Maintaining boundaries in relationships so as not to be taken advantage of and keep my integrity. Cleaning out and releasing 20 years worth of stuff I've been carting around... achieving my dream of opening an antique/collectible store by doing it online (not eBay). Letting my daughter know how much I love her during this time of difficult transition for her. Enjoying every moment of being with my husband. Making my home a more personal, warmer, comfortable, inviting space. Communication skills. Whipping finances back in shape. Moving towards healthier lifestyle.

To continually learn about my gifts and how I can use them to leave the world a better place. To love unconditionally. To heal with love. To share tools given to me that have allowed me to find me and my journey with others who will use them wisely. To teach tolerance. To bridge connections. To love myself and enjoy this beautiful gift of life.

Truth

That's how I've been feeling. When you can fully appreciate everything in your life, that is the ultimate happiness. There is always more to get, more to do, but I choose to live in the present and enjoy the time I am in. Much of that (all of it?) is just perspective. There are positives and negatives to everything, but you can focus on the positives without ignoring the negatives. In fact, if instead you stop passing judgement on things and just appreciate them for what they are, then it's even more blissful. I enjoy every minute with my husband... our friendship, our sex, our love. It is a true feeling of being home, and I can't imagine being happier. It is one thing to imagine ourselves in a beautiful place, but I just don't think I could feel happier. I love my relationship with my daughter, which is far from perfect. One of the greatest joys in life is BEing happy without depending on anything or anyone else... it's a choice. Another is BEing yourself completely, openly, honestly and feeling nothing but good about who that person is. I love my life. And I love that I can say that with hardly any money and debt hanging over my head, my husband has no job, my daughter is going through a hard time, etc. I know what really matters and that true happiness is a state of mind.

One of the things I learned a few years ago is that there is a time for inaction. That time is when there is no clear path and the urgency to do something is all in my head. I would rather wait until it is necessary to act or (preferably) the path of right action becomes clear.

My husband and I spent the weekend jacked up on energy drinks painting the living room and ktichen, and added crown molding. I discovered that Habitat for Humanity has stores where they sell their leftover building products as well as donated items from builders at 10–50% of retail price. We got the molding for $0.15 a foot, gallons of paint at $5 each, beautiful pulls for $1.00 apiece and knobs for $0.50 apiece. Our space has transformed into a modern and warm and neat area. We love it. Next is the bedroom. It's going to be so much more serene when those white walls are gone.

I can't believe how many lodges I've missed this year! That is something that really truly helps me grow, helps me plan, and offers profound realizations about myself and life. I do regularly use the tools that have been shared with me. Putting into words the answers to questions like these and really exploring them as they have meaning for me right now today is very useful. Learning from the past doesn't mean dwelling on it... taking real stock of what is present is the only thing that really matters and can change. When I get stuck in fear or expectations and act impulsively rather than in accordance with my deepest self and deepest beliefs, things go sour quickly.

Whatever I feel like : ). Some days it's just be incredibly lazy and force myself to stay in bed and do nothing but read and watch tv and puzzles. Some days I do a big project like clean out the garage or a closet or paint a room. Some days my husband and I just go nuts and get out and have some fun.

What I am all about is on the inside.. it's just not possible for anyone else to be me.