#376: Teaching my girls "The Gift of the Magi" this week in an effort to teach irony and out of a passionate belief that sacrificial giving is the heart of love and life.
#377: Things calming down at my office. Love my job and the people I work with, but being overwhelmed + falling behind = horrific.
#378: This line from Nathalie's recent post regarding her Project Life process -- "Small, Steady Steps." I keep coming back to the idea that the only way to truly enjoy life is to break it down into day-by-day- (and sometimes moment-by-moment-) sized pieces. So, I love that line.
#379: It is kind of like the art I have hanging in my bathroom, which says, "Every journey begins with a single step." Got it? When I looked at it last night, I thought, "Omigosh -- Every journey. Even the ones that seem momentous, including getting my finance in order, getting in shape and being a better employee/daughter/sister/girlfriend/friend. And when you take that first step, the only thing left to do is to take the next step. And after that... Oh, you get it.
#380: This column from Cary Tennis about being anxious about being anxious. (No, I didn't accidentally write that twice; I did it on purpose.) Knowing you struggle with layers of anxiety can make you anxious, and I understand this Letter Writer's struggle and appreciate Cary's comments on it.
#381: Getting to see old friends on Tuesday night. They're incredible musicians, and I love seeing them perform live every year...
#382: But I also love catching up with them before and after their shows. It reminds me how far we've come in the eleven years we've known each other...
#383: And this year I was proud of the progress I've made, despite the fact that the last year could have been perceived by others to be an abject failure (unemployed, almost lost a relationship, etc). I have come a long way in a year, and I'm objectively better as a result of the struggle I've gone through and the things I've overcome. My finances are better than they were a year ago; my living situation is more peaceful than a year ago; my job is incredible (and that's not just in comparison to the job I had a year ago, it's period); and my relationship is infinitely better than it was even a year ago.
#384: Mr. Wonderful is healing nicely.
#385: This week's episode of Up All Night, which advocated honesty with those with love (and bonding as a result of it), as well as being ourselves. Amen and amen.
#386: This week's episode of Parks & Recreation, which had these gems of lines during ladies' lunch --
(a) "February 14th, Valentine's Day, is about romance. But February 13th, Galentine's Day, is about celebrating lady friends. It's wonderful, and it should be a national holiday." (~Leslie)
(b) "I have several men in rotation. One is waiting for me out in the car... Don't worry, I rolled down the window!" (~Donna)
(c) "Well, last week he was supposed to buy gas, but instead he bought novelty cookie cutters. Now everything we eat is shaped like a dinosaur. He's amazing." (~April)
#387: We're having a whole Galentine's Day weekend in two weeks, which is also in celebration of my dreaded 30th birthday. My sister-in-law and one of my best friends are coming in town, and various in-town friends will be joining us for three full days of hilarious and fun events!!!
Have a great weekend,
Me