Alive

Boredom is our enemy. But entertainment is not the answer. Entertainment is, after all, a mere rabbit trail distraction. The real answer is excitement. Passion. That's what makes you feel alive. Find yours. And do it. Why not spend life feeling alive?

The Snowball Effect of Three Little Owls

Sometimes I have a knack for complicating things. For example, Jon gave me three beautiful pictures of owls for Christmas. It was such a thoughtful gift. I had mentioned that I just realized I really like owls a lot (perhaps a victim of some covert marketing scheme, but I like them nonetheless). And I had seen some really cool owl pictures at a store. And then my insightful hubby found some owl pictures at a different store and got them for me. How cool is that?!

So I have these lovely owl pictures, and I must find just the right place to hang them. Will they go in the living room where they look so cozy against the soft green walls (but there's not much room for them)? Or the toy room where they would add a touch of sophisticated whimsy (but... with the kids?)? Or the master bedroom where I can admire them privately (but I'd like everyone to see them)? Or perhaps the hallway (but I've always planned on hanging family pictures in the hallway)?

As one thing leads to another, so my search for a home for my new owls leads me to consider the hallway and our family pictures. If the family pictures were in place, I would have a better idea of where exactly the owl pictures might go in the hallway. How can I possibly rule out the hallway when I'm not sure where the pictures could go? I'd hate to hang the owls, and later discover that that would have been the prime location for the family pictures.

So I started with a simple proposition: to hang my new owl pictures. And now I find myself in the midst of a full-blown project of organizing my entire inventory of picture frames (which I have been collecting over the years for this very purpose), selecting just the right family photos, and arranging the photos in appropriate frames. It is a big, time-consuming project, which is why I have no family photos hanging in my hallway, which of course hinders my quest for a place to hang my owls.

While I am making progress on my family photo project, I still wonder if I should just choose another location for the owls to perch and be done with it. But what good are the family pictures if no one ever sees them? And what about the decorative shelves I found in the back of my closet that need to be hung up somewhere? Once the walls are all adorned, the house will feel that much more cozy and friendly. Now, should the shelves go in the living room...?

And my three little owls rest quietly against a wall in my bedroom, waiting for their day to come.

Hopes and Aspirations for 2013

Here we are in 2013. A whole nother year. A chance to start anew, to tweak some of the good things, to tear down the bad. It's the dawning of fresh opportunities.

Or is it simply the day after yesterday? It depends on what we determine to do with it. How we think about it. It all begins in our minds.

So what will we do with this gift of a new year? Let us dare to take the chance. Try something new. Step out of our comfort zones. Grow and succeed. Stretch the boundaries, especially the ones we impose on ourselves. Reach out to help others. Be the one. Take responsibility.

Now, go! Start, and keep on starting. Happy New Year!