The "Quasi-Anti-Politically-Correct-Sorry-I'm-Not-Sorry-Post"

 

We live in a society where everyone is trying to find their place. Whether it be within the business world, gender identity, race equality or religious freedom and personally, I think it's a beautiful thing. Each of us should have the right to be whatever sort of crazy vessel that makes our pretty little heads euphoric (within legal limits here, people).
 

But, you know what really grinds my gears? (If you've seen that Family Guy episode, you'll giggle at that reference) At some point, by the time we got to my generation, men stopped being men. They became these lazy, entitled, unchivalrous, Diary of a Wimpy Kid creatures. Lackluster in morale and genetically drained of any sort of respect for those around them. The sort of chutzpah that makes you want to frame your restraining order. 

 

I know not all woman want some of the long-lost, old-fashioned values and I respect that. And, trust me I write this as a generality and know there are many good men out there. But, if I can push past having to write that last PC clause (because that's what we have to do when we have an opinion these days, right?), I find it all rather irritating.

Granted, I know I have an old soul. I envision myself gliding through my days in a black and white TV set, carefree, with a strong, hardworking man doting over my kids and I, kindness in his heart, helping an old lady cross the road, and, oh no, if something ever happens to break, what's this?? He can actually FIX it. 

Yet many of the men in my generation expect everything to be handed to them. And, I don't mean a hammer, because let's face it, would you even know how to use it? 

They expect instant gratification and feel they can treat others in whatever horrific fashion they choose. They can trample on families and choose laziness as their major. What has higher education come to?

There's absolutely nothing that I can't do for myself and my children. Nothing I'm not willing to learn, fix, improve, and bust my butt doing to get things done and provide a good life for 2 boys who are already proving to be greater gentlemen than their generational predecessors. 

The needle in a haystack reference has never been more relevant than today. You really have to dig to find the goods. And, if you find that gem of a human being, hold on tight like the rodeo depends on it. 

There's a reason I like to buy myself flowers. To plant my own seeds. Harvest my own sustenance. I know what I'm ingesting that way. We worry about GMOs in our food, but what about the GMOs within our people? 

I'll let that marinate. 

The Sword Gets a Freebie - Take a Swipe at My Pen!

I have terribly neglected this blog over the past few months. Talk about an oxymoron. I focus greatly on my clients, their needs and goals that sometimes my own endeavors get put on the back burner. Shame on me. (In my best scolding voice.)

I just returned from a weekend writing conference with the Florida Writers Association which obviously lit a fire under my blog-slacking behind. It is refreshing to occasionally converse with those who are talented, arrogant, humbled, facetious, self-centered, terrified and gracious...much like the rest of society...except that they are also creative nuts much like myself.

I engulfed myself in workshops and networking, Chardonnay and truckloads of food, and left a bit richer in knowledge, friendships and lessons in the art of self-sacrifice. I watched the expressions on the faces of my fellow Friends In Pens as they received awards, were honored for their achievements and applauded for astounding performances.

You see, writing is the ultimate self-sacrifice. You bear emotions you wouldn't express to your closest friend, you risk rejection from complete strangers whose approval you desperately seek and strive to make some sort of profound difference in a world full of mediocrity.

And while Edward Bulwer-Lytton whispers, "The pen is mightier than the sword," in my tone-deaf ear, I can't help but wonder if a good swipe by the blade at our rejection-ridden, critique-giving, pen-toting asses is just what we need sometimes to keep us on track.

I'm appreciative of my battle wound this weekend. My pen is stronger than ever.

I Resolve to Never Make a New Year's Resolution!

I'm so excited to be in 2011! Every year gets better than the last and I look forward to all of the opportunities, joys and excitement that this New Year has in store for me. I am embracing being 30 and enjoying watching as my kids grow, learn and explore. My business continues to do well and publishing my first two books last year was amazing. I am one grateful woman! Now, it's time to address...what's next?

That brings me to the hype of New Year's resolutions. We like to think that the New Year brings us a clean slate. We can lose the weight that snuck up on us, kick a smoking habit, decide to make better financial decisions or eliminate the toxic people in our lives. It's all great in theory. There's no better investment than an investment in ourselves.

However, some studies show that as few as 5% of people achieve their New Year's resolutions. I know I'm nicknamed the "One Percenter" but those aren't odds that even I want a part of. Our society and the media drown us in New Year's resolution pressure. Commercials, news stories and promotions entice us to want to do better but the moment we slack for a mere second, we consider ourselves failures. What a hit for morale!

Research has shown that creating many small goals throughout the year tend to be far more effective than setting one large resolution that is hard to live up to. As an exmple, start by resolving to become more physically active, instead of saying you need to lose 50lbs. in two months. Once you become more active, you will feel proud and accomplished and feel positive about moving on to your next goal...perhaps cutting back on calories or eating more vegetables. By making these smaller changes, you are ultimately getting closer to your goal of losing weight.

I make changes for myself throughout the year. I don't set a schedule because you never know when you will be ready to fully commit. But, when I wake up feeling motivated and determined and know it's time for a positive adjustment in my life, I go for it! More times than not, I am successful. We can't win them all but as long as we continually head in the right direction, it should be considered a victory!

Believe in yourself, your strength, your determination and your abilities.

Salut to your "tabula rasa"(clean slate) all year round!