Food Foibles (1,5)

Today's mission (based on a dice roll of one and five): a life musing inspired by taste . . .

HOLY MINEFIELD! I am so neurotic about food. I eat when I'm happy, when I'm sad, when I'm bored, and when I'm stressed. And I'm stressed a lot: stressed about shopping, cooking, calories, nutrition, and whether anyone will like the food I prepare. So much angst – its ridiculous!

But life musings are meant to be cathartic, so I can't leave it at that. I don't want to waste anymore time on this. And I don't need another diet, strategy, or plan – they all fail because the problem is deeper. There is a crucial component missing in my relationship with food. GRATITUDE! I'm whining about overeating while people are starving. I'm fretting over what to make for dinner, while others would take anything they could get. What a spoiled brat I have been!

Of course this is not a revolutionary concept. But somehow, while treading life's waters, we forget. Even giving thanks before dinner is more of a habit than an act of gratitude. So, short of tattooing “Gratitude” on my hand, how do I keep from falling back into mindlessness?

Perhaps I'll start collecting reminders (photos, art, quotes, statistics) to decorate my table, my fridge, and my pantry. Or perhaps there are rituals I can incorporate into my day. I don't want to forget how very blessed I am. What are your ideas for including gratitude in your day?

Dream Dice (1,3)

It is morning and I'm in my favorite chair. The dishwasher is sloshing rhythmically in the next room. It's peaceful - like waves rolling in at the beach. I can see messy tufts of hair stick out from behind the computer monitor where my son is playing.  And the puppy is happily chewing by the back door (hopefully on a dog toy and not my shoes). Regardless, when I pause long enough to notice, I see how very blessed I am.

And yet it is not enough; I want more. I need a job, a mission, a hobby, a calling.  I want to pour my heart into something (and ideally be paid for it too). Where I stumble is in the choosing. Shall I pursue writing? photography? Should I get a “real” job and work in a cubicle? Or perhaps I should become a teacher, a mentor, or a coach? I don't know where to begin – and so I don't begin at all.

I guess this is my mini midlife crisis – the midlife crisis of a spoiled housewife no less. I'm very lucky to have such a dilemma. Many are struggling to get by in jobs they hate or wishing they had any job at all.  I have options. I have a year before I need to start contributing financially. An entire year to uncover my path. So I will search my soul and write. I will pour my heart onto the page and hope it leads me somewhere.  If it doesn't, that is fine too. I can keep dreaming and have a cubicle job too.

In the meantime, I'll take action. I will no longer let guilt, indecision, or cowardice keep me from starting.  I even have a plan.   I'm going to use dice to determine my path du jour.   I feel like the roll of the dice puts my path into the realm of fate and God.  Even if it is just random, it gives me somewhere to start.  And if one path doesn't feel right, then I'll try another.  At least I'll be trying.

Anyway, it works like this . . . I roll the dice and read them from left to right.  The first tells me what to write and the second tells me where to find inspiration.  For this post, I rolled a one and a three. Maybe after enough posts, you can guess what the dice meanings are. I could use some help naming my dice inspired plan. “Dice Directed Dream Pursuit” does not really cut it.  Any ideas?

A Fall Walk

LOOKING UP

LOOKING DOWN

It's All Good

There is so much beauty and goodness in the world.  At the moment I feel fabulously overwhelmed by it and close to tears.  I'm not going to wait for an illness or a tragedy to start enjoying every second of this life.  People are so very good and beautiful - even with all their faults.  Even with my own.  I am enough.  Enough for my husband.  Enough for my children.  Enough for the amazing, rewarding, well paying job coming my way (are you listening universe).  You know what else is good? WARMTH!  Warmth is such a fabulous luxury whether it be under the covers, by the fireplace, in the bath, or in the car with the heat at full blast.  Warmth is good!  I'm very appreciative of it.  Cold is good too.  I'm going to be cold when I get out of the car here soon.  Cold awakens your senses and lets you know you are alive.  I must admit, however, to wishing I'd brought another wonderful thing - it is called a coat.

Squirrel Brains

I have come to believe that there are truths being offered up by the universe.  These truths hold the answers to everything.  From where you left your keys to how to live your dream life.

The good news, is that God wants us to hear these truths.  The bad news, is that we are not very good listeners.  Some people listen at church.  Others listen during meditation or a long slow run. Those are great methods, but why leave it at that?  The universe is talking all of the time; so why not listen all of the time?

Sounds good in theory, but not so easy in real life.  My squirrel brain is often babbling on so loud and incessantly, that I can hear little else.  But all is not lost, I have found a new way to quiet my brain. She is pictured above destroying an egg carton.  I call her "She Can Offer Up Truths" (actually I just call her Scout, but I like that the acronym works).  When I'm with her, my squirrel brain turns off.  She helps me live in the moment (even if the moment involves extracting my favorite shoes from her mouth).  I'm sure she is here to help me find my truths.  I plan on asking her lots of questions and I'm ridiculously giddy anticipating all that I will learn.

You can ask her questions too if you want (just let me finish writing up the liability waiver).

Nightstand Secrets

1.  For starters, you know that I'm ridiculously egotistical (seriously, I have taken a picture of my nightstand and actually believe that you care).
2.  I'm a middle aged mom (young enough to have the art projects, but old enough to need two types of lotion).
3.  I am either so carefree that I don't care what time it is, or I'm so addicted to my iPhone (which incidentally does tell time) that I sleep with it under my pillow.
4.  I have opposable thumbs (otherwise I would not bother owning pens).
5.  I like to read but usually borrow books from the library.  You can see a library card sticking out of the book in front.  And you know I do not own that book.  Because if I had read it and become a highly effective person, I sure as hell wouldn't be taking pictures of my nightstand.

So, what are the top five things I could learn from your nightstand???

The Great Ice Bath Debate

They say that the best way to recover from a long run is to take an ice bath.  It reduces inflammation, prevents soreness, and speeds up recovery.  Many runners swear by the ice bath method.  I even have a friend who claims she likes it!  Well, darling, I love ya, but YOU'RE WEIRD!  Seriously, after I have run for an arguably insane amount of time, I deserve a %@#$* hot bath.  What is your opinion???


I don't know how many people will actually read this, but I hope at least my husband responds :)