Times of extended stress and multiple pressures often lead me to begin doubting myself. I usually have no problem handling things when stressors come only sporadically and one-at-a-time. However, lately I've felt as if I'm quickly piling task upon task and deadline upon deadline, and it's led to me feel quite scattered and stretched too thin. Anxieties begin to mount and soon doubt and second-guessing take over.
So, it'll come as no surprise that a post I encountered recently on Dumb Little Man, titled "8 Harsh Truths that will Improve Your Life," came as a much needed relief with essential life-lesson reminders I mustn't forget. Re-reading this list has served as comfort to me on several occasions lately, and hence I've decided to post it here, in the hopes that is may provide the same comfort to others who may be needing it's message.
So - here it is. Enjoy!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Because playing with your food can be a form of art...
It's nasty, it's gross, its disgusting, but you just can't turn your eyes away. And this is why you're fat.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Starting off right...
The highlight of 2009 so far? The author of one of my new favorite books, Animal's People, commenting on my blog. Sweet! Thank you, Mr. Sinha!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
The Best of 2008
My year in review:
1:What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before? was admitted to the Emergency room.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I didn't really make any last year, so if you consider that, I suppose I kept right on track.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes, a few people did.
4. Did anyone close to you die? No.
5. What countries did you visit? Only my own, unfortunatly.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? More money.
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? November 4th, 2008. Ummm....DER!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Learned to open my eyes more to the world around me.
9. What was your biggest failure? Hmmmm...that's a good question.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Yes, a kidney stone. That was not fun.
11. What was the best thing you bought? A new macbook and an ipod touch.
14. Where did most of your money go? Paying off my debt.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Meeting Jason Mraz and winning concert tickets. Speaking of which, perhaps that incident also was my greatest failure. Heehee.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Compared to this time last year, are you:
17. Thinner or fatter? Thinner by about 10 pounds.
18. Richer or poorer? Probably about the same.
19. What do you wish you'd done more of? Traveling, stopping to slow down and enjoy the little things, take more risks, and step outside of my comfort zone more often.
20. What do you wish you'd done less of? I could say napping, but I'd be totally lying.
21. How will you be spending Christmas? Ummm...for 2009? Probably the same way I did in 2008.
22. Did you fall in love in 2008? A little bit every day.
24. What was your favorite TV program? Hmmm. I hate to admit this, I really do. But the one show I watched fairly consistently the whole year was Intervention. Maybe I need an intervention on myself to stop watching Intervention.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? Maybe Ann Coulter, but that's about it.
26. What was the best book you read? Hard to pick just one. I really liked Animal's people, The Other Boleyn Girl, and 1984. I'd probably go with Animal's People.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery? old-school Jason Mraz.
28. What did you want and get? An overall good year without much of a bone to pick.
29. What did you want and not get? Perhaps to win the lottery, but I never even played so that's my own fault.
30. What was your favorite film of this year? Oh man, this is the hardest question on here. The one that has stuck with me the longest is 'In the Valley of Elah.' Lars and the Real Girl was also quite good.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? Turned 26, and had dinner and went out with friends.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? More travelling.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? Rediscovered the fun of fashion.
34. What kept you sane? Whether or not I actually stayed sane could be up for discussion. But probably Joe.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Barack Obama. And then Jason Mraz.
36. What political issue stirred you the most? The election, and that fact that "change" became a political issue.
37. Who did you miss? The perfect company from years past.
38. Who was the best new person you met? Well, taking the question literally, I would have to say Kye and Chloe Noelle.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008: Drink more water.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: (Lenka, The Show)
"I'm just a little bit caught in the middle
Life is a maze and love is a riddle
I dont know where to go I can't do it alone I've tried
And I don't know why
I'm just a little girl lost in the moment
I'm so scared but I don't show it
I can't figure it out
It's bringing me down I know
I've got to let it go
And just enjoy the show"
1:What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before? was admitted to the Emergency room.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I didn't really make any last year, so if you consider that, I suppose I kept right on track.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes, a few people did.
4. Did anyone close to you die? No.
5. What countries did you visit? Only my own, unfortunatly.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? More money.
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? November 4th, 2008. Ummm....DER!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Learned to open my eyes more to the world around me.
9. What was your biggest failure? Hmmmm...that's a good question.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Yes, a kidney stone. That was not fun.
11. What was the best thing you bought? A new macbook and an ipod touch.
14. Where did most of your money go? Paying off my debt.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Meeting Jason Mraz and winning concert tickets. Speaking of which, perhaps that incident also was my greatest failure. Heehee.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Compared to this time last year, are you:
17. Thinner or fatter? Thinner by about 10 pounds.
18. Richer or poorer? Probably about the same.
19. What do you wish you'd done more of? Traveling, stopping to slow down and enjoy the little things, take more risks, and step outside of my comfort zone more often.
20. What do you wish you'd done less of? I could say napping, but I'd be totally lying.
21. How will you be spending Christmas? Ummm...for 2009? Probably the same way I did in 2008.
22. Did you fall in love in 2008? A little bit every day.
24. What was your favorite TV program? Hmmm. I hate to admit this, I really do. But the one show I watched fairly consistently the whole year was Intervention. Maybe I need an intervention on myself to stop watching Intervention.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? Maybe Ann Coulter, but that's about it.
26. What was the best book you read? Hard to pick just one. I really liked Animal's people, The Other Boleyn Girl, and 1984. I'd probably go with Animal's People.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery? old-school Jason Mraz.
28. What did you want and get? An overall good year without much of a bone to pick.
29. What did you want and not get? Perhaps to win the lottery, but I never even played so that's my own fault.
30. What was your favorite film of this year? Oh man, this is the hardest question on here. The one that has stuck with me the longest is 'In the Valley of Elah.' Lars and the Real Girl was also quite good.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? Turned 26, and had dinner and went out with friends.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? More travelling.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? Rediscovered the fun of fashion.
34. What kept you sane? Whether or not I actually stayed sane could be up for discussion. But probably Joe.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Barack Obama. And then Jason Mraz.
36. What political issue stirred you the most? The election, and that fact that "change" became a political issue.
37. Who did you miss? The perfect company from years past.
38. Who was the best new person you met? Well, taking the question literally, I would have to say Kye and Chloe Noelle.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008: Drink more water.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: (Lenka, The Show)
"I'm just a little bit caught in the middle
Life is a maze and love is a riddle
I dont know where to go I can't do it alone I've tried
And I don't know why
I'm just a little girl lost in the moment
I'm so scared but I don't show it
I can't figure it out
It's bringing me down I know
I've got to let it go
And just enjoy the show"
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Heeding Life's Lessons
I'm not one much for New Year's resolutions, although I do wholly support the idea of reflecting on one's life and making goals for positive changes in the future. I do, however, find the act of making resolutions quite intriguing. If, for only a small part of the entire year, we can, as a whole society, collectively turn inward and focus on positivity and change, then I'm all for it.
As 2008 bid farewell and 2009 abruptly introduced itself, I too found myself both reflecting on the past year and thinking forward towards the year to come. I started to wonder, if I were to make a New Year's resolution this year, what would it be? I think part of my problem is that I can't decide on just one thing. I have a laundry list of things I would like to accomplish, places I would like to see, attributes I would like to learn to embody, and so on. But how to choose just one?
It was then that I came across this post, 16 Things I Wish They Taught Me in School, courtesy of The Positivity Blog, that I began to rethink the idea of resolutions. Instead of making just one resoution, why not try to embody some of these principles and ideas every day, in whatever ways that I can?
So perhaps that is my resolution. Pay more attention to life's little lessons. Heed the wisdom of others. Don't hold back. Take the plunge. Be who you are. Take in whatever this new year offers me, and make the most of it.
End of story. Nice to meet you, 2009. Let's be the best of friends.
As 2008 bid farewell and 2009 abruptly introduced itself, I too found myself both reflecting on the past year and thinking forward towards the year to come. I started to wonder, if I were to make a New Year's resolution this year, what would it be? I think part of my problem is that I can't decide on just one thing. I have a laundry list of things I would like to accomplish, places I would like to see, attributes I would like to learn to embody, and so on. But how to choose just one?
It was then that I came across this post, 16 Things I Wish They Taught Me in School, courtesy of The Positivity Blog, that I began to rethink the idea of resolutions. Instead of making just one resoution, why not try to embody some of these principles and ideas every day, in whatever ways that I can?
So perhaps that is my resolution. Pay more attention to life's little lessons. Heed the wisdom of others. Don't hold back. Take the plunge. Be who you are. Take in whatever this new year offers me, and make the most of it.
End of story. Nice to meet you, 2009. Let's be the best of friends.
Horribly funny
Check out this board game called Blasphemy. I laughed a bit too hard when I read what folks are saying about the game. If anyone has this game, PLEASE tell me. I'm altogether much too curious to play.
http://blasphemygame.com/index.html
http://blasphemygame.com/index.html
Friday, December 19, 2008
If...
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!
--Rudyard Kipling
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!
--Rudyard Kipling
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Hot, Flat, and Crowded
I adore Thomas Friedman. I find myself completely enthralled when listening to his talks and lectures. Today I heard on MPR a talk he gave recently discussing his new book, Hot, Flat, and Crowded, as well as some of his ideas on fostering a green revolution.
Sit back, grab a cup of tea, and take a listen to Friedman:
Sit back, grab a cup of tea, and take a listen to Friedman:
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Like a Rose as an Orchid
Me, and my helmet such an un-conventional kid
All intense and kinetic, at best tolerated from afar
Not yet arrested, and by that I mean betrothed
Though a start I am newly courted
I've just not been trusted with alters
I'm a sweet piece of work, well intentioned yet disturbed
Wrongly label-ed and under-fed, treated like a rose as an orchid
My friends, as they weigh in, get understandably protective
They have a hard time being objective
So inside we cancel each other out
I'm a sweet piece of work, well intentioned and unloved
Unlabeled and misunderstood, treated like a rose as an orchid
You've brought water to me, making sure my bloom rebounds
You know best of what my special care allows
So I've lived in my blind spot
Thought myself usual when I'm not
And your garden is a nice spot
As long as it is brave and where you are
For this sweet piece of work, high maintenance and deserted
I've been different and deserving, treated like a rose as an orchid
Sweet piece of work, overwhelmed un-observed
I've been bowed down to but so misread
Treated like a rose as an orchid
"Orchid" lyrics by Alanis Morissette
All intense and kinetic, at best tolerated from afar
Not yet arrested, and by that I mean betrothed
Though a start I am newly courted
I've just not been trusted with alters
I'm a sweet piece of work, well intentioned yet disturbed
Wrongly label-ed and under-fed, treated like a rose as an orchid
My friends, as they weigh in, get understandably protective
They have a hard time being objective
So inside we cancel each other out
I'm a sweet piece of work, well intentioned and unloved
Unlabeled and misunderstood, treated like a rose as an orchid
You've brought water to me, making sure my bloom rebounds
You know best of what my special care allows
So I've lived in my blind spot
Thought myself usual when I'm not
And your garden is a nice spot
As long as it is brave and where you are
For this sweet piece of work, high maintenance and deserted
I've been different and deserving, treated like a rose as an orchid
Sweet piece of work, overwhelmed un-observed
I've been bowed down to but so misread
Treated like a rose as an orchid
"Orchid" lyrics by Alanis Morissette
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
60 years ago, a Universal Declaration....
60 years ago, on the 10th day of December 2008, the UN General Assembly adopted and declared the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Declaration outlines the rights of which all human beings are inherently titled. I've read over the Declaration many times in my life and it never ceases to bring new understanding and awareness to me. Think of the many positive and needed changes weve seen in the world in the last 60 years! The world is a very different place than it was 60 years ago. Unfortunately, still 60 years after the document was adopted, there are still billions of people for whom these rights have yet to be realized.
Take a look at the video posted below, courtesy of the Human Rights Action Center. Read the many rights established in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
What do each of these mean to you?
How many of the rights are actually extended to you?
How many are not?
How much longer until we all treat each other as the lovely equals that we are?
Will it be another 60 years?
Will it be more?
It will be only as long as it takes for us to decide it to be so.
Just think, the world could wake up tomorrow and say, "Ahhh. Today, things will be different."
How amazing would that be?
In hope!
Take a look at the video posted below, courtesy of the Human Rights Action Center. Read the many rights established in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
What do each of these mean to you?
How many of the rights are actually extended to you?
How many are not?
How much longer until we all treat each other as the lovely equals that we are?
Will it be another 60 years?
Will it be more?
It will be only as long as it takes for us to decide it to be so.
Just think, the world could wake up tomorrow and say, "Ahhh. Today, things will be different."
How amazing would that be?
In hope!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Australia Always Makes Me Laugh
I thought I'd pay tribute to my favorite internet video of all time, Ebaum's World's The End of the World. You've probably seen this because it is one of those classic internet videos, in fact perhaps one of the pioneers of internet videos, the video that paved the path for all future internet videos to walk. ...err, something like that. Anyways, lest I get too carried away, take a looky at the End of the World. It ALWAYS makes me laugh.
WTF, Mate?
WTF, Mate?
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