The Other Side Of Walking For Exercise

It's amazing what you see walking down the street.  I love coming up with stories that could apply to what I accidentally view. Not necessarily people and their antics (don't get me wrong, those are fascinating too!), just the THINGS that I encounter.  I find it fascinating (yes, I'm that much of a geek), to imagine the stories of how and/or why those random items came to be there. 

Today, I walked past a single sock, a crushed plastic soda bottle, an embellished barrette, and a pile of crushed pottery .... all within about 2 blocks. So random, yet so fascinating.!  How does one lose a single sock on a street? Was it in the floorboard of a car and fell out when a door was opened to let out a passenger? Was the person in idiot mode of inebriation and decided that one of their socks was just not necessary? Did the bottle fall out of the car when entering it, unnoticed, and was run over backing out of the parking lot, or did someone get fed up with the universe and simply chuck it out the window? How does a person lose something attached into their hair style and not realize it? Had they already taken it out, placed it in a pocket or purse and it inadvertently fell on the ground? The pile of crushed pottery was large enough to be higher than the puddle it resided in. Was it put there on purpose to fill in the hole in the alleyway,  or did someone get annoyed, throw it upon the ground and crush it for sanity purposes?

As I walked past a furniture consignment store, I noticed a fantastic iron wine rack shaped like a butler, and a 1950s style ashtray painted in rainbow mosaic. What stories could those pieces tell if only they were able to?

Walking doesn't have to just exercise your body, it can be truly, mentally stimulating!  Sidewalk and store window displays, accidentally discarded belongings, the single flower popping out of the ground on a chilly day, the bird's nest visible in a barren tree ... all are stories in their own right. Take a look. You might be amazed at what you see, in spite of yourself.

~ The Girl In The Little Black Dress

Lessons Pondered & (Hopefully) Learned

The prospect of a new year brings everything from reflection, to excitement, to solace, to sometimes even a bit of melancholy.  So many moments happen over the course of 365 days on Earth, both personally and globally, that it's impossible not to ponder at least a smidgen. Reflection is not a bad thing. It allows us to view that which is past, find, then learn from any lesson that can be ascertained from any situation.  Personally, via such reflection, I have learned a few lessons that I want to share ....

Actually Trust Your Own Instincts. 
We second guess ourselves constantly. (I know I tend to!) Whether it's how to word a sentence to an aqaintance that asks our opinion, or what to wear, who to vote for, what to order off a menu .... decisions are a constant life experience. Theoretically, our decisions begat the next event. If it feels wrong, or prickly, or just not correct for you yourself, it's your instinct telling you not to go there. Don't. It will be regretted.

Just Because Someone Else Is Conducting Themselves In A Negative Or Abusive Manner Does Not Mean You Have To Act Or Think In The Same Manner.
We all come upon this. Whether it's through work, or school, or simply daily life, it happens. It's disappointing, annoying,  stressful, & just plain exhausting. It's also not good for you. Not for your blood pressure, your heart rate, your outlook on life, your stress level, or, most importantly, your sanity. If they want to be that miserable, that's their problem. It does not have to become yours.  Just say No.

Embrace Anything That Is Positive Or Happy Wholeheartedly.
So many times we get so caught up in the mundane existence that is daily life, that when small, cute, or funny things happen we overlook them. It's the little things that can make the day, and our outlook, so much more fantastic. Laughing at the joyous antics of a small child in the park, appreciating the assistance of the person who bags your groceries at the supermarket, a hug from a friend, the sight of a smile on the face of someone you love for any reason, the feel of warm sun on your face, when you cook & someone else cleans the kitchen without being asked, the sight of holiday lights as you journey down a street, your favorite song randomly playing on the radio ... those are the things that can make the difference between "a great day", & "today was okay".  Allow yourself to recognize & embrace them!

Setbacks are not necessarily negative.
From setbacks in jobs or school, to those in our personal life, they usually are simply creating the room for better opportunities to occur ... if only we choose to look for and act upon them. Stressing out & focusing on the setback itself,  whatever it may be, is a useless waste of perfectly good energy. Focus on the positive possibilities!

Be Grateful On A Regular Basis.
Yes, you may be running low on gas or groceries & funds all at the same time, but someone whose only "home" is the free shelter would probably give their arm to trade places with you. Yes, you might be missing that outing you really looked forward to because you got sick, or you could be annoyed or bored because you really wanted to watch or read or take part in something that's been thwarted beyond your control. I guarantee there's someone out there who is sick, or injured, or thousands of miles from those most important to them who would gladly trade places with you. Is it really so bad that no one else on the planet has it worse? Think about it.

Here's to hoping that everyone reading this is inspired to think through their own "lessons" from 2013. Happy New Year!

~ The Girl In The Little Black Dress

Tis the season for ....

Tis the season for all sorts of things that don't end up in holiday songs. Holidays, by definition, are supposed to be joyous happy occasions. Not everyone feels the spirit of the season in that manner... which bites. For some,  the previous loss of a loved one brings feelings of melancholy. For some, the regrets of years past cause introspective sadness. For others, the misunderstood and/or selfish actions of others causes deep distress over what they dreamed the holidays would be.

It doesn't have to be that way. The moment taken to smile at a grumpy stranger ... the act of paying for coffee or lunch for someone fumbling for change in their pockets ... the anonymous purchase of a gift for a child who might not get one otherwise ... the hug given to an acquaintance who is having a harsh day ... the simple joy of viewing holiday lights & decorations ... taking a moment to focus more on these small things that are about someone other than ourselves can help remind us of the happiness that can be found in this sometimes difficult season.

I wish for you joy, happiness, peace, & feelings of love & thankfulness. Just remember,  they're not necessarily found by looking inward.

~ The Girl In The Little Black Dress