Monday, March 15, 2010

Today, Do Something Different

This morning as I was driving in my car I heard a radio advertisement about 'doing something different'. Well, it was 5:30 in the morning and I was on my way to volunteer at the Rock and Roll Dallas Half Marathon. So yes, that was something different from my normal Sunday morning routine.

From time to time I think some areas of my life tend to settle into what's comfortable and I miss out on new experiences. Looking back over the past several months the following are some different things I tried:

1) My hair - I had been wearing it in a similar style for way too long. And I found as it was getting longer, it really wasn't as exciting as I thought. (As a good friend tells me 'People's styles get caught in a time where they think they looked good') So last summer I decided to cut my hair to a chin length bob and added highlights. What I got was a sassier look and lots of compliments!

2) Training Walks - When I start my 3 Day breast cancer training walks from home I always walk on the side of the street that my house is on. Well last week I crossed the street and noticed lots of great ideas (and NOT so great!) for adding color to my landscaping.

3) Meals on Wheels - A couple of weeks ago I volunteered to deliver Meals on Wheels to the elderly and shut it. It felt great to bring a hot meal to someone and possibly be the only person they would talk to that day.

Doing something different doesn't have to be earth shattering or mind boggling, it can be really simple. What are you going to do different today?

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Writer's Block?

Writer's block - a condition, associated with writing as a profession, in which an author loses the ability to produce new work.

Ok, let's be honest, my blog doesn't constitute 'writing as a profession', but I am experiencing a bit of writer's block! Just when I was ready to jump start my blog into something great, post every day, and hopefully have lots of dedicated followers, this writer's block thing set in. (And besides, I really didn't think anyone cared if I was posting or not, until someone told me that I hadn't posted anything in a while.)

Right now it seems like my life is at such a crossroads: I will be turning 40 in about a month (can't believe I just typed that!), I am restless with my career choice, I am seriously contemplating starting my Master's degree (ok, I am scheduled to start online classes next week so I guess it is more than just 'contemplating' at this point), and I am dealing with a family member being seriously ill.

My crossroads has moved me to the point of not doing anything, which isn't good. I would say that I need to get away, but the truth of the matter is that my last work assignment ended over 6 weeks ago, so what would I be getting away from? Some days I just wish there was a 'Do Over' button and that I could reset my life to a certain point in time. But honestly, I don't even know what point in time I would choose.

Hopefully my writer's block will pass soon. Hopefully I will pass my crossroads even sooner.