The 5 Myths of Positive Mental Attitude

I found this on DIGG and found it to be interesting reading. On occasion I have been guilty of being a negative person, while purporting to be 'realistic'. I try to see the glass as half full instead of half empty but, sometimes I let negativity rule. But I do believe that constantly thinking in a negative manner instead of a positive manner does affect us - in many ways. I also believe that, no matter what, we have to ability to change our attitudes - and become a more positive person. We just have to make that choice. What do you think, can an attitude adjustment really make a difference? Food for thought!

Myth #1: Negative thinking is more realistic.
Have you ever heard a negative person say that they aren’t negative; they’re just being ‘realistic’? This myth keeps people locked in a negative reality of their own creation. A person’s thoughts, whether positive or negative, do have an effect on their environment. If you think negatively, your mind will automatically seek out confirmation that the world is a terrible place. Seeing is believing, and your mind reinforces your belief that reality is negative. See how it’s a downward spiral of negativity? If you expect negative results, you are less likely to take risks and try new things. Negative thinking masks your impressions in fear. Positive thinking works the same way. With a positive mental attitude, you’ll seek out positive choices and expect positive results. This helps you move past fear and try things that others may believe “can’t be done”. This typically end in positive results. A person’s thinking helps determine their reality. Negative thinking is realistic for the negative thinker, but only because their thoughts make it true. Ironically, the positive thinking also sees reality, just in a different light. Both types of people see their own reality, and both consider it the reality.

If you're interested in reading all five myths - follow the link below:

http://thinksimplenow.com/happiness/the-5-myths-of-positive-mental-attitude/

Weekend Review

Well, as most of you know, over the Thanksgiving weekend, my hubby and I went to Houston, Texas for a 3-day weekend. We actually stayed in The Woodlands - which we always do when going the Texas Renaissance Festival. The original plan was to attend the TRF on Friday and Saturday, then on Sunday, see Beowulf at the IMAX 3-D. We left early Friday morning, having arranged for a couple of good friends to house and dog sit for us over the weekend. After arriving and checking into our hotel - we opted to not wear our costumes since we were unsure of the weather - then headed out. We arrived around 2, and immediately begin the search for food... we hadn't had lunch yet and were anticipating the usual so-so food, at exorbitant prices... but oh so worth it! After consuming lunch, we hit the shops. We both had ideas of what we wanted to add to our costumes so we immediately headed for our favorite shops. House of Dra, in particular! I ended up with a cloak... dark brown corduroy, lined in black with a hood - very warm! Hubby ended up with some awesome pants, black with tiny white pinstripes - very cool. After that we scoped out more shops with plans to make the rest of our purchases the next day. Hubby looked at a few really, really nice walking staffs that conceal a very, very sharp blade... and I scoped out gift ideas! After spending several hours, walking around in the damp, cold, we decided to head back to the hotel to warm up. On the way out, bought the prerequisite TRF T-shirts then made the endless walk back to the car.

Oh The Holiday's

Well, the holidays are just around the corner... Thanksgiving, is tomorrow... and Christmas will be here in a nano-second. At least that's how it feels to me... sigh.

Every year I talk the "Big Talk" about having my shopping done early but, it never seems to work out that way. I ask for gift ideas, usually pretty early but have a hard time getting answers from folks... but, I can't talk... I'm the same way! It's amazing, all through the year, I see things that would be perfect gift ideas for myself and yet, come December, can't remember a blessed thing! I even started carrying around a note pad to jot down ideas - and yet, the pages remain blank.

I know our holiday celebrations will be bittersweet... since our niece, Leah unexpectedly passing away earlier this year. Having someone so young and vibrant, with her whole life ahead of her pass away with no warning, has really made an impact on many of us. It adds a whole new depth to understanding how precious life truly is...


Of course, in all the sadness, we have blessings to count too... here are a few:

Leah's older sister, Kelly is expecting a little girl... and given all she's been through, this is an awesome blessing.

My step daughter, Emily, her husband, James and their daughter, Hannah have moved into their first "real" house! They're living in Tennessee now but will be home for the holidays! Their house is beautiful and they're having a blast decorating! They and their 2 cats also welcomed a new addition to their family in the form of a new puppy! OMG! WHAT WERE THEY THINKING! LOL!


My stepson, Josh and his girlfriend, Heather, have bought their first house as well... and have done an EXTRAORDINARY job of remodeling it... plus they recently added 2 new family members to their happy household - by way of the canine type! Can you tell we're all big-time pet lovers!

My niece Tara, is about to wrap up school... and well probably begin a career in the real estate business. She still finds time for horseback riding and has been helping her Paw Paw train a new horse.

My hubby, Ken is busy writing - just finished another script... after staying up all night! It amazes me how fast he can crank out these wonderful scripts, even while thinking of the next story idea! I don't know how he does it - must be a big brain inside that big bucket-head! LOL!

Anywho... these are only a few of my blessings... didn't want to overload anyone with holiday gushiness!

Which Goddess Are You Ruled By?

Each of us has aspects of all seven goddesses in her personality. Some women may have more Demeter than Athena, some more Aphrodite than Hera, but to achieve a healthy balance we all need to integrate characteristics of each of the goddesses into our lives. By identifying the qualities of the goddesses in yourself, you can recognise needs you have left unfulfilled. By attending to those needs, you can become more self-confident.

You scored 25% Hera

You possess many of Hera's qualities, you tend to find fulfilment in relationships and look on marriage as a permanent union. In marriage, you feel no sense of frustration or resentment, because you are an equal partner with your spouse. You are confident and have no trouble asserting your authority in and out of the relationships. You seek men who are self-confident and successful, because you are comfortable with the concept that you can be fulfilled through him (and him through you). As long as your partner honours the marriage as much as you do and appreciates you, you will be happy. If he doesn't, you must concentrate on your own growth and discover an identity independent of him.

You scored 16.7% Hestia

You scored 16.7% Aphrodite

You scored 16.7% Athena

You scored 8.3% Artemis

You scored 8.3% Demeter

You scored 8.3% Persephone

Want to find out which Goddess you're most like... follow the link below:

http://quiz.ivillage.co.uk/uk_relationships/tests/goddessquiz.htm

Habits

What is the most annoying habit you have? Have you ever given any thought to that question? I really don't know what habit(s) I have that others find annoying but, I'm fairly sure I do. I get kidded a lot because I'm a bit OC (Obsessive Compulsive) - which is okay since I don't believe I fall into the extreme category of OCD folks.

I know I annoy my husband when I bite the skin around my fingernails - but I don't actually bite my nails... and as a child I would "pick" my upper lip (and I still do), especially when stressed or worried... but I don't think that annoys anyone... I used to think I was always right, but I've since discovered that I'm not. :-( I know being a Know-It-All is annoying... but what else? What other annoying habits do I have that really tweak someone else's nerves?

Not that I'm asking for a mega-lists of faults but it would interest me to see what habits I have that others find odd, weird, strange, annoying, or just downright rude. It's possible that whatever I find out, may just be something I change about myself - of course, there's no guarantee! But maybe, just maybe, I will...

So, having blogged my Tuesday Habit spiel... would you like to know if you have any annoying habits?

Personality Dragons

I found this interesting website that talks about what keeps some people from being successful and thought I'd share what I found:

Personality dragons are habits, behaviors and personality traits caused by underlying fears that keep people from being successful. There are seven dragons.
When out of control, they become self-fulfilling prophecies:

Greed — Lose everything you want
Impatience — Slows you down
Arrogance — People judge you
Stubbornness — Brings authority down on your head.
Self-Deprecation — Others put you down
Martyrdom — Provokes others to hurt you
Self Destruction — Lose control ultimately.

Today's lesson is all about GREED!

The Greed Dragon

How you may feel or react when encountering someone with this dragon:
You may feel sorry for them and keep trying to give them things to compensate for them never having enough, especially when they panic, run out of money, lose their home, their car breaks down, they don’t get enough attention, etc. Or, you may want to keep things from them — not leave valuables around, not allow them to attend meetings, not tell them things, feel invaded by their neediness, etc.

How it hurts the person:

Greed tends to fixate on something — money, time, attention, food, things, etc. Symptoms can be hoarding things, binge/purge, anorexia/bulimia, lack of pleasure in what is accumulated, constantly looking for “more” of whatever they are fixated on. People seem to look hungry all the time.
If they fixate on money, they may accumulate a lot, then lose it somehow. They may always be asking for loans, cannot seem to pay their bills or may have credit problems. If they fixate on food, they may be the first in line and last in line, always take the biggest piece, try to keep others from having what they want, etc.
People with Greed slide to Self-Destruction occasionally.

How it affects the workplace:

Poor decision-making, lost opportunities because they push too hard or want too much, low morale, lack of responsibility, bankruptcy, never being satisfied no matter what is given (time off, money, promotions, more influence, etc.), never being grateful for what they do have.

How to improve communication:

A person with greed is always afraid they will be left out, so may show interest even when they are not really interested. Include them when it is appropriate. Make sure they do not dominate all the time in meetings or grab all the attention. They need firm limit setting. Say no if appropriate. Make them follow the usual procedures for advancement and not expect special treatment. Treat them with respect and kindness, just like everyone else.

Thought provoking... I know some of these Greedy Dragons!

The Anatomy of Aggravation

On occasion, something happens that is so aggravating that you just have to tell someone... therefore, this post.

To get this story rolling, you must understand something about my personality - I am, for the most part, compulsively neat! Others describe me as Obsessive Compulsive (I won't name any names - they know who they are!).

Anyway, continuing on... I'm a very "helpful" employee, keeping our kitchen clean and tidy... washing the dishes that no one ever seemed to do for themselves... wiping down the counter top, scrubbing out the coffee pot, etc... you get the idea, right? Well, since my accident, I mean, incident, with the bleach (my eyes are still healing) here at the office, I've foregone my usual cleaning sprees, only succumbing once, when the filth was beyond belief. My refusal to clean has gone on since October 10th... and not once during this time frame has anyone suggested to the rest of the faithful employees that they wash their own dirty dishes and clean up after themselves.

Until today... and it was passed along by the one individual who would raise a stink about the mess... basically spouting to all, "I'm not your momma, everyone needs to wash their own dishes" blah, blah, blah. (as per the boss)

So, I basically cleaned up after all the little piggies for approximately one year... with only a comment or two from one or two fellow employees as 'thanks'. Must be true that a squeaky wheel gets more attention! Not that I plan to start "squeaking" or anything... if anything, quieter may rule for moi!

Grrrrrr... so very aggravating!

P.S. I no longer work here. What a blessing!

Mental Health: Depression

Off and on, down the path of my life, I've experienced bouts of depression. I've sought help in a variety of methods, everything from seeking to drown my "problems" in beer (cheap beer at that!), to seeing a therapist, to prescribed medication.

Dating - well, having been introverted and shy as a kid (up until a car accident "woke me up"), I didn't really date until my senior year. We won't delve into my world of dating - quite simply, I dated guys with some type of 'problem', of which, I tried to "fix"... and we all know how that turns out!

Marriage #1 had a multitude of issues... from an neurotic ex-wife to vindictive children to an alcoholic spouse - all of which created an endless round of depression. Luckily, we parted ways before we could do any irreparable damage and have gone on to happier marriages.

Marriage #2 has had it's ups and downs - what marriage doesn't? But there will be more on this later...

Chris Gilmour: Cardboard Sculptor

It's amazing with this guy can do with cardboard!

I found this on DIGG - then went to Chris Gilmour's website and added the following comment...

Chris Gilmour
by Guido Bartorelli
The work of Chris Gilmour provokes surprise and amazement beyond what could appear to be a mere process of reproduction. In returning to the value of making and strongly emphasising it, these works reveal a process of understanding that lets us see everyday reality with new awareness and appreciation. This practice avoids a withdrawal into the limbo of craft, and implies an intimate and profound quest towards the reason of things.Gilmour has imposed a strict logic on his works he makes objects using only cardboard and glue. There is no supporting structure, no wooden or metal frame. His interpretations of everyday objects are created in adherence to the use of a pure and single material, but instead of the marble or bronze of classical statues, he has chosen one of the most humble and commonly found of our industrial times.

To see more...

http://www.chrisgilmour.com/en.opere.html

Or go here...

http://reubenmiller.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/10/chris-gilmour-c.html

Austin Film Festival

What a weekend! A group of us traveled to Texas for the Austin Film Festival. Corey Bond, Vic DiGiovanni, July Fay, Ken and I rented a van and head West! Corey, Julie, Ken and I picked up Vic in Houston first, then continue our trek to the Festival. Corey, Vic, Ken and I stayed at Cesar Remus' house - a friend/school bud of Corey and Vic's for the weekend. What a nice guy and what wonderful hospitality! Julie stayed with Liberty - one of her friends from KPLC that's moved on to a bigger and better job. Between her and Cesar - we all were very well taken care of!

Once we were settled, we went downtown to the Driskoll to pick up our festival badges and goody bags! I, of course, had to have a t-shirt! One more to add to my ever expanding collection! Afterwards, we met up with Cesar and Liberty at a restaurant called Opal Divine's - pretty good chow and excellent beer!

The Ultimate Consumerist Guide To Fighting Back

Very informative article - good one to keep on file for future reference!

http://consumerist.com/consumer/unscrewed/the-ultimate-consumerist-guide-to-fighting-back-308361.php

Prayer for Archimedes

For all you history, science and math-aholics - read this:

http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20071006/mathtrek.asp#

Twenty-five Signs You Have Grown Up

By: Salma Rumman
1. Your houseplants are alive, and you can’t smoke any of them.
2. Having sex in a twin bed is out of the question.
3. You keep more food than beer in the fridge.
4. 6:00 AM is when you get up, not when you go to bed.
5. You hear your favorite song in an elevator.
6. You watch the Weather Channel.
7. Your friends marry and divorce instead of “hook up” and “breakup.”
8. You go from 130 days of vacation time to 14.
9. Jeans and a sweater no longer qualify as “dressed up.”
10. You’re the one calling the police because those %&@# kids next door won’t turn down the stereo.
11. Older relatives feel comfortable telling sex jokes around you.
12. You don’t know what time Taco Bell closes anymore.
13. Your car insurance goes down and your car payments go up.
14. You feed your dog “Science Diet” instead of McDonald’s leftovers.
15. Sleeping on the couch makes your back hurt.
16. You take naps.
17. Dinner and a movie is the whole date instead of the beginning of one.
18. Eating a basket of chicken wings at three in the morning would severely upset, rather than settle, your stomach.
19. You go to the drug store for ibuprofen and antacid, not condoms and pregnancy tests.
20. A four dollar bottle of wine is no longer “pretty good shit.”
21. You actually eat breakfast food at breakfast time.
22. “I just can’t drink the way I used to” replaces “I’m never going to drink that much again.”
23. Ninety percent of the time you spend in front of a computer is for real work.
24. You drink at home to save money before going to a bar.
25. When you find out your friend is pregnant you congratulate them instead of asking “Oh shit what the hell happened?”
Bonus:
26: You read this entire list looking desperately for one sign that it doesn’t apply to you and can’t find one to save your sorry old ass.

Writing On Tips

I am attempting to "learn" how to write... maybe a short novel, of which I have a pretty good idea of what I want to write. I asked my husband, Ken, for advice on how to begin and below is his suggestions:

1) Just Write
2) Good Writers are Good Readers
3) Study - Find Books on Writing

Pretty good suggestions, don't you think?