5 things

This weekend, I reconnected with a friend who somehow slipped through the cracks. A friend who I adore but have lost touch with until recently - how great!

Anyways we talked about the concept of 5 things - A new one for me. The theory goes that you can only be good at a maximum of 5 things at a time. As soon as we get carried away and try to do more than 5 things really well - the other things suffer and we start spreading our talents too thin.

This concept inspired my friend to really think about his 5 things and embarked on a 6 month sex-fast where he worked on becoming a better human being. It's experiences like this that make us realize how much control we actually have over our own happiness. Right after this intense period of focus - he fell in love for the first time in his life - beautiful right?

I think my 5 things would be: to be a loving friend, to be a supportive family member, to be an independent thinker, to share my creativity generously, and to constantly explore my capacity for spirituality.

What are your 5 things?

my birthday suit

In my first 3 months in London, I ate, drank, and was merry.   I also busted out of a pair of jeans and wiggled into one too many skirts. Alas, it was time to get fit.  So I joined a gym.  Surprisingly, despite moaning in pain today, this has been a great experience.  Not only because exercise lifts my mood and trims my waistline; but also, because I'm starting to feel better about getting naked in front of other people!  That's right, you heard it, naked... in front of other people!  

At first I was surprised at the nudity in the locker rooms yet slowly, but surely, my comfort level is evolving.  I eased into it in the steam shower yesterday and felt pretty good unhindered by a towel. The true expression of progress today was when I bared it all in the sauna- no steam to protect the bystanders from my curvy bum!  Seeing those women of so many different shapes and sizes be so comfortable in their skin inspired me to appreciate what I have and let loose a bit.  Here's to taking it off!

Waxing and Waning

In my logical brain, I know that everything follows a cycle and there are constantly ups and downs to the things we experience. When personal relationships are at a height of splendor - often professional satisfaction will not be so great and vice versa. Even though the logic of the waves makes sense - I can't help but to want it all...

My good friend May and I once celebrated our unity in being Insatiable - proud of not settling. There's something to be said for wanting a lot out of life and being stubborn about seeking out the good stuff. There's also something to be said about knowing when to stop searching and start appreciating the goodness right in front of you.

Sometimes it's hard for me to really see my life in a positive light until someone else points it out. The simple statement "you're really living right" or my grandmother's most recent comment, "I don't worry about you" can go a long way to help me recognize the up side of my reality. Somehow it's easier to focus on what's lacking rather than our richness.

What helps you appreciate the ups in your life? Do you have any advice for keeping yourself up when your in the middle of a ocean wave of reality?