If you think you're the only one who...
...measures things with your arms and fingers instead of getting a tape measure...
...pretends to get the joke but you really don't...
...cringes when you hear a recording of your voice that doesn't sound at all like the plesant sounding voice you think you have...
...instantly dislikes someone you just met for no good reason...
...can't find anything to say to the person that everyone loves to be around...
...feels a compulsion to like/comment on other's blogs/posts on facebook because no one else has...
...thinks they are better friends to others than others are to them...
...is worried there will be an emergency when you're in the shower and you'll have to face it naked...
...thinks your thighs are instantly larger when you sit down...
...spends half a movie trying to figure out where you know an actor from...
...presses an elevator button more than once hoping it will speed things up...
...thinks of the perfect things to say after an arguement...
...smiles or laughs at things people say when it really hurt you instead...
...hates it when people say, "Hi, how are you doing?" but they don't really care or listen...
...thinks things sound much better in your head then what comes out of your mouth...
...finally just says, "Oh, yeah." after saying, "what?" three times
...pretended to have a text or phone call to avoid an awkward moment...
...has had a five minute standoff with a spider while yelling for someone to come kill it...
...has to push the buttons on toys that say "Try me!"...
...wakes up mad at someone because of a dream...
...accidentally looks when someone tells you not to look...
...always gets in what looks like the shortest line only to have it take twice as long as the others...
...tells other people their babies/kids/pets are so cute when you don't think they really are...
...can't think of anything to say when someone asks you to talk about yourself...
...is the only person laughing in a movie...
...you are not alone.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Is It Just Me?
If you think you're the only one who...
...checks behind the shower curtain when you go in the bathroom...
...watches the garage door close to make sure nobody sneaks under at the last minute...
...can't let any part of your body hang over the bed at night...
...has to check every possible space a human could fit in the house when you're all by yourself at night...
...who looks for more fries in the bag and is excited when there is...
...who leans as far as possible without getting out of bed when you drop something...
...will eat something that fell on the floor when no one is around...
...randomnly bursts into song or funny accents when you think you're alone...
...forgets people's names the minute you hear them...
...runs as fast as possible up the stairs when it's dark...
...always corrects people's grammar in their mind...
...who stares at a fridge and pantry full of food but can't find anything to eat...
...stares at a packed closet of clothes and can't find anything to wear...
...gets more cleaning done in the 10 minutes before someone comes over than all week...
...has shoved dirty dishes in your oven so they won't be seen...
...has to learn the same life lesson over and over...
...feels okay eating candy because it's fruit flavored or has nuts in it...
...who is so funny you should have your own tv show...
...wishes there was an 'undo' shortcut for life...
...thinks that they aren't as a good a friend to others as others are to them..
...checks out books from the library when you still have books at home you haven't read...
...feels completely safe at night under a blanket...
...you're not alone.
...checks behind the shower curtain when you go in the bathroom...
...watches the garage door close to make sure nobody sneaks under at the last minute...
...can't let any part of your body hang over the bed at night...
...has to check every possible space a human could fit in the house when you're all by yourself at night...
...who looks for more fries in the bag and is excited when there is...
...who leans as far as possible without getting out of bed when you drop something...
...will eat something that fell on the floor when no one is around...
...randomnly bursts into song or funny accents when you think you're alone...
...forgets people's names the minute you hear them...
...runs as fast as possible up the stairs when it's dark...
...always corrects people's grammar in their mind...
...who stares at a fridge and pantry full of food but can't find anything to eat...
...stares at a packed closet of clothes and can't find anything to wear...
...gets more cleaning done in the 10 minutes before someone comes over than all week...
...has shoved dirty dishes in your oven so they won't be seen...
...has to learn the same life lesson over and over...
...feels okay eating candy because it's fruit flavored or has nuts in it...
...who is so funny you should have your own tv show...
...wishes there was an 'undo' shortcut for life...
...thinks that they aren't as a good a friend to others as others are to them..
...checks out books from the library when you still have books at home you haven't read...
...feels completely safe at night under a blanket...
...you're not alone.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Persistence To Success
This a probably a familiar billboard. Abraham Lincoln is an honored man in our history, one of the presidents of the United States, noted for his work against slavery. But he failed and was rejected many times before he got to the position of President. (Happy President's Day!)
Many famous authors, including J K Rowling, Madeleine L'Engle, Stephen King, Margaret Mitchell, and Meg Cabot, all had manuscripts turned down multiple times. I'm sure each rejection letter hurt, and there were probably some tears and curses. But due to their persistence, they each succeeded eventually and became very popular, famous, and loved internationally.
Athletes are great examples. Even the best miss a lot of throws, catches, and shots. These aren't just personal unknown failures, they are public for all the world to see and remember.
Here are some quotes. (I'm assuming they actually said these, but you never know. Regardless, they are inspirational.)
"You sort of start thinking anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve." J K Rowling
"I will prepare and some day my chance will come.” Abraham Lincoln
“I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have
been entrusted to take the game winning shot, and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in
my life. And that is why I succeed.” Michael Jordan
"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."
Thomas Edison
That last quote makes me think how many times I could have done something amazing, or even just done something, if I hadn't given up. How close have I been to succeeding when I gave up? How many things could I accomplish if I just even tried?
On the other hand, it's been said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
With that in mind, be mindful that what you are spending your time, energy, money, and life on is worth it. It doesn't matter if others don't like it, as long as you love it and are passionate about doing it, and it doesn't interfere with your and others lives.
If you've always wanted to write a book, go for it. Put in the extra time and effort to write 500 words a day. Don't give up if you miss a day, a week, or even a couple months. Pick back up and keep going. Learn from other authors' experiences, learn about grammar and other writing technique. If some people don't like it, just remember there is someone who will like it.
If you want to be an athlete, put in the time to exercise, eat right, learn about your sport. Share your sport with others, teach others how to be good at it. Practice, practice, practice.
If you want to start a business, then learn all you can about businesses, your product or service, competition, law, and other business related items. Then dive into it with your heart and soul, you'll need them to keep going.
The trick is to be realistic and set achievable goals while still striving to push yourself. Make your passion part of your life, part of something you do consistently, part of you. Track your progress so you can see how great you're doing and have inspiration to do even better. Make a checklist, a calendar, a sticker chart- something visible that you can keep track of your progress on to see if you are meeting your goals.
I'm working on persistence in being healthy right now. I've read articles and books, and watched videos about different ways to exercise. I've tried different exercises and still do add variety to my workouts. I've learned about eating healthy. I'm trying to make these things part of my lifestyle, not just something I am doing now to get in shape that will stop once I hit my optimal body.
My goal is to exercise 4 times a week. I know that technically I probably should be exercising 5 times a week at least, but 4 times is realistic for me and my life. If I do an extra workout and make it five times, then I surpassed my goal and feel extra awesome. But if I just do the 4 workouts that week, I feel awesome because I hit my goal! If I do less than 4, I tell myself it was a hard week, but I keep going with the same goal for the next week, I don't give up because I messed up.
I printed a calender to track my exercise. Everyday that I exercise, I put a nice X on the day. I can look at it and see how well I've been doing. I also weigh myself and measure my waist periodically so I can track my progress in multiple ways.
To help me eat better, I made some magnets with pictures of the fruit and veggies that we buy on a regular basis. When we come home from grocery shopping, I put up the magnets of the produce we bought so when I am hungry or cooking dinner, I know what we have. It helps me to eat more produce and not let it spoil.
I'm a work in progress, but I think we all are, every day. As long as were are consistently trying to be better and achieve, then we are doing just fine.
Brainstorm some ideas of things you like, things you love, things you are passionate about. Pick a few to study out in more detail. Decide which one or two ideas you want to work on right now (the rest can wait- it's easier to start small). Study them out, learn as much as you can about them. Then go to work and keep it up!
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Keep Calm and Clean On
Most of us have seen the above poster and many variations of it. Here's my variation that I need:
I stay at home with my daughter, and it seems like I should have plenty of time to do the dishes, vacuum, clean the tub, etc.... But at the end of the day, I've played with her, fed her, took her on a walk, and played on the computer for three hours. No house cleaning.
Sometimes it almost seems overwhelming when you think of every little thing that should be cleaned, every nook and cranny that need dusting, the never ending dishes and laundry, the baseboards, the floors, spring cleaning, deep cleaning, and organizing. On Pinterest you can find lists and lists of all the things you should be cleaning and when.
If you think about it too hard, you just won't get anything done and spend all your cleaning time on the computer, like me! But all you have to do is keep calm and clean on.
I've found if I pick just one thing to do every day- dishes, laundry, clean the counters, or vacuum, that it is much more manageable, and I usually end up doing more than just that. But if I don't, then at least I hit my goal for the day.
Also, if I do it in the morning, then I feel guilt free the rest of the afternoon because I did my cleaning goal for the day. If I did extra, then extra unguilty!
Bonus take- cleaning burns calories, so if you clean instead of exercise that day, it's okay. ;)
Keep calm and clean on!
PS- For the days that I just don't do any cleaning, I think, "At least I took care of my daughter, fed her, played with her, bathed her, and loved her. That is my main job, that was good enough for today."
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Dear Heartbroken
From February 13
DEAR ABBY: My daughters are attractive young women, both doing well in their professional careers. "Melanie," who is 27, is married to "Sam," an extremely attractive and successful man.
My 30-year-old daughter, "Alicia," has been divorced for a year. Her marriage failed two years ago because she and her husband had an appetite for sex outside their marriage. While I was disturbed about that, I was horrified to learn that Melanie allows her sister to occasionally have sex with Sam. Melanie's argument is that Sam is less likely to cheat given this situation. When I asked her and Sam about it, he said it wasn't his idea. My current husband says any man who would refuse this "set-up" would be nuts. Alicia claims she "doesn't have time" to date right now, and after she finishes her MBA, she'll seek out a more normal relationship. I am distraught about this mess. Melanie says she wants to start a family soon. She says she loves Sam, who can "handle everything," and she enjoys seeing "everyone happy." She says Alicia won't sleep around now and, maybe, one day she'll marry a handsome man like Sam who will "return the favor"!
I can't believe these girls are my daughters. Should I continue to protest or let it go? Is this relaxed attitude about sex prevalent in young people today? I cannot understand Melanie's lack of desire to defend her turf.
-- HEARTBROKEN MOM IN FLORIDA
DEAR MOM: Your daughters appear to be into the concept of open marriage. Clearly, they do not view marriage and relationships the same way you do. Melanie is naive to think that encouraging Sam to have a sexual relationship with her sister will discourage him from seeking other partners. Far from it. And as for her wanting to start a family, has she considered what will happen if her husband impregnates Alicia at the same time -- or first?
But back to your question: Are you right to protest? You certainly are. That's what mothers are for -- to inject a dose of sanity when everyone around her is losing theirs.
******
I read this and was just flabbergasted! What kind of messed up minds do these girls have, to be sharing the husband? I'll be honest- I don't understand open marriages or polygamous marriages. The thought of having to share my husband with other women is very troubling.
It reminds me of the story of Jacob and Rachel in the Bible. Jacob had 12 sons, only two by Rachel his love. The other 10 were by Leah (Rachel's sister), Bilhah (Rachel's maid), and Zilpah (Leah's maid). For Jacob to supposedly love Rachel so much he would work for 14 years to get her, he sure takes on a few wives to get him some children.
It seems like there would be too much emotional drama to deal with in sharing a husband. Also, how does the husband show his love to multiple women, while expecting each women to be solely devoted to him.
In the case of the heartbroken mom, I would be nervous that my husband thought it was a good setup for his kids (stepkids?). That's a sign that he might not be faithful given the opportunity in the future.
Sam says it wasn't his idea, but he obviously doesn't mind the idea since he gets together with his wife's sister anyways.
I wonder what kind of experiences these people have gone through to get to a place where an open marriage is acceptable.
Thoughts?
DEAR ABBY: My daughters are attractive young women, both doing well in their professional careers. "Melanie," who is 27, is married to "Sam," an extremely attractive and successful man.
My 30-year-old daughter, "Alicia," has been divorced for a year. Her marriage failed two years ago because she and her husband had an appetite for sex outside their marriage. While I was disturbed about that, I was horrified to learn that Melanie allows her sister to occasionally have sex with Sam. Melanie's argument is that Sam is less likely to cheat given this situation. When I asked her and Sam about it, he said it wasn't his idea. My current husband says any man who would refuse this "set-up" would be nuts. Alicia claims she "doesn't have time" to date right now, and after she finishes her MBA, she'll seek out a more normal relationship. I am distraught about this mess. Melanie says she wants to start a family soon. She says she loves Sam, who can "handle everything," and she enjoys seeing "everyone happy." She says Alicia won't sleep around now and, maybe, one day she'll marry a handsome man like Sam who will "return the favor"!
I can't believe these girls are my daughters. Should I continue to protest or let it go? Is this relaxed attitude about sex prevalent in young people today? I cannot understand Melanie's lack of desire to defend her turf.
-- HEARTBROKEN MOM IN FLORIDA
DEAR MOM: Your daughters appear to be into the concept of open marriage. Clearly, they do not view marriage and relationships the same way you do. Melanie is naive to think that encouraging Sam to have a sexual relationship with her sister will discourage him from seeking other partners. Far from it. And as for her wanting to start a family, has she considered what will happen if her husband impregnates Alicia at the same time -- or first?
But back to your question: Are you right to protest? You certainly are. That's what mothers are for -- to inject a dose of sanity when everyone around her is losing theirs.
******
I read this and was just flabbergasted! What kind of messed up minds do these girls have, to be sharing the husband? I'll be honest- I don't understand open marriages or polygamous marriages. The thought of having to share my husband with other women is very troubling.
It reminds me of the story of Jacob and Rachel in the Bible. Jacob had 12 sons, only two by Rachel his love. The other 10 were by Leah (Rachel's sister), Bilhah (Rachel's maid), and Zilpah (Leah's maid). For Jacob to supposedly love Rachel so much he would work for 14 years to get her, he sure takes on a few wives to get him some children.
It seems like there would be too much emotional drama to deal with in sharing a husband. Also, how does the husband show his love to multiple women, while expecting each women to be solely devoted to him.
In the case of the heartbroken mom, I would be nervous that my husband thought it was a good setup for his kids (stepkids?). That's a sign that he might not be faithful given the opportunity in the future.
Sam says it wasn't his idea, but he obviously doesn't mind the idea since he gets together with his wife's sister anyways.
I wonder what kind of experiences these people have gone through to get to a place where an open marriage is acceptable.
Thoughts?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)