Yesterday was an incredibly busy day; complete with travel, visiting family, and eating far too much. Needless to say, not much happened on the novel editing front. I only have 60 or so pages left to read, and all my wrapping is done, so I am cautiously optimistic I will meet my goal of finishing the first read through before I go to bed tonight.

I needed yesterday to remind me that while I’m excited about my novel, and the writing process in general, it’s equally important to spend quality time with friends and family. It is far too easy to get wrapped up in a fictional world, and forget about the day-to-day joys and chores that lurk beyond the keyboard. With this in mind, I will still try to meet my goal, but I will also take the time to drink some eggnog, cuddle my children, and enjoy the season.

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

Cheryl.

cherylangst@gmail.com

Have you ever started off the New Year by making grand new promises to yourself? I know I have.  You list out your new goals (and re-list some old ones). You get excited about what you’ll accomplish. You think about how great your life will be when you get all those things done.

And then sometime in December, you look back and wonder where all the time went?  How many years have we, or I done this?

You certainly kept busy. You got a lot done. But somehow the stuff you didn’t get done was the stuff that really mattered. The stuff you completed just wasn’t as important. You did a good job of maintaining the status quo, but you failed to get ahead. This year turned out very much like the year before… and the year before that.

Where did you go wrong?

Setting the Right Goals

One possibility is that you set lame goals. It’s very common to set goals that come from social conditioning instead of setting goals we really care about. For example, maybe you set a goal to make a certain amount of money, but deep down you just don’t care that much about money. If you’d set a goal you really cared about instead, you might have accomplished it by now.

If you set a goal, and you aren’t as enthusiastic about that goal as a child asking for a piece of candy, your goal is probably pointless and uninspiring. You think you want it. You tell yourself you should want it. Intellectually you think it would be great to have it. But deep down it just doesn’t connect. You simply don’t care… not really. I know it’s hard, but you need to dump these types of goals. Otherwise you’re trying to climb a ladder that’s leaning against the wrong building. You’re not being authentic.

Good goals stir you emotionally. They scare you. They push you to grow. They require you to face your fears. They practically dare you to chase them down. They expose your inadequacies. The best goals are those which make you think, “Damn, it would be awesome to achieve that! But I’m really not sure if I can pull this off…”

One of the goals I set at the beginning of this year was to become a raw foodist. I’ve been a vegan since 1997, and I wanted to make the transition to a 100% raw diet. This was a goal that inspired me. It also scared me because I didn’t know how I’d pull it off. I successfully achieved it though. It was hard to adapt to this way of eating, but fortunately it’s very easy to maintain. I’ve been eating 100% raw for most of the year now.

Setting Priorities

You don’t need to set a ton of different goals. Fewer is better. It’s better to achieve one big goal than to set 20 goals and fail to achieve any of them. Setting too many simultaneous goals will just dilute your focus.

A goal is a decision. If you set lots of goals at the same time, you haven’t made any real decisions. You’re just playing the field, hoping you’ll find the time to squeeze everything in. But there’s no commitment. What you have is a quagmire of potential distractions. One goal is clarity. Ten goals is confusion.

If you want to succeed in achieving your goals, pick just one or two at a time, and stick with them until they’re complete. You can also set new goals afterwards.

Try limiting yourself to one major personal goal and one major professional goal at a time. Stick with these priorities until they’re 100% complete. You’ll achieve your goals much more quickly if you do this.

One of the reasons I had such a great 2008 was that I was very clear about my primary goals. Going raw was my #1 personal goal. Finishing my book was my #1 professional goal.

While these goals were on my plate, I worked hard on them. They never slid under the radar. I couldn’t forget about them or ignore them. And since these were goals I really desired, I was inspired to take a lot of action.

If you have a goal that’s too big to stick with until it’s 100% complete, break it down into phases. For example, I broke my book project into different phases like creating the outline, writing the first draft, editing the book, and then promoting the book after it was released. That way I could work on other projects between phases to fit the schedules of others I worked with.

When you think about your New Year’s goals, try setting just one personal and one professional goal. Then commit to sticking with them until you’ve achieved them. If you aren’t willing to do that, then you’re just playing games with yourself. If the goals are really important to you, then you should get them done quickly and directly by minimizing distractions and obstacles.

Focus Focus Focus…The Key I believe to achieving

If you set strong, worthy goals, they’ll probably require tremendous focus. If you allow all sorts of minor projects and tasks to creep onto your plate, you’ll find yourself feeling pretty lousy around December.

When you focus on a goal, this means you must prevent yourself from focusing on anything that isn’t part of that goal. So get used to saying NO — a lot!

When I’m working on an important goal, I imagine I have a shield up that deflects anything that isn’t relevant to that goal. I often let other parts of my life slide, at least to the degree they can handle some sliding.

Life is filled with potential distractions. If you try to keep on top of everything, you’ll fail to keep on top of what’s most important. You’ll soon find yourself drowning in pointless tasks and not getting the important stuff done at all. Your goals will never become reality.

When I’m working on an important goal, many phone calls go unanswered, and long emails go unread. Why? Although these tasks may seem important, they aren’t nearly as important to me as the goals I’m working on. So I simply blow them off. I don’t have time to attend to all these things and stay focused on my goals at the same time. I have to triage one or the other. I choose to become a published author and a raw foodist this year, and the price was that I blew off a lot of email that I considered unimportant. I think that’s a pretty good price.

If you’re working on minor tasks and projects instead of your primary goal, then on some level, you’re procrastinating. Ask yourself if those minor tasks are so important as to justify putting off the achievement of your goal? Do you really need to take that phone call or answer that email? Or would you rather be one step closer to your goal?

If you aren’t working on your most important goal, how can you even claim to be working?

This hidden procrastination is just one step away from full-blown procrastination, where you actively disengage from doing any seemingly productive work and just mess around instead. You’re actually better off taking time off to mess around because then you can’t kid yourself that you’re working. If you need a break, take a break. There’s nothing wrong with that. But when you want to be working, work on your goals. Don’t get mired in distractions that only seem like work.

If you aren’t working on your goals, you aren’t working. You’re just wasting time.

Put in the Time

Many goals can be achieved if you simply put in the time. If your goal isn’t physically impossible, chances are good that you’ll eventually achieve it. You may have a lot to learn, but there’s nothing stopping you from learning what you need to learn. Just put in the time, persist, and you’ll get there.

One of my new goals this year is to forget about making a lot of money, and just focus on achievement this year.   I want to have that feeling of accomplishment, and knowing that when I set my mind to something, and “focus”, that I can achieve anything.

How many goals have you failed to achieve because you didn’t put in the time?

If you throw 100-200 hours at your #1 goal, could you make a serious dent in it? Very likely you could. Even if you don’t know how to achieve the goal, 200 hours of education would take you pretty far. “I don’t know how” is a nonsense excuse when there are so many educational resources available these days.

Chunk it Down

If you get clear on your #1 goal, and you let the distractions slide for a bit, then what stops you from putting in the time?

Most likely it’s a lack of clarity about what to do next. When you stare at a big goal, it’s easy to feel stressed and overwhelmed. This encourages you to procrastinate.

Realize that some feelings of stress are quite normal on a big project. When you’re not working, the stress feels negative. But when you’re working steadily, mild stress transforms into positive focus. So if you feel a little stress at first, don’t worry about it. It will soon become your ally. If you see the stress as something to be avoided, you’ll simply fall into the trap of perfectionism.

To achieve a big goal, chunk it down into smaller steps. Don’t worry about breaking down the entire project into tiny pieces. Just break off a piece from the front edge. Chunk it down until it’s small enough that you have enough clarity to start working on it. Then get to work.

When you’ve completed all the small pieces in front of you, break off another piece from the new front edge of the project, and chunk it down some more. Then get back to work.

If you have goal-related actions you can complete, then go do them first. Don’t worry about chunking down the rest of the project until you need to do so. Don’t use over-planning as a means of procrastination.

Very often you’ll find that once you get into a good flow of action, the chunking-down takes care of itself. One action flows smoothly into the next. Just get started on any piece of the project, and you’ll soon build the momentum to keep going.

No Excuses

It’s so easy to make excuses for not working on a big goal. I don’t have the clarity I’d like. I’m not as motivated as I should be. I’ll just get these little things off my plate first. If you succumb to such excuses, your goal will take 10x longer to achieve — if you achieve it at all.

All of those excuses will go away if you just say “screw it” and get to work anyway. Start off by tackling some small piece of your goal, and you’ll be too busy to hear the excuses. Drown them out with action.

Think of it like this. If you love to drive much faster than the legal speed limit, a part of your consciousness will be preoccupied with the possibility that you may get a speeding ticket. That’s always a risk. So while you’re driving, part of your mind is preoccupied with looking out for Highway Patrol officers. Even if you aren’t consciously aware of this, your subconscious mind will tackle it for you. This means that part of your attention is elsewhere.

However, if you don’t speed when you drive, then you needn’t worry about getting a speeding ticket. Consequently, the part of your mind that was obsessed with this possibility is free to think about something else. Your attention is no longer divided.

Similarly, when you work on non-priority tasks, your attention is always split. Part of your mind is thinking about what you’re doing, and another part is worrying about what you should be doing instead. You’re splintering (i.e. lowering) your consciousness when you do this. You aren’t fully present.

On the other hand, when you work on one of your key goals, your mind is made whole again. Distracting thoughts normally fade within the first 15 minutes, and now you’re 100% focused on the important task at hand. And afterwards you feel great for making progress toward your goal.

Notice that when you work on something that’s really important to you, once you get past the first 15 minutes or so, you normally feel wonderful. You feel relaxed and productive. You also feel very present.

However, when you work on unimportant tasks and put off the big ones, you can’t consistently reach this state. You feel more stressed and distracted. There’s this subtle nagging voice telling you, “This isn’t what you need to be doing right now.” And it just won’t shut up. This leads you to try to drown it with even more distraction and pointless entertainment that leaves you feeling empty. This can lead to a cycle of addiction where you’re constantly drugging yourself with daily distractions to avoid feeling so unsettled. You can never cure the problem with this strategy though.

The solution is that you have to start living up to your potential. No more excuses. Set those big goals, and go after them with gusto. This isn’t just the right way to live. It’s also the way that feels best.

It feels great to look back on a year knowing that you achieved your biggest goals. Who cares if you didn’t return every phone call or answer every email? Yes, some people will be bothered by that. So let them be bothered. They probably shouldn’t be wasting time calling and emailing you about trivialities anyway. Surely they have more important things to do with their lives as well.

Why wait until next year, lets start today.   Break the habit of waiting until next year to conquer your goals, I know I have.

Our heroine is not going into details, dear Reader. Details would be self-serving. They might make you uncomfortable. Little point in either. Suffice to say that 2009 in its entirety has been a most difficult year on the health front.

I mentioned the Brainspin a while back. It was a side effect of treatment for the larger issue. It’s much better. Comes and goes, but nowhere near as disorienting as it was. We give that a yay! (Including a rare exclamation point.)

As for the larger issue, I will say it was quite large. Evidence suggests that after eleven surgeries this year alone and other unpleasantries, the larger issue has resolved. This is given a big honking YAY! To have gone more than two weeks without the medication that allowed me to survive and not relapse is amazing. I plan to continue this progress and take steps to recover fully.

I thank those of you on Twitter and Yahoo Messenger for keeping my spirit alive and well. Most of you didn’t know of my struggle. That’s the way I wanted it. My spirit and joy were kept alive by you and by writing. You taught me to write better novels and challenged me to raise the bar. You are amazing people. Never doubt or forget that. I will remind you if you do.

With your encouragement and my novels keeping me spirited, I walk into 2010 with my head held high. You’ll never know what being able to do that means to me. 2010 is going to rock, and rock hard, for all of us.

Onward!

With the holidays upon us, now is the time for hard driving leaders everywhere to do something that makes us all a little uncomfortable.  A little less in control. 

Yes, it’s the holiday season and it’s time to turn off the Blackberry.  Turn it off… put it in a drawer… lock the drawer and give the key to your spouse (or other person who will be committed to keeping you away from said drawer).

After the grind of 2009, the one gift you need to give to yourself this year is the gift of recharging your own batteries.  Leadership requires us to be energized and energizing; to be commited to our goals and to instill commitment in our teams; to keep ourselves whole so that we can bring out the best in others.

So, give yourself the gift of space and reflection over the holiday season.  Turn off your electronic slave driver and turn it back on when you’re ready to plug back in.  I can’t promise that the world won’t end, but it’s highly likely that it will either.  And why go fishing for trouble over the holidays anyway?

Plus, as a leader, don’t you want your team to come back in January recharged and ready to go?  Here’s your opportunity to role model how great leaders set boundaries around their work and personal priorities.  Encourage your team to unplug by leading the way.  You’ll all be better able to tackle whatever the new year may throw at you as a result.

Enjoy a breather.  You’ve more than earned it.

Happy holidays!

When we slow down, rest and just ‘be’, we often find new energy and inspiration.  This applies to all aspects of our lives, including our relationships with our children.  Multi-tasking and being on the go can be exciting and exhilarating, but it can also be exhausting – physically and emotionally.  And this exhaustion is felt not only by us – it’s also felt by our children.

When I find myself being pulled in too many directions at once, not only do I feel like a balloon that is ready to burst, but I’ve noticed my children feel more ‘on edge’ as well.  The reality is – my kids are not so impressed by the long list of ‘great’ things I’m accomplishing…they just want some time to just ‘be’ with me.  And they want dedicated time – not time where I’m also juggling incoming messages on my phone, cooking dinner, and doing laundry. 

I’ve found that this dedicated time doesn’t need to be extraordinary to be special.  For example, last night my kids really wanted me to sit and watch Willy Wonka with them, so they could share the movie with me.   As hard as it was for me to sit still and watch a movie I’ve seen numerous times, I knew it was not about me watching the movie – it was about me ‘being’ with my kids.  And, once I settled in on the couch, I couldn’t have imagined a better place to be at that moment – snuggled with my two kids, seeing Willy Wonka through their ‘fresh’ eyes.  If I slow down and rest (or simply ‘be’) with my kids, I find it literally ‘revives’ our relationship (so ‘R&R’ to me means ’Rest and Revive’). 

Yes, I know multi-tasking can be a crucial strategy for getting everything done, but I’ve learned that re-examining my ‘list’ helps me cut down on the need to multi-task.  Here are the filters I’m learning to apply to my list of priorities, so that I can have more ‘R&R’ time for me and my kids.

1. Is the priority aligned with my greater purpose and goals?
2. Is the priority ‘mission critical’ or a ‘nice to have’?
3. Am I the only one who could do this task, or could I delegate it or get help?
4. Is there any way this task could be turned into an activity my kids might also enjoy doing with me? (for example, my kids actually love vacuuming…it’s become a game in our house!)

 So, as I consider the seemingly never-ending list of things I want to accomplish over the next year, I am certain to make sure two key priorities continue to be ‘scheduled’ on my calendar each day. 

1. Alone time for me to ‘rest and revive’
2. Dedicated ‘rest and revive’ time with my kids

Here’s hoping we can all have more time for ‘R&R’ in the new year!

It’s another pet peeve blog. I guess I’m easily annoyed this time of year.

So an acquaintance of mine posted a message on facebook that she needed to find a home for an adult dog that is living in her home. At first it sounded like it was her dog and then after some back and forth it was came out it was her boyfriend’s dog and then it was a shared responsibility with roommates so who really knows who the dog belong to, bottom line it lives in her home and she had some sort of shared custody, but here’s my issue…

This person states there is not enough room, time, or money to care for this adult dog when just a few weeks ago she paid quite a bit of money for a bulldog puppy.  On average a bulldog pup can cost anywhere between $1500 and $3000.  Let’s also mention that there are many many photos of different little puppy outfits and new dog bedding.  I’m estimating between $200-$500 for all the new goodies.

So low ball figure this person has spent at minimum of $1700 on just the dog and it’s clothes.  This does not include vet care and food for the puppy.

So now that there is a claim that there is already a dog in the home and this person can’t afford to feed it let’s break down the cost of living for the average dog.

• Quality dog food (not Ol Roy and other store brand foods) $60 per month for a large/giant breed.  $60 x 12 months = $720
• Several good dog toys $100
• Vet Care and Preventive Medication for a healthy adult dog $400
• A fresh bed $50
• Totaling a whopping $1270 a year. It could be considerably lower depending on how hard the dog is on bedding and toys, as well as the type of food and how much.

So this person just spent over a years worth of care for a dog in just a handful of days buying a puppy and all the puppy paraphernalia.

I’ve worked with rescue groups and transports in the past for dogs.  I think it’s morally reprehensible to buy a new puppy and shuffle an established adult dog out the door.   I also find it sickening when a status dog (extremely popular or in demand breed) is purchased and then a mutt sees his way to the door and this is what has happened in this case. It’s selfishness on the highest level.  I believe that if you take on a pet you are responsible for the life of that pet and that pet depends on you for all of it’s care, and well being.

That said I’ve told myself that I’m going to try to end all posts on a bit of a positive note.

There are a few things one should really consider before taking on a pet.

• What type of pet? Really take into consideration what animal you are going to bring into your home.  Each animal type has very specific needs.  Dogs need to be obedience trained, walked, and housebroken.  Cats need to be litter trained and need stimulation to keep from scratching up furniture and are more independent.  Small animals require proper housing and clean bedding.  Reptiles need proper bedding and very often heat lamps.
• Where is this pet coming from? I can’t honestly say much as to how to purchase a reptile or a bird.  But with furry pets where you purchase your pet can make a big difference in it’s health and well being.  For very small animals try to find a local breeder, there are mouseries and ratteries out there believe it or not.  No matter the animal FIND A RESPONSIBLE BREEDER!  Pet stores almost always have animals that come from puppy mills and other similar situations where all they do is crank out animals for profit.  You are likely to get a pet with underlying health issues.  A responsible breeder will have health records for the parents on site, they will have paid for health testing for common breed ailments, and often the parents will have been shown and have been proven to be a good example of the breed. If they don’t have this information….run away, run away quickly.  You might find a purebred cheep with a home breeder that hasn’t done all testing, showing, care, etc. but you run a high risk of getting what you payed for.  Most responsible breeders aren’t in to dog breeding for the profit, they are in it to further the breed.
• Where are you getting your pet Part II? I felt this was important enough to have it’s own breakaway. Instead of buying a purebred consider adopting from a shelter or rescue first.  There are tons of purebreds out there that don’t have a good home.  They have found themselves in bad situation and deserve just as much love and care as that puppy in the window at the pet store.  I’m partial though, both of my mastiffs are rescues, and I love them to death.  I’ll admit they came to me with a few problems, but I have owned several dogs and my husband and I have both had experience with caring for more advanced pet situations.  I was comfortable bringing home a dog that was starved and sick with my first mastiff and bringing home a second that was fearful and under socialized, both are thriving now.  I don’t recommend someone bring home a dog with a pile of issues if they don’t have the experience but rescue groups especially work with dogs with training, and socialization until they go to their forever home.  Meanwhile, I’ve mentioned purebreds quite a bit but the good old fashioned mutt can be just as rewarding and loving.
• How much can you afford for the basics? Do a little research first.  Find out what food your new pet is going to require and go look at prices.  Take into consideration with furry pets that it’s possible there are food allergy issues and your pet may require a higher quality or allergen free food.  I have a mastiff that is grain intolerant it’s a lesson I learned the hard way but have adjusted to.  You also have to purchase food bowls, water dishes, and bedding from time to time.  With dogs and cats you have to purchase additional collars and tags for identification.  Figure out the average monthly cost and make sure you have that cash.
• Can you afford vet care? Vet’s aren’t cheap.  A puppy is going to require several hundred dollars in shots, de-worming, and that’s if it’s healthy.  If it has any other underlying issues there may be several hundred more.  Cats are much the same.  Vet care for small animals and reptiles really varies.  Preventive medication for fuzzy pets is also a must.
• Do you have the time for the day to day needs? This is really where pet research comes into play.  Reptiles are pretty low maintenance as long as you keep the cage clean.  Most of them don’t require a lot of handling, small birds are much the same.  Larger birds require more socialization.  Cats are pretty easy too, they either want your attention or not but you have to keep that litter box clean.  Dogs…dogs are a big one.  Breed can be a HUGE factor on this one.  My dogs are pretty content with a 30 minute to an hour walk a day, and they are so lazy that there are days I have to make them get up and go out with me.  But they are mastiffs, that’s kinda how they are.  They are giant dogs but don’t require a lot of walking.  They do however, require a ton of love and attention in the house.  They want to be in the same room with you all the time.  I chose a breed that worked with my lifestyle and my time considerations.  I’ve seen a lot of dogs mismatched with families because they didn’t research a breeds needs.  Huskies for example, adorable dogs but not necessarily good with children and require a lot of stimulation and exercise.  A lot of very active breeds find themselves with families that can’t exercise them enough so they get bored and begin to either eat the furniture or become aggressive.  The AKC and many internet resources will give you the guidelines as to what your dog is going to need to be happy, healthy, and thriving.
• Are you getting a certain pet just because it’s popular? It’s been a problem for a few years that certain pets will be purchased just because popular celebrities are being seen with them.  There are so many chihuahua’s hitting the shelters in California they are actually transporting them into areas where they are still in demand.  Most people didn’t realize that whey they bought the cute buggers home that sometimes their attitudes aren’t as cute and will get snappy whey they are tired and feel threatened.  And if I was a three pound dog I would feel threatened a lot.  If this is the case do the research first.  I don’t care if you pick up a popular pet breed just be sure that’s what you want to have.
• Are you planning any life changing events? This is actually pretty major.  My second mastiff came to me because her original owners found out they where pregnant and knew that a small child around a nearly 200 pound dog probably wasn’t the best idea.  Even though mastiffs are good with children they do bump into them and even though they mean well injuries could happen when a toddler gets knocked over.  So if you are planning on becoming pregnant, getting married, or doing a major move in the near future maybe you should hold off for a while until things are a little more stable.
• Do you have a plan for socialization and training? This is a big one for dog people.  Dogs have to be socialized with other dogs and other people, especially with breeds that can be aggressive or defensive towards other dogs or very protective of their owners.  An under socialized dog can come across aggressive when it’s actually being fearful of a new person, dog or situation.  Training is just as important.  All dogs should know the basics.  Sit, stay, and come are three of the most useful commands you will every use.  You have to be able to work with your dog to maintain control of many situations.  A well trained dog isn’t going to bark all night, jump on strangers, run away, pull you around while on a walk.  A well trained dog is a blessing.  Socialization is a ride to a dog park every week or going to places that are dog friendly.  Training can either be done at home or you can work with a trainer.  There are tons of resources that will help you train your beastie.

We moved here 5 years ago–we live in a medium sized city with a population of about 250,000 people. Since I was new to the city (5 years ago) I made the dreadful mistake of going into the main shopping district on Christmas Eve. I am not exaggerating one bit when I tell you that in the middle of the afternoon it took me about 1 1/2 hours to travel 1/4 mile. I am sure that the entire population of the city was on the same road as I was. Back to the present day–yesterday evening we were planning to go shopping. When we approached the turn and saw the line to get into the line to turn left which would get us onto the main road where the traffic was moving at a snails pace, we made our escape, turned around and came home.

And then there are the attitudes of the drivers and the shoppers. When you get into those “Christmas” settings it seems to be “the most annoying time of the year”–rushing, madness, anger, frustration–so what did happen to “Silent Night, Holy Night?” No use to belabor this–it is an experience that we all know about too well. What is most amazing to me has more to do with a Christian’s celebration of Christmas–those of us that ought to know better.

We tend to straddle the line with one foot firmly planted in a cultural Christmas and one in a spiritual/biblical one. Here is what I mean. Many of us do things which highlight the spiritual element of Christmas like going to Christmas Eve services, maybe even read the Christmas story out of the Bible as part of our celebration, or celebrate the Advent wreath in church or maybe even in our home. However, in our cultural celebration are we any different than those that have no spiritual interest or intent in their “keeping” of Christmas? As we are out in the traffic and the crowds what do our words and attitudes convey? What kind of priority does our giving and our getting receive?  Since what we say we are celebrating exemplifies the greatest act of sacrifice and humility then our celebration should resemble that at some level, shouldn’t it?

Here is the problem–we don’t mean to buy into the uber-commercial nature of this deeply spiritual celebration–but we are saturated with this message. For us to fight against it takes both admitting that we have imbibed it and determining that we will celebrate differently–and much more meaningfully! Have a wonderful Christ-filled Christmas!

Pastor Jeff

Ah, Christmas… It’s that time of year again. The time when we sing Christmas… err… to be politically correct… holiday songs (most of which have little or nothing to do with Jesus and more to do with Santa), give gifts to those we care about (because doing it any other time just wouldn’t make sense), and, of course, we put up all kinds of decorations around the house — lights, trees, ornaments, stockings, berries, branches, and ribbons. All this in order to, allegedly, celebrate the birth of Christ.

But wait… did I miss something? What does a Christmas tree, eggnog, mistletoe, stockings, or eight reindeer have to do with the Son of God? Sounds like some kind of bad riddle, doesn’t it?

I’m pretty sure those things — in fact, probably 85 percent of what we do when it comes to Christmas — have absolutely nothing to do with the true reason for the season, which, is the birth of Jesus Christ into the world.

We talk about giving gifts to symbolize the gift that God gave us in His son, Jesus, and that’s great. Wonderful. But what about the other things? What about stockings? What about the Christmas tree? How do those relate to Jesus? (And let’s not even get into the whole Santa thing.)

But maybe it’s just some harmless traditions. Maybe it doesn’t really mean anything. Maybe there’s nothing wrong with gifts, and trees, and non-Jesus Christmas songs. Or maybe there is something wrong with it all. Maybe we become so focused on the “stuff” around the holidays that we forget what it’s really about. And if those things detract from our understanding and celebration of Christ does that mean they’re an idol in our lives? Because what is an idol, but something which we place in higher esteem than God?

Doesn’t Christmas become so all consuming that we schedule our lives around it sometimes? Trying to figure out when and where we can get the best gifts, and thinking about how we want to decorate the house, and what’s for dinner, and who’s coming over, and who’ll sit where, and the list goes on and on, doesn’t it?

Overall, there’s not a doubt in my mind that we have lost focus of what Christmas in about. But I can’t change the way a country celebrates a holiday and neither can you. So what can we do? Focus on the “who” behind the “why” and tell those you love about Christ, and his coming to Earth for the sole purpose of dying for their sins that they might accept His gift, gain eternal life, and have the most memorable Christmas ever.

Sometimes we’re asked to do some very brave things, things that we would never choose to do on our own but because of circumstances we are called to step out of our comfort zone for a greater good.

Have you been in a situation, perhaps recently, where your capacity for coping has been stretched to the max?  We reach a point where we collapse and ask God how we can possibly have the strength to continue.  What is the point of this trial, this suffering?  Why can’t things be easier, why must this time or situation or problem be so extremely difficult?  Whether its troubled teenagers, a hospitalized spouse, financial uncertainty, a strained marriage, or depression -life can be overwhelming.

Ladies, I cannot help thinking of Mary.   She graciously accepted one of the most challenging things ever asked of a woman.  Then again, the peace of God must have rested in her heart as she moved forward with the responsibility of being the mother of God’s son.  Despite the ridicule and shame of being an unwed mother, I imagine that she had a quiet confidence as she carried Jesus in her womb.  With her belly swelling in the passing months, perhaps she had unshakable faith that ,as part of God’s will, everything would be fine in the end.  Personally I would have been rather freaked out knowing that I was responsible for God’s son.  But Mary, I think she was made of firmer stuff, even at such a young age.

The lesson I take away from how Mary responded to God’s request of her, being the mother of Jesus, is that I need to have faith that these brave things we are called to go through are ones we are not meant to face as Lone Rangers.  We are not left alone and abandoned -not by God- when Goliaths or floods or affliction or challenges come.  I know Mary did lots of leaning during her time as a mother, leaning on God’s promises and his character.  She realized that, especially as a parent, she had her responsibility and God had his -and unlike how I often act- she wasn’t going to try to take over God’s job or tell him how he ought to be doing things.  She just trusted.

Mary was brave, not just when she carried the Son of God as an unwed mother, but all through raising him and on through his brutal crucifixion.  Hers was a life of faith.  She was constantly called to be brave, to trust God’s plan, to hold on to his promises when she saw her baby ridiculed, hated and mocked -even tortured.  Her reward?  Seeing her son raised from the dead, resplendent in glory, and receiving the gift of eternal life.

I want to be like Mary.  A woman who shines through adversity, one who trusts and leans on God during heartbreaking and patience-exhausting times.  God knew that Mary could handle this awesome task -but not alone.  He stuck by her even more than she stuck by him.  Can’t you just imagine Mary leaning into God, asking, “How can I do this?”  Wrapping love around her, he tells her to rest.  He’ll give her the strength, he says.

He tells the same thing to each of us.  In this heartbreaking or exhausting time, my dear sisters, you are called to be brave, but -more importantly- you are called to rest and be refilled.  May God shine through you during this time as you release your worries, your need for control, and most importantly  your fear as you let God be God and you his daughter.

Merry Christmas, all of you  Uncommon Women.

With Much Love,

Kelly

These next 12 days come from a seminar I went to about 3 years ago. I just found my notes and thought I’d put them here so I can find them again- and because it is wonderful to read back through them.

Priority: superiority in rank or position, something of leading importance. What you live for that gives life focus.

Your priority has first claim on your time, energy, and resources. You spend a lot on this!

Priorities are designated by:
-Values
-Beliefs
-Ideals
-Commitment level

Identify your priorities:
-you have the power to decide and set whatever you want to be important
-you have the freedom to set your priorities creatively and purposefully to your time on earth (this is our greatest power.)

3 capacities needed:
-imagination- vision, dream, want a better life
-intelligence- think, reason, evaluate, plan
-will- seek desired goal, rise above situations

Authentic priorities are:
-Consciously chosen- did you decide or was it set by circumstance, convenience, or by another?
-Gives life purpose, direction, and meaning. Without them, life feels useless.
-Gives you enthusiasm, motivation
-Frees you from the forces of circumstance, expectation, and habit
-Realistic- must be attainable, or it will frustrate you if you can’t get there

Examples of priorities may include time with family and friends, wealth, happiness, peace, health, joy, more prayer time, etc. Priorities change as we grow.

Remember the “rocks in the jar” experiment, where if you put the big rocks in the jar first, followed by the smaller rocks, followed by sand, and then water, the jar holds a lot? But only if you put the big rocks in first!

Discover your priorities:
-Think about what they could be- kids, spouse, parents, church, friends, job, hobbies, house, schedule….
-What do you spend the most money on (this is usually a priority!)- house, food, children…
-What do you spend the most time on? work, church, house, food

Take time today to really think about your priorities. What matters most to you?

‘Tis the season, right? The season of giving, thinking of others, of flooding food banks, putting spare change in the Salvation Army bucket, letting the person next to you in line go first.

Why isn’t it always the season of giving? Why don’t kindness and patience, love, friendship, and acceptance fill our hearts and homes, our offices and schools every day? Think of how amazing the world would be if we lived lives of love and giving all the time.

And then there’s the woman who gave out my cell number, randomly chosen I’m sure, and a fake insurance policy number at a recent fender-bender. Her victim, also named Jenny, called me and left a voice mail. She was confused by my outgoing message, she could tell she hadn’t reached Christina, or whoever it was who hit her. She said “If you’re Christina or know her, please call me back. I called your insurance company and they said the policy number you gave me has too many numbers. Anyway, thanks.” I called her back immediately. “I’m so sorry, Jenny. I think you’ve been had.” I felt awful telling her she’d been lied to. She was devastated; admitted to having been upset at the time. She hadn’t actually looked at the woman’s paperwork.  She did, however, get her license plate number. “I’m sure what she did is considered a felony,” I said. “You should call the police.” I felt slightly less than charitable when I wished bad things for Christina. But the lesson, whether “Christina” learns it now when arrested for felony hit-and-run, or later when the karma train comes around again, is that you get what you give. All year, every day, every minute. That’s what this life is about. It’s about living a life of love and giving rather than one of deception, of entitlement. Christina may never learn this. But maybe Jenny and I learned it a little more just crossing paths.

Yesterday was my birthday. I had family time in the morning and then later my husband and I went to see the movie “Invictus” about South Africa’s Rugby World Cup win in 1995. After that we had dinner at our favorite restaurant. The movie was wonderful, mostly because it is true.  Think about a man, Nelson Mandela, imprisoned and persecuted for close to three decades and when he was released, he turned to his captors and said, “I forgive you. I forgive you and I welcome you to join me in a community of love and acceptance. Now, let’s play some rugby!” I wept a lot during that movie.  

When we got to dinner, my husband gave me my present. It was a tryptich-type picture frame and in the outer two slots he placed the lyrics to the song “The Story” by Brandi Carlile. I wept some more. He said “I love that song and it makes me think of you, of our life together.”

Because these stories don’t mean anything

When you’ve got no one to tell them to

It’s true . . .

I was made for you.

The middle panel is empty for now; it awaits a recent photo of just us. Our kids are our family. But he and I are “The Story.” Just us. I thought I’d be safe opening my gift at the table. Tim didn’t expect such emotion either. Instead our waiter experienced true awkward as he brought us a shared Caesar while I openly wept with joy and gratitude, and it wasn’t for the Caesar. And I felt just how much I am loved. And this is my wish for Christmas, that everyone feels that. Maybe you will from a family member, a lover, a colleague, or even from a stranger who does a good deed. Somehow, let’s all do what Nelson Mandela did. It’s in simple actions and complex ones. Do whatever you can. It just needs doing. Let’s create a world of love and acceptance, not one of anger and fear. Let’s give till it doesn’t hurt anymore. Ever.

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living^©

Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.
(Psalms 27:14 (NIV))

God is calling to each of us. He has something unique for each life that He has created. In our human inadequacies, we rush God’s plans. We try to anticipate and put our own desires into what God has called us to. We try to tell God what He should have us do with our life. We try to be our own little gods, each of us attempting to run our life to our own version of perfection when we cannot even spend one hour in God’s perfection.

Perhaps another often quoted verse from the Psalmist can put it in perspective.

Be still, and know that I am God
(Psalms 46:10a(NIV))

In order for us to fully understand that we must wait and do things in God’s time, we must know God. We must know the Truth and not the version of God that we have confined to the little box that we have built for Him. This box is our comfort zone. We try to limit God and what He can do. We try to impose human and physical limitations on God so that we, in our limited understanding, can try to understand Him.

We create God in our image!

This concept is dangerous. We, the creation, cannot create. All we can do is imitate. At best, all we can do is reflect the light that is God. If we try to create God in our image, then we have sinned, especially when you realize that sin is anything that we do that keeps us from God. When we create God in our image, we are keeping ourselves from the truth that is God by limiting who He is.

Be still, and know grace.

Be still, and know mercy.

Be still, and know God.

Are you waiting for the Lord?

Copyright 1998 – 2009 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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This is a bit of a stern post to myself, actually. It turns out that today, I had a bit of an epiphany.

I want to be a writer. So why do I keep letting myself get distracted?

I’m putting together my application for graduate school and realizing that I really love this. I really love writing and doing photography and that there is no reason in the world why I shouldn’t be focusing on this now. Today was sort of the last straw decision: I need to work on writing. A regiment has to be developed and make sure that I’m organized and effective. I’ve been scattered and crazed lately because I’ve been letting myself get distracted by all kinds of nonsense (video games, thinking about other things, money problems) but writing is the most important thing ever to me. So that’s going to be my focus.

New goal: at least half an hour of writing a day. Start small. While I’m working, it’s hard, so half an hour might be it. Maybe an hour. If I can do that, then I’ll be set.

This is the new goal.

PS: Update, I have finished editing my work for graduate school. I’m terrified it’s not going to be good enough, but I’m sending it along.

As this is a shortened holiday week, I thought that instead of focusing on money this week (though I might sneak bits in), I would look at the other side of my business purpose.  Helping you fulfill your dreams.    Here is a top 10 ways to enjoy a fulfilling holiday season!

1. Enjoy the sights and sounds; they are only here once a year.
2. Enjoy friends and family, reach out to those you have not talked to for a while but want to it is the perfect time to reconnect.
3. Take time for yourself, it is very important for you to stay healthy and relaxed, it will make for a more enjoyable time if you are happy.
4. Add a tradition that you have always wanted to try.
5. Take away a tradition that you don’t enjoy and only do out of a feeling of obligation – this is a time to enjoy not agonize over what has to be done.
6. Indulge in once a year joys, like eggnog and cookies.
7. Don’t spend too much on gifts, the gift of you is appreciated just as much as material goods (and your wallet thanks you too).
8. Give to charity, think of those less fortunate than you.  Even $5 in food to a family who has none can help; you don’t have to give large sums of money to make a difference.
9. Play like you are a kid again, if you live where there is snow go build a snowman.

10.  Take the real purpose behind the season and take the time to connect with God, he can renew your energy, purpose and spirit.

Have a great holiday week I hope you have a fantastic week,

Andrea

The humungously uninteresting saga of Tiger Woods’ infidelities

The press has been full in recent days of the Tiger Woods saga. I have followed this with a combination of astonishment and disgust and touched on it yesterday’s Post.

Astonishment? Not at Woods’ extramarital adventures. Frankly, I am astonished that anyone could possibly be astonished to learn of his frailties.

I must have been about 13 when I took an interest in John F Kennedy, mostly because of his assassination. As a young teenager I read and listened to the news over the coming months and gradually realised that this great American hero and hope for the future was a serial philanderer. And as I grew up I realised that this is the kind of behaviour that rich and powerful men in particular get up to.

I soon realised that some men simply give in to their sexual drives; integrity, promises and faithfulness just go out of the window. Once again – just like the British MPs who filched public funds by the £1,000s -  BECAUSE they can do it (for a while) they DID do it.

This is regrettable for stable marriages and the happy upbringing of children, but it is a fact. And so Woods’ antics were

Paul Newman

not the slightest bit surprising. In fact, what IS surprising is to hear of famous people who have NOT given in to basic urges, the most famous recent example being the much-loved and missed Paul Newman.

No, what astonished and disgusted me was the press interest in Woods’ philanderings. Of course, the media only publicize what they think people want to hear or read about, and this in order to sell more copies and rack up more advertising revenue. And as the media are not stupid, it clearly IS true that many people ARE interested in the sexual antics of famous people.

But what does this tell us about the seriousness of the human race? All this fuss over one more weak, unfaithful and ultimately boring husband when on the same day hundreds of thousands died of treatable disease, when goodness knows how many more tons of ice melted, how many more tons of CO2 were released into the air, how many more victims of the hellish North Korean regime there were?

He’s a famous golfer? Oh dear ….  someone good at putting a ball into a hole? This is supposed to be IMPORTANT?

Sadly, the whole episode is just another example of the fatuous obsession with celebrities, as if they are somehow more interesting or important than anyone else. No, my local postman is far more interesting than Tiger Woods, and I don’t think he cheats on his wife either.

And as for comment about the business wisdom of Woods not talking to the press? Oh dear again – one weeps. Why should anyone CARE whether he talks to the press or loses sponsors? Who GIVES a damn? Well, apparently, millions. And this is fairly depressing when there is so much else to worry about. And if big name sponsors of the once “Mr Clean” of world sport are now looking rather foolish, well I for one won’t shed any tears. They peddle fantasy, shallowness and envy; it’s time we had a reassessment of priorities and bit more common-sense and realism.

Please Mr Murdoch et al; give us a break from Tiger Woods; he is just nanoscopically irrelevant in the grand scheme of things and what on earth has his private life got to do with his golf anyway? But I expect we will have to suffer months of reading about the vast settlement his wife will get as his divorce is dragged through the courts and the media. Oh dear, I need a drink ……

Despairing of Kempten in the Allgau

By Chris Snuggs

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living^©

You will be accepted if you respond in the right way. But if you refuse to respond correctly, then watch out! Sin is waiting to attack and destroy you, and you must subdue it.
(Genesis 4:6 (NLT))

Everyone longs for acceptance. God designed us to seek acceptance, but where we seek this acceptance is the cause of many problems. If we turn to God, then we will find acceptance and grace. If we turn anywhere else, sin soon shows up.

In high school, everyone faces peer pressure. This peer pressure is an attempt to force someone’s hand so that they find acceptance where they shouldn’t even be looking. Sometimes this peer pressure reaches an unsuspecting person and lures them into circumstances that would better be left unexplored. Too many drunk teenage drivers get behind the wheel because they gave in so that they could find acceptance. Too many teenage pregnancies result from the desire to be accepted.

Isn’t it amazing that we were told of the consequences of seeking acceptance in the wrong place almost from the beginning of God’s creation. Perhaps, we could even consider Adam and Eve and the fall from grace as the first incident of misguided acceptance. Sin was introduced into the world because of the need to be accepted for more than what we are. From this, it is apparent that sinful acceptance has three tell tale traits.

1 – We are told a lie to entice us into doing something we know that we should not do
2 – There are always adverse consequences for our misguided direction with sin as the result
3 – Those who are responsible for enticing us into the actions never accept the responsibility they have in enticing you

Thankfully, we have a God who is willing to accept us no matter how far we have turned toward other forms of acceptance. All that we have to do is accept His offer of grace and mercy through the gift of His Son, Jesus. Once we accept this gift, we find unconditional acceptance that leads to eternal life.

Where do you seek acceptance?

Copyright 1998 – 2009 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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You have your priorities all wrong.messed up.and why not?  What is more important to you? Family? Job? Riches? Having fun? daughter’s dance class? poker night?

This is not a question that can be answered without additional information. And the word we need to add is “now” – making it  “What is more important to you NOW?”

The whole priority thing is a “point in time” view…Which means, what is a priority now might not have been a priority yesterday and so on.

This leads to the next issue – how long will your prioroties last? By the time you have sorted all your prioroties, time has moved on – and what can you do? You get back to sorting the darn priorities….rinse and repeat.

This makes priorotizing a stressful task – and the last thing we want at holiday time is more stress…so how do we avoid stressing out? We can decide NOT to prioritize at all, at least for some time.

Phew – no priorities to worry out. Just curl up on couch and order in pizza and watch a movie. Isn’t that heaven? Well – there is one small problem. We need to buy presents, put up the tree, light it up , cook and clean for the family and friends…and there isn’t enough time.

Oh but there is – if only we could prioritize and figure out what we need to do first and second and third and ….heck we need to prioritize…

Damned if you do …damned if you don’t

you can NEVER prioritize…got that? NEVER EVER

I’m watching Man versus Wild and thinking about the adventures I’ll have this coming year. I think there will be at least two 4×4 Weekend Adventures (more likely week long adventures). I don’t think I’ll do Boundary Waters trips in northern Minnesota for a few years because they’re not as much fun for me as mountains and more western getaways. I think I’ll coordinate trips to Colorado or Utah or maybe northern California. Ahhh… When dreaming, there’s no limit!

Just to update everyone, I’m feeling much better today. Today is the first day of my two week break and I’m doing my best to enjoy it, despite my fears that it would be ruined by the genetics screening fiasco.

A couple of things have contributed to my elevated mood and increased hope.

#1 – I had a talk with my mother yesterday (actually is was more like a sob session right before 3rd period, during which my 6th graders said to me, “Are you sad? It looks like you’ve been crying. When you’re sad I’m sad.” I was so embarrassed). Anyway, the talk was actually pretty good and what I took from it was one thing my mother said, “If you don’t know that anything is wrong you have to assume that everything is okay.” So I’m trying to make that my new motto. Everything is great until I know otherwise. It’s actually doing me some good, believe it or not. I think I like this because it’s not just “everything is going to be fine,” which I don’t feel reflects reality, even if it is the most probable outcome. I also like it better than “I can handle whatever happens,” which makes me start panicking thinking about the horrible things I might have to “handle” some day. “Everything is fine until you know otherwise” allows me to enjoy the reality of the present moment (that everything is okay) and accept that at a present moment in the future that might not be the case, but I can’t do anything about that moment now. It feels like an honest way for me to stay in the moment and enjoy the only thing I can reasonably enjoy, that which is happening to me right now.

#2 – At my therapist’s urging I’m not doing anything this weekend that does not fit under the umbrella of “self-care”. More specifically she told me that under no circumstances should I be cooking, cleaning, doing grad school work or grading papers. For some reason, having someone else say this to me makes it okay to follow through and do it. The truth is I have had a really difficult week. I’ve been in a kind of emotion and psychological crisis. I can validate not doing much for three days. So today, even though I noticed how gross the bathroom floor is getting, I just ignored it. I’ve also ignored the dishes in the sink. So far I’ve thought I should grade papers (I have so much to do) about ten times but kindly reminded myself that I’m not doing that quite yet and I will have plenty to time to fill my days with paper grading after Christmas. So not allowing myself to do all the things that cause me stress around the house has really helped decrease my stress. Who knew?!

#3 – I picked up my Zo.loft (or the generic version of said SSRI) yesterday and already popped two (one yesterday and one today). The pills are so small, definitely the smallest I’ve ever seen. My doctor gave me a ton of 25mg to start me off so I can slowly work up to 75mg. I think I’m going to stick at 50mg for a while and see if it helps. If I feel like I need more I’ll go up to 75mg. For some reason, the super small size of these things eases my guilt ridden mind a bit. I’m so big and there is so much body for these to dissolve into, maybe they really won’t cause my baby too much harm. The guilt is still there though, but my hope that these would make me feel normal again outweigh my guilt about the possible side effects to the baby, and I was almost happy to pop the first one. I so, so, so hope they make a difference.

#4 – Mi.Vida and I had a nice day today. We went for a walk and right before we realized we hadn’t had lunch. Mi.Vida suggested we go out somewhere on the way to the park and we ended up being seated at a great bistro super quickly. It was wonderful food and a really fun lunch. I appreciated Mi.Vida bringing it up because I’ve mentioned a few times that I want to eat out more and see more movies in the theater because I know those things will quickly fall by the wayside when the baby is born. Anyway, then we went for a great walk in Golden Gate park. We circled around to pass by the carousel and Mi.Vida indulged me in a ride. It was very fun to relive some great childhood memories riding on the  funny frog. On the way out of the park, I rode a weathered piece of cardboard down the concrete slide. I hadn’t done that in over a decade and was pleased as punch that my hips even fit. I did get stuck in the middle though, but it was worth the ride. All in all it was a great walk. I killed three birds from my priority list (see #5 below) with one stone and feel good about the way we spent the day. All this while staying true to my “self-care” regimen this weekend.

#5 – I bought a new book that I just love. It’s called the Pregnant Woman’s Companion: Nine Strategies That Work To Keep Your Peace Of Mind Through Pregnancy And Into Parenthood. So far I’ve worked through two of the strategies (these descriptions are paraphrased): Committed Support System and Limit Priorities. I feel like I really need to work on both of these (and my therapist would DEFINITELY agree) so they’ve been wonderful to read through. I wrote a list of 9 priorities that are most important to me right now, so I can gauge new commitments against them and feel good about saying yes or no. I know that this list will not magically take the stress out of my life, especially since I still need to do some tutoring for financial reasons and I also want to continue with one more semester of grad school so I have a chance of actually finishing after the baby is born. But I do think that I can use this list to make better choices about the way I spend my time. The walk with Mi.Vida today fulfilled three things that come up under my major priorities: exercise (under Caring For Myself), quality time with Mi.Vida (under Building a Strong Relationship) and eating out (under Enjoying the Last Hurrah). My list seems a little unwieldy at times but when I think that I can be doing two more things at once, it feels doable. Here is my list, for those who are curious. The first two were dictated by the book and I definitely agreed with them.

1. care for myself

2. care for my baby

3. build a strong, loving relationship with Mi.Vida

4. give and receive support from family and friends

5. build a safe, comfortable home

6. rejoice in my pregnancy

7. cultivate acceptance and loving-kindess

8. enjoy the last hurrah

9. maintain integrity at work and grow as a professional

There are many specific things under each priority. Like “meet other pregnant women” under 6, and “keep in touch with girlfriends” under 4. There is so much under 5 (build a safe, comfortable home) that it’s hard not to get a little anxious about it, but it’s nice to remember that that is important and will need to be tackled at some point.

Other sections of this book talk about strategies to deal with situations that are out of your control (the kind of stuff that causes me anxiety), creating a more intimate relationship with your partner, and many more. I’ve bought so many books, basically looking for this one, I’m so glad to have finally found it. I know it will help me balance the ups and downs in my life (well what do you know, there’s a strategy for that too!).

So that is where I am today. I’m actually feeling hope that things will be okay and I will be able to enjoy this pregnancy while I’m experiencing it. I am still nervous about the genetics screening but I have so long to wait, I just keep telling myself that everything is okay until I know otherwise.

BUENAS NOTICIAS – I’ve gotten some good presents for my family this year. I still have my mom and SIL to buy for, but I’m feeling confident I can pull that off. Mi.Vida and I have both been remiss in buying for each other, which actually makes me very happy. I hope it stays that way.

So to teach someone a lesson about leaving stuff out, we’re going to leave it out so she has to deal with it? I close…. I deal w/it….

________

2:30 am

I ended up tagging and putting it away. I knew it was going to end up on my shoulders anyway so why not just go ahead and do it?

Typical day at work. Nothing too extraordinary to share. I didn’t call off even though it was the first thought of the day for like 3 days in a row so I’m proud of myself. Way to go, Responsible Adult.

I’ve decided that I do not want to pursue a management position in retail. It must be harder that I think because the things that managers do at my current job make me say “hmmmm now why would you do that instead of this?” There has to be something about the position that I’m missing which makes their actions make more sense than what I would do in their shoes.

I’m off tomorrow…somehow…and currently lying to myself about everything I’m going to accomplish. Especially since I’m keep getting distracted by random ish on the net…….

HAHAHAHAHA “you should come to Austin, we can hang out.” Dude, I’m almost 25. I’m aware of all of the little booty getting tricks. And if I was skanky enough to meet some random dude off the net, don’t you think I’d get someone a little closer? I wish I could be a man for a day. I think if women could understand how driven men are by their loins, then maybe everyone would get along a little better. I just don’t understand driving for hours for ass. I’m talking to you “To Catch a Predator” pedophiles!

Anywho, like I was saying I’m currently lying to myself about everything I’m going to get done tomorrow because it is now….3:21 and I still have to wash my makeup off and brush my teeth….actually I think I may just go ahead and shower.

Hmmmm…..am I too sleepy to pull an all-nighter…why yes I am….if only for the fact that when thinking “all” I typed “old.”

I’m just gonna go lay down and hopefully I’ll pass out.

Goodnight.