Are You Overdrawn?
“What happened…how did I wind up here?” she wanted to know.
“Uh, I think you’re being kinda melodramatic here.” She laughed. That’s one of the things I love about her.
“I mean, yeah. You got shit to deal with. This is life, and some stretches are crappy. We all have our turns. You’re having your turn of shit to wade through, that’s all. If you’re not happy, then it’s your job to figure out what would make you happy. Your job is to find your way out.”
I’ll cheer her on, though.
When you put energy out there, what are your expectations on a return?
There was a time, whatever I did, I had a clear picture of what I thought I’d get in return. I worked at a job, started a business, created websites, went to school, whatever it was, with clear, specific expectations on exactly where the path was going to take me. I “knew” just how each action was going to impact my life and make it better.
Except for one, especially pesky little issue: I was almost always wrong.
Continue reading Gifts in Ugly Wrapping Paper: Goals that Work
I recently found out a client of mine–and her husband–committed suicide. It made the news, but the story wasn’t accurate. It had the couple’s ages reversed, said they were from California instead of Oklahoma, and failed to mention that the wife survived only one additional day after being retrieved from the hotel room. They were in their fifties.
When you read an email with news like that, you just say, “Wow.” It slaps you upside the head and you can’t just shake it off. Continue reading Checking Out
New Year’s, I generally eschew resolutions. There’s so often more an excuse to pretend we can solve every problem we have in two and half weeks, or maybe just another opportunity to feel bad about ourselves. It’s usually a better idea to make changes day-to-day, as you see the need. While there’s perhaps some value in the ritualization or symbolic significance of new year/new you thing, still… We’re usually not reasonable or kind with ourselves that way.
But this year, I did make a resolution: I am getting rid of all the holey socks.
I’m a huge believer in the power of gratitude. Acknowledging what you have, living in a mentally prosperous space–not always easy, mind you!–and being grateful for the essence of your dreams in your life, even if the physical form hasn’t fully manifested.
If I’m honest with myself, I can readily see that the life I am living right this moment isn’t that far off from the life of my dreams. Continue reading Living Your Dreams: Are You Closer Than You Think?
Hyperbole annoys the living Hell out of me. Why do folks feel the need to drama-queen it up, anyway? When you yell “Fire” in absence of smoke, when you declare emergency without actual crisis, or in general overreact in ways that can be construed as nothing beyond performance, I get cranky. Seriously…’cause if you don’t think I’m going to notice, you’re dumber than you take me for.
With my daughter having moved far off, a couple people have asked me if she’s looking for work. I’m sure they think I’m mental when I tell them I have no idea whatsoever, have not asked–and am not planning on asking.
It’s not because it would upset her, or be a touchy subject somehow. She’s straightforward, and doesn’t have issues with the idea I care about how she’s doing. She’s honest and direct when I question her. It’s really a lot simpler than that. Continue reading Why I don’t Meddle…
“You don’t have to retweet everything I post,” my husband says to me about pimping out his blog on Twitter. “I don’t want you to hurt your business.”
I know he wouldn’t take it personally if I choose not to promote his political blog–a topic inherently controversial and sometimes contentious—in venues where I have interaction with clients. It’s not like it’s not something I’d considered beforehand.
I assure him it’s my choice. I am proud of what he’s doing and I want to support him however I can. Even on the days I wonder whether it makes a difference in my business, the answer is still the same for me.
Continue reading Feeling a Little Naked Online?
I recently contributed to an article discussing setting rates for web design work. I’ve written about this a few times, and have several years experience doing it. This is challenging for those just starting out, so I felt really good about being a part of it. Unlike many articles on the topic, actual numbers were discussed along with practices, making it a lot more useful to people trying to set their own rates. So when I discovered from my site tracking that I’d gotten over a thousand visitors from the article, I was psyched.
That is, until I went there and read the comments…uh…it was a bloodbath. Continue reading How’s That Ego Doing?
My Husband’s been real busy over at his new blog, Zombies Uncensored. Linked in the sidebar, Yo.
Zombies Uncensored is exposing the crazy in politics and life.
I worked very hard on the design, and he’s working very hard on the content. I’m proud of what he’s doing. If anybody can go over there and show a little support, it would mean a great deal to me.
