Good karma begets good karma ...

Last night I was lamenting the fact that Sundays always seem to come to an end too quickly and then you must face the cold, bitter reality of Monday.

Then this morning when I woke up I was faced with an actually bitter cold Monday, which did not encourage me to jump right out of bed and head to the gym despite the fact that I had already packed a bag to take with me.

Still, I left home feeling like today could be a good day. I'm not exactly sure why because all the signs were pointing in a different direction -- long hearing, lots of work to do, no workout this morning -- still I felt positive.

And you know what? I was right.
Got to the hearing and it was a moot point as the charges were dropped. Got to work and one fire after another started building up, but still managed to get through it despite the aggravations.

Dropped off my Angel Tree bags and a gift card to the Center for Women and Families so that some other people can have a wonderful Christmas holiday this year. And that always makes me feel good.

And while all the mania at work was going on, some flowers arrived from someone trying to remind me that I'm great and wishing me a good week. I LOVE when that happens. Surprises are the best, especially the kind that are aimed at making you feel better when life seems a little overwhelming.

Anyway, I think it was a good lesson in if you expect good things, good things will happen. I always talk about this, but sometimes I forget to believe it.

So, there may be several things I'd still like to happen in my life -- like my condo selling -- I know that all those things will happen exactly when they are supposed to. I know that because I believe it. And for today, I really, really believe it.

Boys, this is stupid...

So, I was reading this piece in the New York Times the other day. (I will take a moment to pause and say that I really heart the NYT.) It was yet another story about how the age of female empowerment is making it tough on those same empowered females to find romance.

Really? I've never heard this before. Since I was in high school lamenting about the lack of boys asking me on dates, I've heard this same refrain about how intimidating I am. It gets a little old actually. I mean, I've always wondered what I'm supposed to do about that. Am I supposed to pretend I don't have ideas? Am I supposed to pretend I don't live on my own, pay my own mortgage, take out my own garbage, etc? Am I supposed to giggle ridiculously at stupid jokes just so a guy thinks I like him?

I mean, really. I'm not so independent that I wouldn't be thrilled to let someone else take out the garbage or balance the checkbook. If he's funny, I will laugh and it will probably be a good belly laugh, not a piercing annoying giggle. I like it when a guy opens the door for me and I don't mind him picking up the check. I'm not one of those women who can't be taken care of or girly. Jeesh, but if I don't take care of myself, exactly who is going to do it?

This article talks about how much harder it is for women in their 30s who have become successful to find men. No kidding. At 37, I think I'm acutely aware by now how difficult dating can be. But I also subscribe to the state of thought that if I have to act like a different person to meet a guy who I can date, what exactly would be the point of that? At this stage in my life, I am actually really happy with who I am. I'm not inflexible and I could certainly adapt to someone else's quirks, but I've worked really hard to be where I am now and I don't think there's any reason to try to hide that.

Really the reason I'm writing about this article is that I found it really encouraging because there were some women in the story who have found men who are perfectly ok with successful women. It just reaffirms what I've always believed -- that if you just go for what you want, eventually someone will come along who appreciates you for it and wants to share the ride. Ok, so I haven't found that guy for myself yet, but I suspect he's out there somewhere.

See, I told you I'd start writing more. Feels good.

I haven't been writing much ...

Ok, so it's not exactly true that I haven't been writing. I'm still writing every day for the C-J -- and it seems like there is always more to write about. But I haven't been writing for myself in a long time. So, I'm going to try to get back on the wagon. I think it would be a good way for me to get some of my creative juices flowing again.

I've been trying to think of things to get myself excited about. Lately, it's felt like mostly I'm just juggling and trying to keep the balls from crashing to the ground. So, I'm going to try to come up with some little mini-adventures. They could be simple things -- dinner with a friend, reading a new book, anything. The possibilities are endless. I'm going to try to keep my mind on the positives and what I'm doing that reaches beyond myself.

Maybe it's something about the new year looming -- if anyone can tell me how we got to that point again so soon please let me know. But I want to try to keep myself thinking beyond the murder and mayhem that is my everyday writing exercise.

Last year was a rough one ... and this year is all about being kind to myself and doing some things that push me out of my comfort zone.

So, I'm throwing down my own gauntlet. Adventure suggestions welcome ... and I hope that I will amuse you or inspire you a bit along the way.