I just can't seem to shut up lately huh? Anyway, remember my new mission to take care of me first to ensure a happy, healthy Barb? Well that train seems to be chugging along quite nicely thank you. I'm even waffling on whether I want to try that therapist or not. I've been very at peace with only focusing my emotional energies on healing, home and family. And moi?? At peace?? Pretty freakin' awesome. I have to say that many of you have been a great help to me in that area. I'm trying to bolster my own self esteem and learn more about myself, and you've been invaluable. Michelle, I am completely humbled and inspired by your ability to support and build one's confidence. You've never met me, but you say such thoughtful things. And your talent for giving encouragement on just the subject I need is uncanny. Thank you for that. And Kathy V; you're such a sweetheart. I see your uplifting comments on everyone's blogs. Farah, Kaaron, Chips, all of you are awesome. If your name is anywhere on my blogroll or in my comments, I am indebted to you. Many thanks.
Now - what have I been doing to help myself? For most of my life, I have existed to please others to some extent. I have decided that it's time to please me just a bit. For example; has working on projects that I think managers want to see finished helped me much at work? Not really. Does it cause me hardship and make me unhappy? At times. My solution? Do what Barb likes to do! This year I'm only taking on extra projects that make me happy. On top of that, what certain people think at work has no bearing on how I see myself as a person. So I did something and inadvertently made what's-her-name angry. Did she address it with me? If yes, here's my reasoning, and I'm sorry it offended you. Done. If the act has been finished and my apology given, there's nothing more I can do, so it's off my shoulders. If she hasn't addressed it with me, then I give her a giant shrug and go about my business. I'm not gifted with E.S.P.
The other thing I've been doing to help myself is investing in all the things that make me happy. Here is a list of them because lists themselves make me happy. :D
1. Watching TV with my head in DH's lap
2. Talking to friends and family on the phone or through email
3. Playing and cuddling with my pets
4. A well-written article or book (especially ones that open my eyes in wonder or enlightenment)
5. A physically beautiful book
6. Delicious loose leaf teas in a pretty cup
7. Walking through a forest
8. The smell of a warm Florida night after rain
9. Discovering new birds through my binoculars
10. Watching wildlife period.
11. Training animals through operant conditioning.
12. A good game with friends
13. New food discoveries (cooking or eating)
14. Enjoyment of old favorites food wise
15. Feeding other people
16. Beautiful yarn
17. Knitting
18. Hiking
19. Having "adventures" (that's what DH and I call a trip to a new place)
20. Writing
21. Helping others when I can
22. Guitar Hero, Rock Band, Kingdom Hearts and Okami
23. Old Friends or Cosby Show episodes
24. Beautiful skies
25. Chocolate
26. napping on clean, crisp sheets
That's enough for now. It makes me feel good just to see these happy things in print. :) I'll have to do it again.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
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10 comments:
That's a great list! I'm glad you have so much to make you happy.
Bea
That is a very nice list. I like watching the cosby show too. It makes me laugh all the time. I am glad you are working toward a happier, healthier you. This process is hard enough and when you are frustrated or down all the time it makes it harder. Thanks for the nice words about me. Hugs of friendship to you.
Love your happy list. Like you, I used to be very wrapped up in work and tried to please others. I made myself and our future family a priority, switched jobs and haven't looked back in the slightest.
GO Barb!!! That list is great. It ;s so important to remember who "we" are ase an individual and It is not expressed enough that "you time" is most definantly important !
Barb I love you to bits! First of all, my feelings for you are mutual. You have helped me so much this past week, and I can't thank you enough. Your comments totally addressed my concerns and put my mind at ease. Its funny to me that I can know so much about IF, yet know nothing. It has certainly been a growing experience for me, and I actually enjoy the fact that even though I know a lot, there is still so much more to know.
Secondly, I am so glad you are taking time for yourself! It is so important. I think that all of us IF patients deserve more TLC than the rest of the human population. Like you, I have been coming to terms with the idea that I can only do so much about situations in life, and once I've done all I can, I need to move on. That's the only way I got through this past week without stressing my butt off about my interview! I am glad to see that you are ready to do what makes you happy and let the rest go. It makes the biggest difference in day-to-day life.
Thirdly, I LOVE your list of things that make you happy. #1 and #3 brought a smile to my face. There is nothing like a good "snug." There is also nothing like a good dog. #13 is one of the main reasons I want to move to TX. The food is awesome there! It appears you and I share a lot of the same likes.
I hope you have a wonderfuly relaxing Barb-focused weekend. I won't be back online until Tuesday after my interview. Wish me luck!
Hugs and love,
Michelle
Thanks Bea! I'm trying!
Kathy - aw. LOVE that show. I agree and you're very welcome. :) Thanks for the hugs.
Kaaron - Thanks for the encouragement. I'm so glad I know someone who has been able to make the change!! YAY for you!
Farah - Agreed and thanks. :)
Michelle - It's definitely great to hear those things. I don't write in peoples' comments think it's going to cause any sort of big impact or anything, so it's always such a lovely surprise when someone appreciates the gesture so much. Thanks for all your kind words. It just feels good to provide support and help ya know? SOMETHING to take out of this bag of IF crap.
You definitely do learn more about IF as you go AND about life and happiness. It really is amazing. I learn more every day, and like you, I'm weirdly grateful for the IF in that it has opened my eyes to so much.
Lots of luck Michelle! It should be almost over now! :) Let me know whereabouts in TX you are considering b/c I found some yummy places in the short time I was there!
Oh, and I have chinchillas. It's not something I put much on my blog because it's so identifying, but they are my little fluffy love bugs. :) I love dogs too though.
xo to all
B
Making that list is a wonderful idea. It's so easy to forget to focus on the good things when you're dealing with IF. I know many women (myself included!) who don't spend enough energy on "me time". Best of luck to you :)
Reading your list of things you like, I think we would get along well IRL. There are people with whom you have IF in common and then of those there are a few with whom you have other things in common too. I don't know, you can't know, but it seems like we would have enough things in common to be friends.
Well I already knew that. duh. ;-)
;)
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