Be Cherie

While I was out of town and waiting around for appointments, I finished a great book.  It's The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.  Although self-described as happy, the author spent a year examining what it means to be happy and trying to make herself even happier.  Reading this book gave me many "ah-ha" moments.  


One of the key things she talked about was her list of resolutions, the number one of which was "Be Gretchen."  As obvious as that seems, I realized I, and many other people I'm sure, need to follow this principle.  To "Be Cherie" means to do things that really make me happy, not things that I believe I should do or might eventually make me happy. An example given was music.  As much as the author said she wanted to appreciate music more, but it just didn't make her happy.  I do appreciate and enjoy music, but I'm just not obsessively into it.  Seven years of violin lessons showed me that I wasn't a true musician.  I like listening to my iPod, but I don't always remember the names of the artists or the songs.  I do have my favorites, but even then, I don't always know the song titles or even know all the lyrics by heart.  My hubby, on the other hand, really enjoys the minutia of music and is virtually a walking encyclopedia when it comes to music history.  But, either way, it's okay, because we are being ourselves and doing what truly makes us happy.


One thing that occurred to me  while reading this book was that the idea of concentrating on one's happiness is shallow and selfish.  Rubin addresses this when she describes a conversation with someone who felt that very way when he learned what her project was about.  He was concerned with all the problems in the world and felt it was wrong to focus on one's own happiness.  Rubin questioned this by asking, when we help others, what is our goal?  Ultimately, we want them to be happy.  If we want happiness for others, surely we should want it for ourselves.  


Seeking happiness does not necessarily mean accumulating things or going into debt.   Often it's the small things that make a big difference.  Throughout the book, Rubin discovered a myriad of free or inexpensive actions or items that made a big difference in her pursuit of happiness.  It seems the key is to start one's own happiness project and learn to "be" oneself.  Here's a link to the Happiness Project Toolbox to help get you started.

Quote for the Day

"It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich."

~Sarah Bernhardt

(Photo source:  http://commons.wikimedia.org)

Back at It

This past winter, what with the blizzards and the animal medical emergencies on the farm, I pretty much dropped out of yoga and exercise.  With the exception of my regular Friday morning yoga practice with some friends and an evening stroll several times a week, I've been doing zip.  However, that is starting to change.  Recently, I pulled out my Namaste Yoga DVDs and dusted them off.  I've taken steps to revive my almost daily practice.  I'm also been a stereotypical gym member - purchasing a membership, faithfully visiting several times a week for a workout, and then dropping out.  One thing I need to do is treat my workout time like a job.  If I had a job, neither rain nor snow nor...well, you get the picture.



(Photo source:  www.herdaily.com)

Unplanned Renovations

I just returned from a working trip to Tampa.  My kitchen is in shambles and I'm trying to work with contractors and insurance companies.  Since it's a condominium, it gets complicated as some things are owned by us and other things are owned by the condo association.  All of our lower cabinets have been removed and I'm now trying to coordinate having the moldy drywall removed and replaced.  It's hard doing these things long distance.


The bright side is that, when everything is done, we will have a brand new kitchen (minus the appliances).  We're replacing the original cabinets - white laminate -  that were installed over 20 years ago so it will be a nice change.  At the time the condominiums were built, these cabinets were popular, but now they are very dated.  I've tried to select materials that are current but not too pricey, both because the insurance wouldn't pay for expensive upgrades and because it's not a luxury condo.  Since the kitchen is torn up, I decided to go ahead and replace the flooring, as well.  I never liked it, but because it's not my residence I decided to just live with it.  Now, with so much other work being done, I've decided to incur the additional expense.


I'll try to share photos as we make progress.

Getting Things Done

Finally - I seem to be making some headway on my house.  We finally moved my son's old bedroom furniture out of my soon-to-be "room of my own" and donated it  to a thrift store.  This morning I delivered my overstuffed chair and ottoman to the upholsterer, along with the fabric I purchased.  Unfortunately, I misjudged on how much fabric I needed for each piece of furniture, so rather than panicking, I decided to put the toile on the chair and ottoman and then ordered more of the check fabric for the sofa.  As we say in our family, it's all good.  The chair should be ready in a couple of weeks and then I'll be taking the sofa in for reupholstering (the extra fabric should be here by then).  Now, the problem of getting the sofa down the steps...

Quote for the Day

“Diversity may be the hardest thing for a society to live with, and perhaps the most dangerous thing for a society to be without.”  ~William Sloane Coffin, Jr.

Today,  let us all be thankful to God for the many freedoms we have been given in this nation.  Let us recognize that we all worship the same deity, whatever name we use to describe God, and to remember that our personal and cultural experiences have shaped how we experience God.  And let us remember that many of the early settlers and founders of this nation suffered religious persecution.  Therefore, to prevent religious tyranny, the first amendment to the Constitution grants us freedom of religion.


Let freedom ring!




(Photo source:  http://www.randomhouse.com/teens/firstamendment/images/FirstAmendment.gif)

Media Drop Out

After my media fast during Lent of 2009, I went back to following the news on television and on the internet.  Fortunately, my fast helped me break my obsession so I didn't spend as much time on the news.  Recently, I realized I haven't turned on the news in weeks and I don't feel like I'm missing anything.  I'm not copping out and saying that I can't do anything about the tragedies and problems of the world.  What I'm doing is being selective.  


Earlier this week, hubby and I were guests at a regional Rotary Club meeting (we were there representing Danita's Children).  The guest speaker was Tracy Fitzsimmons, the president of Shenandoah University in Winchester,  Virginia.  At one point, she addressed the issue of being an effective citizen.  She pointed out how the Rotary Club has been focused on eradicating polio in the world.  The organization has stuck to their goal and now there are only three - three! - countries where polio is still found.  Although Rotarians participate in a variety of projects, this particular one has had their intense focus and they are now about to see their goal realized.  By keeping their eyes on the prize, they have made a difference in the world.  


There are a number of issues that I'm passionate about - and watching or reading the news really gets my dander up sometimes - but keeping my blinders on at times allows me to focus on one or two things where I can make a real difference.