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For Real: The Transforming Power of Living in Reality
There are a few things that I would love to change about the laws that seem to govern the universe. In my alternate reality, kale would taste like chocolate, and I’d have the ability to be about six places at one time. I’d sing like Adele, and, of course, be paid to shop.
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Good Grief
I struggle with chronic indecision. My condition began at an early age; I have multiple-occasion memories of Mom, Dad, two brothers, and a waiter looking at me with a mixture of amusement and impatience as I struggled to craft the best combination of lunch options available. The whole world seemed to hinge on one variable: curly fries or tater tots. I haven’t improved a ton over time. Case in point: I spent a good two hours trying to decide what today’s blog topic should be.
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Go, Total Stranger, Go!!
Sometimes encouragement comes from entirely unexpected sources. Four friends and I embarked on a mini-adventure a few weeks ago, each running a 5ish-mile leg of the White Rock Marathon relay. Mind you, my visions of the day and the reality of the morning were quite different. While training, I enjoyed either sunny skies or the comforts of a temperature-controlled workout room. I didn’t anticipate shivering outside for two hours in less-than-ideal weather conditions. Standing in the pouring rain waiting for that baton, out of my blue lips came these words (said with emphasis): “This is STUPID. Why did I sign up for this??” I had distant hope that I would…
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Fall On Your Knees
I love Christmas music. From Crosby to the Chipmunks, listening to a few festive tunes is sure to put me in a good mood. In the midst of the holiday frenzy, music can serve as a reorienting place; a subtle reminder of the sheer significance of the occasion that provides the reason for our celebration.
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Plastic Flowers
I entered the room and quickly took in my surroundings. A large calendar on the wall surrounded by a few family photographs and a poster of Jesus, a small table, and a large mat woven with straw. Pots and pans in a corner pile were the most prominent items, providing a visual representation of the simplicity of life of the dwellers of this one-room concrete home. The husband motioned to me to wait while he searched for something inside a small, almost secret cubbyhole located within the wall. I could tell this particular spot housed important belongings, perhaps possessions of value. He dug out the item, whirled around with a…
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The Way Things Ought to Be
I sometimes find myself daydreaming about the way things “ought” to be. In my perfect world, chocolate could be consumed in abundance without concern for ensuing tummy-aches or expanding waistlines. My morning commute would be sans construction, traffic lights, and, shall we say, “less than able” drivers.
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Confessions of a Recovering People-Pleaser
I hope I don’t step on anyone’s toes here. As a recovering people-pleaser, stepping on toes is something I tend to avoid like the plague. Growing up, I learned early on that popularity was easier to attain if you were, well, nice. The church seemed to reinforce the pursuit of bending over backwards for the needs of your fellow man – God first, others second, self third. Anytime I heard this popular mantra, I internally gave myself a high-five. I had that down pat! Well, maybe not the God first part. My own formula went something like this:
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Complex Simplicity
I’m finding the effort to “simplify” life to be quite a complex undertaking. Granted, I seem to have a knack for making the process more time-consuming than it needs to be. Organizing my mail requires a trip to the Container Store to find the perfect rattan holder with multiple dividers to hold my special pens, stamps, and stationary. Cooking from home so as to save money necessitates signing up for culinary classes at Central Market in order to become a proper “foodie.” My i-phone allows me instant access to my calendar, e-mail, and contact list, but it also takes minutes from my day with both Facebook and Angry Birds right…
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And the Winner is…..Contentment!
Rehearsal dinners can be an awkward thing for a single person. In September 2006, I walked into a beautiful room full of beautiful people and suddenly felt, well, less than beautiful. I sat down in the lone single chair at a table full of happy couples, all using the joyful occasion to reflect on their own courtships and marriages. Hhhmmm….what could I contribute to this conversation?
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You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out!
One of my favorite holiday movies is the 1983 film “A Christmas Story.” The plot of this iconic film follows Ralphie, a young boy whose childhood will be complete once he acquires an official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle. Letting his desire be known to anyone who will listen, Ralphie's longing is repeatedly assailed by responsible adults all around: “You’ll shoot your eye out!”