I just spent hours cleaning up my desktop.
I couldn’t stand looking at it anymore.
From books to read, to writing samples, to resumes—I filed. I deleted. I let go.
You see, I never delete anything. Ever. I always think I’ll need it—maybe tomorrow, maybe two years down the road, or maybe even in the after-life. And I never do.
But I keep it—nonetheless. And I’m admitting right here that I’ve become a digital hoarder!
Time to Move On
If anyone ever stole my laptop they would probably hand it right back. That’s how bad it was.
There were things on my desktop that I know I thought were very important when I saved them there—and now, for the life of me, I can’t remember why I even bothered. Like a book review—of a book I hated. A copy of my resume from 2008. Directions, vet bills, recipes (like I cook) food lists, to-do lists, and of course a whole file on cover letters that were never answered.
Why do I do this to myself?
More importantly, when did my desktop become analogous with my busy life?
In fact, my desk top had become a digital history of the past two years of my life. And apparently they’ve been pretty chaotic. Yes, I’ve always known this, but to see it online brings a whole new perspective. So I spent the morning filing, deleting and not worrying that an apocalyptic virus will wipe out my digital life. And if it did happen, I’d survive.
This digital hoarder has cleaned up her act!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Tuning in to the Charlie Sheen Show
I really don’t want to add fuel to the fire of this latest celebrity meltdown, but ... the other day a good friend of mine stated that she thought Charlie Sheen is simply acting—and that the media—and all of us who watch it—are taking the bait hook, line and sinker.
I couldn’t help but think, maybe this is true.
After all, Charlie Sheen is an actor—it’s part of his psyche—it’s in his blood and his blood line. Yes, a growing part of me thinks that we’re all getting “punk’d” —that this a massive social networking experiment to prove what we already know about ourselves but will never admit to: That 99% of the time we’ll slow down to rubber-neck at a bad car accident—then drive on and hope that someone else calls the police.
“Winning” at “Loosing”
The other half of me is horrified at the obvious decline of someone who is in need of some big-time help. Where is the man’s family? If I were his mother, sister, aunt, ex-wife or even distant cousin, I’d be horrified and ready with the straight jacket and a one-way ticket to a lock down rehab regardless of whether he thought of himself as a “winner” or not.
Or would I?
I watch shows like A&E’s “Intervention” and cringe as these ordinary families go through the hell of a family member’s addiction, then sit down and beg for them to get help—even when the help is free. There I am—glued to the T.V. watching someone else’s problems—serious problems I frankly wouldn’t trade for one day of f Charlie Sheen’s Two and a Half Men salary.
But the question still remains:
Why do I come back week after week to watch?
Is this my own version of a really bad car wreck?
A prime example of hoping someone else calls the cops?
Celebrity Docu-Dramas Gone Bad
I don't have to state the obvious here, but I will: It’s been a bad week for celebrities. First this Charlie Sheen show, then Mike Star the former bassist for Alice in Chains is found dead from an apparent drug over-dose, and now I come to find out that Demi Lovato was just released from rehab and that she is rebounding from one of the “darkest periods of her life.”
O-M-G!
Wait a second, who the hell is Demi Lovato?
There I am—glued to the latest entertainment headlines for any up-to-the-second update on whatever manic malcontent unfolding in Hollywood, only to find out that I have missed Demi Lovato’s talent all of these years!
(Ok, I use the word “talent” loosely here—and when I refer to “years” —I really mean “minutes” because this Disney Darling looks like she’s only about ten.)
Time to Tune Out?
I’m starting to think it’s time for me to just tune out. You know—turn off twitter, log out of Facebook and power down the laptop. Frankly, I’m starting to think that it’s time for me to get a life—-me and the more than 2 million fans following Charlie Sheen on Twitter.
I couldn’t help but think, maybe this is true.
After all, Charlie Sheen is an actor—it’s part of his psyche—it’s in his blood and his blood line. Yes, a growing part of me thinks that we’re all getting “punk’d” —that this a massive social networking experiment to prove what we already know about ourselves but will never admit to: That 99% of the time we’ll slow down to rubber-neck at a bad car accident—then drive on and hope that someone else calls the police.
“Winning” at “Loosing”
The other half of me is horrified at the obvious decline of someone who is in need of some big-time help. Where is the man’s family? If I were his mother, sister, aunt, ex-wife or even distant cousin, I’d be horrified and ready with the straight jacket and a one-way ticket to a lock down rehab regardless of whether he thought of himself as a “winner” or not.
Or would I?
I watch shows like A&E’s “Intervention” and cringe as these ordinary families go through the hell of a family member’s addiction, then sit down and beg for them to get help—even when the help is free. There I am—glued to the T.V. watching someone else’s problems—serious problems I frankly wouldn’t trade for one day of f Charlie Sheen’s Two and a Half Men salary.
But the question still remains:
Why do I come back week after week to watch?
Is this my own version of a really bad car wreck?
A prime example of hoping someone else calls the cops?
Celebrity Docu-Dramas Gone Bad
I don't have to state the obvious here, but I will: It’s been a bad week for celebrities. First this Charlie Sheen show, then Mike Star the former bassist for Alice in Chains is found dead from an apparent drug over-dose, and now I come to find out that Demi Lovato was just released from rehab and that she is rebounding from one of the “darkest periods of her life.”
O-M-G!
Wait a second, who the hell is Demi Lovato?
There I am—glued to the latest entertainment headlines for any up-to-the-second update on whatever manic malcontent unfolding in Hollywood, only to find out that I have missed Demi Lovato’s talent all of these years!
(Ok, I use the word “talent” loosely here—and when I refer to “years” —I really mean “minutes” because this Disney Darling looks like she’s only about ten.)
Time to Tune Out?
I’m starting to think it’s time for me to just tune out. You know—turn off twitter, log out of Facebook and power down the laptop. Frankly, I’m starting to think that it’s time for me to get a life—-me and the more than 2 million fans following Charlie Sheen on Twitter.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
The Cost of Free Speech
Yesterday the Supreme Court upheld the right of Westboro Baptist Church to protest at military funerals with violent anti-gay messages that has provoked outrage across the country. In this free-speech ruling, the court ruled that the first amendment even protects messages like:
“Thank God for Dead Soldiers”
“God Hates Fags”
“God is Your Enemy”
The Right to Free Speech Doesn’t Always Make it Right
The court’s 8-1 decision in Snyder v. Phelps shields the Topeka, Kan.-based Westboro church from being sued for intentional infliction of emotional distress despite speech that Roberts called “hurtful.” The ruling didn’t reverse the myriad of funeral-protest restrictions that states have imposed, and it still permits governments to reasonable regulate the time, place and manner of public speech.
“Given that Westboro’s speech was at a public place on a matter of public concern, that speech is entitled to special protection under the First Amendment,” Chief Justice John Robert Jr. wrote for the majority.
“Westboro’s funeral picketing is certainly hurtful and its contribution to public discourse may be negligible,” Roberts acknowledged in his 15-page majority opinion. “But…speech cannot be restricted simply because it is upsetting or arouses contempt.”
The Cost of Free Speech
When I first read the article I was outraged like many people.
It’s just sick.
Seriously? These assholes can’t find anything better to do with their lives? Like, oh—I don’t know—maybe…give food to the hungry? Provide shelter to the homeless?
But as I read more about the ruling and the people behind it, I began to see a glimmer of hope. The family in this case, were not left to deal with these “crazies” (as I call them) alone while they face one of the darkest periods of their life. People in their military community, people in their neighboring community, and people in their church community stepped up to protect this family and fight against these protestors who apparently have nothing better to do with their lives but picket a military funeral.
I can’t image what my family would do if this happened at one of our funerals. Actually, I know what would happen—and one of my family members (probably a few of them, in fact) would undoubtedly end up in jail. I actually have two uncles buried in Arlington National Cemetery and if this happened when they were put to rest, one of my family members would have issued the “call.” And it only takes one call to alert the men and women who fought alongside them to “deal” with the situation.
Meet the Patriot Guard
In this particular case, this family did not see the protest at his funeral because of the makeshift shield of American flags, motorcycles and people that the Patriot Guard established between the church and the protestors. The Guard, founded in 2005, provides shields at the invitation of soldier’s families. Needless to say, Patriot Guard co-founded Terry Houck was not pleased by the court’s ruling.
“I do understand their decision on our First Amendment rights; however, it is morally wrong and it is spirituality wrong, and all of us who stand together at these funerals disagree that a small group of fanatics can hide behind a false religion and continue to inflict emotional abuse as those families bury their loved ones.”
Speaking of it being spiritually and morally wrong, Pastor John Henry of Central Community Church in west Wichita, the site of the funeral for Spc. Tom Moffitt, a Wichita soldier who was killed Oct. 23 in southeastern Afghanistan, said that although the Supreme Court may have ruled correctly on the freedom-of-speech issue, the biggest problem with the protestors is the way they misrepresent Jesus Christ.
‘Ya think?
"For people who claim Christianity and anything to do with Christ to be so mean is out of character for who he was and what he stood for," Henry said. The Phelpses’ have picketed at the church during Sunday morning services because they think Henry isn't hard enough on homosexuals, he said. They come out screaming obscenities and flashing obscene signs.
This is What We Fight For
Veterans find it hard to square the ruling with the constitutional right that they swore to protect.
"We fought for the right to freedom of speech, but we need to strike a balance between protecting free speech and protecting grieving families," said Paul Rieckhoff, executive director of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, a nonpartisan support group.
I think everyone should be thankful that we live in a country that will protect even the most misguided of all Americans. This is a right not every country has and one that needs to be carefully upheld in our courts and protected each and every day.
“Thank God for Dead Soldiers”
“God Hates Fags”
“God is Your Enemy”
The Right to Free Speech Doesn’t Always Make it Right
The court’s 8-1 decision in Snyder v. Phelps shields the Topeka, Kan.-based Westboro church from being sued for intentional infliction of emotional distress despite speech that Roberts called “hurtful.” The ruling didn’t reverse the myriad of funeral-protest restrictions that states have imposed, and it still permits governments to reasonable regulate the time, place and manner of public speech.
“Given that Westboro’s speech was at a public place on a matter of public concern, that speech is entitled to special protection under the First Amendment,” Chief Justice John Robert Jr. wrote for the majority.
“Westboro’s funeral picketing is certainly hurtful and its contribution to public discourse may be negligible,” Roberts acknowledged in his 15-page majority opinion. “But…speech cannot be restricted simply because it is upsetting or arouses contempt.”
The Cost of Free Speech
When I first read the article I was outraged like many people.
It’s just sick.
Seriously? These assholes can’t find anything better to do with their lives? Like, oh—I don’t know—maybe…give food to the hungry? Provide shelter to the homeless?
But as I read more about the ruling and the people behind it, I began to see a glimmer of hope. The family in this case, were not left to deal with these “crazies” (as I call them) alone while they face one of the darkest periods of their life. People in their military community, people in their neighboring community, and people in their church community stepped up to protect this family and fight against these protestors who apparently have nothing better to do with their lives but picket a military funeral.
I can’t image what my family would do if this happened at one of our funerals. Actually, I know what would happen—and one of my family members (probably a few of them, in fact) would undoubtedly end up in jail. I actually have two uncles buried in Arlington National Cemetery and if this happened when they were put to rest, one of my family members would have issued the “call.” And it only takes one call to alert the men and women who fought alongside them to “deal” with the situation.
Meet the Patriot Guard
In this particular case, this family did not see the protest at his funeral because of the makeshift shield of American flags, motorcycles and people that the Patriot Guard established between the church and the protestors. The Guard, founded in 2005, provides shields at the invitation of soldier’s families. Needless to say, Patriot Guard co-founded Terry Houck was not pleased by the court’s ruling.
“I do understand their decision on our First Amendment rights; however, it is morally wrong and it is spirituality wrong, and all of us who stand together at these funerals disagree that a small group of fanatics can hide behind a false religion and continue to inflict emotional abuse as those families bury their loved ones.”
Speaking of it being spiritually and morally wrong, Pastor John Henry of Central Community Church in west Wichita, the site of the funeral for Spc. Tom Moffitt, a Wichita soldier who was killed Oct. 23 in southeastern Afghanistan, said that although the Supreme Court may have ruled correctly on the freedom-of-speech issue, the biggest problem with the protestors is the way they misrepresent Jesus Christ.
‘Ya think?
"For people who claim Christianity and anything to do with Christ to be so mean is out of character for who he was and what he stood for," Henry said. The Phelpses’ have picketed at the church during Sunday morning services because they think Henry isn't hard enough on homosexuals, he said. They come out screaming obscenities and flashing obscene signs.
This is What We Fight For
Veterans find it hard to square the ruling with the constitutional right that they swore to protect.
"We fought for the right to freedom of speech, but we need to strike a balance between protecting free speech and protecting grieving families," said Paul Rieckhoff, executive director of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, a nonpartisan support group.
I think everyone should be thankful that we live in a country that will protect even the most misguided of all Americans. This is a right not every country has and one that needs to be carefully upheld in our courts and protected each and every day.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Do You Really “Tune-Out” When You “Tune-In”?
Have you ever noticed how different the same type of show can be depending on which channel you’re watching?
The other night I was glued to my T.V. watching “Hoarders” on A&E. I can’t help it—I had to watch. It’s like a car wreck (and also gives me major incentive to clean which needed to be done after the holidays). So I’m watching this woman who is clearly mentally instable, attempt to clean out her “double-wide” so that she can live in it (apparently she has relegated herself to a “single-wide” trailer on the edge of her property because of all the garbage she keeps hoarding in the “double-wide”).
The fact that the woman goes back and forth between trailers keeps me glued to my couch in my condo in suburban Washington D.C.. It’s sick, really. And the folks at A&E know this—which is why the show runs all night on Monday nights (yes, I think there’s even a special marathon of “Hoaders” if you haven’t gotten your fill…).
So I’m staring at my T.V., absolutely disgusted and start to feel guilty that I’m mocking this woman from the comfort of my couch which, essentially, is just wrong. As I start to feel guilty,I decided to turn the channel and look for more “upbeat” programming and landed on the Style network. What do I start watching? “Clean House.”
I Need a Change of Programming
See a pattern here folks?
I did.
And it really struck how “Clean House” is basically the same show as “Hoarders”—with people just as nasty as the trailer-trash on A&E, but they live in Suburbia and their mess is their “dirty little secret.” And to top it off—they get a total home make-over. Now, instead of resisting the urge to clean my condo—I feel the urge to redecorate!
All of a sudden, I find myself upbeat! I’m ready to move furniture around! I’m ready to run out to Home Depot and start painting…
It floored me how two different angles on basically the same T.V. show can have such a different impact on your psyche. Call it the tricks of the T.V.—but when was the last time you really thought about what you watched and how it made you feel afterwards?
And to think I turn to the T.V. most nights to relax. Maybe it’s time to simply tune into the Nature Channel—where’s Marty Stouffer when you need him?!
The other night I was glued to my T.V. watching “Hoarders” on A&E. I can’t help it—I had to watch. It’s like a car wreck (and also gives me major incentive to clean which needed to be done after the holidays). So I’m watching this woman who is clearly mentally instable, attempt to clean out her “double-wide” so that she can live in it (apparently she has relegated herself to a “single-wide” trailer on the edge of her property because of all the garbage she keeps hoarding in the “double-wide”).
The fact that the woman goes back and forth between trailers keeps me glued to my couch in my condo in suburban Washington D.C.. It’s sick, really. And the folks at A&E know this—which is why the show runs all night on Monday nights (yes, I think there’s even a special marathon of “Hoaders” if you haven’t gotten your fill…).
So I’m staring at my T.V., absolutely disgusted and start to feel guilty that I’m mocking this woman from the comfort of my couch which, essentially, is just wrong. As I start to feel guilty,I decided to turn the channel and look for more “upbeat” programming and landed on the Style network. What do I start watching? “Clean House.”
I Need a Change of Programming
See a pattern here folks?
I did.
And it really struck how “Clean House” is basically the same show as “Hoarders”—with people just as nasty as the trailer-trash on A&E, but they live in Suburbia and their mess is their “dirty little secret.” And to top it off—they get a total home make-over. Now, instead of resisting the urge to clean my condo—I feel the urge to redecorate!
All of a sudden, I find myself upbeat! I’m ready to move furniture around! I’m ready to run out to Home Depot and start painting…
It floored me how two different angles on basically the same T.V. show can have such a different impact on your psyche. Call it the tricks of the T.V.—but when was the last time you really thought about what you watched and how it made you feel afterwards?
And to think I turn to the T.V. most nights to relax. Maybe it’s time to simply tune into the Nature Channel—where’s Marty Stouffer when you need him?!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Resolving Not to Make a Resolution This Year
Ugh, it’s here.
New Year’s Eve.
I don’t know why I’m so surprised. It arrives each and every year and forces me to look back and reflect on the year that was lived.
And each and every year (usually while I’m watching some “Year in Review” program) I inevitably think to myself, “Where does the time go?”
And right on cue, the panic sets in.
I start to count through a mental inventory of all the things I did not “achieve” -- loosing those extra 5 pounds, saving that extra $100, climbing the Mt. Everest (not that I ever planned to do that—but I do know friends who have…which makes me feel guilty that I haven’t even tried…)
This year, however, I had an epiphany (actually, it wasn’t as much an epiphany as it was a second glass of wine). I came to the conclusion that New Year’s Eve is simply one big guilt trip that we all just have to contend with each and every year.
Resolving Not to Make a Resolution
So this year, I’ve decided not to make another useless guilt-infested New Year’s Resolution. Yes, one could say I resolve not to make a resolution.
In fact, I’m not going to change my life at all—I’m simply going to start living it—the good, the bad and the ugly. After all, wasn’t it John Lennon who famously said, “Life is What Happens When You Are Busy Making Plans.”
Yup, it's time to stop all the "planning" and start working with what I got. And that’s what I intend to do.
No more guilt.
No more lofty unattainable resolutions.
It’s time to simply embrace whatever life throws at you and try to make the most out of it. So that’s what I intend to do.
We’ll see where I end up next year.
New Year’s Eve.
I don’t know why I’m so surprised. It arrives each and every year and forces me to look back and reflect on the year that was lived.
And each and every year (usually while I’m watching some “Year in Review” program) I inevitably think to myself, “Where does the time go?”
And right on cue, the panic sets in.
I start to count through a mental inventory of all the things I did not “achieve” -- loosing those extra 5 pounds, saving that extra $100, climbing the Mt. Everest (not that I ever planned to do that—but I do know friends who have…which makes me feel guilty that I haven’t even tried…)
This year, however, I had an epiphany (actually, it wasn’t as much an epiphany as it was a second glass of wine). I came to the conclusion that New Year’s Eve is simply one big guilt trip that we all just have to contend with each and every year.
Resolving Not to Make a Resolution
So this year, I’ve decided not to make another useless guilt-infested New Year’s Resolution. Yes, one could say I resolve not to make a resolution.
In fact, I’m not going to change my life at all—I’m simply going to start living it—the good, the bad and the ugly. After all, wasn’t it John Lennon who famously said, “Life is What Happens When You Are Busy Making Plans.”
Yup, it's time to stop all the "planning" and start working with what I got. And that’s what I intend to do.
No more guilt.
No more lofty unattainable resolutions.
It’s time to simply embrace whatever life throws at you and try to make the most out of it. So that’s what I intend to do.
We’ll see where I end up next year.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Braving Black Friday
Did you brave Black Friday this year?
I’m not a big Black Friday shopper. Honestly, I shop enough the rest of the year that I’m not about to wake up at 3:00 a.m. to run to Target. In fact, not a whole lot can get me up at 3:00 a.m. to go anywhere.
Backing Away from Black Friday
I just don’t get it.
Why would anyone want to shorten their Thanksgiving to camp outside a store just to get a good “deal”? The only deal that could ever make me camp out anywhere would be a "free" deal… on Jimmy Choo’s (which we all know will never happen, so thankfully I won’t be loosing any sleep anytime soon. Phew!)
Normally I stay home on Black Friday. I don’t brave the traffic, the crowds or the sales. But this year, I happened to be driving past my Old Navy and saw throngs of people coming out with bags and bags of… stuff.
I was curious.
I thought to myself, "If I get a parking spot in the next two minutes, I’ll just run in and see what they have on sale." Needless to say, I got the parking spot, so I went inside.
Big mistake.
I could not believe the crowds. The line for the dressing rooms wrapped all the way around the store and intersected with the check out line somewhere in the back of the boys’ department.
Really, People? Really?
What could possibly drive you to lose at least two hours of your life waiting on line? Five dollar t-shirts that are normally $7.50 any other day of the week? Fifteen dollar cargo pants that you probably have hanging in your closet?
I couldn’t believe it. And to think unemployment still hovers around an unprecedented 9% in this country.
At the end of the day, is it really worth it? Worth the stress? The frustration?
Not for me.
You know what I did on this Black Friday? I went home and did laundry. And it didn’t cost me a thing.
I’m not a big Black Friday shopper. Honestly, I shop enough the rest of the year that I’m not about to wake up at 3:00 a.m. to run to Target. In fact, not a whole lot can get me up at 3:00 a.m. to go anywhere.
Backing Away from Black Friday
I just don’t get it.
Why would anyone want to shorten their Thanksgiving to camp outside a store just to get a good “deal”? The only deal that could ever make me camp out anywhere would be a "free" deal… on Jimmy Choo’s (which we all know will never happen, so thankfully I won’t be loosing any sleep anytime soon. Phew!)
Normally I stay home on Black Friday. I don’t brave the traffic, the crowds or the sales. But this year, I happened to be driving past my Old Navy and saw throngs of people coming out with bags and bags of… stuff.
I was curious.
I thought to myself, "If I get a parking spot in the next two minutes, I’ll just run in and see what they have on sale." Needless to say, I got the parking spot, so I went inside.
Big mistake.
I could not believe the crowds. The line for the dressing rooms wrapped all the way around the store and intersected with the check out line somewhere in the back of the boys’ department.
Really, People? Really?
What could possibly drive you to lose at least two hours of your life waiting on line? Five dollar t-shirts that are normally $7.50 any other day of the week? Fifteen dollar cargo pants that you probably have hanging in your closet?
I couldn’t believe it. And to think unemployment still hovers around an unprecedented 9% in this country.
At the end of the day, is it really worth it? Worth the stress? The frustration?
Not for me.
You know what I did on this Black Friday? I went home and did laundry. And it didn’t cost me a thing.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Taking a Breather This Thanksgiving
I caught a glimpse of a Martha Stewart Thanksgiving Special the other day and she was drilling (yes, drilling…) holes in acorn squashes to make the “perfect holiday center piece.” She was actually having trouble holding those suckers down while trying to make it look “So Easy!”
I just can’t picture myself trying to DRILL a hole in the center of a squash so that I could have the “perfect” holiday centerpiece this Thanksgiving. Whatever happened to simply putting some candle holders out in the center of the table and hoping your 10-year old niece doesn’t knock them over reaching for the gravy?
The Holidays Are Here … Again
Yes, folks, the holidays are here … again. Which of course means more running around, more shopping, more eating, more stress, more debt … more of everything we don’t need. When you think about it, the Holidays should be a time when we strip our lives down to the bare essentials: Good Food, Close Family and Fun Friends.
But as a society we don’t. We run around cooking, cleaning, bitching, buying, stressing…and now drilling?
Don’t Buy into the Hype
When you sit back and actually watch some of these shows (or even segments on the local news) you really have to remind yourself that everyone of the hosts are trying to sell you something in the wrapper of a “Perfect Holiday”--when there is no such thing.
Actually, let me take that back: The perfect holiday is not what some marketing guru on Fifth Avenue wants you to believe. It’s not serving the perfect tasting turkey in the perfectly ironed outfit with perfectly behaved children sitting around the table waiting patiently to be served.
The Perfect Thanksgiving is Possible
The perfect Thanksgiving is one where you are able to afford the turkey, put your healthy kids in a timeout because they are over-tired and one in which you are able to actually sit down for five minutes and enjoy the taste of the meal you have been planning and cooking for days.
So this Thanksgiving, try not to stress. Be mindful (and truly Thankful) for what you have, the people around you and the meal you cooked. If you can sit back and smile at the meal before you and laugh with the company around you—it has been the “Perfect” Thanksgiving.
I just can’t picture myself trying to DRILL a hole in the center of a squash so that I could have the “perfect” holiday centerpiece this Thanksgiving. Whatever happened to simply putting some candle holders out in the center of the table and hoping your 10-year old niece doesn’t knock them over reaching for the gravy?
The Holidays Are Here … Again
Yes, folks, the holidays are here … again. Which of course means more running around, more shopping, more eating, more stress, more debt … more of everything we don’t need. When you think about it, the Holidays should be a time when we strip our lives down to the bare essentials: Good Food, Close Family and Fun Friends.
But as a society we don’t. We run around cooking, cleaning, bitching, buying, stressing…and now drilling?
Don’t Buy into the Hype
When you sit back and actually watch some of these shows (or even segments on the local news) you really have to remind yourself that everyone of the hosts are trying to sell you something in the wrapper of a “Perfect Holiday”--when there is no such thing.
Actually, let me take that back: The perfect holiday is not what some marketing guru on Fifth Avenue wants you to believe. It’s not serving the perfect tasting turkey in the perfectly ironed outfit with perfectly behaved children sitting around the table waiting patiently to be served.
The Perfect Thanksgiving is Possible
The perfect Thanksgiving is one where you are able to afford the turkey, put your healthy kids in a timeout because they are over-tired and one in which you are able to actually sit down for five minutes and enjoy the taste of the meal you have been planning and cooking for days.
So this Thanksgiving, try not to stress. Be mindful (and truly Thankful) for what you have, the people around you and the meal you cooked. If you can sit back and smile at the meal before you and laugh with the company around you—it has been the “Perfect” Thanksgiving.
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