About Gratitude

I've been thinking about gratitude a lot lately. About being thankful for and enjoying the small stuff in life -- not just accepting the good and bad things that come about, but being grateful for both equally. It may be hard some days, but it helps to know that the good as well as the painful aspects of life are there to help us grow in much needed ways. That alone is reason enough to approach each day with gratitude.

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. ---Melody Beattie

Thought of the Day

Let me preface this thought by saying that this has crossed my mind before, no doubt. So if I've mentioned it here on another occasion, just smile and nod!

Thought of the day:

To put it simply--The mainstream usage of cell phones has made it quite easy for people to talk to themselves without looking crazy.


That's all I've got for today--if you want more from me, check out my daily photo project!

Joss Stone is Amazing!

How did I not know this!? I saw Joss Stone preform and heard her sing for the first time on Conan the other night. In a way, she reminds me of Janis Joplin. I just love her.

Take a look at the video below, it's from the other night. I found one of the only videos of her appearance on the show last week; NBC has managed to take the rest down. If you would like to watch, wait a few minutes for it to buffer, and then the video will play nicely all the way through.

Joss Stone - Big Ol' Game (feat. Raphael Saadiq) (On Conan O'Brien) (Live...

Have You Ever Wanted To....

tune out for awhile.

Turn your brain off and emerge just a little later when things look clear, bright, and sunny.

That is exactly how I'm feeling today.

A Very Wise Man

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. "

"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear."

Martin Luther King, Jr

Simon & Garfunkel News

Simon & Garfunkel have confirmed that they will be playing at the New Orleans Jazz Fest! Their only gig in 2010! I've been listening to these guys for the majority of my life;I am SO hoping I have the opportunity to seem them live!

Wordless Wednesday and a Plug

This adorable card is the 13th picture in my 365 day photo project! If you haven't checked out Chaotically Focused yet, drop on by and let me know what you think. And, of course, if you've already taken a look, thank you very much, and I promise as the year moves a long it will get more exciting. In fact, while you are there why don't you sign up to view my updates on a reader or through email, that way you can have easy access to each day's photo.

Shooting Near my Home

Today, this upset me. In my neighborhood, an ex-employee of a truck rental company wondered into his old place of employment and shot five people, killing at least two of them. My guess is more will probably die. Apparently he was methodical and shot most of them in the head.
Frankly, I'm greatly depressed by the upsurge in crime and plain brutality that seems to be seeping into society as of late.

Chaotically Focused

Chaotically Focused is the place where I will be posting a photo a day for the entirety of 2010. I came up with the idea for this on New Years Day, and I'm just now "going public" with the site. I hope working on this project will get my creative juices flowing and my photography skills in better shape. Check it out, and let me know what you think.

Thoughts for the Day

I read this over at Lets Jump Together, and thought I would share.

A few things to work on each day:

Personality:
Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

Don’t have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

Don’t over do. Keep your limits.

Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip.

Dream more while you are awake

Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

Forget issues of the past. Don’t remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.

Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don’t hate others.

Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.

No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

Smile and laugh more.

You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree…

Man Crashes Car Into Restaurant and Then Orders Food

....what? So, I'm sitting here tonight crossing my fingers that the university I work for will close the school tomorrow on account of bad weather.... and I see this.

Apparently, a 92 year old man cashed his car into the side of a restaurant, and than calmly got out and ordered breakfast. Waiting until after he ordered to see if anyone was hurt. I can't help but find this a bit funny, although it does provide another example of why people getting way up there in age shouldn't really be driving.

I'm In an R.E.M. Mood

Every now and then, I rediscover the awesomeness of R.E.M; now is one of those times. After reading earlier in the week about the 50th Birthday of the band's front man Michael Stipe, I've been in the mood for their unique sound.

Committed...

is the name of Elizabeth Gilbert's new book; it came out today! The full name being "Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace With Marriage." As many of you know, she is one of my favorite authors.

I've talked about Gilbert and her last book "Eat, Pray, Love," tons around here. Next week, she is doing a reading and book signing near me--I can't wait!

Well I'm off to go start reading, no doubt, I will write my thoughts when I'm through!

House Cleaning and The Stones

It's Monday, and my last day before I go back to work after a two week holiday! I'm relaxing, doing some house cleaning, and listening to The Stones! What are you up to on this lovely day?

Happy, Happy 2010! :)

Yay--a new year, a new decade, and all that good stuff! Wishing for all, a Happy, Peace and Love(Insert a million more positive adjectives here) filled year!