Out with the Old, In with the New

I have a confession to make.  There are a lot of really great things about me.  I am a good friend, a pretty good singer, and an OK cook.  But there is one thing (among many) that I am not good at.  I am not good at staying organized!  In fact...I am really bad at it.  I wouldn't call me or a hoarder or anything and there has some respect for my house and myself that I at least tried to return my house to order every week or two, but to be quite frank my house had one problem...too much stuff!  Shoes, books, clothes, holy cards, stationary, and decorations from the years had finally began to take over in my life.  And so this year when I made my New Year's Resolutions I decided that since I am already on the weight loss track and have begun exercising that my focus for this year would be to simplify and de-clutter my house.  So yesterday I asked my good friend  to come over and help me with the task.   We went through every room, every closet, every drawer, and simply got rid of lots of "stuff."  I mean why does one need 20 coffee mugs or 100 books?  How many purses do you need to keep in hopes of one day reusing them again knowing full well that when those new spring fashions come out you will picking out that perfect purse once again!  Just how many spatulas or measuring cups does it take to make a good cook?  Well, after a few trips to the dumpster, a nice donation to the Salvation Army, and a lot of elbow grease and Pinesol, this place is looking amazing!  I have cut the amount of "stuff" I have in at least half and my home is aesthetically pleasing and spic and span too!



This morning when I woke to an orderly house, I noticed a new peace about me too.  It's amazing that when you create an order in your surroundings it allows you to be peaceful as well.  For me, I have a problem of buying things that I think I might use.  "I am going to read this book this summer.. I think these shoes will go perfectly with this one outfit...$1 for a pack of cards?! Deal!"  And what happened is that I had a whole lot of "stuff" laying around that in reality was just that.  Stuff.  It served no real purpose for me or any real function, but it was one more "thing" I had. 

Now, I promise you that I am never going to be one of those people with an impeccable house, but for 2011 I am going to really strive to keep everything in order.  Keep up on those dishes and not allow the mail to take on a life of it's own.  As I have decided to take honor and pride in my body and image, I also am making the decision to take honor and pride in my home.  The process isn't complete yet...I will be looking at paint swatches over the next week, but for now, I am enjoying the house that is mine.  I am breathing a little easier today because when I look around I don't see disorganization and chaos, but rather order and beauty.  My surroundings are beginning to transform along with me!

Happy Sunday everyone!  May you know peace and order in your lives today too! :)

The Glass is Half Full

I shared in an earlier post this month that I was going to speak at my church's youth group about being single.  The night went really well, but one question that kind of really made me think was, "What is the best thing about being single?"  Hmmm...what is the best thing about being single?  Then, this same topic came up with one of my best friends this weekend and so that got me to think about what are the benefits to being single.  I think for so long my desires for marriage clouded my ability to see all the good things about being single.  So, as any good self respecting blogger does, I am putting these conversations to print. 

 

So ladies and gentlemen I present to you my list: Why Being Single Isn't That Horrible!

 

1. Sleeping in! One of the benefits of being single is that unless your alarm is going off for work, as a single person you have the ability to take advantage of the weekends to catch up on your Z's.  Married couples (especially those with children) don't usually have this luxury!  There are no 3 year olds crying mommy or daddy at 3am or even 7am.  So use this time of singlehood to get those healthy 8 hours that may be a thing of the past in the future.  Sleep makes us healthier, wealthier and wiser.  (OK, well at least healthier.)

 

2. No strings attached! Another benefit to being single is that other than a job or school and sporadic family obligations as a single person we have the ability to pick up and go pretty much where we want to go.  Do you want to take a trip to Florida or maybe even Rome? (I am going to both this year!)  Then if you have the money, why not?  Do you want to go walk around a museum or spend the afternoon reading at your favorite bookstore?  As a single person you really don't answer to anyone, nor is anyone depending on you to have dinner waiting when they get home, nor do you have to work around someone else's schedule so why waste this time?  Use it to do all those things you love to do!

 

3. Kick up your feet!  Sometimes when I get home from work, I quickly trade my work clothes for a more comfy replacement, make a sandwich or a cup of soup, and then I cuddle up in my big comfy chair with my favorite sitcom.  I can choose to answer the phone if I want and although it's likely that my clothes are still on the bedroom floor and there are dishes in the sink, that's all OK because it's only going to bother me, no one else.  No one claims that they don't like dinner and no one asks me to get up to do anything.  I also enjoy reading in bed in the morning or catching a few movies on a Sunday. 

 

4. Prove yourself!  One of the things I am most grateful to my time of singleness for is that I have learned to stand on my own two feet.  What I mean is this:  in my 7 years of living on my own I have learned how to reset a fuse, kill a spider, unclog a drain, cook, bake, take care of myself when sick with both a cold and the flu, argue with the cable company, go out to eat by myself, iron, put an anchor into the wall to hang heavy pictures, wax the floor, shovel the snow, and clean the carpet.  This is just a smattering of the skills I've learned, but I've also learned how to be alone, how to trust my instincts, and stretch myself beyond my own skill.  I have met some people in this world that only know how to function as an "us" and in someways have lost the "me" along the way.  I can't wait for the day that I meet my husband, but I am glad to know that I can take on this world as a single woman if I have to.

 

This is probably not the only benefits to being single, and I am sure all of my married friends can come back with a list of benefits to being married, that I would undoubtedly have to agree with them.  Being single isn't all sun and roses, but it also isn't all doomsday either.  When I changed my mindset I realized that while I wait for Mr. Right to come to be, I am much more happy focusing on all the great things about right now and not all the missing parts.  My first post of this blog 6 months ago promised that I was going to take advantage of being single and reflect on my life as a single person.  I am amazed at the changes in my life with this little change of my mindset and new adventures in store. 

 

I guess you can say I now see life in more of a "the glass is half-full" light. How about you?  Is your glass half full or half empty?

Just Dance



When I first began writing this blog I had decided that this was the year I was going to take chances, get out there, and try new things!  Well, trying to stay true to my word I have found a new love. A young adult group I belong to is hosting a formal dance in a few weeks.  In preparation for this event, they have been having dance lessons once a month!  Each month there is a new dance to learn.  So far we've covered the waltz, salsa, and swing dancing!  It is so much fun!!!  A bunch of mostly amateurs gather each month and we learn the basic steps to these dances.  We laugh, step on each other's toes, and have an absolute blast! 

I love these dance lessons for many reasons.  First, it's great exercise and breaks up the routine of working out.  Each time I end up feeling a little sweaty and out of breath (especially with the swing)  Secondly, it's something different to do that doesn't involve the bar (although we usually end up there afterwards) or a movie.  It's active, it's fun, and it something different.  Thirdly, it's free!  I love finding great things to do that don't cost me a million bucks!  Lastly, it's a great way to meet people.  The lessons run much like the old "snowball" dances at school.  We switch partners frequently allowing us to meet many different people.  It's a little uncomfortable from time to time, but usually after a few steps we get in a groove and end up having a great time!

I am so thankful that the young adult group offered these dances cause had they not I would've never realized how much I love formal dances.  I get to add this to my list of things I just love to do!  I might not be the next Ginger Rogers, but I will be a little bit happier and skilled come February when we get to put all of our dance skills to test at the dance. 

My challenge to all of my dear readers tonight is to get out there and try something different, something you've always wanted to do, but never took the time to do.  The first time I was going to the lessons I was nervous and unsure of myself, but I have reaped the benefits of taking a risk on this!  This time of year so many communities are starting their adult enrichment classes.  Maybe it's time you got out there!

Break a leg! :)



Was Chivalry Killed?

This past week I made a flippant post on my Facebook wall about an unnerving experience I had had that morning.  So let's start there....On the way to school early one frigid morning my low tire pressure light came on.  Now luck would have it that that morning I had worn a dress to school,  but I couldn't risk a flat tire either, so I pulled over to put air into my tires, pantyhose and all. (Without any knowledge of how to use a tire guage, I might add.)  As I was kneeling down at each tire, I happened to notice the men pumping gas looking on.  (and that annoyed me!)  Couldn't someone, anyone, offer to fill my tires for me?? 

Well, my post on Facebook caused a few conversations.  One email came in from a male friend of mine explaining that he and others he knows have been told off because they offered help to a woman who felt insulted by their acts of chivalry.  And when I read his email, I knew he had a point.  Now maybe these men just didn't care, or maybe they were in a hurry, but maybe they were afraid I would be insulted by their offer?  I think he is right though that many men are afraid to offer a hand to help because of the reaction they may get from the woman. 

I wondered how we women got to the point where men are a threat?  Now don't get me wrong, I am not so old fashioned that I think a woman's role in this world is to be barefoot, ignorant, and pregnant in the kitchen waiting hand and foot on her husband and children.  I am glad that women have educated themselves and have made many advancements in the world.  I believe as a woman I need to be able to react and respond without the help of a man, but also realize that it doesn't make me weak or a disappointment to my gender if I ask a man for help.  I believe women should be educated and independent, but also accepting the fact that women are not men, and that's ok.  In fact, that's wonderful!

Somewhere amidst the feminist movement women around the world have decided that women were weak and the lesser sex and we needed to take back the power.  But I am here to argue that maybe we've given up some of the power.  God knew what He was doing when He gave Adam a beautiful wife to make things complete and right in the world.   He made women different from men, with different qualities such as the ability to nurture and console, but different is not less.

And men, you aren't totally off the hook here in my opinion! ;)  Many of us women like to have the door held for us, we like it when you offer to help carry a heavy package, and offer to cover the bill from time to time.  We love when you hold our hands and tell us we're pretty.  So don't be afraid to be the man! 

This may be a lot of thoughts for one little tire mishap, but I thought the topic was interesting.  I am sure there are many opinions out there that oppose my more traditional take things, but I thought it was still worth sharing and reflecting on.  I think God made both men and women to be beautiful sexes.  Both have wonderful qualities and special gender roles.  I think we need to see those different roles as just that...different and complimentary to one another, not one greater or worse.

Sharing My Story

Today, I received an intriguing email from the Youth Minister at my school.  She emailed me to ask if I would be interested in speaking at their next week's meeting which is a panel speaking on vocations.  They had realized last minute that they wanted to include a single person in their panel.  (Ahh, the forgotten singles once again....)  ;)  Well, I have to be honest, my first reaction was to laugh!  God has a perfect sense of time.  I replied that I would of course do it, but I shared the perfect timing since I have just recently accepted the fact that for now God has called me to be single.  I am excited though to share a little bit of my story and help shed a little light on the joys of being single (that took me 31 years to realize).  I am really hoping to touch someone that night and be inspired by the teens I come into contact with.

For years in my prayer time I heard the Lord has been saying to me, "Be happy in the now."  and for years I kept saying, "How Lord? How can I be happy when all I want is to be married?  Show me, Lord."  And like always, He has been faithful to that and showing me just how to be happy in the now.  There is a joy in my soul that has never been before.  I have my hopes of marriage, but I have peace for now.  I think that's what I hope to give the teens I encounter.  Fulfillment doesn't come necessarily with a ring on your finger or a collar or habit, rather it comes with accepting God's plan for the now with hope that He has your best interests at heart and He will show you what vocation path He is leading you on.  Hopefully they will win a little quicker than I did!


Wish me luck! Check in next week to see how it goes! :)