Super Soul Sunday

I haven't done a thing today and I am okay with that.  Although I never left the house, I did find 5 solid things that I loved about today.

1. Myra stopped by to return the key. It was nice to chill out and chat with her. She's a good friend in the area.
2. I saw a video today that promotes marriage equality. It was made in Australia. It was done so well that I had to share it on Facebook and now I'm sharing it here. The video is titled, "It's Time".
3. I've spent most of the evening looking for craft projects. I'm embarking on a 30-Day challenge to make one craft per day.  I've found about 15 strong projects today. Lots of the ideas came from Design Sponge. Heeeeeeeeeeey, Design Sponge! :0)
4. Waking up early and being able to go back to sleep for a 2 hour nap is something I love. To have no real agenda for the day is awesome!
5. Super Soul Sunday on OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) was great today. They talked about Taoism.  Maybe I'm a Taoist?  I don't know. What I do know is that I was fully engaged in the program.

What Do You Choose?

There's something to be said about investing in your own life.  Investing in your own happiness. Investing in your own ability to be at your best.  Today I had a conversation with someone I was dating that needed to be had - on a particular day when I saw a documentary called "Happy". The documentary is about how people in the world choose to be/are/are not happy.  How can you truly ever be happy when you're not your authentic self? The unhappiness always seems to spill out and manifest in other ways.  Sometimes we compensate with buying "things", making "things", eating "things", drinking "things", fixing "things", growing "things", smoking "things", etc. You get the idea.  In this situation someone gave up so that they could avoid the real "things" in their life.  It's sad that they don't have the courage to be "happy" - even when their happiness had to be veiled in discretion.

I wish nothing but the best for them while they embark on their journey to self-acceptance and loving themselves enough to be "happy".

With that said - while it may seem difficult to pull from the days events to find some happiness - I can. I choose to be happy.

1. Today I saw the inspiring and moving documentary, "Happy".  I love how it resonated with me and in a way, prepared me for the conversation that I had tonight.
2. I made someone's day when I brought them some chocolate! 
3. A blog writer contacted me today about interviewing me and some team members about being male crafters/sellers on Etsy.  I do the interview on Monday. How cool is that?
4. I talked to one of my brothers today.  We don't talk often but when we do it's pretty cool. I'd like to think that if we lived near one another we'd be closer. This goes for both brothers. hahaha As we get older it's like we put aside age differences in lieu of just general things in common. Today I learned that he always wanted to travel in an RV and see different things in the US like Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone Park, and the Grand Canyon.  Guess what? I do too!  We might have to make this happen!
5. Watching Private Practice tonight gave me two things I loved.  The storyline and the three songs they played from the new Mary J. Blige album.  Three great ballads on the show! "Need Someone" "Living Proof" and "Empty Prayers"
6. In further reflection, I loved my maturity in the situation tonight. I acknowledge that the only thing I can change is how I react to things in my life.
7. I loved how the different lessons I've learned over the years and by participating in Oprah's Lifeclass has really had a major impact on how I navigate through life. One of the lessons is expressed by Randy Pausch.
8. It's amazing how many more things I can list today as opposed to any other day.

Happy - A Documentary Trailer from Wadi Rum Films on Vimeo.

Being a Student in Your Life

I can't express this enough how much I've learned by watching Oprah's Lifeclass.  I find myself quoting parts of the episodes and the lessons taught.  I've had friends ask, "Why do you watch that? It's just a rehash of her shows."  I respond with, "It's different though. There are these lessons she discusses and it causes you to place those lessons within the context of your own life."  I think those words fell on deaf ears.  Today I noticed myself discussing how much I love the show, again.   I reference the lessons in much of the way a religious person quotes scripture.  The only thing that's different is that I don't pray for some being to make my life what I think it should/could/ hope to be - I look within my own being to make it so.   I am an active participant in my life.  Constantly looking for the lessons and the things to be happy about.  Speaking of which...

1. I'm glad that today everything just seemed to work out. Only proving my point that I shouldn't worry or get all worked up about things.  It's never really THAT serious. Even when it appears to be - there's always something worse that could happen. When the worst possible thing you can think of happens - I'm sure you can think of something else that could make it worse. Depending on the perspective, the only thing that's worse is death. If you're a religious person, that's really not a bad thing either unless you believe in hell and you're going there.
2. Had a really good meeting with students where they recognized a lot of things on their own.  YOu gotta love those moments.
3. Traffic this morning and this evening seemed to be pretty light.  I enjoyed just cruising into work in just under 30 minutes.
4. A lesson worth noting - The life you plan is not necessarily the life you live. 
5. Things I was called today by people - VIP, A Protagonist, Creative, Funny.  I never really thought about things people would call me until today.  Those are all pretty positive words!

You Should Be So Lucky

1. I love that today's event went really well. It was cold but it went well. 
2. A student paid me a compliment and said, "Wow, Dennis, you're looking really good." She then paused and asked, "Is that inappropriate?"  That made me laugh. hahahaha
3. There was a caramel popcorn maker at the event tonight and I have to say, that was some DELICIOUS popcorn! I went back three times!
4. I have thoroughly loved and enjoyed Oprah's Lifeclass. While I'm sad that the season is over I'm happy to have shared in the experience.
5. Today is believed to be a lucky day because it's 11/11/11.  I don't know if I buy into that because I can find at least one thing that was lucky for me each day.  I love that I have been able to list at least 5 things each day that I loved about the day and that's lucky within itself. It's all about perspective.

Wondrous Wednesday!

Cornelius - G-Man

1. Today I only had one meeting and I am thankful for that because I have been UBER tired lately.   
2. I loved today's lesson on Lifeclass.  Slow down and be present in the moment.  I was thinkin' about this and how we don't practice that often enough.  We should all take a moment and pause - think about what we're really doing and not what we are going to be doing or should be doing. "The only time you live your life is in the present moment."
3. Seeing the G-Men (George Mason's Official Hype Squad) in full gear was really awesome!  I'm proud to be working with them! They will make their "official" debut on Friday.
4. How exciting is it that all the members of my Movember Team have gotten donations?  I know I am excited for our team!
5. The weather has been AMAZING lately.  I love the sun shining each day. I hope it last throughout the weekend!

Vote or Die

1. I've been thinking about the "Right to Vote" today. I said to myself this morning that I was going to vote.  The polling station is near my house but I didn't go. Then I started seeing signs all day that was telling me I needed to vote.  I made the effort and went to the polling station. Once I voted I received a sticker that said, "I voted - Prince William County".  That gave me a sense of pride and caused me to think about how often we take voting for granted.  I love that I didn't take it for granted and exercised my right.
2. This Oprah's Lifeclass is speaking to me tonight.  I need Suze Orman to come into my life and help me get it together!  I am a Financial Disaster.  I love that I can declare that publicly.
3. Melissa had brownies left in her office. I LOVE BROWNIES and it's just what I wanted to go with my coffee this afternoon. 
4. My desk at work is almost free and clear of clutter. ALMOST.  At least I'm making progress.
5. In my job I work with lots of vendors and I have developed relationships with them. I find it hilarious that a vendor called today and exclaimed, "YO!!!!!!!". That means she's pretty comfortable with me - rightfully so because I've been working with her for 3 1/2 years. Her, "Yo" made me laugh and smile.