Good Morning! Yes I know its thursday... not wednesday. Yesterday I went to The Wilds with a couple friends! I LOVE that place! I think its wonderful that these animals are in a preserve not a zoo cage, although it is a division of Columbus Zoo. Some of the animals there are extinct in the wild! You should seriously consider a trip!!
So last week I talked about the idea of contentedness. I also realized that considering what you think about the idea of content is the first step in planning your trip from career path to life path! I did not have a planning phase! lol My job/ career changed without my consent ;-) HOWEVER, looking back, I made choices to act or not act that made me see that I had been devising a plan without totally realizing it!!! I think we all have wondered what we would do if we had MORE TIME or MORE MONEY. Think about it. Really. What would it be? Live somewhere else? lose weight? see the grand canyon? go to walmart before 11pm? lol have your own bakery? have a b&b? teach yoga? have a horse? be in love?volunteer for habitat for humanity? become self employed?get a promotion?drive a lexus?
Why did I choose these specific choices? BECAUSE I KNOW PEOPLE WHO MADE THESE THINGS HAPPEN!!! Not on the news. Real people in my life. Everyone one of their stories could be told 2 (at least lol) ways!
1 way- They are so lucky. Things fall into their lap. HOW DOES SHE HAVE TIME TO DO THAT? ETCETCETC. Thats REALLY not how it happened!!!
2.How about this. Each one of these people 1. realized what their dream was.2. decided to make a plan. 3 TOLD PEOPLE!! (my personal weakness. its amazing what comes to you when you put it out there!!) 4had their eyes open because they knew what they wanted. 5 looked for an opportunity, or even just a tiny opening to stick your toe in and kick open that F-ing door!!! THEY TOOK IT!! They are making it happen.
Here's the thing. MAYBE not every career path to life path is a total 180. Maybe you just wish you had time to add an hour of something you love or have always wanted to try! SAME PROCESS!! ITS YOUR LIFE!! Even if you happily share your life with someone YOUR CONTENDEDNESS AND HAPPINESS IS YOUR RESPONCIBILITY! Everyone around you will enjoy you alot more if your happy hahahaha. What people do you try to avoid? UNHAPPY BITCHERS THAT NEVER DO ANYTHING TO CHANGE WHAT THEIR BITCHING ABOUT... but i digress hahahaha. ANYWAY are you wondering why the blog is titled 168? Let me hit you with this. Prepare to be amazed;-)
There are 168 hours in a week.
subtract 56 hours ( 8 hrs a day for sleep... if your lucky ;-) HEY! maybe thats your plan! just to consistently get a freakin nights sleep!!
subtract 50 hrs for work ( a good average I think considering part time, full time, over time and/ or commuting)
SO NOW WE'RE AT 62 HRS. WHAT THE FUCK ARE WE DOING WITH THESE 62 HOURS A WEEK?!?! If I lost $62 a week I would be PISSED!! Instead I PISS away (at least) 62 HOURS A WEEK!!!
Ok, I know we all need to grocery shop, cook, have family time, walk the dog, write out the bills, catch up on tv, keep the house clean, mow the f-ing grass (obviously not my fav lol) BUT once again there are 2 ways to see this!!
1. I never have time to do anything fun or for me because Im always taking care of all of this shit!! Believe me! I have thought that! Who hasn't?! But seriously. These are the moments life is made of!!!
2. I love winding down from work by walking my dog for a half an hour, then cooking dinner with the kids 3 times a week and carryout 2times so I have time to clean the house after and then enjoy some tv... HMMM. This could work p.s. that is an EXAMPLE I do NOT have kids!! How do you think I have time to write this blog? hahahaha;-)
I had an epiphany walking into work at the BIG SALON one day. Of course I felt sick and miserable and I said out loud "I cannot let work dictate my happiness" This was new for me because my career path had ALWAYS been some of my greatest happiness!! I said this mantra every morning and sometimes during the day too lol My brain began to accept and believe it!! My stress level started to change and I started thinking about the value of my non work time!!! DUH! Like I said before- Im a slow learner ;-) Not long after, I got my beloved dog.
SO ANYWAY AGAIN! A couple days ago I read a quote from the founder of Stella and Dot accessories company- I don't remember word for word. Basically she said NO SUCCESSFUL PERSON BEFORE HER HAS EVER HAD MORE THAN 24HRS IN A DAY!!
OMG sooo obvious but profound!
SO MY POINT today is this is step 2. YOU DO HAVE TIME. Decide if what you want in your life path is major or minor, ,make a plan for the first step by using your time more CONSCIOUSLY!! ITS YOURS USE IT!
See Ya next week!!
**semi related funny story**
Do you seriously think I have this shit mastered?! Hell NO! I def do things WHILE I watch tv BUT yesterday I took, probably, 90 mins of work and dragged it out over a few hrs because I was half watching a CASTLE mini marathon...which I don't really love anyway! Good Lord people!! I'm writing this blog to help keep ME on track too!!! oh yea and also... one time my skirt fell OFF when I was walking my dog. TTYL ;-)
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Friday, August 16, 2013
the struggle with contentment
Hi welcome back again!! I'm sure you've noticed that once again I did not hit my goal of a wednesday morning post lol I'll be honest. I didn't feel like it. I've been off my game this week! I didn't feel like being an achiever. I'll also admit that one of the only downsides to being self employed and having so many pans in the fire is sometimes its more of a smolder than a fire hahahaha!! Thats ok! I know if I have a real deadline or people counting on me. Thats totally different! But, having said that, I'm committed to this blog and I'm going to make it a real deadline! ;-)
Soooo, this week I've been thinking about the concept of being content. I struggle with this! Do you?
I don't want to settle! I want to make my life path of choosing my projects and forms of income to be successful financially BUT I'm content to not be chasing after my old goals and career path!!
My handy dictionary app says- content- satisfied with what one is or has; not more or anything else.
Hmmm that sounds like some of the inner peace type stuff that some of my friends talk about. It sounds like the way we should feel about ourselves. We are good the way we are. BUT ...I don't WANT to ALWAYS be content!! There are so many things I would not/ will not experience if I'm content!!! DAMMIT! Whats a girl to do?! I DO think it's a good question to ask yourself though!! Before you stick with a job that you don't love, or a PERSON that you don't love OR BEFORE you begin a big career path to life path change. YOU have to decide if being content is ok. I think some times it is! AND sometimes its a perfect excuse!!!
Its really step 1 of deciding how you will redirect your life path!!! Think about it!!!
So I wanted to share more about 1 of my new life path business projects! It's called Clio & Matty! My friend Sheila and I decided to make baby blankies,bibs, burpies, and drool bandanas! I design and sew. She brands, markets and sells. It's a cool idea! Im enjoying it... but I gotta tell ya- I sometimes feel like a sister wife sitting at home makin' clothes for the babies!!! WHO AM I??? My entire dining room is my sewing room- which is no big deal since I only eat at that table every few yrs for friends thanksgiving lol. I have discovered that terrycloth is card to cut. Who Knew? that those old jeans with the blowout from thigh chaffage make great denim baby bibs! That if you're at Joann fabrics ALL the time they'll be a bit liberal with the coupons!! whoo hoo! that there are multiple ways to adhere tiny cut out flannel designs to bibs making them exponentially cuter and they are ALL a PAIN IN THE BUTT!! and just how many people are excited to give me insight and ideas for this new project i.e. droolie bandanas! ;-) Most of all WHO KNEW that I would be content spending time sewing baby crap!! ;-)
My whole life my mom has been a sewer. We have COMPLETELY different styles so we didn't collaborate alot ;-) As a matter of fact even as a little kid I was PISSED one summer when she made my sister and I each learn how to make a shirt! (I still don't do clothes. too complex) I fought the stereotype of "girls" classes all through school. Straight up REFUSED to take home ec. No. Damn. Way.
Sooo the irony is not lost on me lol.
But I choose to use and develop any skill I even sorta have!! Most people I know don't have a degree in the field they eventually have come to work in. So if I know a little about sewing than I can learn more. Trial and error and you tube videos!! I know alot more about sewing now :-)
Do I want this to become the main way I earn money? NOPE. I don't want to sew all day every day!! But I enjoy it! Why not take what you enjoy, don't be too content, and MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!
I think I'll always struggle with the concept of contentedness BUT I'm content to be making my own way! Maybe that's what its really about ;-)
** totally unrelated funny story***
I have a beagle mix 13.5 yr old dog who I completely adore! However beagles have an absolutely disgusting streak!! They will eat ANYTHING and I do mean ANYTHING, except for expensive, organic baby carrots purchased just for her!! She has eaten- cat shit,cat food,bird food, human food, dog food, rabbit poop, deer poop, bugs,grass,BREAD, paper, underwear, and is obsessed with CICADAS!!! (hey pure protein. What the hell), toenails, rotten food, dead birds,dead squirrels, trash, recycling... I call her my baby goat!! Miraculously she doesn't get sick so I roll with it!
one year we had a blizzard and we decided to go for a walk and assess the situation. ;-) Everyone is always nice to each other right in the midst of a storm... thank God. We stopped to help multiple people push a car. Another guy laid down his bag from the gas station... a little too close to the dog!! While we were working miss clio had snatched the guys loaf of bread!!! right in the middle of the loaf!! it was probably the LAST one on the shelf too!! she was SCARFING it down because she knew her time was limited hahahaha Luckily the guy was cool! probably too shocked to realize what just happened hahahaha
dogs! hours of entertainment... or embarrassment;-)
Have a great week!! see ya on wednesday!;-)
Soooo, this week I've been thinking about the concept of being content. I struggle with this! Do you?
I don't want to settle! I want to make my life path of choosing my projects and forms of income to be successful financially BUT I'm content to not be chasing after my old goals and career path!!
My handy dictionary app says- content- satisfied with what one is or has; not more or anything else.
Hmmm that sounds like some of the inner peace type stuff that some of my friends talk about. It sounds like the way we should feel about ourselves. We are good the way we are. BUT ...I don't WANT to ALWAYS be content!! There are so many things I would not/ will not experience if I'm content!!! DAMMIT! Whats a girl to do?! I DO think it's a good question to ask yourself though!! Before you stick with a job that you don't love, or a PERSON that you don't love OR BEFORE you begin a big career path to life path change. YOU have to decide if being content is ok. I think some times it is! AND sometimes its a perfect excuse!!!
Its really step 1 of deciding how you will redirect your life path!!! Think about it!!!
So I wanted to share more about 1 of my new life path business projects! It's called Clio & Matty! My friend Sheila and I decided to make baby blankies,bibs, burpies, and drool bandanas! I design and sew. She brands, markets and sells. It's a cool idea! Im enjoying it... but I gotta tell ya- I sometimes feel like a sister wife sitting at home makin' clothes for the babies!!! WHO AM I??? My entire dining room is my sewing room- which is no big deal since I only eat at that table every few yrs for friends thanksgiving lol. I have discovered that terrycloth is card to cut. Who Knew? that those old jeans with the blowout from thigh chaffage make great denim baby bibs! That if you're at Joann fabrics ALL the time they'll be a bit liberal with the coupons!! whoo hoo! that there are multiple ways to adhere tiny cut out flannel designs to bibs making them exponentially cuter and they are ALL a PAIN IN THE BUTT!! and just how many people are excited to give me insight and ideas for this new project i.e. droolie bandanas! ;-) Most of all WHO KNEW that I would be content spending time sewing baby crap!! ;-)
My whole life my mom has been a sewer. We have COMPLETELY different styles so we didn't collaborate alot ;-) As a matter of fact even as a little kid I was PISSED one summer when she made my sister and I each learn how to make a shirt! (I still don't do clothes. too complex) I fought the stereotype of "girls" classes all through school. Straight up REFUSED to take home ec. No. Damn. Way.
Sooo the irony is not lost on me lol.
But I choose to use and develop any skill I even sorta have!! Most people I know don't have a degree in the field they eventually have come to work in. So if I know a little about sewing than I can learn more. Trial and error and you tube videos!! I know alot more about sewing now :-)
Do I want this to become the main way I earn money? NOPE. I don't want to sew all day every day!! But I enjoy it! Why not take what you enjoy, don't be too content, and MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!
I think I'll always struggle with the concept of contentedness BUT I'm content to be making my own way! Maybe that's what its really about ;-)
** totally unrelated funny story***
I have a beagle mix 13.5 yr old dog who I completely adore! However beagles have an absolutely disgusting streak!! They will eat ANYTHING and I do mean ANYTHING, except for expensive, organic baby carrots purchased just for her!! She has eaten- cat shit,cat food,bird food, human food, dog food, rabbit poop, deer poop, bugs,grass,BREAD, paper, underwear, and is obsessed with CICADAS!!! (hey pure protein. What the hell), toenails, rotten food, dead birds,dead squirrels, trash, recycling... I call her my baby goat!! Miraculously she doesn't get sick so I roll with it!
one year we had a blizzard and we decided to go for a walk and assess the situation. ;-) Everyone is always nice to each other right in the midst of a storm... thank God. We stopped to help multiple people push a car. Another guy laid down his bag from the gas station... a little too close to the dog!! While we were working miss clio had snatched the guys loaf of bread!!! right in the middle of the loaf!! it was probably the LAST one on the shelf too!! she was SCARFING it down because she knew her time was limited hahahaha Luckily the guy was cool! probably too shocked to realize what just happened hahahaha
dogs! hours of entertainment... or embarrassment;-)
Have a great week!! see ya on wednesday!;-)
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
taking time...
Thank you all for joining me again this week! This weeks post has a bit of a different feel. I want to celebrate the life of a recently lost friend. You've probably noticed that I don't use names in my posts but today I am!
I met Danielle Terrance maybe 2 years ago. She was friends with Michael Oxley and I later learned she was friends and a co-worker with other friends of mine. It is a small world! Michael has always been a wonderful cheerleader for me as a hairstylist and he sent Danielle in to see me.
I'm a professional I can find a way to "click" with alot of different types of people but it wasn't hard to "click" with Danielle! What an infectious and easy laugh! It was like we had known each other for a long time.
What took longer to uncover was how BRILLIANT and GIVING she was!! I wouldn't say modest because she was happy to talk about her work but, maybe modest in the downplayed WAY she talked about it!!
I know I don't know her whole story but here is what I DO know.
Danielle was a Native American (Mohawk) woman in her mid 30's. I find Native cultures very interesting and we would talk about different things. I always knew that her ethnicity, her culture, and her people were very important to her but not the ONLY thing about her!! So we also discussed everyday life- for better or worse lol
Danielle was a college student, I think she finished her masters and was getting ready for Ph.d, She also worked at OSU and taught a class on plurality at Columbus State all the while having a part time job at The Home Depot. She was a strong woman with a bold vision! AND she actually took action!!
She grew up partly in Buffalo, NY and partly on the Reservation. She knew first hand how few opportunities were available to Native people especially girls. In itself it was an amazing feat to have studied at Cornell and OSU but I began to realize she had a much greater mission!
Danielle always had funny stories about her trips around the country, mostly out west.Again I began to realize what she was doing. I'm not sure which organization she was working with but she was going to reservations and talking to kids about the importance of education and how to get it!!! As a Native American. Teaching them and their tribal leaders about keeping their culture strong and still getting into the world and having opportunities!!!
I am so blessed to have known such an amazing, intelligent, enjoyable, humble and giving person!! She truly knew how to blend her CAREER PATH and her LIFE PATH!
I remember telling her all about my recent visit to the Smithsonian American Indian museum!She listened to detail after detail! (I LOVE that museum! You should def check it out!) She smiled and said she had been asked to be the liason / assistant to the President of the museum for the opening week! hahahaha I laughed my ass off! Here I am telling HER and she was there from the beginning!!
A month or so before Danielle's initial cancer diagnosis she was in for a haircut and excitedly showed me a book. It was about integrating Native Americans into college life. SHE HAD BEEN ASKED TO WRITE AN ENTIRE CHAPTER! PUBLISHED!! What an accomplishment!
For sometime she had been telling me about a job interview she had on the reservation. While she was there her cousin, a secretary in the tribal office, told her about another job! Long story short- she also applied for DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION for her tribe. THIS. WAS. BIG!.
The next time I saw her she had 2 pieces of news for me. SHE GOT THE JOB!! and would be moving in a month or so. I love when my friends succeed!! I love when life takes them along their hard worked for path!! I would miss her but was SO happy for her! We even planned a shopping trip the next time I was in Syracuse! So Danielle!
The second bit of news was... she had ovarian cancer. This was April 2013.
We cried and laughed. We made plans for a haircutting party... and cried a little again.
Her cancer diagnosis changed and became more dire. Her medical story is too long and really not the point. I went to the hospital a few times to style her hair and to chat... or just sit when her pain meds kicked in and she would drift off.
Her family came down from Buffalo in small groups, going from optimistic to realistic in a short amount of time. The Columbus friends tried to chip in to help with gas money and we were trying to plan a caravan to take her back home for treatment.
The Tribal Leader of the Reservation said they would wait for her! She was the one they wanted.
When it became clear that Danielle had a very dire prognosis they stepped in and paid for her have a medical helicopter transport back to her family in Buffalo. This had to have been immensely expensive and once again showed how important and respected she was.
Danielle died this week surrounded by her family and knowing that she had lived well. She accomplished what she set out to do! She worked SO hard for her mission and she saw it beginning to happen!
I admired Danielle from the start and I believe MANY people did! Because of her work she has built a strong foundation for others to build on. Education and knowledge of opportunities for ALL Native Americans. What a legacy.May we all live so well and so boldly.
I hope you all have an inspiring and intentional week!! If its not so great don't feel defeated! It just means there are more steps to go in your process of figuring out what you want and how to get it!!! ENJOY THE PROCESS. ENJOY LIFE ;-)
I met Danielle Terrance maybe 2 years ago. She was friends with Michael Oxley and I later learned she was friends and a co-worker with other friends of mine. It is a small world! Michael has always been a wonderful cheerleader for me as a hairstylist and he sent Danielle in to see me.
I'm a professional I can find a way to "click" with alot of different types of people but it wasn't hard to "click" with Danielle! What an infectious and easy laugh! It was like we had known each other for a long time.
What took longer to uncover was how BRILLIANT and GIVING she was!! I wouldn't say modest because she was happy to talk about her work but, maybe modest in the downplayed WAY she talked about it!!
I know I don't know her whole story but here is what I DO know.
Danielle was a Native American (Mohawk) woman in her mid 30's. I find Native cultures very interesting and we would talk about different things. I always knew that her ethnicity, her culture, and her people were very important to her but not the ONLY thing about her!! So we also discussed everyday life- for better or worse lol
Danielle was a college student, I think she finished her masters and was getting ready for Ph.d, She also worked at OSU and taught a class on plurality at Columbus State all the while having a part time job at The Home Depot. She was a strong woman with a bold vision! AND she actually took action!!
She grew up partly in Buffalo, NY and partly on the Reservation. She knew first hand how few opportunities were available to Native people especially girls. In itself it was an amazing feat to have studied at Cornell and OSU but I began to realize she had a much greater mission!
Danielle always had funny stories about her trips around the country, mostly out west.Again I began to realize what she was doing. I'm not sure which organization she was working with but she was going to reservations and talking to kids about the importance of education and how to get it!!! As a Native American. Teaching them and their tribal leaders about keeping their culture strong and still getting into the world and having opportunities!!!
I am so blessed to have known such an amazing, intelligent, enjoyable, humble and giving person!! She truly knew how to blend her CAREER PATH and her LIFE PATH!
I remember telling her all about my recent visit to the Smithsonian American Indian museum!She listened to detail after detail! (I LOVE that museum! You should def check it out!) She smiled and said she had been asked to be the liason / assistant to the President of the museum for the opening week! hahahaha I laughed my ass off! Here I am telling HER and she was there from the beginning!!
A month or so before Danielle's initial cancer diagnosis she was in for a haircut and excitedly showed me a book. It was about integrating Native Americans into college life. SHE HAD BEEN ASKED TO WRITE AN ENTIRE CHAPTER! PUBLISHED!! What an accomplishment!
For sometime she had been telling me about a job interview she had on the reservation. While she was there her cousin, a secretary in the tribal office, told her about another job! Long story short- she also applied for DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION for her tribe. THIS. WAS. BIG!.
The next time I saw her she had 2 pieces of news for me. SHE GOT THE JOB!! and would be moving in a month or so. I love when my friends succeed!! I love when life takes them along their hard worked for path!! I would miss her but was SO happy for her! We even planned a shopping trip the next time I was in Syracuse! So Danielle!
The second bit of news was... she had ovarian cancer. This was April 2013.
We cried and laughed. We made plans for a haircutting party... and cried a little again.
Her cancer diagnosis changed and became more dire. Her medical story is too long and really not the point. I went to the hospital a few times to style her hair and to chat... or just sit when her pain meds kicked in and she would drift off.
Her family came down from Buffalo in small groups, going from optimistic to realistic in a short amount of time. The Columbus friends tried to chip in to help with gas money and we were trying to plan a caravan to take her back home for treatment.
The Tribal Leader of the Reservation said they would wait for her! She was the one they wanted.
When it became clear that Danielle had a very dire prognosis they stepped in and paid for her have a medical helicopter transport back to her family in Buffalo. This had to have been immensely expensive and once again showed how important and respected she was.
Danielle died this week surrounded by her family and knowing that she had lived well. She accomplished what she set out to do! She worked SO hard for her mission and she saw it beginning to happen!
I admired Danielle from the start and I believe MANY people did! Because of her work she has built a strong foundation for others to build on. Education and knowledge of opportunities for ALL Native Americans. What a legacy.May we all live so well and so boldly.
I hope you all have an inspiring and intentional week!! If its not so great don't feel defeated! It just means there are more steps to go in your process of figuring out what you want and how to get it!!! ENJOY THE PROCESS. ENJOY LIFE ;-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)