Christmas was this past Sunday (in case you missed it). We opened our presents to each other here, then went over to my sister-in-law's house for breakfast. We ate sausage balls, breakfast casserole, and cinnamon squares before heading into the living room for more present opening. My sister-in-law and her husband have three girls, plus there was me, my fiance, and his mother, and we all had presents to share with each other.
That was a fun time. There's nothing quite like watching three little girls growing more and more excited as they unwrap toys, books, clothes, and games. One of the joint presents that my fiance and I received was the soundtrack to the new Muppets movie. We are Muppet geeks (is there a fancy term for Muppet-lovers, something similar to Ringers or Trekkies?). We saw the new movie with my fiance's family on Thanksgiving and we will own it when it makes it to DVD in a few months. The soundtrack was a great gift for us (it's currently in my vehicle's CD player as we speak).
One of the songs on the CD is "Life's a Happy Song." For those readers who have seen the new movie, it's the song that Gary and Walter sing as they go through their hometown on their way to Los Angeles. It's a very fun, peppy song, the kind that really makes you feel cheerful when you listen to it. We had the soundtrack playing in the background while we got ready to take a family self-portrait and that was the song that was up. We were settling in on the couch, my sister-in-law was setting up the camera, one of the nieces crawled into my lap, and this was the line being sung on the song, "I've got everything that I need right in front of me."
It's just a simple line from a song but at that moment it hit me with such profound awareness that I could only call it a "Zen" moment - in better terms, a Muppet Zen moment. "I've got everything that I need right in front of me." Yes, I do! It was Christmas, the time of the year when the air is just thick with love, which is the greatest feeling of all, when your heart is full of gratitude for all the good things and good times you've received. I felt so blessed at that moment - I am so blessed!
There is a "True Rule" that Gretchen Rubin mentions in The Happiness Project and it goes something like this: "Happiness comes not from having more, not from having less, but from wanting what you have." For me, this translates perfectly into the line from the song.
I have a wonderful, loving fiance who will become my husband in August. I adore his family. My in-laws are fantastic and affectionate and so much fun! I have the best friends and a great family. I have a roof over my head, two playful puppies, a job, my health, my creativity, and my spirituality. "I have everything that I need right in front of me!" This is an undeniable truth and I am so grateful for it each and every day.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Starting in January, I Will . . .
I know that it's only the 6th of December but I started making New Year's resolutions. I make them every year, of course, and sometimes I even stick to them (for at least a month). I love to set goals and get all fired up about them, or say that I'm going to change something and get all fired up about that. The firing up is nice. It's a good push. Unfortunately, the fire burns out before it gets too far.
My journal can attest to this. Honestly, you should see how many repeats I find when I go back and re-read old entries. I sit there thinking, Seriously, Tara? Can't you follow through on one thing? Can't you keep that fire burning for longer than a few days? But the answer is pretty much the same - no.
What are these "resolutions" that I speak of? Well, I'm glad you asked. They are along these lines:
1) I will volunteer with a shelter or Habitat for Humanity.
2) I will go to the UU Church every Sunday and get involved in their community.
3) I will exercise in some form every day.
4) I will give up fast food.
5) I will only drink alcohol on social occasions.
6) I will be more spiritual in general with my prayers, etc.
7) I will plant and tend a garden and work at it so it produces a good crop.
8) I will write a chapter in my book every week.
Pretty good, huh? Fairly simple, you'd think (well, maybe less simple on the whole gardening thing). You say, "Hey, Tara, you gave up beer for 30 days, you can do this too!" Right! Right? I think? Maybe?
I thought about these resolutions some more today. I decided that I wouldn't be so strict this month, what with the holidays and all and the busyness of the season. Then the rational voice in my mind (or perhaps Divine influence) suddenly said, "Tara, why are you procrastinating still? Why are you making the same excuses that you make every epiphany, every year? Why does there have to be a January 1 start date?"
I don't have to start on a specific date or the first of a week or a month. I can start right now. Right now I can decide that I will start my chapter for the week. Right now I can decide that I'll do an exercise routine when I get home from work. Right now I can decide that the only one in control of my life is ME! The only thing preventing me from accomplishing anything is ME!! And the only one that can change things and take the first steps is ME!!!
I came home from work and I did an exercise routine that I hadn't done in ages: Total Toning Basics from Yoga Booty Ballet. I did it all, but ouch. I'm going to be feeling that in my legs and arms and abs tomorrow! But you know what? I feel really darn good about following through on it.
Resolutions, glorious things that they are, are completely pointless. Making the decision to change your life - or making a decision on anything - that is more important. That is where the real magic lies.
My journal can attest to this. Honestly, you should see how many repeats I find when I go back and re-read old entries. I sit there thinking, Seriously, Tara? Can't you follow through on one thing? Can't you keep that fire burning for longer than a few days? But the answer is pretty much the same - no.
What are these "resolutions" that I speak of? Well, I'm glad you asked. They are along these lines:
1) I will volunteer with a shelter or Habitat for Humanity.
2) I will go to the UU Church every Sunday and get involved in their community.
3) I will exercise in some form every day.
4) I will give up fast food.
5) I will only drink alcohol on social occasions.
6) I will be more spiritual in general with my prayers, etc.
7) I will plant and tend a garden and work at it so it produces a good crop.
8) I will write a chapter in my book every week.
Pretty good, huh? Fairly simple, you'd think (well, maybe less simple on the whole gardening thing). You say, "Hey, Tara, you gave up beer for 30 days, you can do this too!" Right! Right? I think? Maybe?
I thought about these resolutions some more today. I decided that I wouldn't be so strict this month, what with the holidays and all and the busyness of the season. Then the rational voice in my mind (or perhaps Divine influence) suddenly said, "Tara, why are you procrastinating still? Why are you making the same excuses that you make every epiphany, every year? Why does there have to be a January 1 start date?"
I don't have to start on a specific date or the first of a week or a month. I can start right now. Right now I can decide that I will start my chapter for the week. Right now I can decide that I'll do an exercise routine when I get home from work. Right now I can decide that the only one in control of my life is ME! The only thing preventing me from accomplishing anything is ME!! And the only one that can change things and take the first steps is ME!!!
I came home from work and I did an exercise routine that I hadn't done in ages: Total Toning Basics from Yoga Booty Ballet. I did it all, but ouch. I'm going to be feeling that in my legs and arms and abs tomorrow! But you know what? I feel really darn good about following through on it.
Resolutions, glorious things that they are, are completely pointless. Making the decision to change your life - or making a decision on anything - that is more important. That is where the real magic lies.
Scorecard
Well, the 30 day no-beer challenge is up. How did I do on it? Pretty well. How did I do on the other stuff I talked about giving up that month like soda and fast food? Not so well!
Beer - 0
Soda - 2
Fast Food - um
But you know what? It's all okay. The fact that I at least stuck to my guns on one thing (with the beer) is a good sign and a good proof that I can do whatever I put my mind to.
Beer - 0
Soda - 2
Fast Food - um
But you know what? It's all okay. The fact that I at least stuck to my guns on one thing (with the beer) is a good sign and a good proof that I can do whatever I put my mind to.
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