What a great idea Jadzia! Thanks for the super thread. I think we all need, every once in a while, to step back and look at our attitudes with an open heart and mind. And, to ultimately be honest with ourselves and our dealings with those around us, and also how we look at ourselves.
1. The qualities and values I look for in a friend are simple....honesty, integrity, compassion and a sence of humor and dry wit help a lot!
Intelligence too....I couldn't have a true friend if we weren't on the same wave length.
2. "Life is what we make of it"....how very true this statement is! I am going to make a concerted effort to just accept what I have and not look for more than that. I have a very good life, great children of whom I am very very proud, a loving and close family, a roof over my head and food on the table. What more does a person really need? I am all I need.
3. List ways to feed body, mind and soul. Hmmmm, well I have been trying to get out for walks everyday with my kids after dinner, or at the very least to work out on my step-machine. I'm in good shape, basically, but I absolutely have to work on some better eating habits! I'm one of those people who eats only one meal a day....bad girl!
The feeding of the mind is the easy part for me as I have my confidante/best bud at work every day to keep the grey matter flowing and growing. Ahhh, the soul. Well, that is the hard one for me as deep down I am a little...discontented. But, every single day I sit on my bench in my back yard and I watch the sun go down. It turns all the grasses on the hill behind my place to gold and is the most gorgeous sight ever. Makes me smile inside everytime and it is my "me" time!
That...and laughing with my boys....that is the best balm for the soul ever!
4. A mission statement for where I want to get in life is, also, for me quite easy. As far as my job goes, I'm fortunate in that I have a very bright future ahead of me. In "x" amount of years the torch will be handed down to me so my future is quite secure that way. The only thing that I regret/crave is to own a home again soon. Not easy as a single parent but I want to provide that stability for my kids....and I suppose to make up for the mistakes I made in the past (as far as stupid decisions with "material" items go). I am already saving for their education (of course) but a home to call our own.......heaven.
5. "Identify a problem" when other's actions frustrate you. Well.......I guess my approach is to have the point of view that I cannot change people around me, or the way they think, or act. So...you just have to accept the fact that some people you will disagree or not get along with and move on. I will change the things I can and I cannot (and will not) ever change another person so the trick is acceptance. And when things get really crazy and I need to vent...I go to my buddy!
6. This entire idea of relaxing sounds great! I am pretty busy though and I think my body thrives a little on the action/stress factor! Although, as mentioned above - I do get my own little "down" time each evening when I'm in my backyard. And, if I had just a wee bit more time I would like to learn some meditating techniques....nothing crazy just enough to ease the spirit of the soul when things get silly. Yoga anyone?!
7. "Dance around your bedroom when no-one is looking" OMG! That is so me! lol...shhhhhhhh - don't tell anyone though! A strong body is a beautiful body regardless of its size/shape....and a strong mind is just as important. My two cents there!
8. Learning from one's mistakes.....ahhh now if this isn't the be-all-end-all of life I don't know what is. No one is perfect and we shouldn't press ourselves to be. We should press ourselves to be the best we can but everyone makes mistakes...it's called being human. The trick is to be able to 1) admit your mistake 2) try to find a way to solve it and 3) learn from it so it becomes a "life lesson" and not a regret. We can only grow by realizing what we have done wrong in the past and by trying to improve upon that.
9. And here we come to the issue of a positive attitude. Oh man, I am always harping on my poor friend about the power of a positive attitude. I am a believer in looking at the good in people, hoping for the best, trusting people and living the thrill from dreams and hopes. If we don't have anything to look forward to, and to hope for then it would be a dreary world.
And...there is a lot of power to the thought that if you feel good about yourself you project that image to those around you. Almost everyone is drawn to a confident, happy person.
10. "Nurture your body and accept it's changes" Well, as stated before I could take better care of myself I know but as far as accepting myself and the way I am - I am very confident with that aspect. I love the skin I am in right now (yes, even after two darlings!) and I think (hope) that feeling is projected to those around me.
Thanks again Jadzia for giving us a little insight/look into ourselves.