Blogging is hard ;)

So, I struggle with doing much on a regular basis.  Blogging not excluded.

Then I realized that one of the blogs I follow (Gretchen Rubin) sometimes has lengthy updates and SOMETIMES, it's not much longer than a Facebook post....

Here it goes, Facebook sized:

I am super excited about my upcoming conference in October.  I also just wrapped up my first book club and I know what book to do next (authored by the talented Gretchen Rubin, btw), I am always surprised by how easy and hard my marriage is, and last but not least.... The eCourse I am taking hosted by Brene Brown and Oprah is kicking my butt and making me take notice of more in my life.  I am pleased :)

Book Club

I have always wanted to be involved in a book club, but I've never done it.  For a multitude of reasons, but mostly because I don't really want to discuss my Self Improvement books with people.  My impression of book clubs, which I assume to be much like my AP Lit class in High School, make mediocre details into a big deal and kill things.  Due to this preconceived notion, I've never pursued joining a book club.

Granted, not everything is "High School 2.0" as one of my good friends would say.  However, I hate when I have one of those blinding moments of clarity and the person I tell about it, just doesn't get it.  I want to discuss and expand my perception of it all.  I want a safe place to put down my thoughts and hear other people's understandings.

Ya know, I always feel silly when I finally change my thought from "Someone should do that, I'd totally get in on it!" to "I'm going to do it for me.  Maybe someone else can get something out of it too."  Once I have that realization I'm amazed I didn't know it sooner.

I created a Book Club.  I'm using Facebook as a platform at the moment.  Maybe it will work, maybe it wont.  All I know is, "I'm doing this for me.  Maybe someone else can get something out of it too."

Self Improvement Musing's Book Club

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.