On Taking the Plunge

Humility & Strength.

Whether we take the plunge into the unknown, making ourselves vulnerable to the potential pain associated with change and growth or, alternately, maintain a protective layer of impenetrable armor, the ability to prevent fear and humility is nearly impossible.  With each humbling fall backward, we gain strength and confidence to reverse the inevitable aftermath and continue on our path in the opposite direction.  Enjoy!
 
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On Worse Than Death

Public Speaking.

It's true that some people would rather die than speak in public, making glossophobia the #1 fear in the whole wide world.  Which is why I immediately joined Toastmasters when I found out I'd be giving weekly workshops in my (then) new job, as well as presenting (for less than 5 minutes!) to faculty and staff on a semi-regular basis.  And Toastmasters changed my life (almost immediately) when forced, in actual tears, to stand up in front of a crowded conference table of fellow fearful speakers to realize that with enough time (usually 2 minutes once I'm up there) and eventual confidence, I would not only confront my fear head on but actually enjoy it.  Enjoy!   

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On Snow Storms

Heading back to the east coast a day early (thanks to the impending storm) for a weekend of wedding celebrations, happy hours, and much-needed family time.  This blog will resume on Tuesday, February 26th! 

On the Almost Bride

The Eventually-Ending Story.

It's the relationship that nearly resulted in a proposal with champagne and  wildflowers, and eventually a Vera Wang wedding gown with sequence-laced rose petals to match the bright red Manolo Blahniks you've been eying since the early 90s.  The house, the children, the fantasies of growing old together laid out on the table for friends and family, and maybe even the neighbors to see, all of whom disguised their relentless concern with moderate delight as each milestone - anniversaries, eclipses, Presidents' birthdays - signified yet another 365 (+) days of a relationship doomed to fail.  As the Almost Bride, you wait until the perfect moment to confront your eventually-ending story of a life that could have been in exchange for the one that will actually be...someday.  Enjoy!  

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On Choosing Carefully

Personality Theory.

In the world of personality theory, I am a very strong feeling-type, which basically means I make the majority (if not all) of my decisions based on other people’s emotions (as opposed to considering the given non-emotional facts).  While under some circumstances this inclination can result in my effortless demise, this also means that I take extra care (and joy!) when choosing the most suitable birthday or holiday gifts for friends and family alike, and anything less is unacceptable.  My greatest gift-giving feat, to date, involved renting an ice-skating rink for my roommate’s first Hanukah in Brooklyn, NY, but other – less laudable moments – range from surprise plane tickets (to Colorado) to “hangover pants,” the world’s softest fleece sweats that promise to cure even the slightest hangover but frequently result in a (cozy-induced) coma.  Enjoy!

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On Yoga Brain

Turning Things Off.

I've finally done it, gone ahead and committed to minimally 2 days per week of yoga classes (with a friend) after a mutual New Year's resolution to do our bodies some good.   Nearly two months in, we're thoroughly enjoying it, as our wholehearted efforts to balance on one foot stifle (our novice) moans from unsuccessful attempts at twisting into ungodly positions.  Our yoga instructors promise it will get easier, and so we choose only to trust in their serene commitment to our practice. Except for one thing: we can't seem to shut our minds off when the rest of the room is staying in the moment.  In fact, with each calm reminder and deep(er) breath, the moment slips further from our grasp, as the distractions of today's nuances, tomorrow's responsibilities, observations of the art on the yoga studio walls or the dirt on the wood-paneled floors, or the uncanny flexibility of the girls on nearby mats, or the strangely attractive voices of our spiritual guides of that particular class, or the itch on our lower backs bombard our moment, putting unnecessary pressure on our inability to just be, forcing us - in turn - to question our decisions to be yogis in the first place.  Enjoy!  

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On Name Games

 "Curious Carly."

There's nothing worse than finding ourselves in the middle of a heart-to-heart with what's-her-name (or what's-his-name) and, later, recounting their woeful tale to a roommate or friend without actually knowing who we're talking about.  It's time we stop shying away from asking someone to repeat their name minutes, days, maybe even months into our relationship since, chances are, the other person will potentially admit to the same shameful shortcoming. Once first names are clarified, relationship bonding can ensue.  Enjoy!  

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