Possibly my favorite word in the English language. The definition of this word according to Google, is to relinquish control.
I spend my life worrying about everything I can't control...the weather, plane crashes, client personalities, my boss's mood, the economy, the world ending, sickness, and then I was introduced to the concept of surrender.
This concept was introduced to me in December (by the fabulous Oprah on her 8 disc collection), and it's become a word that continues to show up in my life. Have I surrendered all of my fears and concerns...of course not, but am I a slowly beginning to learn and feel the release of items in my life I can't control.....yes.
Tonight at church, Pastor Pete spoke about the Why, that's the part of our life we can control. We may not be able to control the Who, What, and Where, but it's the Why that's in our hands. His example was we may not love our Job, and right now you may not be able to leave that job or get a new job, but you have a job, and you can control your attitude and emotions every day toward that job and in that job.
Focus on what you can control and what's within your control, and then let the rest go, surrender it all. Surrender the things in your life that you can not change, and the fears of things out of your hands.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Bonnaroo, Steeplechase, and Fan Fair...what do these have in common...TRAFFIC
What are the three things I dislike about Nashville...
1. Bonnaroo.... No showers, No AC, No beds, No hotels, No restaurants, I mean really do I need to continue. Why in the world is there a huge festival in Manchester, Tennessee? There is one exit to get there, and the traffic...I have to take vacation over these dates just to avoid going to work in driving on the same interstate. Oh did I mention, that people die every year at this event, like multiple people...seriously.
2. Steeplechase....so yeah, yeah, yeah it's for charity, yeah, yeah, yeah. Again another event in May in Tennessee, do you know how humid it is in May. Ughhhh.... Another event that you can only access from one, two-lane road. I happen to live off of the that road, so don't even get me started on that traffic. Also, I don't need to remind you what drinking all day in the hot sun does to people. Plus, this is an expensive event, it's about $100 to just stand in the grass, if you drive, eat, or drink, tag on another $100.
3. Fan Fair...Tourists with cameras and cowboy hats, and one way streets downtown. Ahhhhhh.... Thank goodness I am not a huge fan of downtown and can pretty much avoid this event all together. Plus, let me also mention that I am a big fan of tourists! People need to travel, it's good for the economy and anyone that has a job in a tourist city, we want people spending money in our city, it's good for everyone not just hotels and restaurants. So I will take back my dislike for this event, and just stay away from it. Thank you to those visiting Nashville for Fan Fair. I still dislike Bonnaroo, as they are not tourists, they are campers, there is a difference.
1. Bonnaroo.... No showers, No AC, No beds, No hotels, No restaurants, I mean really do I need to continue. Why in the world is there a huge festival in Manchester, Tennessee? There is one exit to get there, and the traffic...I have to take vacation over these dates just to avoid going to work in driving on the same interstate. Oh did I mention, that people die every year at this event, like multiple people...seriously.
2. Steeplechase....so yeah, yeah, yeah it's for charity, yeah, yeah, yeah. Again another event in May in Tennessee, do you know how humid it is in May. Ughhhh.... Another event that you can only access from one, two-lane road. I happen to live off of the that road, so don't even get me started on that traffic. Also, I don't need to remind you what drinking all day in the hot sun does to people. Plus, this is an expensive event, it's about $100 to just stand in the grass, if you drive, eat, or drink, tag on another $100.
3. Fan Fair...Tourists with cameras and cowboy hats, and one way streets downtown. Ahhhhhh.... Thank goodness I am not a huge fan of downtown and can pretty much avoid this event all together. Plus, let me also mention that I am a big fan of tourists! People need to travel, it's good for the economy and anyone that has a job in a tourist city, we want people spending money in our city, it's good for everyone not just hotels and restaurants. So I will take back my dislike for this event, and just stay away from it. Thank you to those visiting Nashville for Fan Fair. I still dislike Bonnaroo, as they are not tourists, they are campers, there is a difference.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Great Books...
My mother is a teacher and reading was always a big deal in our house. She always said, "it doesn't matter what they read, as long as they read."
Don't be ashamed to read children's books, classics, religious, silly, romance novels, or anything on Oprah's book club list. Here are some of my favorites of 2008!
"Are you there God, it's me Mary Margaret." By Judy Blume- One of my favorite books ever. I have re-read it in my twenties at least 3 times. Anyone who is looking to find themselves and grew up with something in life not like the others, will relate to Mary.
"Are you there Vodka, it's me Chelsea" by Chelsea Handler- Can you guess where she got her title from? Chelsea is a comedian with no boundaries and she is hilarious. She has a late night tv show on E, called Chelsea Lately, and it is a great way to get the news and laugh! This is her tale of growing up and her relationship with her father. It is a quick read and there are plenty of laugh out loud parts, but she tells it like it is and she talks openly about her life, including her sex life and drinking, so this is one I would not recommend to my Mother. Catch my drift?
"Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert- This is my all time favorite book ever! I have recommended it to my Mother, and several friends all who have thanked me. It is moving, touching, inspiring, and literally makes me think about my life differently! READ IT!!!
"Such a Pretty Fat" by Jennifer Lancaster, while I am on it also read "Bitter is the New Black", and anything by her, you will not regret it!- A friend recommended this to me and I have recommended it to friends and my sisters, and now we are all fans! Check out her blog too http://www.jennslyvania.com/. These books are hilarious, and are her adventures through unemployment, marriage, career moves, and dieting. She is hysterical, and I now live my her Jen Commandments. Warning- Don't read in public, because you WILL be laughing out loud!
"Clapton" by Eric Clapton- I love Eric Clapton, so this was a must for me. If you say you don't know any of his music, I will prove you wrong...You look Wonderful tonight, Layla, Tears in Heaven, In my Father's Eyes, you have heard him..trust me. He has an amazing journey, he taught himself how to play the guitar, overcame a major drug addiction, and played with Hendrix, Winwood, Pink Floyd members, and Fleetwood Mac members, before any of them became household names. He also fell in love with George Harrison's wife of the Beatles, and she left him for Eric. He also lost his son in a tragic accident, where he fell 32 stories out of Manhattan Apartment window. This is an honest book written by the best guitar player, in my mind. My favorite Clapton song is Old Love...download it!
"The Other Boelyn Girl" by Phillipa Gregory- This is a long one, but worth your time. Read this first, then watch the movie, it is completely different than the movie and much better. After you read this, watch Elizabeth 1 and 2, and then begin the Tudors TV series. Which are all some of my favorites, but this book will help you understand the characters in all of these, and you will appreciate that you read the book!
"Twilight" by Stephanie Meyer- Get them all...you will not be sorry! These are a quick read, and I understand the second book gets a little slow (haven't started it yet), but my sister saids to stick through it as the last ones are great!
I will continue to update...
Don't be ashamed to read children's books, classics, religious, silly, romance novels, or anything on Oprah's book club list. Here are some of my favorites of 2008!
"Are you there God, it's me Mary Margaret." By Judy Blume- One of my favorite books ever. I have re-read it in my twenties at least 3 times. Anyone who is looking to find themselves and grew up with something in life not like the others, will relate to Mary.
"Are you there Vodka, it's me Chelsea" by Chelsea Handler- Can you guess where she got her title from? Chelsea is a comedian with no boundaries and she is hilarious. She has a late night tv show on E, called Chelsea Lately, and it is a great way to get the news and laugh! This is her tale of growing up and her relationship with her father. It is a quick read and there are plenty of laugh out loud parts, but she tells it like it is and she talks openly about her life, including her sex life and drinking, so this is one I would not recommend to my Mother. Catch my drift?
"Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert- This is my all time favorite book ever! I have recommended it to my Mother, and several friends all who have thanked me. It is moving, touching, inspiring, and literally makes me think about my life differently! READ IT!!!
"Such a Pretty Fat" by Jennifer Lancaster, while I am on it also read "Bitter is the New Black", and anything by her, you will not regret it!- A friend recommended this to me and I have recommended it to friends and my sisters, and now we are all fans! Check out her blog too http://www.jennslyvania.com/. These books are hilarious, and are her adventures through unemployment, marriage, career moves, and dieting. She is hysterical, and I now live my her Jen Commandments. Warning- Don't read in public, because you WILL be laughing out loud!
"Clapton" by Eric Clapton- I love Eric Clapton, so this was a must for me. If you say you don't know any of his music, I will prove you wrong...You look Wonderful tonight, Layla, Tears in Heaven, In my Father's Eyes, you have heard him..trust me. He has an amazing journey, he taught himself how to play the guitar, overcame a major drug addiction, and played with Hendrix, Winwood, Pink Floyd members, and Fleetwood Mac members, before any of them became household names. He also fell in love with George Harrison's wife of the Beatles, and she left him for Eric. He also lost his son in a tragic accident, where he fell 32 stories out of Manhattan Apartment window. This is an honest book written by the best guitar player, in my mind. My favorite Clapton song is Old Love...download it!
"The Other Boelyn Girl" by Phillipa Gregory- This is a long one, but worth your time. Read this first, then watch the movie, it is completely different than the movie and much better. After you read this, watch Elizabeth 1 and 2, and then begin the Tudors TV series. Which are all some of my favorites, but this book will help you understand the characters in all of these, and you will appreciate that you read the book!
"Twilight" by Stephanie Meyer- Get them all...you will not be sorry! These are a quick read, and I understand the second book gets a little slow (haven't started it yet), but my sister saids to stick through it as the last ones are great!
I will continue to update...
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