Things I Just Can't Do...Ever

I like being me. At this stage of the life game I feel confident, at ease with who I am. I've developed my own style, have goals to reach, love my family. I am excited to get up each day and dig my hands and my spirit into making my dreams come true.

But I will confess there are "things" I will never do in this lifetime. (Right here I feel the need to add the word "probably" before "never" in the last sentence...maybe it the litigative (Oh, a new word coined by me right this moment!! Like it??) times we live in right now. You know--better add the small print so the possibility of being sued is erased or at the very least, lessened. This post might come back to haunt me some day in the near or distant future since I wrote the word, never. But I'm pretty sure these items are NOT included my goals or preferences or the I-have-to-do-this-before-I-leave-the-planet list.)

Hot stewed tomatoes and corn mixed in one bowl is number one. Just typing that makes the hair on my arms stand straight up. Yep, worse torture than bamboo under the fingernails for this girl. Used to want to parachute. Not so much now. The urge has gone. Bungee jumping also holds absolutely no appeal. For me at the end when the person has reached the length of the tether and is still bobbing up and down until the elastic tension is exhausted -- is like being at the top of the ferris wheel when the operator stops the rotation and the bucket you are sitting in rocks ever so slightly back and forth. And I sit there frozen to my spot demanding that anyone who is with me better not move, breathe or flinch (not so much as a hair) under the penalty of death. Nope, not for me. And the ferris wheel? Not going to happen again, either.

Sushi also comes to mind. "Raw" when in reference to fish doesn't do much for me. Kind of like the concept of raw hamburger or chicken. Yet I eat raw vegetables and fruits (including the rare slice of potato my mother allowed during my childhood. Those weren't good for you. Remember?) And when we would go to this marvelous family-owned German meat market I enjoyed the uncooked hot dog offered by the butcher. Oh, yeah. That was me. Right on the edge, baby. Taking chances.

My tastes have definitely changed over the years. And that's a good thing. I believe that reflects flexibility and the excitement of experimenting and stretching yourself. No, I don't mean stupid stuff like illegal crap or making choices that could harm yourself or others. What I mean is feeling the ability to break out of the old habits and restrictions whether those are self-imposed or the priorities of others thrust upon you.

Guess the one word that sums it all up for me is "freedom". Try it. Good ahead. Right now. Don't wait. Don't hesitate. How about that crazy, new flavor of ice cream that's been calling your name or grab dinner at that new trendy bistro everyone is talking about or pack your bags and head off to Paris or Rome or the Pyramids?? Or all three!! Feels really good, doesn't it? And you can quote me on that....but just don't sue me. Please.

Everything Should Come With A Box

Don't you agree?? How much easier our lives would be if the world accepted this simple concept and accepted my humble wisdom.

Let's see. Hmmmm. You would not have to traipse to some hidden gift wrap counter in the farthest corner on the lowest level of a department store to obtain said container when your arms are juggling sacks and receipts and a purse while you are bundled up in some plump winter attire feeling like a beach ball all on your own....perspiring I might add. (Gosh -- can you tell the author, who prefers to wrap packages as opposed to using gift bags, is composing this lovely run-on sentence at Christmas time having recently experienced the role of frustrated shopper herself??)

Then there is the time the harried gift wrappers can't give you a box because they haven't received the latest shipment they were expecting that was due yesterday? And all they can offer are the two extremes -"Would you like a coat or a tie box, Ma'am??" Ahhhhh!!! So what are you supposed to do? Hope that you haven't thrown away that last shoebox your child's Adidas came in or the shirt box you had used previously for the three birthdays and Father's Day you already celebrated during the year??

Yep, that famous quotation floats into the consciousness of the now -- "My Kingdom for a horse". Guess those feelings of angst are generations old. I understand that some are much more important than others with farther reaching serious consequences. But, heck, all I wanted was a box.

This Machine We All Share

The Body. What an incredible invention. It has been around for thousands of years and has taken humanity much a part of that timeframe to even figure out how it all works, let alone replicate the pieces/parts. There is no patent on this machine. No one has ever stolen the pattern or the mold in order to reproduce it as a cheaper rate or to make a fortune or to create competition.

Think about it. This collection of tubes, screws, liquids, motors, chemicals, filters, wires, electricity, rubber bands, plumbing fixtures all covered in a shell of canvas and fur is beyond the realm of incredible. It is the stuff of pure fantasy.

Wow. This apparatus does it all. Walks. Talks. Sees. Thinks. Communicates. Laughs. Cries. On an on. It breaks down on the inside and is injured on the outside. It gets broken. It wears out.
It stiffens, swells, expands. It stretches and shrinks. It turns colors like brown, red, black&blue. It gets spots. It itches. It burns. It gets invaded. It can kill or repel alien intruders.

It is fine-tuned through a miraculous titsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny microscopic architectural blueprint that is so far past mind boggling that comprehension is surpassed. This intricate recipe allows the appliance to heal itself. Inside and out. To reproduce. To have talent. To make this planet a better place.

Ah. Did you catch it? The concept. This invention wasn't created to be static like a robotic automaton. This machine was blessed with endless possibilities. Are you taking advantage of yours? Respect and be awestruck by what you "are". Orchestrate your gifts and make a difference to the other machines that surround yours.

Labels of Life

My youngest niece and her husband are going to have their first child in January. I was thinking last evening as I did the dishes about how their world will change once the little one arrives. And I was reminiscing how I felt the first time I had someone call me "Mom" after our son was born. I LOVED it! I was one of those now -- a mother-- and it felt so right.

As I savored that memory, the word "family" arose to capture my thoughts. Because not only had I gained the former tag (just as my husband was now "Dad), we also could claim this latter term together. Being a "couple" or "married" was wonderfully sufficient for those years we shared together in the front end of our marriage but that bright-eyed infant changed it all. "Wife" is one I am especially proud of.

Once the floodgates of brainstorming opened I realized how many labels actually exist in my life. "Graduate" brings memories of that special, proud tingle I felt when I reached out to received my diplomas being extended to me from my high school principal and then my college dean. No one's smile was bigger than mine. I had done it. Woo-Woo!!! Watch out, World!!

"Sister", "daughter", "niece", "granddaughter", "daughter-in-law" all signify deep emotional bonds in my heart. The professional titles I have earned are woven into my life's resume. I am pleased to have studied and achieved those significant letters that now appear after my name.

"Christian" is not just a label but a vital personal claim. "Volunteer" reflects a soul-held desire to be a part of the lives that exist around me.

What are the labels of your life? I plan on adding a few more....how about you??

The Instrinsic Value of Thank You

About two weeks ago I gave a list of specific blessings that I was acknowledging by giving thanks publicly. Those individually mentioned had each added immeasurable dimension in my life. Today I want to shift thinking about that subject of Thanks by just a few degrees so to speak.

When you audibly share "thank you" to someone, do you ever "visually absorb" (Don't you like that more colorful prose I invented for the seemingly plain choice, "observe"?) what happens to that person in a purely physical sense? Did their altered facial expression ever register a reaction in your brain that made you blink? Made you realize that your sincere offering touched and actually altered the reality of their day? Created a blip on their personal radar? Their eyes brighten, focus sharpens. Their countenance lightens. Their mouth corners lift seemingly by invisible lighter-than-air strings. All are shining responses, reflections bounced back at you for a simple human kindness.

Wonderful habits bring wondrous returns. Heartfelt outreaches explode exponentially. For a very small investment incredible profits are guaranteed. This bears repeating.....guaranteed. This simple plan never loses value, infinitely retains its priceless status.

My Little Blue Book

The little black book. That iconic symbol of little secrets and juicy personal histories. What wondrous revelations and private details one could discover scribbled on the pages between the covers, if one had the opportunity...or motive.

I don't own a little black book. I, on the other hand, have a little blue book (ever the individualist). I started mine over 10 years ago. Is it filled with names and dates and gossip tidbits to make your brain spin out of control from the shock of it all?????

Oh, that I wish it would. But, no. Mine is filled with the lists of my life. I can't carry my computer with me ( Sorry, I don't own an iPhone or a Blackberry. Well...actually I'm not sorry at all. I'm perfectly happy with my little 'ole plain cell.) But I have a very portable collection of plethora (don't you just LOVE that word) which serves me as well as any memory stick.

Let's see. Oh! There's the listing of new items we have purchased from cars to appliances to furniture. And what to pack when traveling depending on the mode of transportation. Destinations I want to visit. Can't forget the charities I'm going to donate some of my as-yet-to-be-made fortune (or lottery winnings) to when the time comes. Restaurants I want to dine in sometime. Friends I want to have lunch with--and I am actually making inroads with that goal!! You should see the eight pages of books I want to read. There's a list of movies to watch as well.

I believe it is the Marines that have a dictate something like "Live by the code". Interpret that for my life and it becomes "Live by the list". Maybe some day my little blue book will grow up to morph to that black connotation.

Nah. Probably not. Which means my existence won't be fraught with gossip rag junk and stuff that gets leaked and lies and ugliness. Hey! How cool is that!!?!

My Favorites in Honor of Oprah

Every year Oprah has one show dedicated to her "favorites". This year's episode is to be broadcast today. That inspired me to compile my own TOP TEN list that I would be televising if I were indeed her. So here we go!

Julie's Top Ten Favorites List for 2008

Enough hot water for six extra long relaxing showers
$100 Gift certificate to a book store of your choice.
One pound handmade Triple Mints from Wittich's Fine Candies
(a family owned confectionery in Circleville, OH, since 1840)
Two Graeters White Tower Sundaes-that's all I can handle in a year!
One dozen Great Harvest Oatmeal Walnut Chocolate Chip cookies
One weekend for two at the Greenbriar Resort
One weekend for yourself on Sanibel Island, Florida
One box (200 pieces) of beautifully monogrammed stationery
Three paid vacation days -- what you do is your choice!
A spa weekend for you & 5 friends at Landoll Castle, Loudonville,OH

"Tune in" here next year for ten more of life's little pleasures. Now pretend you're Oprah --what would you choose? Mmmmm. Think about it...