Discover Your Bliss

How to End the Year With a Bang

The last day of the year offers many people an opportunity to re-evaluate what they've accomplished and what they haven't accomplished. 

Here's a little secret - if you focus on the positive and what you accomplished this year, you'll start the year with a bang.  If you dwell on all the things you didn't do, your bang may fizzle. 

If using the last day of the year to look back on the past year is too stressful or challenging for you at this moment, then sprinkle a little perspective on the situation.  December 31st is one day - no more important than June 14th or September 3rd. 

By seeing December 31st as equal to all of the other days of the year, the pressure to transition into something spectacular on January 1st at 12am fades. 

If you traditionally use December 31st as a day of reflection and that raises your energy, then please continue to do just that. 

The key to ending your year with a bang lies in your ability to determine what supports you and and your journey. 

What does "ending your year with a bang" look like for you?  How does shifting your perspective support your view of December 31st?

I'd love to hear your comments and discoveries. 

Tuesday Quote to Ponder

A bird doesn't sign because it has an answer; it sings because it has a song.  Maya Angelou

Learn a Language for Free

Yes, it's true.  I didn't think it was possible until I stumbled upon two sites that support a person to learn a language for free.

If you're interested in French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Greek or Chinese, then visit bbc.co.uk/languages.

For more exotic languages, visit freelanguage.org. 

What does the process of learning another language give to you?  What's the benefit of exploring new ground through language learning? 

We're constantly bombarded with bad news and the economy.  Isn't it refreshing to know that many things in life can be free? 

I'd love to hear your comments and discoveries. 

   

Snake on a Plane...Well, After a Plane Ride

Not long after I got home from the airport, I started unpacking my bag.  I heard my mom screaming from the kitchen for my dad and I helped to get him in the kitchen pronto - why I hadn't the foggiest.

My mom was bent over holding the knobs to the cabinet doors directly under our kitchen sink. 

"Is there a mouse?" I asked figuring my mom's fear of the little furry creatures would account for all of the terrified yelling. 

She whispered in disbelief, "There's a snake." 

"Oooo...what kind?"  I started getting excited.

"A big one," she immediately answered. 

When my dad walked into the kitchen she told him it was our job to get it out of there and she ran into other room. 

I love snakes.  Always have and the excitement of seeing one in December baffled us.  Snakes disappear around here during the winter months only to emerge with the warmer weather in the spring. 

The out-of-place snake in December disturbed my mom almost as much as the snake itself.  She said it had its head raised up when she slid the cookie sheet back into place.  To say my mom was freaked was an understatement. 

My dad and I opened up the cabinet door and started pulling out stuff to see if we could locate the snake.  Sure enough, the bull snake (a harmless snake) had wrapped its body around a few bottles. 

Soon the snake found a hole where the dishwasher hoses ran and disappeared as quickly as he had appeared. 

My dad unscrewed the front bottom panel of the dishwasher and got the snake to slide back into the cabinet area. 

Before the snake made a break for it, my dad said that he thought he would have to kill it to get it out of there.  My dad is pretty messy and I knew that my mom wouldn't appreciate snake guts all over her kitchen - plus - there's no need to kill the snake.  He's harmless and a great mouse catcher. 

The minute my dad mentioned that, I sprang into action.  I pulled the trash bag out of our trashcan and put on a garden glove.  I picked up the snake from his lower part of his body and placed him into the trashcan. 

The poor thing was scared to death.  He was young - probably not much older than one year and long - 3 feet to be exact. 

The second picture is a bit blurry, yet it shows him climbing. 

My dad took the snake "far away from the house" per my mom's orders and let him go. 

After flying all day and the many airport adventures, my snake removal was by far the highlight.  I love snakes. 

What's something that might scare most people that you find thrilling?  How does a sense of adventure support you to walk through your fears? 

Can You Go One Month Without Spending Money?

I read this incredible story about a family's no-buy experiment in Reader's Digest (they did buy only the essentials like milk, etc.)  For the full article, click here.

The article is chocked full of money-saving ideas that I wanted to share:

• Visit thriftyfun.com to find penny-saving tips to conserve cash.   
• Visit readersdigest.com/nospending to take the no-spending challenge yourself.
• Fill out the order forms in catalogs and see if you still want the stuff in a week from now.  

Can you imagine what it would be like to not buy anything for a month?  What about not spending for a week?  Is a week without spending more "do-able" or is the thought of going a full 24 hours without spending money too stressful to imagine? 

What's so scary about going a day, a week or a month without spending?  What would it say about you as a person?  How would you approach this challenge?  With open arms?  Resistance? 

I'd love to hear your comments and discoveries. 

Miss a Plane? Celebrate

I've never missed a plane - a true statement as December 1, 2008.  A flat out lie after December 18, 2008. 

When I see long lines at terminal one of LAX, I don't panic.  The line usually moves swiftly and I'm checking my bag before I know it.  Security is the same way - long lines, surprisingly short wait. 

This time the lines were long and moved at a snail's pace.  When I saw that I didn't make the 45 minute bag check prior to departure, I didn't sweat it.  My bag would get to me eventually. 

Thirty minutes before my flight and still in the "to check my bag line," my concern appeared.  15 minutes to departure, 10 minutes to departure, 5 minutes to my departure and still no line progress.  Departure time and I'm just now getting to an agent to check my bag.  The process takes twice as long and the airline worker didn't think I had a chance to make my flight.  I kept telling myself - whatever happens is supposed to happen and I'm grateful. 

Thirty minutes after my flight time I make it to my gate - boots unzipped and all of my security requirements outside of my bag.  I officially missed my plane and needed to go to gate 11 to see if I could get on another flight.

Especially in winter, I opt to fly through Phoenix, Arizona, because of the slim chances that the airport will be closed due to snow.  Thankfully, I snag the last standby seat on the flight to Denver, Colorado, and thank everyone that helps me store my luggage and get settled.

I immediately start chatting with the man in the seat next to me and we gab as if we were old friends for the duration of the flight.  As I deplane, I think to myself - I am grateful for missing my plane.  I am grateful for my conversation and opportunity to chat with the man next to me. 

Without a beat, I find my next gate and stand in line so I can be sure that I'm on standby for my Denver to Oklahoma City flight.  I'm number two in line and the flight is overbooked.  The woman says I have a pretty good chance to make this flight.  Names will be released at 3pm (it's 2pm at this point) and I quickly run to the bathroom and come back to my gate so I can be there in case they call me. 

At 3pm they start calling for anyone that wants to give up their seat for a bonus.  As 3:35pm approaches, no one is called to line up to board the aircraft.  Close to 4pm, it is announced that the flight will fly over Oklahoma City and go directly to Dallas because Oklahoma City is closed due to fog. 

The ground crew announces a gate change and I move from gate 47 to gate 49.  I understand what "riot mentality" means now.  People start to get impatient, irate and flat out rude due to the delay and re-organizing of the flight.  I continue to stand in gratitude for everything that is happening. 

It's not looking good and I will most-likely have to spend the night in the Dallas airport and catch the next flight out in the morning.  Instead of focusing on what's not going right, I choose to focus on what I can do and be grateful for each step of the way. 

Close to 5:30pm, the ground crew calls for the plane to board.  Two people are granted standby and thankfully, I ask and get a ticket.  Once again I'm the last to board. 

We "de-ice" for 25 minutes driving around the runway.  When we are cleared for take-off, one of the flight attendants says, "Enjoy the flight."  Ten year ago, I would have thought - enjoy the flight?  You mean the one that's been delayed and isn't going to the correct state?  However, I allowed the thought to enter my body and coat me with joy. 

As I sat quietly in the dark, I began to plan the next 12 hours - get as much sleep on this flight as I can, ration my food - I am so grateful for this opportunity. 

I didn't react, I accepted and topped it off with joy.  I continued to be grateful for this opportunity and closed my eyes. 

An hour into my flight, the pilot announced that we have been cleared to land in Oklahoma City and will be touching down in less than 30 minutes.  The plane erupted in joy and cheers.  My entire row was headed to OKC and we collectively did happy dances and started to chat. 

What a gift  - this was the first flight allowed to land in Oklahoma since early morning (it's 8:30pm now).  If I had made my original flight - I would have been stuck in either Arizona or New York . 

Amazingly enough, my bag arrived with this flight and I didn't have to go back to airport to get it. 

Absolute bliss.  Missing a flight is fantastic. 

How can gratitude shift your attitude or outlook?  What would it look like to infuse gratitude into your most challenging situations? 

I'd love to hear your comments and discoveries.    

   
 

How to Take the Mess Out of Christmas Stress

Merry Christmas to everyone and if you don't celebrate Christmas, then Happy Holidays. 

To loosely quote the Griswolds from the film, Christmas Vacation, "It's the holidays and everyone's miserable." 

Please don't get me wrong - this is not a negative or bummer post.  I just thought I'd have some fun this Christmas. 

With Christmas often comes family stress - extra people in your house, the food turning out poorly or that hope that your uncle Jim won't bring up how much you weighed last year. 

Here's a clip from Christmas Vacation where everything could appear to be stressful or go "wrong."  If you pay attention to Eddie, he doesn't see the negative or stress.  He's happy as a lark with his "positive vision." 

I just love this film.  It's so funny. 

What's your number one stress at Christmas?  What do you need to take the mess out of your stress?  How does having a "de-stress" Christmas plan support your holiday?

Many people experience zero stress at Christmas - which is fantastic - so for those of you that do have some stress - please remember the Griswolds and give thanks. 

I'd love to hear your comments and discoveries.

Funny Updated Christmas Carols - Just for Fun pt. 2

Maybe it's me yet I love to laugh and these updated carols do it for me every time.  I also love the book of Pumpkin Carols my mom sent to me one year for Halloween.  They're Christmas songs (the tune) for Halloween. 

Enjoy the humor of updating the traditional.

Grand Theft Reindeer
(to "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen")

God bless you, Uncle Benjamin,
That's what Mom said to say.
She said to write a thank-you note
For giving me that clay.
It's really great, but next time if
You're wond'ring what I play,

O games where I blow bad guys away,
hope that's okay.
O big-boy games where I blow guys away.

Hey, thank you, Grandma Washington,
I sure do like those socks!
They're better than your cookies,
Which Dad says taste like rocks.
I know I am your precious pet,
So why not sell your stocks

And buy me games for my Xbox (also the box)?
Why not buy me games and an Xbox?

Dear Santa Claus, I love you so,
You made my Christmas Day.
I put my bike on eBay
And auctioned it away.
I got that Grand Theft Auto game,
The one set in L.A.,

But my parents refuse to let me play, took it away.
So I made you this cute reindeer out of clay.

Bark! The Hairy Angels Sing
(to "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing")

"Bark!" the Labradoodles sing.
"Look at us, the latest thing.
Curly hair and tempers mild,
Big and small dog reconciled."
"Don't forget us!" call the puggles.
Shorkies yap, "We're best for snuggles."
"Wait a sec!" the mutts proclaim.
"Neath our fur, we're all the same.
Hark! Tho' wondrous breeds abound,
Don't forsake the local pound."

Let Us Go
(to "Let it Snow")

Oh, the weather outside is frightful,
But of course they crammed this flight full.
Just don't say these words, I pray:
"We're delayed, we're delayed, we're delayed."

The pilot is getting folksy,
Using words like "okesydokesy."
So much for my free upgrade:
We're delayed, we're delayed, we're delayed.

No one's certain when we'll push back,
Seems we're 18th or 19th to go.
I had hoped that they'd serve a snack-
Guess I'll just gnaw on my toe.

The pilot is getting loopy,
And his eyes are getting droopy.
For a camel ride I would trade
"We're delayed, we're delayed, we're delayed."

What Christmas Carol would you like to remake?  How would remaking a carol support your creativity? 

I'd love to hear any remakes you might have or comments.

Tuesday Quote to Ponder

"A hug is a perfect gift for Christmas; one size fits all and it's easily returned."  - from By Golly, Be Jolly!  A Celebration of the Wonder of Christmas collected by Evelyn Beilenson

Musical Christmas House - Must See

While searching for my favorite Christmas song (Christmas Wrapping by the Waitresses), I stumbled upon a You Tube video that exhibits real talent and creativity.  Someone choreographed their Christmas lights to my favorite Christmas song. 

I just had to share this with everyone - it's fantastic.  Enjoy!

How can you use your creativity to raise your bliss?  What role does creativity play in your life? 

I'd love to hear your comments and discoveries.