Please and Thank You

Please & Thank You print by littleminnowdesigns.etsy.com

With Father's day a mere minutes away, I want to reflect on one of the best gifts my parents have given me: manners.  Even in the face of annoyance, changes in plans, dissappointment, and any other social confusion, two simple phrases have never done me wrong: Please and Thank You.

At the shop today, it was our business district's summer festival, Art on the Avenue.  Nothing garners more grumbling than trying to organize a large scale venue, especially one that relies on the temperments of both artists AND retailers, both infamous for their, shall we say, quirky social skills (well, nothing, that is, except trying to herd a gaggle of small children through their day--I'd say the two experiences are pretty similar).

But, throughout the day, in moments where I really just wanted to throw my hands up or dig my heels in like so many of the frustrated folks around me, I found that a smile and a simple "please" make it so much easier to get what you want or need.  Often, we are all working to appease our immediate needs or those of the people relying on us (children, vendors, customers), and it is very easy to feel entitled, self-centered, and anxious.  But you know what?  Often all you have to do is breathe, come up with an idea for a solution, and ASK for help.  Nicely.  It really goes a long way.

And then, to acknowledge that you have been given the gift of someone's time, patience, cooperation, and sometimes generosity, a simple thank you can mean the world, and will keep those doors open for the future.  

So, mom and dad, for all of those trying moments when you could have given up on me but , instead, chose to ask me to PLEASE listen to your words of loving advice (even if they were muttered through clenched teeth): THANK YOU.

Five Places I Go to Think Bigger

Print by Please Be Still (available at Hello Bluebird)

I have a lot on my plate--and boy, am I lucky.  Loving husband, two amazingly enchanting kids, a home, pets, and, of course, my shop--all insanely challenging and overwhelmingly rewarding.  Some days, tending all of these blessings feels natural and inviting--other days, I spin my tires like crazy or I seem to face obstacle after obstacle.  Any mompreneurs out there will certainly relate--and many of the rest of you, too.  Managing any ONE of these duties is a huge job--coordinating all of them is just downright ridiculous.

But, of course, I wouldn't have it any other way.

On those "spinning the tires" days, I find there are a few sites I keep coming back to for a good kick in the pants.  We all need food for our thoughts, and these writers just have a way of engaging me in ways that always get my zeal for "living well" renewed, redirected, reset:

• Simple Mom (hands down my favorite blog to start the day.  not a mom?  doesn't matter.)
• Illuminated Mind (energize your dreams to "live the life you've imagined")
• Simple Marriage (let's face it, marriage is freaking hard.  this guy makes it easier to navigate.)
• Kind Over Matter (be kind, every day.  this girl helps you get it done, beautifully.)
• Scoutie Girl (sometimes this blog gets a little intense, but, some days, that's what it takes.)

Some of these sites help me to slow down, and others kick it up a notch.  Whatever speed you need for your day, these writers will send you off on the right path.

Please feel free to suggest sites, books, or anything else that you turn to when you want to think a little bigger!

No, really, I mean it this time!

Lol!  (I can use that term, because, as of yesterday, I am 35.  And, according to my preteen daughter, only dorky old people still say LOL...lol!)

And I DO mean it.  I purchased 52 Weeks of Blogging Your Passion well over 52 weeks ago, and, although I have recommended it to countless customers and acquaintences that were curious about blogging but unsure where to begin, I have allowed it to sit idly in my inbox.  AND, I often say that I want to blog more often (I resolved in January to do it once a week), but then I never know what to write about!  Ugh--I guess I AM that kind of girl--the kind that gives very good advice, but seldom ever takes it. ;)

Tonight I finished reading The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun by Gretchen Rubin, and, inspired to make and keep some happy-making resolutions of my own, my thoughts turned to this sweet old blog of mine.  What better place to chronicle my journey of self-improvement?  With "52 Weeks" as my framework, I am hoping to share and explore my thoughts and efforts about more meaningful living--for myself, within my home, with my family, at my shop, with my friendships, and in my greater community.  Sounds easy, right?!  Haha!!

If you have not read The Happiness Project (I am usually among the last to discover and then actually read trendy bestsellers, so I'm assuming this is one is no exception?), I would recommend giving it a try.  It was a fast read, easy to digest, and fun to think about--if you're into that sort of thing (and I am).  I'm extra excited that Corey (my dear hubby) is anxious to read it now that I am done with it--huzzah!  Maybe we will embark on a Happiness Project together--or, at least, have something to chat about other than the kiddos, work, and video games (not mine, of course.  to be fair, I certainly have my own vices and obsessions!).

So, I guess I'm unofficially calling this venture "52 Weeks of Project Happy."  Over the next year, I will chronicle a focused journey toward my ongoing goal of more meaningful, purposeful living with the supposed end result of increased happiness and satisfaction.  

Today is the first day of my 36th year--what a perfect day to begin!

If you have read any books or follow any blogs that you find inspiring, uplifting, and life-changing, I would love it if you would share.  We can always use fresh sources of energy and motivation!!

Fighting the grey, inspired by color!

The weather is w.e.i.r.d. today.  I don't watch the forecast, but prefer to let the weather just happen, well, naturally, so I'm not really sure where this is headed, but it is definitely a little odd.  The winds last night were wicked, and warm!  Now today it is blustery and warmish and wet.

And grey.  

Pennsylvania seems to do grey best.  It is my big day off from the shop, and a little sun would have been a lovely gift, but alas.  It's harder to motivate when the picture outside my window says, "Stay in, drink some tea, move slowly..."

I may adjust my plans to drive to Ikea for new shelving.  Travelling with Finn for an hour is daunting enough on a pretty day.  I just took a peak at the front page of etsy (perfect rainy day obsession), and it is the absolute remedy to all of this grey!!  

What do you look to for inspiration on rainy days?  What gets you moving?  Finn and I need a little push!

if at first you don't succeed...

Ok, so let's try this again.  First of all, let me just say that keeping up with this promise to blog more is always more difficult than it sounds.  

Second, thank you to those who read and commented on my last post--I am super surprised and excited to find that someone out there is listening!

Third, it is very late (early?) and I have shamelessly spent my evening catching up on all of my Google Reader subscriptions, and it has been tremendously satisfying.  My "to-do" list is simply GIGANTIC, and anyone who spent any time with me in or out of the shop in the past week or so would tell you that I have been a complete basket case about it.  So, it makes NO SENSE whatsoever that I just frittered away my Friday night accomplishing absolutely nothing practical whatsoever.

But it was bliss!

Tomorrow, I will be back in action and facing my work/home demands with a LIST in hand, and a lighter spirit.  For tonight, I will leave you with some cuteness I found along the way...:

The cute items above are all courtesy of Rock Scissor Paper, who I have added to my ever-growing wish list for Hello Bluebird!