Jazz Stamp

The United States Postal Service unveiled the new Jazz stamp yesterday in New Orleans.  There was a fabulous Big Band Jazz Concert at the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans.  It was a truly remarkable performance.

Paul Rogers is the artist that created the stamp.  You should read his comments concerning the design.  It gives great insight into how this stamp came into being.

check out:   http://www.drawger.com/paulrogers/?article_id=11778

Elizabeth Taylor

Clutch: The Art of Excelling

Stress and work make us sometimes feel as though we are overwhelmed.  But according to this book that's when things are getting good.  The time that you have an opportunity to shine is when you find yourself in a "clutch" situation.  Clutch is when the pressure is on and you have the ability to perform well in spite of the pressure.  Interestingly, its not about working miracles in the moment.  Being clutch means not caving into the pressure.

The author demonstrates that staying focused on the task at hand is critical to success in a clutch situation. Don't focus on the emotions or the "what ifs," focus on what you know how to do and do it well in the face of pressure. 

Its a great book with great stories from the lives of famous and not so famous "clutch" people.    

Ash Wednesday: From Dust to Dust

Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) is a great time to inspire us to live life to the fullest and experience the great gift of joy.  The day after is Ash Wednesday a day where we are reminded that "we are dust and to dust we shall return." Ash Wednesday ushers in the season of Lent.  The season teaches us to live a life appreciative of joy but cognizant that one day we, in the words of Shakespear, will be "shuffled off this mortal coil"and every moment is precious.  What a great inspiration to live a sterling life and to make the absolute most of the opportunities we are presented.

The Rev. Pamela Dolan writes in her blog on St. Louis Today that "Poets have always known that part of what makes life so sweet and so precious is its very limited duration-life is but a passing shadow or, as the Psalmist puts it, "our days are like the grass;we flourish like a flower of the field; when the wind goes over it,it is gone, and its place shall know it no more." The ashes remind us of our mortality, but also of the gift of everlasting life. Both can be embraced through receiving and accepting the same simple yet profound symbol. "Check out Rev. Dolan's full post here: http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/civil-religion/pamela-dolan/article_c7ebb598-49d2-11e0-a0b8-00127992bc8b.html

Happy Mardi Gras

This Tuesday is Mardi Gras in New Orleans and various parts of the Coastal South.  If this Tuesday is just Tuesday in your town, I hope you take a minute to enjoy the Mardi Gras spirit wherever you may find yourself.