It just bears repeating...

...I need to see this more than just once a year:

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2010.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts over things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything..
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing.
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.
34. Time heals.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up..
37. The best is yet to come..
38. When you awake alive in the morning, be thankful.
39. Your Innermost is always happy. So, be happy.

There were five in the bed...

My off weekend, R. is with her dad. Stayed home last night, although I considered going out for music about 15 times. Just couldn't muster up the energy. Good thing, since as it was I slept until 10 a.m. and woke up feeling as though I'm fighting something off. But I woke up with four cats on the bed, all snoozing right along with me, not one single 'meow' about getting fed. Always feel better after a shower and moving around some, but this is definitely something I need to fight off. Even though I know I missed some great music, I'm glad I opted for home.

In any case, a day of straightening and organizing a bit, then up to MD for a house concert/overnight at Susie's House Concerts. Always enjoy the house concert venue for music, and especially one 'away' where I can meet new folks.

It's 11:19. Better start the day!

6 a.m.

Having a tough time with the 6 a.m. wake up this week. But then, driving into work and listening to the news on NPR, we were reminded once again of how very fortunate we are...so many privileges and services that we take for granted, while elsewhere folks are woken up by bombs, or news of loved ones killed by bombs. And we're reminded of the devoted folks in the military who sleep on the cold ground if they sleep at all. And the news guy that gave the report this morning, embedded with the troops and reporting on those killed, perhaps because he believes it is so important that people know what's happening 'over there' and that we remember, and maybe we'll stop and appreciate what we have, maybe even give a little prayer of thanks and safekeeping.

Sure, I would've loved a snow delay this morning. But then, I'm just grateful I have a job, and my daughter has the privilege of going to school every day, and we wake up in a warm house, with four loving (er, hungry...) cats, and we put on clean clothes and eat our breakfast and drive our car to said job and school, and this weekend I'll have the opportunity to spend time with family or friends, enjoying food, art, wine, and music.

Yeah, I guess getting up at 6 a.m. is a very, very small price to pay.

Turn Right at the Light...and Just Keep Going

First post of the new year. 2011. Holy shit. And I'm inspired by the blog, Lemonade, to take a different approach to my writings here. After all, it is the little things in life that can make all the difference. And it is looking at the positive/humorous side of things that allows us to get through the mucky parts of life.

One of the common themes in my recent posts has been my discouragement over being disliked or misunderstood by people who I consider(ed) friends. Well, I'm done with that. Hamster's jumpin' off of that wheel. As of right now. Finis. There are too many folks out there that 'get' me and love me and accept me for who I am. Those are the relationships I need to nurture and cultivate. It's time to feed my soul. No antagonism towards others, just acceptance that all relationships are different and some just work (and some don't.)

So, thanks AB, for the inspiration. I'm gonna turn right (towards the positive) at the light and keep moving forward. With a little help from my friends, I'll make it a good year!

Happily Merrily Holidaying

I'm feeling it this year. Despite ups and downs with friendships and money and life in general, I feel truly in the mood for the holiday festivities. Something's aligning properly. And even with the days leading up to the holiday packed with activities, I don't feel overwhelmed. So, bring it on!

(and lest ye think, so what, you're in the mood, read this...)

Enjoy this tribute from SheDaisy, one of our favorites...and Happiest of Holidays, whatever you choose to celebrate!

Gratitude

Grateful for so many things this year. For friends who embrace me as a whole. Grateful for friends who acknowledge my quirkier parts and see them as attributes. Grateful for a daughter who sees me at my worst and yet thinks I'm the best. Grateful for a compatible divorced relationship with my ex. Grateful for those friends who understand when you disappear or go 'under' for a time, and let me know they're still there when I emerge. Grateful for a job that challenges me and constantly teaches me that there are many ways to get the job done. Grateful for this little town I live in that, despite closing in on me occasionally, almost always feels like home. Grateful for aging. Grateful for the seasons, that keep coming despite all that we have done to disrupt some of nature's beautiful cycles. Grateful for those moments in my life where I have to step back and understand the other side of things...it's never so simple that you can just walk away knowing you are 'right'. No matter the situation, there is something you can learn...and I am grateful for those lessons. I'm grateful for the opportunities I've had to help needy animals, and am so grateful for the joy of seeing those animals in safe and loving homes. Grateful for the home Rebecca and I have shared together for the past seven years. Grateful for those friends who, in my moments of self-doubt and crumbling confidence, hear me out and talk me down. Grateful for the realization that I cannot be what others expect me to be, and grateful that someone else's assumptions do not equal my truth. I'm so grateful for my family. As spread out as we are, I know the love is there, and the history we share has made us all who we are. I'm grateful for all of it, the good and the bad. I'm grateful for the heartache I've experienced with friendships that have faded. I'm grateful that I know, deep in my heart, that I have been honest and acted with good intentions in those friendships. I'm grateful that I did my best to bridge gaps and open the lines of communication. I'm grateful that true friendships don't really take that much work or effort. I'm grateful for the abundance of natural beauty in my life, and that I'm able, as much as ever, to notice those small, simple, beautiful things every single day. They can fill my heart in a very special way. I'm grateful for each season, holiday, month, year that I'm able to walk this earth and appreciate her gifts. I'm so very grateful.

Check-in...

No blog posts usually equals tranquility in my life, and that's true in this case. Unfortunately, it doesn't always mean resolution (as it relates to previous posts.) No face to face, no apologies, no acknowledgment of wrong assumptions. I guess it makes me a little sad, but I'm not looking back.

Seems like we've been non-stop busy since early summer. All good stuff, but I'm anxious for some weekends with no plans. I need to get more painting done (house...I'm no artist!) Heck, I still need to get some laundry done! But Rebecca and I have had some fun weekends, and getting into the rhythm of her staying with her dad every other weekend means I've had more me time. I've foregone many a party and many a musical outing in favor of that me time, and no regrets there. Trying to get a good balance of work, volunteer, and family time. It seems to be working, so far.

Holidays are fast approaching, and we've got good plans coming up. Finally getting out to Reno to see my brother and his house that he's worked so hard on improving (and keeping...) and Rebecca and I have a fun trip to Florida planned for the winter break. Once again I've had a good year of connecting with new friends and reconnecting with old. Some things have changed, but ultimately all for the good. And the old adage comes back to mind, "Never regret anything that made you smile." Indeed.