#34 Completed, sort of

# 34 on my list was to turn off the tv when nothing good  was on.

Direct TV did this for me. I forgot to pay the bill, and because there was an outstanding balance for something, they cut my service. As it would be two week before I’d have enough money to pay it, we were without service till then.

The first few days were torture. Not that I really watch most of the programs. I mainly just like the noise in the background when I’m alone. It’s like company.

But after that, I really didn’t miss it.  When you look at all the channels, there’s really not all that much. I don’t watch sports. I don’t like horror. Or military stuff. Forget all the religious channels and you end up with about a dozen channels you turn to the most.

And they continue to show repeats, after repeats, after repeats.

Not much of a bargain really. If they just allowed you to hand pick the dozen channels you do watch, it shouldn’t cost the $75 a month.

For some reason, and even Direct TV can explain it to me, the bill that comes in the mail never matches the one on the web. So if you pay online, you’re still owe money.  I’ve been assured that my cost is only $75. a month, but I always end up paying between $95 to $120.

I’d switch to the Dish network, but I don’t like what included in their packages. You always have to pay for channels you’re never going to watch and it doesn’t seem fair.

I cancelled all the “premium” channels several months ago. Nothing was ever on. Paying to watch movies that are on the regular stations seems foolish. And there were only a few special shows created by them that I watched. I decided I could live without them.

I’ve since signed up the Netflix and really like their service. I’ve been able to watch a lot of great movies and it’s really easy to get them and return them by mail. I can even watch full seasons of the shows I like on the premium channels.

Totally worth it.

#30 Completed! Planning a Big Surprise

It happened so suddenly. I wasn’t even thinking about my list when I thought of it. Only after did I realize that – although it wasn’t necessarily a really big surprise as I had imagined it when I added to my 101 list, it was, nevertheless, a really good surprise, and perhaps bigger than I think.

This past week, I traveled to North Carolina to gather with my family at our childhood home for Thanksgiving. Wednesday night, while my mother and I prepared a variety of things “on the list” of things pre-planned for our feast, we got to talking about different things we remembered from past Thanksgivings. Especially those when we all were a lot younger

One of the things I always loved was my mother’s “Pea Salad”, a simple dish that most of my own family loves and remains a staple at my own yearly feasts. As I sat, chopping mountains of onions and celery to be included in the stuffing and other dishes for the next day, I asked about the potato salad. My younger sister had apparently nixed it, saying that we only needed mashed potatoes, but I remembered my mother’s great potato salad had always been a part of every one of our Thanksgivings as a child – and so did my Dad. So she decided to make both.

As I chopped even more onions, celery and now green peppers – Mom was preparing a new cranberry relish recipe and that included raisins. She was using the light colored raisins, and she started reminiscing about my older sister, and how she finally got her to eat rice pudding.

I’ve probably heard this story at least a hundred times over the past years . . . how as a child she wouldn’t eat it because she thought the raisins were bugs. So one day – in an effort to get her to try it, she used golden raisins, which didn’t show up like little black bugs, and my sister has loved it ever since.

So, I said to my mother, “wouldn’t “G” really be surprised if you made that just for her?” She would. So with the delight of little girls giggling over our new secret – she pulled out her book of recipes and started making it.

My two sisters had “planned” this year’s feast. And rice pudding was definitely not on the “list”. My older sister “G” – who loves rice pudding – is also the Queen of List making. This year was something special for all of us. Not only because we hadn’t shared Thanksgiving at home for many years, but also because this year the newest member of our family, “G”‘s first daughter-in-law who is now expecting her first child and “G”‘s first grandchild – was coming for her first visit to our family home. So things had to be perfect.

So with everything on the list completed, around the house and on the menu – we knew that “G” would never even dream that we were slipping in this little surprise just for her. In our family “G” is the one who remembers us all, and continually surprises us with little – and Big – things because she loves us. Mother and I were excited to see the look on her face.

She was the first to arrive, and my mom and I just couldn’t wait.

“We have a surprise for you . . . just for you! We made you something”.

I don’t remember exactly what her first responses were – but on the third guess – she said “rice pudding” – with such glee when it was revealed that I won’t ever forget how joyful the expression of true surprise was on her face.

It was truly a magical moment between the three of us. Something special we shared in love that strengthened our bonds of family and friendship that will endure as one of our most delightful memories.

Priceless.

And she took the entire bowl home.

The Fuel Behind Vision Boards

When you get to be my age, the axiom “been there, done that” applies to most of life’s situations.

This morning, as I checked into my blog, I found a delightful comment posted by Mike Walzman who likes to do vision boards.

Ah, vision boards.

I too have one of those – sort of. I have a bulletin board, a box and a scrap book stuffed full of lovely pictures ready to create one. However, as I awakened from the dream I discovered that there was something deeper I needed to understand about what it was that I truly wanted from the universe.

After watching “The Secret” and feeling really inspired, I started looking at pictures of things I thought I wanted. I scoured the web for images of a great many things. Money, new home, new car, custom built closet – with fabulous new clothes that fit my fabulous new body. In my new home I would have, not only my own art studio, but a pottery studio as well. I would have at least 10 Million dollars in my bank account and life would be good.

Very good.

While it’s true I still would love to have all those things, sometimes the reality of your actual situation makes it hard to truly believe you could have that beautiful mansion on the beach and that new convertible where your hair flows in the breeze on the highway.

Sometimes, no matter how positive you may be, the reality of life gets in the way. Unexpected things break down. There’s not enough money to pay all the bills. You can’t find a job – no matter how hard you try. While in the midst of a nightmare, you begin to see your grandiose dreams as nothing more than a fantasy. The hope and the vision soon fades away.

Being continually faced with negative people who have a dismal outlook on life can also sap your enthusiasm and can very quickly cause you to lose sight. It’s hard to stay at the “optimum” level of the positive energy needed to fuel the achievement of your vision when everyone around you has a vision of the darker side of life.

Looking at pretty little pictures won’t necessarily lift you out of the misery. In fact, they may cause you to sink deeper into despair.

I’m not saying that vision boards don’t work. Quite the contrary. I do believe that they are an effective tool in getting what you want in life. However, sometimes, for some people, taking baby steps is more practical than giant leaps.

What the 101 things in 1001 days project has allowed me to do is really think about things that I would like to do on a more practical level. Just thinking about the 101 things I could possibly, realistically do in 1001 days has allowed me to more easily envision myself achieving those goals.

Taking a walk on the beach is more realistic than taking a world cruise. And in many ways will make you just as happy. What the 101 in 1001 project has allowed me to do is think about some of the more simple things in life that I had forgotten about doing, that I could do if I put my mind to it. Things that I know I can accomplish, as well as things that may be a bit more difficult but not out of the realm of believing them possible.

Writing them down seems to set the vision. Its like signing a contract with your subconscious. You have solidified your desire with intention – which is the fuel vision boards must have to work.

The first step to making dreams come true is being able to visualize yourself living the dream. If a person has trouble visualizing, participating in the 101 things to do in 1001 days project will certainly increase that ability. The more easily you can believe the vision of what you want, and feel the joy when these little dreams are fulfilled, the more confident you will become that dreaming even bigger dreams have the possibility of being realized. That’s what I believe I’ll achieve by the end of this project. It offers me hope.

Nothing is impossible.

Wishing you can run a 20 mile marathon when you can barely walk around the block is in some ways unrealistic. But, if you set your goal to walking around the block, then expanding on this achievement – with determination and your positive intention – over time you will be able to feel the joy of completing that 20 mile run.

While vision boards don’t seem to be a vital part of the project, I see no reason why creating one with pictures of the 101 things you want to do would upset the laws of the universe in achieving that which you set out to do.

While it may be true that a picture speaks a thousand words, there’s nothing like the pictures on the vision board you create in your own mind. Seeing is believing – even if it’s only in your mind’s eye. That may be just as – if not more – powerful than cutting and pasting images of others doing or having the things you want.

Seeing the vision of yourself doing something you want to do and then making a list has been one of the most powerful things I’ve ever done. It starts to work immediately because it is believeable. Which fuels the fire of wanting to do more.

And, as Martha would say, “That’s a good thing.”

Half Way There!

Isn’t it funny, as soon as I put finishing my 101 List ON my list, and started the clock, I’ve really made progress. Earlier this week I decided to stop procrastinating and set a date for the completion of 101 things.

Seems like that was the magic trick. When I made that decision, I only had 11 things on the list. Today, as of this writing, I have 51. Only 50 more to go!

I think I’m beginning to get the hang of this.

It’s not as easy as it sounds, thinking of 101 things you want to in 1001 days. One thing I’ve definitely learned so far though, is that when you’re focused on something you really want to do – magic does happen.

Some of the things, like taking a long walk on the beach in the rain, are goofey little things I would probably never think of doing normally. Just thinking about things I’d like to do has allowed me the freedom to imagine myself doing a lot of different things my mundane everyday life never allowed me to dream of.

Some of the things – like updating the birthday/anniversary book – I’ve meant to do for a long time, but kept putting it off. I’m really bad about remembering special events of people I care about. It’s a good time to change that.

The beauty of the project is that I don’t have to do it today. I have now made a declaration to myself that it is something that I desire. My intention allows me to look forward to the day when I finish that item on my list

I’m not sure I know how to express how grateful I am to the author of “New Age Hooey…Eerily Effective”. The title caught my eye while roaming the blogs one morning, and led me to finding her 101 list. I was captivated by the thoughts of this project, which led me to creating this blog. My life has not been the same and has definitely taken a turn for the better.

On Eleanor’s blog was a link to the creator of the project. At the Day Zero website I learned even more. If you’re interested in more information about getting started on the project, you really will want check it out.

Anyway, I’ve half-way to finishing my list. I imagine I’ll be adding more items tomorrow.

Little by little, bit by bit . ..

What Am I Waiting For?

Over the past few days I’ve had a lot to think about. On a couple of my posts and a few I’ve left on others, I stated that I had set a target to begin this project by January 1, 2009. That I had larger projects that I wanted to complete before I could discover the hidden treasures buried in my garage and other de-cluttering and organizing projects

I woke up this morning more self-determined. A little more self-confident and ready to face the next 50 years of my life. One day at a time. Making the most of what I can each and every day.

The other day one comment left on another blog led me to a couple of others that profoundly affected me. It’s taken me a couple of days to fully grasp how deeply important this author’s words were to me, and just how profoundly it continues to influence some of my thoughts and actions.

The topic deals with hope, and hope implies a happy future. What I have come to understand is that in my happy future, I do have a clean house, an organized garage and I am living life instead of waiting for life to happen.

So, I’ve decided to simply start, today. I’m going to put those huge projects on my list as part of my 101 thing. The actual completion of the 101 Thing List itself will be one item on the list.

Why? Because I’m tired of being afflicted with procrastination. Because, putting things off is exactly why I’ve stagnated for so long. It’s always easier to do it later – or not at all. Or continue waiting for others to help, who are never going to.

Today my intention is to add to the list and complete the things I want to do in 1001 days. Some of the things I need to do really are things I want to do. Not because I like or enjoy doing them, but because I know that I will enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes when the job’s done. It will bring the sense of order I want in my life. And I will feel good about myself. That if it is only me that pat’s me on the back for a job well done – I’ll be happy with that.

August 19, 2011 will be the the day I cross off the one final thing on my list. That – of course – will be having actually competed the 101 Things to Do in 1001 Days project. I am looking forward to that.

So, today truly is the first day of the rest of my life – and my 101 in 1001 project.

New Inspiration and a Bloggers Group

Sometimes I get lost on the internet. One link leads to another and then another. What’s frustratiing is that I don’t remember who’s blog I was on that had a link to Nablopomo. but I am truly grateful.

The name stands for National Blog Posting Month, where you can win prizes just for blogging every day for a month. Even though I joined mid-month, I found a lot of groups of bloggers that shared some of my interests. It’s fun to join in the conversation. Light, quick and friendly.

Today, as I was looking at their group of groups, I came across one about the 101 Things in 1001 Days! So, of course, I had to check it out.

It’s comforting to know that other people find that creating a list of 101 things you really want to do in 1001 days is as challenging as I too find it.

Hosted by “Just Jinny”, it’s a greatplace to go if you need to get inspired and encouraged by others who are well into their 1001 days. If you’re just beginning, it’s a great place to see what problems others are having in getting started. A lot of good solutions.

For example, one of the posts, by Amanda, asks the question, “For those of you who have been doing this longer, how do you keep up the momentum throughout the challenge?”

Great question, with a good answer by Just Jinny. She points out that the momentum comes and goes – it is after all a 2.75 year project – and that even when we’re not as enthusiastic about it in 6 months as we may be in the beginning, that being mindful of the list keeps you going.

She also points out that you need to be watchful of things you do that’s on your list, that you forgot about and have completed. Reviewing the list from time to time may surprise you.

Jinny’s answer triggered something in me with two words “being mindful”.

It’s funny how writing things down seems to solidify our “intent” on something. Intent is being mindful of what we plan to do, something that we have stated – if only in our minds – as fact before the fact. If you believe that our subconscious minds are recording everything we do, think and experience – then even if you don’t “consciously” remember something – you subconscious does. And I believe it guides us.

A case in point is the additional list I created of things I needed to get organized before I could complete my 101 list. I sensed the need to clear my head and free up my thoughts about what I sincerely wanted/needed to put on the 101 list.

A cluttered mind is . . . well, you know.

The first item on my other list was to organize all my media – photos, artwork, music, videos,etc. I had forgotten that it was the first thing on my list. One thing led to another, and I spent a day searching for past artwork that could possibly be sold. As I was in the process of doing this, a few goals I wanted to add to my 101 list became clear. To my surprise, after logging into my blog to add them to my 101 list, I saw that this personal organizing project – which was too large, really for just one entry on the 101 list, was the first thing on my organizing list

Some projects are just too large for one entry onto the 101 list. Like cleaning the garage. That is a worthy goal, but it may take me 2.75 years to even want to do it! That really is too vauge and too large of a project that needs (and has needed to be) done for a very long time.

I know tucked away in there somewhere are a great many wishes of things I’ve really wanted to do – ready to be re-discovered. Garages become places of “out of sight, out of mind” and until I get in there and start organizing and seeing what’s there, I won’t readily remember the many wishes I’ve been denied for one reason or another.

So, I’m inspired.

Do I really want to clean the garage? No. It’s one of those tasks where you don’t know where to begin. But. . . I do want the treasures that are hidden there.

In Progress

Started another blog today. Actually, I’m thinking of deleting one that will be replaced by the new one. After some thinking about it, I didn’t feel the title reflected how my thoughts truly are on the topic, metaphysics. It can be fun, the topics in that category of philosophy are just about as numerous as the stars in the sky and how serious you take it varies with each one.

But that is a discussion for a different blog, on another day!

I am making progress in determining my 101 things. After I started listing some of my major to do’s before I start the 1001 days, I did get inspired with new challenges I’d like add to my 101 in 1001 list.

When it comes to things I want to do, things I need to do and things I should be doing – I feel like a kid at Chucky Cheese in one of those cages with all the multi-colored balls. Each color represents some area of my life and I need to sort all the balls by color.

When I check in this morning, I was amazed that one of the first things I started doing was the first thing on the list. I had forgotten it was the first.

I started going through all my CD’s that have many of my art and photo images, and looking at each one to organize the best of the best. I need to go through them again, as more things are there, but I was able to discard a few. It’s a start.

I am inspired. Going to add more to my 101 now!

Can’t Get Myself Motivated

I love the 101 Things project.  In some ways it has motivated me. I forget how I found it, by why of some search which led me to Word Press, which led me to creating a few blogs and my life’s been consumed with blogging!

It’s a great diversion from doing anything else around the house that needs to be done, but it is better than playing online games and still not getting anything done around the house. A lot more productive, as blogging does offer me a way to release a lot of things I think about, have opinion about.

From my stats, few people seem to be as interested in most things that I am, except I do see a little rise in my  more political topics.

But I don’t want to blog all day about politics. I have my views, and it’s nice to  be able to share my voice in the debate.

I have so much to do, I just don’t know where to start.

Thinking of my 101 things amidst all the unresolved issues surrounding me is a lot like not being able to see the forest (the 101 things) for the trees (the mess that surrounds me.)

I can’t seem to see the positive road ahead until I clear the fog I’m in. I want to do it, but a lot of house work – especially when you have two  grown messy sons is a lot like being a hamster on a wheel.  There are always dishes and clothes to be washed, floors and bathrooms to be cleaned and no matter how often I do those things – they’re really never done.

Add to that my own cluttered office space, where the objects of my the many interests end up being scattered together with daily mail and financial stuff.

It is overwhelming.

I could put on my 101 list “clean the garage”, but I’ve been trying to that for longer than the past 1001 days, and even when I’ve tried – it’s just too much stuff.

I don’t have the energy I use to. Some days I look at everything and think “What the Point?”

Rather bleak outlook. But I am hopeful – and determined to conquer this.

I’m going to clean the kitchen now.

Beware of Moving Plant

Thinking of 101 things I want to do in 1001 days is not as easy as it sounds. Without going to personal places I don’t want to discuss, suffice it to say I’d almost giving up dreaming about things I want to do with the rest of my life. This really is a challenge. I just hope it doesn’t take me 1001 days to figure out the 101 things I want to do!

This project, along with the adventure of blogging, has lit a little fire under my butt! Being an unemployed and uninspired graphic designer, all this has stirred up my creative blood.

Scouring Dreamstime yesterday for some great images to incorporate into my blog, I spent almost an entire day looking at their free download section. Found some great images among some not so great ones. Came across this one, and it made me chuckle, as if anyone seems to be a plant, it’s me in front of my computer!

So beware, the plant is beginning to move – in the direction of thinking about and doing something about what seems to be my stagnant life. My husband and kids better watch out!

A New Day Dawns

I came across an interesting website yesterday that helps you create a giant to do list. Something about it appeals to me, and I am now working to set up this page with my 101 things I want to do in the next 1001 days. That’s about 2-3/4 years, so it’s not the usual daily to do list.

What I think is important about this is that I have so many things I want to do, but feel weighed down by things I need to do. I don’t feel like I can get started on the things I truly want to do because I haven’t taken care of “business”. The frustration is that I have little to dream about because I can never seem to get started on the things I want to do around the house.

Right now I’m trying to categorize the things I want to get done as well as the things I want to do and experience.