Snow and New Year's resolutions

We have Snow! So beautiful. And snow birds!

Do you say "this Year I will diet, I won't eat so much sugar, I will exercise more, I will quit this or start that" every year? It is time for a different kind of resolution. Whether you make them about you or about how you behave, think carefully. Consider going deeper in, less exterior attention and more internal focus.

     Do you try to feel connected to everyone you meet or do you worry more about how they see you?

    When you listen to someone in a conversation, do you really hear them or do you formulate your next sentences while they are still speaking?

    When you feel wronged do you step back and try to see the whole picture from everyone else's view?

    Have you ever tried to stop a feeling of anger and look at it as if it was a waste of energy, that you can actually skip that part and go right to the part where you feel sorry for the person and be glad that you didn't behave negatively?

Ask for guidance. Look for signs. Listen to your heart. Be in the moment. Appreciate the smallest, most simple things, actions or words or soft breeze-anything that you notice is worthy of appreciation. More will come of what you put thought into, that is a good place to start the New Year.

Now, let me be honest and say sure, I want to lose weight, eat less sugar, exercise more--all that and then some. I have other frivolous mini-resolutions like I will wear earrings to work more often, things like that, but I resolve to be a better human most of all. How about you? If you need an inspiration, take a look at http://shine.yahoo.com/beauty/lessons-worlds-ugliest-woman-stop-staring-start-learning-184400606.html

Happy New Year everyone!

life lessons and best of 2012-Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!

I liked this article
http://shine.yahoo.com/work-money/20-things-everyone-master-age-40-215100218.html
It caught my eye because I am 40 this year and it has been a great year. Sure you can read the whole article but just these snippets did it for me.

 If you see someone in distress, don't hesitate to talk to them. Once you've heard their story, sometimes all you have to say is "I'll be thinking of you." Your words are more powerful than you think.

 When you're weighing an opportunity, make the question that simple: "Do I really want this, or am I doing it for the money or the prestige or because I think I should?" It can't just be about those things. It has to make you feel good, too.

And when someone pops into your mind, let them know, even if it's just with a "Thinking of you" text. Don't let the moment pass; treat it as a reminder to reach out.

The thing that's grand about spending your time thinking about the universe is that it makes you feel insignificant. I don't mean that in a bad way.

Sing with joy, from your heart, and no one will care how you sound.

 It's important to be part of a community!

You have to find a way forward. You can say, "I'm going to work to improve myself so I never hurt another person that way." And then you need to atone, to make the lesson you learned mean something. Do this, and you will be able to look in the mirror again.

 

Anger is like a storm rising up from the bottom of your consciousness. ...... And when compassion appears, anger is deleted.

 

If you don't feel a shiver of excitement or fear, if there's no emotional risk involved, let it go.

 

Everything we experience--no matter how unpleasant--comes into our lives to teach us something. To move on from something difficult, look for the lesson.

 

Best of 2012 (for me)

1. spending more time with Superdude (he almost was deployed)

2. special real moments with loved ones-I will remember them

3. seeing the Smoky Mountains in person and a place called Chimneys

4. quiet talks with Supergirl, the most amazing 10 year old I know 

5. loud laughing until I snort or wheeze (has happened a few times this year)

6. petting my fur friends

7. watching the sunset as much as possible, sky watching and ozark weather

8. writing this blog-yep that is true

9. doing a 10 day fast (master cleanse)--yes I did.

10. having a very good job and making jewelry when I feel like it

the shortest day and not the end of the world

Happy Winter Solstice and 12-21-12! I am looking forward to the sun taking longer to set tomorrow and seeing what the future brings for us all.

I like to read about Inspirational women and will occasionally share a story. I was impressed by Hedda Bolgar, age 103 now.

http://www.beautyofaging.com/hedda-bolgar.html

http://www.ageofhappiness.com/blog/hedda_bolgar_eng/281/

Pray Hard

Out of devastating turmoil there is always a powerful resurgence of love and faith. If you focus on the pain it will get bigger but if you focus on the healing it will come stronger. I believe in this and ask you to send your love and prayers in focused thought to the many affected in Connecticut's sad story this week.

As always too, when tragedy comes we turn to our loved ones and cherish them all the more. This wake up call is a gift that you can pay forward. Tell them you love them and appreciate them and all they bring in your life.

http://youtu.be/g_lF2r5D7zI

Get ready, get set, GO!

TWO WEEKS! The 12 days of Christmas are almost HERE!

We are a little slow getting the decorations out this year. Life is hectic. I am packing today for a work trip this week and the etsy shop will be closed for a while. I will post on Sundays though. I hope you have a wonderful week!

Give UP

Ozark weather: ODD as usual. I feel like working in the garden-almost. It is December!

I love pyschology, probably because I am crazy. Figuring out what makes a person tick, literally is fascinating to me. I wouldn't be a good therapist though. I keep myself busy enough and I can see how frustrating it would be to want to help someone and watching them run in their hamster wheel getting nowhere fast.
This is a 5+ minutes video but it is worth it in my humble opinion. It is a guy who's on an odd mission to get 100 rejections and on his third day he makes an odd request at Krispy Kreme doughnuts where he met Jackie, who went above and beyond trying to produce it.

 

 

I had an interesting reaction to this video. Jackie was incredible yes and deserves the accolades-I enjoyed her honesty and earnest desire to please. I was most touched by the concept of Rejection though. I think of rejection as a minor obstacle in business or work but personal rejection is painful isn't it? Fear of rejection is debilitating for many. Then I can't help but think about other obstacles, roadblocks we throw up to slow us down, keep us from that goal, that dream.

You hear people say Don't Give Up! I say Give UP-give it up to God. Give UP your fears, your pain, your worry, your anger, your regret-none of it is really yours anyway, that is why it takes so much out of you to keep holding onto it.

Jia went back to see Jackie on day 12 and she had some more awesomeness to share about serving with all your soul. I loved it. You can see it on Jia's blog here:
http://www.entresting.com/blog/100-days-of-rejection-therapy/