It's My Birthday

Today I turn 53 years old and as I'm typing this the number looks old!  I remember when I was younger and saw that number as someone's age and would think, "that's kind of old"! I've learned that 53 isn't old, at least I don't think it's old.  The other day the thought occured to me; though, that I could have only 20 or so more years on this earth; not much time left compared to the number of years I have already lived.

I'd rather look at the positives or the bright side of situations so I'll tackle this subject from the "bright side".  I haven't sat down to ponder what I'm about to write so I'm sure there will be items I might like to add, but I'm more of an "off the cuff" type of girl so I'm just going to wing it.

I know I've had to have learned some things, some valuable lessons in my 53 years so I'd like to list a few:  First, I've learned that I always have something I can be grateful for even when I'm not in the  mood to feel grateful.  That knowledge is always with me; I may not be in the mood, but I still know. 

I've learned that the older I get, the less I know.  When I was younger I thought I had the answers to so many questions and problems, but in truth, I didn't.  And along with the knowledge that I really don't know everything comes less of a temptation to judge others.   I do appreciate that burden being lifted; how awful to feel the need to judge others when you think you'd know what is best for them.

I have learned that my life has been richly blessed and shaped by wonderful friends.  The people who you hang out with are who you become more like ,and I"ve had the privilege of knowing some of the most amazing people (so far) during my life.  There have been days when I wanted to give it all up for the day and the thought would come to me, "pretend you're _____".  Isn't imitation the sincerest form of flattery (or something like that)?  I'm not saying that I'm a follower, necessarily, but we do tend to feel comfortable with those of like-minds (at least I do), and even if someone is like-minded, they still have different styles and tastes and outlooks on our vast world with different life experiences; I love learning about and incorporating new ideas into my world.

I've also learned that the world doesn't revolve around me and that I need to sometimes be the one to reach out to others.  Without a job outside my home and without children at home to force me to be with other parents, it's easy to sometimes become a hermit, to not look outside and reach out to others who might be needing a helping hand or a friendly voice.  Not a proud thing to voice (or put out into the universe) but it is a truth. 

I have also learned that my thoughts truly do create my moods and actions which in turn bring desired or undesired results into my physical world.  This knowledge has freed me from playing the role of a victim and instead, taking responsibility for my circumstances.  I can't say that I always live it, but I do know it.  Sometimes I will allow myself a pity party, but I know it'll only be temporary because of this truth.  I am ultimately, the one in charge of my mood and circumstances.

I'm sure I could list many more lessons but I think this is enough for this post.  One more thing, though.  I found a challenge on Pinterest to take a photo a day for 31 days and the list is specific.  Today's photo (day 3) is to take something I adore.  I thought about that for a while (it can be taken literally or creatively).  Honestly the thing I adore most is my family, but that is the most obvious and I'd like to be a little more creative.

My husband came home for his lunchbreak along with a cute birthday card and flowers.  Usually when he brings me flowers they are roses and they're beautiful, but I don't always love roses.  As a sidenote: when we first stated dating in 1977 my favorite flower was a daisy, and I don't even remember why it was my favorite flower but he has always remembered that.  It is now; however, not my favorite flower just as my favorite color is no longer blue.  Anyway, the point is that he didn't bring me roses or even daisies(which he said he looked for) but instead this quirky bouquet of cheerfulness that is now sitting in my living room.  Today this is the "something I adore" and it's not the flowers but all of the thought that went behind the flowers. 

Last night I wasn't sure how my birthday was going to be since I have started an eating program and knew I wouldn't be having cake (my choice) and didn't have any special plans for the day (again, my choice); I thought I may be enjoying the day doing nothing and laying around watching some movies.  It has turned into (and my thoughts helped along with a few phone calls and a visit from a friend) a great day; nothing big or fabulous but still a great day.  I am thankful for my life and all of the lessons I've learned so far as well as new ones I'm open to learning. 

Looking at the Positives

I cannot believe I haven't posted in such a long time! I am not proud to admit that I gave in to the "after Christmas, after Rob's wedding Open House blues".  Even while "down" I still had creative thoughts and ideas to blog about.  Unfortunately, I have been without my IMac for technical reasons and today is the first time I've been able to use my husband's computer without problems; yay me!
(I am grateful to have finally have been able to pull out of my "hole" and to look forward to the new year with a little more hope and gratitude.) 

Last week my copy of Shape magazine came in the mail ( a free subscription I was able to obtain with a Hip2Save's website posting I received on facebook).  As I opened the cover, the first page I saw was a new ad campaign for Special K.  I had to look at it a minute because I couldn't figure out why JOY was replacing the spot where the numbers usually appear on the scales, but when I read the copy at the bottom of the ad it made total sense to me!  The whole marketing campaign is geared to what we gain when we lose weight instead of focusing on the losing.  It's a total turnaround of our usual mindset. (we can insert any positive feeling in the "joy" spot).

I love the idea of the mindset turnaround; it works not only in thinking of weight loss but also in thinking of eliminating other bad habits we might like to get rid of as well as in elminating thoughts that are no longer serving us.

I have blogged in the past about our perceptions and in how they affect our lives; this is just another example of how changing one's views can change the whole outcome.  If I focus on the "joy" I know I"ll feel with weightloss, it makes giving up foods I normally love a little easier.  In the same way, when I focus on the freedom I"ll feel when I let go of anger or let go of negative thinking, then those negative behaviors (and the results I get from them) seem easier to let go.  It's all in our perception.

Last week I opened up the new calendar my sister gave to me for Christmas; I love it.  Each month starts out with an inspirational quote.   Jauary's is, "The course of our lives is seldom determined by real, life-altering decisons.  Our direction is often set by the small, day-to-day choices that chart the track on which we run ." -----Gordon B. Hinckley 

 I love this idea of focusing on the small day-to-day choices we make.  When changing my perception to the positives (as used by the Special K ad) the desire to choose foods, activities,and thoughts becomes more of an exciting prospect than a drudgery.  I wake up each morning looking forward to new challenges and new possibilities rather than old habits that I'm trying to shed.  Who would've thought that an ad campaign by a cereal company would have given me such inspirational thoughts?  You just never know where truth can be found!   

My "What Mattered Most" To-Do on Christmas Day

     

Yesterday was Christmas day; it was so nice to have my youngest son and his new wife here with us.  We opened gifts, ate a nice breakfast casserole, relaxed a while and got dressed for our Noon Church service.  I have to admit I wasn't excited to get dressed and leave my home for Church, but I went.

As I was sitting in the pew listening to talks and beautiful Christmas musical numbers (both in words and instrumental) I had the feeling that I was where I most needed to be on that Christmas day.  I was filled with the spirit of Christ and was brought to tears with an overhwhelming knowledge that I was sitting exactly in the spot I needed to be surrounded by family and friends; it was the highlight of my day. 

The rest of the day was spent in making a simple meal of ham and scalloped potatoes, relaxing in my pj's and in visiting with family over the phone since everyone lives far away.  ( I love my family and am grateful that we have "facetime" using the ipad2. )   After a long nap we had a few friends drop over to enjoy a movie with us; it was a nice day. 

As Christmas day is over and a new year is upon me, I will strive to remember to keep the spirit of Christmas with me all year long.  It's not as easy to do without all of the beautiful Christmas music and beautiful Christmas lights as well as the fun decorations, but I was reminded yesterday from the pulpit that as we think of Christ and think Christ-like thoughts, we can have that feeling always. 

What, I Have a Blog?

Today a friend of mine paid me a great complement, stating that through my blog I had helped change her thoughts and perceptions a little bit during the year.  I am grateful that I was able to help even if it was just a smidgen.  As I was reading her complement, I was reminded that yes, I do have a blog.  I've forgotten about it just a little during this past week and  half of madness with Christmas and a wedding!

I have thought a little bit about what I'd like to accomplish during the coming year on Thought"full"ness.  I feel like I need a direction instead of so much randomness.  There's a book called The Happiness Project, in which the author maps out a year of things to do to be happy.  I think that's a great idea and I love the book. 

Her first month, which was January, she picked "getting more sleep" as an avenue to achieve more happiness in her life.  She would go to bed earlier in the evening; I'm not sure I want to give up all of my late nights (at least not yet!).  I'm not certain that we all have to do the same things to become happier; it's an avenue to explore; we are all individuals with different personalities and responsibilities. 

I do think this would be a great year to explore all kinds of ways to become happier and more fulfilled and to do it with ease instead of struggle.  Would any of you like to take a journey in 2012 with me?  I'm not huge on New Year Resolutions; I just like the idea of a new year to grow and to learn, adding new experiences and memories to my life. 

So on this Christmas Eve, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas filled with much love and wonderful memories.  I am grateful to my Savior for his birth, life, death and resurrection.  May we celebrate his life in living ours to the fullest, including others in our journey. 

Remembering

When I go a few days without posting on
Thought"full"ness, I miss it; not that I necessarily have amazing things to write about but it's a kind of therapy for me, I think. 

Today I feel like the air has gone out of me; it's been a few days of being so busy and getting things done for Christmas as well as for my youngest son's wedding (not that I'm doing alot for his wedding, but I do have to look good, right? so I had to purchase some new clothes and all that goes along with that).  I'm tired, which is nothing new, but this tired is almost the feeling of letting go of everything that's not that important and only focusing on what really matters. 

Last night (or should I say early this morning) when I finally laid down to try and sleep, I could have used this quote; I found it this morning on one of my pinterest boards.  It's not that I have anything bad going on in my life that I'm being torn apart, but I have allowed myself (once again) to be ruled by getting things done (and if it's not being done it's still in my head to be done) and forgetting to pay attention to the wondefullness of the season and even to " just breathing". 

So today as I, once again, have to finish a few things before Christmas (since we will be gone for almost a week before Christmas) as well as the house cleaning and packing (well, you know the drill) I am choosing to remember the positives in my life; the wonderful help I'm given from my Father in Heaven so that I can "hold it all together".   I will remember to breathe as I am at the Post office and while I am finishing up the few Christmas gifts and especially as I tackle the process of creating a photo book for my Mother-in-Law. 

It's a great day to be alive.