Appearance

Appearance. The new Star Wars movie is the latest rage, and I have plans to see it today. Although this movie is a fantasy, there is a bigger reality to the aspect of original cast members. Stars who appeared in the original movie back in 1977 have aged. Apparently Carrie Fisher is getting the brunt of this reality in the reaction to the viewing audience. However, I think she handled this beautifully with the following words, "Youth and beauty are not accomplishments, they're the temporary happy by-products of time and/or DNA. Don't hold your breath for either." What wise, and wonderful words. These are words a girl could never have uttered. Now that Fisher is on the cusp of sixty, she has traded her physical beauty for an even better type of beauty; wisdom. I see too many young stars as they start to enter aging take drastic means to stay young. Staying healthy, and taking care of yourself are all important as we age. However, as gravity has a way of taking over, so does bravery and self-acceptance. Feeling comfortable in your own skin, albeit a more crepy version has merit. You go Princess Leia!

Limitations

Limitations. We all have them. Not one person is spared. Why is it that we seem to be so possessive of them? Why do we seem to even brag about them? " Why I don't have a creative bone in my body?" "Who me? I can't draw a straight line." Novelist Richard Bach states, "Argue for your limitations, and sure enough they're yours." The irony here is, that you are arguing with yourself. Most of the time the people around you champion your efforts. This is a convenient game you play with yourself to avoid failure. If you never try, you never have to try again. Regardless of those limitations, you are still capable of making the effort, improving and even succeeding. Stop arguing in favor of your limitations. Rather move forward in spite of them. Now start arguing for all the awesome things you plan to do.

Wings

Wings. Muhammad Ali of all people said, "The man who has no imagination has no wings." Isn't this the same man who said, "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee?" Maybe he was on to a thing or two. It is our imagination that allows us to soar to greater heights. When we limit what could be, when we discount the possible to impossible, then we are clipping our wings. I like to challenge myself to think, "Why not?" Often we are quick to only consider one or two possibilities. Often we are quick to say, "That will never work." We stick to the tried and true, never questioning why. We give up too soon because we do not allow our imagination to take off. Know that although your wings are unseen, they are ready to transport you to a fuller life. Allow imagination back into your life.

Better

Better. With the new year approaching tradition dictates a new and better you.  New Year's resolutions are on everyone's mind. Gyms are packed. The line at Weight Watcher's heads out the door. Unfortunately, few of these resolutions will still be around a month or two from now. However, if you are really serious, and committed to change, then this might be the book for you. As you know, one of my favorite bloggers and author is Gretchen Rubin. I had the good fortune to hear Rubin speak this past year when she visited a neighboring town. Her latest book,  Better Than Before, is chock full of habit forming strategies. Her four tendencies allow you to understand your own inclinations more fully, and why a one size fits all approach does not work. Habits are the key to successfully keeping your resolutions. I know for me, that I do better as an abstainer vs a moderator. Don't even get me started on that bowl of chips at a Mexican restaurant. However, for others they do perfectly well with a chip or two, and seem to know when to push away from the bowl. With Rubin's guidance you can either jump into the deep end or stick a toe into the shallow waters depending on what works best for you. Here's to a Happy New Year of successful resolutions!

Grumpy Cat

Grumpy cat. I live with a grumpy cat. Since my daughter and grandson have arrived she has become quite Grinch-like. Now there has always been a mutual dislike between these two, but what has the poor baby ever done? All I can figure is that the cat knows he's her offspring. So I'm spending my time keeping an eye on her, making sure she gets a little bit of extra attention from me, and pondering the wonders of the universe. I would say Merry Christmas from her, but she's too busy complaining to comply! 

Thoughtfulness

Thoughtfulness. It really is amazing the power of a thoughtful act. I received a card the other day from my sister expressing sympathy for the passing of our sweet dog Zoey. Now it took some effort and thought to take the time to go to the store, purchase the card, sign and then mail it at the post office. I know how busy everyone's lives are, but this one act of thoughtfulness made my day. Sometimes we think we need to do grand acts, when a small act of thoughtfulness can be very meaningful. Thanks Sis for your sweet card.

Boredom

Boredom. Are you comfortable with being bored? For most of us boredom is something we find unpleasant. But what if there was an upside to boredom? What if boredom could be a springboard toward creativity? Sometimes to alleviate boredom we fill our days with obligations. Busyness allows us to check things off a to-do list so we don't have to deal with boredom. However, when  children complain of being bored, we often encourage them to find something creative to do. Once when I was administering a test which basically required me to do nothing more than monitor without interacting with the students, I found myself struggling with boredom. I have a mind that needs to be actively engaged pretty much all of  the time, and I was not allowed to read or use the computer. In my attempts to do away with boredom, I noticed that one of the students had brought her snack in a Walmart bag. The letters were clearly 
displayed and before I knew it I was challenging myself to see how many words I could make in my head. You'd be surprised at the amount. Instead of allowing myself to complain about being bored, I used it as an opportunity to do  something creative. I like this quote by Dorothy Parker: "The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity," Stay curious my friend.