Happy Friday!

No day but today, right? So, today is the day. Today is the day I make a goal – or maybe even a commitment (ooh, big scary word for me!) – to send out a mini update, or perhaps some ramblings, just because, every week. And seeing as how Friday just so happens to be my favorite day of the week, it seems like the perfect day to do it. And I’ve been saying Happy Friday for as long as I can remember, so why not share the happy?

So this week I was struggling over what to do with various job opportunities, and a new colleague simply told me You need to do what is right for you. Now I am sure I’ve heard that many times before, but in that moment, right then, it just sort of clicked. I may not want to let anyone down, however, I also need to think about myself. My goals, my desires, my needs. And that doesn’t mean having to be selfish. It just means looking after myself. Of course I am pulled by wanting to do the right thing. Doing what I think I should do. And yes, doing what I feel will look good. But should’t the more important issue be to do what feels good? Feels right?

I had this morning off. I was going to attack the list of things that have been creeping up – and as the holidays are upon us (again, crazy how quickly time goes by) – that list seems to be growing faster and longer than Santa’s beard. I wanted to get all my Christmas cards written, a few more presents off to the post office, laundry finished, bedroom tidied, dishes put away, and my e-mail inbox cleaned up. Guess how many cards I wrote? Zero. How many presents got off? Ziltch. E-mails sent? Nada. Actually, that’s not quite true, I did get through a few… but you get the idea. Instead, I did a yoga class (podcasts can be pretty handy that way). And although it took a while for my mind to shut-up, but it was good. I enjoyed it. And you know what? It was probably exactly what I needed to do. And then all of a sudden I hear the Instructor Mark White say this: “We need to learn to taste life, not just inhale it.” Oh how true. Sometimes I feel I’m inhaling my way through things just to get them done. Now where is the fun in that?!? I have my lists - I’m sure we all do – and all of the things I feel I should do. And I love accomplishing these things, crossing them off, and feeling good about myself. But sometimes I wonder who I am doing these things for. For myself? Or do I merely want to do the right thing, do what I think I should do, or do what’ll make me look good?

As the holiday season approaches, I am going to try to remember I want to taste life, not just inhale it. That I can put myself first sometimes without having to feel I am being selfish. And that sometimes living in the world of ‘shoulds’ can be dangerous. Who am I trying to look good for anyway? The Jones’? I don’t think I want to keep up with them. I think I simply want to enjoy the ride.

Have a great week everyone!