Recession depression

It's no coincidence these two words rhyme. However, I'm still not ready to give into the depression part. As humans our mammalian brain thrives on discontent and conflict. The media seems to feed this,although with people, and then a rucus begins. Our market isn't built to overcome individual fears, but our hopes. America was built this way and our economy is no different.

 

As in most things in life, an easy way and a difficult way emerges. The recession appears no different. We can complain and gripe about the situation (that's the easy way in case you haven't noticed) or we can discuss it in a way that empowers us to learn from it, move on, and be positive (slightly more difficult). Lately it seems like such an excuse for people and it's driving me batty. People always find money for quality products and services (or people for that matter), always. You get to decide if the recession will be bitter or sweet for you.

More millionaires are made during recessions, talk about people who are positive enough to make a difference and not sit back and groan! Recessions continue to be a normal cycle of economies, so here are our choices:

A. Be sad and depressed (which I was briefly the other day and have stopped)

B. Accept it and move on to focusing on something more worthwhile

C. Don't do anything

I like B. - not just because it stands for "Becky" and "best" - it tastes the sweetest.

Today I'm grateful for people cutting back on consumption, my pole dancing class, and fun weekend plans that don't involve whining. =)

ENFing J!

MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator for those of you not into 500-year old personality tests and learned that Pluto wasn't a planet) really helped remind me of...well, me. I've been an ENFJ -except for a few years I was a more logical ENTJ - for almost 10 years. I love it because it makes you feel like someone really understands you, only it's a test and then you remember what you're good at and what to do with your life! All of this in 30 minutes.

They've done studies to prove the preferences and personality of this are inherited and you are will most likely stay with you forever. How refreshing to know it's in my DNA that I have become less logical with my age and will most likely always struggle with not structuring my time in 15-minute increments. I've come to accept that I have to plan time for spontaneity (tomorrow it's from 3:15-3:45 p.m.).

I'm proud to be an ENFJ. We thrive on harmony and according to my report here's more about me: "Outgoing, friendly, and genuinely concerned about the welfare of others. We (I say "we" as if I actually know these people) are idealistic, caring, and enthusiastic. We are excited by new possibilities, helping other people, and making the world a better place." Hip hip hooray!

To balance out my bragging here's where I struggle..."they often talk around issues or are less direct and honest to avoid conflict. Tend to see people how we want to, rather than who they really are. We hesitate to ask for help b/c always want to appear organized, and in control."

So there it is, my lovely life as an ENFJ. I join the ranks of Oprah, Ben Affleck, and Abe Lincoln (has the MBTI really been around that long...I was joking)with this designation.

Today I'm grateful for parks, cameras, and meeting strangers.

Reasons and excuses

This morning during my volunteer time (yes, I am a good person and use my unemployment time productively), there was a pamphlet given as a joke to a woman in the office called "101 Ways to Say No to Sex." It wouldn't be a month of love if I didn't share...Some of the ideas made me giggle:

-My favorite show's on now. (What, the Hills? grow up!)
-I want to be loved, not make love. (Who decided they were mutually exlusive?)
-You're crazy. (Where do you live to be able to tell people this?)
-I love someone else. (it's not a marriage proposal)
-I've got homework. (if that's all you can come up, stick to that and you'll end up like me)
-I'm allergic to sex. (You mean latex, must be confused...they do rhyme.)

I find it odd we encourage excuses and reasons. Come on now, honest is the best policy...How's about what I use..."no, I'm trying to quit."

Today I'm grateful for dance classes, good hair days, and concerts.

Winter blah

Winter's tough. In the summer I don't notice as many things or change. When it isn't light so late and there isn't as much to do it offers far too much time for reflection and growth - two things that in large doses drive me slightly batty. My dog's back legs give out a lot, he's getting old. My old kitty can only eat soft food because his teeth have rotted. My dad's hair has turned a lot more gray and I swear my mother is shrinking.

Things seem to age more in the winter. Poems and spiritual teachers compare winter to aging and spring to being born and new (hence spring chicken). Then again winter is a wonderful time to remember that things change, people age, and spring is just around the corner.

Today I'm grateful for to do lists, quiet moments, and runs in Garden of the Gods.

I'm into it

As a member of the cliche single group of women who have read "He's Just Not That Into You," (Yowsers, two posts about books in a row - I'm suddenly confronted with just how nerdy I am.) I must say I'm into it. Saw the movie this week (yes, even more cliche over Valentine's weekend) NOT on Valentine's Day I might add. Just as scruptious and uplifting as the book.

First time I read the book I cried for hours because I finally realized a guy I was crazy about didn't actually like me. Imagine that...he didn't return my calls or if he did it was only late at night, never wanted to hang out with me, and had me watch his cat for months while he was sleeping with someone else. Somehow despite all of that I was able to reason myself into thinking he had deep feelings for me. I look back now and realize age has only served me well in the common sense department.

The movie and book both empower women, and people in general for that matter, to stop making excuses for men. It brings about a greater sense of appreciation for those men who do call and make an effort and actually give a damn. We can only make decisions based on information we have and if someone isn't calling or messaging me on Facebook (as is the case at the moment) - he's not into me. So what, why waste another minute dissecting his possible busyness or hesitation. Sooo not worth it, but reading or seeing another time "He's Just Not That Into You" certainly is.

Today I'm grateful for Bonnie's hometown visit, Greg Behrendt, and a weekend of skiing with my sis and mom.

Self-lovin'

(Note to my one reader, I'm feeling particularly reflective today and not charming, I attribute this to little sleep in the past week and more time alone than required.)

With Valentine's Day drawing ever near I can't help but think about love. The love I'm focusing on this month is about loving myself and really embracing all parts of me - likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses. It takes a lot of guts to be willing to do that sort of examination. Yet another book I adore is by Debbie Ford called "The Right Questions: 10 Essential Questions to Guide You to an Extraordinary Life." (I really do need a name for this book club I've created alone, I'm thinking "Bookin' It" or something to that extent.)

The book discusses questions used to help come to decisions and really examine how you make decisions. It's the little choices that really create a life that you love, or don't. (call me a 3rd grader, I still don't enjoy seeing or saying the word "hate.")

One of the questions is "Is this an act of self-love or self-sabotage?" We make unconscious decisions every day that affect our well-being and joy. Decisions to lift us up require a more concerted effort and thought. An example would be today when I thought about what to have for breakfast. I really wanted to go buy a donut, sugary, fatty goodness sounded like a perfect way to love myself today. Really that's an act of self-sabotage - that donut wouldn't prove how much I loved myself. If I loved myself I would want nourishing foods to aid my body and keep it strong. So, I opted for multi-grain roll with eggs and tea.

My wish for you is that this and every Valentine's Day you focus first on the love you give yourself, in order to make it possible to love others. Love ya!

Today I'm grateful for agave nectar, massages, and movie dates with friends.

Potter is hotter

This week my wheel throwing class began, as evidenced with photo to the left. It's everything I could have hoped for and experience "Ghost" moments on a recurring basis. Something I haven't mentioned to many folks includes the fact that each day I make it a point to do something I have never done before. People keep saying I must be so bored working barely part-time. I'm consistently in awe of the myriad ways to find adventure in everyday. VIGN (Very Important Grammar Note): myriad is never followed with "of" that's a very common mistake I see in text. Okay, done with my grammarian snobbery for today.

I decided this week, given my success at unemployment, pottery, and trying new things - I will write a book. A book about living everyday as an adventure and the myriad ways to do so.

Today I'm grateful for movies, sports bras, and new swimsuits in anticipation of a beach trip.

B-I-N-G-O

That's right, you heard (um...er saw me type)...bingo. That's how I spend my lovely Tuesday evening. I make a concerted effort to do something new everyday and it just so happened on Feb. 3 this new thing was bingo - in public. It was more thrilling than expected. I admired the lovely bingo bags meant to carry blotters. I allowed myself to get excited when I only had three spaces left at the $4,600 bingo game. I reveled in the murmurs when someone was getting close to yelling bingo. And yes, I even enjoyed bingo hall cuisine of Reese's cups and Hot Tamales. Better yet, all of the two hours of fun for $10. How cool that the money I spend went somewhere. This particular night it benefited the Aerial gymnastics group. What a joy it is to be alive and have the opportunity to enjoy bingo and Reese's in a single sitting.

Today I'm grateful for my camera, my creativity, and bingo.

It takes balls...

...to be a ball person ("ball boy" is so 2006, many are young girls now). Balls as in guts, but not so much the human anatomy part. I was watching part of the Australian Open and noticed what a fascinating job it must be. Yes, I realize today is the Super Bowl and I should be discussing that classica American sport. Besides my stint as QB for the sorority football team, I feel much more attached to tennis. I was high school tennis captain and #3 singles you know, which is not impressive in and of itself and then considering all the seniors were captain and I'm pretty sure no one wanted to play singles anyway.

Ah yes, back to balls (always wanted to say that). It's incredibly awkward looking with the motions, odd jobs, and secret codes. I did notice they seem to now stand instead of squat, someone must have finally complained about knee pain. I can imagine the career life can't be very long until knee issues begin to act up. What I'm most curious about is how one gets such a job. I for one, wouldn't mind getting closer to Andy Roddick, even if our only means of communication would be about balls.

Today I'm grateful for Super Bowl commercials, pancakes, and the week ahead of fun.