Thoughts To Ponder On An Early November Night

 It's hard to believe how much time has gone by since I last wrote. I think it was my annual New Year's post where I took stock of my life. After that I got busy with lots of big changes, ones I planned to write about. But living it was so tiring, the thought of writing about it too was out of the question. 

So here's the nutshell version: I found out (happily) that we were moving, we prepared to move, we moved. We put our "old" house on the market, and sold it. 

I interviewed for a couple of new jobs, but didn't get them. Finally I got hired in August, and have been too busy ever since to do much of anything besides work, housework, and sleep.

But even though I haven't written much, I still have the blog ideas in my head. But every time I get to this blank page, all my thoughts seem to evaporate.  Little by little I'll get back on track. I wrote down the title of each post so I'll remember. More details coming on all the great things that happened to me this year.

Some of what I want to say doesn't warrant an entire post, so I call them random thoughts-and I like to compile them into one (hopefully) entertaining article.

1. Recent fashion trends have me shaking my head. I needed new pants when I started working again. But it's not easy to find ones that have pockets! I need pockets to put my stuff in- Kleenex, money, my phone. Since when do they make pants with fake pockets that are sewn shut? Or too tiny to put anything in? 

I'm not sure what's considered normal or fashionable in men's suits, but what I see them wearing on TV doesn't appeal to me at all.  Is it me, or are they cut too small and snug? The trousers look more like skinny jeans, and just look weird. And the colors are too bright. 

2.  Thank goodness for the mute button on the TV, because there are too many annoying commercials.  I shouldn't waste my time over it, but there are so many offensive ads for personal hygiene products - I won't mention the product or the "board certified OB-GYN" who hams it up by sticking her face, foot, "under boobs, butt-crack" in the camera, talking about how great her product works. She must be making millions, because she's on almost constantly.

Then we have the constipation products, which tell us to "Flush our way to a better day", "Enjoy the go", or "Number two should be easy to do". But worst of all is the one with the woman sitting on the throne, telling us "women poop". Who knew?! Even so, do we need to see it on TV? I'm no prude, and not easily offended, but I still think there's a time and a place for everything.  

3. Can you believe the Boston Bruins have been around for 100 years??!! I'm having trouble wrapping my head around it.  An entire century, they've been playing, yet when I realize 100 years ago was 1923, it doesn't seem very long at all. It makes me feel a little old when I realize I've been alive for more than half that time. 

The Bruins continue to play well, having only one regulation and one OT loss so far this season. Here's hoping they continue to win, but keep it going until they bring home another Stanley Cup! I'm a little surprised they are doing so well after Patrice Bergeron and Big Z's retirement. Go Bruins!! 

4.  It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the year goes by. It was August not long ago, and just like that, it's time to start thinking about Thanksgiving.  And speaking of being thankful, I really am. So many horrible things are happening in this world. Whether it's a war, mass shooting, or personal tragedies such as an untimely death, so many people are suffering.  

Seeing all this, coupled with being at a nursing home again and seeing old age and dementia up close again gives me a reality check every day. I'm reminded daily how lucky I am, even if it doesn't always feel that way. I'll do my best to make a difference, and appreciate all the gifts I've been given, and learn from my mistakes.

5. Better late than never, I finally got some pumpkins to decorate back stoop. They were leftover at work from Halloween, and were going to be tossed. Maybe I'll be ambitious and toast the seeds, and puree the pumpkin and make something with it. But don't hold your breath! Until next time, enjoy the fall season!

The New Year Brings New Possibilities

    Of course it's all a farce. This idea that when we start a new year, it's the perfect time to fix everything we don't like about ourselves. Our weight, a habit or vice, whatever. It defies logic, yet I'm among the millions of people who write a list, or maybe just think about the things I want to change.

   The concept is noble, but is anyone successful in their quest to improve this way? Like suddenly, years of bad habits will instantly be erased, from sheer will power, because the date and year on the calendar have turned?

    That doesn't mean we shouldn't still try. I can only speak for myself, but maybe the problem is that a year is just too long. By the time we reach November, we've all been through hell. I haven't met anyone EVER who said "Gee, I'm so disappointed the year is almost over. It's been a great one, I wish it would never end!"

    Even when things are going great, which is rare, the year can never end fast enough for me. Not that I love January, because, frankly I don't. The only reason I like February is because it's short. March holds the promise of spring but the delivery leaves a lot to be desired most of the time (talking about the weather here, mostly.)

   I've strayed from my original point. Maybe I should resolve not to be so long winded. It can be added to all the other resolutions I've made year after year. 

1. Get in shape

2. Drink more water

3. Exercise

4. Be more productive

5. Get organized

Do any of these sound familiar? I have such good intentions, but I can't seem to break the cycle of being myself. That means, the inability to reinvent myself.  The harder I try to eat less, give up the foods that cause inflammation, push myself to walk more than 3,000 steps, the more I tend to fail.  I'm done with setting myself up for failure.  That leads nowhere.

As I'm writing this, I still don't have a solution, or even any advice for someone who clicked on this by accident thinking I had some great secret to reveal.  I don't. It's still all trial and error for me, and all I can do is keep trying, and maintain a positive attitude.

I've heard that vision boards are a way for people to magically obtain the things that desire. How weird is that? If pasting pictures of positive images and words on a piece of cardboard, and looking at it every day will really help, maybe I should give it a try-it can't hurt, right? How much of this method is positive thinking? Is it a placebo effect, and it works because we think it will?  I have no idea. 

One of my dad's favorite sayings was "Thoughts are things". He was convinced that some people's thoughts, when allowed to spiral out of control, could become bigger than life. For example, someone obsessed with cancer will end up getting it. A self-fulfilling prophesy. 

The same with positive thoughts. Some people are able to do incredible things just because they believe they can. I'm sure it's not that simple. It usually takes lots of hard work and perseverance to accomplish a goal in addition to the belief in their dream. 

Maybe the key is to listen to all those cliches. Take one step at a time. One day at a time. Never give up. If you can dream it, you can do it. No pain, no gain. You snooze, you lose. And my favorite (hint: it's the name of this blog) LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT!!

Not that anyone is asking for my advice, but here are the conclusions I've come to on January 3, 2023.

Live every day to the fullest. Some days will be better than others. Just do the best you can, and if your best is only 40% some days and you give it your all, then it was really 100%.

Who knows what the future holds? Figure out what you want, what it takes to get it, and keep on plugging. If necessary, reassess the goal if  the sacrifices to get it are too high. 

Learn to live in the moment. Try not to stress over things you can't change, or don't really matter in the big picture. Be good to yourself, and make time for things that are important to you.

We don't need a calendar to tell us when it's time to make changes. Every day is a new day, a clean slate, a new chance. Never give up on your dreams, and remember how much you are loved. Without you, the world would be an entirely different place. But you won't know until it's over, the incredible impact you've made. So just take my word for it.

Happy New Year- go get 'em!! May this be your best year ever.  Believe it.