Collecting Firsts!!!
There was a time in my life - around the time I was turning 40 - when everything seemed redundant. Every day was the same as the day before. I woke up every morning in the same house, took the same road to work, went to the same job with the same people, ate the same foods, did the same volunteer activities . . . my life was full and productive, but I was weary of the repetition.
I remember journaling one morning, and stating that I had probably already done about everything that I was going to do! Then I realized, if there were any limitations in my life, they were from my lack of imagination!!!!! Things were about to change!!!!
Later that day, I gathered the girls into the car and we went grocery shopping, but this time I set some guidelines. "Today we will be collecting firsts. We will shop for enough food for one week, but we can't buy anything that we've ever purchased before. It has to be new kind of fruit or vegetable, or a brand that we've never tried."
We laughed so hard that I thought they would kick us out of the store! That week we found we liked some products better than the old standbys - and others were truly disappointing - but at least they added variety! One example was guava paste instead of cranberry sauce. This still brings a smile when it shows up at Thanksgiving dinner!
For weeks I actively collected firsts - I would leave earlier and take a new way to work. Or open the phone book to the local restaurant section, close my eyes and point to one. Randomly choosing books and magazines on unfamiliar topics opened up new worlds!!!
Small steps helped me build courage!!!! Eventually I traveled to India - alone - and participated in pujas, took an untethered hot air balloon ride, illustrated a children's book, became the managing editor of a magazine. Heavens! I even experienced my first flood, lost my home and moved to Baltimore where I am blissfully continuing to expand my collection!
I remember journaling one morning, and stating that I had probably already done about everything that I was going to do! Then I realized, if there were any limitations in my life, they were from my lack of imagination!!!!! Things were about to change!!!!
Later that day, I gathered the girls into the car and we went grocery shopping, but this time I set some guidelines. "Today we will be collecting firsts. We will shop for enough food for one week, but we can't buy anything that we've ever purchased before. It has to be new kind of fruit or vegetable, or a brand that we've never tried."
We laughed so hard that I thought they would kick us out of the store! That week we found we liked some products better than the old standbys - and others were truly disappointing - but at least they added variety! One example was guava paste instead of cranberry sauce. This still brings a smile when it shows up at Thanksgiving dinner!
For weeks I actively collected firsts - I would leave earlier and take a new way to work. Or open the phone book to the local restaurant section, close my eyes and point to one. Randomly choosing books and magazines on unfamiliar topics opened up new worlds!!!
Small steps helped me build courage!!!! Eventually I traveled to India - alone - and participated in pujas, took an untethered hot air balloon ride, illustrated a children's book, became the managing editor of a magazine. Heavens! I even experienced my first flood, lost my home and moved to Baltimore where I am blissfully continuing to expand my collection!
My First Trip to Paris!
The entire trip is captured under Gratitude but here are a few highlights!
My first view of the Eiffel Tower!
Glimpse of Monet's home!
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Monet's paintings at Giverney
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My First Summit!
Choosing Joy:
Conquering Life's Challenges and Coming Out on Top Tele-Summit 2011
The summit was a huge success! Cathleen and her guests are helping people around the world break through their barriers of limitation to explore the boundless possibilities of living a joyful life! Cathleen Spacil, one of the most courageous, visionary, optimistic women on the planet, has invited me and some of the people I most admire - I am feeling honored and humbled to be included in this group - to share some of the lessons we have learned. I encourage you to listen in to the wisdom and insights these extraordinary people will share!I recently read a quote from a Facebook friend and it reminds me of this conference -
"We, the givers of advise, the offerings of reflection, the "knowing" ones, aren't flawless immaculate souls. We've simply failed, at times miserably & were devastated enough to glean lessons for your perusal. -SoKey
Please take a few moments right now to watch Lisa's short video and sign up! If you aren't able to listen in at the exact time of the interviews, you will have an opportunity to listen to the recordings at your convenience!
Choosing Joy Tele-Summitwww.choosingjoytelesummit.com
You Are Invited to Join 9 of the World’s Top Experts As They Reveal How They’ve Conquered Some of Life’s Most Difficult Challenges and How You Can Too!
See what CNN noted about our conference!!!
"A blogger called Star Bear on WordPress.com wrote, among other things, "Things are changing, some minds are changing. There are quiet, joyful voices singing in harmony. Peace to you this day, may your heart be filled with peace - and joy."
Post by: CNN's Jim Kavanagh Filed under: History • September 11 • Terrorism • Twitter • U.S.
"A blogger called Star Bear on WordPress.com wrote, among other things, "Things are changing, some minds are changing. There are quiet, joyful voices singing in harmony. Peace to you this day, may your heart be filled with peace - and joy."
Post by: CNN's Jim Kavanagh Filed under: History • September 11 • Terrorism • Twitter • U.S.
As promised . . .
In my interview, I mentioned a technique I use for goal setting and you asked me to share it. Here she is! The basic premise is, draw a stick figure of yourself and fill in the blanks -
Head - what am I learning, what am I dreaming?
Eyes - what do I see?
Ears - what am I listening to?
Mouth - what words do I use? what makes me smile?
Shoulders - what am I carrying?
Arms - what are my strengths? What am I holding?
Hands - what am I giving? what am I receiving? what am I creating?
Heart - what - who do I love?
Rear end - what am I sitting on (procrastinating)?
Feet - where have I been? where am I going?
Ground - who, what- supports me?
Head - what am I learning, what am I dreaming?
Eyes - what do I see?
Ears - what am I listening to?
Mouth - what words do I use? what makes me smile?
Shoulders - what am I carrying?
Arms - what are my strengths? What am I holding?
Hands - what am I giving? what am I receiving? what am I creating?
Heart - what - who do I love?
Rear end - what am I sitting on (procrastinating)?
Feet - where have I been? where am I going?
Ground - who, what- supports me?
"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage."
~Anais Nin
Now it's YOUR turn!
Begin today to Collect Firsts!
Build your courage every day by trying things you've never done -
OR
things you always do - with a twist!!!
Try these to begin!
Try a food you've never eaten.
Listen to a new type of music.
Close your eyes and pick up a book, open it and look for the message.
Talk to someone who doesn't look like you and your family!
Go to a celebration from a different culture.
Learn a new language.
Take a course on glass blowing.
Learn to play the tuba.
Run a half marathon - or a whole one!
Pick a sport and train for the Olympics!