Day 28: 11 things

11 Things. What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2012? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life?

1. oreo cookies

2. uncertainty (I stocked up the last few years)

3. late nights, unless they are really worth it

4. worrying about things that might (or might not) happen

5. disease, by living a healthy lifestyle

6. rudeness, by being kind and deaf to bitter comments

7. too much alcohol (unless it's really worth it)

8. deceit (cause life is too short)

9. bad food, see #5

10. clutter, no idea, been trying for ages and failing miserably so far... think culling might be a good way to start 

11. stress, see #5, exercise, look for peace of mind

Day 26: on learning to appreciate the chaos and the magic

A good friend of mine once remarked -surprised- how laid back I am about most things, and how easily I get stressed when it comes to the children. And it's true, not sure why, but it's true. 


This year I've kind of learned how to breath and enjoy the chaos. I think I've even  learned to be grateful for the chaos. I know that one day I'll open my eyes and find grown adults instead of my little midgets. The chaos will be gone and so will the magic

Day 25: christmas day is like magic

Day 24: wisdom

Prompt: Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made, and how did it play out?

I've really been racking my brain on this one and can't come up with anything.  Again, I don't think there is ONE decision that has been so significant this year, but there have been  a few rules or lessons learned that I think have helped me to deal with a rather exciting year.  


Mainly, I think I trust my gut more, (like pulling my son out of his new school before he had even started),  I just accepted that some things needed to be done or happen, and that there was no point in worrying about it (I'm thinking the move).  I choose my battles, but also put my foot down for the important things


I think the wisest thing that I have done this year is just take it easy on myself. I don't always have the answers. I don't always get it right, (that is NOT new) but I no longer feel the pressure to do so. I no longer feel the pressure to be there every time someone needs me, some "me" time and "me" activities are now perfectly acceptable.  I think I am becoming increasingly flexible. There just seems to be a little skip in my stride....


how does it play out? I smile a lot more, stress a lot less. 

Day 23: friendship

***


you know who you are...


you are the one I only remember to email when I need something, and I feel close enough to just write and ask without further ado.


you are the one that I laughed and got tipsy with.


You are the one that knows me, more than one side of me,  and you love some of them, but tolerate and cherish all of them.


You are the one that  held me together when I wasn't sure which one I was


....  when I had to decide which one I would be


you are the one I ate with, travelled with, studied with, had pedicures and silly lunches with. 


You are the one that trusted in me when your world was shaking.  when you needed your heart held by someone that would treat it with love, care and affection.


you are the ones that called on me. the ones that looked after my kids. the ones that suggested books you thought would feed my soul, my child, my brain or my work.


you are the ones that texted me when something cool was happening. when you thought there was something I should read. 


the ones I turned to when I was lost, even if it was just a school or an insurance I needed.


you are the one that helped me make the decisions that made me who I am today. thanks for that. 


every.little.bit.


every.small. thing




every. time. YOU. were. there . for. me


so thank you. today, tomorrow and the next 200 days when we don't speak. when life is too busy for me to remember to ask how your day went.




remember just one one little thing: I love you, I'm here for you. just like you were.


please raise your glass  to my very, very, very amazing friends 

Day 22: it'll be alright

Prompt: Everything’s OK. What was the best moment that could serve as proof that everything is going to be alright? And how will you incorporate that discovery into the year ahead? (The Dead Crew @sweetsalty)

the biggest and most repeated lie in the history of the world. 


When the shit hits the fan those around the victim will say:

"everything is going to be all right"

mainly because... it will. 

It used to drive me insane that my life could be turned upside down and the sun would continue to rise, the trains would continue to depart, on time... life ignores your tragedies.

Many moons ago I use to act. Once I played King Creon in a modern version of the Greek play Antigone. 


Creon  was mainly trying to avoid killing his own beloved niece, the main character,  who in turn  refused to allow  civilisation to rule  what she could or could not do, even if it meant loosing  her life. 


And I get the attraction to Antigone, but really, at the end of the day, as unromantic as it may be, Creon had it right: where would the world be if the animals refused to continue walking, eating and mating very time one of their off spring was  eaten by a lion. what would the world do if the moon and the stars actually refused to shine every time someone's life was touched by tragedy... 


Animals get up, rise and carry on. They don't question life, and there is a degree  of humbleness in those actions that  is beyond human ability. We humans still  think the sun revolves around the earth, mainly because we are in it. 

***

There isn't one moment. it has been a long hard learned process. A lot of mornings when the sun rose as expected. When the world did not end. I've had a few scares lately,  some of them quite   serious, but then the sun rose just when it was supposed to, the kids had to  be dressed to go to school, the bills had to be paid....

life waits for none, and as much as I would some times like to get off this somewhat mad train, there is something soothing about knowing that, no matter what, life does go  on. I know at some point tragedy will hit me. It's as much part of life as happiness and all the rest of it.   I know one day  it's going to hurt until it feels like the sun should be shut down, the stars should be pulled away... I just pray it is within the order of things, so that like an elephant, a deer or a monkey, I can get up the next morning, pay the bills, dress the kids, and do my part to keep this wonderful, wonderful world (of mine... there is another rather less wonderful parallel world) going.   

Day 21: my name is Helga

Hi, my name is Helga. I'd shake your hand but have just finished running 5 miles and am covered in sweat. I just can't let a day go by without breaking a sweat.  I like to get up early in the morning, when everyone is still sleeping, get some work done, and go for a run when the air is still clean and cold. By the time most people are having their first coffee I've finished running, showered, straightened my hair, had my home made  green juice and am at my desk working. oh how rude of me, I forgot to mention what I do, I am a cartoonist. I used to work at a fashion magazine, did a bit of everything from styling the shots to writing the pieces, but I decided to go with my passion which is drawing. I know cartoons don't pay much but I love to draw people the way I see them in my head. and that is always a cartoon. 

I live with my dog in an open loft that looks like a museum. I like to have very few things around me. Anything that does not serve a purpose has to go. everything has to have its place. I hate I'm like that but I can't help it. I draw most of the day but in the evenings I go to dance class. I did it professionally for a little while as well but hurt my ankle. Probably for the best, it's a demanding lifestyle, but I still love to dance.

why did I choose Helga?

because she does all the things I wish I could, but can't do:

I can't wake up early 

I can't exercise every day

I hate the cold

I can't be fashionable, and can't straighten my hair even if my life depended on it. 

I can't keep my house tidy

I can't stop accumulating (much loved and beautiful) things for my house

I can't have a dog (dead allergic)

and I can't draw the cartoons of how I see people inside my head