If it is not going to matter in a year...I am not going to waste time today being mad, sad, annoyed, frustrated, stressed or irritated with it.
This attitude has become a great liberator for me!
Monday, June 6, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Wabi Sabi
Wabi Sabi is the Japanese philosophy that celebrates the beauty in what is natural--flaws and all. Perfection can be boring...In this philosophy, belongings are prized because of (not in spite of) their imperfections.
Applying this concept to your life can be very freeing:
Appreciate the imperfections in yourself and others: I need to accept myself, including the crows feet that are beginning to form around the eyes, the cellulite on the thighs, the tendency to be impatient or demanding. I need to cherish the fact the DD2 is her own spirit and while she doesn't do things MY Way...her way is still pretty good, my micromanaging co-worker has his moments but that is part of his "charm" (well, that may be taking Wabi Sabi a bit too far...but). I am a canvas on which life can write a beautiful story!
In the house: Good enough can become my mantra. If the house is not cleaned this week, no one will perish from that state of imperfection! Cleaning and home repairs should not come at the expense of losing a good day on the water! Likewise, I need to clear my space--throw away the broken teapot or the ugly skillet with the loose handle the outdated clothing (no matter what it cost) and STOP accumulating more STUFF. I need to enjoy the good china, the beautiful artifacts we've collected and the clay renderings of the DDs when they were younger (these do in fact have a prominent place in my kitchen).
Meals: Food is to be enjoyed. Less is more, natural is better tasting (think hothouse tomato versus the one you just picked ripe and juicy from your own garden) and there should be an enjoyment in the preparation of the meal, not just in the consuming of it. Even the mess made from cooing can be a time to connect with family members. Dinner conversation should include a few laughs.
Work: Align words and actions with values to get true satisfaction and reward in the workplace. Remember the BIG picture, practice perspective.
Savor each moment, Breathe deeply, listen to hear, to see beauty you must see the details, relish in the commonplace (a child's laughter, a birds call, the way the sun feels on your skin, the way the burgers smell when cooking on the grill.
Applying this concept to your life can be very freeing:
Appreciate the imperfections in yourself and others: I need to accept myself, including the crows feet that are beginning to form around the eyes, the cellulite on the thighs, the tendency to be impatient or demanding. I need to cherish the fact the DD2 is her own spirit and while she doesn't do things MY Way...her way is still pretty good, my micromanaging co-worker has his moments but that is part of his "charm" (well, that may be taking Wabi Sabi a bit too far...but). I am a canvas on which life can write a beautiful story!
In the house: Good enough can become my mantra. If the house is not cleaned this week, no one will perish from that state of imperfection! Cleaning and home repairs should not come at the expense of losing a good day on the water! Likewise, I need to clear my space--throw away the broken teapot or the ugly skillet with the loose handle the outdated clothing (no matter what it cost) and STOP accumulating more STUFF. I need to enjoy the good china, the beautiful artifacts we've collected and the clay renderings of the DDs when they were younger (these do in fact have a prominent place in my kitchen).
Meals: Food is to be enjoyed. Less is more, natural is better tasting (think hothouse tomato versus the one you just picked ripe and juicy from your own garden) and there should be an enjoyment in the preparation of the meal, not just in the consuming of it. Even the mess made from cooing can be a time to connect with family members. Dinner conversation should include a few laughs.
Work: Align words and actions with values to get true satisfaction and reward in the workplace. Remember the BIG picture, practice perspective.
Savor each moment, Breathe deeply, listen to hear, to see beauty you must see the details, relish in the commonplace (a child's laughter, a birds call, the way the sun feels on your skin, the way the burgers smell when cooking on the grill.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Failed miserably at that!
Well-so much for the best laid plans! I am embarrassed that it's been so long since I posted but I have just been too busy to blog...so 52 weeks is languishing. I pray you'll forgive me. I'm in the throes of getting ready to vacation, moving my office, end of school activities/track meets, creating the templates for my stamp camps and working!
I'll return to this blog when I return from vacation in early June!
I'll return to this blog when I return from vacation in early June!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Week 5--I gave up wine for Lent
I haven't been real good about keeping up with this weekly. Sorry about that--Guess that will have to be next weeks focus!
I gave up drinking wine Monday-Thursday for Lent (I still wanted to be able to enjoy a nice glass with a nice dinner on the weekends). I've been successful and have reaped some unexpected benefits too. Obviously, we give up something during Lent to help us focus onthe sacrifice Christ made for us during his passion and I HAVE been more focused on that when I thought about having a glass of wine on the days I had agreed to deny myself. THe benefits I didn't think about reaping were
1) Less money spent (not purchasing a bottle of wine per week, saving $10)
2) Lost 3 pounds (calories not counsume from bottle per week, ~500)
3) A restful night's sleep (PRICELESS). I am sleepig better and give credit to the for spiritual focus of each day but also to the lack of a glass of wine in my system each night!
I gave up drinking wine Monday-Thursday for Lent (I still wanted to be able to enjoy a nice glass with a nice dinner on the weekends). I've been successful and have reaped some unexpected benefits too. Obviously, we give up something during Lent to help us focus onthe sacrifice Christ made for us during his passion and I HAVE been more focused on that when I thought about having a glass of wine on the days I had agreed to deny myself. THe benefits I didn't think about reaping were
1) Less money spent (not purchasing a bottle of wine per week, saving $10)
2) Lost 3 pounds (calories not counsume from bottle per week, ~500)
3) A restful night's sleep (PRICELESS). I am sleepig better and give credit to the for spiritual focus of each day but also to the lack of a glass of wine in my system each night!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Week 3-Stop being sarcastic
I recently completed a parenting class at my church since I am the proud owner of a 13 year old daughter (just this week!). This class confirmed that while we have done many things well, I can still improve on how I communicate with my new teenager.
Sadly, I was informed sarcasm doesn't work. It can be misconstrued as a serious comment and can backfire on you. Unfortunately, I use sarcasm liberally so...this will be another hard lesson in creating a better Diana. I guess this week will also need to make use of last week's goal to listen more, talk less.
I am sensing a theme here...
Sadly, I was informed sarcasm doesn't work. It can be misconstrued as a serious comment and can backfire on you. Unfortunately, I use sarcasm liberally so...this will be another hard lesson in creating a better Diana. I guess this week will also need to make use of last week's goal to listen more, talk less.
I am sensing a theme here...
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Week 2
I was fatigued and it had been a hard day with the rest of a hard week still before me. I was bone tired fatigued and still had too many things to do when I returned home to the girls arguing. I was in a decent humor until I heard them going at it...
Needless to day, my reaction to that has resulted in this week's challenge: Say nothing.
I talk too much, too often, I explain in too great of detail and thrust my opinions on folks when they are not requested. Therefore, I will try to listen more, talk less and by that say more!
Needless to day, my reaction to that has resulted in this week's challenge: Say nothing.
I talk too much, too often, I explain in too great of detail and thrust my opinions on folks when they are not requested. Therefore, I will try to listen more, talk less and by that say more!
Monday, March 7, 2011
1 down 51 to go
Last week was my birthday week-so I wasn't good for much. I ate too much, bought a new car, planned a vacation and spent some money (braces, dishes and Stampin' Up supplies). The sun is shining and all is well in my world!
I've been obsessed with my Stampin'Up demonstratorship...I think about it all the time and wish I had more time to spend creating cards and gift items...perhaps after track season ends. I've created a few nice samples with my starter kit supplies and am anxiously awaiting the delivery of my first order! I "dream" about the day I could own a shop where I could use my love of crafts to earn a living...In the mean time, I will build up my stamp camp attendance and see what happens!
I started this week off right and logged 4 miles on the Exercycle today, will attend a stamp camp and completed my crocheted washcloth and am working on a crochet prayer shawl.
Lent begins Wednesday and I am focusing on giving less advice to my DD2, limiting my wine drinking to the weekends (in hopes of losing 5 pounds) and reading the bible through in 10 weeks (The Story).
I've been obsessed with my Stampin'Up demonstratorship...I think about it all the time and wish I had more time to spend creating cards and gift items...perhaps after track season ends. I've created a few nice samples with my starter kit supplies and am anxiously awaiting the delivery of my first order! I "dream" about the day I could own a shop where I could use my love of crafts to earn a living...In the mean time, I will build up my stamp camp attendance and see what happens!
I started this week off right and logged 4 miles on the Exercycle today, will attend a stamp camp and completed my crocheted washcloth and am working on a crochet prayer shawl.
Lent begins Wednesday and I am focusing on giving less advice to my DD2, limiting my wine drinking to the weekends (in hopes of losing 5 pounds) and reading the bible through in 10 weeks (The Story).
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