Yes, I AM... (Week 20)

I am thankful for spring.

I am thankful for porch swings and iced tea and shade trees.

I am thankful for surprise visits, unexpected opportunities, and chaos...

... Wait, what? I AM? 

Yep, I am.

But why?

Because I wouldn't have dealt with any of those things without certain loved ones in my life, and I'd rather face hard conversations and upheaval with them, than a boring life of calm without them. 

I'm thankful for jazz music, and candles, and $5 bouquets of fresh flowers.

Thankful for friendships found in the most unexpected places.

I'm filled with gratitude by the sound of bees buzzing through the open windows, money to pay for my car to be fixed, and the opportunity to say "NO" and remember there is more to life.

I am thankful for birthdays and my husband and homemade lemonade pie.

Grateful for encouragement and prayer.

In short: I am thankful for the simple, everyday pleasures, and a God to go to when life isn't so great.

What are YOU thankful for today?

We Interrupt This Comment...

If there's one thing I hate about blogging, it's the spammers. I've been inundated with them recently, and yesterday, one of them got through, so I had to go back to making everyone type that dumb letter/number combination. I do apologize as I hate going through that rigamarole, but I also don't want porn sites in my comment section.

If the world were a perfect, sin-free place, then you could all leave comments unhindered  As it is,  welcome back to the world of typing words that don't make sense and house numbers. I hope you'll still take the time to join the conversation!

Something else to say NO to... SPAM.

In other, lighter, happier news... today is the hubby's birthday! I'm so incredibly blessed to have him in my life, and I look forward to another year of "growing older" together.

Sorry, We're Closed...

It's easy for life to get out of control. Sometimes, we don't even realize we're spinning until right before we hit the rocks.  Let's face it, if you don't prioritize, there will always be something else to fill the time. 

Image Credit

I recently recognized that I've gotten slack on setting boundaries. This is a new experience for me, and one that has come about as a result of being a self-employed contractor.

As the opportunities for work increased, I found myself staring at a computer screen while Peter prepared dinner. I felt guilty if I took time to read or "close up shop" early. I stopped blogging. Why write for myself when I could write for someone else and get paid for it?

It's my own fault. I blame no one but me. I said yes to every request. I volunteered to help. I focused on what the paychecks could help us pay off. I was excited and stimulated by doing work that used my skills.

And then one day, I realized I had said "yes" one too many times. I was, in essence, writing a check I wasn't sure I wanted to cash. I still love my work, and I love the opportunities that I have said yes to, but in a flash, I understood that life was about finding a balance. As a client wisely advised...

Work is just a part of our larger lives.

Fortunately, this moment of clarity hit me long before I saw the rocks, and here's what I've discovered:

• Working from home has it's downsides. There's no set end time for work. And there's always something more that needs to could be done. 
• If I don't set limits and perimeters, someone (or something) else will. If I say yes to every job opportunity, I will soon lose the flexibility that comes from being self-employed and working from home.
• If I don't make time for the things I enjoy doing - be it blogging or reading or hanging with the hubby - I won't find that time. Time is a precious commodity, and I want to use it wisely.
• My work is better, my attitude is better, and my day is better if I make room in the schedule for "fun" breaks. Read a chapter in a book. Say yes to impromptu lunch dates. Watch a British TV show.
• Work will always be there - but loved ones will not. Spending time with family, unplugging when my husband is home, making sure my focus is on what matters for eternity - those are my top priorities.

There are, of course, times when the unexpected happens and it's all hands on deck - and I'm happy to help. But in order to be ready for the emergencies, I'm learning to set boundaries when all is going as planned.

And so, earlier this month, I said NO. I turned down opportunities for additional work, and I felt relief. I realized that there can be an end to the work day - as a contractor, it ends when I stop saying "yes." By saying no, I believe my standards go up, my work improves, and I'm ready to take on new challenges - just fewer of them.

Do you work for yourself? How have you set boundaries?

Have you experienced the power of saying NO?

More Than A Habit (Week 19)

Last week, I had trouble finding things to be thankful for. But last week was exactly sort of time when this whole thankfulness outlook and habit come in handy. When I needed a reminder that yes, I could find something to give thanks for, even in the midst of dismal situations.

This week, I've realized that making thankfulness a habit is actually one of the best things I ever did. I've heard people say that when you do it out of habit, it stops ringing true, but for me, because I have developed a habit of giving thanks, it's second nature now to look for the thankfulness point in any bad situation.

It changes my outlook. It redirects my attitude. It reminds me that I am directly responsible for setting the tone of my day. That I can choose to give thanks, or I can choose to complain.

This week, the things on my thankfulness list include: 

Celebrating a year at my job

Road trips

Seeing family

A new kitchen knife

Macaroni Grill

And a husband who loves me even when I am completely unlovable and cranky. 

I'm thankful that I finally found some not-too-dorky sunglasses that fit my daily-wear frames. 

I'm thankful for Columbo in the car. 

I'm thankful for new pillow cases, fun books, encouragement from clients, and flexibility.

Being thankful is a blessing. It's a constant reminder in the midst of a crazy world that there is always some reason to give thanks...

What are YOU thankful for today?

What A Difference A Year Makes...

One year ago on May 4th, my life changed drastically. May 4th was my final day working at the pill mill pharmacy. My last day getting yelled at by customers. My last day going home in tears (albeit, on that day, I was crying because I was going to miss my co-workers).

On May 4th, I worked the 12 - 3 shift. Just 3 hours for my final day. I was showered with farewell gifts and food and hugs. Though I didn't like the job, I really loved my co-workers. They were - and are - special. 

On May 4th, about an hour before I left for my final shift at the pharmacy, I received a call from a woman I only knew slightly - a couple of phone calls, an email or two, and a few tweets. Her name was Becky Robinson and she made sure that May 4, 2012 would be a day I would never forget. Not only because it was my final day at the pharmacy, but because it was the day that she would change my life by offering me the job I thought only existed in my dreams.

I meant to write this on the anniversary, or at least the following Monday, but then life happened. A family visit. A family death. And another reason to be thankful for the opportunity to work from home - or from anywhere - when life takes you by surprise. A year later, and I'm still pinching myself that I get paid to work online, to promote books, to use my college degree.

I'm grateful for the opportunities to grow, to stretch, to dream. Grateful for the ability to add to the coffers, help others, and reach financial goals. Grateful to work with a team that challenges me, encourages me, and motivates me to try new things.

And beyond grateful for all the links that led to the one early morning tweet that changed my life. People are forever saying how lucky it was that it worked out that way, but was anything but a fluke. I don't believe in coincidences. I believe in God-ordained events - even when they start with a tweet.

I am blessed.

Here's to Year #2.