New Year's Resolutions
I have been racking my brain, trying to best describe 2007. It wasn't a bad year, because there were times this year that I was the happiest I have ever been. It wasn't a good year, either. I guess the best way to describe it would be that 2007 was a difficult year. I would even goes as far as to say that it came in like a lamb and it will most likely end like a lion.
So, instead of talking about the year that is quickly coming to a close, I am going to take this time to make my New Year's Resolutions.
First off, while I drink plenty of water, I still don't get my full eight cups of water. So, for the 366 days that make up 2008, I am going to consume three full venti sized cups of water. Each venti size is 24 ounces, or three cups.
Second, I am going to actively look for a steady job and have one. One that will actually pay me for what I'm worth and have a stable enough to where I'm not feast or famine. One that I could turn into a career and would want to.
Third, I am going to be a lot more tidier. Right now, time is stretched thin, and it's bugging me that I don't have as much time to clean as I need. Also, I'm going to manage my time better, so I'm not just spending my entire days off cleaning.
And finally the fourth one. For my fourth resolution, I am going to take life one day at a time. One hard lesson this year has taught me well is just how quickly life can change from one day to the next. I know not what tomorrow will bring, but I shall worry about it tomorrow. For today, I need to deal with today.
Since we're still on the topic of New Year's, I would like to add just one more thing. I work both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Luckily, I get off in plenty of time to actually enjoy the night and I don't work until the following afternoon. So far, I have no plans.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Monday, December 24, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee
When things in out lives seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the two cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They all agreed that it was.
The professor then picked us a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things-your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions. If everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter-your job, your house, your car.
The sand is everything else-the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the golf balls or the pebbles. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first-the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friendship."
(Courtesy of Harnish Lincoln Mercury auto dealership.)
When things in out lives seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the two cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They all agreed that it was.
The professor then picked us a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things-your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions. If everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter-your job, your house, your car.
The sand is everything else-the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the golf balls or the pebbles. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first-the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friendship."
(Courtesy of Harnish Lincoln Mercury auto dealership.)
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
This is my December
2007 has not been a normal year for me, in any stretch; and the weather so far this month has mirrored that perfectly. On the first day, there was snow and lots of it. Too bad it didn't stick and by the end of the evening, it gave way to the torrential rains that you probably have heard about. Then came the wind, and they coupled to create quite the monsoon that lasted for most of the week. Then came the blessed sun and one can only hope and pray that it sticks around long enough for the state to dry out.
But I'm not here to talk about the weather. As odd as it has been, I have absolutely no control over it. I can only endure, and hope for the best. It's just one more storm in my life. Quite literally.
No, I am here to talk about the Christmas season. Ever since my Dad passed away, the holidays have lost their touch; there's been no magic to them at all. I have only meandered through them, putting on a happy face while feeling nothing inside. The lone exception was last year. Last year I got a spark back. There was a twinkle in my eye again. I was able to actually get back into the spirit of Christmas.
Why? For one very, very good reason. Someone came back into my life. Someone who I hadn't seen or spoken to since high school. She came back into my life and we were hanging out together. There's this little bar that we used to go to all the time and just hang out and have fun. Mind you, we would only drink water, but there was karaoke, which is a blast. I'm not normally someone who would participate, but she gave me the confidence I needed to get up there and sing my heart out. It helps that she thinks I sing well.
That someone is still in my life. This is one of the few reasons, despite it all, I'm actually once again looking forward to Christmas. By despite it all, I have a few major things that are getting in my way.
Number one, is money. I had a very large bill almost wipe out my last paycheck and I won't have another paycheck until the middle of the month. This brings about the second problem: time. My work schedule is all over the map, which makes not only shopping a bit of a problem, but also slims down drastically any chance I have to spend time with those that I care about. The third is just how unpredictable my life is right now. Obviously, this has much to do with the previous two.
The best solution I have come up with is that I throughly plan on doing all my Christmas shopping done on one day. I've done it in the past, so I know that it's possible. I just have to make sure that it's early enough in the month so I can send off a certain package to Texas, but late enough so I actually have money so I can go shopping. This alone would alleviate much of the stress that I'm feeling right now. After all, if I do all my shopping on one day, this frees up my time as well. Although I would like to point out that I have actually started some of my Christmas shopping. So, technically speaking, I'm not doing it ALL on one day. But whatever.
Yes, I am going to make the most out of this Christmas season. Time is short, so I'm going to put my all into it. All that matters is that I am able to make someone very happy.
This will be a busy month for me, but I will post again before the new year. By the way, I would like to point out that my next post will be my 100th.
2007 has not been a normal year for me, in any stretch; and the weather so far this month has mirrored that perfectly. On the first day, there was snow and lots of it. Too bad it didn't stick and by the end of the evening, it gave way to the torrential rains that you probably have heard about. Then came the wind, and they coupled to create quite the monsoon that lasted for most of the week. Then came the blessed sun and one can only hope and pray that it sticks around long enough for the state to dry out.
But I'm not here to talk about the weather. As odd as it has been, I have absolutely no control over it. I can only endure, and hope for the best. It's just one more storm in my life. Quite literally.
No, I am here to talk about the Christmas season. Ever since my Dad passed away, the holidays have lost their touch; there's been no magic to them at all. I have only meandered through them, putting on a happy face while feeling nothing inside. The lone exception was last year. Last year I got a spark back. There was a twinkle in my eye again. I was able to actually get back into the spirit of Christmas.
Why? For one very, very good reason. Someone came back into my life. Someone who I hadn't seen or spoken to since high school. She came back into my life and we were hanging out together. There's this little bar that we used to go to all the time and just hang out and have fun. Mind you, we would only drink water, but there was karaoke, which is a blast. I'm not normally someone who would participate, but she gave me the confidence I needed to get up there and sing my heart out. It helps that she thinks I sing well.
That someone is still in my life. This is one of the few reasons, despite it all, I'm actually once again looking forward to Christmas. By despite it all, I have a few major things that are getting in my way.
Number one, is money. I had a very large bill almost wipe out my last paycheck and I won't have another paycheck until the middle of the month. This brings about the second problem: time. My work schedule is all over the map, which makes not only shopping a bit of a problem, but also slims down drastically any chance I have to spend time with those that I care about. The third is just how unpredictable my life is right now. Obviously, this has much to do with the previous two.
The best solution I have come up with is that I throughly plan on doing all my Christmas shopping done on one day. I've done it in the past, so I know that it's possible. I just have to make sure that it's early enough in the month so I can send off a certain package to Texas, but late enough so I actually have money so I can go shopping. This alone would alleviate much of the stress that I'm feeling right now. After all, if I do all my shopping on one day, this frees up my time as well. Although I would like to point out that I have actually started some of my Christmas shopping. So, technically speaking, I'm not doing it ALL on one day. But whatever.
Yes, I am going to make the most out of this Christmas season. Time is short, so I'm going to put my all into it. All that matters is that I am able to make someone very happy.
This will be a busy month for me, but I will post again before the new year. By the way, I would like to point out that my next post will be my 100th.
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