Friday, February 22, 2013

What do you say when you really don't have anything to say?

For the most part, I do a good job of managing my time - for work.  When it comes to managing my own time I don't always do a great job.  Take for instance, the fact that I was going to blog in 2013 every week.  My last post was on 2/12.  Today is 2/22.  That is more than a week. 

I did however READ a really good blog today and I put it on my RSS feed, but now I cannot find how to access my feeds.  Yes, I am fairly good at computer skills.  I work in IT.  Why is it that I cannot find that feed? 

The good news is that now I have a task for next week when I make next week's post.  I am going to create a link to her blog (once I find it) and figure out how she made some of the tabs on her post. 

Time management 101.  Put a note on your calendar with the tasks to be created.  Identify it as high priority.  Do NOT let any B or C items get done until the A items are done.  Next Tuesday is going to be a great day for my blog.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Divine Discontent

I am re-reading Simple Abundance, A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach this year.  Yesterday's entry included a quote from the English historian, Dame Cicely Veronica Wedgwood, "Discontent and disorder [are] signs of energy and hope, not of despair."  Sarah expanded on the quote by naming Divine Discontent, the grit in the oyster before the pearl, our creative second chance, when we learn to spin straw into gold, when we come into our own. 

I am discontented with my work life.  Grit has found its irritating place in my oyster.  Yesterday at work I allowed myself to speak my mind freely in front of the owner and two colleagues.  I expressed my discontent in the right context, without malice, and with professional delivery.  They did not disagree.  More importantly, they could not disagree, for what I said was the truth.  They did not like hearing what I said, but they could see my point in the context that it was delivered.  I walked away from the meeting feeling like my contribution was worthy. 

I believe that my spoken opinion should introduce a small piece of grit into the oysters of my colleagues.  The question is, will they continue in the path they are currently taking, or will my thoughts irritate them enough to influence their direction?  My lack of trust in them is the source of my discontent.  Should I continue to speak my mind, to try and influence their thinking?  Today's entry in Simple Abundance says to trust your instincts.  The grit in my pearl got a tiny layer of silky covering yesterday.  I look forward to the Divine Discontent that today brings.

Friday, February 8, 2013

TGIF

Let's go back to January 1, 2013, when I posted my 2013 goals:
Resolutionists. When I was a regular gym member, we would make fun of the new people showing up at the gym in January. They would slowly phase out over the course of the year and eventually never show up again. Meanwhile the rest of us kept showing up every day, every yoga class, doing our weight routines and aerobic machines.

My goal was to post every Tuesday.  Today is Friday.  I hereby resolve to do better next week.

But today is Friday.  YIPPEE!!!  It is time to be grateful.
  1. Grateful that I am getting in my blog post before the end of the week.  Late yes, but still blogging.
  2. Grateful that I have a job.  Stressful?  Yes, but it pays the bills and provides health insurance.
  3. It is jeans day.  My jeans fit! 
  4. I have many new choices of sweaters to wear today from the bonanza of sweaters found at the thrift store last week.
  5. The house is clean, laundry is done, plants are watered.
  6. My Mom, sister and I are planning a girls night/sleepover//knit fest tonight. 


St. Patrick's Day Sweater
Ah yes - the knit fest.  Knitting is my release, my expression of talent, my connection with friends.  I am happily engrossed in a sweater project and have enjoyed the elements of personal influence required during the bind-off process this week.  The texture of this pattern is engaging.  The emerging product makes me smile. 

TGIF.  Here's to the end of the work week and the beginning of the weekend.