31 Days of Emotional Healing

We live in a high speed world... a world of instant gratification... the buy now pay later concept. As we approach December with its magical spirit, I decided to slow down a little and plan out my month to get the very most out of it.

I've been going through some emotional wars lately. Without going into too much detail, lets just say I have neglected to give my heart a chance to heal from the hurts incurred in the last year. I don't want to start a new year having regressed, but progressed to a higher plane.

At the encouragement of a dear friend, I decided to use my blog as a means of emotional healing during the month of December. I have come up with a list of things to do each day that will contribute to a happy healthy life. I will not limit myself to the said item of the day, but I am determined to give myself a minimum requirement to help me appreciate the season and move forward with my heart.

At the end of each day I will blog about how things went. Hopefully by the end of the month I'll have gained some new perspective and a greater appreciation for the world around me.

The final word that I must add is that one of the guidelines I have given myself for the month is to completely turn my focus away from dating. I am not going to seek it out. A wounded heart cannot heal if it keeps getting bruised.

So I hope you'll join me on my journey this December. I'm looking forward to my adventure!

Gratitude

Tis the season of giving thanks. I have many friends posting daily on FB the things they are thankful for. I considered getting into it, but I missed the first day, and as I am a perfectionist, all or nothing sort of person, I opted out. So instead on this eve of the Thanksgiving holiday I want to list a few of the things I am thankful for so that I may keep my attitude in check when I start feeling sorry for myself.

1. Gospel of Jesus Christ, for without it, I would have no hope
2. Loving family
3. A place to live on my own
4. My job
5. The opportunity to gain an education
6. Good Friends
7. Technology that makes it easy to stay in touch with friends and family
8. All the things I have learned in my life to bring me to my current status
9. A car (and a super cute one at that)
10. Time

I'd like to briefly expound on the last item on my list. I've been thinking a lot about time lately. Time is the most valuable resource in the world. Everyone is allotted the exact same amount each day. What we choose to do with our time is entirely up to us to decide. Sometimes I allow my mind to wander too much in daydreaming about the future or overanalyzing the past. I'm learning more and more each day how very important it is to spend most of my time living in the now. For now is when life happens. The passage of time never stops. I am so thankful for the time I have been given to experience this life on earth. I hope that I never forget what a precious gift it is, and that I always use it wisely.

Clever Marketing Strategy

Recently the water in my office has turned bad. I'm not sure the cause...in fact I don't think anyone knows for sure what happened. Needless to say, I haven't been drinking much of it lately. For the first time since working at this office I bought something from the vending machine... a bottle of water. Then I remembered how much I hate the taste of bottled water. Today I caved once more, only this time I indulged and bought a Fresca.
So what's my point? I think someone made the water taste bad to drive people to buy more drinks from the vending machine! I can think of no other explanation. They think they're so clever.

The Power of Music

Sunday I attended my new ward for the first time. In the middle of sacrament meeting I experienced one of the most powerful musical experiences of my life. A small family, mother, father and daughter, played an arrangement of "Consider the Lilies". The Dad played the piano while the mother and 8 year old daughter played their violins. I wish there were words to express the emotions that flooded through me while I listened to this powerful music. The young girl was the most incredible musician. She played with perfect poise and confidence. Her sound was exquisite. As I sat there watching this talented little family it made me realize how much I have allowed myself to drift from my musical background. 

I have played the violin for 17 years. I have yet to achieve the ability of this young girl. I never aimed to be a great musician, but I always loved making music. It was something that relaxed and empowered me. I envy my siblings who continue to use their talents even into their adult lives with jobs and children. Here I sit alone and single with my violin collecting dust in a closet. 

I believe a resolution is in order. Its a little early for New Years Resolutions, but then I don't think its ever a bad time to make a change. I resolve to dust off my violin and start to seriously play again, even if its just once per week, I am going to do it. I have allowed a hole in my life. Its time that hole was filled again.

Am I the only one...

who gets frustrated by stairs that are too deep to comfortably ascend/descend? Do you know what I'm talking about? Its those esthetically pretty stair cases with deep runs and a shallow rise. No matter how hard I try, I end up stepping up with the same foot every time. It drives me crazy. Why? I guess I have this idea that I don't want to end up with lopsided muscles. If I only step up with my right food then my right leg will get more muscular than my left leg. Sometimes I try to squeeze in an extra step on the stair so I can alternate feet, but it quickly becomes awkward. So then I try taking big enough steps to take one step per step. That doesn't work either because each step gets progressively farther as my legs are too short. I just wanted to share. The end.

This week has been quite full with every hour planned out and jammed with activity. Thursday and Friday night I spent hours going through my things packing and organizing. I wanted to have as much done as possible for Saturday morning when my friends came to help me move.

This morning was the big day. We were able to get everything loaded with only a few minor set-backs (the treadmill...). Within just a couple of hours we had everything moved in to my new apartment and a couple hours later I was completely unpacked. I am so happy with my new apartment. My roommates are all my age and seem fabulous. I'm so happy about that. It was somewhat of a risk to jump in not knowing any of them ahead of time.

My room is cozy and welcoming and totally spacious compared to my old room. A major downside is not having my own bathroom...however, I can manage. I feel so right and good about being here. It feels like home.

This is the view from my bedroom window.