November is Novel-Writing Month

 Huh.

The Social Dilemma

 If you haven't watched it. It's educational and eye-opening.

Here's the trailer. At 1:45... blows the mind.

I've been threatening to blog (write) more. And read more. I used to read so much! Before I was married I had such better habits (!). It isn't himself's fault, I'm not blaming him. My lack of better habits has totally been because of the choices I made.

It's time to re-claim those better habits... to read before going to sleep. To just read.

To write more. I love writing. I write well. 

Blogs were "it" before Facebook... one of my favorite blogs was "Rocks in My Dryer." I met a Facebook friend, whom I've never ever met IRL, because I loved reading her blog - oh my gosh she was so funny. She took her blog down, she got too many 'hate comments' which, if I'm honest, I struggle to understand just how mean and cruel people can be. I mean, I understand the anonymity which brings out false bravado (writing things you'd never say to someone to their face) but you know, #MeanPeopleSuck - full stop. 

And that was before FB got so popular and most people's understanding of 'trolls' was linked to the bad guys giving the goat trouble under the bridge. 

She lives closer to me now, and I hope that some day, if/when I drive through southern California on my way to my happy place(s) that we can meet up over an In Real Life coffee or, in cooler weather, an adult beverage and just hang out.

I have promised myself... and even dedicated a time in my google calendar when I will publish a blog post. Right now it is slated for Wednesdays and one more day of the week - my goal is to publish a new writing twice a week.  Maybe I will just start kinda slowly... publish once a week is a good goal. Let's just get this one new habit established.

*Hey! I just realized that this is Wednesday! *cue applause!

Bring it in, er, home... my point. 

Read More. Scroll Less.

Write More. Watch Less.

Spend less time scrolling, liking, distracting myself with Facebook (lol, remember when My Space was 'it' and we called it "My Face"? That memory just made me smile), and picking up a fun book (novel/fiction such as Jan Karon's "To be Where You Are") and also an educational/Personal Growth & development book (currently trying to finish the super easy but awesome read "2 Chairs" by Bob Beaudine).

I have Side Hustle Dreams... so many things to write about and read about and share!

Just Show Up

 

"It'll be alright in the end. If it's not alright, it's not the end."

I'm struggling right now, and have been for awhile to #JustShowUp and have been forgetting that there's choices, positive options to choose, every minute. I can decide. Mindset Matters. Choose Life. Choose Laughter. Choose Love.

We all have struggles that don't just seem overwhelming... they actually are overwhelming. And just because we can't see someone else's struggles doesn't mean they don't have them. Nope Nope Nope.

There's so much information, so much need, so many asks (for time, energy, money and more), and static coming at us all from so many directions, I get lost in the noise.

Take Heart. Keep Faith. Most People Are Good, with Good Intentions.

I Did It!

 I deactivated from Facebook about 30 minutes ago. 

I've sent some texts to friends to let them know (in case they missed the announcement post & link to this blog). I will send an email with the link, and at one point had the blog on my phone... but I know I'll be moving from this g o o g l e owned platform to another host within the next couple weeks, so perhaps will send it out then.

I use Facebook A LOT for sharing/spreading ACAA & the no-longer-active Moxie Singers, and TDH stuff even, and the videos from our quartet, Cheaper Than Therapy still... but there are other ways to share things, which I plan to use.

I need to put together a quartet webpage/site for sharing our videos...

In the meantime, here's us singing An Irish Blessing.

Having decided to no longer be in Sweet Adelines - I wonder if I'm just in a 'cutting out' phase... maybe.

But maybe I'm also in a clearing away the old to make room for the new.

... now just to do it with all the 'stuff' (craft supplies from crafts I don't do any longer, duplicate copies of music, old papers, things I haven't used/seen in years) that is still lingering.

Next...

Unplugging from Facebook for awhile

Today is the first day of Spring... a time to spend outside in the garden, getting dirt under my nails and spending time learning how to garden in the desert. 

This article about the 'Digital Anti-Hate' Group is what was the final straw to remove myself from the stream of crap that is coming at us from all sides, constantly, all the time.

I have been meaning to blog and post more regularly - so for 70 days (starting tomorrow, the second day of Spring), I'll de-activate my Facebook account and attempt to return to regular writing.

There's a lot of great stuff about FB - I bought a book that is 10 years' worth of posts and pictures from my page - it's super cool. I love seeing the good posts and the inspirational posts from a number of hopeful and encouraging Facebook Groups/Organizations that I follow. I have my Real Estate business page and do a lot of sharing and social media management for a few organizations that I'm involved with... but the garbage is really seeping into my psyche, and as Phil 4:8 says (ESV) 

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

So... so long, farewell, aufwiedersehn... ♫

Show Our Smiles - Giving Up Negative Inputs for Lent

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday... I wasn't raised in the Catholic Tradition, but I like the idea of giving up something as a way to remember my Faith, and what Jesus sacrificed for us.

So... for Lent - 6 weeks of penitence before Easter - a sacrifice for 42 days ~ I'm a day late, technically (a topic for another post) but I am giving up sitting in front of the boob tube with my feet up every night. My excuse is often I want to sit with my feet up in the recliner after either being on my feet or sitting with my feet on the floor. Well, we have another recliner in the house (!) and it doesn't have a tv in the room. 

Well, Gee... whatever will I do? Just off the top of my head:

• Read.
• Write Personal Notes.
• Phone my people.
• Pick up my Guitar and get my fingers back in shape.
• Pick up the Ukulele and learn how to really play it.  
• Sing... learn some new songs
  
• Journal.
• Listen to Music.
  *Just the luxury of sitting and relaxing just listening to music makes me a little giddy, to be honest.
• Plan my menu and what new WFPB dish
• Learn more about Aromatherapy and the Chemistry and Science of Essential Oils (they make me feel happy)
• Blog/Write more
• Listen to Encouraging and Inspiring Podcasts
  

Honestly, this has been a 'give up' that I've threatened for years. 

Hmmm.... maybe there's a "List of 40 Things to Do Instead of Watch the Telly" (whether it's streaming or regular) that can be created.

Begin with the End in Mind (Habit 2: Franklin Covey)

"Begin with the End in Mind means to begin each day, task, or project with a clear vision of your desired direction and destination, and then continue by flexing your proactive muscles to make things happen. One of the best ways to incorporate Habit 2 into your life is to develop a Personal Mission Statement."

Right now the Personal Mission Statement is too much to think about... but I CAN

Think...,

Remember...,

Focus (!) on the thought before every decision... 'Will this help me gain HEALTH?' The answer may not be clear-cut ("Should I be President of the Arizona Choral Arts Association?" The answer isn't a black or white answer... will it detract me from health? Mmmmmm....maybe not directly. Will it enhance my health? Perhaps...)

Yes, HEALTH is my 2021 Word. Theme. Thesis. Over-riding motif, if you will.

Physical Health is Priority Numero Uno #1. To regain energy and then to retain it. 

Ten years ago Monday, January 4th, 2011; I started my 100-lb weight loss year with Medifast (now Optavia) meal-replacement program. That year showed me I can do it.

I lost 20-ish pounds this summer over 3 months doing Optavia again, trying to give myself some space as I was developing a new habit of early rising. This past summer showed me I can still do it, but it's different 10 years older.

This year (this lifetime) I'll be following a Whole Food Plant Based No Oil (WFPBNO) WOL (Way of Life) Lifestyle. I'll do 70 days (according to James Clear, author of Atomic Habits; it takes 66 days to create/form a new habit. And some scientific studies have shown that it can take longer; one study showed it took from 19 to 254 days for folks to form a new habit). After 70 days of getting started, I'll plan and schedule a "cheat day" every 6 - 8 weeks. 

It's about Health. Not Rules.

“Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” ~ Michael Pollan

The Folks that have convinced me that Plant Based is the way to go (besides knowing how much better I feel when I stick with plants only...) are here via TedTalks;

Dr. Michael Gregor - How Not to Die, How Not to Diet *his YouTube Channel Nutrition Facts is AWESOME!

Dr. John McDougall - The Starch Solution

Dr. Joel Furhman - Eat to Live, Eat for Health

Dr. Michael Klaper - Vegan Nutrition: Pure and Simple (out of print, apparently)

Dr. Neal Barnard - Your Body in Balance, The Vegan Starter Kit

Dr. Garth Davis (not a TedTalk, but approximately 13 minutes via The Real Truth About Health) - ProteinAholic

Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn - Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease, Forks Over Knives
(documentary where I started)

Dr. T Colin Campbell - The China Study, Forks Over Knives 

Dr. Dean Ornish - Undo It!: How Simple Lifestyle Changes Can Reverse Most Chronic Diseases, The Spectrum: A Scientifically Proven Program to Fell Better, Live Longer, Lose Weight, and Gain Health
*2007 TedTalk in Monterey*

Michael Pollan (Not a TedTalk, a 59 minute presentation via UCTV)  - The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals, In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto

Dr. Dean & Dr. Ayesha Sherzai (not via TedTalk, a 17 minute presentation via The Real Truth About Health) - The Alzheimer's Solution: A Breakthrough Program to Prevent and Reverse the Symptoms of Cognitive Decline at Every Age

Last but not least... Plant Pure Nation (Documentary) - T Colin Campbell with his son Nelson Campbell

So, Drs. Dean & Ayesha's focus on brain health is a very convenient seque:

Mental Health is Priority Number 2. To stay away from energy vampires, lessen contact with those folks who are not 'my people' and to keep putting the "good stuff" in (in my brain and my body). In my real estate coaching program, Mindset, Motivation and Methodology is how it works. I've been "formally" working on Mindset for a year, but really, I've been interested in 'changing your mind' since college-age years.

Spiritual Health is numerically 3, but it really will start and end my day. 20 minutes of prayer, 10 minutes of meditation or praise music in the morning. 10 minutes of gratitude bullet points and 20 minutes of journalling at the end of the day.

Read a book a week is my BIG Personal GOAL of 2021 outside of regaining health. And if I am able to read the book and then blog about that book... THAT would be ahhhh-MAZE-ing! I have 3 drafts of blog posts waiting for some more time and thought to be put into them, and a long-range goal is to be blogging regularly 2 (maybe 3?) times a week. 

I have so many books on Physical Health, Mental Health and Spiritual journeys that this goal supports my "thesis" for 2021.

[1] My first book will be re-reading Brene Brown's "The Gifts of Imperfection" because I'm going to be doing a Bible Study "Worthy in Jesus: Unofficial Study & Discussion guide for The Gifts of Imperfection" by Leah Pritchard with a friend of mine.

[2] My second book will be: "Enlightened Weight Loss" by Linda Evans (I know the author personally and she's a fantastic friend and person!).

[3] My third book will be "Atomic Habits" by James Clear... so many people have said this book has changed their life!

[4] My fourth book will be "Sacred Pathways" by Gary Thomas

[5] My fifth book will be "The Power of Habit" by Charles Duhigg 

[6] My sixth book will be "Minding the Body, Mending the Mind" by Joan Borysenko, Ph.D