Allow me to reintroduce myself

(Just a quick homage to my hip hop superhero Jay-Z)

So it's been a whole week since my last blog post and it's not that I didn't have things to say, just little time to say it in. Admittedly, this post is about 4 weeks late as I meant to post it much earlier. However, it's content is timely year-round.

Every year most of us start the new year with the dreaded resolutions - work out more, eat better, get a new job, go back to school, finish school, read more, cook more, start a blog, etc., etc., etc. I put some thought into a resolution but at this point in my life I don't have room for one more thing on my to-do lists these days; especially one that I most likely won't do. With that being said, I still felt compelled to do something different in 2009 based on what I learned in 2008.

So I decided to set some goals (yes, more goals than I already have). Not just any goals, goals that if achieved, would restore my faith in myself, other people and the world as a place of limitless opportunities and happiness. I decided that each month of 2009 would be dedicated to a different theme for the month to be practiced and expounded upon throughout the year and for the rest of my life.

January's goal is: Positive Thinking. I like to think that I have a fairly positive outlook on life but I could definitely improve. Seemingly minimal, I consciously and subconsciously complain from sun up to sundown during the average workday:

• "I don't want to get out of bed."
• "I don't have anything to wear."
• "My hair isn't looking good this morning."
• "What the hell is the hold up?" (while getting coffee at the local Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, or let's get real - really any caffeine peddler!)
• "Why is there so much damn traffic?"
• "Oh God - it's only Tuesday."
• "I wish I was at home in bed."
• "I'm hungry - I wish it was lunch time."
• (after lunch) "I'm so full - I wish I could take a nap."
• (at 3 pm) "I'm hungry again."
• (at 3:30 pm) "Why isn't it 4:30 yet?"
• (at 4:30 pm) - Well, I actually don't have too many complaints at 4:30 pm!
• "What am I going to have for dinner?"
• "What am I going to wear to work tomorrow?"
• (about my thesis) "I hate this! &@#%!
• "I wish I didn't have to go to work tomorrow."

Shameful. Although these thoughts don't have detrimental effects, subconsciously I'm conditioning myself to never be happy with any situation when things really aren't that bad. I am highly fortunate in this economy to still have a job, to still be on target to graduate, to be surrounded by a wonderful family and amazing friends, to be in love with a breathtaking, fantastic, magnificent man who loves me unconditionally, etc., etc., etc. The list could really go on. So there it is - January (what is left of it) is devoted to Positive Thinking. We can do it!