-image-Friday Felicitations

April 13, 2007 | Felicitations

I have to say, I’m most proud of myself this week for sticking with the Yoga, I’ve done it everyday this week. Impressive is it not? (I can tell you, my leg muscles weren’t all that impressed this morning!)

You know, some weeks are full of great joys and great accomplishments, and other weeks (sometimes it feels like many weeks) you have to go hunting for the little things: tell me again what I accomplished? But, I think that’s what’s great about doing these F.F. posts (even if it’s what makes me want to skip them sometimes too), because it’s especially easy to overlook the little things.

Like this week, I got Solo Moments done and ready to go for my own deadline; I’m now having technical difficulties that are still in progress and it could be easy to allow the negative to overwhelm the positive, but I have to remember I hit my target. That’s a big deal for me.

Also, my wallet/agenda was stolen on Thursday. I forgot it in the ladies room for all of five minutes, but by the time we got back it was gone. I felt immensely stupid and foolish for letting that happen, but I’m really proud of myself. I stayed calm, I didn’t freak out, and I haven’t panicked - no matter how tempting that idea has been. I’m just slowly restoring my lost things as the need arises. Wow, maybe all this talk about dealing with negative events has really sunk in for me! That’s worth celebrating I think.

I’m going to be speaking at a local church this month. The lady who invited me called this week and told me she was sorry she had missed the end of Coffee Break last week because she had heard that it was really good. I wrote and led the final lesson as a group sum up, so it’s nice to hear that people are still talking about it. Maybe I am a natural teacher!

As for passing it on. I’d like to give kudos to my sister (who may or may not be reading this) - my little sister (I only have one, but wanted to rub it in). We went out this week (when I lost my wallet), and I was really impressed with her maturity and the way she was making decisions. She seems much calmer and more in control of her life. I’m so proud (and struggling to remind myself that I don’t need to fix everything for her anymore, she is, after all, an adult).

So, do tell, what felicitations do you have to share this week? It doesn’t have to be a monumental moment to be worth talking about. After all, all of life is nothing more than a string of little accomplishments.

-image-Friday Felicitations

March 23, 2007 | Felicitations

Is it Friday already? When did that happen? Can someone explain to me where the rest of my week went?

I don’t think I can remember what happened this week! I do have one accomplishment, I was so proud of myself. For weeks now I’ve been procrastinating and procrastinating on one particular project. Every time I’ve worked on it I’ve pushed it to the very last minute - I’ve been driving Wakizashi crazy (he’s had to stay late to print it out for me a few times). This week, not only did I get the work written in time, I had it typed and emailed a full twenty-four hours earlier! Not only that, but I also did next week’s, I’m officially done the project completely.

Now that deserves a pat on the back!

Oh, and I just have to say that Suzanne has been working on a project for me which she completed. I am absolutely in love with it (I can hardly wait to show it to all of you), I could just kiss her!

I also wanted to give a big thumbs up to Cynthia who’s been having a long week, but despite that has really made me proud to know her. You go girl!

One last nod for Debbie, Diana, and Karen for being brave and sharing their work on the Inks group!

My week wasn’t all that eventful, but that’s ok. I’m just happy to see (and feel) Spring! Have a lovely weekend all.

-image-Friday Felicitations (on Sunday - again)

March 18, 2007 | Felicitations

I’ve been wanting to tell you that I’m having a fabulous week for a few days now; I suppose, I’m a work in progress. But, I am having a fabulous week. It’s all because of Wakizashi (that’s a felicitation for him); last week we had a talk about my commitments, my time (or lack there of) and the resulting overwhelm I’ve been living under the last few months. And then he implemented a plan. I wasn’t too sure about living under his control system, but it meant that I wouldn’t be obligated to do dishes for a whole week (min) so I was willing to make the sacrifice. The result has been the most peaceful, and the most effective week I’ve had in a long time.

Not only did I get caught up on all my outside obligations, I got lots of work done that I’d been pushing off for weeks due to time, I had a quiet time every morning, and did no work after 4:30. I’m so proud of myself. I’m proud of myself for sticking to the plan, and I’m proud of myself for getting as much done as I did. (And Wakizashi says I washed more dishes this week than I have for the last three… weird.) Instead of the crazy March Break I anticipated, the Kung Fu Master went off to volunteer this week and was gone four of the five days; I got my time under control and had a peaceful and quiet week. Sigh…

So, I have lots of felicitations for Wakizashi both for his plan and his help with the house work. The Kung Fu Master spent three days helping his boss at the Reptile Store do presentations at malls and such. He lugged lizards in and out of the car, along with lots of other thankless tasks, didn’t even get a fun “hold a lizard” job, and did fabulous. He loved the whole thing. I couldn’t be prouder.

Breakfst is calling, so I’m off. Part of the thing making my week fabulous is the seperation of home and work, so, time to eat!

-image-Friday Felicitations

March 9, 2007 | Felicitations

This has been a slow week. I woke up Monday, and went back to sleep - which is where I stayed for the remainder of the day. That’s pretty much summed up my week. I have a (mild) cold (again). I’m trying to be gentle with it.

Which is exactly why I wanted to start with some felicitations to give away, I’m so grateful for Wakizashi and the Kung Fu Master who’ve been, oh so, patient and generous with me. Making meals, letting me slack on house work, taking care of me. They are just the sweetest boys ever! I bet you wished you had guys just like mine.

What with the slow week and all I don’t have a whole lot of hurrah’s for myself. I suppose that’s normal, not every week can be a party. Which isn’t to say it was a bad week, it was just quiet and peaceful. I did, despite being sick, go for two walks already (the dogs are overjoyed by this new trend). I’m really proud of that.

So, I suppose I’m celebrating a peaceful, restful week. One where I kept up on my commitments (if a little late on a few of them) and took good care of myself.

I did come across something that really encouraged me in the Felicitations Movement though, I’ve been saving it up to share with you today; it’s an excerpt from an article in Positive Thinking Magazine:

A University of California, Davis study has shown that writing about positive topics, rather than fears, worries and anger, will promote the release of hormones that relieve stress. As you relive your positive moments, you get a boost in feel good serotonin and endorphins, instead of the heart-hurting cortisol that comes on when you tense up over your frustrations.
– Sharon Naylor, Be Your Own Inspiration (Nov/Dec 2006 Positive Thinking Magazine)

Which was followed (in my own reading) by this profoundly true quote:

The things we hate abou ourselves aren’t more real than things we like about ourselves

Have you made the Friday Felicitations Movement part of your life yet? Check it out and join the movement!

-image-Friday Felicitations - Where Have You Been?

March 2, 2007 | Felicitations

Well… Slacking on my F.F.s apparently. But, do not lose hope. Here it is, Friday, and I’ve officially posted. I can hear you cheering already.

Let’s see… Somewhere I recorded some of my old Felicitations so that when I finally posted this week I wouldn’t leave them unlisted. Found them!

Celebrating:

- A coach who called me at home for help and encouragement called me back the next week to thank me for all my help. She accomplished her goals and said she really appreciated my help. I love hearing how I’ve helped people, that’s what drives me! She also said that I was a great coach.
- My friend Michelle and I sat down and talked about some of my plans for Everyday Renaissance and she was uber enthusiastic. She really encouraged me with her confidence that I’d found the perfect expressions for myself. It’s great to see others just as excited as I am about my vision.
- Delia told me she really liked my blog (wasn’t that nice of her?)
- A fellow coach reprinted some advice I’d given her on her blog and used it as the basis of an assigment for her readers. I was really flattered to see that.
- My retreat host was really excited about what I do and told me she felt I had something really important to give to the world. She also loved my paintings. (It’s really nice when other artist’s compliment your work.) She suggested I submit some work to shows.
- I went on a walk this week. In fact, I’ve been one at least on the last two weeks (I’m planning on one more this weekend), and I tried a Yoga video yesterday.
- I finished two CoffeeBreak lessons. Only one more to go!
- I got an email asking if I’d be willing to be interviewed on a Podcast - how exciting is that?
- I’ve gotten two or three comments lately saying that people have discovered my blog and are now big fans. I LOVE blogging!

Patting others on the back:
- My friend Michelle sat down with her husband to make and enforce a plan to get their financial life in order. I’m so proud of them!
- Tammy has written, and is submitting, a query for a children’s book she’s written (which I love).
- I can’t believe I forgot to put this here! I’m adding it later: The Kung Fu Master performed Mantis (a kung fu form) at a Chinese New Year Festival in front of over 300 people, including several members of various levels of government, and he nailed it. Couldn’t have been more proud than the moment he bowed and walked off stage. Way to go boy!

I think I need to start recording my kudos for others now, this list is dismally short. So, if this week you accomplished some goal or did something worthwhile, pat yourself on the back for me. I really did mean to do it myself.

Have you joined the Friday Felicitations Revolution yet? Free Your Spirit!