“There is, I have heard, a little thing called sunrise, in which the sun reverses the process we all viewed the night before. You might assume such a thing as mythical as those beasts that guard the corners of the earth, but I have it on the finest authority, and have, indeed, from time to time, regarded it with my own eyes.” ― Lauren Willig, The Garden Intrigue
Today, I turn 45.
Looking back at the year I had, I have nary a complaint. Yes, I had my ups and downs — and have done things that I am not proud of — yet, the year-that-was was a good year for me still.
And here, I share with you some ‘philosophies’ that have kept me going through the years…
1. Put some S.A.L.T. (Spend special Attention to the Little Things) in everything you do.
Negativity should have no place in our daily lives. But since we do not live in a utopian society, negativism, almost always, finds its way into our day-to-day routines. So, before negative thoughts and emotions creep its way into our psyche and cripple us emotionally, psychologically, and yes, even physically, we’ve gotta purge ’em out of our system!
A good cure to keep negative vibes away is: SALT WATER — Sweat. Tears. The sea.
Feeling lazy and bored? Try running, jogging, trekking. Sweat it out.
Someone broke your heart? Cry yourself an ocean. Wash the grief away with tears.
Stressed from too much work? Let the salty sea breeze caress your face.
2. Just D.O. I.T. (Dare to do Original Ideas Totally)
We are faced with many uncertainties in life. You’ve been through these things millions of times, I’m sure. But how many of those times have you truly taken that advice, and gave something new and different the old college try? It can be as simple as dyeing your hair blonde or it can be something more daring, like sky diving. Whatever you choose to do, don’t ever let the words “I can’t…” escape your lips without actually trying it out first.
Fear can cripple you and prevent you from living the life you shoulda-coulda-woulda lived. Most of the time, these shoulda, coulda, wouldas are generally followed by still wantas.
“Fear, is every problem’s bottom line, and you can’t be afraid to start at the bottom if you want to solve your problems.” — I Would If I Could and I Can, James H. Hoke
3. Do not be S.A.D. (Spending the day in Abject Disillusionment). L.O.L.! (Live Out Loud!)
Today, I choose NOT to be… S.A.D.; instead, I will be here to… L.O.L.
Finally, some “me” time
Martha Washington declares, “I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition.”
I’m gonna do the same.
Maybe, these lines from The Mighty, Mighty Bosstones will clarify my point further:
Have you ever had the odds stacked up so high
You need a strength most don’t possess?
Or has it ever come down to do or die
You’ve got to rise above the rest?
No? Well…
I never had to knock on wood
But I know someone who has
Which makes me wonder if I could
It makes me wonder if
I never had to knock on wood
And I’m glad I haven’t yet
Because I’m sure it isn’t good
That’s the impression that I get.
4. Don’t talk, just K.I.S.S. (Keep It Short and Simple)
brev·i·ty, noun \ˈbre-və-tē\
: the use of few words to say something
Why do we always say that short and simple is good?
Because simplicity is not just about minimalism or the absence of clutter, it is a measure of one’s understanding. Y’see, to be truly simple, you have to go really, really deep into complexity. You have to thoroughly understand the essence of something in order to be able to get rid of the parts that are not essential. Saying “less is more”.
Courtesy of George Orwell, here’s a quick cheat sheet to become more practical as possible:
Always use:
A word instead of phrase
A phrase instead of a sentence
A sentence instead of paragraph
A paragraph instead of a page…
5. I always W.I.N.G. it (Write Incessantly, Never Giving up)
I seize each day, each opportunity to write. Anything. Everything. The consistency. The monotony. The certainty. All foolish notions and affectations are covered by this daily re-occurrence. After all, you don’t go to a well once but every day, and sleep comes to you each day, so do the muses–Calliope, Euterpe or Erato.
“How do you write? You write, man, you write, that’s how, and you do it the way the old English walnut tree puts forth leaf and fruit every year by the thousands. . . . If you practice an art faithfully, it will make you wise, and most writers can use a little wising up.” — William Saroyan, 1981
… and of course — today, and everyday — I always choose to PRAY:
O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
AMEN.
The War Fish's Lair 
Personal ‘Life Hacks’ That Kept Me Sane Over The Years…
August 3, 2016 4 Comments
“There is, I have heard, a little thing called sunrise, in which the sun reverses the process we all viewed the night before. You might assume such a thing as mythical as those beasts that guard the corners of the earth, but I have it on the finest authority, and have, indeed, from time to time, regarded it with my own eyes.” ― Lauren Willig, The Garden Intrigue
Today, I turn 45.
Looking back at the year I had, I have nary a complaint. Yes, I had my ups and downs — and have done things that I am not proud of — yet, the year-that-was was a good year for me still.
And here, I share with you some ‘philosophies’ that have kept me going through the years…
1. Put some S.A.L.T. (Spend special Attention to the Little Things) in everything you do.
Negativity should have no place in our daily lives. But since we do not live in a utopian society, negativism, almost always, finds its way into our day-to-day routines. So, before negative thoughts and emotions creep its way into our psyche and cripple us emotionally, psychologically, and yes, even physically, we’ve gotta purge ’em out of our system!
A good cure to keep negative vibes away is: SALT WATER — Sweat. Tears. The sea.
Feeling lazy and bored? Try running, jogging, trekking. Sweat it out.
Someone broke your heart? Cry yourself an ocean. Wash the grief away with tears.
Stressed from too much work? Let the salty sea breeze caress your face.
2. Just D.O. I.T. (Dare to do Original Ideas Totally)
We are faced with many uncertainties in life. You’ve been through these things millions of times, I’m sure. But how many of those times have you truly taken that advice, and gave something new and different the old college try? It can be as simple as dyeing your hair blonde or it can be something more daring, like sky diving. Whatever you choose to do, don’t ever let the words “I can’t…” escape your lips without actually trying it out first.
Fear can cripple you and prevent you from living the life you shoulda-coulda-woulda lived. Most of the time, these shoulda, coulda, wouldas are generally followed by still wantas.
3. Do not be S.A.D. (Spending the day in Abject Disillusionment). L.O.L.! (Live Out Loud!)
Today, I choose NOT to be… S.A.D.; instead, I will be here to… L.O.L.
Finally, some “me” time
Martha Washington declares, “I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition.”
I’m gonna do the same.
Maybe, these lines from The Mighty, Mighty Bosstones will clarify my point further:
Have you ever had the odds stacked up so high
You need a strength most don’t possess?
Or has it ever come down to do or die
You’ve got to rise above the rest?
No? Well…
I never had to knock on wood
But I know someone who has
Which makes me wonder if I could
It makes me wonder if
I never had to knock on wood
And I’m glad I haven’t yet
Because I’m sure it isn’t good
That’s the impression that I get.
4. Don’t talk, just K.I.S.S. (Keep It Short and Simple)
Why do we always say that short and simple is good?
Because simplicity is not just about minimalism or the absence of clutter, it is a measure of one’s understanding. Y’see, to be truly simple, you have to go really, really deep into complexity. You have to thoroughly understand the essence of something in order to be able to get rid of the parts that are not essential. Saying “less is more”.
Courtesy of George Orwell, here’s a quick cheat sheet to become more practical as possible:
Always use:
A word instead of phrase
A phrase instead of a sentence
A sentence instead of paragraph
A paragraph instead of a page…
5. I always W.I.N.G. it (Write Incessantly, Never Giving up)
I seize each day, each opportunity to write. Anything. Everything. The consistency. The monotony. The certainty. All foolish notions and affectations are covered by this daily re-occurrence. After all, you don’t go to a well once but every day, and sleep comes to you each day, so do the muses–Calliope, Euterpe or Erato.
… and of course — today, and everyday — I always choose to PRAY:
O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
AMEN.
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