Simple things can mean so much to me. Like gratitude. I have for a long time appreciated the power of just focusing on what you are grateful for. We tend to do the opposite in our culture, instead we notice what is lacking. Another simple thing I enjoy is lighting a candle. A simple ritual that can be so meaningful. At Gratefulness.org you can light a virtual candle (Thanks, Sherril!) that will burn for 48 hours along with other candles that have been lit by people all over the world. You can read there messages if they left them. I love that you can go there at any time to take a moment to light a candle out of gratitude or as an outward symbol that you are holding someone in your thoughts.

Walking home from my Pilates session today, I was thinking about my success with losing weight. Fifteen pounds may be the most I’ve ever lost. I can remember losing 10 lbs a few times with great effort and sacrifice and then feeling stalled, discouraged and having a hard time keeping up what I was doing (then of course I gained them back plus more). This time I’m putting in some effort but it feels more relaxed and rather than keeping up extreme diet habits, I’m building ones that I plan to keep on an ongoing basis. For instance, I have yogurt with my breakfast now and for an afternoon snack, I have an apple and a low-fat cheese stick. I have always enjoyed eating apples and yogurt, but instead of eating them randomly I now have a sense of where they best fit in during my day. I’ve also focused a great deal on exercising before with frustratingly little impact – sometimes I did two Spinning classes a day!

Now I’m doing lots of small things – diet, relaxation, exercise – and together they are having a big impact. It reminded me of the quote I have had on my email signature lately:

“Perhaps what we are called to do may not seem like much, but the butterfly is a small creature to affect galaxies thousands of light years away.” ~ Madeleine L’Engle

Within the complex system of my own body, the small efforts I’m making are like the butterflies whose movements can create big waves of change.

Although I notoriously seem to be always working, I do try to find moments of peace in the chaos. About a week ago, my husband and I attended Tanabata: The Star Festival at Rancho Los Alamitos Historic Ranch & Gardens:

“Festivities are based on a traditional Asian tale about two constellations, Vega and Altair. Separated by the Milky way because they ignored their celestial duties, the two amorous constellations are allowed to see one another only once a year. This day allows all to make their wishes, be they practical, poetic, humorous or make believe and watch them be carried by the winds up to the heavens.”

It was a pleasant and relaxed evening. Just what I needed! All evening I was entranced by the beauty of the ancient trees in the glow of the paper lights that had been hung throughout the property.

We’ve also been creating a bit of sanctuary at our home. We purchased some plants and bought a comfy chair for our covered patio. It was intended for the human occupants, but the cats are clearly appreciating our efforts!

[The photos don't do justice to either the festival or our little home sanctuary. The fuzzier photos were taken with my treo.]

There are times when I think or say things that I know are telling about my own limitations. Last week I worked up the courage to plan two weeks off… in a row. I know of people who do this routinely and even take up to a month off. However, I have tended to barely tear myself away from work for a full week. In fact, the longest I have been gone – 8 days – was technically for business trip, so it doesn’t really count. I realized when I was sick for the past two weeks, not only did the office survive some key moments without me, but I think I’m ready to let go. Life does go on – even when I’m not there.

So it is officially announced and I booked my flight for a trip to see my parents in the first week!

I decided to stop mentally spinning around over career and education goals. It hit me yesterday after a conversation with someone I admire that I need to invest in some guidance in identifying and pursuing the best path for me. As a birthday present to myself (with some birthday $$ from Mom and Dad), I signed up for Carol McClelland’s Career Clarity program. It didn’t take me long to figure out where to go because I’ve been receiving her email newsletters ever since I read her book The Seasons of Change. I would look at the program from time to time but always hesitated to spend the money on it. Yesterday, I realized the short-sidedness of this since making good choices about my career and education will impact my financial health, happiness and overall wellness. It’s a small investment really, especially if you do the basic online program. Adding the individual or group coaching can be a significant cost, but I can choose to add it anytime if I decide it is a good idea. I plan to start off on my own and see how it goes. Summer will be a great time to do this because I’m not taking any classes. It’s a self-paced program so there is no pressure.

I’m feeling really good about the decision. Being able to better visualize and articulate my career goals will help me in my current job as well as in any decisions I make about my future.