Recently, Pittsburgh's Mayor Bob O'Connor died of a rare nervous system lymphoma cancer. Bob was a public servant for many decades. While he served on Pittsburgh's City Council for years, his dream was to become Mayor of Pittsburgh. Sadly, once he achieved his vision, it lasted just seven months. However, because Bob was vocal about his vision for Pittsburgh we will always remember him. Right ideas or not-so-right ideas, what we remember about Bob was his ability to doggedly pursue a dream and share his vision. He will be missed and his vision will continue to inspire.

Bob loved life, and he was a clear example of those whom I describe as "riding the wave called life." He was open to all life had to offer.” What does this have to do with my life?" you might be wondering. "Quite a lot", I would respond.

Regardless of your connection to Pittsburgh or Bob O'Connor you deal with unforeseen events, losses, tragedies, trauma that show up as painful as well as events that show up as fun, joyous and uplifting. From birth to death, we are exposed to joy and bliss as well as suffering and loss. How much time we spend in either category depends on your outlook toward life.

What I call "riding the wave called life" is an approach to life. It is saying "yes" to all the miracles life offers and it is saying "yes" to all the other things that come with it. Riding the wave means accountability, responsibility and self-empowerment. It is about YOU being in charge of your life and giving as little room to negativity as possible. It is action-oriented and filled with discipline and freedom.

Riding the wave called life involves taking chances, making mistakes and moving on. When you lose your balance and tumble from the wave, get right back up again and keep riding. Your balance will improve, your wave choices will improve, and you’ll see the shoreline more clearly with each new leg of the ride.

Bob O'Connor was a fully self-expressed man and someone who, to me, appeared to ride the wave called life quite well. I believe we were fortunate to have such a leader showing us how it’s done. I encourage you to take the lead position in your life and perhaps, by riding the wave called life as well as you can, you will enthuse someone else to try it, too.

"Be master of your petty annoyances and conserve your energies for the big, worthwhile things. It isn't the mountain ahead that wears you out - it's the grain of sand in your shoe."

-- Robert Service

Take one day a week for the next four weeks and live your life as if it were TRULY the last day of your life. See how self-expressed you can be. Remember, there is no room for victim hood or whining. Observe what happens to you on these once-a-week days.

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed."

Albert Einstein

Interested in helping the environment? It takes less energy to start the engine of a car than it takes to let the car run for a minute. You may want to turn your car engines off rather sooner than later. It also saves gas.



POSTSCRIPT
If you recall my last newsletter, I noted that I was upset with my gynecologist. I’m happy to report my feedback was well received and instantly implemented. How about that! A doctor's office that listens to patients! Way to go, Dr. Sober! Air conditioning contributes to global warming. That’s true for air conditioning in cars as well. Turn the air warmer a degree? Just a thought.