27 March 2010

Buffeted By A Major Storm...and When To Let Go

You ever have those times when you type or write a word out and realize that it's a weird word? Weirdly spelled? Weirdly pronounced? Today, "buffeted" is that word for me. Tomorrow, it will look and sound totally fine.

I try to live by one simple rule: strive to live in ways that will bring emotional contentment. It occurs to me today that I mostly live in ways that keep me from avoiding uncomfortable situations. I diet and exercise to keep from being uncomfortably obese. I work two part-time jobs to keep from being uncomfortably tied down to the work world. I write, shop, read, watch Ellen, and Google for pleasure to keep from being uncomfortably bored and stupid.

However, these actions are not a real pursuit of happiness...they are an avoidance of vexing circumstances. And I find that's not a totally keen way to live one's life.

The last two days have perhaps been the two of the most uncomfortable, unhappy, irritating, annoying days of my life. Not too good when your whole life goal is to avoid such situations!

Today, though, I woke up early, felt grateful for all my working limbs and went off to work out. Through a mix of weightlifting, talking with my career-challenged dad, and listening to the Black Eyed Peas, I sense the spirits lifting. It's amazing how the body and brain and universe sometimes collaborate for the betterment of the human person.

Things don't seem so insurmountable today. I know that part of it is the nature of time and part of it is my natural tendency to mobilize in the face of stress.

And so, I let go of all things stressful today. I have done what I can do, said what I can say, and now I am moving forward. Other, better things await me today.

03 March 2010

I Castigate Myself...So You Don't Have To

My god, it has been a week and a half since my last blog post. That is completely unacceptable!

Therefore, I will now deliver forty lashes to myself in chastisement. However, since I don't have access to a leather belt, cat o'nine tails, or bullwhip, I will have to use my computer charging cord. Let me reassure you, it is wire encased in plastic and has a little magnetic nub on the end which will, no doubt, leave serious welts.

I humbly prostate myself and beg your forgiveness for my sloth.

**********

Anyway, there's been a lot going on around here. The weather is finally starting to look up. We have temps in the high thirties, bright sunshine, and bluey-blue skies. That in and of itself is a definite spirit-lifter. Then, the university I teach at is on Spring Break, so I have been the beneficiary of a shorter-than-usual workday and long, leisurely afternoons. Of course, this is tempered with the fact that I have a lot of grading to do. You take the good, you take the bad...

My exercise routine is becoming well-established and my diet is going along decent lines. In general, I am feeling better and am looking forward to better days...

And to end on an up note: My husband is taking me to see The Black Eyed Peas later on this month - and those tickets came in the mail this morning. Also, one of our favorite brands of local wine was on sale today as well. See...life is good! I am on top!