I've been reading a lot lately, because I have a lot of time to explore, read, do a little "self help" and generally relax... I'm reading about three books right now and each of them is propelling me along this journey I am on...
I realized something lately, that sometimes when we self-sabotage, it can be for a myriad of reasons... fear, insecurity, the list could go on and on. I planted a seed in late January and watered it a little bit, but then kind of gave up on it, abandoned it, never encouraged it any further. And I came across something in one of the books I'm reading about taking a risk/chance every day. Every day? Wow, I said to myself, there are a lot of days ahead of me, and to take a chance every day? I decided I needed to take action on that seed I planted in late January; it had come to my attention that what I needed had changed since the time I planted the seed, but that I still wanted to harvest the fruits of my labor. So I changed focus, and redirected my "watering" efforts and the seed started to grow again... And today, just a short few days later, I am starting to reap the rewards of my efforts. When I got clear about what I needed, the Universe responded in kind. I decided by abandoning the seed I was not engaging in an act of self love, but in an act of self sabotage. And once I chose to act in self love, the Universe so obliged.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Vision boarding...
Today's post comes, most recently, from a book I am reading called, The Right Questions. I've long heard of vision boarding, even had a friend once flowchart-vision board for me while I expressed my passions, interests, short-comings... But, ne'r yet have I managed to create one for myself.
I have a few things I believe I'll focus on, and I will share more as the ideas erupt, but for the time being, I am curious if anyone has created a vision board (or many a vision boards) for themselves or their organization? Also, does anyone want to meet up one weekend, bring their scrapbooking/magazine/anything supplies over to L and my house and make their very own vision board with me?
What do you say?
I have a few things I believe I'll focus on, and I will share more as the ideas erupt, but for the time being, I am curious if anyone has created a vision board (or many a vision boards) for themselves or their organization? Also, does anyone want to meet up one weekend, bring their scrapbooking/magazine/anything supplies over to L and my house and make their very own vision board with me?
What do you say?
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Things I've "been meaning to do"...
This blog comes to you today because the night after I decided to resign from my job, as I was drifting off to sleep and a thought came to my mind: I want to go visit Aunt Shirley in Florida ... it's something I've been meaning to do...
The day I resigned, three weeks ago today, as I was driving home from work, I phoned a long-time friend-confidante-spirit-sister and before we hung up, she said, "One thing I will suggest, take some time for yourself and do some things that you want to do..."
In the last several days (well, one week to be exact), I have enjoyed many of these things I have been meaning to do. Things I never accomplished, did not have the mental or physical energy to do while working in my last very-demanding-not-very-fulfilling corporate job. It's funny; you get a real mixed reaction when you tell people you resigned from your position and now you're filling your life with things you want to do versus your life being filled with things you have to do. The older folks seem to understand (I'm generalizing here, I know). The fearful ones instantly break out in a cold sweat and a somewhat-half-shaped smile crosses their face, "You what???". Your friends know you have been unhappy, and most of them don't convey their shock, even if they harbor some.. Then you have other friends who pat you on the back, put their shoulder under your arm, lend their ear and say, "Atta girl! Good for you!" ...
Something I've been meaning to do ... One - Volunteer for Junior Achievement. I have been to the JA office two times in as many days and it feels GREAT! I shared with one of the other volunteers telling her I had recently resigned my position in the corporate world to pursue my passions in life... she got a big smile across her face and said, "That's wonderful.." I have two 4th grade classes on board that I'll be teaching in the next two week; 5 lessons, and I cannot wait!
Yesterday was a fun day full of doing more things I've yet to do... I went to SEARS to pick up a vacuum brush (that's been on "the list" for at least 6 months), then to the library, picked up groceries, and made it home by noon to start preparing a few meals. I got Ann's Chicken started in the crockpot, then started some chile verde on the stove. I even got creative and made two batches of chile verde --one for Lyd and one gluten-free (it was an experiment that went pretty well), then I baked some chicken drumettes we had in the fridge. Around 4pm, I realized I needed to finish up the Ann's Chicken, start some steamed rice, and prepare the burritos. Well, the Ann's chicken was ready for some white wine so I opened up a bottle we had in the fridge and, off and away! I figured I would serve the white wine with dinner, since the bottle was already chilled. Then I started a fire... it was a perfect night for a fire. This was another thing that I had been meaning to do for months. I kept meaning to pick up firestarter logs, and well, then, I kept meaning to get up early to get to work so I could get home early, so I could start the fire and there could eventually be coals for roasting marshmallows.. well, you know how it goes... Anyway, when Lydia got home, I had two wonderful meals prepared and she got to pick which one appealed to her. I can't tell you how long it's been since I really got to unleash my creativity in the kitchen, and boy did it feel good... And the marshmallows roasted over the coals of the fire, boy did they taste good ...
Today's experience in doing something I wanted to do was two fold (well, many fold, as I'll share in a moment) -- but one thing that warmed my heart unexpectedly multiplied into two, and then three.. After leaving the JA office, I took off to deliver some Ann's Chicken to my mother-in-law's fridge. Only upon arriving, I found my key did not work... So I dropped by her neighbor's house, Ms. Joyce, and borrowed her key. When I returned it, she invited me in and made me a cup of hot chocolate. (She even had marshmallows.) I think she needed (and enjoyed) the company, but to be quite honest I probably needed it more. I love older people; there is something so peaceful and heart-warming to me about them. She asked if it was my day off, and I said, well.... no; that I'd resigned my job and was setting out to find my heart's work/my passion.... and do you know what she said? "Ohhhh, God's going to bless you!!!" It was such a wonderful visit. She is a sweat lady and has a precious little puppy and I am so glad I was able to stay for a visit, and not have to rush to the next item on "the list". When I was talking with her, something she said gave me an idea for a service project/non profit that I'm in the throes of researching (stay tuned).
"The list" keeps getting shorter and shorter, and I keep getting happier and happier. I love all the time I have to read books, work and re-work my resume, look for exciting jobs (and journal about why the job is appealing to me), do the laundry as I please, clean the kitchen when I want.... It's awesome that when the creative mood strikes me, I get to do it (whatever it is), and for a long time now, that creative mood's been gone...
Thank God it's back.
The day I resigned, three weeks ago today, as I was driving home from work, I phoned a long-time friend-confidante-spirit-sister and before we hung up, she said, "One thing I will suggest, take some time for yourself and do some things that you want to do..."
In the last several days (well, one week to be exact), I have enjoyed many of these things I have been meaning to do. Things I never accomplished, did not have the mental or physical energy to do while working in my last very-demanding-not-very-fulfilling corporate job. It's funny; you get a real mixed reaction when you tell people you resigned from your position and now you're filling your life with things you want to do versus your life being filled with things you have to do. The older folks seem to understand (I'm generalizing here, I know). The fearful ones instantly break out in a cold sweat and a somewhat-half-shaped smile crosses their face, "You what???". Your friends know you have been unhappy, and most of them don't convey their shock, even if they harbor some.. Then you have other friends who pat you on the back, put their shoulder under your arm, lend their ear and say, "Atta girl! Good for you!" ...
Something I've been meaning to do ... One - Volunteer for Junior Achievement. I have been to the JA office two times in as many days and it feels GREAT! I shared with one of the other volunteers telling her I had recently resigned my position in the corporate world to pursue my passions in life... she got a big smile across her face and said, "That's wonderful.." I have two 4th grade classes on board that I'll be teaching in the next two week; 5 lessons, and I cannot wait!
Yesterday was a fun day full of doing more things I've yet to do... I went to SEARS to pick up a vacuum brush (that's been on "the list" for at least 6 months), then to the library, picked up groceries, and made it home by noon to start preparing a few meals. I got Ann's Chicken started in the crockpot, then started some chile verde on the stove. I even got creative and made two batches of chile verde --one for Lyd and one gluten-free (it was an experiment that went pretty well), then I baked some chicken drumettes we had in the fridge. Around 4pm, I realized I needed to finish up the Ann's Chicken, start some steamed rice, and prepare the burritos. Well, the Ann's chicken was ready for some white wine so I opened up a bottle we had in the fridge and, off and away! I figured I would serve the white wine with dinner, since the bottle was already chilled. Then I started a fire... it was a perfect night for a fire. This was another thing that I had been meaning to do for months. I kept meaning to pick up firestarter logs, and well, then, I kept meaning to get up early to get to work so I could get home early, so I could start the fire and there could eventually be coals for roasting marshmallows.. well, you know how it goes... Anyway, when Lydia got home, I had two wonderful meals prepared and she got to pick which one appealed to her. I can't tell you how long it's been since I really got to unleash my creativity in the kitchen, and boy did it feel good... And the marshmallows roasted over the coals of the fire, boy did they taste good ...
Today's experience in doing something I wanted to do was two fold (well, many fold, as I'll share in a moment) -- but one thing that warmed my heart unexpectedly multiplied into two, and then three.. After leaving the JA office, I took off to deliver some Ann's Chicken to my mother-in-law's fridge. Only upon arriving, I found my key did not work... So I dropped by her neighbor's house, Ms. Joyce, and borrowed her key. When I returned it, she invited me in and made me a cup of hot chocolate. (She even had marshmallows.) I think she needed (and enjoyed) the company, but to be quite honest I probably needed it more. I love older people; there is something so peaceful and heart-warming to me about them. She asked if it was my day off, and I said, well.... no; that I'd resigned my job and was setting out to find my heart's work/my passion.... and do you know what she said? "Ohhhh, God's going to bless you!!!" It was such a wonderful visit. She is a sweat lady and has a precious little puppy and I am so glad I was able to stay for a visit, and not have to rush to the next item on "the list". When I was talking with her, something she said gave me an idea for a service project/non profit that I'm in the throes of researching (stay tuned).
"The list" keeps getting shorter and shorter, and I keep getting happier and happier. I love all the time I have to read books, work and re-work my resume, look for exciting jobs (and journal about why the job is appealing to me), do the laundry as I please, clean the kitchen when I want.... It's awesome that when the creative mood strikes me, I get to do it (whatever it is), and for a long time now, that creative mood's been gone...
Thank God it's back.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Music and My Life (Part 1)
This is a re-post from a bit ago; something happened in Blogger and I could not edit it. So here I am re-typing it for your enjoyment.
(This post is inspired by my sister-in-law's post Soundtrack to an Ordinary Life, and her inspiration, Adam's, post.)
As I go through this transition in my life, this turning of a new leaf, if you will, I am consistently brought forward through others' insights, writings and musical offerings.
In this day an age of always-available entertainment, youtube, Myspace band pages, and the like, one can almost always find that one song we're craving to hear...
As I determine what the next step will be for me, I am humbled and find myself turning inward. Over the last few days, I have found music on friends' pages, friends' of friends pages, and this music has brought me to this post...
Music is inspirational, funny, sensual, uplifting, thought-provoking, memory-inducing...
Another video that comes to mind that is wonderful, thought-provoking and emotional is World on Fire by Sarah McLachlan...
Sensual ... Ricky Martin (with Joss Stone) The Best Thing About Me is You...
(This post is inspired by my sister-in-law's post Soundtrack to an Ordinary Life, and her inspiration, Adam's, post.)
As I go through this transition in my life, this turning of a new leaf, if you will, I am consistently brought forward through others' insights, writings and musical offerings.
In this day an age of always-available entertainment, youtube, Myspace band pages, and the like, one can almost always find that one song we're craving to hear...
As I determine what the next step will be for me, I am humbled and find myself turning inward. Over the last few days, I have found music on friends' pages, friends' of friends pages, and this music has brought me to this post...
Music is inspirational, funny, sensual, uplifting, thought-provoking, memory-inducing...
When I found Adam's page via Melissa page today, I relished in his offering of music that speaks to him; one of his songs gave me great pause: The Motions by Matthew West. Adam cites it as a song he goes to when reflecting on his life; I cite it as where I am right now. No doubt this song will stay on my go-to list for reflecting on my life, but it is really a godsend given the current state of my affairs. The video is amazing and beautifully paired at several places with the author's poignant hand-written words such as these:
God has something
God has something
to say
to us
and through us.
Another video that comes to mind that is wonderful, thought-provoking and emotional is World on Fire by Sarah McLachlan...
Sensual ... Ricky Martin (with Joss Stone) The Best Thing About Me is You...
One of my all-time go-to songs is Whether You Fall by Tracy Bonham. This song came to me when I was in my master's program and has always spoken volumes to me and offered great solace, comfort, tears, and peace... It's our choice, folks, and we're only guaranteed this moment right now, let's get up...
Hey There Delilah - I spent the last 4 years of my life on the road away from my love and my loved ones. This song came to me when I was in Tucson on one of my numerous business trips that year ... A couple coworkers and I went out to grab a bite to eat and a live band was playing this song on a cool, star-lit Tucson night...
Hey There Delilah - I spent the last 4 years of my life on the road away from my love and my loved ones. This song came to me when I was in Tucson on one of my numerous business trips that year ... A couple coworkers and I went out to grab a bite to eat and a live band was playing this song on a cool, star-lit Tucson night...
When I think of my Dad, Drive by Alan Jackson comes to mind... of my Mom, 26 Cents... "here's a penny for your thoughts, a quarter for the call, and all your Momma's love.." When in college, my Mom sent me this song in a wall-hanging with a penny and a quarter taped to the back (thanks Mom for your creativity and sincerity...)
Songs that bring me back to high school include What I Got (Sublime - parental advisory), Trashy Women (Confederate Railroad; an inside soccer team joke - parental advisory), Glory Days (The Boss), and Why Can't We be Friends (Smash Mouth)...
Here's the song I heard the day the Universe (thankfully) threw a brick at my head and I cried myself silly all the way home from work and decided to resign, once and for all ... Firework by Katy Perry...
Here's the song I heard the day the Universe (thankfully) threw a brick at my head and I cried myself silly all the way home from work and decided to resign, once and for all ... Firework by Katy Perry...
With that, I'll close for now... Won't you share songs that you really enjoy?
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