Dec 10, 2011 |
I absolutely love this phrase. I can’t, however, say or even think it without thinking of the Twilight Zone episode of the same name: a great episode, one of its most famous ones. You know how the Twilight Zone is. So even if you haven’t seen the episode, you pretty much already know how it turns out.
[Spoiler Alert!!!… don’t read this post if you don’t want to know how this 51 year old show turned out…]
So this woman undergoes drastic, I mean, drastic, cosmetic surgery. Her entire face needs to be transformed in order for her to fit into society. Otherwise, she’s going to be sent off to a place I can only relate to as a Leper’s Island: that locale where everyone is self sufficient, individual… and kept away from the world because they are so ugly they will never survive. If this episode was about the animal kingdom, it would prob’ly be titled “Eat or Be Eaten”. In the end, the woman’s bandages are removed and we see her face. Her face that won’t conform to the standards of the world. Her hideously beautiful face. Because its all the other faces that we consider ugly; but that’s what her society is: ugly. At least, to us. Their contorted faces and pushed-up noses and skin folds and… well, like I said: ugly.
Anyway. I digress. I do that a lot lately. Can you blame me? I have a lot on my mind… but anyway…
It got me thinking. And you got me thinking. You, my readers. My mom. My friends. For me being a Doll who likes stability, I also like to change things up now and then. So a few days ago when I asked how I should make the Blog more readable, I was overwhelmed with the collective “NNOOOO!!!”‘ ‘s that I received. Apparently, I’ve found a formula that works better than I knew it did, better than I thought it would.
Although Dani requests more recipes and Mary wants to be my taste-tester. Easily worked out, ladies. Easily. (*insert winky face icon [and passport] here*)
And in my discussions with several readers and fellow bloggers, I’ve come to realize that I need to leave well enough alone. That I’m doing well, headed for better things. That I needn’t change everything all the time. That it’s okay to just be still.
Hear that?
It’s okay to just be still.
It really is.
It’s totally okay for me to just sit back and enjoy it as it is. Whatever it is. A quiet morning doesn’t have to be interrupted by internet. And working on the Blog doesn’t have to mean changing it. A cup of coffee doesn’t have to energize me. It just has to taste good.
As a society, we’re so brainwashed into more-more-more, faster-better-stronger… it takes my breath away just thinking it. You can’t even say those words without feeling a rush. Always striving for better. But what if “better” isn’t striving? What if “better” is slowing down and seeing and saying “It’s good. Just the way it is.”
I don’t always have to fix things, change things, create things. I get so busy doing that I forget to stop doing. I get so focused on the end result that I don’t see the present.
Present. That’s an interesting word. In this current holiday season, it means more than just the time at hand. It means, Gift. Token. It also means a special talent.
The present I’ve already received from You is your gift of readership, of support, comments, forwards, likes, and discussions. The gift of being accepted just for doing what I’m supposed to do: write it out. No matter what. So I won’t be changing my blog any time soon. I’ll concentrate more on the recipes and creative writings, but won’t be making any major changes.
And in return, I give you this Present: Today. Always plan for tomorrow, but don’t forget to see Today. The good, the bad, the ugly. What stresses you today makes you stronger for tomorrow. The big losses are opportunities to feel anything. And when some people keep themselves so bottled up, feeling anything is really quite something. The little triumphs has the Universe cheering in your corner. Today. It’s exceptionally beautiful… you need only to behold it.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Dec 9, 2011 |
One of my favorite Christmas movies is “White Christmas”. One of my favorite songs from that movie is “Count Your Blessings”. I also like the old Ray Conniff Singers version. It’s a good reminder to take a look around and see what you already have, and see that it’s good.
With the car repairs, the unemployment, and even just the busyness of the season, I sometimes forget to slow down and appreciate what I already have.
I’m thankful for songs such as these that remind me to open my eyes, pay attention.
We all have different things that we’re thankful for. That’s the beauty of it. Because if we were all the same, what we have/do/are wouldn’t be special to anyone. One of my friends posted this great reminder on Facebook today:
“Always remember you are unique just like everyone else!”
I’m a glass-half-full kinda Gal. I like finding the Good Things in life, and sharing them with others. I have a motto. When people ask me how things are going, I often say, “Could be better. Could be a whole lot worse.” And I mean that.
Things could always be better. I’d like to be debt free. Have a bigger kitchen. Not be single. I’d like to develop more talent like painting and knitting. I’d like to have enough money to finish designing and landscaping my yards.
But things could always be worse. I could be an invalid. I could be fighting with my family. I could be homeless. I could be in more debt than I am.
So I’m okay with being who I am, where I am. As long as I’m striving to make things better, and not stagnant in the mud of life, things are good. And they are getting better. Little by little.
Friendships are one of the best blessings; second only to God and family. Friends are the ones who get you through the rough times, laugh with you, come over for coffee and stay up late til the cell phone battery dies from talking too much. Friends watch the same TV Shows to see what it’s all about. Friends root for your sports team. Friends are the ones who mail you cookies just because. Friends let you cry like an idiot and dance in the streets. Friends let you attract attention even when they’re usually shy. Friends are amazing. And each one is different.
Just like you.
And I’m okay with you being who you are: unique. There’s no one just like you. There’s no one with your family, your place in life, your sense of humor, your looks, your income, your talents, your offerings. You bring a uniqueness to your friendships. You bring a special quality to whatever task you do.
So when you think you’re not special, or you have nothing to offer, remember this:
You are unique. And I count on you.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Dec 8, 2011 |
I’ve been around the Blogging World for a while now. I’ve met some great new blog-friends (Andrea, Jenn, Ariel, to name just a few). And through my tours of other blogs, I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. I pay attention to what attracts me and what doesn’t.
And I’ve come to a better appreciation of my blog. It’s not odd at all to think of it like a child or a job or both. This Blog is my Baby; growing, finding its way in the world. Making mistakes, gaining strength.
And every so often, realizing what we’ve already subconsciously known.
My Blog can be broken down to what I call the Four F’s: Faith, Family, Food, and Fun. And those are the four main factors I look for on other blogs. Granted, under each category are sub-categories: How God works in our lives, familial anecdotes, recipes, writings, party planning, daily life…
So you can see how even fine-tuning my Blog to the Four F’s isn’t really as simple as that.
But I’m grateful that I have the flowchart. So in the coming weeks, I’m going to fine tune the presentation. My blog will be easier to navigate (I hope!), and easier to look at.
Now this is where you come in: I’m looking for feedback. What do you want to see? What can I do without? What are your ideas, suggestions, thoughts on my Blog, and how can I make it better for you? Visually? Readability? Blog post ideas? Categories? I recently made some changes. Do you like them? Is it easier or harder now to leave comments?
I look forward to hearing from you. Let’s get ready to start 2012 with a Better Blog. Whadya say? Wanna help? I hope so.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
