A Little List

I make lists all the time - shopping lists, to-do lists. It's a necessity for staying organized and remembering stuff. Sometimes I like to make lists just for fun though.

I've been thinking about it lately, and I decided to make a new list I shall call -

"Things I am tired of hearing about":

• Going green. I care about the planet, and I try to do my part. I recycle, I do what I can to save energy (love those squiggly light bulbs!) But I am sorry, I will not trade my car for a bike, and I won't hang my clothes out to dry. It was fun helping Grandma do that when I was a kid, but I am just too tired these days to drag wet clothes outside.
  
  


• Being frugal. Times may be tough, but some folks are taking the frugality thing to the extreme - planning grocery trips like they are military missions, refusing to buy even the things they need even when they have the money for them, going out of their way to save a dollar. I refuse to live on oatmeal for a month to save money. We all work too hard to drive ourselves crazy over something as simple as shopping. Make a list, cut a few coupons, use common sense, don't overbuy- no big deal. And it's okay to treat yourself once in a while, as long as you don't go crazy.

• Social networking sites. I joined Facebook a while back, and I have to say, I am not seeing a lot of socializing going on there. Sure there are occasional comments, maybe some updates from the games my friends are playing. I do think it's nice to see old friends again and keep up with your favorite shows or bands or whatever all in one place. But the hiding behind the keyboard 'point and click' mentality of these sites makes me wonder what will happen if I run into one of my Facebook friends in public - will they actually speak to me?
  

• Whatever the latest techno gadget is. Don't want it, don't need it, don't care. I am happy with my current PC, television and cell phone; they suit my needs.
  


• Texting. Doesn't anybody talk anymore?

• Video games. When will this era be over? My nephews are too into these things. Kids need to go back to reading books, playing outside, and just plain watching TV for entertainment.

I am sure there are more, but I can't think of them right now. Oh, political 'hot-button' issues, but that is a whole other list!

The Beauty of Simple Little Things

They are often taken for granted. They frequently get tossed aside in the midst of our hectic, stressful lives, our purchases of all the things we really don't need but somehow must have, and our constant need for instant gratification.



They are the simple little things. Moments, sights, small gestures of kindness, simple pleasures. Things like going for a walk in the rain and spotting a rainbow, picking flowers, watching fireworks, spending time with loved ones making dinner and just talking about whatever, or playing a game with the kids. All those things that can give you good feelings, and don't cost a thing.



My appreciation for the little things has grown as I've gotten older. I find myself enjoying simple things more, like getting my hands dirty working in the yard, planting flowers, going barefoot at the creek, taking photos, or curling up for a catnap (including cat) on a cold winter day. There are little things that I miss too, like going for long walks, something I don't do now because of the MS. I miss playing outside with my little nephew and being able to give him piggy-back or "airplane" rides.



The simple things are often so pleasantly surprising and refreshingly welcome. I find I'm more appreciative of things like politeness now. I've noticed that people aren't just holding doors for me these days - they're making sure I get in the door okay because they can see I am having trouble. It means a lot when someone goes out of their way to do something that they don't have to.

Taking time to appreciate and enjoy the little things in life renews the spirit. It is amazing how much happiness the simplest of things can give us.

Cleaning Up

I had to laugh when I read my horoscope this morning. It said that I should do some serious cleaning up - clean out the closet, car, etc. and get rid of clutter. It said to make room before adding anything new. It also advised me to clean out my mental clutter, such as any useless or silly ideas or preconceptions I've been carrying around. These are exactly the things that I've been preoccupied with lately.




As to the first part of my horoscope - I am trying! I've been plodding through spring cleaning for the past few weeks, drawing on my limited supply of energy to tackle projects indoors and out. I have made some headway, but not as much as I would have liked or been able to back before MS came into my life. I start out working on a task, and soon my body starts to display a lack of willingness to work with me. As I fight against it to finish what I'm doing, the negative thoughts begin to creep in. That's where the second part of my horoscope comes into play.



I haven't been writing as often as I would like lately, as I have been feeling very overwhelmed, not just by the list of tasks I need to complete, but mentally and emotionally overwhelmed as well. Sometimes I feel ill-equipped to deal with things that are going on in my life, or I feel too weary to deal with them. I start to think negatively about things, and maybe even scare myself a little.



I don't know if they qualify as useless or silly ideas, but the negative thoughts don't help, so they should be tossed out. I would like to move forward and get my life cleaned up - it is a real mess right now. I think sometimes we just need to get out from under all the stuff that is bogging us down, physically and mentally. After that, it is just a matter of keeping the mess from building back up again. Cleaning, cleaning, always cleaning.

Sometimes in the midst of all the cleaning, a little rearranging needs to be done, too. That is something I may have to deal with, and I'm not looking forward to it. I don't like having to make big decisions, and I know I may have to do just that. It has to do with my dislike of change I am sure, though there are some changes I would like to make. And of course, as always, I am hopeful that there will be a positive outcome.

As for adding anything new, I think that would be new ideas, new experiences, new thoughts. I sure could use those. Some new positive thoughts would be nice, to get things going. I've been dragging myself down lately, but I am able to turn it around. I somehow always do. The other day I was thinking how tired I am of pulling myself up off the floor (both literally and figuratively), and then it occurred to me that the good thing is at least I can do that. So I know I will continue to do it - and well, why wouldn't I? No one wants to stay down on the floor - especially in this house!





Time to clean out the old and bring in the new - sounds good to me. And maybe once I get the floors clean - a new living room rug!