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Dear Self,
Let me have your attention for a moment. We need to talk. Now, I know what you’re thinking (since I’m you and all). It’s kinda cray-cray to talk to yourself in the second-person. Well, sure it is. But I don’t believe in always playing by the rules, and neither do you (I mean me… I mean…). Well anyway, I think it’s time to do a little reality-check on some things, and if you don’t listen to me then who will you listen to?
Stop and smell the roses more: Oh sure, there are things to do. But if you don’t give yourself time to stop, kick back, relax, and appreciate your surroundings and accomplishments from time to time, you’ll probably regret it later on.
Go easier on Paul: Oh sure, he makes you nuts now and again. He can’t help it! He’s a natural blond with all the challenges of Clifford-the-Big-Red-Dog. He doesn’t mean to knock things over, break them, or be a clutter-muppet. It just happens. No, our definitions of “A Truly Fun Day” are certainly not the same given that his definition 95% of the time involves having his Kindle in hand and sitting quietly in his own world. And sure, he has that natural scowl on his face that implies “I’m going to murder you some time in between tea and scones”, but he is nothing if not a huggy-wuggy, squiffy-wiffy Teddy Bear who will do anything – ANYTHING – to make you happy. Do you have any idea how many people do NOT have that? Do you know how many people would kill to have that? Take it easy on him.
Appreciate your friends: I think you’re pretty good about this, but let’s face it - you have a LOT of acquaintances who casually float in and out of your life. But you also have a good number of really honest and true FRIENDS who will be there for you, give you a shoulder to cry on, tell you if you have spinach in your teeth, etc. Be good to them and nurture them. They are priceless.
Refine your art: You have an artiste-ego. Don’t lie to me – I AM you, and I know. You take a lot of pride in your accomplishments. OK, fine. But that doesn’t mean you can’t improve. There’s always room for more improvement and more learning. Quit sticking with just your comfort zone. Take a chance of screwing up something new. As Louise would say, “It’s just paint”, or its just fabric, or its just ingredients. No biggy.
Do a few things that are different: I know, I know… you don’t like change. But new experiences help you grow. And who knows – you might find some new things to become future old-standards.
Teach: Seriously, you can’t do all the things you do forever. And with only 24 hours in a day, there’s only so much time to spend on one thing without taking time away from something else. Some things need to be passed on to others. Find them, foster them, let them make their own mistakes, and send them off.
Do more beer busts: Seriously! No, your roly-poly tummy doesn’t really NEED more busts. But let’s face it, most of your social experience involves great big ginormous planning and/or production and/or expense. Hoppin’ into the Jeep on a sunny Sunday and hanging out with the boys in a bar is easy-peezy – and FUN! It gives you that fun downtime that your brain needs to be able to go back to projects. And remember, every time you order a good ol’ fashioned American Bud Light, you are helping to defeat the Taliban! (Cue patriotic music here)
Do more date-nights: You shouldn’t bitch about your hubby sitting and reading if you don’t make more effort to get him up and out. Make more time to go to a movie, or a play, or some snack-place. There are many opportunities for affordable and local entertainment. You’re creative – figure some things out.
Continue balancing progress and rest: Your body gave you some really harsh reality checks in recent times. Consider that a cautionary warning. There may be times in the future where your body just can’t – just simply can’t. And when that happens, it doesn’t matter what you WANT to do – you will need to stop what you’re doing and allow rest. Otherwise, things will just get worse.
Take more time to be kind: Sometimes, you get so wound up with your own anxiety or your own mood du jour that you unleash on those around you. It isn’t their fault if you are in pain that day. It isn’t their fault if you got frustrated by something else. It isn’t their fault if the stupid cat pee’d on something. Suck it up, buttercup. Learn how to get your anxiety out on something else.
But most of all, continue to live your almost-always happy, and fast-paced life. Know what, kid? You’re doin’ good!
Let me have your attention for a moment. We need to talk. Now, I know what you’re thinking (since I’m you and all). It’s kinda cray-cray to talk to yourself in the second-person. Well, sure it is. But I don’t believe in always playing by the rules, and neither do you (I mean me… I mean…). Well anyway, I think it’s time to do a little reality-check on some things, and if you don’t listen to me then who will you listen to?
Stop and smell the roses more: Oh sure, there are things to do. But if you don’t give yourself time to stop, kick back, relax, and appreciate your surroundings and accomplishments from time to time, you’ll probably regret it later on.
Go easier on Paul: Oh sure, he makes you nuts now and again. He can’t help it! He’s a natural blond with all the challenges of Clifford-the-Big-Red-Dog. He doesn’t mean to knock things over, break them, or be a clutter-muppet. It just happens. No, our definitions of “A Truly Fun Day” are certainly not the same given that his definition 95% of the time involves having his Kindle in hand and sitting quietly in his own world. And sure, he has that natural scowl on his face that implies “I’m going to murder you some time in between tea and scones”, but he is nothing if not a huggy-wuggy, squiffy-wiffy Teddy Bear who will do anything – ANYTHING – to make you happy. Do you have any idea how many people do NOT have that? Do you know how many people would kill to have that? Take it easy on him.
Appreciate your friends: I think you’re pretty good about this, but let’s face it - you have a LOT of acquaintances who casually float in and out of your life. But you also have a good number of really honest and true FRIENDS who will be there for you, give you a shoulder to cry on, tell you if you have spinach in your teeth, etc. Be good to them and nurture them. They are priceless.
Refine your art: You have an artiste-ego. Don’t lie to me – I AM you, and I know. You take a lot of pride in your accomplishments. OK, fine. But that doesn’t mean you can’t improve. There’s always room for more improvement and more learning. Quit sticking with just your comfort zone. Take a chance of screwing up something new. As Louise would say, “It’s just paint”, or its just fabric, or its just ingredients. No biggy.
Do a few things that are different: I know, I know… you don’t like change. But new experiences help you grow. And who knows – you might find some new things to become future old-standards.
Teach: Seriously, you can’t do all the things you do forever. And with only 24 hours in a day, there’s only so much time to spend on one thing without taking time away from something else. Some things need to be passed on to others. Find them, foster them, let them make their own mistakes, and send them off.
Do more beer busts: Seriously! No, your roly-poly tummy doesn’t really NEED more busts. But let’s face it, most of your social experience involves great big ginormous planning and/or production and/or expense. Hoppin’ into the Jeep on a sunny Sunday and hanging out with the boys in a bar is easy-peezy – and FUN! It gives you that fun downtime that your brain needs to be able to go back to projects. And remember, every time you order a good ol’ fashioned American Bud Light, you are helping to defeat the Taliban! (Cue patriotic music here)
Do more date-nights: You shouldn’t bitch about your hubby sitting and reading if you don’t make more effort to get him up and out. Make more time to go to a movie, or a play, or some snack-place. There are many opportunities for affordable and local entertainment. You’re creative – figure some things out.
Continue balancing progress and rest: Your body gave you some really harsh reality checks in recent times. Consider that a cautionary warning. There may be times in the future where your body just can’t – just simply can’t. And when that happens, it doesn’t matter what you WANT to do – you will need to stop what you’re doing and allow rest. Otherwise, things will just get worse.
Take more time to be kind: Sometimes, you get so wound up with your own anxiety or your own mood du jour that you unleash on those around you. It isn’t their fault if you are in pain that day. It isn’t their fault if you got frustrated by something else. It isn’t their fault if the stupid cat pee’d on something. Suck it up, buttercup. Learn how to get your anxiety out on something else.
But most of all, continue to live your almost-always happy, and fast-paced life. Know what, kid? You’re doin’ good!
