Thanksgiving 2009 and Corbin’s Second Birthday

 

Last week was phenomenally challenging for me. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t been overwhelmed and completely stressed out. I am not one who thrives under pressure – never have been. Perhaps that is why I didn’t care much for tax season when I worked as an accountant in my previous life; the fast-paced environment and never ending deadlines caused a fierce panic in me, so much so that my palms would sweat, my vision would blur and my heart would palpitate. Of course, it didn’t help matters that I couldn’t sleep through the night; what, with all the numbers running through my brain all night I’m surprised I slept at all.

Nervous energy. That’s what it was.

Some folks flourish under pressure, though. It must be the adrenaline rush that’s so addictive to certain personalities. I don’t get it, but, then again, I’m not much of a risk taker or adventure seeker, either. Jumping out of an airplane, participating in extreme sports, or indulging in other dangerous pursuits does not appeal to me. At. All.

At any rate, I prefer a more harmonious and relaxed work environment, one that nurtures creativity. See, I am an obsessive list maker, and I prefer to work at my own pace. I’m also an uncompromising task complete-er, and, last week I piled too much on my plate at the last minute. Consequently, I found myself running in circles wondering how in the world I was going to accomplish it all, on time, and in an acceptable manner.

But, I did.

And, it was fabulous.

Thanksgiving dinner consisted of an extravagant spread, beginning with hors d’oeuvres and ending with decadent desserts. I served rosemary citrus roast turkey, pecan cornbread stuffing, candied sweet potatoes, honey glazed baby carrots, tarragon green bean casserole, herbed whipped potatoes, orange-cranberry sauce, cranberry fruit relish, ambrosia salad and cranberry-pecan spinach salad. The day would not have been complete without Corbin’s birthday cake and ice cream. And… lots of presents.

I’m sure I don’t need to tell you which part of the day was his favorite.

So, now that we have all survived Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, I’d like to know how you spent the holiday.

While you leave comments, I’ll be plucking away at my Christmas to-do list. Hey, I’ve already planned the menu (most of it).

 

Technorati Tags: Thanksgiving,Celebrations,Corbin,Maneuvering Motherhood

Wordless Wednesday: Danger Alert! Danger Alert!

 

This is a photo of Kara when she was 15-months-old, taken just hours after her first emergency room visit, which was a result of her jumping off the couch straight onto the metal base of the coffee table as we were in the process of disassembling it for that very reason.

I warned her repeatedly, ‘Stop jumping! It’s dangerous!’ to which she replied, ‘danger…danger…danger’ with each jump and laugh as she landed on the floor directly next to the glass top table housing the space in front of the sofa.  I was petrified that she would eventually land on -and fall through- the table, so we decided to put it away until she learned to control her toddler urges. The glass top had just been removed and taken to the basement when I heard a loud thump and subsequent screaming cries from the kitchen.

Sure enough, she needed stitches.

The scar has healed nicely through the years, and now, at 10-years-old, you can barely tell she went two rounds with the glass top coffee table way back when.

I show you this photo of Kara because we recently ran into a similar situation with Corbin, and, he too had his first emergency room visit on Monday. Thankfully, he didn’t require stitches. The photo of his boo-boo is temporarily unavailable, i.e., I couldn’t get it to upload this morning.

On a side note, I will be taking the remainder of the week off. I leave you with the warmest thoughts and wishes for a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. Enjoy your families!

Technorati Tags: Toddlers,Accidents,Toddler Safety,Stitches,Wordless Wednesday,Maneuvering Motherhood

Moms Losing Custody: Is It Fair?

 

 

I just read Custody Lost, an astounding article published by Working Mother, which chronicles the divorce of Julie, a working mother, who consequently lost custody of her children and was ordered to pay her non-working ex-spouse $850 a week in child support and $450 a week in alimony. That’s a whopping $1300! A week!

I’d like to share with you a quote from the article:

Custody cases like Julie’s are increasingly being played out in family courtrooms across the country. A shift in the courts’ focus, a limping economy and dramatic male/female role reversals in many nuclear families are leading to nontraditional outcomes. Not long ago, men usually paid the child support and doled out the alimony. Moms (working or not) almost always got the kids in messy divorce wars. Years of changing diapers, wiping noses and kissing boo-boos gave them the edge. But now the tide is turning.

The “tender years doctrine,” a court presumption that mothers are the more suitable parent for children under 7, was abolished in most states in 1994. And, due in large part to the recession, women are poised to outnumber men in the workforce for the first time in American history. Job layoffs affecting more men than women have yielded a burgeoning crop of Mr. Moms.

“Men are now able to argue that they spend more time with the kids than their working wives do,” says veteran New York City divorce attorney Raoul Felder. “This is one of the dark sides of women’s accomplishments in the workplace—they’re getting a raw deal in custody cases, while men are being viewed more favorably.”

I don’t know about you, but my first reaction after reading this heartbreaking story was there has to be more to it. I mean, women do not just lose custody unless they’re proven unfit, right?

Wrong!

I’m quite certain that Working Mother did some fact checking before publishing and this is what we’re left with – women are losing custody of their children to stay-at-home-dads and work-at-home-dads because they aren’t as available for the day-to-day care.

And, Julie isn’t alone. While there are approximately 2.2 million women in this country without custody of their children, each woman’s story is unique, and heartbreaking, nonetheless. Some women relinquish custody voluntarily; while others have it ripped from them. The last thing a noncustodial mother in this situation needs is more judgment; more people pointing fingers or making assumptions.

I should know. I joined the ranks of noncustodial motherhood in 2008 - of which I have written endlessly - from making the decision to the uncertainty of it all, from the emotional torment to the negative stigma in society. I can honestly tell you that divorce is the easy part of this gut-wrenching equation. Some women are lucky to be able to co-parent successfully with an ex-spouse who becomes her ally; many are not. It’s so easy for the current to change and the waters become swiftly muddied when your ex, who has custody of your kids, decides to take a live-in partner, or remarries, and isn’t as willing to work with you for the greater good of your kids. It does happen.

I’ve never been of the belief that mothers should automatically get custody just because they’re mothers. I’ve always believed the judgment should be made on a case by case basis. In some situations, the man does possess more maternal characteristics and is just as capable – if not more so - of caring for and nurturing the children, and they have gotten a raw deal in the past. In fact, I know one such father and witnessed him curl up in a ball and cry over the judge’s decision to award his alcoholic, drug addicted ex-wife custody, and the many vicious ways in which she used their children as pawns in a twisted emotional game with him in order to get even for his challenging her in court. Clearly, he was the more suitable parent, but… she was the mother.

So, for a woman to lose custody of her kids because her husband is unmotivated to provide for his family, is a ruling I can’t comprehend. She was forced out into the workforce and is now being penalized for spending too much time working in order to provide her family with shelter, food, and clothing.

I believe the judge in this case, a woman – if I recall correctly - made a monumental error. I hate to think of what this trend will do to professional women attempting to balance motherhood, with career and marriage.

What’s the answer?

Is it fair in this modern age to expect women to be happy homemakers instead of doctors, lawyers, governors, CEOs and VPs? What about the women who have to work full or part-time jobs to supplement their husband’s income? Should families learn to live on less to allow the mother to stay home?

 

Technorati Tags: Noncustodial Mothers,Divorce,Co-parenting,Mothers losing custody,Working Mothers

Wordless Wednesday: Redneck Drums

 

It doesn’t take much to keep a toddler entertained when you have your whole house torn apart and go about the business of rearranging bedrooms - moving beds and dressers upstairs – to make room for a brand spanking new home office where one can finally work in peace, and hopefully, meet deadlines without (too much) interruption.

Technorati Tags: Wordless Wednesday,Redneck Drums,Toddler Toys,Entertaining Toddlers

BAD!

 

It is apparent in today’s society that decorous behaviors - good manners, practicing proper etiquette and hygiene, extending common courtesies - once thought of as essential practices by parents who led by example in order to have well-bred children, are now outdated and have been replaced with distasteful conduct by an uncouth and scruffy emerging generation.

Boorish behavior is an unfortunate epidemic as of late, and will only progress if parents don’t get a grasp on it. I fail to comprehend the difficulty in teaching children how , and the importance of, verbalizing pleasantries such as please, thank you, and excuse me. It’s as if these children are being raised in a house devoid of charm; and, it’s quite disgusting when you stop and think about it.

Seriously, I have been in a restaurant and watched in horror as unruly children played hide and seek under other patrons’ table as their parents sat idly by and finished their meal. I have observed mature adults who do not understand the concept of proper table manners, and I have viewed countless children, and adults, who double-dip, eat with their fingers, belch and fart at the dinner table, talk with their mouths full, gnaw on meat instead of cutting it, reach over everyone at the table instead of asking items be passed.

Gah!

My two-year-old is more refined than some adults I know. He says please when asking for something, thank you when he gets it, excuse me when he sneezes or coughs, and bless you when I sneeze or cough. While he is making progress in his attempt to master the art of eating on his own, with utensils, he is clever and understands cruddy fingers require a napkin, not his pant leg. He chews with his mouth closed, careful to take small bites and eat slowly.

Corbin understands the importance of good manners now, because I took the time to establish proper habits with him from day one; leading by example and verbal repetitiveness has instilled him lifelong civility that he will one day be able to pass on to his own children.

It all boils down to ones capacity and willingness to teach their children right from wrong and demonstrate kindness to others. Teaching our children to conduct themselves in a manner that is expected in society is not being oppressive about proprietary matters, but rather encouraging goodwill toward all.

So, what do you think? Are modern parents becoming too lackadaisical about such issues?

 

Technorati Tags: Table Manners,Etiquette,Boorish Behavior,Rudeness,Children,Teaching

Nicholas Francisco: Secret Life Exposed: Runaway Dad Found Living New Life In CA

 

Nicholas Francisco, the SeaTac, WA man who disappeared on February 13, 2008, leaving a pregnant wife of seven years, and two small children behind, was recently found living in Los Angeles, CA where he changed his name, his appearance, and his career.

In case you’re one of the few who has not heard about this bizarre missing person’s case, Nicholas Francisco is the 28-year-old man who suddenly vanished after leaving work at an ad agency in Queen Anne on February 13, 2008. His wife, Christine, reported him missing when he didn't come home to bake Valentine’s Day cookies with his then four-year-old daughter. When his car was found five days later, abandoned in a condominium complex on the other side of town with no sign of foul play, thousands of volunteers scoured the area in hopes of finding clues as to what happened. A tireless investigation ensued, a reward offered, and still, no sign as to his whereabouts was uncovered.

Until recently.

I’m happy to report that despite all odds, Christine was able to move on with her life. She has since remarried and moved out of Washington. The following is a post she made on the In Session message boards in the forum dedicated to finding Nicholas, which has since been deleted. I, to protect what little privacy she has left, have removed her new last name from this post. All else is in her own words.

*****

This is Christine XXXXXX. I have a few things to say to the lot of you. On this board and other places as well I have been FALSELY accused of lying, adultery, slander, hypocrisy, and of course murder. I’m sure the list of false accusations is longer but this is the general list. First let me say that I have prayed for each one of you that your hearts would be softened, your tongues kinder and your eyes be opened to the truth. It seems that God has not answered that prayer, yet. I know what all of you think of me. Admittedly at first it bothered me until I realized that you don’t know me and you don’t know Nicholas. You only know the pictured that I painted of him. For me you saw blips here and there while I was surviving the biggest tragedy of my life. When I married Nicholas it was forever. We took vows before God to love each other unconditionally and honor each other until death. When I took that vow I meant it. When Nicholas took it I truly believed that he meant it as well. I loved Nicholas with all of my heart. No evil thing you say about me can change that. No matter what kind of woman I am or you think I am Nicholas took vows and he knew me for two years before he married me. He chose to marry me. No one held a gun to his head to make marry me and stay married to me for seven years and have three beautiful kids with me. Those were things that Nicholas and I chose to do and we chose together. Believe what you will. God knows the truth as does Nicholas and myself. When Nicholas disappeared I couldn’t imagine that he walked out on me and our kids. The reason I could not imagine it is because I would never do it and to me it was unthinkable and I truly believed that Nicholas felt the same way. Why would I think Nicholas felt that way? well it’s simple. He told me over and over and over how much he loved me, how glad he was he married me and that he would always be with me. So no that night and for weeks following I couldn’t imagine him walking out on me. Then his secret life was discovered and my whole world was shattered all over again. Everything I thought was true was a lie. Many of you believe you know everything about this case. Well i’m sorry to be the one to tell you this but honestly you all know very little. What you think you know are just things in your imagination built off of tiny details you chose to pick at and blow way out of proportion. There are many details that have not been shared with you and will not be shared with you. You simply don’t deserve it. People who love me and who have supported me and my kids through this know the details and they are all who need to know. Perhaps someday in a book you will read all those juicy details you hunger for. Until then you will just have to continue using your imaginations. So why did I come on here and make this post? I had a few things I wanted to say to you before I tell you that Nicholas is alive. Yes that is right Nicholas is alive and well. He was recently found living in Los Angeles California. I will not give you the details on how he was found because I don’t want to give other dead beat dads any ideas. I will say that his money was garnished and given to me in a child support check to which he fought to have at least 80% of it returned claiming a hardship. The check was not for a sum as to cause a man a hardship. I will say that for a man that runs out on his pregnant wife and two kids no hardship for him could be worse than what he put us through. A board discussed this hardship he claimed and they denied it. The board stated it was not a hardship and thus a check was sent to me. I know you all have many questions that I have the answers to but history says that no matter what I tell you none of you believe a word from me. At this point I believe that the lot of you owe me a huge apology for all of the nasty, untruthful, hateful, disgusting things that you have said about me not only on here but in every way and to every person you possibly could. I am also considering filing suit on many of you for defamation of character. Yes I have a very good lawyer and yes I have a good case. So how do you feel knowing that Nicholas is alive and well and living under an alias just to avoid supporting the three children he willingly and wantingly fathered? How do you feel? As a final thought: Nicholas chose to lead a double life behind my back to which he started long before he ever met me. He chose to commit adultery. He chose to lie. He chose to walk away that night and not look back. He chose to break my heart. He chose to financially kill me. He chose to steal from his children. He chose to break the hearts of his kids. He chose to not call and let anyone know he was okay for the last 21 months. He chose. He chose this. I did not choose this. My kids did not choose this. Nicholas chose for us and that is not okay. What Nicholas did is evil and dark to put it mildly. I know that all of my words here will be twisted. Oh well. I am not perfect and I never claimed to be. I did not ever do anything to drive Nicholas away. He chose to never talk to me. He chose to run and hide. He chose to be selfish. I am the one that chose to stay and love these amazing kids through everything. I may not be a dream wife but I am far from evil and dark.

__________________
__________________
Things are not always as they appear

Technorati Tags: Nicholas Francisco,Missing,SeaTac,Washington,Mars Hill Church,Double Life,Secret Life,Deadbeat,Runaway

Duplicity: If the Shoe Fits

 

While it may be somewhat common amongst high school girls to participate in backbiting behavior – talking about people behind their backs only to be all smiles and buddy-buddy when the person they were just talking about comes around – you’d expect that type of sophomoric behavior to cease when one reaches adulthood and has a certain amount of moral fiber within their repertoire to better deal with issues with integrity.

Often times, however, that simply isn’t the case. Sadly, it’s easier for some people to behave in a manipulative manner because they’re devoid of ethics, and it requires much less effort to behave like a backstabbing bitch than a mature adult.

Maybe it’s because I have high expectations that I also have such strong opinions regarding duplicitous conduct. Perhaps it is because I am not the type of person to indulge deceptive individuals who possess a dubious agenda after personally witnessing what they’re capable of, or being on the receiving end of it myself.

Those who gossip to you will undoubtedly gossip about you!

I mean, If I genuinely like you as a person and value your friendship, I am not going to talk about you behind your back, nor will I allow others to disparage you in my presence; in fact, I am not the type of friend who would sit idly by and listen to nonsense about you, rather, I would defend you if you weren’t present to defend yourself .

And, if I don’t like you there is a damn good reason, and it makes absolutely no sense then, for me to act as if we’re best buddies should I see you. In all honesty, I prefer not to see you. It seems senseless, to me, to go out of my way to spend time with folks who have proven themselves to be untrustworthy, seedy, and hypocritical.

Don’t get me wrong, I can be civil and conduct myself with dignity and grace should I have no choice but to be in the same room with folks I don’t get along with, but…given the choice, I decline, with pleasure, each and every time. And, it’s not so much about them as it is about me. Life is short and I don’t feel the need to socialize with insincere people. Sometimes it is best to sever all ties with toxic friends so you can make room in your life for the good folks who possess strength of character.

I am an idealist, I know. In my world, everyone would live by The Golden Rule, and have a collective purpose of achieving and demonstrating unity, tranquility, and love.

However, not everyone eats flowers and shits butterflies.

 

Technorati Tags: Friendship,Toxic Friends,Gossip,Mean Girls,Sophomoric Behavior

Move Over, Atlanta! The Real Housewives Of Orange County Are Back

 

In true reality TV fashion, we quickly change focus from the dramedy of Nene and Kim (who, by the way, eerily made peace between the end of taping and the beginning of the reunion, part one. Hmm, blackmail much, Kim?) to that of Gretchen and Tamra, and their collective drama of last season.

Season five of The Real Housewives of Orange County premiered last night in true housewives’ fashion, with all the drama and cattiness you have come to expect from a futile – albeit alluring – reality show highlighting an exclusive blend of narcissistic California women.

I mean, really, it wouldn’t be nearly as entertaining with a group of self-possessed Amish housewives, would it?

So, while ball-busting Vicki and emasculated Donn appear to have made amends after nearly separating at the end of last season, this season they appear – so far- to be making a concerted effort to fill up love tanks and put their marriage back on track; meanwhile, another couple encounter trouble in paradise.

Vicki and Donn gave us our first glimpse into the crumbling marriage of Tamra and Simon, when Vicki proclaims that Simon is controlling Tamra and she’s oh-so-happy Don saved her from becoming a lesbian, referring to lesbians as “those people!” WTF? More proof that money cannot buy class. She’d fit right in with the cult of Joel Osteen given that he doesn’t believe homosexuals are God’s best.

Lynne has turned into quite the businesswoman this season showcasing her cuffs at boutiques and trunk shows, or, has she? Perhaps not enough to keep her family from being evicted, but it’s wonderful that she has a passion of her own to focus on. Why she would refer to herself as turning into Vicki is a little…um…insane, though. WHO, in their right mind, wants to emulate that woman? I think Vicki has an incredible work ethic, but it comes at the expense of her family, and that, to me, would not be worth it.

Jeana, apparently broke, reportedly asked Vicki to borrow money after the real estate market took a plunge and her earning potential decreased, and Vicki’s refusal to loan money has put a strain on their friendship. First off, does Jeana not realize that in asking Vicki , of all people, for money to save her $5 million dollar home she gave that woman yet another reason to feel superior? Obviously, Jeana will be leaving the show for the majority of this season due to financial difficulties, however, she is reportedly returning for a sixth season.

Gretchen has had quite the year in the spotlight - from dealing with Jeff’s death to the distressing, confrontational reunion show, and then the nude photos of her mysteriously appearing online, to her dubious coupling with Slimy Slade. And, through it all, her very public and increasingly toxic battle with Tamra has played out in the tabloids, on Facebook, and Twitter. But, she is an adult and her business is just that – her own business. I will never understand why certain people – who are in absolutely no position to point fingers - feel entitled to pass judgment, having the audacity to proclaim they do not want to be associated with her because of her very private, and personal, adult choices. I mean, look at Carrie Prejean - the dignified, all American girl next-door who presented herself as wholesome and conservative, (and judgmental) when in fact, she is anything but, as we are now discovering since a sex tape scandal has left her publicly humiliated.

In all honesty, the novelty has worn off for me. I’m not certain I even want to continue watching this season. It’s stale. The shameful manner in which these ladies conduct themselves and behave toward one another is repulsive. To quote former Clinton Secretary of State and UN Ambassador, Madeleine Albright, “there’s a place in hell reserved for women who don’t help other women!”

I don’t believe viciousness toward, gossiping about, tearing down and demoralizing members of your sisterhood is considered helpful, empowering, or supportive conduct.

I hope the arrival of newest housewife, Alexis Bellino, can offset the condescension with a little decorum.

Or, I’m outta here.

Until next week!

 

Technorati Tags: Reality TV,The Real Housewives of Orange County,Mean Girls,Dramedy

A Redneck’s Guide Ta Etiquette

 

I am not a redneck, nor do I play one on TV.

I like designer tags. And sipping champagne. I wear my shoes.  I am a class-ay chick!

Oh…who the hell am I kidding?!

Okay, so maybe I have a tad bit of redneck in me. I ain’t ever been the Barbie Doll type, that’s for sure. I do have a baby on my hip, I say hey y’all more than I should, and I can keep pace with the best of ‘em at the karaoke bar belting out some bad ass Gretchen Wilson tunes on a Saturday night.

I am proof that rednecks can be refined; and you can be, too.

So, for all you bad ass rednecks whose mantra is always ‘I’m here for the beer and the ball bustin’ band’ you may wanna utilize these here special tips and hints for a more rewardin’ redneck revelry this holiday season with the non-down home folk.

Cuz you wanna be class-ay too, I know ya do!

First, to address the men: your presence is required at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. It doesn’t matter you’d rather sit in the tree stand in your backyard all day waitin’ for a twelve point buck to mosey on by. Unless ya want the ‘ol lady to shoot yer balls off and serve ‘em on a silver platter, you’ll have supper with your kinfolk.

Proper dress is required during dinner, especially if you’re attending a work related holiday party at the Omni Hotel. It’s one of them there fancy schmancy places, ya know, and all those hoity toity uptown folks don’t consider huntin’ gear proper attire. That means no wearin’ your camo pants and huntin’ boots, bright orange vest with black leather pants and cowboy boots, or black wranglers with a wife-beater. Oh, and leave the grimy ball cap at home. Go on down to the Goodwill and find yourself a nice pair of dress pants and a button down oxford shirt. And for cryin’ out loud, pull that long, stringy hair back in a ponytail. It’d totally freak out the stuffy old ladies to find a strand of your hair wrapped around the berries in their fruit compote.

Now, to all my sisters out there: if you’re gettin’ gussied up to accompany your ‘ol man to his company Christmas party, go easy on the Charlie parfume and blue frosted eye shadow. Spandex skinny pants and embellished tube tops ain’t proper attire for this shindig. Maybe you ought ta run on down to Wal-Mart and find yerself a little black dress off the clearance rack. And, by little, I don’t mean short-short or three sizes too small. Oh, and wear your good shoes. Sunday best! With stockings. Also, keep the accessories to a minimum – your earrings should not look like the fishing lures you wore to Bubba’s weddin’.

Finally, some points for all to remember: Don’t remover your clothes while dancing no matter how hot ya get, and stay off the tables.

Don’t steal the microphone from the MC and bust out acapella Tanya Tucker tunes cuz ya think ya need to liven up the joint.

Sisters: don’t go all Jerry Springer on some broad you notice looking your ‘ol man up and down – she ain’t wantin’ to covet what you got, believe me. She’s prolly lookin’ at your ‘ol man’s attire thinkin’ ‘what in tar nation’?!

Good ‘ol boys: the same applies to you should ya discover some old dude glancing at your ‘ol lady’s legs – he’s just wonderin’ how in the world he can convince his ‘ol lady to wear a getup like that. It’s tacky to fight, especially in public, and the last thing you want is the uppity’s thinkin’ y’all don’t have any class, or worse, common sense.

Should ya happen to taste something a little funky in yer mouth, do not spit it out on your plate. Just take a good swaller of water and it’ll go down easy.

In closing, fellow rednecks, should ya happen to be hostin’ a holiday dinner for non-down home kin, use ceramic plates, glass dishes, and real silverware. Regardless of how all y’all been taught, Chinet doesn’t cut it and neither do Dixie cups. Under no circumstances are ya to pass off sliced Spam as yer entrée, especially if ya served it to yer neighbors the night before. Keep in mind a deer head doesn’t make a good centerpiece and Moon pie is not considered dessert.

Now go on and have a (not too) rowdy time!

Can I getta Hell yeah?!

Only Boring People Get Bored

 

I am not one to find myself bored; in fact, I don’t understand the concept of being bored.

My activities and interests revolve around that which I value: my kids, my home, my family, my friends, my work as a freelance writer, contributing my voice at several sites in addition to sharing my thoughts here, my voracious appetite for books, advocating for abused women and children who suffer from parental alienation, my insatiable appetite for learning…the list is endless.

Certainly, I don’t have time to be bored.

And when I hear another adult utter the words ‘I’m bored,’ I immediately find myself thinking of the aged proverb shared by my grandmother’s generation– only boring people get bored!

Since I highly doubt these individuals would classify themselves as boring, what they really mean - if I may be so bold as to venture a guess – is that life has become tedious and dull and the repetitiveness of it all has left them weary.

Boredom is usually a sign of other things that aren’t quite right in someone’s life. Perhaps that person is lacking meaning and purpose or simply needs to find a hobby. But action breeds motivation, and someone who finds themselves in the midst of boredom needs to do something, anything, to ignite a spark in their life and increase interest in the many opportunities surrounding them.

Weariness is understandable at times, but that fleeting emotion does not have to define and temporarily darken ones spirit. At any given moment, it is possible to turn the ordinary moments into an amazing hour, the amazing hours into an extraordinary day. I believe it’s all about the little things in life – the small, intimate gestures we make toward ourselves and extend to others – that add up to who we are and what our lives are truly about.

So, should you find yourself feeling lackluster, why not pursue a challenging activity outside of your comfort zone, turn off the television and turn on some peppy music, find a new interest or hobby, enroll in a cooking course, take up belly dancing, exercise, or stimulate your brain with some good reading material?

It sure makes more sense than the alternative – complaining that you’re bored – unless, of course, you are boring, in which case you will need a hobby because nobody will want to be around you.

 

Technorati Tags: Life,Life Lessons,Living Beautifully,Boredom,Interests,Activities,Hobbies