Choose an Extraordinary Life!

What are you missing out on?

2009-12-17T12:02:00.002-05:00

I looked at the 'Honey Do' list on our refrigerator this morning and noticed nothing has been done on it. This was interesting because there are only 3 things on the list and it's been hanging there for weeks. The last list had about 10 things and got done in about a week. Hhhmmmm.... Then I realized that, although there are only 3 things, they are things my hubby doesn't like to do. Therefore they will sit there for a very long time.

Then I read Seth Godin's blog post 'Different Kinds of Work' where he talks about how we make choices about what we are and aren't willing to do in our work.

So now I'm thinking about myself. What am I choosing to do? What am I missing out on because I'm not willing to do what it takes to get there? Might be time to rethink the things I'm choosing to do.

Only 2 weeks 'til Christmas!

2009-12-11T15:07:00.002-05:00

Whew! It's been a busy month. All the Thanksgiving preparations and dinners (yes, I said dinners. We get to have 2 days of Thanksgiving celebrations back-to-back), shopping, volunteering, time with with my family and some wonderful unexpected opportunities have all combined to make a very busy few weeks.

Now I can’t believe it’s only 2 weeks to Christmas! This morning, as I look at my to-do list, it would be very easy to have a total melt down. I could even regret taking the day off yesterday to enjoy a snow day with my girls. But I don't. While there is a lot on my list that I would like to do, the fact is there isn't anything on there that is a matter of life and death. There are really only a few things on there that 'have to happen' so Christmas isn't spoiled.

So I've decided to continue my same mode of going with the flow and enjoying my activities. We still have all of my favorites coming up including 2 this weekend; searching for the Christmas tree and decorating the tree. I'm thinking we might even have time to bake some cookies....or not. Either way I'm choosing to have a fun and relaxing weekend with my family.

Turn the unexpected into the unforgettable

2009-11-23T08:41:00.005-05:00

I think this comment sums up my attitude about things that go wrong during the holidays, 'Turn the unexpected into the unforgettable'.

I watch people running around, trying to create the perfect holiday. Their lives become frantic and full of stress. They spend their days thinking of everything that could possibly go wrong so they can make sure to have a solution right at their fingertips. They run themselves ragged, running for the finish line of a picture perfect holiday. I know because I used to be one of them.

I had these visions of what a perfect holiday would look like. The kids sitting around the Christmas tree in their pajamas, smiling and laughing as they open presents. Mom & Dad snuggled on the couch, watching their offspring with hearts bursting with love.

The irony is that when I was running around, making everything perfect, it never was. I never experienced this glowing scene, and, if there was a perfect moment or two, any glimpse I may of had of it was from behind a camera.

Once I let go of the scene, when I stopped trying to create the perfect holiday, it all started to fall into place. When I spent my time and energy enjoying the moment I was in, the special day seemed to take care of itself, when I looked at all the things that go wrong as memories in the making (because it really is the icky, the messy and the embarrassing that we remember and tell funny family stories about for years to come), that's when it happened. I got my Christmas wish.

No longer did it matter if the table looked just right. No longer did I need to see the Norman Rockwell portrait come to life in my family room. I had spent the last 4 weeks enjoying baking with my girls, having a snowball fight or sledding down hills while picking out a tree, and reminiscing with my husband about every ornament that went on our tree. I didn't have time to create a grandiose picture in my mind, and that means my family didn't have to live up to some mental fabrication in order for me to enjoy the holiday.

By letting go I got exactly what I was looking for.

For more on the holidays visit www.heartfilledholidays.com

Your voice, your way, in your own time

2009-11-17T11:25:00.000-05:00

Putting yourself in the spotlight isn't always easy. People have lots to say about anything you put out in the public eye. I've had people look at one of my books and tell me they already do that or they learned similar techniques or principles in someone else's book.

To be perfectly honest, the first time this happened it really took the wind out of my sails. But what I realized very shortly thereafter was that my voice is different, my delivery is different, and there are people out there who need to hear what I'm saying because my style and my voice are a fit for them. It is easier for them to understand me than someone else with the same message. It is easier for them to 'hear me' because of the way I share the stories of my life, and they can see what happens when they make various choices. They can see the struggle, and they can see the joy. And they might just be inspired enough to take the reins in their own life.

So don't let nay sayers belittle your choices or step on your dreams. Know that you can make a difference in your own way, in your own voice, and in your own time.

Her authority came from her life-style

2009-11-16T11:16:00.005-05:00

I was reading my newsletter from the Center for Action and Contemplation where Fr. Richard Rohr posed this question:

"Why is it that Mother Teresa could stand up before crowds of thousands and simply repeat simple New Testament phrases, and blow people away? She didn't say anything new: 'Jesus loves you,' she assured us. 'We're sons and daughters of God and we have to love Jesus' poor'. Yet people walked out renewed, transformed and converted. She wasn't a priest. She wasn't well-educated."

And then the answer:

"Her authority came from her life-style and her pure goodness."

Whatever your message, and whoever your audience is, your greatest opportunity to have them hear you is to merely live your message. Walk your talk and that will give you authority. Whether it's your children, your peers or your clients, they are all more likely to follow your advice when they can learn from your example.

Sometimes it's just a nickle

2009-11-06T09:10:00.003-05:00

I spent a little "mom time" on our school websites this morning. My eldest daughter's English teacher does a weekly poll of the students on all kinds of crazy questions. I was amused by a few of them and then shocked by one of the polls.

He asked the students whether they would stop to pick up a nickle, dime, or quarter and 44% of the students said they would would pick up a nickle or a dime and 85% said they would pick up a quarter.

Now, I don't know why some of these kids wouldn't pick up the money. But here's what I do know: 41% of the kids feel there is a reason to pick up the quarter but they won't bother with a nickle or a dime. That fascinates me and it rings true in the lives of many adults I know as well.

We go through our lives asking for things, or saying we want to be happy, or healthy or wealthy. But we don't recognize or appreciate the sight of the child building a sand castle. We won't take a minute and skip down the street with our own child or grandchild. We don't have time to stop and listen to a beautiful piece of music. These things are only nickles and dimes to us. They aren't worth our time, effort or attention. But . . . if I pick up 2 dimes and a nickle today then I've accumulated a quarter. If I laugh here and appreciate beauty there then I find happiness. It isn't always the monumental things that bring us what we ask for, sometimes it's a nickle.

Are you missing the most beautiful music in the world?

2009-11-05T10:20:00.003-05:00

This is a story sent to me in one of the myriad emails I receive. I delete most of them unread. However, I felt compelled to open this one and I'm so glad I did! I don't know who wrote the original email but I looked on Snopes and the story is true. Take a minute and read it, then see if it changes your priorities, your perception or how you go through your days.

Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approximately two thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 minutes later: The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes: A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time.. This action was repeated by several other children.. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

45 minutes: The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

1 hour: He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. The questions raised: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made..... How many other things are we missing?

Getting double rewards

2009-10-28T10:06:00.003-04:00

"To help others develop, start with yourself." -- Marshall Goldsmith

When I read this quote this morning I realized how often we choose to spend our energy worrying about what others are doing or trying to change what they're doing. The truth is that we can't change other people directly. They have to choose their own change. However, we can be an example to them and an inspiration to make the choice to change.

And here's another of those dichotomies: When we put our energy into ourselves, caring for ourselves, being our best self, sharing ourselves with others, we inspire others to do the same. So we get a double reward! We get all the benefit of being our most wonderful selves and at the same time we get to enjoy those who've been inspired by us to make changes for themselves.

Welcome the weeds

2009-10-27T08:26:00.005-04:00

I saw an article today titled "Common Weed Could Provide Clues on Aging and Cancer" Basically scientists have studied this weed and found an interesting behavior pattern when one microscopic bit is altered. What caught my attention here was that this study was done on a weed. By definition a weed is something we don't want around, something we would eradicate from our lives if possible. Yet, it is a weed that is teaching us and giving us insight.

And so it is in our lives. The unhappy moments, the unpleasant experiences, all the difficult things are the weeds of our lives. We would happily eradicate them from our lives if we could. And yet, these moments teach us and give us insight, much like the weed that scientists are studying.

Perhaps it's time to welcome the weeds in our lives and be grateful for all they bring us.

Being a pumpkin

2009-10-14T11:45:00.003-04:00

I received this in one of those emails that's been forwarded 1000 times and it gave me warm fuzzies. Since it's fall here and I like warm stuff I thought I'd share the warm fuzzies with all of you. Enjoy and feel the warm fuzzies of your source of joy and inspiration in life, whatever that may be.

Being like a pumpkin ~ God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all of the yucky stuff -- including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves you a bright new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.

Hidden Costs

2009-10-08T07:53:00.002-04:00

I've seen several bits of writing lately that talk about the hidden cost of something. Whether it's the food you eat, the car you drive, or what you think, there are always effects that you may not have realized.

When you buy "cheap" food from the big box store instead of your local farmers' market there is an impact on the environment and the local economy.

When you eat food that has been sprayed with pesticides there is an impact on your health.

When you think negative thoughts about yourself there is an impact on your self-esteem and your future actions.

When you choose to do nothing out of fear there is an impact on your future.

Thinking beyond the obvious and thinking beyond the moment might mean making different choices and it might just mean a better outcome.

Twenty plastic bags of fear

2009-10-07T06:54:00.002-04:00

As I was reading my book last night I could hear my husband talking to himself. He was packing for his upcoming backpacking trip and looking for things to jettison from his pack. He caught my attention when he came across a bunch of plastic bags and said, "Twenty plastic bags. What was I afraid of?"

Not, "What was I thinking?" or "What would I need those for?" but "What was I afraid of?" That comment really struck me and I realized that we all carry around "plastic bags". We all do things, think things or literally carry things around with us that aren't essential, not because we believe we need them, but because we are afraid to be without them.

I think it's time to take a serious look at myself and see what I can jettison.

Cracked Pots

2009-10-05T11:49:00.001-04:00

I've seen this story many times over the years in slightly different forms. I have never seen an author's name attached but I'm grateful to them for their wonderful insights.

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.

At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water..

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.

But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do ha lf of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream.

I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.'

The old woman smiled, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?'

'That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.'

For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table.

Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.'

Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.

You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.

SO, to all of my cracked pot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!

Pegged by the hot dog guy

2009-09-17T08:31:00.003-04:00

My husband and I went up town yesterday to have one of our favorite lunches ~ hot dogs down by Lake Michigan. We went to our favorite hot dog vendor and while we were chatting with him he told us something really interesting. He knows things about people based on what they put on their hot dogs. I know this is true because he had already asked me if I liked my sweets (and those of you who know me know how much I've always loved sugar ~ Yes, I can eat a 6 pack of Pez without blinking an eye and still crave more).

And that's a skill we can all learn, not eating Pez but noticing things and seeing relationships. In fact, it's one of the most helpful things I've learned in my life to help me create better relationships and bring more happiness into my life. I've learned to pay attention to how I feel or react to something and what that means. I've noticed that if I read one 'beach book' it's fun but if I start reading 2, 3 or 4 back to back it affects my mindset and my thoughts tend to become more negative. I've watched my children and know when to answer their concerns and get into a big discussion and when to just let them blow off some steam or change the course of the conversation.

By noticing little things, small shifts in feeling or body language, I have learned a lot and made my life easier and happier. I can 'nip things in the bud' and make adjustments before they become a problem. I can find ideas and discover inspiration. It's not hard, it just takes a little time and a willingness to look, listen and feel.

One step

2009-09-15T06:59:00.002-04:00

Sometimes things feel overwhelming, from a single task to your entire life. I find the simplest solution to moving forward in the face of overwhelm is a single step.

Take your task, your day or your life, choose one small step that seems manageable.

This morning I was cuddled up in my cozy warm bed thinking about how I 'should' go for a run with my dog. I thought about being out in the cold, huffing and puffing my way around the neighborhood (most likely carrying a little plastic bag with a gift from my dog) and promptly rolled over and pulled the covers up to my chin.

The contrast was just too big, it felt overwhelming. So I decided to just get out of bed. That's it. No grandiose plans for the morning or the day, just crawl out of my cozy spot into the cold house. I don't know at this moment if I'll run or not, but I am up and I've written this blog. Now I'm off to get dressed and at least walk the dog. We'll see what happens from there - less pressure, one step at a time, usually yields pretty good results.

Living with a pusher

2009-09-08T11:12:00.001-04:00

I was walking on the beach with my hubby and my dog yesterday and having a great time. We walked a ways in the freezing sand in my bare feet. I told Tom I'd like to turn back when we reached about about half the distance would normally walk. My feet were aching a bit from the really cold sand and they already had sore spots from walking around in heels all afternoon & evening the day before.

He was really nice about it because he understood I didn't want to make my feet sore to the point where I couldn't run or hike the next day. However, and this is the big BUT, he also didn't feel like he or the dog had gotten enough excercise.

So the pushing began....

First it was, "Let's run back." So I said okay and started jogging. He and dog ran (those of you who run certainly know the difference) and, since I had already showered and dressed for the day I had no intention of getting all sweaty so I just jogged.

The pushing continued....

We reached our starting point and it was, "Let's walk to cool the dog down." Again I said okay, after all, the dog does need to cool down. So we walked.

And there was more pushing....

After a few minutes I said I wanted to head back to the car and he says, "Let's just walk to the sign over there". I say okay.

And she puts a stop to the pushing....

So we walk, and when we reach the sign he keeps on walking This is the point where I said no - I'm done, I have work to do and I want to go home. Of course Tom pleasantly agreed and we headed back to the car and on home.

What was fascinating was to watch the pushing. I know he does this when it comes to excercise. I'm sure I do it to him in other areas. But what I saw today was 2 things:

The benefit of living with a pusher. He gets me to do more than I would have done by myself. I know it's true (and sometimes that annoys me too :) Having someone to push you can be a real help.
If I keep going it is my choice. He may push me, but I'm the one who's letting him. If I don't want to do it all I have to do is say no.

Bring on the obstacles

2009-09-04T12:17:00.000-04:00

"If you find a path with no obstacles, it probably isn't leading anywhere." ~Clark

This quote made me pause & think for a minute. As I thought about my most interesting and most exciting journeys in life, it is often the obstacles that made them worthwhile. Whether they made the trip interesting or they gave me the skills I needed to reach the end, it wouldn't have been a fabulous trip without them.

I know that's easy to say once I've already walked that road and handled the obstacles. But if I think about it in the more ordinary aspects of my life I come to the same conclusion. The camping trip where it rained all weekend (how do you make the trip fun and worthwhile in spite of the rain?) The decorating project where the paint goes up on the wall and looks like something unmentionable. The road trip where all the roads are under construction and you begin to wonder if it really is true that "you can't there from here".

These are all things that have happened to me and my family and these are the times that give us the best stories, fondest memories and most inspiration. Seriously, how many family stories do you have about the trip that went perfectly? The ones I hear people tell are about the unexpected and out of the ordinary ~ and how they handled this, overcame the obstacles and created fun in the process.

Having it all

2009-09-01T08:30:00.005-04:00

I was watching "The Women" last night and was really intrigued by some one of the characters.

Meg Ryan's character had an incredible opportunity offered to her and she said she needed to think about it. Everyone was flabbergasted that she didn't just jump for joy and kiss the feet of the woman offering her "her big break". And I loved it!

Here is someone who 'gets it'. She understands that success and happiness are about doing what makes you happy, not what everyone else thinks you should do. Someone who sees that 'some boutique orders' could make her happier than supplying all of the Saks stores. Someone who knows that spending time with her daughter is more important to her, and will make her happier and more fulfilled than building an empire.

She knew her own heart and made the choices that supported her desires and her vision for her life and I wish us all the strength and vision to do the same.

Simple stress relief

2009-08-31T10:37:00.004-04:00

This morning I am very grateful for a few miles of expressway, a good stereo in my truck, and Kenny Chesney. I had a great morning but things are really busy right now and by the time I left the house to go work I was feeling stressy and a little spizzy. On my way out of the subdivision a great song came on so I followed my gut, popped on the expressway and belted out the lyrics with Kenny.

I have to admit, this is not the way I usually handle frustration or spizziness. Typically I would take some quite time or meditate or something like that. But that's not what my gut said and this solution was perfect today. By the time I ran through the song twice I felt great - it was just a quick and simple way to let go and release a little tension.

Sometimes the answer is quick and simple ~ and downright fun.

The Power of Forgiveness

2009-08-20T10:08:00.003-04:00

I had a a really interesting morning with a surprising discovery. See, I've been having trouble working lately, not in getting things done but in feeling inspired or really feeling "connected" and like I'm making a difference. I have learned that when I feel this way it's because I'm focusing only on the "to-do" side of life and not taking time to just be and experience things, to let life flow through me.

So a few days ago I decided to get back into my morning meditation routine, but it just didn't work. I tried spending time on the beach, praying, just being quiet, but none of it worked. No matter what I did I just couldn't find that peaceful, connected place I usually live in and really love to work from.

This morning I found the answer in a place I never would have expected - forgiveness. This really struck me as funny because I recently had the honor of receiving an early copy of Michele DeVille's new book The Path to Forgiveness for review and comment. I think the book is beautiful and thought it would be a wonderful inspiration for "those who needed it", which of course wasn't me. I didn't think I'd ever struggled with forgiveness. Then, this morning, I discovered I had. It was a little comment by a friend that I had hung onto without really realizing it. And it was this little black cloud that was interfering with my search to "reconnect".

As soon as I identified the issue and forgave the friend and myself it was like someone throwing a switch. I felt back to my old self, peace was restored and now I am off and running and enjoying my work again. All of this came through choosing to forgive.

"They" don't get it

2009-08-19T07:33:00.000-04:00

"People only see what they are prepared to see." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

I saw this quote on @jdavis55 Twitter account today and one thought went racing through my mind ~ that's why "they" don't get it.

We make thousands of choices every day of our lives. Then come the times where we have to make bigger ones, choices that obviously affect other people's lives as well as ours, or choices that change the course of our life. When we make these choices often times "they" don't get it - "they" don't understand why we did it.

"They" are the people who are close to us, the people who's lives intersect with ours and the people with opinions we listen to. And the truth is that none of them are you. None of them know exactly how you think and how you feel. None of them can ever understand why you do what you do as well as you understand it yourself (and if we're honest, we don't even always understand it ourselves - we just know in our gut it's what we have to do).

So it's okay if "they" don't get it. When you know with absolute certainty that you are doing what you must do then that's enough. You can be polite and you can be kind, but you do not have to get "them" to understand. Know yourself, trust yourself, and follow your path. And if you want support or you want to be able to get excited and 'bounce off the walls' talking about your new adventures then seek out those who are creating change and do 'get it' and share with them.

It's all in your head

2009-08-18T12:40:00.004-04:00

I was walking on the beach early this morning and as I looked out along the shoreline there was an incredible view. The land curved out into the lake and the trees were shrouded in a light mist, it was just beautiful. When I saw it I was reminded of Scotland. Immediately I started thinking about how wonderful that trip was and how beautiful the landscapes were. I really loved my time in Scotland, especially our northern most stops where we were on the water. It was peaceful and relaxing and I just plain felt good. And there are times where I think it could be really great to live there.

Then I started wondering what was really so different from what I had right here, right now. I had a beautiful view over the water. It is very peaceful and there is a lovely town around the corner. So what's different? The things going through my mind. Here I'm thinking about what I have to do today, how to solve a problem or what I want to do next. When I was on vacation in Scotland I had no responsibilities beyond enjoying myself and finding some place to eat lunch. My thoughts were entirely about the landscape and how wonderful and peaceful things were.

So what happens if I allow the same thoughts to be my focus here? What if I spend my morning on the beach thinking about how beautiful it is? What if I think about how peaceful and relaxing it is on the beach? What if I just enjoy the feeling of the sand under my feet and the water lapping at my legs?

So I decided to try it, to change my thought train right now on this beach. I did it and it was wonderful. I felt playful and energized. I was happy and having fun. (My dog may not have enjoyed it so much because the playful me started splashing him as we walked, but I had fun.) And I realized that there isn't some magic about the feelings of vacation - it's all in my head.

and to those who love them

2009-08-11T11:32:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I wrote about the courage of 2 girls who are following their dreams and how they inspire me to look at each new phase of my life as an adventure to be lived with gusto and joy.

Today I salute their parents. Without parents who trust, love and support them in their efforts to follow those dreams, these girls might be facing a different road. It is the love of these parents, and their willingness to let the girls go that inspires me today. As a parent we spend our lives watching over, caring for and nurturing our children. Then comes the time where the way to love them best is to let go . . . and I salute these parents for doing just that.

ReclaimU sent out a Tidbit last week that says it all, and they have graciously added this one to their website so you can read it. I hope you enjoy.

Kudos to 2 girls following their dreams

2009-08-10T12:19:00.003-04:00

I am really impressed with a couple of the young ladies in my life. They are both in their late teens and are hitting the gas when it comes to living their lives and following dreams, in spite of any fear they may feel.

One of these girls is the daughter of a friend of mine. She realized in the beginning of 2009 that she had an opportunity to graduate high school early and she went for it. She worked hard, spent her evenings taking on-line classes, fought the bureaucracy that popped up and finished high school a year early. While doing this she scoped out colleges, applied, went after scholarships (after all, Mom & Dad weren't expecting to foot college tuition bills for another year) and is now packing up to head out on the next phase of her life.

The other girl is my niece. She won a rotary scholarship to study over seas for a year. She is packing her bags and heading off to Belgium to live with a family she's never met, in a country she's never been to. She too has been very busy, not only planning for a year abroad but also setting up her college plans for the fall after she returns.

I'm sure they're scared. I'm sure they have thought of all kinds of reasons to change their plans, and yet I see them marching forward and focusing on the fun and adventure of all that is in front of them. These girls are an inspiration to me, and I hope to you as well.

Power of the mental twirl

2009-08-03T11:47:00.003-04:00

I was reminded this weekend of the power that our minds have over us - and how we can shift that power to support us. I just came back from vacation and, in spite of planning for my return before leaving, I was feeling overwhelmed with all I have to do. A million thought of things that need to be done kept flying around in my mind. Then I got on the phone with my business partner and we started brainstorming and reviewing what happened while I was gone, but that just seemed to add a ton more to my mind.

On Sunday morning I was walking on the beach with my hubby and my dog and I was apologizing to my husband for snapping at him. I explained what I was feeling and that I knew in my gut "working" on Sunday wasn't the answer. And he reminded me of one of my power tools - write it down.

(image here of Sandy hitting herself on the forhead with the palm of her hand -- Duh!)

As soon as he said it I realized that he was right. By writing the thoughts down on paper I can release them from my mind and stop the twirl. Writing them down also exposes the "to do monster" to the light of day and shrinks him down to size. As I wrote out all these things I thought I had to do I realized that many of them were just reminding my kids of things they had to do and many more couldn't even happen yet (like buying school supplies). So the list wasn't as long as I thought, I was able to delegate things and the rest can be planned for and handled with a calm clear mind that has been released from the power of the mental twirl.