We all need a Carra Riley in our lives

We all need a Carra Riley  in our lives.

 

Not only a good friend, a nice person and an author but also a wonderful coach and business executive!  

I love to list and sell real estate and find time to do it all…well most of it.

There comes a point when  it is necessary  to let go of some things.

That’s where Carra comes in. This wonderful lady can take the learning curve out of doing technology tasks such as Google+ Hangouts  and a myriad of other things. Things  we need and want to learn to make our business better so we can spend more quality time with our clients.

 

 

 

 

Carra’s  calm and very patient way of showing and teaching allows an agent to concentrate on the actual task of real estate. Need a little help?  Need a lot of help?  Need help with a specific project?  Give Carra a shout! 

Don't forget to Say 'Hi 'and 'Thank You' for me!

Take a moment to visit Carra's  Cosmic Cow Pie website.

 

We all need a Carra Riley in our lives.

This is a REBLOG by Carra Riley..What Is Up With Your Orange?

This is a REBLOG by Carra Riley. This is the comment I made on Carra's Glocal #7 post.

March 5th and you are half way around the world on your journey.  Carra, Again, I have just read each and every captivating word you wrote. What a powerful question, "What is up with your orange?"and this is even more powerful... It really does not matter what your answer is because, your dash, is your dash and you have control over what you do in life to make a difference in the world. I am still thinking about that one orange!! Continue to travel safe, my friend.Margaret

Please everyone go and make a comment on Carra's post. Let her know we are there for her...that she is not traveling alone.

Glocal #7 What Is Up With Your Orange?

 Glocal Lesson #7  What is up with your orange?

                                                

Welcome to Day one on the voyage for “Connecting The Dots Around The World.”

“How can this be?” you may be asking as today is actually the 52^nd day of travel on the MV Explorer.  Mental transformation proceeds on different paths with each individual and it has taken me this much time to process the information and share it in a way that makes sense and will have a positive impact as we “Think Global and Act Local”  going “Glocal.”  To prepare for a mid-voyage review I took a step back to review where we came from and compare where we are, setting the first day stage:

“Anxious whispers filled the room in the student union as voyagers anticipated the key note address for the Spring 2011 voyage of Semester At Sea. The thought of 104 days on the open seas, engaging with people in communities all over the world was daunting.  How would I know what messages to listen to? How would I decipher all the visual and audio stimulation I which I would experience and use it as a learning tool?  How will I know if I “Get It?”  What will I feel?  Will the dots connect?  Will the puzzle pieces fit?  These are questions swimming through the minds of many on the ship so the importance of the initial message was one that would set the tone and expectations for the passage.”

C.Y. Tung,  one of the visionaries behind Semester At Sea said, “Ships can carry more than cargo. They can carry ideas.”  

To that end I embarked upon a global path with no obligations, no stress and a total open mind to absorb and engage in stimulating conversation to help connect the dots around the world. Completely void of any ties or worries, produced an environment perfect for a type of “scientific research” where were no external factors that could obscure the message. My mind was an open book ready to write the chapters after each port or life changing event.  The bar of expectations for the experience on the ship was at the very top level.  The marketing “hooks” had me ready, hook, line and sinker for somewhat of a utopia in travel and education.  The superiority of the instructors, the course selections, the student body composition, the quality of the ship itself all were framed in marketing perfection.  I drank the Kool-Aid and was ready for the ride to become “grounded at sea.”

Rosalyn Berne, Vice President of Academic Affairs for the Institute for Shipboard Education and Semester at Sea, spoke to the Spring 2011 voyage participants about embracing the newness of everything and what we were about to experience. She asked us to close our eyes and visualize.......

“Pretend you have one orange and there is one orphan child looking at you on a 

bench, you start to open the orange...... what are you going to do with the orange?  Now 7 orphan children appear…  again the question arises, what are you going to do with the orange… as you break off one section.. a hundred orphans show up… what will you do?"

Pregnant pause…. that was it, she was done and the next speaker was walking to the stage. 

   

“What is up with your orange?” will be the theme and deep question to ponder throughout the voyage for me.  The sensation in my stomach after her speech was something I was not prepared for as I had no clue what I would do with my orange.  Originally thoughts of sharing the orange popped into my head but once the 100 orphans came out I became uncomfortable in my thoughts as the reality of world hunger started to set in. The question then arose about my one orange and what I could do to help.  We have encountered hundreds of hungry children on this voyage so far and the answer to the questions seems to change or evolve after each port.  It will be interesting to compare ideas on how to “Connect The Dots Around The World” once the voyage is totally complete.

Going back to the orientation event, potent information was provided by Dean Dan Garvey describing the hypothesis of why some of us were on the ship.  

• Some are here to meet people and travel. 
• Some people see life as a great charm bracelet and want the charm that says “I sailed around the world.”
• Some are just getting out of relationships and some want in a relationship.
• Some are here because their sorority or fraternity said it was a good thing to do.
• Some are trying to answer “WHO AM I?” and where do I fit in.

Out of nowhere we hear the clear sound of one note ringing in the auditorium.  The addition of a second note peaks our interest, then many notes just hap hazard are being played with no association.  The notes then evolve into a beautiful melody, setting the tone of “harmony” which is ultimately one of the goals for the voyage according to Dean Dan.  

“Take aways” from the orientation included the fact responsibility comes along with this adventure if we accept it. We are the custodians of our stories both the successes and the regrets.

 I created the Dean Dan Top Ten list from the ship orientation speech.   

1. Traveling around the world is an opportunity to be one of the most transformational times of life.
2. It can also be an opportunity for huge regret if one misses doing things or experiences for growth in exchange for momentary instant gratification.
3. Let the experience to light a fire to become a positive influence on the world.
4. Become a citizen of this planet without regret. 
5. Never say, I wish I had listened, I wish I had spent a little less time at the Hilton.
6. Adults have been coaching you since you were little, you know what to do, just do it.  
7. Make sure you have no regrets.
8. Look forward to the unknown opportunities.
9. Don’t be a distraction to others who want to learn.
10. Honor everyone else who is here.

The orange messed with my mind or should I describe it as “stimulated contemplation.”  The orange has been the topic of many conversations on the voyage as we individually figure out what to do with that fruit.  The door of thought was opened but no directions were given or alluded to including what could potentially happen if you turn right or left in thought so it is up to the “thinker” to figure out how all the dots connect and the ultimate outcome for the orange. The ship is filled with "serious thinkers in the form of both students and educators" which gives a good cross section of some of the most brilliant minds in the country. The voyage has turned out to be more of an "independent study" instead of a community project. Having access to the intellectual resources is making the journey an easy place to learn.  Each individual is learning or absorbing the lessons from around the world at their own pace and under their own terms.  

Several insightful ideas came from posting the orange question on facebook:

• Eat the orange and plant the seeds. 
• Take the orphans to the orange tree itself. 
• Pray, like the loaves, fishes and wine to feed the multitude.
• Eat the orange and run. 
• Make juice.
• Teach the orphans how to plant an orchard.

Contemplating the orange, opened thought for new ideas like, connecting the dash in life with specific purpose. Could it be the “dash” on the tombstone showing the material start and end of a life answers what you did with your orange?  Does discovering passion in your dash evolve into “Who Am I” and what did I do to make the world a better place?

Is there a right or wrong answer? Do you share the orange, give it all to one, eat the orange, plant the seeds, graft a tree, create juice or run away?  There are certainly many choices of what to do with the one orange. What is right for one individual might not be right for another.  It really does not matter what your answer is because, your dash, is your dash and you have control over what you do in life to make a difference in the world.

Connecting the dots around the world with global ideas that can be implemented at the local levels is what “Glocal” lessons are all about.

What are you going to do with your orange?

Can we make a difference in local communities with one orange?  How can we encourage others to help with local issues?  The world is a big place but the backyard is a step away.

What's up with the dash? 

       

Cosmic Cow Pie

Carra Riley

This is a REBLOG written by Carra Riley...a Must Read !

 I think of  Carra  every day and her wonderful journey. This was a huge post to put together and with such limited internet... quite challenging. I am enjoying each and every word and link.

Looking forward to more of Carra's thoughts as she continues to travel around our world. Please go to Carra's post and make comments.

Glocal #4 The 18 Mile Rule™

Glocal #4 "The 18 Mile Rule™"

One of the great mysteries of the rain forest resides six miles east of Manaus, Brazil on the Amazon River.   This phenomenon of physics brings a global lesson to possibly every local organization, group and individual who look at it and think about the higher meaning of this transformational occurrence. “The 18 Mile Rule™” at the mixing of the waters represents  a message to help any community or individual looking to combine ideas and resources.

Eighteen miles along the Amazon River the dark waters of the Rio Negro tumbling from Colombia lay side by side with the latte colored water of the Solimoes River stemming from Peru before they mix into one turbulent entity flowing to the Atlantic.

The Amazon River has recently been deemed the longest and widest river in the world, ousting the Nile by a mere 150 meters according to our jungle guide. The Amazon has one of the largest drain basins in the world with over 7,000,000 square kilometers and accounts for 1/5 of the world’s total river flow.
Extreme Science published an article giving interesting statistics and showing some of the huge creatures that live below the surface of the Amazon giving it even more intrigue.   Smells, sounds and  visual stimulation come alive along the amazing Amazon.

As my husband and I travel the world “Connecting Dots” we are taking the global lessons and applying them to local situations as identified in the theme of the Spring 2011 Semester At Sea voyage.

The graphic illustration of the two entities of water created the perfect metaphor representing the three variables which are part of the physical equation to sustain this phenomenon

1. Temperature
2. Velocity
3. Density

The Solimoes River travels at 6 km per hour with a temperature of 18 C and a high density.

The Rio Negro is traveling at 1 km per hour with a temperature of 23 C and a low density rich with natural acids and chemicals from the jungle. The acidic content of the water actually kills the mosquito larva coming in from the hibiscus leaves so there are very few mosquitoes on the Rio Negro. There are some unique physics involved in the mixing of the waters with the three important physical variable factors existing between the two bodies of water. The significant force which is created by both rivers takes 18 miles of traveling together before they actually combine as one.

The picture of this phenomenon stimulated thoughts about how this compared to people and organizations. Two different organizations might be moving at different speeds, some are warmer in the way they present their services and they might be rich with content. The other group might be slower and cooler with what they are providing and not so dense with additives. The two groups must travel the 18 miles together twisting and turning before they can blend and become one. Many times the people running the groups might not have the patience to go the 18 miles for success to become one entity and the blending never takes place which could be a severe loss for many causes.

The same concept could be applied to people. One person is warm, friendly, inviting engagement at a moderate speed in a light manner. Another individual might be cold, running at a fast pace and be more toxic with external additives. Unless the two people are willing to travel the 18 miles together, mixing the ideas, concepts, sharing and respecting, they too will never become one entity blending with a harmonious union. The waters can part, never to combine now or in the future with each entity continuing on an independent path not ever creating a blend of talent or resources which could help make the world a better place.

The rule of 18 miles™ has emerged as a new principle to be shared in “Cosmic Cow Pie…Connecting the Dots around the World,” derived from the meeting of the waters in the Amazon. The rule requires someone to travel 18 miles with a group or an individual before the “parting of the waters” or “kicking them to the curb.” Today it appears many are quick to pass judgment and make decisions without nurturing the merger or association between people and groups. It takes time and energy to accept and process the value one gives to another. Ridicule, condemnation and misunderstanding others stand in the way of a great mixture. Political agendas or simply personal agendas keep groups and people from combining to create a successful combination.

Thinking about the rule of 18 miles™ could possibly change the course of many a group or relationship by giving the relationship time to see if the temperature, velocity and density can blend to create a harmonious flow between the two. Each group or individual might be coming from a different “temperature” so taking time to warm up to giving each other the opportunity to reflect and then the respect of different thoughts and ideas has to be an integral part of the mixing. Some individuals or groups proceed at a different “velocity” moving faster than the speed of light and others take time to strategically asses the possibility of a merger. Taking the concept of “density” to an organic level brings to mind the content and toxicity of the combination. Utilizing the 18 miles to reach a common temperature, velocity and density ultimately ends up with a successful mixing of the waters and a flow that reaches to the Atlantic to become one with the ocean or larger purpose.

Taking the global lesson from the mixing of the waters at the Amazon River outside Manaus, Brazil and applying to our local situations might create some lasting relationships that are built on understanding and a concerted effort to mix and create one massive entity flowing together combining the uniqueness of each.
The question to ponder will be how do we apply and quantify the The 18 Mile Rule™. How much time or how many twists is 18 miles when trying to blend or mix with an individual or group? Are you willing to implement The 18 Mile Rule™ to help to work together to reduce social  injustice and create a sense of balance around the world and in local communities?

Cosmic Cow Pie...Connecting The Dots Around The World at the Amazon River in Brazil.

       

Cosmic Cow Pie

Carra Riley

Glocal #1 Thinking Global Acting Local

If I only had one post to read and follow each day for the next 104 days, it would Carra Riley's. This adventurous woman and her husband are traveling on a SAS Semester at Sea cruise and already  showing us how Localism works at it best. Go  where the customers are! Take a look at her first day in Nassau and continue to follow with Carra as we go around the world.

Look at the video and tell me this is not great marketing!

Via Carra Riley CRB, CRS, GRI (Author, Speaker, Consultant, Second Homes AZ LLC):

Glocal #1 Thinking Global Acting Local

 It's Carra Riley here live from Nassau, Bahamas on my voyage around the world!

The vision for me in this trip is to “Connect The Dots Around The World.” I had no preconceived idea of how any of the dots would start to connect but they have already started to come together. Your comments and input will be invaluable as I post on my blog with a stream of consciousness writing along with just sharing what I am thinking and the observations I am making from exactly what I am experiencing.

The “bar of expectation” for many businesses and services is a moving target today and we have had our experience with this two times in the first day of travel.  As the world economy is changing the fight for the discretionary dollar is actually going to the street with customers one on one. Watch how this is evidenced by the video where a “meal hawker” aka host, actually comes over to the taxi we just got out of to entice us to eat at the restaurant he works for.

This is certainly an example of meeting the customer where they are!  The street or beach vendors are also “asking for the business.” The worst it can be from asking for the business is someone saying “no” so if you are not afraid to get out of your comfort zone to ask for new business, it might be there. We went to “Big Ten”  for dinner and actually never went back to Twin Brothers so you see.. David asked us to go to his restaurant and we did.

Now here we go!  Fun in the sun and it’s almost time to get on the ship and sail! It was a peaceful day with 3 hours in the sun to get going on our required read  “Three Cups of  Tea” by Greg Mortrenson.  An inspiration to all and another post will be coming sharing the PASSION this man had for building schools for children who want to learn.

The Island of Nassau relies on tourism for it’s very existence. The atmosphere of all the service providers is one of trying to please and create a memorable experience for everyone here.  Taking this attitude of a community working together to survive can come right back home to our local areas where we need to come together on what we are trying to do to survive also. Everyone we came in contact with was dedicated to making our experience in their community pleasant.  What would happen if we took that attitude to our local cities and towns and everyone had the idea coupled with similar behavior  to "Love Where You Live!"

This is the 1st GLOBAL lesson that we can apply to our LOCAL communities as we go “Glocal” in our thinking!

Register to comment and play:  Where in the world is Carra Riley? You could win a trip to one of the seven wonders of the world!

       

Cosmic Cow Pie

Carra Riley

A Whole Bunch of Cosmic Pie..From Carra Riley to Margaret Rome

It has only been a few days since  Cosmic Cow Pie...The Rome Way!  was announced,  and I am loving this group.

Look what arrived from Carra... an ordinary Priority Mail from the US Post Office but nothing inside was ordinary! How did she get so much in one envelope?

There was the main book autographed of course, a double CD in a lovely case, a very special  hand written note card, a bunch of business cards and then there were the buttons.  Did not get the  meaning of the buttons til I checked out Cosmic Cow Pie..Connecting the Dots, Carra Riley's book, which I immediately started to read. Here is my friend  Anna Banana's take on Cosmic Cow Pie...

These buttons are chapter titles, including, Build A Bridge, Bar of Expectations..Step Over It, RTR, Drama Hook, Kicked To The Curb and my favorite. I Get It...I Don't Get It.
                                        
All the promo materials aside, this is must reading for everyone. ( I am half way through and  would have finished but wanted to share this post with you.) This is a common sense book, filled with wisdom beyond years. I love it, I love the concepts and I now see why Carra and I became friends almost the minute we first had that digital handshake..and the many follow emails and now the lengthy phone conversations. We are pretty much saying the same thing but our words are a bit different.
 
                          
This is a delightful fast read, filled with life lessons that will help everyone become better at coping, living, working and handling relationships. We all have Comic Cow Pies in our world but Carra shows us how to navigate in, around and over these Cow Pies of life. Listening to Carra's smooth voice...I was so caught up that I almost missed my listing appointment.  Looking forward to the second half of Carra's book on tape..unless I finish the book tonight. Even so I will be listening to her life lessons again in the car.
 
Carra Riley is sailing around the world with Semester At Sea and we will be following her through   “Cosmic Cow Pie…Connecting the Dots Around The World". Carra will be taking Localism global! How exciting for all of us!!

What a Way to Begin The New Year..Cosmic Cow Pie The Rome Way

The point is sharing with others and kicking off what we hope will be a truly amazing 2011!   Take a look at
Cosmic Cow Pie...The Rome Way!


                                  


Cosmic Cow Pie The Rome Way!   I love the name Cosmic Cow Pie and I love chocolate so take a look at these chocolate coated cow pies otherwise known as Baltimore’s Berger Cookies. I have used them at my  Open House Gatherings!


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The founder of Cosmic Cow Pie, whose name is Carra, is about to begin the trip of a lifetime.

Carra Riley is sailing around the world with Semester At Sea and I will be managing  Cosmic Cow Pie The Rome Way. Carra will be traveling with a group of over 600 college students preparing for her new book “Cosmic Cow Pie…Connecting the Dots Around The World." Carra will be taking localism global and is using a new word “GLOCAL” ( I better send this to the Word Group). 

Where will this journey takes us?

Please join our the newly merged group Cosmic Cow Pie...The Rome Way
 
Let's all wish Carra a Bon Voyage!