Trying to "not"...

I've had a couple of discussions with co-workers lately about why the word "not" is one of the "core vocabulary" words on some of the speech generating device programs we utilize.  I was given an answer today about the research that indicates that "not" is a word that is among the most frequently used in the English language.  I think it's hard to teach kids with low-level communication skills what "not" means (as opposed to "no," for instance), but I will say that I as an adult need to get better about some "not"s.

I am doing better about "not" being on my phone first thing in the mornings and once I get in bed.  Ever since I pledged that on my blog a few weeks ago, I've almost always stuck with it, and I think it's made me sleep more soundly, and helped me get the dishes done in the morning :)

I need to "not" try to take on the agenda for the day/week without praying about it first.  I became really overwhelmed today with work and things I need to get done, and I essentially had to "not" do anything else until I took some deep breaths and prayed, for those that I felt led to pray for and for myself.  I carry burdens that I don't have to bear but I tend to only really say things to God once I'm worn and not when I start my day.  That needs to change.

I am "not" good at saying "no" to things.  Part of my personality type is that I tend to feel an intense sense of personal responsibility for things and often think no one else can handle things, so I say "yes" when I shouldn't.  I am self aware about this and am better in a lot of ways than I used to be, but similar to the above scenario, I need to "not" take on what I could let go or not see as my responsibility alone.

I did "not" blog for the last couple of weeks, number one because I didn't have a lot to say, but also because I didn't want my blogging "goal" to dictate my life.  I didn't want to say "yes" to something for the sake of saying yes or allowing "obligation" to drive my actions.

As I write this, I feel the need to "not" write much more, so I will cut this off.  What things do you "not" need to do?  Feel free to go ahead and "not" do them :)

Do, however, love people well, write/play music, hang out with friends/family, read books, watch movies, and be present in your life.  I'll do my best to do the same.  Also, embrace this because it's kind of awesome, though I always preferred Jon over Joey.

Groundhog Day

Bill Murray.  This guy.  Groundhog Day is on repeat on AMC since it's well, Groundhog Day.  I like this movie and am glad that I'm watching it on the day of the actual event.  We may not get to live every day over and over again to get it "right" or make it "better," but we can become better every day as individuals and as a community as we learn (assuming we want to do such a thing).  I have to remind myself that it's not about perfection - just about learning and doing the best with what I've learned.  If someone payed me a thousand dollars for a piano lesson though, I'd have to admit, I'd too kick out whatever kiddo I was teaching at the time and teach Bill Murray instead :)  I'd teach him to bend his fingers properly, though (that whole perfection thing).  

I decided today that I'm going to write a few notes to some people in my life that I think have good work/life boundaries and balance.  I've noticed some people that seem to do well about not engaging in the drama that often ensues in life, and I need to be better about letting those people know that I recognize that and appreciate that in them.  Even though today was relatively small in the drama department, I felt the little things made me want to go home and go to bed rather than press on (I pressed on by the way).  My attitude wasn't always the best.  I needed to check myself before I wrecked myself.  I'm hoping showing appreciation and gratitude towards people will help.

On a plus side, yesterday at work, I got to be The Flash.  I decided that I couldn't smile in my superhero selfie, hence the weird look on my face.  I got to fight storm troopers, some sort of sand man from a Lego video game, and other villains with "Captain America" (not pictured for privacy reasons).  Some days you're a superhero, and other days you need to get over your bad attitude and just be grateful instead of trying to save everything.

The friend I got to meet with this week and I now have a short-term plan in place for international missions at our church.  I'll keep you posted as to what happens!  Until then, feel free to check out Compassion (the organization I'm involved with) and Zoe (what she's involved with).  We hope to help kids out of poverty into a new trajectory of life starting with teaching the children in our own community.

One thing that will not put anyone on the right path of learning and living are culottes.  They're available at Target.  Fashion has taken a downhill trend.  Culottes and shirts that tie in the front did NOT need to resurface.  I also saw a southwestern pancho in a store yesterday.  Not ever okay.

In closing, make a dance video, y'all.  Come on!  I'm obviously not an inspiration to your dancing skills, but I'll leave you with a Groundhog Day quote, "Today is tomorrow.  It happened.  You're here."  Live like you're here.  And dance.