Cherish the day.

I woke up thinking about a blog post. That almost never happens, so I thought I better write it down. When people say, "Live every day like it's your last," or "Carpe Diem!" what those instructive phrases mean to me is to cultivate the daily attitude of thankfulness. Cherish what you have on a daily basis: not only love something deeply but cultivate it, encourage that emotion of appreciation, value the people, job, home that you have in your life. "Let's cherish every moment we have been given" as Kool and the Gang say. "Cherish the life we live." Cherish video by Kool and the Gang
It's only recently that I've realized that I need to cherish more about my daily life. When we moved in November, the townhouse we settled in has reminded me that I have lots and lots to be thankful for, much more than I likely deserve. Instead of harboring guilt over this good fortune, I want to learn to appreciate my life more and be truly grateful. Guilt gets in the way of gratefulness.
"Cherish" is the word that I will try to repeat frequently these next months of 2014, hopefully generating an attitude adjustment in me that will permeate throughout my life.

Conversations

I adore hanging out with people from time to time, chatting, playing games, eating the foods, but I listen to myself sometimes and discern that my conversation topics might actually be able to lull a caffeinated squirrel into a torpid state. I spend an inordinate amount of time expounding on the weather: yes, I'm Canadian, and that seems to be a particular habit of my culture, but when so many other topics consume my daily quotient of brain power, why do I stick to the mundane?
I know that I have other things to talk about: I read obsessively about new discoveries in several fields of science, from astronomy to medicine. I scan the daily headlines for news stories of consequence. I daydream about crucial skills that would be required during an apocalypse. I learn new crafts and practice arts in my spare time. I watch odd movies and hilarious tv shows. With all that going on, why do I devolve into a "chatter," become an insignificant spouter of "We sure got a lot of snow that week!"
If I'm not expounding on the mundane, when I first meet new people, I fall back on my journalism training and become the "asker" in the exchange (check out this link for 101 conversation-starter questions). Apparently, John Steinbeck said "Perhaps the best conversationalist in the world is the man who helps others to talk." I do like asking questions -- open-ended, tell-me-more questions that require more than a yes or no answer -- and this technique certainly keeps a conversation going, even with the most reticent companion.
Sometimes I am certain I talk about the weather or my dog (a sweet old thing who requires a lot of my time, so I find her antics entertaining) because I am afraid to reveal too many personal thoughts and feelings at one time. There must be a middle ground in the realm of topics, somewhere between soporific and trepidation-inducing personal revelations.
Is there a support group for people who want to learn better conversation skills? I tried Toastmasters for a while, and that really helped in many ways, public speaking, job interviews, meeting new people, keeping conversations going. Maybe I need a refresher.
Or, maybe I just need to visit Gameopolis more, play games instead of worrying about conversations.

Didn't post that rant

Do you ever spend 40 minutes writing a blog post and then realize it sounds completely whiny and self-indulgent, and then you save it but you don't post it? Catharsis.

Hermit-ing away the winter

I used to feel guilty about being a hermit in the winter. This year, I've decided to just go with my natural inclinations and stay home when I want to. There, I admitted it: I am a hermit! Over the holidays, I got so much done by staying inside: I even made a new lunch-bag-type carry-all from scratch, quilting three panels and everything! And this winter, I have even more reason to stay home because we're in our new-to-us townhouse which is so nice that I never want to leave it.
I can't believe we waited so long to move (7 years spent in a noisy, messy student-rental part of town). I guess we waited just long enough, actually, because we sold the other house for a price that enabled us to get this town-home that I'm enjoying so much now.
While enjoying my hermitage this winter, can barely stand the wait for spring so we can  use our giant new deck. So much goodness in this new place: so glad we took the plunge. Happy happy! Joy joy!
Ren and Stimpy sing about being happy.