Well Here We Go... Again

Days 10 - 17 just for the record.

Today is Thursday, and it's already the middle of January. Where does the time go? If you're like me, you may have contemplated this in lots of ways. I've tried almost everything when it comes to maximizing my time. I've listed it, logged it, scheduled it, and I waste it sometimes, but sometimes that's really healthy.

I'm excited about the new year. When I look back, '08 comes to mind as the year things really started to change. I wonder where '08 fits on the every-seven-year-eras? It's uncanny how life does seem to change on the sevens... and in my life, many things changed on the tens, as well.

By the time January actually got here, I was frankly, worn out from the fall of 2012. But life goes on, and on and I'm right here, going on and on. You noticed that, I know.

So off I will go, to do today's biddings. I know it will be a full day already. The trick is enjoying it all and the truth is, generally speaking I really do.

Tadpole Underwater Wallpaper -- National Geographic Photo of the Day

Tadpole Picture -- Underwater Wallpaper -- National Geographic Photo of the Day

Day 9 at 10:30 am and I'm all done!

Well look at that. I just posted a photo link above of some Canadian tadpoles, to my blog from another website. Different than another mother... That's cool.

I was attracted to the photo because of the tadpoles. When I was young, my fish were guppies that came out of lakes and lived in fish bowls without air pumps. I had turtles in a plastic turtle holder with a plastic palm tree, too.

In other news, the hot phrase for today is "Yer good."

We all are when we elect to see it that way. That's so true. See how it works?

Too Legit To Quit!

Days 5, 6, 7, and 8 of 365 are here.

It turns out it's a challenge to post something new everyday to my book log. It's a challenge to do all kinds of things everyday. So why did I think it would be easy?

I suppose I thought it would be easy like so many things, because I liked the idea, wanted to do it, and I set up a blog where it could happen. Not calculating at that moment, that meantime my everyday life would go on...

• Day 5 was Saturday. On Saturday I took a nap. The balance of the day was about doing chores.
• Day 6 was Sunday. We all got up and went out to help a friend. Afterward we had lunch out. The rest of the day was dedicated to chores, washing the dog, and making beds.
• Day 7 was yesterday. I was ready to get back to my professional work. It was a busy day and I do have lots of interesting things going on. Somewhere in the middle of yesterday I remember that I realized, I really wasn't sure if it was Monday or Tuesday. So I checked the calendar. 
• Day 8 is today and I know it's Tuesday for sure. A little while ago, I took our small Christmas tree and simple decorations for this year down. Before that I worked on editing a book. I also did a few dishes, but today no laundry yet. I've been setting up new house telephones and a little while ago, I reconnected my cell to a blue tooth ear piece I just got for Christmas. 

A day or so ago the word 'stamina' came to mind when I was thinking about writing. I've also thought about what 'stress' really means. I have answers for both to write about sometime. Don't let me forget that... now.

I also pondered the familiar, 'All A's and a B' a theme that runs through my head, when I'm challenged by a heightened feeling of overwhelm. That's more than regular overwhelm I guess.

My mom always reminded me at times like this to, and I know the extra overwhelm is not over yet, "Keep those piles separated and don't lump everything in one pile." I do that pretty well today. I've practiced separating those piles for a long time!

Here's where Day 8 ends. There's no telling what will happen here, maybe tomorrow.

The Gist Of Positive Thinking In Four Ideas

Day 4 of 365 was yesterday!

After I went to bed last night, alas... I realized I hadn't posted to my JesterMom Book Log for 2013. Of course it was going to happen so I thought of a creative solution.

I did write this note to a friend who asked about #1 - how to write down goals and affirmations. I offered the rest. When I'm thinking about positive thinking, I usually get on a roll. I hope there's an idea in there that may help you.

1. Compose what you say to yourself and what you write down 'in the present' tense. Like it already exists. I am, we are, it is.
2. Learn to use the word 'not' less in every way, everyday. Say the same thing without using 'not'. Sometimes it's a real challenge, too.
3. Catch yourself every time you 'hear' yourself say something negative about yourself, something or someone -- then take it back. I say, "cancel, cancel" out loud and continue with my thoughts or conversation on a positive note.
4. Remember the bottom line is that at any given moment you are feeling either Love or fear. Pick one. When you notice it's not Love, you know it's fear...

Take a moment to consciously adjust your perspective. It helps, even when the fear comes back -- because now, you have a way to remove it almost immediately with your thoughts. Eventually, the Love moments connect together longer and that's when we're the happiest.

This is some of my best advice for positive thinking, right off the top of my head. Let me know if you understand and think it could help. I'd love to know if I'm communicating it right.

Happy New Year 2013... xoxo Michele

I haven't heard back yet, but I think I will. That's being positive at it's simplest.

The Figure Eight Vs. A Demolition Derby

Day 3 of 365 and the excitement heightens.

It was likely around 1965 when I witnessed my first Demolition Derby. I say that because so many things in my childhood I remember happened that year. I was in Tampa at the Florida State Fair with my family, and I also remember my grandparents were there.

I was captivated and entertained. I completely enjoyed watching the race... Excuse me, I really mean, all the car crashes. Old junker cars going in one direction on a track in the shape of a figure eight, is a recipe for lots of wrecks. The demolition derby winner is the last car running that makes it to the end.

Today, I make it a point to travel in a figure eight. For most business and travel around town, I stick to a nearby area that includes all the things I need. This keeps meetings and errands close to home, and reduces my travel time to and fro. Smart huh?!

Working around our home and my office everyday, I pass dozens of times through a narrow alley kitchen. Our kitchen it turns out, is the center of another figure eight. During the day the coast is clear, but on evenings and during the weekends, the congestion in the kitchen gets out of hand. The unwritten family rule is, "two ways at your own risk."

And so it is with figure eights the way I use them, even when they can also resemble a demolition derby. I'm still there, I'm still running. I'm in the race. It makes me the winner no matter how fast or slow my pace.

Remember that while the figure eight is great, a demolition derby is also good fun.

At The Top of the New Year Slide...

Day 2 of 365 may have been bumpy to start but it ended well.

I must say that I was more than ready for the first, official work day of the New Year. As I woke up today though, I wasn't positive where to start. With coffee in hand and after a stressful good bye, I saw my husband off to an 'after the holidays catch up day' at work.

With no office hours to make and my teen asleep, I sat down and listened to political reports. In mere moments I felt grateful for the privilege on most mornings, to make my doings each day, my preference and my choice. I sorted my thoughts and off to work I went, motivated and knowing this day would entail a mixed bag of tricks.

I planned progress on projects that were ready to go, crossed with specifics for my family and our pets.  It turns out, my dog has fleas. He got them for Christmas. So at the top of the list following a flea bath, I needed to buy an 'inside out' flea fighting medicine from the vet. A few miles further south, I would return vital, 'new driver discount' insurance information my son coughed up.

At 7:30 am I was off and running. At 10:00 am I felt frazzled. At 2:30 pm I returned home for lunch. At 3:30 pm the pets requested their early bird dinners. Afterward I dug into a puzzle of details to conquer a project summit. By 5:00 pm I was nearing the finish so that at 7:00 pm and before dinner, what I had planned for the day was basically done.

This is how my first day went after I determined where to start. It was an overwhelming morning at the very top of the New Year slide... Here I go, it goes like this on lots of days.

While keeping a schedule is important, the results of each day are more important.

The New Year It's Here!

Day 1 of 365 is almost done. 

I've been geared up and ready to begin the New Year of 2013 since Thanksgiving Day. The challenge I faced was that Christmas happened in between.

Family and business life were extra busy this season. We launched a home improvement project early in December and promised a deadline or two before Christmas. While we said "no" to lots of things this year, what happened was about saying "yes."

We went north to New England for a delightful visit with family on Christmas. Our trip was great and held for us plenty of snow, plus all it could possibly hold in a short week's time.

We flew home to Southwest Florida for New Years Eve and now have gladly ushered in the New Year 2013. The passing of 2012 is done. It was a good year but now it is gone.

Yes! It is 2013... and all is well.