Friday Reads is back!

This is where I claim that life is officially starting to get back to normal.  Reading and looking for new books is back in full swing, and I am happily excited to be writing again.

First of all, I am going to hold myself to my goal for 2012 this year of finishing what I start.  It's no surprise to any of you that I like to skip around with books, projects, and writing.  When the going gets tough, I usually change my mind, so I thought I'd give myself a little dose of tough love, and hold myself accountable for whatever I started.  Books included.

So, our book club choice for this month is Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult, and I am not a fan.  Nope.  I am halfway through it and literally don't want to pick it up again.  It's not that I have anything against the subject matter, but I really don't want to read about it.  If you read it you'll understand.  But, I am a fan of Jodi's and will try to keep an open mind to finish this book.  Who knows, maybe I'll finish by the New Year!

Now, because I like to plan ahead (and buy books), I've already picked out my next book when I'm done with this one.  I opted for a no-brainer, never fail, always end up crying choice, and went with Nicholas Sparks new one, The Best of Me.  I literally can't wait to dive into this one since I'm suffering in book hell right now.  I am looking forward to snuggling all day on Sunday with this one.

I wish for all of you to have a very happy and healthy 2012.  I cannot thank you enough for continuing to read my blog, and I hope to keep inspiring you to love your life.... and books.

Happy New Year!

Change

Don't worry, I like you the way you are.  I'm not trying to change you.  It's my life that I want to make the changes in, and it starts here on my little blog.  Sometimes it's just a different outlook that can make all the difference.  

Now I think (this is new to me too), you can change the outlook to what you want in the upper left corner.  My favorite is the mosaic, as it looks like my blog went though the blender and the best parts are showing.  

So, as with the blog, I am trying to change my own outlook to see if that's where I get stuck.  We all know the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result.  I am simply trying to break free from the insanity.

And I simply love change.

I simply wish I could remember that more often.

What can you change today that will make your day better?

One last week

This is literally my favorite week of the year.  The week before New Years is, for me, the most hopeful-what-can-I-dream-up-for-next-year time of the year.  And if you're anything like me, you might be anxious for 2011 to be O. V. E. R., so I am twice as giddy as last year at this time.

Now is when I really sit down and try to figure out what I would like to accomplish for the next year, and if you've never done this, I highly encourage it.  One lesson I've learned over the years is you have to give any thing you want attention.  Whatever you give all your attention to will grow, so be careful what you wish for, and then make a conscience decision to make it a part of your life.

My main goal for next year?  That's simple... happiness.  Plain and simple as that.  I am going to figure out what I need in my life on a regular basis to maintain a happy outlook.  I know I won't be getting a new job or winning the lottery any time soon, so I'll have to find it the old fashioned way:  hard-work and determination.  I'm also not interested in the rose-colored glasses that fade the reality of life.  Nope, I want life, problems and all, and still be happy.

After reading The Happiness Project this year, I knew that I was going to need an actual plan for this, and not just wish for happiness.  It doesn't just happen and must be a deliberate change in thinking if it doesn't come naturally for you (like me!).  I have made lists, goals, and trying to plan for each month, so this eventually will be a natural feeling.

My biggest obstacle is and most likely will alway be, not letting outside forces (people) effect my mood.  I am so easily changed by everyone in my household on a daily basis.  I react to everyone around me and let that rule how I feel, and that is going to be the hardest habit to break.

So join me this week in finding what you will need to make 2012 a better year.  It doesn't matter what your wish it, as long as it's important to you.  I'm curious to see how my own project will unfold, and excited at just the thought of it.  Of course I'll include you along the way with the ups and downs of what is going on, and hopefully inspire you to make some changes of your own.

Here's to the last week of 2011!

Fake it till you make it

No, it's not inappropriate Thursday.  I don't mean faking it... unless, of course, you need to.


It's one of those sayings I've always kinda ignored and would be annoyed when people did use this cliche.   I mean, really, why should we have to fake anything?  But still, I am not bouncing back from last week (wahmbulance anyone?) and this Christmas is not waiting for me to catch up.  Once again, I need to pull out the big girl panties and paint a smile on my face.  Eventually I will catch up and that's all that matters.


What I am noticing though, is that the more I start off pretending to be happy and 'tis the season', the more I am carried away by that feeling.   They say that the mere act of smiling is not only contagious, but can actually change your mood the more you do it.  By smiling, you can lighten someone else's day, and that in turn will lighten your own.  

I really do believe that giving is far more gratifying than receiving, and sometimes the best thing you can give is free.  


It may be priceless to the person receiving it, and you never know what someone else is going through, so sometimes a little kindness is the perfect gift that just keeps on giving.  

Rejection

Set your timer:  For the next 15 minutes, write about rejection and what it means to you.

Since I've avoided this assignment for so long now, I feel like I really should just get it over with.  I mean, it's rejection... big deal.  Who hasn't been rejected at least once in their lives? 

I guess a part of me, and most likely everyone else, rejection is taken as a personal attack on our character.  Negative opinions (and sometimes no opinion) make us beleive that those views are about our selves, and not our work.  Now, being a writer, I know that every word I write is a reflection of me, so how could I not take any rejection as well, a personal rejection?  How can the two be seperated? 

I have spent the greater part of the last year working on Jr. Nationals, hoping that all of our hard work, meetings, paperwork, emails, and money would be well received by the skaters, coaches and judges.  Well it was, but there are still a few moments that I remember from last week that I would rather forget.  The angry parent.  The disgruntled coach.  The pushy volunteer.  I don't readily remember the good stuff, I remember the moments that made me feel like I didn't do enough, or rather, the moments when people rejected our grand plan. 

Out of 20 compliments, why do we remember the one rejection?

The end of the year always makes me look at my life and see what I can make better.  I think this rejection phobia literally stops me from doing things I'd like to do, and stops me from living and enjoying life.  I spend a great deal of time worrying about what others will think about what I'm doing, wearing, or even writing, and quite frankly, I'm sick of it. 

I think this kind of wisdom comes with age.  It has to be learned over time.  True, some people are born to not care about what others think, but I am not one of them.  It is a very difficult habit to break, but I think at this point in my life, and having the year I just had, it will be a bit easier for me. 

What will you be working on next year?

Hope

Because it it one week away from the big event and I have nothing to give to you, I'll just try to inspire myself :)

#1. Because I've been complaining for the past two days about everything from nasty parents to bad sandwiches from Jimmy Johns.  I mean really, is there such a thing?

#2  Because I need one... okay two.

#3.  Because my fear and anxiety are out of control lately.  See #2.

#4.  Because I need something to look at :)  And really, I like to look at him even when I'm not stressed out.

#5.  Because I forget this all the time.

Have a fabulous weekend!

I'd like to take a moment and thank the makers of Pinterest for giving me inspiration when I need it most!  Happy Pinning!