Creating Challenge, not a Creative Challenge. Creating is different from being creative. Many creative people don't create at all. They dream big dreams but for whatever reason cannot put pen to paper, hands to clay, or voice to microphone. In contrast, people who create begin a project and finish it. They conceive of something they want to exist in the world, they do what it takes to bring it about, and once it's completed, they release it into the wild.

That's what this challenge is about, and therefore, it can include any number of projects. For example:

Cooking a beautiful meal for family and/or friends;
Developing a time map for your week;
Making a chore jar for your kids, filled with slips of paper that list daily chores;
Devising an Excell or Numbers document to track your expenses;
Writing an itinerary for an upcoming trip;
Replacing a torn screen in your screen door with a new one;
Arranging a restful space in your home for mediation, reading, and other quiet pursuits; and/or
Creating anything your heart and mind can imagine!

The Creating Challenge can also include ventures we more traditionally call creative, so go ahead and write your poems and songs, paint your pictures, mold your sculptures. Whatever you choose, take ten minutes to two hours to dream up something and make it real.

So, let's brainstorm some more potential projects. Please comment below and let us know some creations you might bring to fruition during our Creating Challenge! And in case you need the details for our Creating Challenge, you can find those here.

Creating Challenge #2!

2011-06-20T11:11:00.007-06:00

Hello, Brilliant Chaos fans!

We got such a charge out of our test-run Creating Challenge that we decided to turn right around and do another one. Not only that, but we've also chosen to lengthen it--this time to seven days. So our upcoming Creating Challenge will run from Monday, June 27 to Sunday, July 3, 2011.

But wait, there's more! We really want to invite YOU along! This challenge is perfect for:

people who have a number of projects they'd like to complete;
gifted kids out of school for summer wanting something challenging to do;
anyone interested in creating; and
lots more people!

Remember, we've outlined four steps for each day of our Creating Challenge:

Before you take any actions, sit down for a minute or two and conceive of the result you want to create. (Have a clear vision of the finished creation.)
Note the current state of the creation. (What is the current status and materials/elements needed to complete the creation?)
Take action. (Move from vision to completed reality. Stay true to the vision and resists improvisation.)
Once you have finished the project, look at it and live with it for a few minutes. (Reflect on the process and your experience.)

We hope you join us for this upcoming Creating Challenge. As well, if you wish, please join our new Facebook group so you can post your creations and responses to this challenge both on this blog and share with our FB users!

We look forward to enjoying this challenge with you!

The Creating Challenge - Day 4

2011-06-17T16:46:00.004-06:00

Hello, all!

Well, yesterday was the last day of our challenge, and I (Lisa) celebrated by finishing a drawing I'd begun on Day 3. I followed the process and found it easy since I already had a vision from the first day of drawing. It was simply a matter of completing what I'd begun. I would not have completed the drawing as quickly as I did had I not been involved in this challenge.

I am so happy we did this challenge. It felt good to create each day and to reflect on the process. I am much more in touch with ways I create daily. I hope we do another and longer creating challenge soon. Make sure to follow our young creator Micah who has already begun his own seven-day challenge! And stay posted for our next event--we'd love to have more people join us and tap into their own creating energy!

(And now I've created yet another blog post!)

The Creating Challenge - Day 3

2011-06-15T19:35:00.000-06:00

It's amazing that we are already on Day 3 of The Creating Challenge!!!

My (Wendy) creating challenge today was to read a short booklet I've had on my "list of things to read" and then use it as inspiration to create four exercises that teams can use to get past their creative or relational blocks. The goal was to have a short description for each exercise so that I can revisit it at a later date and add more detail for a step by step process.

I found that by approaching this as a creating challenge, I was able to accomplish the task more quickly than I would have otherwise. After reading the booklet, it took about 15 minutes total to come up with each of the four exercises with their description and name. At completion I found that I did not want to spend any time being with what I created but I wanted to be done and go on to the next creating challenge which was to create this blog post. Then I will be complete. Except then I want to start the next creating challenge which may be a two day project...

This is actually really addicting!!! Having a structure for creating, as simple as it is, gives direction to the process and gets both my right brain (creative) and left brain (structural) engaged. I love it!

What is it like for you by Day 3 of your Creating Challenge? Share in the comment space below!

The Creating Challenge - Day 2

2011-06-14T15:48:00.005-06:00

Phew! It's been a grueling two days of creating, but we're halfway to the end of our challenge! (Pausing for laughter... What? No laughter?)

Today I wrote a blog post entitled "Meet Me at the Intersection of Gifted Way and Asynchronous Drive". I had promised someone I'd write a blog post for an event she's organizing, so this was a creating opportunity with a deadline.

I followed the process we've laid out--the four steps outlined in "The Creating Challenge - Day 1." I knew I wanted to write a blog post, and had a vague sense of the topic. But I really didn't know what to envision other than a finished blog post. The current state of the creation was just a few ideas in my head, so I moved straight to taking action. I dove into writing and found I had little direction. I had to stop to do some brainstorming, then something coherent seemed to come together. After tinkering with wording and grammar, I hit "publish," and now I have another blog post out there in the world.

As I sit with that reality, I'm feeling grateful yet separate from my creation. I usually feel good when I complete something such as this. I don't feel particularly euphoric today, but I'm thankful that I met the day's challenge.

The irony here is that I'm creating another blog post to describe how I've created a blog post. Maybe a little laughter is called for now? (C'mon--I'm beggin' ya!)

The Creating Challenge - Day 1

2011-06-13T17:21:00.002-06:00

Welcome to Day 1 of the Brilliant Chaos Creating Challenge! Both Lisa and I (Wendy) have been inspired by the work of Robert Fritz through his book "Creating" (open your books to pages 173-176) and have taken a 4 day challenge to create 1 thing a day. This podcast is our creation for day 1...and we invite YOU to join us and try out intentional creating for 4 days in a row too!

Here are the parameters:
1. Before you take any actions, sit down for a minute or two and conceive of the result you want to create. (Have a clear vision of the finished creation.)
2. Note the current state of the creation. (What is the current status and materials/elements needed to complete the creation?)
3. Take action. (Move from vision to completed reality. Stay true to the vision and resist improvisation.)
4. Once you have finished the project, look at it and live with it for a few minutes. (Reflect on the process and your experience.)

This challenge is meant to include creation challenges that can be completed within 10 minutes up to a few hours. You choose!

We'll be posting our creations and experience each of the 4 days of this challenge and welcome you to do the same. Join us and see what creating on a daily basis does for you!

Here we go!

Are You Sure It Was Me?

2010-10-13T14:35:00.002-06:00

Have you ever been in a conversation or relationship that had you scrambling to understand what was going on? Where the other person was confident that if YOU could only get it straight/right/together all would be well? Where you really tried to fit into the story of life as defined by others?

What if it's not about trying to make sense of the situation or relationship but about recognizing what story you are in and if its the one you are meant to be living?

Lisa and I (Wendy) wanted to share the following video with you to encourage you to be confident in who you are - and the story you were meant to live...

Please contact us if you would like to know about ways we can brilliantly support you in connecting to and living out YOUR authentic story!

Mary Poppins Had It Right: A Spoon Full of Sugar & Work

2010-02-20T13:25:00.010-07:00

I (Lisa) hadn't intended to clean my office. I was innocently chatting via Skype with Wendy, and it just sort of happened. We were checking in with each other, both feeling fairly low energy, and Wendy mentioned a number of things she had to do. Then this came across my screen:

"There! I just picked up one folder and put it away as I'm done with it - (pattingselfontheback)."

We celebrated with a little emoticon party, then I realized that I, too, could put a folder away. So I did. Then I put away one more! I skyped to Wendy: "I see your folder, and raise you one!"

She countered with seeing my folder and raising me two books and a binder (and expressed jubilation at seeing carpet space!). I put away my camera, camcorder, and a plastic bag that was just laying on my desk.

Before I knew it, we were in an ad hoc online office clean-off. We went back and forth until we each had cleared a sizable space in our offices and had other commitments to attend to. I didn't clean my whole office, and this wasn't on my to-do list (which, these days, is nonexistent anyways). Instead, Wendy and I seized the moment, spurred each other on with our energy and encouragement, and accomplished something in the spirit of play. Something about the spontaneity, the online interaction, and having someone with whom to share the experience made this activity not just fun but memorable.

For those of us who live on Planet Chaos, play is powerful. We don't respond well to structure, have-to's, to-do lists. Instead, if we can create a spark when we do a task, even something mundane, we can make things happen and feel joy as we do.

When both Wendy and I had to leave, I hopped onto blip.fm and dedicated this song to Wendy: http://blip.fm/profile/deepwaterscoach/blip/35800600/Spoon+Full+of+sugar–Mary+poppins. It seemed the fitting way to complete our experience. Enjoy, and maybe you'll get something done too!

Slooooowwww Mooootionnnnn

2010-01-27T22:41:00.005-07:00

Have you ever felt like you were living in slow motion? Did it drive you crazy? Was it a relief? Lisa and Wendy convo about a slower pace in real time slow motion and the treasures they are discovering.

Come on in to Planet Chaos and click on the podcast link...especially if you are on the brink of chaos and hurry and busy! Now is the perfect time!

Full permission to land granted!

Managing Your Energy

2010-01-12T20:14:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, we shared a podcast about protecting and renewing our energy. Kathy Loh, PCC, CPCC, MA, life coach and wonderful wild woman, commented about this topic on our blog. In fact, she stepped onto her energy-management soapbox, and wowed us with her passion and ideas. We so loved what she had to say that we invited her to play on Planet Chaos with us for an episode. And guess what? She said yes! We hope you are delighted and challenged by what we discussed. Pancake!

NOTE: It seems our technology of late has had Lisa scubadiving off the shores of Planet Chaos during podcasts. The good news? Lisa can apparently talk while underwater (oh, there is no end to her talents). The bad news? It's slightly challenging to listen to. We want you to know we're aware of this problem, are seeking solutions, and appreciate your patience while we resolve it. Thanks for sticking with us!

Our Holiday Wish for You!

2009-12-14T14:50:00.001-07:00

OK, so we know we just posted our last podcast, but we really, really want you to hear this one as soon as possible! We wish you a fun, fulfilling, joyous, choice-based holiday season!

Protecting and Renewing Your Creative Energy

2009-12-11T20:29:00.003-07:00

It's the most wonderful time of the year...and sometimes the most stressful! In this podcast, we discuss ways to protect and renew your creative energy so that you can make the most of your life and of this holiday season. Happy--and Energy-Filled--Holidays to you!

A Super, Secret Source of Creative Energy

2009-12-03T09:55:00.000-07:00

Did you know that in the creative cycle, a secret pocket of energy exists that you can leverage for greater productivity and momentum? Well, it does! In this podcast, we tell you what it is and ponder how we can all take advantage of it!

Great Gobs of Gratitude, Batman!

2009-11-25T09:16:00.002-07:00

In this brief podcast, we simply thank you, our listeners, for hopping on the wild Brilliant Chaos ride with us! We wish you the happiest of Thanksgivings!

Free to Begin...

2009-11-23T23:40:00.002-07:00

Ever wonder why you just couldn't start that next project or pursue that great idea you have? Me too! Check out this week's podcast where Lisa and I talk about what it means to "converge" and be free to begin new things! I actually share a personal story about convergence in my own life and how it showed up in a big way when I least expected it!

Hey, and don't forget to share any experiences you have had on convergence as a place for beginnings too! We want to hear from you!

P.S. Ever wonder why there is all that empty space between the title of this post and the podcast player? Me too! I can't figure it out so for now we are calling that "breathing space" or "open space" as there is not a lot of that out there these days...except when you visit Planet Chaos that is. ;)

Convergence as Ending

2009-11-05T09:29:00.003-07:00

Gifted people are generally natural-born divergers, and systems need diverging phases. In a previous podcast, we've discussed the concept of divergence: the desire and opportunity to brainstorm, collect information, think outside the box, push pylons, and run gleefully down bunny trails.

Eventually, after all that diverging (and also before it--more on this later), we reach a time for convergence, a time for everything to intersect, a time for creating something definite. Time, resources, and people come together for completion. Ahh...what a feeling!

We hope you enjoy our podcast on convergence as ending, and that after you listen you will converge on this blog and share your responses about it with us!

Squirmy (2009-2009), In Memoriam

2009-11-03T16:16:00.011-07:00

A couple months ago, I (Lisa) wrote a blog post about my family beginning a pet-owning adventure. Until recently, I would have had nothing but wonderful things to report. Squirmy, our beloved tadpole, grew legs, then arms, and lost most of her tail (after extensive research, we discovered Squirmy was a female).

I had ordered a Stage Two tank for the frog portion of Squirmy's life (see picture at right). That tank recently arrived, and with it another frog, whom the kids have named Jumbo. Jumbo is definitely a big frog compared to Squirmy, about three times as long and at least four times as hefty. Squirmy would dart around her tank; Jumbo swims the frog version of a portly man's gait.

As I reviewed the instructions that came with the tank, I had a hunch that putting Jumbo and Squirmy in the same tank would not bode well for Squirmy. Further research confirmed my intuition. The introductions would go something like this: "Squirmy, meet Jumbo. Jumbo, meet food." So I placed each frog in a separate tank; a tube connected the tanks, so I adhered a cap on one end of tube to separate the frogs. The research I'd done said that when Squirmy grew close to Jumbo's size, they'd view each other more as friends and less as food and diner, respectively.

I had planned on writing a blog post using the frogs as a metaphor. The message of it would have gone something like "Don't let the huge image of your dream eat your currently smaller reality." Sometimes when we begin the journey toward fulfilling our purposes, we can envision a dream so daunting that we abort our efforts to realize it. The metaphor seemed like a fabulous comparison.

Unfortunately, I never had the chance. A couple days ago, I noticed that Squirmy appeared smaller. I wasn't overly concerned; she was much smaller as a frog than she had been as a tadpole. I figured perhaps she was still shrinking. However, I must admit I hadn't seen Squirmy eat much since making the transition from tadpole food to frog food. I didn't know if she was eating, and I didn't know how to teach her to eat.

Yesterday, when I walked near the tank, Squirmy didn't come see me, which had been her usual habit. Instead, she floated with her head toward the surface of the water. She didn't react when I tapped on the tank's side. I feared the worst, and surely enough, when I poked her with the frog food spoon, I had to face the fact that she had indeed died.

So now I had a new experience to face: telling my children that their pet had died. I dreaded it all day, and saved the news until we finished all appointments and homework. At first, the kids took the news much better than I'd expected, especially my daughter. We threw Squirmy a funeral a la Cosby Show, full with appropriate attire, eulogies, and to our ultimate detriment, my husband's version of "Taps." It was then that sadness hit Princess Monkey Girl. I actually think it was good that she eventually felt her grief, but those of you who are parents know how hard it can be to watch your child mourn.

So what's the metaphor now? Squirmy was an active, darting type of frog, a teeny thing with lots of energy. She really captured our hearts. We witnessed her metamorphosis, and looked forward to her growth as a frog. Now, suddenly, she's gone. But had we not gone down this path, we would have missed Squirmy's bright animal spirit, and we never would have met Jumbo (in picture above). We now have a full-grown frog to love and enjoy.

Perhaps the metaphor is this: sometimes, as we begin to live the first steps of our dreams, life surprises us. We enjoy the journey while we can, and face and grieve losses that may come. As difficult as they may be, those losses may propel us further toward our intended purpose than we would have gone without them.

So, Squirmy, thank you for gracing us with your life, for showing us the wonder of metamorphosis, for bringing us so much joy. We will remember you, and miss you, and feel grateful for the time we had with you and the lessons we learned about life through you.

Most Fatuous

2009-10-22T01:50:00.004-06:00

The continuing saga of Lisa and Wendy's new favorite word: fatuous. Most fatuous. The saga began on our October 17 blog post "Floorganization is Fatuous?" and continues here unashamedly. We milk this word for all its worth and even come up with new creative definitions from a "whole brain" point of view - AKA using both our left and right brain processes.

Join us as we celebrate the wisdom of foolishness!

Floorganization at its Finest

2009-10-21T17:58:00.007-06:00

The podcast on floorganization has arrived at last! For those of you who need a refresher, floorganization is a Chaotish word (the official language of Planet Chaos) that stands for what we do when we use the floor to organize things, tasks, and other sundry items. Its that simple...or is it? Check out our podcast and hear more on organization games and what we can do as gifted and system thinkers to actually enjoy organizing...and floorganizing.

The pics above are from my very own floor showing a floorganization process I went through recently. The floorganization of my books progressed in concert with the progression of the writing of a school paper.

Also, a special shout out to Jeff Brumley who contributed to this topic. You could be our next featured topic contributor by contacting us with your blog and/or podcast topic suggestions or contributions. Contact us through blog comments, email or twitter. We'd love to hear from you!

Floorganization is Fatuous?

2009-10-17T23:38:00.008-06:00

There was an outcry (actually, an "outlaugh" but that's not a word...yet) as I read the short message left by SemperBlotto:

SemperBlotto deleted "floorganization" (Fatuous entry)

Lisa and I had so much fun adding our new word "floorganization" to en.wiktionary.com yesterday. We were official! Floorganization was official! But SemperBlotto didn't think so.

Adjective (per en.wiktionary.com)

fatuous (comparative more fatuous, superlative most fatuous)
Obnoxiously stupid, vacantly silly, content in one's foolishness.

Usage notes
Refers especially to foolishness and disregard of reality.

And so continues the war between "creative" and "reality." Those that would label creative expression as stupid or fatuous.

Since floorganization is a word from the Chaotish language, maybe SemperBlotto is right. We are disregarding English reality to introduce a "foreign" word. LOL And yet, I'm already thinking of other ways to mainstream this brilliant word that describes a very "real" way of organizing used by people the world over.

Any suggestions on how to mainstream new words? Do you floorganize? Check out our upcoming podcast on floorganization (coming soon!), I think you'll like it!

PS. Please note that we recorded the podcast before this happened on wiktionary.com...I think you'll find our podcast most relevant, especially those of you who have had or do have people telling you you are not living in reality with all your creative, divergent, or unique ideas or ways of doing things.

Diverging

2009-10-06T21:11:00.005-06:00

You know how one thought leads to another...and another...and another? Well, that happens frequently on Planet Chaos, and it happened in this podcast. Enjoy, and join in with your own comments on this blog!

Pylon Pushing

2009-09-28T13:28:00.011-06:00

I don't know about you, but these days it seems everywhere I drive is a Cone Zone. One highway sports an electronic sign warning me "Construction/Major Delays/Alternate Route Advised." Then, when I drive onto the Alternate Route, it has its own line of orange soldiers detouring me toward places I don't want to go. Makes me want to push those pylons right out of the way.

In this week's podcast, we explore the topic of Pylon Pushing in our lives, the capacity to explore and heighten beyond artificial boundaries set before us. We talk about using improv when we want to see exactly where true boundaries lie.

We hope you enjoy this podcast and look forward to your comments on where you might be Pylon Pushing in your own lives!

Maventurous/New Beginnings

2009-09-21T19:11:00.006-06:00

Hello, and welcome to the inaugural Brilliant Chaos podcast! We are starting our podcasting adventure with the theme "New Beginnings." You can hear our first episode by clicking on the arrow in the upper left corner of the player above.

We hope you enjoy our podcast, and look forward to your comments, questions, inputs, and non sequiturs. And please let us know if you can identify the term for phrases such as "new beginnings," terms with two words that mean the same thing (and, apparently, we don't mean synonyms or redundancies!).

P.S. We also invite you to incorporate the word "maventurous" into your vocabulary soon and often!

A Time to Rest

2009-09-11T18:22:00.009-06:00

I never thought I'd feel good about not dancing. I am a dance-aholic! I love my Nia workouts. I thrive on moving my body. If I don't, I become fidgety, my body starts to ache, and I feel less able to focus.

But I've had to let my dancing go for now. At my house, we're enduring the final weeks of our marathon summer break, forced on us due to my kids' school constructing a brand new building that will open in ten days (but who's counting?). And we've all had enough of vacation. Even my kids have proclaimed their wishes to return to school. They want to see their friends. They're ready to start classroom learning again. And they're getting on each other's last nerve.

Hence, my current dancing hiatus. While my kids are old enough to be left alone, they no longer have the wherewithal to get along, both in my presence and even less so in my absence. If I leave them while I go dancing, I have no guarantees that I won't return home to tears, and I'm not willing to gamble like that. The places where I dance don't have childcare for kids my kids' age, so I've decided that for the last couple weeks of summer break, I'll forego my dancing routine. It's not ideal, but I'll survive.

What I didn't expect was that I'd actually thrive. Yes, I'd rather have the opportunity to go dancing, but not dancing has opened up other possibilities for me. Not only have I let go of dancing, I've also let go of having to be my children's constant schedule planner and entertainer. I've let go have having these final two weeks be "meaningful," of creating memorable moments and learning opportunities for my gifted kids. I think they feel that some kind of pressure, which I never intended to create, has lifted, and they can just laze around, be bored if they want to, and if they don't, create their own entertainment.

As well, my body seems to be responding to the rest. I have a few aches and pains that will probably diminish now that I'm taking a breather. I hope that when I can return to dancing I'll have more energy and fewer twinges throughout my body.

And last but not least, while I've devoted fewer hours to exercise and less mental energy toward managing my kids, I've actually accomplished something huge! Today I cleaned out and organized my office! I still have a ways to go, but I've made a huge dent in an area that has felt out of control to me for a long time. I've moved things around, created space for a bookcase to make its home here, and released energy-draining clutter. Amid this cleaning frenzy, I've still moved my body, and I've made pathways for physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual energy.

So while I'm looking forward to returning to my dancing, I can say that I believe in the assertion that "There's a time to rest." I find that as a gifted person, I tend to create grand schemes for my life, and I can be somewhat rigid about making them happen. But sometimes releasing my agenda is good. In fact, sometimes restful periods can be surprisingly and ironically productive.

Growing a Frog in the Comfort of Our Home!

2009-09-08T20:34:00.007-06:00

Meet Squirmy the tadpole. He (or she--we're not sure) is the newest addition to our family. The requirements for pets around here rival those for gaining a top secret security clearance, so Squirmy is our best bet: no mess and low maintenance. (Unlike Skippy from our previous blog post, Squirmy won't leave "presents" on the neighbor's lawn.)

Squirmy arrived today after weeks of waiting. We bought the Grow-A-Frog kit and mailed in the gift certificate, and until today I've listened to multiple despairing questions regarding Squirmy's ETA. Fortunately for my sanity, a small styrofoam package came with today's mail, and our pet owning adventure has begun.

I anticipate this will be an interesting experiment on three fronts. First, I look forward to watching a tadpole turn into a frog. I've never seen this metamorphosis up close and personal, and it intrigues me. Second, I can't wait to see my kids' reactions. They totally dig this kind of learning. Already they've shown so much excitement over Squirmy, and as s/he changes, I imagine my children will bring an energy and joy to the process that will fuel my own. And third, this experiment will show us how well the kids can care for a pet. Who knows--if they show themselves to be unlike most other children and truly take the responsibility they've promised to take with Squirmy, the pet restrictions around here may lift, and we'll actually be able to own a higher maintenance pet...like a sea monkey.

Time will tell...

Dog Poop @ Midnight

2009-09-05T18:48:00.015-06:00

It was a dark, dark night...very dark. Skippy, dear Skippy, needed to go for his late evening walk. And since I was the official dog sitter, it was my turn for dog duty. I put on his "you'll feel sharp electrical current if you do not behave" collar (Skippy was a big, big dog), got out the plastic bag for the anticipated dump, put a key to the house in my pocket, and off we went. Everything was fine until we got to block number three, third house on the left...the sniff-around-and-time-to-poop location (all dog owners know what I'm talking about). Skippy did his business. I then proceeded to fulfill my part of the program, but for the life of me could not find the poop. The house lights did not extend far enough into the yard to be of any help. I could not find it!

So. Now what? Well, first of all, the title of this blog came to mind and I laughed. Second, I went through my options...do I go back to the house, get a flashlight, and come back to do a search-and-pickup? Do I knock on the door, at this late hour, and let the occupants of the house know I'll pick up the poop the next day? Do I just continue on our walk and bless this neighbor's yard with a "gift" to help their soil receive additional, needed, and helpful nutrients?

Well, dear Planet Chaos friends, I must admit I went for option number three. I know, I know. I totally wimped out. My sense of responsibility is stilled pricked as I think about it. As I write this now, I'm wishing I had gone back to get a flashlight (or knocked on the neighbor's door, lol)...it would have made for a much better story on many levels. ;)

What is your relationship with nature and animals? I'd love to hear your stories of successes, failures, dilemmas, and learning opportunities of taking care of our planet (Earth, that is).

And Welcome Again!

2009-09-02T03:30:00.005-06:00

It's 3:31 a.m. Mountain Time, and I can't sleep. It seems I still have energy coursing through my body from the brainstorming session Wendy and I had about Brilliant Chaos. Instead of tossing and turning anymore, I give in, shuffle to my computer, turn it on, log onto Facebook, and discover that Wendy not only has been busy launching this blog site, but she's still awake too!

This is what happens when Wendy and I collide on creative ventures. We don't get much sleep, but we sure have fun! And we look forward to bringing this kind of energy, wonder, exploration, and hilarity--along with provoking plenty of thoughts and reaching people's hearts--to the place where giftedness and systems thinking meet.

So fasten your seat belts, folks! (Stow your tray tables, and return your seats to their original, upright positions.) This rocket ship is taking off! Destination: Planet Chaos! Enjoy the ride!

Welcome to Planet Chaos!

2009-09-02T01:07:00.003-06:00

Welcome! Welcome to Planet Chaos I say! Lisa and I are so glad you came by! At this, our dawn of a new blog, we, your guides to this complex yet fabulous planet, appreciate your visit and invite you to come by often.

Let me give you an introductory tour of Planet Chaos. Planet Chaos is the "third entity" of friends and mavens Lisa Lauffer and Wendy Balman. A "third entity" is what is created when we are together. Its that energy and space between us that is alive with spontaneous fun, depth, divergence, reciprocity, pylon pushing, creativity, maventurousness, sparkiness, movement, etc. in service of bringing the qualities of the gifted life and mysteries of the systems around us to light!

Planet Chaos is our playground as we draw out the wisdom of the vast research of the world of giftedness as well as systems theory. Everyone is welcome on this planet and if you have even one bone of fun or wacky, you'll enjoy our blog posts, twitter tweets (see posts on right side of this page), and even upcoming podcasts and videos.

Stay tuned! We have a wealth of enjoyable learning and fun ahead!

And, this is place for you to play as well. Please feel free to not only read, subscribe, and listen to our podcasts...but post your comments and lets have a conversation! Or two...

Thanks for coming!