Tag Archives: Boston

BLOG – GIFT DAY 140 :: 30 days of love: finding home

20 May

NOTE: I wrote this blog post today before knowing about the tragic events in Oklahoma. My heart and prayers are with all families and loved ones in need right now. This loss of life is devastating  And the loss of home is tragic. May we all give, share, and pray for love, hope, and home for everyone. 
It’s DAY 10 over here of the 30 Days of Love. We’ve already had two yummy recipes and a week-long Giveaway, some treats, a sneeze, some wise words to the Class of 2013, and now…

Some news.
A week from now, we move.
We are moving to the West Coast.
We’re headed west.
It’s exciting, thrilling, overwhelming, beautiful, peaceful and everything else that comes with a new adventure.
…
But before we go, before we leave the East Coast, I have something to say.
Thank you.
…
An Ode to the East Coast.
Thank you for teaching me to:
- ride a subway train
- pay rent
- hail a cab
- cook my own food
- start my own entrepreneurial start-up
- close down my own entrepreneurial start-up
- work for a huge, international company
- work for a tiny, local company
- work for myself
- make friends
- make commitments
- make mistakes
- make lots and lots of mistakes
- recover and try again
…
And, especially, thank you to the one and only Boston.

Thank you Boston… 
for showing me that it’s okay to root for a team with an 86-year losing streak. Because you never know when the right amount of magic and the perfect combination of crazy will come together to turn an underdog into a champion.
Thank you Boston… 
for showing me how to stay strong.
Through a most agonizing divorce, an unexpected lay off, and a temporary loss of hope, all the way through the most horrific April day Boylston Street has ever seen. You have always been strong. Your people have always rallied. Whether it is around each other, around a cause, or around this beautiful city with an incomprehensible street grid.
Thank you Boston… 
for beautiful spring days, warm sandy beaches, and wicked cold winter nights.
Thank you Boston…
for teaching me how to drive aggressively, nudge (I mean bump) my way into a parallel parking spot, and drive on the side of the highway (where there really isn’t a lane) between the hours of 4 – 6pm.
Thank you Boston…
for the laughter with lifelong friends – smart, witty, sharp, funny, brilliant, amazingly irreplaceable friends – and some of the most loyal people a girl could “evah” know.
Thank you Boston… 
for taking care of this Idaho girl as she departed college, got a job, got a clue, and jumped head first into this so-called adult “hood”
Thank you Boston…
for the memories.
More tomorrow,
Lovemore (fearless),
Jamie

{Prayers for Oklahoma}

Tags: , , ,

GIFT DAY 076: it’s your lucky day!

17 Mar

Money is fascinating.

How it changes hands, where it starts, where it goes, how it travels from you to me and back again.

Yesterday, I wrote about my surprise quarter.
Today, I gave it away.

My lucky quarter.quarter surprise, the promise daily, the promise 365

I found the quarter on my seat in the commuter rail yesterday and I gave it away in the subway today.

All because I accidentally boarded the wrong train.

Right direction.
Wrong train.

I needed to go to Braintree and (oops!) got on the Ashmont train. It was a sea of green for St. Patty’s Day with hoards of people heading to South Boston for THE parade.

I detrained at South Station to wait for the next Braintree train and that’s where I discovered NEMES.
nemes, the promise daily, the promise 365, jamie eslingerThey are a fun, young mix of folk and some serious beats. A little bit country, a little bit Mumford and Sons.

Perfect for a St. Patty’s wait in the subway.

The crowd was enthralled. (Granted half the people were drunk but still… good beats). So I dug into my wallet and threw my lucky quarter in their open guitar case.

My gift of the day.
Small? Sure.
Meaningful? Yes.

And that’s the best kind of gift to give.
Maybe I wasn’t headed in the wrong direction after all.

You can find out more about NEMES here (my fave song so far is “Hooray”):

More tomorrow.
Lovemore (fearless),
Jamie

{What makes you feel lucky? Share in the comments section below}

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

GIFT DAY 073: What’s your ideal day?

14 Mar

What’s your ideal day?

It’s a question I ask my coaching clients often. Because it’s really important stuff. Our days are the nonrenewable resource of our life.For me, the recipe for a good day includes getting to spend time with good friends.

And today, I had an incredible morning in Boston with my superstar friend Julie (thanks Julie!).

But on the train ride home I encountered a problem.
One of those “How Do I Solve This?” problems.

Here’s the scenario:
- Justin called.
- He was supposed to pick me up at the train station.
- He put Brady in the car to go for a ride to the train station (something our pups love to do).
- He shut the door because a neighbor started to talking to him.
- The keys were already in the ignition.
- Brady locked the car — from the inside.
- The “Smart” key that we have for my Nissan Altima stopped working. The “Smart” key that is NOT supposed to let you lock your keys in the car, didn’t do it’s smart job.
- I was on the train with the other set of keys

Dilema?
I had no idea how to get from the train station to home.

Justin was standing watch outside the car in hopes that Brady wouldn’t chew through the leather seats while he was locked inside my car that I specifically bought because it had leather seats.

I contemplated walking the forty minutes home. Which would be totally reasonable on any other day than the day when our puppy was locked inside my car!

So I did what any reasonable person would do — exactly what any reasonable person is taught not to do — I talked to strangers.

I started with the woman standing next to me on the train.

“Do you have a car?” I asked.
She looked at me funny, as if I just asked if she was an alien waiting for the next stop on Mars.

I then restated my question. “Are you driving home today when the train stops?”

“Oh, no.” She smiled. “I wish. But I’m walking.” And then she followed with what any reasonable stranger would. “Why?”

I then went into the long story about my car, the dog, the smart key that was no longer smart.

“Sorry.” she said.

Before I could go on to the next person in line a woman behind me asked. “What’s the problem with your dog?”

As I explained the whole story the train stopped.
The woman motioned for me to follow her and said, “I love dogs, I’ll help you out.”

Her name is Jackie.
Not only did she help me out by driving me home so I could throw the keys out the window to Justin to rescue Brady from the locked car …it turns out Jackie also volunteers for an organization called Fairy Dogparents.

I begged and pleaded Jackie to let me pay her back for her good deed and the ride home. She refused and said she was just happy to help.

But then I told her about my blog and how I am giving a gift away each day and I wanted my gift of the day to go to HER, Jackie-the-rescuer-of-Jamie.

She refused again, but then said, “You can give any gift to Fairy Dogparents.

Yes! We both beamed, knowing it was the perfect way to say thank you to a kind stranger.

So today, my gift is to Bumblebee.

119-bumblebee, jamie eslinger, the promise 365, the promise daily

Bumblebee has a stricture in her esophagus (narrowed esophagus) which causes regurgitation and requires an all liquid diet. Bumblebee’s issue is the result of eating part of a towel last summer requiring surgery. Her Dogmother spent their savings on Bumblebee’s previous treatment and on her other dog’s medical needs, but unfortunately he passed away last August. We have sponsored the maximum amount for Bumblebee. If you would like to sponsor money towards the $3000 endoscopy please use this donate button. Bumblebee and her family thank you.

You can donate to dogs like Bumblebee, apply for help for your own pooch, or become a Fairy Dogparent here.

I am thankful Jackie helped me out and I made a new friend. I am also thankful Brady didn’t chew up my leather seats. But most important I am pleased my gift went to helping a dog in need.

Kind of an ideal day if you ask me.

And…after a day like this I am convinced there is a reason Dog spelled backward is God.

More tomorrow.
Lovemore (fearless),
Jamie

{Want to help dogs in need? click here}

Tags: , , , , ,

GIFT DAY 065: what would debbie ford do?

6 Mar

Yesterday I wrote about fear-less-ness.

Today, this workshop popped into my inbox:

Overcoming Fear by Debbie Ford

It’s Debbie Ford’s 8-week course she created for DailyOM. (Proceeds from her courses will benefit her son, Beau.)

Ironically tonight I am in the airport, afraid I might get stuck in a storm.

airport, thepromisedaily.com, thepromise365
There is another massive storm brewing on the east coast.

Flights are delayed everywhere.

So I moved my flight up a day in hopes that I will indeed make it out of Dodge. Stormville. Blizzardopolis. Shovel Town. Whatever we are calling Boston this winter…

It wasn’t my plan.
It caught me off-guard.

So off-guard …I was in Boston for a dentist appointment today when I made the decision to leave a day early.

So off-guard …I have no baggage full of clothes or shoes with me for my trip.

The good news? I know I can do it. I’ve done it before with even less.

Ever since I made my promise not to shop for clothes or shoes for one year I learned how to handle these situations with less fear and more grace.

I also learned how to ask for help.

So today, while at my dentist appointment, I asked my dentist for a toothbrush and floss to take with me. I also asked my Boston friend Sheryl if I could borrow some shirts before I fled to the airport.

They both said yes.

So off to Chicago I go.
With the lightest baggage. EVER.

I plan to buy a new pair of shoes when I get to Chicago.
Because I can.

But I know it will all work out exactly as it should. Exactly as it will. With borrowed clothes, a new toothbrush, and faith.

More tomorrow.
Lovemore (fearless),
Jamie

{Could you go a year without shopping? Share in the comments section below.}


Pssssst …

Did you know that YOU can do anything. How? All it takes is a little promise and daily action. 

Want to take action with me?
Register for You Can Do Anything 2013 coaching group by March 11 at midnight.

If you want hands-on support for your promise, group encouragement, and a bigger commitment to stick to your goals, just click here. 

xo~Jamie

Tags: , , , , , , ,

GIFT DAY 011: who painted my house blue?

11 Jan

I walked through my old neighborhood today.

I happened to be in the Davis/Porter Square neighborhood for lunch today with my friend, the most amazing and awesome Paige.

Anyhooo…

On a whim I decided to find my old house. The first house I moved to in Boston. Back in the day. In my twenties. With my college friends, Laura and Lisa.

I found the house at 31 St. James.
But it wasn’t what I was looking for.

I thought I would find my old, yellow house.
Turns out 31 St. James is now blue.

31 st james, jamie eslinger, the promise 365

Like, electric BLUE.

I stood in the street for a few moments squinting, trying to remember what the house looked like when I lived there. When it was YELLOW. When it was my home.
After snapping a few photos I walked down the street to find our old friend WINSTON.
Winston was the best neighbor, friend, and confidant.
Winston was always there for us.
Winston never let us down.

Because Winston was a tree.
Still is.

Winston, the promise 365, jamie eslinger

Every time we passed Winston, the three of us would call out his name in unison.

“Hellooooooo Winston!

Mr. Winston is still there, looking as strong as ever.

And that reminded me of me of Laura and Lisa. They have always been here for me, through thick and thin.

When 31 St. James was a house of yellow, we three girls had each other.

At 31 St. James, we helped each other through the death and divorce of parents. We got engaged, started jobs and shut down internet companies. We cried our eyes out. We laughed over stupid movies. We gasped in disbelief after going to bed one night and waking up in the morning shocked to hear that George Bush was elected president.

And then we ate frozen chocolate chip cookie dough — right out of the container. We threw parties (and we threw up a few times too!).

Always TOGETHER.
We were the crew of 31 St. James.

st james group, jamie eslinger, the promise 365
So today, my gift of the day was to my girls. Just a simple photo of a house that was once yellow but is now BLUE. Electric blue.

Kind of fitting too.
Because our friendship has only become more electric as time has passed.

We may live in three different parts of the country, in three different colored houses, but in our hearts we will always have 31 St. James — no matter what color they paint it.

Because just like Mr. Winston, our friendship is still there, looking as strong as ever.

And that’s the gift of a lifetime.

More tomorrow.
Lovemore,
Jamie

{Have some life-long, rock-on friends? Feel free to share on the blog.}

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Day 219: three things i love more than chocolate (today!) fearless, fun, boston!

7 Aug

So many things to be grateful for today, in this Three Things I LOVE More Than Chocolate (today!) series.

Love is greater than fear.

And, today, My friend, Cindy Loughran, gave these tips on stage at Tory Johnson’s Spark and Hustle Tour in Boston to help you overcome your fears.

7 Steps for Overcoming Your Fear:

1) Clarify your goal

2) Identify your fear

3) Identity your limiting beliefs

4) Seek contrary evidence

5) Envision and embody success

6) Create a concrete action plan

7) Get support and get started

And, it couldn’t be better timing.

As I drove down my old street in the South End, I realized this was the first time I have visited Boston that I felt no fear, looking at my old condo building and hanging out in my old haunts.

It’s truly a new life. How refreshing!

I was overjoyed to see Lan, at my old nail spot, remember me when I walked in the door. It’s been years since I’ve been back to her salon and she still remembered me.

How fabulous, how fun!

20120807-225053.jpg

I don’t know why I was afraid Lan wouldn’t remember me. Maybe because it has been three years? Maybe because she has so many clients you can literally feel a breeze in her salon from people walking in and out the door?  Or, maybe, just maybe, it’s because I have grown so much in my own heart and head over these last three years I hardly recognize myself?

No matter the reason, it was great to see a familiar face and a friend, and realize despite the time and distance, some things never change.

Like a really great pedicure…
Where everybody knows your name.

Tags: , , , , , ,

Day 218: three things i love more than chocolate (today!) :: boston, crashing parties, dog gone treats

6 Aug

The gratitude continues with Three Things I LOVE more than chocolate…today — and a Lovemore-Monday moment.

I crashed a party tonight. But, not just any party — a dog gone good one! 

I’m staying at my friend Lucy’s house, (here she is, such a cutie).

Lucy’s parents invited me to a fun night out with Wanna Go Out, her dog walking service, at their annual customer appreciation night.

Because I have Pups of my own, I felt right at home with all the other Boston doggy parents who were there to sip and savor this hot summer night with some pretty yummy treats.

Like Hot “Dogs”  and Jalapeño ”Puppers.”

You know when you’re at a dog loving party when the name tag requires you to put both your name and your dog’s name on it!

And, on this Lovemore Monday, I have to admit…
I. Love. It.

What did you love today?

Tags: , , , , ,

Day 296: a road trip for the body and soul

23 Oct

I slept next to this contraption once at Boston Logan Airport.
All night long it went Cling! Ping! Ding! Whoosh! Whack.

It was during a holiday with my trusted traveling buddies Laura and Lisa. We were road tripping between Boston and New York during Thanksgiving Break in order to do our patriotic duty of walking the Freedom Trail and witnessing the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade all in one week.

We were sophomores in college and back then it made total logical sense to sleep in the airport instead of pay for a hotel room (since we had early morning flights).

All night long I heard the inner workings of the art installation as I tried to wrap my six-foot frame into some sort of slumber between two arm rests of the pleather airport lounge seat.

All night long it went Cling! Ping! Ding! Whoosh! Whack.

Today as I sat next to this same contraption at Logan’s Terminal E, I thought to myself — I will never do that again.

I’m discovering there’s a lot of things I would never do again.  But, back then, it was exciting to spend a night in a foreign city — at the airport!

Actually, it was more than exciting, it was daring.

Everything about that trip was daring for three 19 year-old women from small agricultural towns.  We rode buses and subways and planes through the great North East. We booked a (seedy) hotel room in Times Square.  (I have no idea HOW we found a HOTEL ROOM back then without the INTERNET.  But we did.)

We froze in arctic wind tunnels in the shadows of New York City sky scrapers as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade floated before our very eyes.  At least, that is, until we couldn’t take the bitter cold anymore and then huddled all together in the doorway of a luxury hotel under outdoor heaters.

We ran through the streets of New York laughing and giggling. With wide eyes and big hearts we tried our best to fit in.

We thought we were so sophisticated.
We laughed like school girls.

We made our way through by sensing and seeing and asking for directions.

At stop lights and intersections we instinctively followed the crowd.
“They go. We go!” We screamed to each other following native New Yorkers into the street without (GASP!) that familiar blinking walk signal.

Like I said, it was daring.

Other road trips took Laura, Lisa and I to Chicago, Seattle, Alabama and the Gulf of Mexico.  With each new adventure we grew bigger as the world became smaller.

As I sat next to that same old contraption, chiming and clinking in the airport today, I was whooshed back in time to a younger, risk-taking version of myself.

It occurred to me that the journey I am on this year, during this promise, isn’t all that different from the adventures and risks I took back then.

This road trip is taking me in a different direction of course, one more inward than out.  But, in a way, it is allowing me to grow bigger while the world appears to be smaller with each and every step.

And, in much the same way, I am making my way through this head/heart/body & soul road trip by sensing and seeing and asking for directions.

In the process, I have cleaned up my food act, learned to meditate, traded cookies for green smoothies, and powered through yoga.

I have discovered I shop for emotional reasons far beyond my conscious awareness.

But, more than anything, I am learning how to touch the surface of my soul and hear the voice of my mother again.  Like the tip of an iceberg there is still so much more to discover.

Who would have thought not shopping could bring me so many riches?

And, that thought alone, makes the light bulb inside my head go Cling! Ping! Ding! Whoosh! Whack.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Day 267: the dog gone truth

24 Sep

I have always loved dogs. 
In fact, during my senior year in college when everyone seemed to be on pins and needles about that burning question — what will you do after graduation? — I always answered the same way: “I am going to get a dog.  And an apartment.  In that order.”

It was the only thing I was sure of before entering the big adult world.
Turns out, I found my way through many apartments, but never found a dog.  Not until fifteen years later when Pup entered my life.

So, I’m sure it is no surprise, if you read this blog with any regularity, you know I am coo coo for coco pups.  Or any pup for that matter.

And, they — our canine and feline counterparts — are as good for the body as they are for the soul.  On my way back to the island today (via car, plane, bus, boat and taxi) I had some time to catch up on delinquent magazine reading and was happy to have my suspicions confirmed.

Pets are good health.

According to an article in Whole Living, spending just 45 minutes with your pet can reduce blood pressure.  It’s proven.  The State University of New York at Buffalo vouched for the fact that the social support from our favorite animals counters mental stress.

So, I’d like to thank a few special ones tonight, for lending a paw over this last week as I traveled throughout the east coast and stayed at their house and ate their food.  (I didn’t eat THEIR food of course, I ate their human’s food.)

First up: Colby. 
She is a thirteen-year old Bernese Mountain Dog. Yes, I said thirteen, as in 1-3.  I believe Colby is spoon-fed love from her mama Jen.  I’m sure that’s why she has reached the ripe age of thirteen, quite a feat for her breed, actually OFF the charts for her breed.

Colby is the power of love.

Then there is Matteo.
New York City’s finest. When not hiding my silver shoes or intently watching TV with his mama, Holly, Matteo can be found meditating or even helping me edit this blog.

Not kidding.
Hey, if there were any spelling errors this week, talk to Matteo.

Then we have Lucy.
Lucy may look sleepy in this photo, but she is a force to be reckoned with and a sweetheart to cuddle. She lives in Boston, where EVERYBODY knows her name.  Even my dentist.

When I stopped in last week to have my tooth fixed and told my dentist I was staying at Sheryl and Webster’s place he asked me how Lucy was doing.   Apparently Lucy gets to go to the dentist for cleanings too, just as a companion of course.

And, that makes sense. It certainly would support the “lowering blood pressure” argument — especially in a dental chair.

Let us not forget Pup’s Doppelganger.
Pup is special, that’s for sure.  But, there seems to be a look-a-like living in New York City.  Every time I go to visit Holly in Manhattan, I see Pup’s twin.  And, EVERY TIME I try to get a photo and can’t quite put a handle on my camera in time.

This time, this week, I snapped a pic.
Sure, it’s fuzzy.
But, it’s proof.

And, that leads us home.
Back to #1 Pup, who sits on my lap tonight as I try to type this post. I’m sure my blood pressure is dropping by the second. Or, is that Pup snoring?


Fact is — animals are good for the body and soul.
It’s the dog gone truth.

And, I will give a high five to that.
(So will Pup.)

Tags: , , , , , ,

Day 132: dear boston, why did you change?

12 May

Yesterday, I landed in Boston and today I soaked in the city I previously called home.  Tonight, I am moved to write her a love letter.

Dear Boston:

Wow, have you changed!

From my first ride out of the airport to my drive around the old South End neighborhood I noticed it.  I could see it in your eyes dear Boston, written all over your face.

It was quite a shock to see what you’ve done with yourself. 
The home store on my old neighborhood corner is gone, and you put a bank in its place!?  (Does Boston really need another bank?)  That’s okay, I never shopped at that little story anyway.

But, the funky cool shoe store down the street is now a barber shop?  And, the tiny boutique across the street is now a chocolate store? Plus! The building next door is now empty, sleeping, deserted.

Let’s face it, I recognize you, but I also recognize how much you don’t quite seem like the you I knew.

While I’ve been gone, you’ve been busy!  Just look at your new buildings, stores, sights, scenery.

It is clear to me that you’ve grown and stretched since I’ve been away.

Most of all, I see that you have moved on ~ without me.

It feels so abrupt.

But, in my heart, I know it has been a really slow metamorphosis. You have been evolving, under the surface, all along. 

And, it’s okay.  I can live with that.  I can appreciate the need to change, to invent, to reinvent, to evolve, to sleep and rest, to move and to shake.

Because I have been busy too.

I have been building, changing, evolving, resting, moving and shaking.

Wait a second … am I the one who changed? 
Did we change together?
Are we both that different?

I guess it doesn’t matter.  Because in my heart, I still love you, and I see you for who you are, who you are becoming and who you want to be.

I can’t wait to see who you will be in another year. 
Me too for that matter.

Do you know that I am happier and healthier than I’ve ever been?  Did you hear I’m not shopping this year?  Did you notice I didn’t buy anything today?  I didn’t even stop in your Newbury Street shops.

But, please don’t worry.
I will be back. And, I will shop another day, another time.  When I am ready, after this year of investing in my head, heart, body and soul is complete.

I can’t promise I will be the same.
But, then again, neither can you.

With love,
Jamie



Tags: , , ,

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 2,427 other followers

%d bloggers like this: