The Music Gods are Listening...

Do you ever find yourself in a certain mood, and your MP3 player or the radio, seems to mimic your feelings? Do you ever think your iPod is telling you something?

Earlier today, I was brooding about a particular problem I have been aggravated about for several months, trying to come up with a conclusion or a direction in which to go.

Wouldn't you know it that my iPod would play "Struggle Within" by Metallica? Then when the drum beats died out of that one, then "What it Takes" by Aerosmith came on. Then "Minority" by Green Day. Then "Rise Above This" by Seether.

I'm sure the irony of these songs is lost on you. In spite my ability to "read too much into things," I find it funny that my iPod is trying to tell me that I can keep letting this struggle go on, it will ruin me; that I can let go of the problem, but in the end, I'll be the minority; and lastly rise above the problem, and mend myself before it gets me.

Now I know the artists had their own reasons for writing the lyrics the way they did and in no way were they for me personally. Obviously, they had other meaning for their songs. But as they came through my speakers for me in a random shuffle, I believe that they mean something for me at that moment, and for me, that's good enough.

The Art of Communication

When was the last time you wrote a letter? An actual letter that you put a stamp on the envelope, and dropped into the mailbox to send good tidings to a friend miles away?

If you're like me, it was a long time ago!

There is a certain joy that one gets when they open up their mailbox and pull out a letter or a card from someone who is thinking of them. It always put a smile on my face, and it's a heck of a lot better than getting all bills and junk mail!

What about an email?  When was the last time you wrote an actual email where you updated your friend on what's going on in your life? When was the last time YOU received an email from a friend who just wanted to say hello?

Writing letters now seem archaic and the art of emailing is falling by the side of the road as well. We have convinced ourselves that just don't have time, so instead we send a Facebook post, a Tweet, or a text (which by the way, allows our spelling, punctuation OR grammar to go down the toilet...another post for another day).

All communication is an art for sure, and many people have lost it. Everything has become short and impersonal, and without a whole lot of thought. It's time to get that art form back.

While there seems to be no redemption for the "old way" of expressing your thoughts by putting a pen and writing a letter, there is no reason why emails can't be brought back into the limelight of communication. It is still a relevant technology, and anyone can do it - even if the don't have a fancy schmancy smartphone.

So I propose a challenge. Get back into emailing. Put some thought into it. It will allow you to keep in touch with your friends, and when they right back, you'll experience that same joy that you used to get opening your mailbox at the end of the driveway.

Keep your friends close... to your heart.

Recently, while hanging out with one friend, we realized that we've been friends for almost 14 years. (Even scarier is that that means it was 14 years since I was a freshman in college... yikes!)

There are times where we go months before we speak to each other, and even a year before we see each other.

But the best thing about this and other friendships I have, is that no matter how much time has passed, no matter how long it's been or how far away we are from each other, we can always pick up exactly where we left off. We resume that level of comfort and contentment, and no matter what, we know we love each other for who we are, for the good and the bad.

It's odd how you can feel closer to friends that are hours away than you do with friends who are just minutes away. It reminds me to cherish all friendships, young and old, because they are what helps build your character. Each one should hold a special place in your heart. It does in mine.

Pot and the Kettle

Do you ever get annoyed at people who make fun of someone for something that they themselves do? Do you realize that it seems to be human nature that makes everyone do it?

Examples:

Making fun of someone who is overweight and eating a Twinkie, but the person making fun is someone who should put their ring dings down.

Criticizing someone for working too much and not taking a break, but then work 10 hours in a row without lunch.

Complaining about how this other person constantly complains about their misfortunes, but then follows it up with their own stories about a crappy life/situation/job.

Correcting people when they make a grammatical error in their speech, yet can't spell.

And my personal favorite - writing a blog about people making fun of others for doing something and yet the writer is just as guilty as those she is making fun of....

When does the pot truly call the kettle black? And why is it always black?

Did you follow all that??? Because I sure as hell didn't....

Play time is a happy time

I love to watch children play. Not in a creepy way, but it just reminds me of the time when life was just so simple. Children look so happy when they are playing, and there are no rules, regulations or discriminations. They have no worries or troubles and they are not thinking about all the things they SHOULD be doing instead of playing. They don't think about the world issues, or what to cook for dinner... they just have a good time and let their crazy imaginations run wild.

Sometimes, I wish I didn't have so many responsibilities. There is ALWAYS something to I HAVE to do. With a long laundry list of things to do (including the laundry!) I find it hard sometimes to just sit down. But even more than that, playing is an activity hard to come by.

I think we all need to get back to that simple feeling of playing, myself included. We need to learn how to play more. Responsibilities will always be there - but sometimes you have to take a break and play, even if it's just for a little while. Your inner child will thank you.

It's like Hurley says on Lost, "You gotta have fun, man."

Operation Minus 10!

We all go through these phases where we decide "I'm going to get healthier, I am going to eat better, I am going to exercise..." blah, blah.

I am no different. In fact, I believe I've done it twice since I started this blog over a year ago. I'm on the kick again. The numbers on my scale have breached a certain point and that propels me to the gym and the salad bar.

I have started a little journal, following my progress for my workouts and what I eat every day. It will also list my current weight each day. As I go through the process and the pages, I hope that number will become smaller and smaller.

Here's to another attempt at "Operation Minus 10." If I get rid of 10 pounds by our wedding anniversary (September 27), I will treat myself to a manicure and a pedicure, something I ALWAYS want to get, but never seem to be able to.

Wish me luck!

Minding your manners

When we were kids, we were always admonished to mind our manners. We had to say "please" and "thank you." We always wrote thank you letters for gifts received from friends and family, whether it be our birthdays or Christmas. Even as teenagers, we were obligated to make sure to acknowledge the good things that came our way.

Today, I know my friends still teach that to their children. Kids have to say "please" before they get whatever it is that they want, and are required to say "thank you" before they run off. How many times have you heard "What do you say?"

What I don't understand is what is the disconnect between the toddler years (Peas may I have a dwink?) to the teenage years. Today, teenagers and young adults have high expectations to what they SHOULD receive, and exhibit indignation when they don't get what they want, when the want it.

I have experienced several times in the recent months where kids have completely disregarded the simplest nicety. In the fast-paced technologies of today, people don't even take the three seconds it takes to send a note, a tweet, a post, a text, whatever. It only will perpetuate the unending cycle of the ungrateful people in this world.