Some words for today, courtesy of Amelia Earhart:
The most effective way to do it, is to do it.
Right on.
Some words for today, courtesy of Amelia Earhart:
The most effective way to do it, is to do it.
Right on.
Today I am 41.
How do I feel about that?
Honest answer: Worse than I felt about 33, but better than I felt about 40.
Last year was tough. The bad parts of last year slammed into me like a wrecking ball. By mid-year, I found myself feeling like I was in a “Talking Heads” song, and by that, of course I mean this one:
Yes, this was not my beautiful house and this was not my beautiful wife.
But why the ennui? Why the dissatisfaction?
Critical analysis points to this: When I was 38.75, I celebrated my dear, dear friend MA’s 40th birthday with her in Aspen, Colorado. Several months prior to that date, MA took stock and changed things about herself. Lost weight. Got into amazing shape. Prioritized her priorities. Found The One.
I so admired her (Still do!). I wanted to emulate her with my own personalized Life Makeover.
But I didn’t. 39.5 rolled around. And I didn’t get it in gear. 39.9999 rolled around. And I didn’t get it in gear.
Then there was 40.
I started strong, running a marathon and then a half-marathon in the same week, one on the East coast and one on the West. It was fun.
Then I lost my mojo.
That was distinctly *not* fun.
The thing is – and I truly believe this – we’re all a work in progress. Just because boxes are ticked on some imagined Life Checklist doesn’t mean all the checkmarks add up to unequivocal bliss.
I re-examined what made me happy. The list was pretty simple.
Ok, that last one was a bonus.
And today, at 41, I also recognize this to be true:
Priorities have been re-examined. Stock has been taken. Resolutions have been made. Family and friends remain cherished. Battles are picked, but only when necessary. Laughter is easy. Stuff is just stuff. Progress is being made.
I have a good feeling about the year(s) to come. Time to celebrate.
This picture is from Pinterest, but I love the idea of stenciling this about town:
How great would it be to stumble upon this as you went about your daily business?
Yeah, pretty awesome.
I was originally going to post this on January 1, but the resolutions post seemed more pressing. So today’s the day.
Disclaimer: This list of 10 Thoughts is directly from Bobbi Brown, not me. It was printed on a card in the packaging from something I bought from BB and saved because I liked it.
- Spread beauty.
- Do what you love.
- Love what you do.
- Keep it simple.
- Laugh out loud.
- Go with the flow.
- Be real.
- Focus on the positive.
- Do your best.
- Just breathe.
Indeed.
As I’m off work this week – using up some use-it-or-lose-it time before year’s end – and stricken with an evil virus (Trixie’s down, too), sub-zero temps and two pent-up kids, I’m trying to remember these words from the gorgeous and talented actress Julianne Moore:
When your kids are young, they’re always holding your hand.
Then suddenly you turn around and it’s not happening anymore.
The days are long, but the years are short.