Prompt: Beautifully different. Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different- you'll find they're what make you beautiful.
I'm of the mindset that it takes all kinds of different people to make this world work and that we should celebrate the fact that each of us is different.
I'm different because I believe that EVERYONE deserves the chance to live an extraordinary life no matter what they look like, or who they love, or who/what they worship.
I'm different because I don't like to watch America's Funniest Home Videos because it makes my heart hurt to think of people ACTUALLY getting hurt.
I'm different because I address all my e-mails with "Hi (whoever)" no matter how many exchanges we have- always "Hi."
I'm different because I got married when I was 23. To someone who I started dating when I was 17.
I'm different because I try and give everyone the benefit of the doubt.
I'm different because my body (especially as of late) has decided that it wants to not work correctly at all.
I'm different because I can remember random details about my friends' lives that they only mention once. I look crazy when I then refer to those details in conversation.
I'm different because I talk to atleast one member of my family every day.
I'm different because in almost every situation I can find a way to laugh. No matter how bad it might be.
Those things make me unique, I think. And hopefully, they make me beautiful.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Reverb Day #7
Prompt: Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?
In 2010, I grew even more into the community of dog owners at our old apartment building. We spent many evenings after work chatting with our neighbors and letting the pups play. We'd bring a bottle of wine out to our courtyard with a few glasses and suddenly we'd have a mini-party going.
Since our move in June, I seriously miss my apartment neighbors. We now live in a quiet neighborhood and haven't met very many people. Our new community also hasn't hosted anything as new people move in (since we live in a development that's under construction, when sections are finished, new people are allowed to close on their places and move in. We just had a new group close last week.)
In 2011, I've decided I'm going to try and get a position on the board of our newly established Home Owners Association in order to help organize some events for everyone to get to know each other. I also kind of organize events and meetings for a living, so hey! Perfect fit. Hopefully, I work in 2011 to cultivate a community when I live.
In 2010, I grew even more into the community of dog owners at our old apartment building. We spent many evenings after work chatting with our neighbors and letting the pups play. We'd bring a bottle of wine out to our courtyard with a few glasses and suddenly we'd have a mini-party going.
Since our move in June, I seriously miss my apartment neighbors. We now live in a quiet neighborhood and haven't met very many people. Our new community also hasn't hosted anything as new people move in (since we live in a development that's under construction, when sections are finished, new people are allowed to close on their places and move in. We just had a new group close last week.)
In 2011, I've decided I'm going to try and get a position on the board of our newly established Home Owners Association in order to help organize some events for everyone to get to know each other. I also kind of organize events and meetings for a living, so hey! Perfect fit. Hopefully, I work in 2011 to cultivate a community when I live.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Reverb Day # 3, 4, 5, and 6
(Note: This weekend, my college roommates came into town and I didn't hardly have a minute to myself. If this were NaBloPoMo, I would simply give up and note do any of these prompts. But the prompts actually make me really happy, so I'm just going to catch up and hope that no one tells on me.)
Dec 3rd Prompt: Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year.
I'm not sure that anything this year came close to the intense alive-ness that I felt in 2009 while running my first half marathon. That, for me, was living. It was hurt-filled, want to keel over, dreadful for miles 10-13, amazing, totally great when I finished, LIVING.
I don't think anything will live up to that.
Dec 4th Prompt: Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year?
I'm constantly in wonder when I'm with my 4 and 6 year old cousins, K & L. Ross and I spent time with them in October and they are pretty awesome kids. They like to dance and play and they love Ross. It's always just funny kind of see things through their eyes. Kids are funny.
Dec 5th Prompt: Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why?
This year, I let go of some of the friendships that I had when I moved into DC. I stopped trying to make things work, because I sort of know they just can't. It's fun to look back and remember the people that were in the picture the first few months that Ross and I lived together, especially as I glance through Facebook pictures. I tried really hard to keep alot of those relationships going, but at the end, it was alittle too much for me. So, I've let those people go. I need positive people in my life. Here's hoping 2011 brings a few more my way.
Dec 6th Prompt: Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?
The last thing I made? I made some cookies and some cinnamon buns right before Thanksgiving. I have a beautiful kitchen in my new house and it makes doing those kinds of things really fun (cooking is way easier when you have more than one counter top to spread your stuff out on!). I've posted my chocolate chip cookie recipe here before (and it's easy to find since it's on the back on EVERY Toll House chocolate chip bag).
Something I want to make? I want to make the bed in our guest room beautiful. It's old, not in very good condition and a dark stained wood. Over the Christmas holiday I'm planning to paint it. I can't wait!
Dec 3rd Prompt: Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year.
I'm not sure that anything this year came close to the intense alive-ness that I felt in 2009 while running my first half marathon. That, for me, was living. It was hurt-filled, want to keel over, dreadful for miles 10-13, amazing, totally great when I finished, LIVING.
I don't think anything will live up to that.
Dec 4th Prompt: Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year?
I'm constantly in wonder when I'm with my 4 and 6 year old cousins, K & L. Ross and I spent time with them in October and they are pretty awesome kids. They like to dance and play and they love Ross. It's always just funny kind of see things through their eyes. Kids are funny.
Dec 5th Prompt: Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why?
This year, I let go of some of the friendships that I had when I moved into DC. I stopped trying to make things work, because I sort of know they just can't. It's fun to look back and remember the people that were in the picture the first few months that Ross and I lived together, especially as I glance through Facebook pictures. I tried really hard to keep alot of those relationships going, but at the end, it was alittle too much for me. So, I've let those people go. I need positive people in my life. Here's hoping 2011 brings a few more my way.
Dec 6th Prompt: Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?
The last thing I made? I made some cookies and some cinnamon buns right before Thanksgiving. I have a beautiful kitchen in my new house and it makes doing those kinds of things really fun (cooking is way easier when you have more than one counter top to spread your stuff out on!). I've posted my chocolate chip cookie recipe here before (and it's easy to find since it's on the back on EVERY Toll House chocolate chip bag).
Something I want to make? I want to make the bed in our guest room beautiful. It's old, not in very good condition and a dark stained wood. Over the Christmas holiday I'm planning to paint it. I can't wait!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Reverb Day #2: Writing
Prompt: Writing. What do you do each day that doesn't contribute to your
writing -- and can you eliminate it?
Well, as you've seen in my lack of posting, alot stands in the way of my writing here on this blog. I think that it goes back to the idea that in the diabetes community, which I sort of see as the closest blog community I am a part of, I don't really feel like a part of it. I've been reading blogs for a really long time and (see this post on how I started blogging) I really enjoy writing as a creative outlet, plus it's nice to have a written account of some of the stuff that's going on in my life.
So, what do I do each day that doesn't contribute to my blog- maybe thinking that this blog isn't good enough for someone to read. Negative self-doubt that I really do try and avoid, but that sometime creeps up and says "no need to write that, other people are doing it and their voice is louder, and better."
Ugh. I can't believe I wrote that.
How can I eliminate those thoughts and work toward my 2011 word of happiness? I can write about things here that make me frickin' happy. Not focusing on anyone else and doing something that I've loved since I was a kid along with doodling, and painting, and crafting, and making things with my hands, and coloring, and singing. Letting the imagination and creativity that I have and that I feel gets smothered by my not so creative job and not so creative hobbies (tv watching and reading) show.
So I'll write to make myself happy and if anyone out there in cyberspace finds it and reads it, that's cool. And if no one does, that's fine too.
writing -- and can you eliminate it?
Well, as you've seen in my lack of posting, alot stands in the way of my writing here on this blog. I think that it goes back to the idea that in the diabetes community, which I sort of see as the closest blog community I am a part of, I don't really feel like a part of it. I've been reading blogs for a really long time and (see this post on how I started blogging) I really enjoy writing as a creative outlet, plus it's nice to have a written account of some of the stuff that's going on in my life.
So, what do I do each day that doesn't contribute to my blog- maybe thinking that this blog isn't good enough for someone to read. Negative self-doubt that I really do try and avoid, but that sometime creeps up and says "no need to write that, other people are doing it and their voice is louder, and better."
Ugh. I can't believe I wrote that.
How can I eliminate those thoughts and work toward my 2011 word of happiness? I can write about things here that make me frickin' happy. Not focusing on anyone else and doing something that I've loved since I was a kid along with doodling, and painting, and crafting, and making things with my hands, and coloring, and singing. Letting the imagination and creativity that I have and that I feel gets smothered by my not so creative job and not so creative hobbies (tv watching and reading) show.
So I'll write to make myself happy and if anyone out there in cyberspace finds it and reads it, that's cool. And if no one does, that's fine too.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Reverb Day 1: Growth
This year, I haven't been good about blogging. I always start out the year pretty strongly, but then things go done hill during the spring and summer. I'm going to attempt the Reverb Challenge with the thought that I have more time in December this year then ever before to write (yay for two weeks off!).
Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word: GROWTH
Professionally, especially in the last few months, I feel like I've been able to grow into my position. I've been in my current role for two years, but I've really gotten the chance to stretch my wings and feel like my supervisors really trust me to take a project and run with it. One of the programs that I manage has soooo much growth potential that we're only just beginning to realize. Sometimes, when everything is going right, it reaffirms that I'm in the right place.
My personal responsibilities have grown, too. I own a house now. Holy crap. I definitely didn't expect that to happen in 2010. And with that comes alot of extra stuff. Like paying more bills and making it a beautiful place to live (something that I really put alot of energy into.)
My relationships with my husband and my family continues to grow. I appreciate little moments that I haven't before. Little things like making my husband laugh by quoting Home Alone out of the blue or text messages from my sister that reinforce that I am beyond lucky to ccount her amongst my best friends.
2011 Word: Happiness
I hope to make 2011 my happiest year yet.
Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word: GROWTH
Professionally, especially in the last few months, I feel like I've been able to grow into my position. I've been in my current role for two years, but I've really gotten the chance to stretch my wings and feel like my supervisors really trust me to take a project and run with it. One of the programs that I manage has soooo much growth potential that we're only just beginning to realize. Sometimes, when everything is going right, it reaffirms that I'm in the right place.
My personal responsibilities have grown, too. I own a house now. Holy crap. I definitely didn't expect that to happen in 2010. And with that comes alot of extra stuff. Like paying more bills and making it a beautiful place to live (something that I really put alot of energy into.)
My relationships with my husband and my family continues to grow. I appreciate little moments that I haven't before. Little things like making my husband laugh by quoting Home Alone out of the blue or text messages from my sister that reinforce that I am beyond lucky to ccount her amongst my best friends.
2011 Word: Happiness
I hope to make 2011 my happiest year yet.
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