Friday, January 13, 2012

WRITE IT DOWN AND IT WON'T (NECESSARILY) HAPPEN


  Eat this! (I eat a few teaspoons at a time - deluxe and delish, trust me)

At the risk of sounding cynical, I just wondered if anyone else gets a little weary of hearing about goals and self-help books? What would you think if someone started out their new year by declaring that they really weren't going to try and follow any New Years resolutions? That they were just going to be a realist after years of living and recognize that, despite the best laid plans, life happens and there's a certain wisdom AND SMUG SATISFACTION in ignoring self-help books and resigning one's self to making the best of actuality and being thankful for what IS, at the present.  You can shoot for the stars, but much more is at stake in life than living the American dream, reaching all of your goals or doing it "for me".  Somehow all of that "me" ambition is sounding more and more hollow as I witness people running around like chickens with their heads cut off, pumping themselves up by repeating pep talks to themselves in the mirror and telling themselves that whatever they dream, they can make happen, while they get more miserable and frustrated by the day. I've seen some of the most ambitious and ruthless people who have striven night and day, to the point of being sick, to realize their ambitions. They actually sold their souls to make their dreams happen and are now sitting atop a heap of ashes compiled of their incinerated relationships, demolished careers, decayed reputations and shipwrecked integrity.
Now, I am certainly NOT espousing the virtues of stagnation, laziness or being undisciplined, but what ever happened to contentment, peace, self-sacrifice and living for a cause greater than yourself?  I am not sure, but I definitely know I don't want to make 2012 a "ME" year. I want to make it a be thankful, be kind, don't whine and don't obsess year.  I want to enjoy loving and serving the people God has placed in my life, doing everything to the best of my ability and enjoying all that I DO have, instead of comparing myself to others or striving for a pot of gold somewhere.
This includes savoring all of the small pleasures in life and eating a little high-fat ice cream here and there.  Here are just a few of the little everyday, seemingly insignificant things that have really been making my life easier lately.
What are some of the little things that make your everyday life a little better, easier or more enjoyable?


This stuff is amazing.....I was visiting my boyfriend in Chicago and my wimpy Florida girl-who-lives-in-a-perpetual-humid-cloud lips were majorly chapped, peeling and tight.  My problems were totally solved within 1 day of applying this!


Buying the equal of a propane tank of tropical smelling and silkiness-producing shampoo/conditioner from Costco (this should last me until I check into a retirement home!)


Wet Ones wipes with the NEW citrus scent 
(smells just like Tommy Bahama's tropical candles! Keeps this germaphobe happy and healthy when coming in contact with gas pumps, door handles and anything nasty) 

Yes, this is a scrunchie and a neon version at that.  What can I say? Growing up in the 80's and 90's
didn't leave me entirely unscathed fashion-wise and these make pulling my wet hair back so simple and damage free. American Apparel makes the best versions, I think. Enough gripping power to hold my thick hair taut.

**P.S. I have not been compensated in ANY way for mentioning these products in my rant, but I am not above accepting gifts from any of the makers, should you feel so inclined. 

Hope you have a terrific weekend!!

14 comments:

Bronwen said...

Amen!! Love your post!

pve design said...

You make me laugh.
I love that about you.
I think I will try not writing it down.
pve

The enchanted home said...

Good message, I think like with everything in life its all about a proper balance, never selling your soul for the almighty dollor or compromising your moral code to get ahead but staying ambitious (within reason) working towards realistic goals while maintaining a happy balance with the important things, like your health, your family, relationships, quality time spent doing things you love, etc....and that perfect recipe is different for everyone.
But I am all for the little pleasures in life and enjoying everything in moderation and you better believe Ben and Jerrys is on that list..hello Chocolate fudge brownie (might as well go all the way)!
And funny bought aquaphor for my son who has really chapped hands, it worked like a charm and now I am using it!
Love my Pantene hair mask moisturizer in a tub, its amazing for soft silky hair.
On a side note, still have my scrunchies, dont' use them much but can't part with them either:)

Anonymous said...

"They actually sold their souls to make their dreams happen and are now sitting atop a heap of ashes compiled of their incinerated relationships, demolished careers, decayed reputations and shipwrecked integrity."
WOW!!!! you have no idea how this spoke to me this morning.......love your way with words....smiles

Teresa Hatfield ~ Splendid Sass said...

Thanks for sharing, Anne! Going to get the lip cream.
I agree that people go overboard on their plans. Guilty as charged, but not this year!
Have a nice day.
Teresa
xoxo

MrsLittleJeans said...

Well I was feeling all stressed since I have not had resolutions written down but thanks to you I will wipe that guilt off...I plan to think about goals and such a bit though...I imagine Nexxus to smell great...and I will check out the crunchies...happy friday Anne xx

Anonymous said...

"everything in moderation" ... including ice cream! I swear by aquaphor too.. I think I have one in every coat pocket! Have a good weekend...

michele said...

i'm with you anne. the culture is reinforcing us left and right to be ego-centric and ego-obsessed (i point a finger at culture a lot lately. and hormones.).

i did think about my resolution this year, and it's been the same one for years:

more forgiveness
and
get your sh*t together.

gonna try your ice cream pic for sho.

smiles.

michele

Christy said...

ANNE! I love you! Your honesty is so refreshing. And I KNOW your intent wasn't to make ME second guess myself per se, but that is a result of reading this post. I feel a little weight off my shoulders thinking about things differently. And I'm so happy to hear you have a boyfriend in Chicago - what a lovely place to "have" to visit!

But girlfriend?! Scrunchies?!!?! Again?!?! You CRACK me up!!!

Sarah said...

Well, Anne, how true! the whole thing, true, true. I was thinking about this while looking at some other blogs...I hate to say it, but, sometimes, a lot of blogs seem like shameless self-promotion and here I sit, feeling like a loser because its not all go, go, go for me and I'm not like them etc. etc. And, I went to the pharmacist and she told me about Eucerin for my severely chapped lips a couple of years ago - fantastic stuff. Here are my picks for making life easier:
Olay 7 in 1 Eye Cream - fantastic stuff;
Argan Oil shampoo - any brand - makes the hair shiny and silky;
A good bra - !!
Chobani Yogurt every day is a must!!
My cat - he always makes me feel better - ;--))

Have a fab weekend Anne!!

Keren - The Brown Trading Co. said...

It's absolutely all about the little things isn't it? I agree it's balance. I'm never selling my soul - I'm going to enjoy lip balms and scrunchies too :o)

Keren
xx

Tracy F. said...

Amen! What a great post! You have expressed yourself beautifully and imparted a very important and thought- provoking message. I wish you would submit it to USAToday. I bet they would publish it!

Unknown said...

If new year's resolution have something to do with Ben and Jerry's Coffee Heath bar crunch, I'm in! And btw, that neon scrunchie is way in!

xo Mary Jo

Karena said...

Love it Anne!! Being in Kansas City I NEED that Lip Balm!

I agree so much with your thoughts on New Years resolutions. One of the best ways I have found, as you said is not to make it all about ME, however to pay it forward and bring some smiles to others lives.

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

 
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