NOT a resolution. A Year in Review...

As long as I post this on December 31, 2013, retrying my blog does not count as a New Year's Resolution.  I've never liked or made resolutions and 2014 does not seem like the right time to start.

I am still on the quest to better myself.  It's a long journey, however, I believe I have grown a bit.

I am a follower of The Daily Love and one of their contributors is Christine Hassler.  She posted an idea of doing "A Year in Review."  I think this is a great way to cap of 2013 and start 2014.  Find her article here.

January
I have to pull up my calendar just to get a glimpse of January because it was felt so far away.  Let's see, in January I was still trying to market my business as a Sign Language Interpreting Agency and hating every minute of it.  However, I was doing a lot of subcontract work and I remember thinking how lucky I was to have the opportunity to work in the settings I was.  Not too bad. OH, we re-financed the house to a wonderfully low interest rate!

February
My husband turned....26.  We didn't do much, because he's not a big celebration kind of guy.  I continued to do a lot of ongoing work as a subcontractor, but I am starting to feel disillusioned about really doing my business in this market.  However, I did my first workshop.  No one pre-registered, but 8 people showed up.  I really started to think I could do something different with my business...

March
Really more of the same.  I remember being a bit dejected about marketing my business and deciding to change what I was doing.  I started looking at what I could do to turn my ship around and add some more light into my life.  I also did my second workshop, I doubled my participants.  Exciting!

April
I started this blog.  It started sort of strong, I felt motivated and excited.  It felt like I was really changing my life (I was) and reading some great stuff.  I went to the state Interpreter Conference.  It was a blast!

May
This is when I realized that no one was really reading my blog, that the 'traffic' was from hoaky sites.  I decided to trudge on, I didn't trudge very far...  It's around this time that I think I really got that emotions and feelings stem from 2 places - fear and love.  I didn't get a lot of work as a subcontractor, thus I spent a lot of time living out of fear.  We also hit the 2 year mark of being homeowners.

June
Work picked back up and so did my social calendar.  I also had my trip home to look forward to in July.  I remember feeling like I was digging out of 'fear' and moving towards love.

July
I spent most of this month in bliss.  My 2 year anniversary with my beautiful husband.  I went home for 2 weeks and visited my family and friends.  My husband came home for the first time in 5 years, we had a great time!  Then, my parents came to my home for a week!  It was amazing!  I worked on my home with my Mom and Dad.  We accomplished so much and I can't even describe what it means to have the love of my parents worked into my home.  YAY JULY!

August
I got a new interpreting gig.  I had been going after this gig for a bit.  I knew that it would do great things for my skills.  I also, through this gig, have continuing education opportunities.  My subcontracting gigs pick up again.  It's also hot.... really hot!

September
I am in the rhythm of both gigs, adding in social things to help balance me out. I am still reading self discovery books.

October
A good friend is created in Theresa Powers.  By listening to her dreams I decide to to challenge her.  I am terrified that I have offended her, however, I am able to help her start the process of creating her dreams.  It is fascinating, fascinating in ways I can't even describe.  It's so much fun watching her be the success she deserves.

November
It's my birthday.  I love my birthday!!  I got a "Thank You Mood!" shirt and the complete hardbound collector's edition of "Calvin & Hobbes."  Needless to say, it was great!  I also did a lot of traveling.  I got to go for a week long training and to Las Vegas for the first time.  I watched my husband give his mother away in a beautiful ceremony.  It was great.

December
Looking back on the year, I have had struggles with life.  However, I think the year was great.  I did a third workshop and worked with Theresa and she has helped me to plan out and make a shift in myself.  I did a vision board workshop and realized that my goal in life, at this time, is to Facilitate Growth.   There are financial aspects to this, but I realized at the end of the month, I have already done what I wanted.  I facilitate growth in my workshops and I bet I am already making my hourly goal with how my work unfolds.  Pretty amazing.

So, that's my year.  2014 looks really great.

I am excited!

Night Shift

I never, not once, had the desire to live by myself.  Lots of people in my life do and it impresses the hell out of me.  Like, A LOT.

That being said, when my husband got a job that he loves and it requires both night and day rotations I encouraged him to be take the job.  Of course, initially it didn't cross my mind that it would mean that with 12 hour shifts and working nights, I would be spending hours alone, at night, in my home.  Once that realization hit me (like a ton of bricks by the way), I was less than pleased.

I live in a small-ish town, that is super safe. I am sure that most of my neighbors still don't lock their doors.  I live in a upper-middle class neighborhood.  I really have nothing to worry about.

However, the first several night rotations kept me up and/or struggling with nightmares, purchasing a gun for home protection, and in general being a bit jumpy and cranky.

This time around I took a different approach.  Gratitude and mantras.  I started with the mantra "I am safe." I fell asleep repeating it and slept like a rock.  I tried it again the second night and slept through the night.  The third night, I still slept, but I woke up scared and did something different.  I made myself wake up fully.  Then I started over, instead of falling back to sleep immediately.  I did this for a few days and it seemed to work.

The second week of nights, I started listing off what I was grateful for as I fell asleep, a few of the things I listed were my safety, the safety of my husband, and the safety of friends and family.  I was able to sleep, much to my relief and my husband's.

It has worked.  I don't think I sleep as hard when my husband isn't around, but I think it's pretty neat.  I should have thought of it sooner.  I know for a fact that listing what I am grateful for makes me see the world a little brighter, makes the day a little nicer.  It follows that it would make my nights more pleasant.

I think if we ever have kids, instead of night time prayers like most kids are taught, I should teach my kids to be grateful.

Hobbies

In an effort to de-clutter my brain, I told a good friend my woes of riding the Crazy Train from last post.

She laughed at me and said I needed a hobby. I agree, that's why I have a whole room full of hobbies, it is called my craft room. As of late, it is a crap-catch-all room. I have boxes full of unfinished projects. BOXES!!

I really need to clean up in there and get into some of those projects. I normally start a project and then find myself bored or, more likely, overly worried about the outcome. And then BAM, I'm sitting in the living room with my pacifier, also known as the TV.  I know that's silly, but that's kinda the reality.

I'm considering going all out house wife. I generally fight the typical male/female roles in the home because, well to be honest, because I don't want to appear weak. Again, silly, I know.  Maybe that will help slow the crazy train down...?

I know cleaning house isn't a hobby, but it sure would be nice to live in a clean home. Our house isn't dirty, it is just lived in looking.  Plus, there's always dishes in the sink.  And as of this morning, I am out of coffee mugs.

Plus, the garden will be done soon, so that will be another hobby-ish activity in my life.

Maybe I'll get some house plants....

Crazy Train

When you feel like someone is hiding something from you, how are you supposed to handle that? It doesn't really matter what they do, it just feeds into your... Mistrust? Judgments? Misgiving? Frustration.

They (those really smart people) say "you see what you are inside reflected back to you in others." So, how does that really play out? Does it mean I am hiding something? Does it mean I am untrustworthy? Paranoid?
Tonight I just couldn't let it go. I couldn't, I tried. Then, it all bubbled up. "I'm not sure I trust you. I don't think you're sorry, etc."

Back story to the bubbling up moment:
My husband went out with buddies two nights ago. I was going to pick him up afterwards. Well, my phone wouldn't work and I couldn't reach him to see if he was ready to be picked up. So, I left to go pick him up at the bar estimating I would get there right at closing. Except, he wasn't at the bar. He was at his friend's house. I know this man and his wife, vaguely. I don't know where they live. No clue.

Now, I'm upset because I was sure he knew that be was going to end up at their place and didn't think enough of me to let me know. Plus, had I shown up at the bar and he wasn't there, I would have lost it. I finally got through to him, 5 min before I got to the bar. He had tried calling several times (ditto on my end), but couldn't get through. Those calls started once he'd been at his friend's house for over an hour.

Two days later I'm still miffed, but he's perky and tells me that they pre-gamed at this friend's house and that his wife drove them to the bar and then picked them up. Which infuriated me. Why would they call her to pick them up, if I.was.supposed.to?

So, I tell my husband I've got some trust issues around that. He doesn't like it or understand where I'm coming from. After some more "discussion" he says I'm treating him like a child, which I was and he doesn't like or need that kind if babysitting. We rarely drink apart, so I can only assume he acts the same way in every drunk situation, which can be very childish and always overly amorous.

So, then it hits me. I'm upset that I didn't get the attention I normally due from drunk husband. That coupled with a few recent fights is what sent me over the edge.

I have my minor epiphany, but now he's mad. So, I've ruined both of our nights because I can't seem to figure this all out internally, so I sound like a nut job.

Now, I'm over it, he's not and I can't seem to shake the feeling that I'm kidding myself with this whole journey to being a better person. It's seriously starting to feel painful.

On the whole my life is much more even then it has been in the last ten or so. That sounds really nice until you realize that it makes the valleys seem more extreme. I also feel like I'm missing the peaks. It makes me wonder if a tumultuous unaware state isn't more pleasant.

Ignorance is bliss?!

I'm frustrated that I know I fight less with my husband. I mean, we used to be volatile, not physically, but loud and mean. Not so much anymore. Especially when I decided to stop screaming about a year ago. I don't scream anymore, but I occasionally yell, but it is generally short lived. I also used to be waaaaaaaay more sarcastic. I now make a conscious effort to not be sarcastic and make sure I follow up statements that could be said sarcastically with, "I'm not being sarcastic."

I also heard on NPR, that research has shown that our brains become addicted to extreme feelings. That when we don't experience them, our brain will help create experiences that elicit those feelings. That's why teenagers are addicted to drama. And why apparently people like me are too....

Then, tonight, I didn't intend to fight (honestly, not my conscious intent), but we did. Not much of a fight really, but I felt so much better after I got mad.

I.sound.so.crazy, like I needed a hit off those old bad habits. I can feel myself wanting to be mad at him, but my brain is not keen on the idea, but damn if it doesn't feel good to be irritated and smug. Total crazy train.
I used to walk around unaware that was what I wanted or felt, just as surprised when I blew up as he was. How to break from that cycle? Apparently, awareness and a little effort aren't enough.

On top of it, I just want to blame my husband, get mad and be a crazy person for a few days. At least before I wouldn't have know it was coming, instead of trying to plan the crazy outburst at the most convenient time.
Guh, being an adult is hard and convoluted, as this post clearly demonstrates!

Another wave of fear...

"I am currently seeking government contracts."

This search was mostly in theory, making me feel good, like I was actually doing something worthwhile.....  Truth is, I haven't been doing much.  That is until now.  Now, I am in earnest drafting bids for government contracting and I am nearly immobilized by fear.

"Fear of what?"  I hear you ask.....

"I haven't a clue" is the simple answer.  "I am afraid of looking silly and failing" is the more complete and honest answer.

In reality I know that no one outside of me cares if I look silly.  Some nameless person will look at it, decide if it's what they want, and that is that.  It is done.  Supposedly, I will even get a call and they will tell me why I did not get the contract and how to make my next contract bid better.

In an effort to get over this fear I am going to do something I have heard a lot of guru's talk about:

Imagine the worst.

• The worst possible thing that could happen is that I could be black listed from all government contracts.
• This isn't actually that bad.  I have never had one, therefore, losing that as an opportunity is not going to negatively effect me currently.  It is a lose of potential income, not real income.
• I could lose the subcontractor position I currently have with a company I think is doing the government contracting in my area.
• I have no way of knowing this.  I know the company I am currently subcontracting through used to win these bids, but I am unable to find proof that the company is currently winning them.  
• If I were to lose my subcontracting position, well that would really suck.  Plain and simple.  However, I know of several companies looking for more subcontractors.  It's actually very odd that I only work for one company.  Most other people in my field subcontract with 3 or more companies.  
• This would force me to subcontract with other companies, expanding my horizons, and force me to work a little more diligently in getting my own contracts.
• I could not get the contract and everyone would find out what a loser I am.
• Most people don't care.  I have already crossed this bridge with bad internship experiences.  I still came out of it alive and learned way more than I ever imagined.  Plus, I still have friends, in and out of the field.
• I could win the contract and be unable to fill it.
• That's highly unlikely.  The contract is for a large facility with what seems like one consumer who would utilize my services.  Plus, they are looking to subcontract several companies to avoid this very problem. If I couldn't find someone to fill in, I could do it.  I could do this even if it meant calling into my current subcontracting company.  The company has a large pool and I could be easily replaced.  The likelihood of not being able to fill a job is minuscule.
• I am in direct competition with other companies and that makes me nervous.
• The reason it makes me nervous is because of the atmosphere other companies have created.  The companies hide behind their confidentiality agreements and have created a fierce atmosphere of competition that is wholly unnecessary.  There is more than enough work to go around, period.  That's something that I hate about my field.  It should be a collaboration and one of my goals is to improve my field by creating a collaborative base for all of us to pull from.  By being nervous I am perpetuating the thing and stereotype found in my field that I can not stand.  Being nervous makes me part of the problem, not the solution. Now that is silly!
• I am a huge success.
• Everyone profits from this.  I get to spread higher standards, employ my friends, make some money for myself, and create an environment I am proud of! 

That's everything I can think of and really, it isn't as bad as I thought (obviously).

I guess that means I can move ahead, without much fear.  Then, if it hits me again I can re-read this post.

I really need to do this more often.  Writing it all out really helped clear my head.  I think this should be a new habit for me.

Have you tried this technique yet?!

Get What You Pay For

In an effort to increase revenue for my job, I created a free website.

I just got back from an amazingly informative meeting where I learned that my website is not good, at all, AND that it is hosted on a pretty nasty server full of unmentionable sites.  Which means that, to Google, I am affiliated with such filth.

Moral of the story, free is not always worth it.

As much as I dislike rough experiences, I have learned to love them.  I have learned so much today that it's kind of crazy.  I would not have learned such valuable information if it weren't for my own snafu.

I know a year ago this would have sent me into a tail spin of frustration.  I'm barely heading that off as we speak, but I find myself doing deep breathes and trying to see what I can do to fix the situation.

That's right, I am looking for solutions.  Looking for solutions, instead of complaining about my problems is a new habit of sorts.

That's what's happening today.  Tomorrow will be filled with solution seeking for my website, what more could a girl ask for?

So, for now, the website I created looks pretty but is foreign to Google.  A site under construction is better than no site at all, right?!

Perspective

Accidents have a way of putting the world and your own problems into perspective.

My cousin was in a car accident and while eventually she will be ok, it is still scary. A broken collar home, broken sternum (not sure I spelled that right), torn spleen, punctured lung, and internal bleeding. Her husband was driving and was T-bones, suffering from a neck injury. At first they thought he'd broken his neck.

Luckily their baby was with someone else. It was a freak accident. Some older woman blew through stop sign.

Stop signs have freaked me out twice thus far this morning.

Immediately, it puts your mind on edge, sending prayers and good vibes into the universe for them.  You're grateful they're alive, that the baby wasn't in the car. It could have been worse, her husband could be paralyzed.

Then, sure as the sunrise, morning comes and I'm overcome with my own concerns. I know that's a basic human response, but it sucks that I can be so self centered.

So, how does one keep that feeling of outward hope and awareness. Is it as simple as reminding yourself that this beautiful morning is a blessing?

Let's hope so.

Self Care

I feel silly, but I am debating on whether or not to take a summer college course for fun.  Not a serious, Philosophy and the Northern Gnat Fly or anything.  Maybe a ceramics or art class.  A photography course would be neat - I love to scrapbook, but I never have enough photos!

Here's the dilemma  if I take a course, even if it's not for credit I would be giving up the opportunity to pick up freelance jobs. Plus, I know I will be out and about for most of July, so it seems irresponsible to be gone for so much of the course.

However, other than the copious amounts of tv I watch, I rarely do something long term for myself.  Plus, I've never taken a class for non-credit.  The money (less than $100) is a non-issue because I feel like the enjoyment I get from it would make up for it, but the opportunity cost for other work is high.  The classes are in the middle of the day.

I should go and talk to the professor and my husband, get their input.

I think I might see if I can take it as an observation, then I can play without being a hindrance to the teacher..... I guess I want to do this more than I realized.

Self care is one of those things that everyone harps on in my field, but no one ever does.  It's one of the reasons I try and read for pleasure, just to distance myself from my work.  I wonder what others do to take care of themselves....

Practice Love

I was listening to an audio book today and the phrase "practice love" leapt out at me.

I've heard this before. Many times!  I try vaguely to implement this philosophy in my life but, today, I think it might have clicked.

Now, I decided a long time ago that I wasn't going to hate anyone, anymore.  I was probably 16 at the time. Why expend that kind of energy on someone that you can't stand?  It makes no sense.  Today I realized that,  while I am successful in not hating a person, I continue to hate that persons actions or what I perceive their transgressions against me to be.

In other words, I don't hate Bobette, I hate the fact that I feel like s/he abandoned me and didn't help me in the way I wanted.  That jerk!  There are two people in my life that fall into this category.  One more than the other.  I have thought that I didn't care, but recently I realized that I am harboring some pretty strong emotions that are limiting me.

These limitations are now so strong, I can not ignore them.  These feelings, which are like poison, have managed to manifest themselves in my life and make me sick!!  I am considering not living up to my potential for fear of dealing with these people.  How crazy is that?!  All the while I know, at the core of my being, that these people did all that they knew how to do.  Without those situations, I could not be in this moment right now.  And my moments, my present state, is pretty awesome.

So, while driving and having my minor epiphany I told them that I love them.  It's pretty freeing.  The farther I am from that moment, the less exhilarating it feels to love someone, despite their actions, but it is still there.

"I love you Bobette.  I wish you all the best.  I love you."

Letting go is not the easiest trick in the book, but I think it might be one of the most worthwhile.

How's that for a Wednesday morning?

No direction leads to more of the same

I am a strong believer in "what you think about, you bring about."

Basically, the more you think about something, the more it shows itself in your life.

In my life that means, for the last... oh I don't know.... six months, I have felt lost.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my life, I love what I do and the fact that I can watch as much TV as I want is pretty spectacular.

However, the more I thought about not knowing what to do has lead to more feelings of the same.  I decided to read more on the law of attraction/love, positive thinking, meditation, etc.  All the stuff you're supposed to do and care about as an enlightened person.  It's fun, I enjoy my library and the fact that Colorado is a pretty hip place with a wide selection of "positive books" as I call them.  I still feel/felt lost, if not much happier to be in such a lost place.  The audio books I have listened to have turned my drive time, which I have a lot of, into times of reflection and learning.  It's awesome, you should try it.

What do you do with all this knowledge?  I thought about writing a book about the books I've read.  A book about books sounds pretty cool to me, but I'm so easily distracted.  My 'book'  has about 5 pages and 16 chapters with nothing but rambling on a word doc on my desktop.  I even borrowed a book on writing books from the Library.  It wasn't bad, but it didn't capture my attention, which was both ironic and kind of sad.

So, I decided my new dream was to be successful enough to move my family so that they are closer to me so that way I can start my own family.  How does one do that exactly?  Become more successful?  Do you peddle ideas like mine (Habit Stones), do you write a book, do you play the stock market, buy homes and become a landlord, play the lottery???  I know for a fact working some job you hate wont get you there, because I did that for a short period of time and hated everything, ever.  Can you think it into being?

I've read a lot that says you can in fact think it into being.  "It" being success and wealth and such.  Which leads me back to clearing up the mind clutter I got going on.  Any thoughts or tips blog-o-sphere world and/or universe?!  I'm pretty sure it doesn't get fixed by watching more tv... folding laundry might help (as the dryer alarm goes off....again).

Maybe it is as simple as deciding that you/I have direction. Hmmm, "I have direction."  Just saying it in my head made me smile.  Maybe that's what I will try next.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Fear of Success

Anyone out there scared of success?

I know I am.  I spent an hour trying to come up with something to write about.  I decided a blog might be good to help direct people to this idea I had - habitstones.com.  A shameless plug, I know, but I think it's a cool idea and it doesn't cost me or you anything if you go....  It's not like I even have a following on, let's see, .... Monday, April 22, 2013 at 7:52 MST.

Anyway, back to this whole fear of success conundrum.  I'm not 100% sure where this fear comes from.  I guess that's not entirely true.  I am a middle class white female.  I have a comfortable life.  Short the 2.5 kids, I have everything I need - food, shelter, transportation, love, and (for the most part) mental stability.  My resources are even kind of nice. I love my home, my car is in great shape, I eat whatever I want (yay food), I am 50% of a healthy marriage, and I only go crazy a few days out of the month.

That being said, why mess with a great situation... When you read a lot of 'positive books'  (Positive Books Blog Post), for me at least, it brings about a lot of gratitude for my current situation.  Like I said, my resources are nice.  Positive books also urge you to do better, go for the dream.  Which, is really nice in theory.  But, it's damn scary.  What if I leave this life and it doesn't work out, what if it does?!?!!?  Eeeek!

One of the things that positive books make you contemplate is your dream, where you want to be in a year, five years, ten.... and honestly, what I envision is sitting on my parents back porch.  I don't think there's anything wrong with that, but it's not exactly grand.  If my parents didn't live 1500 miles away I would have that dream already.  If they lived 5 miles away, that probably wouldn't be a dream anymore....

Beyond the back porch dream, I think what I would like next is more experiences.  Traveling seems like an easy way to gain more experiences, but I would like to travel with my family and husband.  Maybe move my family closer to me.... hmm, that seems like a decent idea, a solid dream.

So, I have success that means I get my family, which would lead me to feel more comfortable starting my own little family.  I think that sounds like a plan.

Not too shabby.

Positive Books

I use the phrase "positive books" to refer to a section in the library that starts with 158 (apparently that's applied psychology according to Mr. Dewy).  They include things written by Joe Vitale, Bob Proctor, Rhonda Byrne, Dr. Wayne Dyer, etc.  The list is near endless and it's less self-help and more - "be positive and get your poop in a group."

I like this kind of reading material because it just makes sense to me.  What you think about, you bring about.  So, why not think about things that are good, positive, and worthy of your time and energy?!  Ah, because changing your inner dialogue takes constant monitoring, because that inner dialogue has probably gone on unchecked for decades...

Alright, so knowing this, I started working on meditation.  That ... was not easy for me.  Still isn't.  Clearing my mind is like trying to... I don't know, get somewhere in a hurry.  The more you hurry, the slower you go.  It's amazing what I catch myself thinking sometimes.  And not that I am a negative person, I don't feel I am.  I simply say negative things as if they are fact. For instance, I catch myself saying "I'm not good at this/that" all the freakin' time!!  And I say that out-loud to people who don't know if I am or not and they accept it as if it is fact as well.  Most of the time, it's not that I am bad at something, I've never even tried doing it.  Knowing that it will be challenging causes me to blurt out that I am bad at it. What a waste!!!  It creates a new kind of laziness that I have settled into quit nicely.

So, new challenge - think "I can."

I'm going to try and do it all day.  I think one day will be easier than two days.  I have already made my bed, some coffee, gotten dressed - on a Sunday that's pretty awesome - and started my laundry.  I already plan to clean my kitchen and do some prep cooking.  Maybe even write another blog post.

All because positive books have told me to think... better.  Not too shabby.

Habit Stones

After much reading, I stumbled across Charles Duhigg's book The Power of Habit: why we do what we do in life and business.  This book fascinated me, who knew that most things in life are just habits....that are created without our knowledge?

I already know I am a visual person, if I don't see it... it doesn't exist in my world.  That's why my toothbrush and hairbrush sit out on the counter, so I can see them and say, "Gee, I should do that!"  I started kicking around ideas on how to make habits I wanted to form visual and give myself an easy reward to make the habit stick.

Then, a good friend of mind bought a house.  I was standing in the shower trying to come up with a thoughtful gift when I started to think how lucky she was.  She was in a brand new place with all new surroundings, so the visual stimulus to perform old habits was gone.  She could create all new habits in her home much easier than I could....

Then, it hit me.  Habit Stones.  If she had little jars filled with rocks, she could place these jars near a new habit she wanted to start.  Let's say the backdoor to remind her to water the new flowers she'd planted.  The jars stick out, not in a bad way, but they are different from her back door mat.  Once she sees the jars, it reminds her to water the plants.  Once she waters the plants, she can move one stone into her empty jar.

That little reward of moving the stone, will be enough to help her create a habit that could be in place for the rest of her life.  By the time she moved all the stones (maybe 50 of them) her habit would be set, she wouldn't need to move the stones, she would start to water the plants automatically.

I wanted to share this with the world, my brilliant scheme, so I created a website - habitstones.com where there are directions on how to make your own, or purchase one from me!

Creating new habits is key to improving your life.  What habit would you like to create?!