My emotions have been so varied of late; things are great and things are difficult at the same time. I am staying strong overall, and for that I am so pleased. Today was hectic as heck, but I knew that I had to fit in a run. The short run was hot and slow, but I did it!
My run made a huge difference to me in so many positive ways, and the time I st aside did not have a significant negative impact on the demands placed upon me. The difference to me clearly outweighs anything and everything else. Exerting the energy left me with more energy, which I so need these days.
Today's run left me feeling so much better physically, mentally, and emotionally, and left me with the following thought: give a little and get a lot. I welcome that necessary boost!
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
Great way / to start the day
I love this, and will employ it as a new mantra. If I find a great way to start the day, then it will be better throughout! The ways will differ but all will have my betterment as the focus. Often, this time is spent in bed waiting for my Son to awake. As such, the ways typically are quiet and contemplative ones, for which my Kindle and iPhone are ideal.
This morning, for example, I read a Kindle single, Gutenberg the Geek by Jeff Jarvis. This quick read was quite informative, thought-provoking, and motivating. Generally, I have difficulty digesting hostorical events of any kind, so that the 1400s are totally unattainable. However, Jarvis' comparisons to current times made the past more easily understandable to this history challenged individual.
This morning, for example, I read a Kindle single, Gutenberg the Geek by Jeff Jarvis. This quick read was quite informative, thought-provoking, and motivating. Generally, I have difficulty digesting hostorical events of any kind, so that the 1400s are totally unattainable. However, Jarvis' comparisons to current times made the past more easily understandable to this history challenged individual.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Magnificent Minutia
Today, I got caught up in so much minutia, and it was magnificent! Detailed emails and status determinations for work were productive. Moving forward was rewarding.
I sold an item on Craigslist for a neighbor. As the buyer was coming to collect the item, another neighbor brought me plants that she no longer needed in her garden. After my run, I chatted with a neighbor, who was walking another neighbor's baby, during my cool down walk. While we chatted, new neighbors said hello. While walking my dog, I received status updates from several other neighbors. I could not help but think of Robert Frosts, A Time to Talk. These interactions were invaluable to me. For example, they remind me that I have a fabulous neighborhood!
The goodness of the day was quickly overshadowed by the craziness that was the antics exhibited by my husband and son upon their return from an outing. I worked through it, but....
I sold an item on Craigslist for a neighbor. As the buyer was coming to collect the item, another neighbor brought me plants that she no longer needed in her garden. After my run, I chatted with a neighbor, who was walking another neighbor's baby, during my cool down walk. While we chatted, new neighbors said hello. While walking my dog, I received status updates from several other neighbors. I could not help but think of Robert Frosts, A Time to Talk. These interactions were invaluable to me. For example, they remind me that I have a fabulous neighborhood!
The goodness of the day was quickly overshadowed by the craziness that was the antics exhibited by my husband and son upon their return from an outing. I worked through it, but....
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
What Matters Most
Today was an exercise in remembering and realizing what matters most. I completed that exercise successfully, and for that I am grateful.
I was planning to go to the mall for a gift and an outfit for a graduation party. Instead, however, what mattered most was exercising. I don't need the perfect gift, and if I'm more fit then I will fit into an outfit that I already own. So, off to the gym I went for cross training and weights. Done delightfully!
When my Son chose to be naughty, I chose not to engage. What matters most for now is removing myself from the situation. After a bit of time, he calmed down and I had not lost control.
My food focus is critical for me to get back on track. What matters most is making that focus fun, which today included stopping by the local Farmers' Market. The shitake mushrooms and fresh greens nicely complimented our family meal!
Finally, work worked for me today. I was productive, which sometimes is sufficient.
What matters most is not doing it all or doing too much in one day, but is focusing on a few things.
Currently, I am living the lesson that eating well and being active results in more energy. I am committed to continuing....
I was planning to go to the mall for a gift and an outfit for a graduation party. Instead, however, what mattered most was exercising. I don't need the perfect gift, and if I'm more fit then I will fit into an outfit that I already own. So, off to the gym I went for cross training and weights. Done delightfully!
When my Son chose to be naughty, I chose not to engage. What matters most for now is removing myself from the situation. After a bit of time, he calmed down and I had not lost control.
My food focus is critical for me to get back on track. What matters most is making that focus fun, which today included stopping by the local Farmers' Market. The shitake mushrooms and fresh greens nicely complimented our family meal!
Finally, work worked for me today. I was productive, which sometimes is sufficient.
What matters most is not doing it all or doing too much in one day, but is focusing on a few things.
Currently, I am living the lesson that eating well and being active results in more energy. I am committed to continuing....
Monday, May 21, 2012
Mind Murmur
My 9 stocks up. Facebook stock down. Right now, life is good. I'll take that for a Monday.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Information Overload
Okay, I'm on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. I have this blog. I use Shutterfly and Snapfish. I've played with Groupon and Yelp, and I love Google everything! I use my iPhone and Dell tablet, as well as my Kindle. I'm finally texting and playing Words With Friends. I'm sure there's more, but....
Tonight, I signed up for Instagram. Do I really need that too? What about Tumblr? So much stuff is out there, but I am only one otherwise very busy person. Connecting with people takes on way too many forms these days. In some ways I feel more connected now than before, though I now spend much more time at home than before. I find this very odd, and sometimes unsettling.
There's only 24 hours in each day. Choosing how to use them is an ever evolving experiment. I wonder how Arnold Bennett's book, How to Live on 24 Hours a Day, would differ if it were written today.
Oh no, the overload is overwhelming. I think that I will take time to reconnect with my friends Crayola and Sharpie. They nicely get along with a newer friend, Moleskine, whose diverse family is growing in my house.
Tonight, I signed up for Instagram. Do I really need that too? What about Tumblr? So much stuff is out there, but I am only one otherwise very busy person. Connecting with people takes on way too many forms these days. In some ways I feel more connected now than before, though I now spend much more time at home than before. I find this very odd, and sometimes unsettling.
There's only 24 hours in each day. Choosing how to use them is an ever evolving experiment. I wonder how Arnold Bennett's book, How to Live on 24 Hours a Day, would differ if it were written today.
Oh no, the overload is overwhelming. I think that I will take time to reconnect with my friends Crayola and Sharpie. They nicely get along with a newer friend, Moleskine, whose diverse family is growing in my house.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Choices....
It's all about choices.... Today had many ups and many downs. I choose to focus on the ups. I choose not to give into the downs. If I do, then tomorrow's ups won't be as bountiful, and I need them.
I can make good choices tonight because I chose to run today. My choice for that run, like in Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken, made all the difference.
I can make good choices tonight because I chose to run today. My choice for that run, like in Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken, made all the difference.
Readjustment
Again I am remaking, this time simply by readjusting and refocusing. I amnot sure what happened, but I lost sight of something, and found myself in agrouchy place. Despite moving very quickly, I don't feel as though I havegotten much done. Perhaps it's what got done (tasks requested by and forothers), and more importantly what didn't get done, i.e., things that arecritical to my well-being. That focus left me feeling fatter, less fit, fickle,and exhausted. Fortunately, I have halted that movement.
For the past 10 days, I have gotten back to my basics. Why do I continue to forget how critical theyare for me? Without them, I ultimatelyend up physically, emotionally, and mentally spent. With them, I am completely complete for myfunctioning purposes, though perhaps not in others’ eyes. Theirs, however, do not get me through thedays and nights, so they must be closed to me.
Most significantly, the basics on which I am pursuing primarily are eatingbetter and exercising. With them, I have perspective.
Once again, it’s back to what matters for, and is important to, me. And once again, it’s back to choices. Finally, it’s back to thinking about thatwhich I can control and that which I can’t control.
Having sorted out my current thoughts just a bit, it’s now time for a run. After all, everything’s better for me after a run….
I add this rose as a reminder for me to remember....
As an aside, I have not been particularly fond of roses lately, but I am particularly fond of the 2 dozen colorful ones I received for Mother's Day. I am enjoying watching them change each day, though they ultimately still are the same. They are getting better with time. Oh, am I now writing about the roses or me, or both?
For the past 10 days, I have gotten back to my basics. Why do I continue to forget how critical theyare for me? Without them, I ultimatelyend up physically, emotionally, and mentally spent. With them, I am completely complete for myfunctioning purposes, though perhaps not in others’ eyes. Theirs, however, do not get me through thedays and nights, so they must be closed to me.
Most significantly, the basics on which I am pursuing primarily are eatingbetter and exercising. With them, I have perspective.
Once again, it’s back to what matters for, and is important to, me. And once again, it’s back to choices. Finally, it’s back to thinking about thatwhich I can control and that which I can’t control.
Having sorted out my current thoughts just a bit, it’s now time for a run. After all, everything’s better for me after a run….
I add this rose as a reminder for me to remember....
As an aside, I have not been particularly fond of roses lately, but I am particularly fond of the 2 dozen colorful ones I received for Mother's Day. I am enjoying watching them change each day, though they ultimately still are the same. They are getting better with time. Oh, am I now writing about the roses or me, or both?
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Inspiration
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1873859666?bclid=1873840957&bctid=1879686789
If this link works, it shows a video that brought tears to my eyes and motivation to my body.... Joan Benoit Samuelson is a true inspiration to me, and has been so as long as I can remember. Lest I not forget the Nike poster she signed for me at the Boston Marathon Expo in 1999, the year I ran Boston!
If this link works, it shows a video that brought tears to my eyes and motivation to my body.... Joan Benoit Samuelson is a true inspiration to me, and has been so as long as I can remember. Lest I not forget the Nike poster she signed for me at the Boston Marathon Expo in 1999, the year I ran Boston!
Taking time
I took time today for something I wanted to do, with no negative impact to
my boys (husband, son, and dog) and huge positive rewards to me! I need to
remember that as I move forward.
On my way home from the office, I decided to stop at Dave's Marketplace to get an autographed copy of Ted Allen's new cookbook. I totally love him, and the show Chopped! I also am turning into a cookbook junkie, and acquiring this one would provide a good fix. Finally, this would make an awesome addition to the food-themed graduation gift on which I am working.
I didn't tell my husband because I didn't know if this rendezvous was possible. However, having made good time on my commute home despite the rain, I decided that I would take a chance. The event was nicely organized! Getting the books was simple, and the wait in aisle 7 was made much more pleasant by the company and the passed snacks offered by the store's staff. The wait was not too long, and well worth it. I saw, shook hands with, conversed a bit with, and took a picture of, Ted Allen. I also got 2 signed copies of his book. The one to my son includes, "The next Chopped Champion."
When I arrived home, the boys were totally fine and I was in a much better mood than usual. Typically, on days like that, when I awake at 3:45 a.m. for a day at the office, I am definitely done by the time I get home in the early evening. However, having taken time to complete a fun task, I was oddly reenergized. While my son completed his homework, I browsed my fun find, mentioning tons of the recipes to my husband and son as possible additions to our table. The resulting family time was wonderful!
What may appear to be a silly or insignificant event ended up being super significant to me, in and of itself and for the benefits it provided already and will continue to provide! For that I am grateful. I am pleased when I can identify what I want and then take steps to make it happen….
On my way home from the office, I decided to stop at Dave's Marketplace to get an autographed copy of Ted Allen's new cookbook. I totally love him, and the show Chopped! I also am turning into a cookbook junkie, and acquiring this one would provide a good fix. Finally, this would make an awesome addition to the food-themed graduation gift on which I am working.
I didn't tell my husband because I didn't know if this rendezvous was possible. However, having made good time on my commute home despite the rain, I decided that I would take a chance. The event was nicely organized! Getting the books was simple, and the wait in aisle 7 was made much more pleasant by the company and the passed snacks offered by the store's staff. The wait was not too long, and well worth it. I saw, shook hands with, conversed a bit with, and took a picture of, Ted Allen. I also got 2 signed copies of his book. The one to my son includes, "The next Chopped Champion."
When I arrived home, the boys were totally fine and I was in a much better mood than usual. Typically, on days like that, when I awake at 3:45 a.m. for a day at the office, I am definitely done by the time I get home in the early evening. However, having taken time to complete a fun task, I was oddly reenergized. While my son completed his homework, I browsed my fun find, mentioning tons of the recipes to my husband and son as possible additions to our table. The resulting family time was wonderful!
What may appear to be a silly or insignificant event ended up being super significant to me, in and of itself and for the benefits it provided already and will continue to provide! For that I am grateful. I am pleased when I can identify what I want and then take steps to make it happen….
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Mind murmur
I love working in the office. I just wish the commute was not so significant (280 miles round trip).
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