Lessons Learned for 2010

Happy New Year!

Like most of you I have spent the last few days reflecting upon the year that has passed and contemplating my game plan for the new year. What have I learned? What should I have done differently? What is it I want to accomplish? Where do I go from here.

I don't enter 2010 with the unabashed enthusiasm of a naive girl. I was once told that "all unhappiness is due to unrealized expectations." Rather than "expect", I look to the moment and take my joy as it is revealed; sometimes ever so slowly. With that said, I can truly say that 2009 was just fine. Oh, I had my financial woes and aches and pains and some disappointments on the job front; but, there were so many "ah ha" moments full of new understandings, new friends, new interests and the comfort of family and old friends. The days passed ever so quickly and as I look back I find many new lessons and many reminders that give me peace in my heart and comfort in my soul.

Here are some of the random thoughts that I take into 2010:

Finances

Get some. Don't spend so much.

Work
As are many Americans, I am in a "forced semi-retirement" stage. While I have been lucky to be able to hold things together and pick up an odd consulting arrangement here and there, I need to rejoin the work force.

One of my lessons learned is that one should find work - to live. For many years, I lived to work. I recall one of the last times I saw my father alive. I had gone back to Florida for a quick weekend to spend with him in his final weeks. When it came time for me to leave, I kissed him on his forehead and told him I had to get back to work. He looked at me sadly and said, "but, you don't love it. It will hurt you if you don't love it." He was so right. It does hurt you unless you find joy, fulfillment and satisfaction.

I have heard people say that we all can't have the luxury of working in a job, occupation or career that we love; choices are limited. I have learned that our choices to find something we love doing is often limited by our need and greed to consume. Less need and greed will set you free to explore other paths less laden with the things. In 2010 I will look to do something I love.

Tolerance

There is "good" tolerance and there is "bad" tolerance. Good tolerance is to recognize others' beliefs, practices, opinions without sharing them. Bad tolerance is to put up with something or someones practices which may not be ethical, moral or generally acceptable behavior.

I'm a strong believer in "agreeing to disagree" when it comes to politics, customs, religious beliefs, education, etc. I am very tolerant; it is free will and free speech (no matter how ill informed I may find it).

We should not sit quietly and tolerate bad behavior and ignorant actions. I am ever so tired of the thinly veiled racial slurs and ethnic jokes. I will not tolerate parents slapping their children in public nor will I sit quietly amidst teenage jeers and bullying of others. What happened to kindness and manners and patience and "doing unto others as you would have them do unto you?"

Friends

Friendship must be nurtured. And like most living things, some require more attention. There are friends that can be left on the window sill for weeks on end and will still greet you with a smile and in full bloom. There are those friendships that sometimes find themselves stagnant and must look beyond themselves to refresh and regenerate. We always find our way back.

I was lucky in 2009 to reconnect with some old friends and cultivate some wonderful new friends. Friendships that I need to tend to in the new year. These friends comfort me, educate me, motivate me, inspire me and make me laugh. These friends of mine are my priority in 2010.

Celebrate

To celebrate: to commemorate with ceremony or festivity. I was reminded in 2009 that one does not need to wait until Christmas or the Fourth of July to celebrate with friends and family. Each day we are given on this earth should be a celebration. Each sunrise and sunset; every "God Bless You' you hear and every "Good Morning" you are given; the smile on a child's face and the warm embrace of a friend; every blossom on the bush and every fresh pot of coffee - all are gifts and reason to celebrate.

So, I begin my celebration of the New Year. Welcome 2010 and I look forward to greeting you each and every day.

Vision in Black

The door opened slowly. He wasn't expecting to see her there; it wasn't her place. His face turned a pinkish hue. She smiled, "I'm glad you're here, I can't get zipped up."

Hugging her pale skin was the blackest of black material. He pulled the zipper up her back, surrounded by the softness of velvet. She stepped back to reveal the full picture. "How do I look?"

The black velvet drew up around her neck in a proper way. But how it caressed her upper body was not so proper. The sleeves were long on her slender arms and came to a point just atop her hands; revealing her long, ring-adorned fingers.

At her hips, the velvet gave way to yards of black lace, swaying gently atop a slip of black silk. As she walked, the lace skirt skimmed above the floor. Her toe nails were ablaze in the reddest of red polish. Black straps of velvet cris-crossed her white feet that stood upon a three inch heel. She spun around to reveal herself in a full length mirror.

Above her left breast, she wore a cluster of rhinestones. She adjusted the direction of the broach and touched the matching chandelier earrings. In the process she moved the net veiling from her eyes to re-touch her make-up. The net fell just below her eyes barely touching her nose. With her blond hair swept up, atop her head was a small triangular hat adorned with rhinestones. It sat almost magically in mid-air while a few stray curls dropped along her face and the nape of her neck.

He swallowed and took a deep breath. She handed him the documents he had come to pick up. She reached for her purse and keys and they left the house together. Tonight would not be their night together; but, the opportunity would come again.

I loved that dress.

Welcome!

Welcome to my random thoughts. You will note 18 postings for today. These random thoughts are the accumulation of writings over the last month. This is my attempt at self-discipline and the plan is to write something each day.

Your comments are welcome. Bear in mind that I am who I am, write what I feel and will respect your disagreement. I do not plan to become too political. My posts are a matter of taste, not judgement. I am open to looking at issues from a different perspective, so please do feel free to let me know what you think.

I am looking forward to broadening my mind, your's and in the process have some fun and share some stories.

Have a great day and I'll chat with you tomorrow.