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Sunday, September 18, 2011

Watching Other People Do - Inspiration or Avoidance?

I just finished a semi-marathon of HGTV shows. I love watching the experts work their magic and then see the excitement and emotions of the home owners during the reveals.

I feel such inspiration and look around my home and imagine all of the cool things I can do. Heck, I've even imagined applying and getting on one of the shows for a home make-over of my very own.

Today, for whatever reason, it hit me that I do quite a bit of watching but not a whole lot of doing.

Then, I started going on mental tangents:
-"How much time have I wasted watching?"
-"What could have I had accomplished with all of the time I've spent watching the shows?"
-"Am I addicted to the happy feelings from the reveals?"
-"What am I avoiding?"
-"Am I avoiding anything?"
-"Am I thinking too much about this?"

Fortunately, I snapped out of it and cut myself some slack. However, I did take a look at my DVR queue and saw that over 2/3 of the shows I have set to record were HGTV shows. Perhaps cutting back might be a good idea.

So, today begins a "grand experiment." I'm going "cold turkey" on HGTV shows and start doing more doing.

Can't wait to see what shows up.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Be Careful What You Wish For....You WILL Get It & Then Some

A few months ago, I was driving to work and I decided to have a little chat with God. Don't worry. I'm not here to convert or otherwise. I'm painting a picture. So, in this little chat with God, I asked for some volunteer opportunities to come my way.

Boy, oh, boy did a few show up. First, an opportunity I couldn't refuse showed up to join the Gardena Elks Lodge (yes, I AM under the age of 70) and put my IT skills to good use with a lot of flexibility for my schedule.

The second opportunity showed up in the form of an all-day volunteer opportunity this Friday through work where I'll be possibly painting, landscaping or whatever else is needed.

I am so very grateful to have these opportunities. I believe that if one is fortunate in life that you have a responsibility to give back. Let's just say that I'll be a bit more clear in what I ask for.

Now challenge you. Get out there and give back. Don't know what to do? Well, ask. Ask God or Allah or Muhammad or Buddha or the universe or fate or whatever to send you inspiration.

Just be ready to be blown away on what shows up.

Oh and God, if you're listening, I'm good for volunteer opportunities...for now.