LEARN SOMETHING NEW
I am forever learning something new. Curiosity is my greatest motivation. I am so very happy when I'm learning something new.
Confession: for many reasons I never graduated university with my coveted English degree. I loved the courses and enjoyed most of my professors. Circumstances conspired to make graduation impossible, but the process was something that burrowed deep in my soul and I thrive in an atmosphere of learning.
I am so very blessed to be part of this digital age where I can learn new things from the comfort and convenience of my living room.
For years I was home alone with four children under five - then onward. I would wait until the weekends to speak with an adult who had no interest in hearing what I had to say. I was desperate for relief. I found it on the internet. Sometimes good: Big Picture Classes. Sometimes bad: vile message boards. All appreciated for the outlet provided. I learned a ton - real and virtual.
The assignment: Learn something new.
Sometimes I feel great disappointment in myself for not getting a degree, especially now when my kids are in high school and graduation in order to qualify for a good university is the goal. I do not live in that place of shame and my kids know fully the circumstance of my failure as it has been explained - the unvarnished, not pretty version.
Sometimes I think I populate, solely, the land of overcompensation :S
This past year I've learned:
- To show up. Every day. Even on the hard days. Especially on the hard days.
- Reformer Pilates.
- OPEN. Stay open to everything. Judgment may have it's place, but only upon reflection.
- Accountability is something you feel. It can't be taught. No one can be shamed into being answerable for their behaviour (or lack thereof).
- Meditation - Kundalini as well as the less fire-breathing versions, as a daily practice.
- The Desire Map.
- To use my pendulum, though not regularly enough.
- Volleyball - as Caden's team manager.
- It's okay not to be like everyone else.
- Brush Script taught by the ever-talented Kal Barteski at Studio Calico.
- The Enneagram and I've come to terms with being an 8.
- I have signed up for and will start Marie Forleo's B-School - today!
I am so grateful for the opportunity to stay open and learn so many brilliant and wonderful things without even leaving home. Brilliant!
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Like Bree Hester, I believe you choose to be happy. Sure there are bad (out of your control) things that happen, but how you handle them is completely up to you. Your choices are your responsibility - there is no blame, no shame, no nothing but accountability. Your attitude is your decision. I choose to be happy. Happy within the context of not wearing the proverbial rose-coloured glasses or any expectation that those who populate my life have made the same choice :) Last October, Bree put together 31 DAYS TO A HAPPIER YOU and, armed with her PDF, I'm using March - that dreary time between winter and spring that seems to drag on forever - to make the conscious choice to be happy every day this month!
