For most of us, we are making plans to go out on Saturday night and ring in the New Year. Whether we are having people over, or going to the game, or the pub, even those few that decide to just stay home and get to bed early; we are all making plans on how to close out the year. No matter what it may be, we all have similar thoughts running through our little minds.

Being the introverted, over analytical being that I am (INTJ according to Meyer Briggs), I sit and “Consider the lilies…” (Luke 12:27). Am I where I had hoped to be? Did I accomplish all that I set out to do after making my goals for last year? Did I lose the number of inches off my waistline I thought I would? Did I make the choices that not only made me happy, but choices that those who love and care for me can have peace in their hearts that I have done well not only in their eyes, but in the eyes of my Heavenly Father? Did I choose well when presented with opportunities to serve my fellow man despite challenges? Am I living a balanced life?

The questions I ask myself seem to be endless and ever increasing. I even find myself veering away from focusing on the things that are the most important. I have decided that on this, the last Stay Sexy Thursday of the year 2011, I will list my goal/resolutions/affirmations, whatever you choose to refer to them, right here on this post. I believe, a firm conviction that is so fierce that it’s nearly tangible in the world around me, that by keeping these few basic things at the center and forefront of my mind, heart, and daily life, that we will see “sexy” in ourselves every time we look into a mirror, when we walk with our heads held high into a room of strangers we don’t know, when we are in our frumpiest clothes and sweating at the gym, or when we wake up in the morning with our hair in disarray. I’ve listed below the affirmations words associated with the word “sexy” in hopes of helping all of us to better understand where real and true beauty lies and can be found if we know what we’re looking for. Happy End of the Year to all, and may the start of the New Year be pleasant and fulfilling.

1. Put my Heavenly Father first.

“Consider the lilies, how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
                                                       Luke 12:27-32

2. Making “Me” number 1 in my life.

If I need space, then I need to take it. Taking care of my own spiritual, physical, and emotional health is priority. If I can’t take care of myself first, then I can’t properly care for those around me if they are in need. Only do what I am able without sacrificing Self, but be mindful to serve Freely and without Guile.

3. Be accountable.

Take responsibility for all aspects of my life and the choices I make. I can only be in control of my own actions and not the actions of others, but I choose how to respond to those who come into my life for both the good and the challenging. The asking and giving of Forgiveness also means choosing to be appropriate in how it is carried out.

4. Choose to be happy.

So often, being happy seems to come down to choice. No matter how challenging a day is, we can still make choices on the things we can control, rather than dwell on the things we can’t. Not to say that human nature won’t get the better of us, but we can choose the “super” human within ourselves and choose to take happiness and keep it close always. Smiling (not the crazy smile) to strangers as we pass them in the mall, or on the street, or looking the kid working the drive thru in the eye and saying “thank you” with a smile never hurt anyone. Believe me, they won’t expect it, but even at Mickey D’s, they work hard and have bills to pay too! Share the love and choose to appreciate it.

Sexy – generally attractive and interesting: appealing

Synonyms

Charismatic, charming, enchanting, attractive, magnetic, captivating, fascinating, bewitching, and my personal addition, simply, AWESOME

ej

Are you Hurt or Injured?

If you're hurt you can play, if you're injured you can't. I live by that rule in most of what I do in life. It has served me well and keeps me moving forward always. I recently thought about this concept as I was "talking" to my friend who is serving in Afghanistan. He was recovering from an altercation with an IED that went off right behind his seat while on a mission. Even after being knocked around by the blast, when he came around still engaged in the firefight and "handled" his business as he put it.

He spent about two weeks recuperating (if you can call it that, he was still doing two a days in the "gym", silly man) and then was sent back out to run missions. As his friend, my initial response was "Don't go! You're not ready." and I posed the question "How can you be 'okay' with going?" His response was simple, "it's my job. It's what we do." I started to recall all the many conversations I have had over the years of competitive and even non competitive play in my various sports and activities. People asking me "why" or "how" I continue to do what I do despite an impairment. In his case, shaking hands, ringing ears and pounding head due to exploding devices racking his brain, and in mine, usually a sprained finger or ankle, or perhaps a debilitating migraine. However, I always played. Even if I had to puke during a timeout, I did what I had to do to play. It's just what I did, and what I continue to do. It's really not that different.

Mad props to him and his other two mates that were affected by that IED and the Purple Hearts they earned for that encounter. I know this may seem silly, but as our friendship has developed, I feel like every time he comes onto Facebook (silly, I know)it's a blessing. It's one day closer he is to returning home...and one more day that he is alive to tell me all his stories. Some people I can't relate the stories to that he shares with me, because they are sensitive to the details, but for me, I'd rather him tell me about those things. I don't want to read about them from someone else and see his name in black.

Two more months, mate! We'll be here with pints of Strawberry ice cream, a case of yogurt, a few good books, a copy of "Marley and Me" in hand and ready to chill. We have plans!

ej

Too much sleep...

It's time to focus on getting more efficient sleep again. I slept a full eight hours on Friday night and on Saturday night and I had no energy or motivation for anything. Last night I went to sleep with plenty of time for a full 8 hours rest and my 6 hour body clock wake me up and I was ready to roll. Since it was a work day, I decided not to force myself back to sleep and you know what? I have so much more energy and motivation to get things done! Whoever says that everyone needs 8 hours sleep a night hasn't met me! LOL!
So many things to try and get done this week. Today, I am going to try and purchase a flight to Cali to get in on the big sale they are having which ends today. One way ticket to San Jose right now is $230 so I need to take advantage of that...ugh...I mostly would like to implant peeps into my Alaskan life rather than fly down to Cali. It's weird, I thought by now I might miss it a little, but I really don't. In fact, I really, really, really dread the flight down to Cali. I don't miss the "California feel," in fact, if I ever move back to Cali it would only be because whoever I marry had to make us move there for work. But don't think I won't have some words to say about it before that decision is ever made!
I had a busy weekend, but was able to enjoy a substantial amount of time alone. I've really been in need of it.
On Friday, I want to "First Friday" in downtown Anchorage. It is something where the different art galleries and specialty shops stay open a few hours longer so and people go downtown and get a chance to see different art work and go to the different shops. Some of the stores have live music, hors d'oeuvres, or the artists will present to discuss their artwork. Some restaurants that generally close early will also keep their doors open later on that night as well. I went with one of my teammates and her friend. It was a pretty nice time. I will probably do it again sometimes, perhaps when it gets colder. Because it's been so warm out, it was really slushy out and I think it would be good fun to go out on a date or with a group of people there and bring along ice skates and skate downtown near all the ice sculptures.
Saturday was nice as well. Slept in, had some hot chocolate, went to my friend's son's guitar recital, then volunteered at the Roller Derby bout. The highlight though, had to be Twilight. :) Following the Derby bout, my friend and I decided to go watch Twilight and it was wicked good. Probably my favorite one so far and not just because Breaking Dawn is my favorite book of the series, but because they seemed to have captured the essence of the book a little better and are getting the Vampire thing down, effects wise.
Spent most of Sunday chillin' out solo. It was a much needed break from the world. It was crazy windy that day, but the good ol' Chinook winds were in effect because it was super warm. I pretty much sailed across the ice as I crossed the street and had to be a lot more alert as I did so, because the road conditions were so precarious. Good times, good times.
There were pros and cons to the heat wave we just experienced. Besides the fact that I don't like summer weather in the winter time, the warm weather made for some pretty dangerous driving/walking conditions. The bus system was shut down in the morning due to those poor conditions, and school activities were cancelled on Friday as well. Oh, and I don't exactly fancy getting sprayed with water from passing vehicles as I walk down the sidewalk. The pros: all the snow I would have had to shovel out of the back of the truck melted over the last four days! LOL! On Thursday I thought "I'm gonna have to shovel that snow soon, because it is almost blocking my view of the rear view mirror." Well, that's all been sorted, oh, and I can open my windows to my apartment for some fresh air now! The windows were blocked by the snow, so now I can open those too! Yippee!
Well, back to the grind! It's a happy, happy Monday! Roads were clear driving to work this morning, even though the parking lots are all like mini ice rinks! It's gonna be a good week!