Sunday, November 23, 2008

Letting Go of the Past!

I learned a lesson this weekend. I realized that I never, really, truly knew the meaning of letting go the past to move into the future. I was hanging on to a bit of my past that was just unhealthy. The thing is, I didn't even realize it until something happened late, last week. But, once I did, it took me 7 hours and 32 minutes to let that part of my past go. It wasn't easy, but I had to do it . I kept repeating to myself, LIFE IS SO SHORT, WHY CARRY THIS AROUND! My intention is not to preach, but let me tell you I felt a huge weight lift off my back (too bad it wasn't weight). I, also, realized that I wasn't paying enough attention to what was happening to me. I remember reading somewhere to take five minutes everynight to reflect on the days events. It's the best way to figure out what you did that day and how it impacts where you want to go. I started doing that and it has opened my eyes. Again, nothing is rocket science, when you know what you want out of life!!! All this reflection reminds me of a quote from President Kennedy that I read years ago, "Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future." Why hold on to something that can't be change? There is no point to it. Live life, for we only get one to make the most of it.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Living Your Dreams

Yesterday, I had the Monday Blues. You know feeling sorry for myself, feeling like crap, feeling hopeless about my future. Then, late, last night, I read an article about living your dreams. The article was titled "Live Your Dream, Start Over." Have you ever thought about your dreams??? Do you feel like that ship has sailed??? I used to and sometimes I do have moments of doubt (like yesterday). But, I believe anything is possible as long as you know what you want. I truly believe this mantra. If your goal is to read more, then do it. If your goal is to finish school, then do it. If your goal is to travel, then do it. Whatever your goals are, it is possible to make them happen, if you believe in yourself. I believe as long as you have the ability to change, you have the ability to make anything happen. Even if you don't achieve your goal, you might discover something new. Life is great in that sense. One of my goals is to stop complaining. It's getting better, but sometimes it still gets the best of me. But, I haven't given up. What's the point in complaining!!! At the end of the day, I'm the one that is in misery, obsessing over something I couldn't really change. The only thing that I can control is what I think. And what I think is, it's time to reach for the stars. Take baby steps to do something that you have always wanted to do for yourself. Because taking the time for yourself, will make you a better you!!!

So when I hopped out of bed this morning, I was feeling pretty good. I still feel alittle lost, but with renewed energy to start moving forward again. And I remembered my mantra, "anything is possible as long you know what you want." And I remembered one of my favorite quotes by Henry Ford, "Life is a series of experiences, each of which makes us bigger, even though it is hard to realize this. For the world was built to develop character, and we must learn that the setbacks and grieves which we endure help us in our marching onward."

So, join me, NO MORE LIVING LIFE, I COULD HAVE DONE THIS OR THAT!!! Make your list today and start taking steps to a better you!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Proposition 8 and Barrack Obama

California has always been known for it's progressive views, it's liberal views. Yet, on the same night that the United States elected it's first black president, California passed a proposition that would ban same sex marriages (Proposition 8). We overwhelmingly voted for better conditions for our animals (Proposition 2), yet the yes vote won to ban same sex marriage. I don't understand, especially since over 61% voted for Barrack Obama in California. That begs the question, how many voters voted for Barrack Obama but voted yes on Proposition 8? It's seems so hypocritical to me. How can you say you want change, when you don't support civil rights for all???

In 2000, voters voted not to recognize same sex marriages (Proposition 22). Opponents for this proposition took it to the California Supreme Court and on May 15, 2008, ruled that Proposition 22 violated the States' Constitution. That was awesome, same sex couples were able to marry once again. Then, I heard about Proposition 8, I thought here we go again. We take one step forward and two steps back.

America, California, when are we going to get it right?

Saturday, November 1, 2008

What A Smile Can Get You!

An interesting encounter happened to me earlier this week at the grocery store that reminded me about a show I heard on XM radio about a week ago. The subject of the show: smiling. The host was wondering why people just don't smile anymore. Is it because of too much stress or unhappiness? The host went on to say that she tries smiling even when she is angry, miserable, upset, unhappy and/or depressed. And it makes a world of difference in her outlook for the day.

So, of course, I tried it. I sometimes get comments like; "you look mean, you look sad, you look angry or you look depressed." You can imagine my reaction, if I could boot people, I would. But, I'm in a different place now, so I'm trying the smiling thing. Let me tell you, it works. I wasn't a smiling fool by any means, that's just not me. But, if someone looks at me, I smile and in some cases, I say, "Hello." People's reactions are awesome. A couple of them did ignore me, but it didn't change my outlook for the day.

Now, let me share the "encounter" I wrote about earlier that happened at the grocery story. Here is what smiling can, also, get you. A guy was shopping and his cart was blocking the aisle. As I was going around the guy, I smiled at him and said, "excuse me." You know what his replied was, "oh, oh, I'm sorry I'm married." I replied back, "What? Ok, good for you." As I rolled my cart to the end of the aisle, I realized what he said. I turned around, looked at the guy and started laughing. The guy turned beet red, speed up and rounded the corner.

Try smiling today and see what happens to you!