Week 7--Sunday, Feb. 13th--"Be in Nature"

I pulled a mulligan for this week's card pick; my hubby's original pick of cards this week asked that I babysit--no way--not this week.  Besides, I have a niece and nephew due this summer...perhaps that card will be picked then. So, he re-picked. 

This week's card reads,"Be in Nature."  Now this one should be awesome--I love to be in Nature!  The back of the card says, "For those whose weekly routine involves leaving an apartment to take the elevator to go to the 18th hermetically sealed floor of an office building for five days straight, it may be helpful to find some dirt to stand on during weekends.  Remind yourself what the earth feels and looks like--there really is a planet underneath all that concrete.  And if you venture out far enough, you may even see wild animals (no, not drivers in rush hour, the other kind).

Let's start with enjoying my backyard (though right now it's slightly frozen)

Week 6--Thursday Night

Not much to say for the last couple days; busy days at work with 2010 end of year wrap up, etc.  Took some time off today to make some plans, will do the same tomorrow and perhaps take the afternoon off as well to re-charge before a challenging few weeks till spring.

I'm finding it hard to re-charge my own batteries--it seems every time I plan to take time for myself, I choose to stay and finish this report, or go ahead and run an errand, or help out with this or that...

Week 6--Tuesday Evening

Not so much re-chargin' today...more like "sucking the life out of you" day.  Hmmm...I'm glad I was proactive and recharged Monday.  It's important to recharge your batteries daily, I've decided. 


DO SOMETHING EVERY DAY THAT BRINGS JOY!

It could be anything--just do it--make time for it.  If you don't, you can't give back to anyone and you aren't much enjoyment either.  You really have to fight for yourself--not a selfish fight, but a fight so as not to let others rain on your parade. I'm daily amazed by the myriad methods people use to impose their will upon others.  Whatever happened to objective discussions???

Week 6--Monday Evening

I took the day off...to recharge my batteries.  It was great; thanks to the Lord I can take the day off.  I slept in, did laundry, cleaned a bit, exercised, spent time with my hubby (who also took the day off) and generally chilled.  I was chilled by the frozen tundra called winter outside, but nothing hot coffee can't make better.
I also cleaned the garage a bit and decided to set up a system to recycle our aluminum cans; we don't have city recycling here.  My "system" consisted of an old box--that's about it.  I told my man what it was for and he's good with it.  I actually went through the trash cans in each room to make sure I didn't miss any pop cans (or good opportunities) to recycle.  Watched the end of a movie I've seen several times and didn't wear any makeup (except for mascara of course!)  I'm online because I was attempting to get some work done while it's quiet only to realize I left a crucial piece of equipment at the office.  Oh well...not recharging my batteries if I'm working, right?

Week 6--Sunday, February 6th, "Recharge Your Batteries"

Superbowl Sunday--love it!  I'm ready for the commercials, actually.  I'm looking forward to those more than the game since the Colts aren't playing.  I will start my annual Superbowl chunky chili soon...and my hubby made yummy dessert!

Week 6--Wow...how time flies!  Recharge your Batteries; this week's card shows two batteries lying in the sun on a beach, smiling and happy.  The card reads:  "When possible, plug your electronics in, instead of chewing through hundreds of AA batteries.  If you must wear your walkman (shows how old this book is) when you run, invest in nickel cadmium rechargeable  batteries and a recharger.  These are readily available at your local electronics store and are pretty cheap, too.  Never throw dead batteries in the trash.  Special recycling centers will take them, or you can send them back to the manufacturer.  As for your own batteries, taking short naps is still the best was to recharge."

I'm not really a battery user, though I should recycle them.  What I plan to focus on this week is recharging my own batteries by doing things I love.  Ideally, I would prefer to recharge my batteries on this Irish beach at sunrise, drinking cool spring water and reading my favorite novel.  Imagine a cool summer morning breeze gently ruffling the leaves of a wispy tree while breathing in the moist, salty air of the Irish sea...now that's my idea of recharging my batteries. 

Now if I can just get to Ireland by the summer...:)

Week 5--Thursday 2/3/11

"Learn to say, 'I'm sorry.' Learn to mean it.  Learn when to say and use it."


I learned a use for "I'm sorry" that I don't think is often...useful, necessary or edifying.  Several times throughout my day, either I or someone else said "sorry" but didn't really do anything wrong.  I don't think we should apologize for being ourselves.  Are we all just petrified of being harped upon?  Speaking up? Sharing what's on our mind?  Afraid we'll take flack for it or be made fun of? Perhaps...


For instance, after lunch at a local restaurant, my friend said, "I'm sorry, but I will not walk on that ice sheet called a sidewalk; please come round and pick me up!"  I tried to help her along, encourage her that she would be fine...it's just ice (3 inches thick).  I think she was really afraid of falling--as she should be--it's a winter wonderland outside.  However, she didn't need to apologize to me; she was right...so I picked her up at the door and thanked the Lord I didn't fall on my own toosh in 3 inch heels.


Here's another example--I apologized for being...happy.  I was happy today--I noticed I was happy today--which in and of itself is another blog entry entirely...but I digress.  Why was I happy?  I was happy because I was laughing at an ironic situation--and yet I apologized for my humorous observances.  Why did I feel obliged to apologize for my thoughts on the subject?  I didn't do anything, I was merely an observer to an ironic, humorous, drama-laden situation.  And it was funny.


I unnecessarily say "I'm sorry" way too often; I don't like that about myself.  I have made an effort not to say it so often.  Perhaps I should change my environment if it's that often...another blog entry and digression.  I notice I say it when I'm tired, frustrated, or feel obligated to: perform, maintain a semblance of "togetherness", be professional, strive for perfection, be the smiley one, be the one keeping it together, or be the strong one.  But you know what?  I don't need to apologize. If I'm tired, frustrated, sad, happy, weak, or whatever...I just need to feel the way I feel, recognize it, avoid hurting anyone else while in a  funk--then move on.

Week 5--Wednesday afternoon 2/2/11

Last night I said "I'm sorry" for a different reason than to apologize for my own errors; last night I said "I'm sorry" as a way to acknowledge and comfort someone who had been made aware of some life-changing news.  Saying, "I'm sorry for your loss" seemed appropriate.  I did not contribute to their sadness; I was not responsible for their emotions because of this news. Yet my "I'm so sorry" communicated to that person shared understanding--for I have lived the same loss--the same emotion--and the same sadness.

"Learn to say, 'I'm sorry.' Learn to mean it.  Learn when to say and use it."

I believe apologizing when you are in the wrong is never inappropriate or ill-advised. I also believe that sometimes a sincere, heartfelt, "I'm sorry" as a condolence can communicate so much more than long-winded advice.