I’ve been feeling a little over-sappy these last few days –
and I blame it on my reading material. Not that it’s BAD reading material – it’s
actually really AMAZING reading material. I just finished up Start Something
That Matters by Blake Mycoskie, the founder and Chief Shoe Giver of TOMS. In
the first chapter of this book, I was in tears. I was sitting at Panera on my
lunch and was damn near crying into my broccoli cheddar soup. But I pulled it
together and continued reading one of the BEST books I’ve read to date. Even if
you aren’t thinking about starting a business, read this book. It speaks to the
heart, from the heart – and will ABSOLUTELY make you a better person in all
aspects of life. While finishing this book up on a rainy Sunday afternoon, I began
a list. New goals and different thoughts to make myself better. (List to come
later.) I’m also trying to figure out how I can go with the TOMS crew to a shoe
drop. The emotion from those doing the shoe drop to those receiving the shoes,
has got to be the strongest, most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard of. Can you
imagine receiving your first pair of shoes? The feeling of gratitude,
happiness, excitement – all built into one overwhelming sense of, I don’t even know
– being? And can you imagine how you would feel when you gave someone their
first pair of shoes? I would immediately burst into tears. As emotional as I can
get, I know I’d be a sobbing mess. But I would be so unbelievably HAPPY while
doing it. Makes sense right? Bawling my eyes out with a HUGE smile on my face.
I’m researching to figure out how I can make this happen.
I’m also in the process of finishing up our book club read
for this month – The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. This book has
been on my reading list for literally YEARS and I just haven’t picked it up to
read. So after hosting last month’s meeting, I figured – why not? I haven’t
read it yet and really – who DOESN’T want to be happier? I wasn’t sure it would
lead to a personal increased happiness level, but I could try. Reading makes me
happy, so why not read a book about being happy to make me HAPPIER. So much
happy in one place! Like I’d said before, it makes me want to begin my own
happiness project. When I get some free time (whatever that means) I’m going to
sit down and really think about what I want to improve. What can make ME
happier. Don’t get me wrong – I’m VERY happy. But I want to be MORE happy.
Reading this book made me open my eyes to things that I’m currently doing which
bring down my happiness level. I snap too quickly, get angry at things beyond
my control, gossip, skip workouts, eat crappy, don’t sleep enough, have clutter
– all things that I can change MYSELF. So I will set out to fix those. Get
happier.
With Earth Day coming up next week, I did a lot of thinking about
“being green.” My company is a “green company” so 95% of everything we do in
the office is done electronically. We hardly go through printer paper, we use
plastic plates and cups and wash them in the dishwasher, and we recycle. So
then I started thinking about my own life. I’m pretty terrible at being green.
I grew up recycling and riding my bike and roller blading everywhere. As I got
older, it was just EASIER to throw stuff away so I wouldn’t have to deal with
it – and then I could drive, so I did. And really – it makes me feel like an
ass hole. I realize I’m not single-handedly RUINING this Earth, but I’m sure not
helping it any by throwing away everything. And really – I have no excuse. We
have recycling bins at our building. The places I workout are within WALKING
distance of where I live. If I need to pick up something quick from the store, I
can WALK there. I could probably walk/run to Gray’s Lake and hang out for the
day. And that sounds like an awesome idea once it gets warmer (consistently.)
But a lot of times, I just don’t do any of those. So while I was having my
mini-epiphany on a dreary day, I came up with a few things I wanted to improve
on in the upcoming couple months. Not everything has to do with my “being green”
but it does have ideas for ways to improve ME.
- Recycle
- Donate
- Volunteer
- Be outdoorsy (more than just drinking on patios)
- 5 minute clean up (before work and before bed)
- Walk more
- Be informed (less Facebook, more Des Moines Register)
- Shop local
- Be better
- Be a “yes man” (lady)
Some of these are minor and some are major. I don’t want to
be an uninformed person who throws away bottles instead of recycling them, who
drives to workout. I want to be BETTER. I want to donate things, time,
services. I want to spend time outside – camping, hiking, relaxing. And I have
faith, dear readers, that you’ll be able to help me in my future endeavors. And
this is where you come in. Suggestions. I want your opinions. What do you do in
your free time to better yourself? Where do you volunteer? What articles should
I read so I know more about what is going on in this place? Where do you buy
your groceries/gifts/clothing that’s a local shop, not a chain? Need a partner
in crime for something? YES I’ll do it with you. Des Moines is a wonderful,
amazing place. There’s so much to do and so much to see. I love it here, more
than I ever thought I would. The music, the food, and the sights. The PEOPLE,
the activities, and the atmosphere. Help me enjoy it MORE.
“Do it with passion
or not at all.”
“If you haven’t found
it yet, keep looking.” – Steve Jobs
“Be bold enough to
use your voice, brave enough to listen to your heart, and strong enough to live
the life you’ve always imagined.”
I’m ready. Are you?
Open your ears, your eyes, your heart.
S
No comments:
Post a Comment