Journey to Optimism

3 Good Things about Tax Day: My accountant, my contribution, a place to pee

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 15:12:00 GMT

Today I am writing two big checks to the government. One check to state and one to federal and I’m starting to feel a bit cranky. Situations like this can really derail a recovering pessimist so …it’s time for an emergency “Three Good Things” session! What could be good about paying taxes (and we all pay them …if you receive a refund it just means you overpaid) I’ll tell you …

Realize Your Dreams: 8 Easy Steps to Run Away from Home

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:12:00 GMT

My son has been sick, the snow has piled up, there are tax documents everywhere and a house on our block burned to the ground last night. “We should run away from home,” I said to my son. “Ok” he replied.

“But you are too sick and I wouldn’t even begin to know how to run away from home,” I replied. “I’m fine and I know how.” Intrigued and excited to learn how one goes about running away I listened as my 16 year old son shared these steps.

Happiness is a 2 Fart Yoga Class

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:45:00 GMT

She farted at the beginning of yoga class and I was so relieved! I almost didn't go to class because my day-long snacking made my stomach grumble with the threat of escaping gas ...I didn't want to be the one to fart in yoga class. The woman next to relieved my mental stress when her gas unexpectedly escaped. Thank goodness it wasn't me!

"It's my life!" Minding my own business ... a key to happiness

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:03:00 GMT

Remember, Mom, it's my life," said my oldest son as we discussed his plan to have a better semester at college. As I spewed advice and dished out "you should" commands, he listened and asked me to "chill out" (a.k.a. mind my own business).

"No thanks ...I don't want to know!" Stop the negativity

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:02:00 GMT

"Do you want the full story?" asked my new acquaintance. My first reaction was to say "yes" but I hesitated. From her tone of voice and how she leaned in toward me I knew the full story would not be flattering to the person involved. "No thanks, I don't want to know," I replied.

"193 Miles to Empty"...how much fuel do you have?

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:18:00 GMT

"193 miles to empty" displayed on my car console when I started it this morning. Seeing the number of miles until my gas tank is empty makes much more sense to me than trying to determine how much fuel I have as the line moves from F (full) to E (empty) on the traditional gauge. What if we had a display that told us the status of our personal energy reserve?

There are dogs at the dog park?

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:42:00 GMT

There are dogs at the dog park. Of course there are, you are thinking ...it's a dog park. I'm visiting my friend in Phoenix and her young dog needs to run and play so we head for the dog park. It sounds romantic like in the movies and I picture an idyllic setting with rolling hills and a view of a lake but I don't picture dogs. There are dogs at the dog park?

How do you know something bad is not going to happen? Lessons from a fish.

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:53:00 GMT

"It's time to let go," says Dori the fish with short term memory loss to her friend Marlin. Marlin and Dori are looking for Nemo, Marlin's son, in the movie "Finding Nemo". The fish are hanging onto a whale's tongue and the whale wants them to let go and slide down his throat. Dori trusts the whale and Nemo is sure they will be eaten. Would you be more likely to hang on or let go?

Puppy Profitability ...a mind full of JOY brings business

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 15:36:00 GMT

"I am getting a new puppy so I will never be home!" someone shared when I asked what was new. The response did not make sense to me ...what did they mean they wouldn't be home when they got a new puppy? "Whenever I want to be home, I get more work," she replied. Hmmm....puppies lead to profitability?

It's not ok ... creating your best life, no matter what!

Sat, 21 Mar 2009 15:05:00 GMT

"I realized it's not ok," my friend told me over a coffee. She had wanted to send her daughter to Florida to visit family for spring break and the airfare was too expensive. When she told her daughter, the daughter responded, "it's ok". After thinking about it, my friend decided it wasn't ok. Her story made me realize how often I, and people I know, put up with things that aren't ok.