American Flag Project

CEO - KimPublished June 6, 2011 at 4:32 pm 24 Comments

Just one week ago, after an all too literal red-eye out of LA, we touched down in DC for the Memorial Day Weekend.  Only fitting of a nation’s capitol, everywhere we looked, there was an abundance of American flags with their beautiful stars and stripes.    A strangely ironic feeling swept over me as I witnessed the flag being displayed so proudly and exuberantly by the people there.  

Let me explain.

About a month ago, I was given an assignment.  No, I’m not in school anymore, but as the CEO of Kiyonna Clothing (stylish clothing made exclusively for plus-size women) for the past 15 years , I’ve come to believe that learning needs to be a life-long adventure.  So late last year, I enlisted the professional service of a business coach to help me become an even better manager and team member while improving upon my everyday process of doing business efficiently and living life to its fullest.

I can relate my petite zen-like coach Susan with her knowing gaze to the beloved martial arts master Mr. Miyagi from the movie Karate Kid (the original of course, as  I am a child of the 80’s).

As in the movie, Mr. Miyagi tells his protégé, Daniel-san (played by Ralph Macchio who was once my super big-time crush – did I mention I was a child of the 80’s?) that before he can learn Karate, he would have to wash Mr. Miyagi’s car.  He simply told him to “Wax On, Wax Off,” or in other words, slow down and understand the importance of the rhythm in an attempt to develop an awareness of the movement of the body.  Well, just as Daniel was anxious to skip over the drill and get right into some hard core Karate, I was pretty resistant when my coach told me to practice my awareness by taking a walk.

A walk? 

I don’t have time for a walk.  Oh, and get this, she wanted me to do it with no head phones and in a place with pretty scenery like a park. 

A park?  The place I go with my little girls – you want me to go by myself?!??  

All right, I’ll humor her and go on my scholastic stroll.  

So as I attempted to become “aware,” something quite amazing happened.  Birds started singing.  I mean, not just singing, but when I really listened, I distinctly heard about five or six with different melodies communicating in what could only be described as what heaven sounds like.  Why weren’t these birds singing before?  I mean, I’m sure if they were, I would have been aware of them, right?  If they had been there the countless times I’d visited the park with my kids, I would have for sure been filled with the sudden, unexplained gush of appreciation and gratitude for this beautiful work of nature.  

And then, there was the sensory overload which invaded my sense of sight.  Did Yorba Linda (where I currently live) just plant a bunch of trees?  And not just regular old trees but big ones, small ones, not two alike ones, and pink and purple flower ones.  Were all these colors always here?

All right coach, you win.  So now what? 

Susan reveals, “Bring that type of awareness to everyday life.  Engage your senses and be present enough to acknowledge the grandiose talent of your team, and cultivate an acute awareness of the amazing people that surround you every day.”  

So two weeks ago, my daughter Olivia (age 3) and I decide to take a stroll (I walking, her in the stroller), to get doughnuts one morning.  I, having found my newfound appreciative nature for well…nature was “in.”   So, as I set out to enjoy about five blocks of scenic route before powdered sprinkle bliss, my daughter unexpectedly says, “Mommy, let’s count American flags!”   “ Sure thing Livs,” I said, consistent with my oblivious tendencies that there wouldn’t be too many.

We counted 29.  29!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Seriously, with the exception of the Yorba Linda Library, a Fire Station, a bank, and a hardware store sporting four alone, 22 houses proudly waved their expressions of patriotism.  And I never noticed this before.

Was it that many of the residents were older and had a deeper appreciation for the freedom that we all share?  If I had begun to appreciate more deeply the significance of nature, my team and my family – why not the very fact that I live in one of the best nations in the world?

And so, over the next couple of weeks, as the counting continued and my older daughter Scarlett (age 6) and husband Eddie (age not be disclosed) got in on the fun, we’re now at over 200 American flags and counting.  And so our awareness turned towards the once brand new flag, still in the packaging, which was morosely collecting dust in our garage.  As Eddie hung this beautiful symbol of freedom, we all stood on the driveway and watched it wave proudly in the warm wind, surrounded by a bed of beautiful ivy which covers the front of our house.  

As the nation’s capitol enveloped us in its strong heritage and deep patriotism, I was proud knowing that back home we had our own strong symbol ready to greet us.  This undying symbol is always ready to dispense a dose of awareness and gratitude if I ever do need one.    And to Scarlett and Olivia, I can confidently say that after witnessing flag after continuous flag in DC, I have officially lost count.

This past weekend was a time to remember the great many sacrifices that so many brave Americans have undergone.  It is my privilege and duty to honor their bravery with the beautiful symbol of the American flag. 

Just one week ago, after an all too literal red-eye out of LA, we touched down in DC for the Memorial Day Weekend.  Only fitting of a nation’s capitol, everywhere we looked, there was an abundance of American flags with their beautiful stars and stripes.    A strangely ironic feeling swept over me as I witnessed the flag being displayed so proudly and exuberantly by the people there.  

Let me explain.

About a month ago, I was given an assignment.  No, I’m not in school anymore, but as the CEO of Kiyonna Clothing (stylish clothing made exclusively for plus-size women) for the past 15 years , I’ve come to believe that learning needs to be a life-long adventure.  So late last year, I enlisted the professional service of a business coach to help me become an even better manager and team member while improving upon my everyday process of doing business efficiently and living life to its fullest.

I can relate my petite zen-like coach Susan with her knowing gaze to the beloved martial arts master Mr. Miyagi from the movie Karate Kid (the original of course, as  I am a child of the 80’s).

As in the movie, Mr. Miyagi tells his protégé, Daniel-san (played by Ralph Macchio who was once my super big-time crush – did I mention I was a child of the 80’s?) that before he can learn Karate, he would have to wash Mr. Miyagi’s car.  He simply told him to “Wax On, Wax Off,” or in other words, slow down and understand the importance of the rhythm in an attempt to develop an awareness of the movement of the body.  Well, just as Daniel was anxious to skip over the drill and get right into some hard core Karate, I was pretty resistant when my coach told me to practice my awareness by taking a walk.

A walk? 

I don’t have time for a walk.  Oh, and get this, she wanted me to do it with no head phones and in a place with pretty scenery like a park. 

A park?  The place I go with my little girls – you want me to go by myself?!??  

All right, I’ll humor her and go on my scholastic stroll.  

So as I attempted to become “aware,” something quite amazing happened.  Birds started singing.  I mean, not just singing, but when I really listened, I distinctly heard about five or six with different melodies communicating in what could only be described as what heaven sounds like.  Why weren’t these birds singing before?  I mean, I’m sure if they were, I would have been aware of them, right?  If they had been there the countless times I’d visited the park with my kids, I would have for sure been filled with the sudden, unexplained gush of appreciation and gratitude for this beautiful work of nature.  

And then, there was the sensory overload which invaded my sense of sight.  Did Yorba Linda (where I currently live) just plant a bunch of trees?  And not just regular old trees but big ones, small ones, not two alike ones, and pink and purple flower ones.  Were all these colors always here?

All right coach, you win.  So now what? 

Susan reveals, “Bring that type of awareness to everyday life.  Engage your senses and be present enough to acknowledge the grandiose talent of your team, and cultivate an acute awareness of the amazing people that surround you every day.”  

So two weeks ago, my daughter Olivia (age 3) and I decide to take a stroll (I walking, her in the stroller), to get doughnuts one morning.  I, having found my newfound appreciative nature for well…nature was “in.”   So, as I set out to enjoy about five blocks of scenic route before powdered sprinkle bliss, my daughter unexpectedly says, “Mommy, let’s count American flags!”   “ Sure thing Livs,” I said, consistent with my oblivious tendencies that there wouldn’t be too many.

We counted 29.  29!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Seriously, with the exception of the Yorba Linda Library, a Fire Station, a bank, and a hardware store sporting four alone, 22 houses proudly waved their expressions of patriotism.  And I never noticed this before.

Was it that many of the residents were older and had a deeper appreciation for the freedom that we all share?  If I had begun to appreciate more deeply the significance of nature, my team and my family – why not the very fact that I live in one of the best nations in the world?

And so, over the next couple of weeks, as the counting continued and my older daughter Scarlett (age 6) and husband Eddie (age not be disclosed) got in on the fun, we’re now at over 200 American flags and counting.  And so our awareness turned towards the once brand new flag, still in the packaging, which was morosely collecting dust in our garage.  As Eddie hung this beautiful symbol of freedom, we all stood on the driveway and watched it wave proudly in the warm wind, surrounded by a bed of beautiful ivy which covers the front of our house.  

As the nation’s capitol enveloped us in its strong heritage and deep patriotism, I was proud knowing that back home we had our own strong symbol ready to greet us.  This undying symbol is always ready to dispense a dose of awareness and gratitude if I ever do need one.   

And to Scarlett and Olivia, I can confidently say that after witnessing flag after continuous flag in DC, I have officially lost count.

This past weekend was a time to remember the great many sacrifices that so many brave Americans have undergone.  It is my privilege and duty to honor their bravery with the beautiful symbol of the American flag.