1 Venue + 1 Vintner + 50+ Visitors = Caverna 57

We were very excited to receive an invitation to a wine tasting event at Caverna 57. It is a beautiful venue in East Sacramento: an oasis for wine-lovers and networkers close to Sac State. 

It Takes a Village BUT...

It’s been said many ways: “it takes a village”, “no man is an island”, “many hands make light work”. One of my favorite “ways” was said by Margaret Mead:

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

It’s been said many ways because it is TRUE... HOWEVER, what is also true is that the commitment to make positive change begins with each individual.

Nelson Mandela’s passing has focused the world’s attention on that fact and how ONE PERSON can have such an impact on his country as well as the global conscientiousness. The example of his life has inspired many and I am confident his influence on the trajectory of humanity begins with his challenge to the individual.

“There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”

Here’s to each of us achieving a FULL-CAPACITY LIFE beginning with a full-capacity 2014!

Stone Soup Story

Adapted from a Swedish folktale and from Marcia Brown’s retelling of the fable in her book.

How Do YOU Solve a Problem...

Rodgers & Hammerstein addressed that question often in their musicals and sometimes concluded  “It’s a Puzzlement”! OK, I’m dating myself a bit but I am sure modern songwriters like Taylor Swift are addressing that same question... 

How to Move Mountains...

This may not be on your "to do" list but many of us have goals, projects, and plans that may seem daunting if not darn-near impossible. Her is my current favorite word:LEVERAGE!! In short , it means accomplishing a lot with the resources available.

5 Years Ago.. and lessons learned

5 years ago to the day, we launched our eNutshells.net website. It has proven to be one of the mainstays of our business. The concept wasn't radical (a simple idea) nor the business plan extensive (there wasn't one). It is now the platform for many websites including CordovaCouncil.org and sac-connect.com, has thousands of pages, and ranks pretty well in the search engines.

Cock-Eyed Optimism

Do you classify yourself as an optimist or pessimist? Just so we're on the "same page", optimism is defined as "A tendency to expect the best possible outcome or dwell on the most hopeful aspects of a situation". The key distinction is HOPE!

The Creative Spark

We are all born with creativity as part of how we express ourselves. Remember finger paints and sparkle and glue? Some, like artists, musicians, performers, and innovators nurture that spark into their vocation or avocation. For some of us, we can sometimes find little time for creativity and self-expression amidst our busy lives. However, we should and can find time for it, to explore and tinker and enjoy!

Master-Minding your P's & Q's

You remember the phrase "two heads are better than one"? Well, you can imagine the huge potential when you have access to more than just two! Napolean Hill referred to it as the Master-Mind and credits it with his success in his landmark book "Think and Grow Rich".

Big Shoes to Fill...

You may remember the last time you heard that phase. It was likely in reference to someone stepping in to replace somebody who has set high standards in doing a great job.

In Pursuit of Happiness...

2012 is brand new and ready for you to blaze a trail to your goals and aspirations but as many wise people have said, it is more about the journey than the destination. Your vision sets your compass, your plan is your road to success, and your passion will power you forward. However, when it is all said and done, it's will be less about achieving your goals and more about finding YOURSELF.

Serendipity-Do, Duh

We Bought a Zoo

One of my favorite works is serendipity. The definition is "making fortunate discoveries by accident". The discovery might be a person, a resource, a path in life that takes you on a journey you could not have ever imagined (much less planned).

Doing More with Less

Seems like we all have less time, energy and resources to accomplish an ever-growing and challenging list of items on our "to-do" lists. So how do we do more with less? By collaborating with others to the benefit of all. By looking for creative ways to accomplish multiple goals, we can each get more done faster, cheaper and generally have more fun in the process.

Perspective Prospectus

Nobody seems to be talking about the "light at the end of the tunnel" because few (anyone?) can even imagine it down the line... With joblessness, homelessness, world-wide poverty, crime, layoffs, bankruptcies, 12-figure debt, and political finger-pointing making the headlines every day, it's hard to imagine when things will take a maintainable upswing...

 "An optimist will tell you the glass is half-full; the pessimist, half-empty; and the engineer will tell you the glass is twice the size it needs to be."

The Olympic Spirit (and then some)

CLICK HERE to see the video
1.1+M views!

2012 brings the Summer Games and the HIGH drama of a worldwide arena that happens only once every 2 years makes the stories of unexpected victory and tragic disappointment that much more poignant. Then there are the stories in a class by themselves.

Where the BUZZ be found!

Sundays at Carmichael Park

Some of us may remember a time when the TOWN SQUARE was the hub of the community. (For those of us who are not personally familiar, we may have seen movies like Back to the Future or The Music Man - NOT Hollywood fiction!) It was where the community would gather to discuss local happenings and politics, hand out flyers for events or causes, and get to know your neighbors.