August 31

The next time you have to make a simple decision, make it quickly.  Do not brood over whether or not you made the right one.  Let it go.

"In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing."

Theodore Roosevelt

I chose to put that quote before my post since I absolutely adore this one. I know a lot of people, including myself, that not only have trouble making big decisions but they also cannot make the little ones.  For instance, the other day when my brother and I went out to lunch neither one of us could decide where to go so we ended up sitting on a bench for fifteen minutes in uncertainty.  Now, that is just silly.

August 30

Observe your choices today.

Here is a brief list of my choices so far:

• Eating tofu for lunch
• Sleeping in
• Cleaning up before I left for the day
• Calling my sister and my brother
• Write blogs before I left for the day
• Reading The Handmaid's Tale

"In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility."
Eleanor Roosevelt

August 29

Create a home life that will enable you to work towards your goals.

I think it is important to keep a balance in your house.  While you need a place to relax, you also shouldn't have to many distractions where you need to get work done.  My desk, though surrounded by books, also has a bulletin board in front of it that has my goals and dreams posted on it.  Perfect balance for my goals.

"The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned."

Maya Angelou

August 28

Rest.

Yesterday I was so exhausted I collapsed on the floor and couldn't get up for a half hour.  Surprisingly, I wasn't miserable.  I had had a full, productive day that I was proud of.  I didn't overeat, I exercised a lot just by moving around, and I got a lot done.  It was a very satisfying kind of tired.

"Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired."
Jules Renard

August 27

Make a list of things that make you a good companion for yourself.

• I try not to beat myself up too much after making mistakes
• I can laugh when I find myself in awful scenarios
• I can usually find something fun to do when I am bored
• I am healthy
• I can be crafty

"What a lovely surprise to finally discover how unlonely being alone can be."
Ellen Burstyn

August 26

Carry yourself with good posture and a smile.

I have trouble with this one; I usually walk in a manner my friends have dubbed "the old lady shuffle".  This walk consists of staring at the ground and subsequently accidentally head butting people.  Today I will try to walk with my shoulders back and a smile.  At the very least, it will scare my friends.

"A good stance and posture reflect a proper state of mind."
Morihei Ueshiba

August 25

List ways to overcome crankiness.

• Deep breaths
• Movie
• Music
• Venting
• Candy
• Ice cream
• Swearing
• Exercise (as a last resort)

"I'm not really wise. But I can be cranky."

Andy Griffith

August 24

Exercise.

Today I enjoyed a great day showing the city to my cousin from out of town.  We walked around, had an awesome lunch, and enjoyed gelato.  That is pretty much my idea of exercise.

"Training gives us an outlet for suppressed energies created by stress and thus tones the spirit just as exercise conditions the body."
Arnold Schwarzenegger

August 23

Make a list of ten things that make you fun.

1. I can keep interesting conversation
2. I like to explore new areas
3. I can be silly
4. I can be funny
5. I have a lot of hobbies
6. I am up for trying new things
7. I am easy going
8. I like having adventures
9. I am friendly
10. I am a good listener

"If you obey all the rules you miss all the fun."

Katharine Hepburn

August 22

Shake up your lunch routine.

I know Diana Fletcher would disapprove of this but I always try to watch a funny sitcom when I am eating lunch.  It always makes me feel better and energizes me for the new day.  I also love exploring new restaurants.  I believe, and I think Winnie the Pooh and hobbits would agree, that lunch is the most important part of a day.

"Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what's for lunch."
Orson Welles

August 21

Giving can make us feel great.  Give and feel no resentment.

There is nothing like giving the perfect gift to someone (or receiving one but you really can't help that).  I love listening to someone all year and finally hearing them let slip what they really want.  I once her my sister say she wanted nothing more than a bucket of Starburst.  Needless to say I made it happen.  There is the perfect gift out there for everyone.

"Gifts must affect the receiver to the point of shock."
Walter Benjamin

August 20

Shout "I AM AMAZING!"

I AM AMAZING!  I just shouted that and startled my sister quite a bit.  Always a good time.

"The willingness to accept responsibility for one's own life is the source from which self-respect springs."
Joan Didion

August 19

Write a description of your perfect day.  Find a way to incorporate some of it into your daily life.

• A great novel
• Cupcakes by the dozen
• Sleeping in
• Staying up late
• Watching a great new movie
• Laughing so hard it hurts
• Having an adventure
• Exploring
• Finding something I thought I lost
• Pajamas
• Writing
• Accomplishing something huge

"If you don't think every day is a great day try going without one."
Jim Evans

August 18

Say this out loud "I make the choices.  It is up to me, and I can make them great."

I make the choices.  It is up to me, and I can make them great.

I really like these easy exercises.

“It is our choices, Harry, that show us what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” 
Albus Dumbledore

Shut up; that is a great quote.

August 17

Cheer up and laugh by looking at greeting cards.  They can be pretty funny.

So kind of a weird suggestion but I like it.  My birthday was at the end of July and I got some funny messages.

Quotes from greeting cards:

"I always wanted to be somebody, but I realize I should have been more specific."


"Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing."

"Start every day with a smile, and get it over with."

August 16

Treat the members of your family with respect.

Although things have been a bit rocky with my family lately, we do enjoy each other's company, I think more than other families do. There is nothing more awkward than being around a family that doesn't get along.  Of course, I have put friends in that position when I am arguing with family members so I probably should preach.

"The other night I ate at a real nice family restaurant. Every table had an argument going."
George Carlin

August 15

Take good care of yourself.

Yesterday, I dropped books on each foot and cut my finger with a razor.  I also ate crap and was on my feet all day.  My clumsiness aside, I am in tune with my sleep cycle.  All right, the bank appointment is now fourteen minutes away and I am still not dressed.  Can she make it?

"The devil has put a penalty on all things we enjoy in life. Either we suffer in health or we suffer in soul or we get fat."
Albert Einstein

August 14

Walk for ten minutes.

I have always loved walking in foreign cities but hated walking at home.  I think the act of exploring is really important to me.  I am going to the city tomorrow so maybe I will explore a bit there.

"Everywhere is within walking distance if you have the time."
Steven Wright

August 13

Demand what you want.  Be powerful.

I really have to pump these out.  I have an appointment at the bank in a half hour and am currently wearing boxers and a democrat t-shirt.  Dressed to impress.

Anyway, I think this is especially important to do in romantic relationships, which I am not in, and work related situations.  I have no problem in the latter category since I rarely want anything but to be left alone.

"The power of an air force is terrific when there is nothing to oppose it."
Winston Churchill

August 12

Really listen to other people's ideas.  It is important to open your mind up in new ways.

I really don't think I am guilty of being bossy.  If anything, I need to learn how to speak out more with my ideas, though I think I am becoming better at that.  Anyway, bossy people are just plain obnoxious.  Don't be one of those people.

"I like long walks especially when they are taken by people who annoy me."
Noel Coward

August 11

Decide on something that you want to change in your life.

I decided a little while ago that I wanted to start to have more adventures.  To make this happen (I think I have mentioned this before), I made a list of one hundred things I wanted to do before I turned thirty.  This is a great motivator for me.  First of all I love lists; I will check off anything that stands still long enough.  Second of all, it is not as easy to put things off if you are constantly looking at a list. It is a constant inspiration to get out of my shell and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss, but that it is too low and we reach it."
Michelangelo

August 10

What is your area of weakness?  What can you do about it?

I suppose I can be weak when it comes to putting myself out there.  I could try to speak out and approach people more.

"All cruelty springs from weakness."
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

August 9

Come up with some new mantras to say whenever you find yourself going over mistakes in your past.

If I hadn't _________, I would not be the same person I am today.

Everyone makes mistakes.

I am so glad that that experience is over and done with.  I never have to think about it again.

If that is the stupidest thing I have ever done I suppose I am lucky.

I am really glad I am letting that go.

“You will find that it is necessary to let things go; simply for the reason that they are heavy. So let them go, let go of them. I tie no weights to my ankles.”
C. JoyBell C.

August 8

Let yourself feel joy.  Don't just wait for the other shoe to drop.

I understand this one completely.  There is always something to dread in life.  Always.  But why dwell on it?  I have really been trying to live in the present lately and to spread this message to people around me.  Of course, they probably think I am really annoying but I, at least, am enjoying myself.

"As selfishness and complaint pervert the mind, so love with its joy clears and sharpens the vision."
Helen Keller

August 7

Make a list of the things that bring you joy, no matter how silly.

• Reading
• Singing
• Writing
• Listening to music
• Watching movies
• Doing bad impressions
• Playing board games
• Playing charades
• Laughing
• Eating brown sugar
• Baking
• Coloring
• Pretending

"Joy in looking and comprehending is nature's most beautiful gift."
Albert Einstein

August 6

Let yourself completely enjoy a hobby today.  Don't say "I don't have time" or "I should be doing something else".  Enjoy.

Well, right now I am listening to a Paul Simon album while writing.  Also, this morning I got to read for about an hour before I started my day.  I rarely feel guilty for devoting myself to a hobby.  This is mostly because I know I would go absolutely insane if I didn't make time to do the things I love.  I constantly hear people say they don't have time to devote to their hobbies.  I believe you can always make time, as I am doing right now!

"When your hobbies get in the way of your work - that's OK; but when your hobbies get in the way of themselves... well."
Steve Martin

August 5

Say "I am powerful."


I am powerful.


Also, today is the anniversary of the biggest, most painful surgery I have ever had.  And I survived.  I can feel the power!


"I am not interested in power for power's sake, but I'm interested in power that is moral, that is right and that is good."
Martin Luther King Jr.

August 4

Break down the big stuff you have to do into reasonable, small tasks.


Had to think about this one for awhile because right now, I don't have any huge tasks to do.  I am busy, but it is mostly small things.  I am taking this to mean that I have done well with today's message because my work is already broken up!  I am so on top of things. 


"Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one."
Hans Selye

August 3

Take care of your health.  Without it, you cannot live a happy, fulfilling life.


I completely agree and I consider myself a healthy person.  Sure, I am not in the best shape of my life, but I don't drink a lot or smoke...sorry had to pause in my writing to take a sip of a Coke Zero which I am sure is full of horrific chemicals.  Still, I am better off than most people.  I also think intellectual health is just as important as physical health.  I myself am worried that if I am not constantly learning new things, I could develop Alzheimer's, which runs in my family.  Taking care of yourself should not be considered selfish; in fact, I think it would be inconsiderate to your family if you let yourself go.


"The devil has put a penalty on all things we enjoy in life. Either we suffer in health or we suffer in soul or we get fat."
Albert Einstein

August 2

Stay away from people who want to argue all the time.


Well, if that was the case I think we would all be permanently disconnected from our families.  However, I do agree that we should limit our contact with people that make us angry or upset constantly.  With family it is a bit trickier; that's where anger management classes kick in.


"The other night I ate at a real nice family restaurant. Every table had an argument going."
George Carlin

August 1

The world will not end if you set boundaries for yourself and others.


There have been a lot of messages on saying no, so I will not dwell too much on this one.  I have never really been used for anything, mostly because I am not skilled at anything that helps anyone.  My sister, on the other hand, is remarkably good at both cooking and make up so people (me) often use her for this.  Maybe this message is more for her than me.


"Boundaries are to protect life, not to limit pleasures."
Edwin Louis Cole