openness

A lifetime of little choices

I grew up on a set of books called “ValueTales”.  They’re a collection of stories published in the 70’s retelling the stories of famous people from the perspective of a little voice inside their heads, or “invisible friend”.   Their little friends are of course, a bit corny, but the stories themselves are solid portrayals of the values built into their character by struggling through the moment by moment decisions of real life.  They break down the larger accomplishments of these iconic people, who changed the world, into themes of consistent choices that shaped the people they became and ultimately, the way they impacted the world.

Over the years, those stories randomly pop in my mind as I encounter difficult circumstances.

They filled my little girl head with hope and curiosity and perspective.  In the middle of struggles I never knew I’d face, or could even really comprehend, some of these characters and …

by Crystal Gornto Female Social Entrepreneurs Inspirational Leaders Inspirational Women Love In Action Loving Others Loving Yourself The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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Meet me on the bridge

Scott and I have been in couple’s therapy, on and off, since we first met. I’d never been to therapy before, but I was a psychology major in college, so it was all very intriguing to me.  I’ll never forget a metaphor one of our early therapists shared with us.

It’s helped me so many times over the years.

I was feeling angry and frustrated with Scott and we were getting nowhere.  Suzanne asked me to close my eyes and imagine a bridge.  She said, “That bridge is your relationship.  You are on one side and Scott is on the other.  What happens next?”

He needs to come right on over here to me, of course!

Clearly not the way a relationship works.   She taught us the concept of meeting, out on the bridge.  The only way to meet is the walk out there and wait.  I instantly felt vulnerable and afraid.  I …

by Crystal Gornto Girl's Night Out Love In Action Love in Family Roadblocks in Life The Journey Through Life 2 comments chat
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Love still wins.

Waking up this morning, after the town hall debate last night, has so many thoughts swirling through my head.  This election has been so divisive, my stomach turns at even the thought of it.  The hate, slander, name calling, bickering and abuse that I’m seeing, not only on TV, but among friends, and acquaintances, in Facebook comments and across dinner tables, is breaking my heart for our country.

But I haven’t lost hope.

I haven’t lost hope because of nights like last Thursday.  At the GNOs, I see women, who are leaders in business and in their homes, showing up to love and connect at their very best.  They rush in, hair still on fire from their busy day, but determined to show up anyway.  Their bodies are tired, but their hearts are hopeful.  These women expect to find trust, connection and the love of sisters like family. . . and they do.

We’re creating …

by Crystal Gornto Girl's Night Out Inspirational Women Love Love In Action Love in Friendship Loving Yourself Leave a comment chat
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Curiosity opens the door to healing

I’m not on vacation again, but I could write about the trip for days.

Maybe I will.  

In this picture we’d turned off the main road and followed a dirt road to this opening.  The boys were exploring the interesting black rock, collecting unusual shells, and in general, not realizing how scorching hot it was out there.

I was watching from a distance. 

As breathtaking as the view may have been, I was sweaty and hot.  I wanted to be in that blue water instead of standing up on the rock.  But they wanted to explore.  So I took pictures, hoping they’d not want to stay too long.  When suddenly this thought filled my mind:

I hope they never lose this sense of wonder.   

What I was experiencing as hot, sweaty and dragging on and on, they were experiencing as a once-in-a-lifetime excursion.  They were wide-eyed and fully engaged.  The obvious difference?

They are children …

by Crystal Gornto Inspiration The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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The broken one

When you were a kid, did you ever try sit on a beach ball in the water?  

I used to try to fool my friends in the deep end of the pool.  I’d push that ball down as hard as I could with my arms and then slowly put one leg at a time over the top, until finally, I had a floating chair.

Then I’d call out, Hey look at me, I’m standing!

Inevitably, as soon as they’d look my way, I’d lose my balance and the ball would come flying up into the air with the force of a giant splash.  I would fall under the water and everyone would laugh.  My cover completely blown.  I’d rise from the water like a drowned rat, my pride damaged.

I still try to sit on beach balls sometimes.  

I caught myself doing it recently.  When asked how I was doing, I responded with …

by Crystal Gornto Love In Action Love in Friendship Roadblocks in Life 2 comments chat
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