I'll Be Home For Christmas...

There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort. ~Jane Austen

If you know me, you know that I am actually quite a homebody.

However, I went 2 months recently without cleaning house, doing my own laundry, or making my own bed and (shamefully), I have cooked only one real meal since September.

This globetrotting spell I have just completed, flies in the face of my domesticated “Martha-side”. (Although, I am certain Martha’s work schedule must keep her equally as busy and far from her home).

After returning from my worldwide tour, I have this overwhelming need to just be home; to sleep in my own bed, to snuggle up on the couch with Mr. Self Care, to savor the familiar smells, and sounds, and scenery that comprise my humble abode. I really don’t feel much like cleaning house, doing laundry, making my own bed and cooking- I just feel like putting on my favorite worn fuzzy pajamas and delightfully staying put.

The same is true with the holidays this year… I want to surround myself with Christmas, but I’ll have no festivities this year. My Christmas shopping was completed early- souvenirs from my travels. I made a batch of Christmas cookies and a batch of hot buttered rum mix, and I have dubbed my visiting mother in law (Head Elf, in charge of Boughs and Holly). Call me lazy, call me a scrooge, but I am letting go of a lot of little things this year that don’t really matter. I want simple. I want quiet. I want soft music, hot cocoa with little marshmallows…and, maybe, a dusting of snow.

Insisting on what you want and avoiding what you don’t want is not always easy- especially when other people (with their own diverse expectations) are involved. Choices that allow you a little comfort and joy should be prioritized along with all your other must-dos!

• Imagine yourself un-frazzled and content this holiday season.
• Take the steps toward creating that experience for yourself.
• Just say "No, that won't work for me" or "No, but maybe some other time" (Don't make excuses - just say no!)
• Don't allow yourself to be bullied.
• Don't make your needs secondary
• When you feel frazzled, get yourself some self care quick!

Waiting For The Time To Be Right

The best way to get something done is to begin. ~Author Unknown

I realized today that I can no longer wait for the time to be right to start working on improving my physical health.   It seems that I am always waiting to finish my current project, to get past the holidays, for the first day of the month or year, for my schedule to clear...etc...etc...etc... before I can start eating better and exercising.   

My cardiologist brought this to my attention today...that I have continuously had reasons why I haven't been working to get off of my blood pressure medication...that I continuously have the best intentions to do it after my life is a little less chaotic.   He suggested that maybe - if history was any indicator- that my life was always going to be a little chaotic and perhaps I should develop a plan now that takes my history into consideration.  (Wow.  That was brutal.)

He is right...I know this.    I just don't know what that plan would look like.  I guess I am still processing the realization that the timing is NEVER going to be right.   (ugh.)  

I have always held the belief that I can accomplish a lot if I focus 100% on one thing at a time.   So I have been waiting until I have the capacity to do that before I act.   There is always something that takes a higher priority than my health it seems and I know I need to change that quickly! 

I need to figure this out.  

A Follow Up to Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone.

"It is not the mountain that we conquer, but ourselves" - Edmund Hilary

Well, I did it!

2 months ago, the idea of traveling solo around the world was so scary to me.   I thought the world was so big and I was concerned about being responsible for such an important project.  I honestly didn’t know if I was smart enough, tough enough, or brave enough to succeed.

I was worried, but I did it anyway.   

Over the past 2 months, I have traveled thousands of miles; I even circumnavigated the globe on one trip.  I have logged 20 take offs and landings, experienced security and customs in 11 airports in 5 countries and I have made countless new friends along the way.   Friends who travel the world ALL the time too!  

The two projects I have conducted to date have been quite successful and I am excited to begin project #3.  I love the work- I am now very confident of my team building, team leading and presentation skills.  

I have learned that this opportunity did not require the amount of smarts, toughness or bravery that I imagined.  The key was to just do it.  When you need it, the right answers, strength and the courage will come to you.    

If there is something that you are contemplating attempting, but haven’t because you are scared, I encourage you to begin it anyway.   You will be amazed at how much you will grow!