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Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Tragedy and Pearls

Today is 9/11. Everyone is remembering in their own way. Some wear black. Some light candles. A co-worker of mine wears a business suit in our business casual environment to honor those lost.

I wear pearls.

Years, ago, I attended a church service after the Lockerbie tragedy. The priest gave the most profound sermon about, of all things, pearls.

In order for a beautiful pearl to exist, an irritant must somehow get into an oyster. To protect itself, the oyster covers that irritant with layers and layers of nacre. The nacre creates a beautiful pearl.

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/zoology/marine-life/question630.htm

No matter how beautiful a pearl is, the irritant will always be there.

As I wear my pearls today, I am reminded of the horrible tragedy as well as the outpouring of love and support and hope that came in the minutes, hours, days and years after.

Monday, September 10, 2012

"The First Draft is Never the Final Draft"

I just started reading the October 2012 issue of the Oprah magazine. I got to the "The Question" section where readers send in their response to a monthly question. This month's question was, "What's the best advice you've ever received?"

As I was reading each response, I thought of a few of the rich nuggets I've received. "Don't ask how. Allow" from my friend, Alyssa. I always remember this when I question the good things that happen. "Fall off the horse. You get right back on" from my Grandpa. I never really got that one until I actually fell off of a horse and heard his voice telling me to get back on that horse, literally.

Then, the I got to Jan Weeks' response, "The first draft is never the final draft." That quote rocked my world. 

For the past few weeks I have been toying with the idea of getting back into the professional organizing game. It seems crazy after I had tried once and it didn't work out but something is pulling me there.

In the context of, "The first draft isn't the final draft" trying my hand at getting back to professional organizing doesn't seem so crazy after all. The first attempt was just a first draft. Now I can play with this new draft and see where it leads.
I then got to thinking about other areas in my life that seem "final," like my seemingly stalled weight loss. Instead of accepting that this is the way things are, I can tweak things in a 2nd or 3rd or 10th draft until I get it just right.

Where in your life can you start writing the next draft?

Friday, September 7, 2012

Inner Brat vs Inner Grown Up - Lunchtime Battle Royale

It never fails. I packed my lunch this morning and even remembered to bring it to work. I was quite smug with myself the entire morning. When lunch time rolled around, the "inner brat" took over and I started looking at online menus to buy lunch instead of eating the lunch I brought.

I was justifying EVERY click of the mouse:
  • It's Friday. Treat yourself and go out.
  • It's the same lunch you've had 3 days before.
  • Give that new food truck a try.
Ultimately, I got frustrated with too many choices. I am now eating the lunch I brought.

The "inner grown up" won.

The "inner brat" is pouting.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Why Wait to Be Grateful?

I admit it. I have a huge Pinterest "habit." I get so much inspiration and entertainment from that site.

Tonight, a "head scratcher" showed up. There was a pin showing a journal titled, " 365 Things to be Grateful for in 2013.

Next year? REALLY????!!!!!

I then thought to myself, "For what am I grateful now?"

I then came up with the following in the few minutes before writing this blog.

  • The great weekend with my boyfriend that included: checking out the blue moon with my telescope, my very first ride on the Long Beach Transit Aqua Link water taxi, a great bike ride, a fabulous day at Belmont Shore, a tough spin class, great lunch where we had our first date ever, remembering back to that fateful night almost 2 years ago, yummy ice cream, a nice long walk and so much more.
  • The "basics": my home, my health, and my job.
Instead of waiting for 2013, or Thankgiving to roll around, I am going to start exploring my gratitude every day that remains of 2012.

What are you waiting for?