Do wishes ACTUALLY come true? This question is often asked, although not in those exact words. It's usually couched in other phrases I hear...
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It was 2012 and I had the turkey brining (yes, the Alton Brown method of putting your turkey in a 5 gallon Home Depot bucket filled with salt water) and sides prepping and I decided to do something new this go round besides focusing only on food.
In a moment of inspiration, I took some branches off my tree, grabbed some spray paint and sprayed them a beautiful metallic gold. Tree branches never looked so pretty and with a tall, skinny, glass vase I had at home, I stuck those branches in it with some rocks and voila! I had created a grand centerpiece for $6. I then took my papercutter and cut out cardstock squares for every single one of my guests, with their name on it, and hung those with ribbon off of the branches. I was so proud of my display right when you entered the party. But, this isn't a note about how to make beautiful centerpieces. What happened from there is what made it the most memorable Thanksgiving... I just watched a beautiful Ted Talk by Robert Waldinger on 'Lessons from the Longest Study on Happiness.'
The big takeaway - relationships matter most. It still catches me by surprise. At this point, how many times have you heard that connection and quality relationships are more meaningful than wealth, fame and achievement? And yet, how many times do we go after those very things? I've been thinking about this question for a while...when will I be free? I keep thinking once I'm 'free', I'll be good.
You know what's tough? When you feel like your life is 'just fine.' Or so you tell others and mostly yourself. It's this weird in between you live in where you rationalize everything in your life to feel better about it.
And you live like that for a while. You take your smart, motivated, passionate self and you subdue her bit by bit. Wondering where the joy is amongst the junk? When's it going to be the right time for you to....
When is it going to be time to just be YOU? THE BEST FREAKING YOU?  How was your Thanksgiving? Filled with yummy food and family (I hope!)? It's my favorite holiday of the year because we get together with our loved ones to connect and eat -- nothing better than filling our hearts and tummies!
This year was a new experience for me. Antonio and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary (can't believe it's already been a year!) and decided to travel to the Grand Canyon and Vegas. We like to have adventure and luxury so it was the perfect blend. With work schedules, it meant traveling on Thanksgiving Day and the first time I wasn't going to be sitting at a table, traditionally, with family/friends. Years ago, I joined this challenge called 52 books in 52 weeks. I loved the idea of reading so much. Like it would make me incredibly smart and well read. Thereby allowing me to lounge in a beautiful gallery library, with the tall shelves of books and library ladder, sitting on on a caramel, leather couch to discuss prose. Somehow turning my voice into a gorgeous British accent and sitting across from the Queen herself as we would sip tea and smile politely (no teeth showing) as we discussed the affairs of life.
Do you feel like you have to be perfect ALL the time?
You've been trying so hard, for SO long, you don't even know who you are anymore? You've done everything right your whole life. All of it. You're a gold star sticker extraordinaire... and yet you're still unhappy. WHY??? You know that horrible dream where your co-worker who’s a complete jerk to you -- the one telling you ignorant things and never knowing how to do his job...just saying whatever as you sit there thinking...are you a buffoon?!...but listening gracefully anyways. the one who stole your work one too many times, claiming it was his own...(ugh, I still remember you!!) And eventually getting fired because someone reported him for sexual harassment and he botched up the client's work too many times anyways --
You know, the horrible dream where THAT guy becomes president. Hahahahah, thank god, that would NEVER happen. Oh $hit. IT did. WHAT THA? You’ll never believe this and I’m still in shock about it. But, for reals, I can't make this stuff up.
It’s a true story about following my intuition, even when it made NO sense at all. You might know how intuition feels…that tingly feeling inside when something just feels right. Or the gut instinct you can feel to your core. Sometimes it draws you to something or makes you feel connected. Other times, it may send a strong message to move away from something. Often times, it makes no sense but you just … know. Maybe you follow it.... and maybe you don't. But here’s what I’m learning over and OVER again. Can you smell when fall has arrived? You know what I'm talking about....
The crisp air that has ever so slightly cooled down and makes you want to inhale deeply. A longggg, beautiful breath of fresh air. The feeling of cozying up on the couch with a blanket and hot cup of tea in hand. Oh and the colors! Don't you just love those rusts, golds, yellows and red? Even eggplant comes into harvest in that gorgeous purple. And who can forget all things pumpkin -- hello Starbucks and Trader Joe's! Here's a letter I wish someone wrote to me when I was growing up and finding my footing in the world. Wanting to find balance and direction but with no where to start.
When I felt like I had so much to give but didn't quite fit in. Trying to please everyone else around me and playing small...even when I knew I was destined for more. I didn't get that letter then...but truth be told, I could still use it now and come it did. Here's a letter I wrote to a very special young woman I know. In many ways, I was writing to myself and all the women out there on the edge of greatness. That includes YOU too. :) Here's the letter and I would love to hear what it brings up for you, in the comments below.  I made it to Dallas!!! It's been an amazing couple of weeks with moving and travel and goodbyes and hellos.
The thing that really stood out, as I was going through this moving process, is there's a lot, A LOT, of things to do. Fact alert: Moving is the third most stressful event in life, following death and divorce (ref: Employee Relocation Council).  After staring outside a plane 45,000 feet high in the sky -- I couldn't help but wonder...
What's possible? Seriously? |