Forgotten Draft Post - What is Your Passion?

It's May 2, 2014. I want to get back into blogging. I have for a while now but I couldn't find my voice. Then it hit me, use the month of May and with each day, write that number of items. I am including "be" like this; May 1 be, May 2 be, May 3 be... There is a little more. I never understood "maybe" when asking someone to do something. May"be" by the end if the month I'll have some insight.

Coincidently, I discovered this draft post I started four months ago! To say I got a little distracted is an understatement. I like the post as is so I am including it here. Enjoy a Fabulous Friday!

January 2, 2014

This is the question I often ask myself, especially when considering a new direction for my life; personally or professionally. I wanted to share this with you today because the New Year for many is a time of new beginnings. I am going to present a few ideas that will help you get started on your new beginnings.

If you aren't happy with your life, you have the power to change it. Here is a starting point:

Sit down with a piece of paper. Draw a "T" - a line across the top and line down the center of the page. Write "Pros" on the left side of the "T" and "Cons" on the write side. Above this, write out one item; i.e., Remove all the old carpet in my bedroom.

Remove all the old carpet in my bedroom.

Pros                                                                                      Cons

______________________________________________________________________________________

1. Get rid of a lot of old dust stuck in the rugs.  | 1. Will create a lot of dust.

2. Redecorate.                                                  | 2. Need to spend money.

3. Have polished hardwood floors.                    |

You get the idea.

A Solution to Resolutions

New Years is a bit of an enigma to me. Every day offers the opportunity for a new beginning. Why is there so much focus the end of December to "set your New Years Resolutions?" "The New Year is coming!" Why can't every day start with a resolution? Why can't every day be a new beginning?

In 2012 I created a "12 in 12 resolution" from something I read on a blog in November, 2011. The premise was to set one resolution per month for 12 months. It is easier to stick to something for 30 days than to try and stick to 5 or more things for 365 days. That is a recipe for failure. 2012 was an ideal year; it fit with "12 in 12". I tried to do the same thing in 2013 to limited success. It didn't work because my monthly resolutions didn't resonate with me. 

"12 in 12" for 2014 is something I want to do again. The key will be to set meaningful resolutions for each month and focus on them. The best part of this structure - if there is a resolution that makes sense and you want to continue, you can. If one is really challenging and you wonder why you made it in the first place; it's only for one month and at the end of the month you can "break" it. There is no guilt attached with this format; unless you break a monthly resolution. The likelihood of that happening is greatly reduced with a "12 in 12" format. 

The new meaning behind "12 in 12" - 12 resolutions in 12 months.

Happy, healthy, prosperous, wealthy New Year Wishes!

Cats Are Like Potato Chips

You Can't Have Just One

“Cats are like potato chips; you can’t have just one.” This is the saying from a plaque my niece gave me for Christmas. It is so fitting. 

Anyone who shares their life with a cat will understand. Like potato chips, no two cats are alike. Each one has a distinct purrsonality. Each one brings their own special magic into your life. 

It is a very grey and dismal Monday which has been the pattern for a few weeks now and it is getting tiresome. The cure for the Monday blues - purrs. Purrs are the cure for many ailments. The question of why cats purr is still unanswered and many theories exist. I propose my own answer; a cat purrs to bring peace, contentment and calmness to its surroundings. There is magic in a purr. 

Wishing your world be touched by magic. Enjoy a “purr”fect day!

New Year / New Moon

Luck

There are at least two events in 2014 that may indicate a lucky year ahead.

January 1, 2014 will ring in a New Year and the New Moon. The timing of this event is a rarity and considered in some cultures to be a tiding of good luck. 

In the month of August, 2014 there are five Saturdays and five Sundays. It will be more than 800 years before this happens again and considered a time of good fortune and prosperity.

Luck can be what you make of circumstances or can be unexpected. With two “lucky omens” in 2014’s calendar, this year holds something positive to look forward to. You never know what can happen with a positive outlook!

Wishing you good luck and prosperity for 2014 and beyond!

The Dog's Ten Commandments

Dog Ten Commandments

by Stan Rawlinson

1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be painful remember that before you get me.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me-it is crucial to my well being.
4. Do not be angry at me for long, and do not lock me up as punishment.
5. You have your work, your entertainment and your friends. I only have you.
6. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice when it is speaking to me.
7. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget.
8. Remember before you hit me that I have teeth that could easily hurt you, but I choose not to bite you because I love you.
9. Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I might not be getting the right food, or I have been out to long, or my heart is getting to old and weak.
10. Take care of me when I get old; you too will grow old. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say; "I cannot bear to watch" or "Let it happen in my absence." Everything is easier for me if you are there, even my death. Remember that I love you.

Guiding Eyes For The Blind German Shepherd Rebel

The Cat's Ten Commandments

It’s time to lighten things up a bit. Thank you to the author of The Cat’s Ten Commandments:

•  I am the lord of the house.
• Thou shalt have no other pets before me.
• Thou shalt never ignore me.
•  I shall ignore thou when I feel like it.
• Thou shalt be grateful that I even give thou the time of the day.
• Remember my food dish and keep it full.
• Thou shalt spend most of thy money on toys and gifts for me.
• Thou shalt always always have thy lap ready for me to curl up in.
• Thou shalt shower me with love and attention upon demand.
• Above all, thou shalt do anything it takes to keep me happy.

In return, the cat will provide you with purrs to soothe you and meows to let you know you are not alone. 

I would love to give proper credit for these 10 Commandments that I found on Facebook months ago so any insight you can provide, please comment on this post.

Thank you!

The Day After

The day after - a.k.a. "the letdown". There are a lot of times when “the day after” syndrome rears its head. The day after your birthday, the day after prom, the day after graduation, the day after you get engaged, the day after you get married, etc. Each one carries as much if not more emotion than the day before. So much led up to the event. So much excitement and drama. So many plans. It seemed to take forever and in mere hours, it is over.

December 26, the day after Christmas. I wonder how Santa feels today?

I always say the second holiday after you lose someone is the harder one. The first one you are still numb. Memories from the previous year help you get through. The second year is the bad one. Everything is different. You return home but it’s not the same any more. On the bright side there is the opportunity for change.

You have a choice; go with the flow even if it makes you uncomfortable or make a change, do something different, do what makes you happy. The first time will be uncomfortable because it is different but you made a choice and you can always chose to do something different the next time. That’s the beauty of choice.

So I ask you, “Do you choose to do something different next time?” “Will you continue to go with the flow?” Your answer doesn’t matter; what matters is that you decide and go on because dwelling on it gets you nowhere.