A Place to Land
I was sitting at a stoplight, when I saw this tiny gnat land right in front of me on my windshield. While there was no impending danger to drive — it made me think. Even little annoying bugs need a place to land. Don’t we all? You can only fly for so long before you get tired. May be that’s why rock stars can only tour for several months at a time and then retire at the ripe old age of 45. We need a place to feel comfortable. I’m not encouraging getting so cozy that you don’t try new things. I mean a place to call home. A corner that feels like it’s yours. A spot you can feel comfortable in your own skin. Where you can finally accept you for you. Where people are more than just acquaintances, they’re friends. As the famous song from the t-v show Cheers says, “Where Everybody Knows Your Name.” If bugs need a place to land… then so do we. 
Stressin’
I believe a high level of stress can cause all kinds of ailments, from cancer to the common cold. So is it worth it? Some people seem to enjoy the adrenaline rush of stress. Well, I can say this — I tried it and I hated it! It’s not worth it. I was getting sick all the time, then I developed a tumor in my gall bladder and for what?! So I could be successful in a career I didn’t really like. That doesn’t make any sense.
“To find your own measure of success is the real goal,” says acclaimed writer and publisher James Atlas. “Comparison is the great obstacle to happiness.”
So I left that line of work and you know what? I’ve noticed how much happier I am. I don’t get sick like I used to. I’ve even noticed how I walk a bit slower than before. Wow! I can’t believe stress had that much of an effect on me! If you’re in a job that you hate and you just don’t seem to have enough sick days… then I say find a new line of work. Trust me, you’ll be much better off.
My BFF
You know you have a best friend when they matter more than sleep. When they need to talk and it’s 11:30 at night and it’s time for you to hit the sack. Although your eyes are getting heavy and your mind is thinking about all the things you need to get done tomorrow, which you need your energy for, it doesn’t seem to matter. Not when a friend needs you. That’s how I truly knew I had best friends. Best friends are family, yet there’s nothing to prove it except what you feel in your heart for them. Best friends are people you just have to call first when you have good or bad news. Over time things change and friendships may look a little different, but that doesn’t mean either person doesn’t consider the other one, one of their closest friends in the world. Sometimes it’s tough to allow change. Sometimes it’s tough to let your best friends move forward. But you know in your heart if that person is loyal, no matter what the change, you have a best friend.
Getting it Done
I like efficiency. I like getting there. I like getting to the point. Once I timed myself on how long it took me to get to the bathroom, do my business, and get back. I might be a bit compulsive. This is why writing blogs fits me and not writing a novel. This might even be why I love short films. I look at my sense of efficiency as a good thing. But here’s where it gets me into trouble. I’ve noticed not everyone else has the same mind-set as me. Not everyone thinks when you’re talking on the phone you should get to the reason why you’re calling at the beginning of the conversation. So I’ve learned to relax. Chat about how that person is, what’s going on, and such. And you know what? I’ve noticed now I have better relationships than I did before! Wow, what a revelation! 
I’m glad I take the time to really get to know the person. This has also helped me with my lack of patience. But I still try to not stay in the bathroom to long… may be that’s why I was never one of those girls who go to the bathroom with a whole clan of chicks. That’s just not efficient.
Who’s Your Hero?
What defines a hero? A person who can do superhuman things? A person who seems to exceed normal standards? Nope, that’s not what a hero is to me. A hero by definition is a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal. Heroic qualities are defined by distinguished courage or ability, brave deeds and noble qualities. Courage and bravery doesn’t mean the person is superhuman. But it does mean the person decides to keep going when most people stop. My mother is a prime example of this.
Quite a few years ago my mom developed breast cancer. Cancer is something familiar to my family. My grandmother had different types of cancer for years and the cancer finally ended her life. Knowing this made me very frightened for my mom. But through a mastectomy and chemotherapy I saw a woman who was strong and determined. When I couldn’t do anything but cry, my mother held true to a promise she said God gave her. She lost a part of her body, she lost her hair, but never once did I see my mom loose her faith. She knew no matter what the outcome, God was in control.
She tells me she did struggle, that it wasn’t an easy time in her life. But all I saw through my fearful eyes was bravery and courage from a woman who had every right to complain. But she didn’t. My mother is my hero.
Brains or Beauty?
I have a question for you. What goes into choosing a significant other? Brains or Beauty? Are you more attracted to a person because he/she is good looking or because he/she has other attractive qualities?
Researchers tell the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that their findings say the majority of men go for good looks. And that most women are much choosier about partners. Do you agree? How many times have I heard men complain that sometimes the most beautiful women are with ugly guys? Plenty. They tend to blame it on wealth or status. But it could be something else. As many of us know women are big communicators. So choosing a man who is a great communicator might also be what comes into play.
Interestingly enough the researchers also found, “Women, aware of the importance of their own attractiveness, adjusted their expectations to select the more desirable guys.” Hmm. So it appears a woman can use the beauty card to get the better man!
Laborless Day
Why do we call it Labor Day… we’re not supposed to be laboring?! It should definitely be called Laborless Day. And is this day off work just about tireless hours spent at a job? A good friend of mine said — may be it’s to honor all the mothers who’ve gone through labor. This lone holiday is meant to celebrate all the hard work we normally put it in on that day. That rocks!
The uniqueness of the holiday is explained here…
“Labor Day differs in every essential way from the other holidays of the year in any country,” said Samuel Gompers, founder and longtime president of the American Federation of Labor. “All other holidays are in a more or less degree connected with conflicts and battles of man’s prowess over man, of strife and discord for greed and power, of glories achieved by one nation over another. Labor Day…is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation.”
So you’re telling me one day represents the whole work year?! I think Labor Day should be Labor Week, heck lets go for the gold with Labor Month! Or may be we should have a Labor Day every month. Let’s make the first Monday of every month Labor Day! That sounds like a plan! I think it could work too because in all honesty how many people are going to say… “No, no I want to work.” And if someone’s worried that things won’t get done if we abandon the first month’s Monday why don’t we make everyone who doesn’t normally work, work on Labor Day. They should pick up the slack. This is the best idea I’ve had in a while… that’s sad. Anyway, I hope you had a fabulous time honoring the daily grind you normally ensue.
