11.19.2009

Thoughtful Thursday

Sometimes it's hard to admit our own flaws. Wait. This is supposed to be a brutally honest post, so let me start over.

It's hard for me to admit that I am flawed.

It's hard to admit that I've been cranky, short-tempered, angry, resentful, disappointed, and disillusioned. It's hard to acknowledge that I have recently let life get the best of me. Health issues, work issues, financial issues, time issues - they all seem to have compounded, leaving me feeling less than positive, less than perky, less than Mary Ann. Of course, I could take even more medication or visit a psychiatrist to determine the root behind all these issues. Or?

Or I can take matters into my own hands.



On October 31st, I realized that I'd had enough of my personal pity party, and I decided to turn the tides. Enough of this crabby crap, I said to myself, find your happy. Give.



Admittedly, giving is one of the best "highs" I've ever known. I'm a giver. I LOVE TO GIVE. It brings me immense personal satisfaction, joy, and even giddiness on occasion. I realize that giving is supposed to be all about benevolence and doing it for others, but I'm not really that altruistic. I like to help others, especially anonymously. But right under the surface? I'm a giver because it makes ME feel good. And having had enough of the crabby crap, I decided to improve my attitude and potentially brighten the days of others with 60 days of giving.

I'm currently on Day 19 of giving and, well, I do feel better. As in a lot better. As in I've been letting the crabby just slide right off my back. I'm feeling lighter, sillier, happier, and so much healthier. For me, giving is almost always the cure to whatever ails me. I don't want praise for the giving I'm doing, so please don't comment on how wonderful and caring of me it is to do so. I'm posting this to offer some inspiration, some incentive, a kick in the ol' crabby. I challenge you to a week of giving, just a week. Give something EVERY. DAY. FOR. A. WEEK.
Donate clothes to the thrift, give an extra big tip to your waitress, slip a dollar under the windshield wiper of a stranger's car, bake some cookies for your co-workers. I don't care what you do, just as long as you do it. EVERY. DAY. FOR. A. WEEK. And once you're through the week? I can almost guarantee that you'll not only feel better, but that you'll want to give more. We all have something to give: time, money, advice, talent. Taking 10 minutes a day to give? I believe it can transform our lives.


Are you on board? Let us know what you're thinking...

11.18.2009

Wordy Wednesday

Please feel free to define one or more of the following:
  • American Idolatry
  • Thanksgrieving
  • electrollopsis
  • Captain & Chenille
  • meatloafer

11.17.2009

Hot Topic Tuesday

  • First off, I feel bad for this girl because this photo really doesn't flatter her chin.
  • Second, for today's discussion, please read this article (which is also where I snagged this photo).
  • Third, discuss. Would you pay for this? Would you willingly remove all your clothes, cover your girls with mums, and let strangers aim at you with chopsticks? Do you think it's even sanitary?

11.16.2009

Very Mary Made It


Home again, home again, jiggity jog.

11.13.2009

Freebie Friday

It's Freebie Friday! Yay! This week you have a chance to win a stash of 75 magenta tickets:



Darla - they're on their way!

11.12.2009

Thrifty Thursday

When I found this wee wooden sign tucked into a clearance bin at my local craft store? Well. How was I supposed to resist? Total cost: $1.00

11.11.2009

My Deepest Gratitude


photo courtesy of here
I am so proud to be an American.