Day 314 - Complicated

Worked all day on a web site that was so complex I'm spinning. At least I will be able to teach all this good stuff next semester. Tomorrow more...

Day 313 - Simple

In this time of unemployment, money issues, and economic dreariness, there are simple things we can do to make life more enjoyable and a little brighter.

Here is a list of a few things I thought of:

Creativity just for fun
Cooking a simple, but filling and delicious meal
An afternoon nap
A glass of wine with a friend to catch up
A coffee date
Scrapbooking
Reading a magazine all the way through and not feeling guilty
A TV show or movie just for pure entertainment value
A workout video that is just fun to do
A visit to The Library
Reading an art book just for the pictures
A pedicure
Chocolate
Snuggling
Walking the dog leisurely

I think life can improve greatly if we give ourselves permission to do one small thing each day that brings us joy.

Day 312 - Difficult

Work-wise, a very good day. Personally, very difficult. Thank goodness, "after all... tomorrow is another day."

Day 311 - Twenty

The Top 20 Things Oprah Knows for Sure


Oprah's What She Knows for Sure all-time top 20:

1. What you put out comes back all the time, no matter what. (This is my creed.)

2. You define your own life. Don't let other people write your script.

3. Whatever someone did to you in the past has no power over the present. Only you give it power.

4. When people show you who they are, believe them the first time. (A lesson from Maya Angelou.)

5. Worrying is wasted time. Use the same energy for doing something about whatever worries you.

6. What you believe has more power than what you dream or wish or hope for. You become what you believe.

7. If the only prayer you ever say is thank you, that will be enough. (From the German theologian and humanist Meister Eckhart.)

8. The happiness you feel is in direct proportion to the love you give.

9. Failure is a signpost to turn you in another direction.

10. If you make a choice that goes against what everyone else thinks, the world will not fall apart.

11. Trust your instincts. Intuition doesn't lie.

12. Love yourself and then learn to extend that love to others in every encounter.

13. Let passion drive your profession.

14. Find a way to get paid for doing what you love. Then every paycheck will be a bonus.

15. Love doesn't hurt. It feels really good.

16. Every day brings a chance to start over.

17. Being a mother is the hardest job on earth. Women everywhere must declare it so.

18. Doubt means don't. Don't move. Don't answer. Don't rush forward.

19. When you don't know what to do, get still. The answer will come.

20. "Trouble don't last always." (A line from a Negro spiritual, which calls to mind another favorite: This, too, shall pass.)

Day 310 - Perseverance

"Once you decide what you want, you make a commitment to that decision."

"Trust in this: You'll handle whatever shake-up the next moment brings when you get to it."

"Whatever your goal for this year, you can get there—if you're willing to do the work."

"Use what you have to run toward your best—that's how I now live my life."

Day 309 - Aging

We watched Benjamin Button again tonight (the first time for Greg, the third time for me). I just love the movie, especially the story. It is one of redemption because of aging. Even though I've cried each time I saw the end, I still find it a hopeful story of love and seeing through the barriers of growing old. Just beautiful.

Day 308 - Twice

Beets are coming!
In Oprah's column "What I know for sure", she talks about treasures to be enjoyed. She said to ask yourself to think twice before buying anything. "How will it fit in with what I already have and am I just caught up in the moment?" "Can it be of real use to me or is it something beautiful just to have?" For someone like Oprah with unlimited funds, this may not be an issue, but her wisdom is sound. Think twice before making unnecessary purchases - life is so much more than stuff.