Heading back to Australia

I realized that I hadn't told you that I'm officially going back to Australia. That's right I've been selected as a team member of the Rotary International Group Study Exchange to visit southern Australia. I admit that my travels have been a bit excessive lately. The truth is that traveling is such a key component of who I am. So I keep traveling.

And now I get to make a dream happen. I always wanted to study abroad, but I convinced myself that it cost too much. So I didn't. And now at 23, oh I mean 33, I get to travel abroad for an extended period. Life sure does surprise you sometimes!

What about life surprises you? I'm really surprised that I just wrote two blog entries in one day. A Guiness world record for me.

One hour at a time

I am realizing that I often expect change to happen instantly. Maybe I watched too many fairy tales where a magic wand was waved, and poof everything happened instantly. The truth is that our lives aren't like a Polaroid picture. We don't wave them, and then the image or the way forward appears instantly. Alcoholics often talk about having a moment of clarity. Meanwhile, I'm lucky if I remember to walk out the door with my cell phone.

So now I'm taking it one hour at a time, per my friend's suggestion. That seems to work better. So this hour I'm taking the time to write on my blog. Wonders never cease, and I'm enjoying the moment.

A Blog Intervention

So at this point I'm at a post a month. I obviously need a blog intervention. Or maybe just an intervention from watching that show. Yes, I've become addicted to watching Intervention on A&E. I don't know what it is exactly, but it has something to do with the fact that I can watch someone potentially take the opportunity to save their own life. Though the sad truth is that many of them do okay for awhile, and only a few of them make it.

That being said finding a way to make changes in your life even of the non-addicted variety takes a lot of courage, a lot of patience and a ton of perseverance. I have taken many steps in the past year to make some changes, and some have actually materialized. Other changes I am making continue to be more difficult to truly implement.

But I keep trying and staying the course, because I believe in myself, and I know that work and consistency eventually pays off. I just have to remember that I need to put as much stock in the changes I want in my life as my work. I often put myself last on the list, and I'm truly trying to embrace a new mindset. I come first, so I can then offer more to the world. And this month I'm going to work on one post per week. Wish me luck!

Finding Happiness or Bliss

I've been thinking a lot about the Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Read the full test at www.usconstitution.net/declar.html.

The point that I've been pondering is whether the pursuit of Happiness is an unalienable right. I have lived my life with the thought it is, but again it depends on your definition of happiness.

I just finished reading "The Geography of Bliss," by Eric Weiner. This book was not only a travelogue, but also a book that made you stop and think. The premise is that Mr. Weiner travels to several countries to find out why these places and the people who live there are the happiest or in a couple cases the least happy places to live. What it really does is make you start asking what does make for a blissful existence? Is it the pursuit of happiness as Jefferson obviously believed, or is it in the recognition of what have (not what we don't) and the gratitude that we can all employ?

This book discusses countries like Bhutan, which has a Gross Domestic Happiness policy instead of Gross Domestic Product policy. This made me think with GDP all profit is good whether its from war, violence, or etc. In Bhutan, the happiness of each citizen is considered before enacting any policies or legislation. It's a really great thought when you think about it. I know some of you are saying, well how the heck do you measure that? To be honest...the way to measure it is still being discovered, but maybe a compromise of the two would make sense. GDP doesn't tell all of the story. And Albert Einstein had a sign hanging in his office in Princeton that sums it up nicely. "Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts."

So read this book and tell me about your happy place. Mine was on a beach in Barbados. As it snows in Colorado, that beach sounds so lovely. The sun was setting, and I felt more at peace then I had felt in a long time. My friend and I were enjoying the light and its interplay on the water. Suddenly, we saw masses of tiny turtles struggling through the sand trying to get to the ocean to begin their life's journey to pursue their happiness. Some would make it and most would not, but they would all die trying. That is my happy place. Please share yours, and I will share your thoughts on a future blog entry.

Have a blissfully happy weekend!

Pursuing Art

It has been almost two months since I've taken the time to write in my blog. Why is it that I let what's important to me go so often? This isn't the first time I've asked myself this question. Sometimes I let my life run me instead of the other way around. Awareness is the first step to moving forward.

In my own defense I haven't let all my creativity and thoughtfulness go out the window. I am participating in an art show. The truth is I didn't understand what a big deal it would be to me, and how this would make me feel. We had an art reception at our first gallery site at The Avon Library on March 8th. Suddenly, I was interacting with the other artists, and I realized I am one of them. People were talking about my work. It really made me think and realize that if you don't consider yourself an artist, a writer, or whatever, how is anyone else going to put you in that category?

So now for my many readers...I'm going to have to start advertising my blog on Facebook. I've got tons of friends who should be reading my blog. If you want to see my art and wonderful art from other women celebrating Women's History Month then go to http://www.whpart.com/ to see my creations as an artist. There I said it. I feel better already. Also, if you happen to be around the Boulder area, come to our art reception at The Boulder Valley Women's Health Center on Thursday, May 7th, 5:30pm. (2855 Valmont Road, Boulder; P: 303-442-5160) I hope to see you there! And send me a note if it ever takes me so long to write in my blog again.

Sunshine day

Sorry I've been MIA, however, life got busy. I'm back! Today I had my first ski race at Beaver Creek. I was completely nervous about racing today. But I once again conquered my fear, and it went well. Basically, I didn't fall and I completed the race course twice. Success! Granted I was one of the slower racers, but the fact I'm even racing is enough.

Yes I get to race for work. It's The ERYC ski team. At times I do truly love my life. It isn't perfect, but it sure has some amazing moments. It also makes Monday seem much less blah. Feeling the sunshine on my face as I went down another run was wonderful. There is something amazing about the mountains...especially when you have early spring happening in February.

It seems like this year is going to bring some unexpected twists and turns. And being able to navigate those turns is what it's all about. I feel really good, and I'm ready to do just that. What metaphor describes your life at the moment?

TGIF

Fridays are wonderful aren't they! Fridays bring the weekend and a whole slew of possibilities. Tonight a bunch of girls are coming over for dinner for homemade pizza, salad and some TGIF drinks. I'm ready to let go of all the work stress and just enjoy.

I told my friend Sondra that I needed to clone myself. My clone can work all the time, and I can be. I really am starting to think it is ethical. Can you imagine? What a great world it would create some balance.

So I'm going to stop complaining and get ready for my impromptu party. Have a fab weekend. Cross your fingers that it stays sunny and beautiful all weekend. My friend Jen is coming up and we're going snowshoeing, and weather like today would be heavenly.