Thursday, April 3, 2008

Sometimes

Sometimes I miss my old life. Sometimes I really miss my old life. We had fun, everyday was something new and different and most of all I had an incredible support structure.
Those were some of the most tough and draining (physically and emotionally.) But, you know what? I really only remember the good times. Our super fun barbeque's, and going to Cubs games. We pretty much laughed all the time and found the most stupid things entertaining!
Today is one of those days of really missing. I wish I could go home...climb up four flights of stairs...make a frozen pizza and watch a silly movie with Mar and LL...

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Motivation-originally written 3/14/06

Motivation for all you Type A's Current mood: contemplative
This principle is deceptively simple: Just show up. Where we are makes a difference. Move your body toward your dreamsto where they're happeningthe gym, the office, the yoga class, your kitchen, the improv class, the garage, a cruise ship, the word processor, the construction site, the senior center, the theater. You know where. Be there physically. With the advent of cell phones you may have noticed that the time-honored greeting "How are you?" has been replaced by the query, "Where are you?" Location means everything.
It's surprising how powerful the third maxim is. How often we avoid showing up for the things we need to do in life. Procrastination, laziness, fearsit's easy to find a reason for not going. The "just" in this maxim reminds us that showing up is already enough. Woody Allen quipped that it is "eighty percent of success." Prerequisites such as motivation, desire, and warm, fuzzy feelings aren't necessary. It is a con to imagine you must have these to get going. Improvisers know this. If they had to wait for inspiration or a good idea, few scenes would ever begin. Players step onto the stage because that is where things are happening. They just show up. Then the magic begins. Kick-start your lifewalk, run, crawl, fly, bicycle; move in the direction of your purpose. Love your parents? Pay them a visit. Need to write? Sit down at your desk. Want to have more friends? Show up at a volunteer job or a class in a subject that interests you. Need to exercise? Go to the gym or walk to the park. Believe in ecology? Take a plastic bag to the neighborhood park and pick up trash. When you show up, it is important to be on time. The issue of punctuality is critical when the activity is a shared one. Every minute counts. Each latecomer robs the whole group of time to work together. Taking time seriously shows courtesy. You are a part of a greater purpose. Showing up for class on time, I tell my students, is their first big step in becoming an improviser. Timeliness applies equally to couples, families, and companies. And don't forget to be on time when you are by yourself. Treat your own time as valuable. Benjamin Franklin reminds us that "time lost is never found again."
Using Rituals Why not jump-start the process of showing up by using a ritual? Daily rites that precede the main event can be powerful triggers. These may involve putting on special clothing or equipment, going to a specific location, organizing the work area, or cleaning the space. In her enlightening book "The Creative Habit," celebrated choreographer Twyla Tharp confesses that her ritual at 5:30 each morning is putting on leg warmers, going out onto the sidewalk in front of her New York apartment, and hailing a taxi to take her to her uptown workout studio. The moment that she steps into the taxi, her day is on the right track.

Kaaleeeffooourrniiaa-Original post 5.28/07

On my recent venture to California, as always I was learning. Learning about myself, others, and about the amazing scenery in our country. We truly are lucky to live in such a beautiful world. In California I learned several things-i'm going to list them in no particular order:
1. The best place for me to live may not be the Midwest-Chicago is my #1, but San Francisco is # 1 1/2
2. There is a good reason I am a hermit...let's just say I can't hang like I used to.
3. I am capable of meeting people anywhere! I've been getting a little discouraged because here in the C-Bus I have not lived up to my sparkly self.
4. People come into your life for many different reasons. You should embrace each of these people. It may not always end up that you stay friends, but each person comes into our lives and leaves us with something special.
5. God loves and protects us no matter where we are or what we do. I've done so many stupid things, but i've always been protected! Even fun can be stupid when you don't realize the consequences. I'm so thankful for all the opportunities i've had, but most of all the safety i've had during them!
There will be much more coming from this blog...stay tuned!

Kaaleeeffooourrniiaa-Original post 5.28/07

On my recent venture to California, as always I was learning. Learning about myself, others, and about the amazing scenery in our country. We truly are lucky to live in such a beautiful world. In California I learned several things-i'm going to list them in no particular order:
1. The best place for me to live may not be the Midwest-Chicago is my #1, but San Francisco is # 1 1/2
2. There is a good reason I am a hermit...let's just say I can't hang like I used to.
3. I am capable of meeting people anywhere! I've been getting a little discouraged because here in the C-Bus I have not lived up to my sparkly self.
4. People come into your life for many different reasons. You should embrace each of these people. It may not always end up that you stay friends, but each person comes into our lives and leaves us with something special.
5. God loves and protects us no matter where we are or what we do. I've done so many stupid things, but i've always been protected! Even fun can be stupid when you don't realize the consequences. I'm so thankful for all the opportunities i've had, but most of all the safety i've had during them!
There will be much more coming from this blog...stay tuned!

Originally posted on 2/11/07

Maybe it's the winter? Maybe it's the hard realization that most days are the same. The latter is the part that can go either way. When the days are great-everything is falling into place and alot can be said for smooth sailing. When the days are bad, actually remotely, not great; I have pangs for the "old life." Watching tv on our huge wall to wall couch. Probably eating frozen pizza and having something to drink. There would probably be four or five of us; at least three. Down blankets and hoodies... Those days were all good. Uncomplicated and easy. We went to work, went out, slept...some might say that we were slacking. Not so-our job sometimes lasted 12 hours waiting on people. It's how we got through those days that made them so good-with each other. Hand in hand so to speak. Not one experience went by that wasn't shared between a couple of us or a group most times.
Maybe that's what i'm missing these days...someone to share the good and bad times with. Not so sure why the winter always brings out this curiosity?

Original Post 4/12/06

So, I actually copied this from a Starbucks cup, but it is GREAT!
The irony of commitment is that it's deeply liberating-in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life.

Living in the moment

I've always been one of those people that is terrible at appreciating things while they happen to me...i've decided to put an end to it.
Admiring peoples trips or parties they went to...you get the idea.

I go to alot of fun get togethers and I certainly do travel my fair share. So that leaves one thing to do: absorb every sensation, every feeling. Every single happy moment.

The grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence!

Friday, January 11, 2008

Christmas Cards

I am VERY big on keeping in touch with people. Almost annoyingly so. This year (Christmas 07') I could not find any Christmas card that I felt truly reflected what I was feeling.
Then I stumbled upon some great New Years cards. Problem solved! Not quite. I went back to get those cute cards and couldn't find them if my life depended on it.

Soooo...now everyone knows why they didn't get a card. Obviously i'm torn up about it...it's 11 days into 08' and i'm still thinking about it!

Next year...I think i'm just going to make some! Problem solved.