Watching traffic...

I live in a high rise building (let's just say my unit is above the 35th floor) and it faces west. In our city, that means you can see for miles since our view is not blocked by other buildings. We also overlook all of the major expressways (freeways for those outside of Chicago). We talk about traffice alot as a society...where the conjestion is, where are the gaper's blocks, etc. It is even a part of our news in the morning...just so we always know what lies ahead.

I was just sitting here this evening and was home by myself catching up on some work and online shopping (come on winter is coming soon...). I found myself looking at the window and noticing how "soothing" it was to watch the traffic go by. It was busy, but as dusk fell and the headlights and tailights were on, it changed. There was a certain rhythm to the traffic that gave me a very soothing feeling.

Yes, I know what you are thinking...doesn't that crazy woman have anything better to do than watch traffic. And the answer is...on a quiet, peaceful night like tonight......no I didn't.

Moving Forward

Do you ever have the feeling that you are standing still in life? I have felt this way too much in the last year. I can't explain why, but I have truly felt that while I was moving through my life, maybe I was just standing still.

Whenever I get this feeling I usually need to reinvent something about my existence. For me, it usually is intellectual stagnation. It means I'm not learning or experiencing enough.....but I have forged ahead in my lifelong goal to "never stand still too long". I have entered a learning program that will push me to my intellectual limits (I hope). Not only will I be actively learning, I will be assessing my lifelong learning at the same time.

This is what I call making strides toward finding my true path and joy.....I will always search for my purpose, but I think I might be closer than I was yesterday.

Peace, take care and don't stand still too long......

Friends always bring joy...

I had a moment last week that I can't stop thinking about and wanted to put it out there. Do we surround ourselves with the people that feed our joy and our soul? I'm not sure the people that are attracted to us (and us to them) are always people who can feed our soul. Those that look at you with pride, joy and know what you have to give to the world (however big or small).

I had one of those moments when I wasn't feeling well last week. I have a friend who lives in Arizona and was planning to come in and have dinner with me. She had also called me about some business advice (which I gladly gave...). It was Wednesday afternoon (see previous post for "Not My Best Day" last Wednesday)...I had gone home not feeling great.

I had snuggled up with my laptop to concentrate and up pops an email from my sweet friend. Out of the blue (my blue at least :)) she wrote one of the most heartfelt, genuine and giving emails that I have had the pleasure of receiving. In this email, she told me what made me special and how I had contributed to her life (and happiness). While I had tears in my eyes, I realized that she had just fed my soul.....and more importantly, I realized that my soul must be "starving" lately.

So here I am with this realization, trying to process it and make it actionable for myself (cuz that is what women do)......because I have to always be conscious of what needs to be fed......my soul, my joy, my health and my relationships. Learning is sooooo important...........

Finding "Exercise"...and enjoying it

In my early years I was an athlete, so training was part of my routine....the purpose was to get better at your sport/skill. But as I got older, I didn't have the same drive that I did then...maybe I was lacking a goal or something to get better at....versus just being healthier.

I have recently discovered that for myself....that it is okay for me to have a goal to be healthier and exercise is an important part of that goal. Now I "work" to find time to get exercise in my day and there are some days when I am truly "pushing" myself......all in the spirit of getting better at being healthy.

In doing this, I have rediscovered my body and exercise and it feels great. My energy is better, my mood is improved when I work out and I feel like I have accomplished something in my day.....and sometimes that accomplishment is just SWEAT! :)