Books from around the world

I love reading books where I learn a thing or two - but there has to be a good story line. A great example is The Kite Runner. I came across this blog and it has some great ideas.
Book club anyone?

Book Around the World http://bookaroundtheworld.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-join-this-challenge.html

Manhattan's All You Can Eat Sushi Restaurants

NYC's All You Can Eat Sushi restaurants (updated daily)

http://allyoucaneatsushi.blogspot.com/

Go into the sunshine and be happy with what you see!

How the heck do we find meaning in each day?

I do not know everything, but I do know that worrying about this will interfere with your fun. There are 2 perspectives to consider: 1. the day to day 2. the long run

The Day to Day

This is where you just remember to breathe and go with the flow. You have made decisions that brought you to this very moment, enjoy it and try to focus on the positives. Now you do have to trust... But you have had your trust violated before? The lesson in that isn't learning not to trust and shut yourself down, it's to remind you of what you want and that you need to be aware of the next steps. Set a time aside each day, that you can look forward to. Think about how you can go about moving in the right direction. Consider all the events that have led you to now and remember the only one that controls you is you!

The Long Run

I can't say this loud enough...MAKE AN ACTION PLAN! It took me so long to buy a planner. I still have trouble committing to it on the daily and I am always adding new activities. Some days I want to be an actress, other days I want to be a photographer. I am always doing 3 things at once. Oh yeah, it's fun, but I get real off track. If I didn't have milestones, monthly and yearly...I just might find myself floating away into the abyss of opportunity! Why not march there?!

Are you thinking TOO MUCH about your relationship?

SO, what's on your mind?
How much time do you spend thinking about your relationship? Well, since you may read this before you have a chance to tell me, I think I may have a good guess. TOO MUCH.

Of course your lover boy will be part of your daily life..but the new (post drama) lesson I learned is the less you worry about it, the better it is. Focus on what you think is important in your life and go for it (career, hobby, etc). Discuss your busy week with your signif. other before you spend time worrying. Set quality time aside to really be with each other and pay attention to each other. I am not saying stop the spontaneity, I am saying you will both be more inclined to surprise each other without the rough waters. Don't let unnecessary relationship worries clog your open mind. If you are wondering what you need to be able to harvest your growing relationship...see my recent blog on Forever Relationship Ingredients.

Dating Tales

This relationship stuff gets pretty heavy...So, don't just depend on him or her to remind you of what life is all about...click here to read some hilarious stories and tell your own!!

Forever Relationship Ingredients

It is good to define ideas of how you want your healthy forever relationship to be. Please don't be like me and find the lesson buried in the whirlwind's aftermath. It doesn't have to be that tough if you know what you want.

Being in love-A powerful multidimensional connection that brings 2 people to a shared understanding, open vulnerability, willingness to compromise, while encouraging exploration and growth. A Shared emotional abundance that makes everything in life more meaningful and fulfilling.

Openness-Sharing individual natures and daily activities.

Trust-Allowing each person to do anything they desire within threshold of each others' feelings...Not needing continuous explanation.

Playfulness-Having fun and reminding each other of the meaning of life.

Independence-Space to be oneself.

Understanding-The fortitude to meet the needs of others, even if sometimes different from yours, without excusing your own needs. Try to look through the other person's window before deciding to be upset.

Affection-Intimacy, touching, flirting, attention and love passing between each other.

Effort-Reciprocated energy between 2 people that confirms interest in each other.

SUMMARY: All of these ingredients will contribute to a long healthy relationship. The amounts may totter about but will come to a balance provided the players both have similar fundamental goals.

Steps to Moving Out and On with Your Life

Make The Decision

You have been thinking about moving for how long?? It is time to empty out that hope chest and start making things happen. Obviously this is a process that can take awhile, but keep in mind there are steps to making that process easier...

We all have trouble making decisions sometimes, I sure have been through it, but enough already. While hovering over staying or going, I learned the secret is doing 3 don'ts: don't do something to prove myself to others, don't hold on to someone I lost, don't make decisions out of the need to feel significant (this one I picked up at a Tony Robbin's Unleash the Power Within seminar). Many of us are very unaware that we have one or more of those components holding us back, so becoming aware of them is the first step. Please share how you overcame yours!

Do something, if not everything, because it makes YOU feel good. Once you decide to make the move, stick with it. Look at this as a time in your life to simplify and get in touch with your nucleus. What is in your heart? Who are you and who do you want to grow into? Watch how easy it is to make decisions once you dig through the excess elements.


Pack

Once you have answered all of the the difficult questions...there are a few more:) OK, OK...stop with the stress. This is a GOOD thing.

So, you are looking at your closet and thinking you don't know what graduates to the next level of life. Set a goal to take 4 or 5 boxes of clothes total. Remember how much time you wasted staring at your clothes deciding what to wear? I am sure it has a little to do with CLUTTER, but mostly because half that stuff isn't really you at all. Oh yeah, maybe you'll wear this shirt to a Halloween party or maybe that pair of shoes will come back in style.NONONONO!

I think Oprah once said if you haven't worn it in 6 months (and you don't have as much closet space as she does) get rid of it. Turn this into a positive opportunity to really define you. Have a close friend by your side, or journal about your experience.


Let Go

Yes, I see the tears. It is tough, but you need to keep on living and making decisions that are best for you.

The most difficult things to subtract are the objects that you have some sort of emotional attachment to. (This part is really important so really be open minded here.) If you lost someone close to you, and you still have some of his or her clothes, it is time to let them go on. This is key on many levels: spiritual, physical, emotional. Stop confusing yourself! It absolutely does not mean you are abandoning them. Remember them as they are, don't try to be them to keep their spirit alive, share the messages they taught you with others.

You're perfect the way you truly are. Keep the items that you want to define yourself with. How do you envision yourself down the road? What items correspond with your goals? Just remember, even if you give away something, and you find out later you could have used it, that is OK.


Go

This is it.

You have a couple boxes of clothes. Maybe some furniture. Some photos. Music. And most importantly, your memories. It is time to take the next step to discover what you can do! Every little thing that guided you to this moment is important. Think of it this way, just because you aren't able to hold it, doesn't mean it isn't there or that you can't feel it. Be intrinsically complete because you never know what is just around the corner. Keep a couple special things...

For additional support, I recommend Beliefnet: Inspiration, Spirituality, Faith at http://www.beliefnet.com/.