(Insert "Changes" by David Bowe here)

I'm thinking ahead lately, and realizing that 2011 is going to be a year for great changes. For the moment, I want to appreciate things here, right now, just as they are. Big changes are intimidating, and sometimes difficult because I tend to overestimate the value of what I have/what I'm comfortable with, and underestimate the value of what I might gain by giving those things up. It always turns out to be refreshing when I "color outside of the lines", and although doing the comfortable and safe thing is not bad all of the time, it's an easy cycle to fall in to. You can only learn new things by DOING new things, and I'd like to learn as much from this place as I can before I'm on to the next...or that's what I tell myself when I get scared about things. I think it's ok to be scared, but not ok to hide. Come to think of it, that's probably why when we went to Punta Cana I didn't just swim in the ocean to get over my fear, I took it to the next level by swimming with sharks. And you know what? It turned out to be one of the highlights of my life so far!

Looking forward to diving in head first again soon......

About time!

I finally got tickets for Brian and I to see The Lion King!!! I have wanted to see this musical for a couple of years now, so I hope it lives up to the hype. Chicago in October...

The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

I've been appreciating the beauty in nature a lot lately, with spring in full bloom. Today I am reminded of the beauty of the human spirit. I'm newly inspired by the kindness and selfless nature that people in our lives have displayed, past and present. It is really easy to think that if we can only make a small impact it may not be worth it, but by going out of our way to do whatever we can, large or small to help someone, we are touching lives....and that is our purpose here, is it not? So, I am inspired for the second time this week to "pay it forward". No act of kindness is too small. A smile is not insignificant. One minute of your time could echo for a lifetime.

It's All Around Us

I decided to take my bike out today, even though it's been raining. Just couldn't bear the thought of the treadmill, really. I'd rather be soaked and outside. Anyhow, I am so glad I did! I recently got some accessories for my bike, and one of them was a small weather proof pack that attaches by velcro under the seat. I thought it might be smart to carry a phone with me since I often ride alone, but today I brought the camera. So, here it is for you to see through my eyes...

If you wish to know the divine, feel the wind on your face and the warm sun on your hand.
- Eido Tai Shimano Roshi

To do the useful thing, to say the courageous thing, to contemplate the beautiful thing: that is enough for one man's life.
- T. S. Eliot

Nothing is worth more than this day.
- Goethe

One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.
- William Shakespeare

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Love this time of year!

(Below: A short rest on my post work ride yesterday along the river.)
You've got to love when you can smell the lilacs starting to bloom. I think it is THE best smell in the whole world. I've been taking my bike rides on the path by the river, and my runs/walks at Rock Cut, and it's been fabulous. I can't help but wonder if wherever we end up will have such great places to go for outdoor activity, and I hope so. Originally, Colorado was a possibility, but I think that's been ruled out. That would have been pretty perfect, but as long as I don't end up in Alabama (also ruled out...thank god), I think I can survive. It's a little strange to know I'm moving soon, but to not know where I'm going. It's also hard to overcome the feeling that I am sort of rearranging my entire life to accommodate some one else's agenda. I think I'm getting over that though. A small sacrifice for the greater good. At least I hope so!
Well, I had planned on a run today, but it looks like rain. Hmmm....looks like my options are limited to the treadmill. Yuck. First things first though, and unfortunately my lunch break should probably be over, so it's back to work for me. TGIF :)

This morning I was feeling a bit fed up with my familial situation, which is really the old dog in my life, limping around behind me, looking like hell, and refusing to die. Weird analogy... Anyway, it's sad when I am the one always reaching out to people, and inevitably after so much of this, I start to want to cut people off because it HURTS to be ignored. It is, however hard to hurt for too long when I have the other side of my family that is amazing and supportive, and I couldn't ask for anything better! It is funny how things happen to keep you grounded. I mean, too much of a good thing seems to rarely be allowed in life. If everything is good, well....you're probably in denial. Sounds cynical, but it's just the truth. Everything has it's opposite, and the trick is finding a balance, and THAT is all in the mind......if you can't find anything to be thankful for, you're always going to be sucked back into the pattern of thinking that the universe is doing something TO you, rather than doing something FOR you. I try to steer clear of that as much as possible, although I can't deny that there are days that I can't help but feel like someone upstairs is shining a magnifying glass on my tiny squirming body...watching & laughing. Terrible, right?

Let me just start off by saying that this post is being fueled by extreme annoyance. If some of you happen to manage a team of people, or if you own a small business, let me clue you in to something. Saying
"please" after a completely ridiculous request for your employee to do YOUR job does not make you any less of an ASSHOLE. Or, if you have to begin a sentence with "I know I shouldn't be asking", or "I know I promised I wouldn't".......you're an ASSHOLE for asking. Lastly, if you constantly require the fulfillment of special requests in order to feel that you are being productive, you are a counterproductive ASSHOLE.
So, you may all thank me later for opening your eyes to the error of your ways. Now, I must go open MY eyes to the ever broadening spectrum of what it means to be an asshole that MY boss so graciously lets me bear witness to every day. Surely fuel for some more pissy, sarcastic comments tomorrow.

Chloe's 1st Birthday & Easter