Prompt: What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did / didn’t go for it?
(Author: Kaileen Elise)
This is going to sound like one more bad New Year's resolution. You know the kind I mean. Good intentions that make it to about January 3rd. Work harder, exercise more, eat less, get fit, enjoy life, etc. I think we set ourselves up for failure when we decide solely based on the date on the calendar, we can suddenly wake up and be "perfect".
It goes back to that "all or nothing" attitude we like to take. If we can't do it perfectly, then why bother at all? I have worked on this concept recently, and, in fact, wrote a bit about it in yesterday's prompt. And surprisingly (well to me at least), letting go of that way of thinking has been good.
I have struggled with bad eating habits my whole life. Trying to make a permanent change for the good is tough and filled with pitfalls. A few months ago, I decided, after a lot of research and reading, to try a new way of eating. Not a diet or even a way to lose weight but a way to approach eating in a more healthful way that would improve my energy and reduce my addiction to sugar. I took a radical step and included trying to cut down on not just sugar and white flour, but to eliminate artificial sweetener as well. The theory behind that is that you'll never truly lose your craving for sweet things, if you eat artificially sweetened foods. I didn't expect a miracle but I wanted to see if I could do it and if it would change my energy level.
It was hard but it worked. The first couple of days were okay because it was new and exciting but the next few days were really hard as I was craving, of all things, Diet Pepsi. I persevered, however, and in a little over a week, I wasn't craving sugar at all. I was feeling better and had more energy. Great! Until a small stumble or two or three....
I never expected to be perfect and I didn't say I would never have sugar or white flour again. The trick is to pick yourself up after the stumble and get right back to work. What I find most surprising about the experience is that I HAVE picked myself up each slip AND after each planned deviation. Currently I'm off "plan" more than I'm on but I haven't totally failed or given up. I know that I feel better when I'm following it and I recognize the effects as soon as I change my eating habits.
As I think about moving forward into 2011, I feel pretty good about continuing this way of eating and I will try to do it better and more consistently because I know how it makes me feel and I like that most of all.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
#reverb10 - December 17 Lesson Learned
Prompt: What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward?
(Author: Tara Weaver)
It feels lately like I'm learning a lesson almost everyday. It may be similar to the old adage that the older kids get, the smarter their parents are. I feel like I've gained a lot of insight into myself and my relationships this year. Maybe it was because I turned 50; maybe it was the year of change that we had; maybe it was a conscious decision to be more aware. Whatever the reason, I think a few things clicked in my brain that previously didn't quite make the connection.
As I reflect what some (or even one) of those lesson were, there is one that comes to the forefront. I've had always had a good sense of instinct and maybe this year, I'm learning to trust it more and more. It feels like this comes with maturity; enabling you to be more comfortable with what you know is true and less worried about whether anyone else agrees.
This has happened in my personal life and my professional life. That niggling little feeling as you're about to make a decision that tells you to stop, wait a moment, rethink the plan and adjust. I'd be lying if I said I always listen to that little voice but in the times I did, it was usually right on target. As I sit here giving this more thought, I realize that this simple concept of "trust your instinct" gets all mixed up in a few other lessons learned.
A big one is accepting that things do not have to be "now or never". If this little voice is saying this is not a good idea right now, it doesn't mean it will always not be a good idea. For example, I've had a strong desire to pursue my PhD for many years. Last year, an opportunity arose to do that on a part-time basis while still working full-time. I eagerly prepared at the end of 2009. I crammed for my GRE dredging those old high school and college match concepts from the back of my brain. It was tough but I did okay. I lined up references and began to fill out the application. Suddenly, I couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't the right time. I really struggled with it. I beat myself up on a regular basis as I procrastinated completing the application to the point where I literally ran out of time. It was a pretty tough period and I was angry at myself while at the same time relieved. I kept reminding myself that I could apply next year or the year after that.
The reality hit in March when suddenly our financial situation changed as my husband was laid off. I was immediately relieved that I hadn't applied. Had I been accepted, I would have had a tough time not moving forward. Although I could have made it work financially, I knew that it was not the best time. I was very glad that I listened to my instincts this time.
A year later, I still haven't applied but I'm still planning to do so. I just need to wait until the right time...when the little voice inside my head lets me know I should go for it. I sure hope I'm listening.
(Author: Tara Weaver)
It feels lately like I'm learning a lesson almost everyday. It may be similar to the old adage that the older kids get, the smarter their parents are. I feel like I've gained a lot of insight into myself and my relationships this year. Maybe it was because I turned 50; maybe it was the year of change that we had; maybe it was a conscious decision to be more aware. Whatever the reason, I think a few things clicked in my brain that previously didn't quite make the connection.
As I reflect what some (or even one) of those lesson were, there is one that comes to the forefront. I've had always had a good sense of instinct and maybe this year, I'm learning to trust it more and more. It feels like this comes with maturity; enabling you to be more comfortable with what you know is true and less worried about whether anyone else agrees.
This has happened in my personal life and my professional life. That niggling little feeling as you're about to make a decision that tells you to stop, wait a moment, rethink the plan and adjust. I'd be lying if I said I always listen to that little voice but in the times I did, it was usually right on target. As I sit here giving this more thought, I realize that this simple concept of "trust your instinct" gets all mixed up in a few other lessons learned.
A big one is accepting that things do not have to be "now or never". If this little voice is saying this is not a good idea right now, it doesn't mean it will always not be a good idea. For example, I've had a strong desire to pursue my PhD for many years. Last year, an opportunity arose to do that on a part-time basis while still working full-time. I eagerly prepared at the end of 2009. I crammed for my GRE dredging those old high school and college match concepts from the back of my brain. It was tough but I did okay. I lined up references and began to fill out the application. Suddenly, I couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't the right time. I really struggled with it. I beat myself up on a regular basis as I procrastinated completing the application to the point where I literally ran out of time. It was a pretty tough period and I was angry at myself while at the same time relieved. I kept reminding myself that I could apply next year or the year after that.
The reality hit in March when suddenly our financial situation changed as my husband was laid off. I was immediately relieved that I hadn't applied. Had I been accepted, I would have had a tough time not moving forward. Although I could have made it work financially, I knew that it was not the best time. I was very glad that I listened to my instincts this time.
A year later, I still haven't applied but I'm still planning to do so. I just need to wait until the right time...when the little voice inside my head lets me know I should go for it. I sure hope I'm listening.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
#reverb10 - December 16 Friendship
Prompt: How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst?
(Author: Martha Mihalick)
Beginning in college and through my 20's, I didn't really have that many girlfriends. Most of my really good friends were male. I'm not really sure why. My best friend in high school was Pam and we understood each other. Neither of us were close with a lot of female friends and I think that was one of the things that helped us become so close. Through the years, Pam and I stayed close even if there was significant amount of time between visits. But most of my day-to day friends were still men. After I got married, my husband was my best friend. After my divorce, the friends that helped me through were also male. I like men! What can I say? I married another one and this one is a keeper, but there is one key difference this time.
Over the last few years, I developed relationships for the first time with a number of female friends. Oddly enough, it was through the Internet. The stigma attached to virtual friends has pretty much gone away but I would sometimes feel a bit embarrassed to say that the people I interacted with most were online. Introducing the idea of online friends to my husband (boyfriend at the time) was interesting and he had to get accustomed to the idea that my confidants were via email and we shared a lot! That eventually changed and I met most of my online friends in person. Now we are friends in real life who stay in touch through the Internet. (OK, it's a bit of a subtle nuance but work with me.)
Where is all this leading and does it have anything to do with the prompt? Well yes, it does. I think that I appreciate the female friends I have more every day. Maybe it's my age or the place I am in life but I have come to appreciate the ability to reach out to any one of them any time of the day or night and know that when they check their inbox, I'll hear back from them. I have learned a lot from these ladies, from the serious to the silly. My changing perspective on these relationships has been gradual but every now and then, there's a burst of insight not previously considered. This year especially, as many of us have had some serious matters to handle and some major changes in our lives, their constant love and support has changed my perspective on a number of things. Most of all, my perspective on friendship in general and female friendship in particular.
(Author: Martha Mihalick)
Beginning in college and through my 20's, I didn't really have that many girlfriends. Most of my really good friends were male. I'm not really sure why. My best friend in high school was Pam and we understood each other. Neither of us were close with a lot of female friends and I think that was one of the things that helped us become so close. Through the years, Pam and I stayed close even if there was significant amount of time between visits. But most of my day-to day friends were still men. After I got married, my husband was my best friend. After my divorce, the friends that helped me through were also male. I like men! What can I say? I married another one and this one is a keeper, but there is one key difference this time.
Over the last few years, I developed relationships for the first time with a number of female friends. Oddly enough, it was through the Internet. The stigma attached to virtual friends has pretty much gone away but I would sometimes feel a bit embarrassed to say that the people I interacted with most were online. Introducing the idea of online friends to my husband (boyfriend at the time) was interesting and he had to get accustomed to the idea that my confidants were via email and we shared a lot! That eventually changed and I met most of my online friends in person. Now we are friends in real life who stay in touch through the Internet. (OK, it's a bit of a subtle nuance but work with me.)
Where is all this leading and does it have anything to do with the prompt? Well yes, it does. I think that I appreciate the female friends I have more every day. Maybe it's my age or the place I am in life but I have come to appreciate the ability to reach out to any one of them any time of the day or night and know that when they check their inbox, I'll hear back from them. I have learned a lot from these ladies, from the serious to the silly. My changing perspective on these relationships has been gradual but every now and then, there's a burst of insight not previously considered. This year especially, as many of us have had some serious matters to handle and some major changes in our lives, their constant love and support has changed my perspective on a number of things. Most of all, my perspective on friendship in general and female friendship in particular.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
#reverb10 - December 15 5 Minutes
Prompt: Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010.
(Author: Patti Digh)
An amazing trip in April to the Mohonk Mountain House. Beautiful place, old style charm, wonderful setting, totally pampered.
The day my daughter chose Temple University over three other schools and I knew it was the right decision for her. And it was!
A most amazing graduation party to celebrate my daughter's high school graduation. It wasn't the occasion, it was the amazing mix of people -- friends, family, in-laws, ex-laws, etc. all together
A great trip to the beach with my husband and my daughter. Great food! A lot of laughs! Getting stuck in the rain.
The day we dropped my daughter off at college. Sad, but exciting.
When I finally got my mother to agree to see a doctor after many years of not going. I didn't realize how heavily it weighed on me until I felt the relief of her going.
The night that my class of historic preservation students "got it" and began jumping in with ideas for case study solutions that were right on target. What teaching is all about.
Preparing the house for Christmas in anticipation of my daughter coming home from college. Remembering how I felt that first year that I came home and the house was all decorated and smelled good and I was so happy to be home.
(Author: Patti Digh)
An amazing trip in April to the Mohonk Mountain House. Beautiful place, old style charm, wonderful setting, totally pampered.
The day my daughter chose Temple University over three other schools and I knew it was the right decision for her. And it was!
A most amazing graduation party to celebrate my daughter's high school graduation. It wasn't the occasion, it was the amazing mix of people -- friends, family, in-laws, ex-laws, etc. all together
A great trip to the beach with my husband and my daughter. Great food! A lot of laughs! Getting stuck in the rain.
The day we dropped my daughter off at college. Sad, but exciting.
When I finally got my mother to agree to see a doctor after many years of not going. I didn't realize how heavily it weighed on me until I felt the relief of her going.
The night that my class of historic preservation students "got it" and began jumping in with ideas for case study solutions that were right on target. What teaching is all about.
Preparing the house for Christmas in anticipation of my daughter coming home from college. Remembering how I felt that first year that I came home and the house was all decorated and smelled good and I was so happy to be home.
#reverb10 - December 14 Appreciate
Prompt: What’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it?
(Author: Victoria Klein)
We have to be vigilent in our day to day lives to not miss opportunities that present themselves to us. They are everywhere. Sometimes though, they are disguised as something that is frustrating or overwhelming. Other times, they are downright distasteful. This year, I have tried very hard to embrace the opportunities that are offered to me. I'm not adverse to change but like most humans, I like knowing who I am and where I'm going. When I was a kid, I hated coloring outside the lines and would often reject a picture I was working on because I used the wrong color in the wrong place or got outside the lines. My mother is an artist. Her work is very meticulous and precise. She taught me early about color choices and shading. Yes, shading with my box of 64 crayons. Coloring brought me great pleasure but I was definitely a conformist. I didn't like when my friends would use the wrong color in my coloring books. Trees were green, not blue, the sun was yellow, not orange.
Is this what molded me into someone who doesn't embrace an idea or opportunity that seems outside the lines? I think I have spent a bit too much time worrying about what I think other people think I should be doing or saying. And along the way, I missed a number of opportunties. Recently, I have been working on saying "no" more often in an attempt to make my life more managable. But I have also been saying "yes" more often. Yes, to something new or different. For the most part, it has worked out pretty well.
As a result, I have become much more aware and thankful for the many opportunities I have. I think the best way to show gratitude for an opportunity is to take it. What have you got to lose? It may be a risk, but if you're successful, the result can be pretty wonderful.
I am very grateful for the ability to make my own decisions and seize an opportunity when it presents itself. It makes a world of difference in my outlook on life.
(Author: Victoria Klein)
We have to be vigilent in our day to day lives to not miss opportunities that present themselves to us. They are everywhere. Sometimes though, they are disguised as something that is frustrating or overwhelming. Other times, they are downright distasteful. This year, I have tried very hard to embrace the opportunities that are offered to me. I'm not adverse to change but like most humans, I like knowing who I am and where I'm going. When I was a kid, I hated coloring outside the lines and would often reject a picture I was working on because I used the wrong color in the wrong place or got outside the lines. My mother is an artist. Her work is very meticulous and precise. She taught me early about color choices and shading. Yes, shading with my box of 64 crayons. Coloring brought me great pleasure but I was definitely a conformist. I didn't like when my friends would use the wrong color in my coloring books. Trees were green, not blue, the sun was yellow, not orange.
Is this what molded me into someone who doesn't embrace an idea or opportunity that seems outside the lines? I think I have spent a bit too much time worrying about what I think other people think I should be doing or saying. And along the way, I missed a number of opportunties. Recently, I have been working on saying "no" more often in an attempt to make my life more managable. But I have also been saying "yes" more often. Yes, to something new or different. For the most part, it has worked out pretty well.
As a result, I have become much more aware and thankful for the many opportunities I have. I think the best way to show gratitude for an opportunity is to take it. What have you got to lose? It may be a risk, but if you're successful, the result can be pretty wonderful.
I am very grateful for the ability to make my own decisions and seize an opportunity when it presents itself. It makes a world of difference in my outlook on life.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
#reverb10 - December 13 ACTION
PROMPT: When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step? (Author: Scott Belsky)
Ideas. Yes, I have lots of ideas. Quilts I want to make, knitting skills I want to master, books I want to write, things I want to improve. Putting those ideas into action is the real challenge. In case you are just now reading this blog for the first time, procrastination is my middle name. Lots of idea coupled with procrastination does not result in lot of progress.
It doesn't stop me from dreaming, though. I make lists and plans and try different methods to shake myself out of the routine of NOT doing. But I am often not successful. Lately, however, I have been working very hard on putting into action the ideas I have and I can honestly say it has been only somewhat successful, but immensely rewarding.
For example, the decision to participate in #reverb10 was very impulsive. I have wanted to get into a strong habit of writing every day. It was one of the reaons that I started the blog so many years ago but I wrote many blog posts in my head, not so many on the keyboard. So using one of my favorite bloggers as inspiration (Thank you Shauna!) , I decided to just go for it. The one thing in my favor was that I found out about it on November 30, so I had to put it into practice immediately. I have been pretty faithful (although I'm currently a day behind) and the expereince has been awesome for. me. It doesn't matter to me if anyone reads it. I'm not concerned about it being perfect. It feels good to do it and I can already see an improvement in my writing. I stared out using too many cliches and overused the word "so" and I have pretty much stopped those two things. Baby steps... (Hmmm, is "baby steps" a cliche?)
I think turning your ideas into aspirations and taking the next step comes down to a very simple task. Just sit your butt down and do it (with apologies to Nike who don't want you to sit your butt down). I feel like my success (so far) with this exercise has spilled over into other areas of my life and I'm making some good progress. I really want to sustain this momentum and I like the feeling it gives me. After all, being happy with yourself is more than half the battle....(those goes a cliche again). Oh well, old habits die hard! Stop it! I'll do better tomorrow. After all, tomorrow is another day! (OK, that shouldn't as a cliche... it's a quote from a movie!) Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Ideas. Yes, I have lots of ideas. Quilts I want to make, knitting skills I want to master, books I want to write, things I want to improve. Putting those ideas into action is the real challenge. In case you are just now reading this blog for the first time, procrastination is my middle name. Lots of idea coupled with procrastination does not result in lot of progress.
It doesn't stop me from dreaming, though. I make lists and plans and try different methods to shake myself out of the routine of NOT doing. But I am often not successful. Lately, however, I have been working very hard on putting into action the ideas I have and I can honestly say it has been only somewhat successful, but immensely rewarding.
For example, the decision to participate in #reverb10 was very impulsive. I have wanted to get into a strong habit of writing every day. It was one of the reaons that I started the blog so many years ago but I wrote many blog posts in my head, not so many on the keyboard. So using one of my favorite bloggers as inspiration (Thank you Shauna!) , I decided to just go for it. The one thing in my favor was that I found out about it on November 30, so I had to put it into practice immediately. I have been pretty faithful (although I'm currently a day behind) and the expereince has been awesome for. me. It doesn't matter to me if anyone reads it. I'm not concerned about it being perfect. It feels good to do it and I can already see an improvement in my writing. I stared out using too many cliches and overused the word "so" and I have pretty much stopped those two things. Baby steps... (Hmmm, is "baby steps" a cliche?)
I think turning your ideas into aspirations and taking the next step comes down to a very simple task. Just sit your butt down and do it (with apologies to Nike who don't want you to sit your butt down). I feel like my success (so far) with this exercise has spilled over into other areas of my life and I'm making some good progress. I really want to sustain this momentum and I like the feeling it gives me. After all, being happy with yourself is more than half the battle....(those goes a cliche again). Oh well, old habits die hard! Stop it! I'll do better tomorrow. After all, tomorrow is another day! (OK, that shouldn't as a cliche... it's a quote from a movie!) Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Monday, December 13, 2010
#reverb 10 December 12 – Body Integration
This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present?
(Author: Patrick Reynolds)
I think one of the most surprising things about getting older is the way your body lets you know that you are aging. I am happy to still be active and able to do the things I want to do but a hard day of physical work makes for a less than stellar morning the next day. An old knee injury from my youth screams at me every now and then and I hate that I can no longer sit cross-legged on the floor. I still do it sometime, but it's not a good thing.
However, earlier this year, while preparing for a big event at our house, we (my husband and I) spent a full week working around the house, primarily outside. There was a lot of cleaning and moving things inside. Old furniture was hauled to the dumpster, new furniture was arranged. The yard work included trimming bushes, pulling weeds, cleaning up yard waste, some planting of flowers and a whole lot of weed-whacking. Each day we got up, reviewed our list, began our day and worked until evening. We cooked dinner together, mostly on the grill, relaxed and went to bed for a great night of sleep and rose again the next morning to do it all again.
Motivated by the end goal, excited each day by the progress and enjoying the long break from my regular job behind a desk, I really felt alive.
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