Happiness Project Toolbox

I can only be responsible for my own actions. I hope that CoDA will assist me in making more changes in my personal relationships.

I am grateful that Rosemary has given me the name of a CPA to assess my financial situation.

Last week I woke up and realized I had almost let go of the Nic problem. I no longer have any expectations regarding our friendship. That feels good.

I pray that Dennis may have the same joy and contentment I wish for myself. However, I can't provide it. He has a Higher Power too.

I pray that i may have the courage to face my future one day at a time.

I have to be willing to be willing to look at my financial situation without fear.

My serenity is inversely proportional to my expectations.

Working less than 40 hours a week makes a difference in my energy level.

I am finding that NOT settling on a topic for the Delaware conference is giving me a certain freedom. I am rejecting nothing...selecting nothing.

Working 4 day weeks makes a difference in my energy level.

Listening to Gretchen tonite in Berkeley made me remember it is good to appreciate the good times so that you can call upon them in bad/stressful time.

Going along to the gallery opening last night was rather enjoyable and it was inspiring to be with the 96 year old Mrs. Baez.

I find myself drained by too many activities or by social activities that I feel pressured into doing. I recharge better with solitary time.

Don't let the perfect become the enemy of the possible. When researching a topic don't insist of settling on an exact topic right away thereby excluding other options. Let your research dictate what appeals to you and THEN what is possible.

I am going to have to re-order my resolutions...I have too many and I feel mostly drained instead of energized. The best one is getting up earlier and taking more steps during the day to get more exercise.

Today I pray that Nic have the same joy and contentment that I wish for myself.

I should count my blessings...stop thinking I am the center of the universe. The pictures of Haiti should be a reminder of what really matters in life...friends and family.

Today i got up early and was actually able to do a bit of professional research.

I have been able to do the exericise about Ideal Life/Worst Case Scenario: Results: Ideal Life-Lottery win;travel;research and writing Worst Case Scenario-Sell condo;divorce;relocate.

Thanks to a personal retreat weekend it felt good to have the time/space/focus to read professional literature and to have a few ideas about a new research topic. Time alone without distractions was time well spent.

This weekend I am taking a retreat to clear my mind and clarify my values.

Yesterday i wrote a letter of inquiry to Mark Samuels Lasner concerning my proposal on the Stanford Memorial Chapel for the Delaware conference. Felt a sense of accomplishment.

Today Nic sent me an announcement of a conference at Winterthur on Morris and the Pre Raphaelites and the US. I think I could actually do something on the Stanford Memorial Chapel.

Today I wish for Nic the same joy and contentment I want for myself.

I need to be more watchful about obsession with understanding technology. Yesterday I got so wrapped up in it that I abandoned serenity which is dangerous for me.

I pray for Nic to have the same joy and contentment that I wish for myself.

Today I wish for Dennis the joy and contentment that I wish for myself.

Today I wish for Nic the same joy and contentment I wish for myself.

Today I wish for Dennis the same joy and contentment I wish for myself.

Today i wish for Nic the same joy and contentment I wish for myself.

Today i wish for Nic the same joy and contentment that I wish for myself.

Today I wish for Nic the same joy and contentment that I wish for myself.

Today I pray for Nic the same joy and contentment I wish for myself.

Today I wish for Nic the same joy and serenity I wish for myself.

Today i wish for Nic the same joy and contentment I wish for myself.

Today I wish for Dennis the same joy and contentment I wish for myself.

Today I wish for Nic the same contentment and joy i wish for myself.

Today I wish for Dennis the same contentment and joy I wish for myself.

Today I wish for Nic the same joy and contentment that I wish for myself.

Today I wish for Rosemary and her daughter a healthy relationship.

Today I wish for Nic the same joy and contentment that I wish for myself.

Today I wish for Dennis the same joy and contentment that I wish for myself

Today I wish for Dennis the same joy and contentment I wish for myself.

Today I pray for Nic the same contentment and joy I wish for myself.

Seances are on my mind these days as an art related topic. Tissot, WMR perhaps. Maybe I need a ouijia board.

Today I wish for Nic the same joy and contentment i wish for myself.

Today I wish for Nic the same joy and contentment that I wish for myself.

Today I wish for Nic the same joy and contentment that I wish for myself.

Today I wish for my co-workers the same joy and contentment as I wish for myself.

Today I wish for my co-workers all the joy and contentment I wish for myself.

Today I wish for Nic the same joy and contentment i wish for myself.

Today I wish for Nic the same joy and contentment I wish for myself.

Today I wish for Nic the same joy and contentment that I wish for myself.

Today I wish for Nic the same joy and contentment that I wish for myself.

Today I wish for Nic the same joy and contentment that I wish for myself.

Today i wish Nic the same joy and contentment that I wish for myself.

Today i wish for Nic the same joy and contentment that I wish for myself.

Today I wish for Nic the same joy and contentment that I wish for myself.

Today I wish for Nic the same joy and contentment I wish for myself.

Today I wish Nic the same joy and contentment I wish for myself.

Today I wish Nic the same joy and contentment that I wish for myself.

Today I wish Nic all the joy and contentment that I wish for myself.

I pray that Nic may have the same joy and contentment that I wish for myself.

Today I pray for Nic the same joy and contentment that I wish for my self.

Do i need to make myself empty in order to prepare for the next thing to arrive? This scares me.

Speaking the truth is easier said than done. I did it once this week with restraint and at another time with far less restraint. Oddly enough I think the less restrained one was more honest, was eventually received with some understanding.Progress.

I think that today was the first time I ASKED for HELP from my sponsor.

Finally the pain of not changing has become greater than the fear of change. I have to let go.

Yesterday i was told by my AA friends that turkey frozen for a year might be a health hazard. As a result we will get our turkey slices from a deli thereby saving the holiday.

Even though I had to return to work today I had a beautiful view of San Francisco from the break room window. It brought some moments of grace to an anxious day.

Today I did something I felt I had to do. I did it with some fear but also with a slightly greater feeling of letting go because I finally couldn't keep doing what I was doing. Of course I still fear the response.

Annoyance at my co-workers vanished when I realized I might not have ANY co-workers if there are staff cuts.

When something is not coming easily or joyfully it may not be worth the effort. Try to be quiet and listen for your heart's direction.

Ideas...or intuitive thoughts usually come when you least expect them.

Letting go...letting go...hard but essential.

Praying for joy and contentment for others makes me acknowledge that this is what I wish for in my life also.

I snapped at a coworker this morning but felt immediately bad about it since I am praying for tolerance and for all my colleagues to be joyous and content. Ouch...this isn't even a case of progress over perfection...it's just dumb.

Evelyn and William De Morgan were pretty much fearless.

I have spent my life studying creative people but I have failed to learn their secrets. It's not too late.

Working to overcome character defects is a matter of cultivating their opposites.

Why do I allow myself to be overwhelmed by negativity...it is one of my worst character defects.

Why am I so afraid to try new things? Why do I need to be as perfect as I can be? Life is not a dress rehearsal.

I am meeting my character defects on a daily basis these days.

When I try too hard I get poor results and exhaust myself. There is a difference between working productively and spinning my wheels. Sometimes I am able to find it.

Trying too hard usually doesn't work for me but neither does doing nothing. Finding a balance is not always easy for me.

I didn't cause it...I can't control it...and I can't cure it.

Today I am trying too hard.

Today I didn't try so hard.

Well being is based upon spiritual condition.

Recovery feels better than a glass of champagne!

Today my head was clear enough to compose some coherent thoughts about Gotch/Pre-Raphaelitism. Instead of discouraging myself I just plunged ahead.

Amends are not about forgiveness. They are about admitting our faults and committing ourselves to correcting them.

Right action always feels better than idle procrastination.

Instead of continuing to procrastinate i sent Nic the Gotch paintings that show Flemish influences so that we can begin to structure the essay. Action is always better than procrastination.

Today I was able to send an e-card to Nic for his birthday without any crazy expectations. It felt pretty good for a change.

Today i spent the afternoon reviewing some of the Gotch connections with 15th Century Flanders and Italy and 19th C. Italy.

Today after a nap I felt ready to review and write out my amends to Nic and send them to Toni. It felt pretty good.

Today I feel grateful to have a job that gives me paid time off.

Today I refused to accept that I was powerless over people, places, or things.

Today I tried to sit with my anxiety and found I could not do so. I took a Ativan which was not a good thing to do.

Today I learned that I can handle difficult tasks without asking for approval first.

Today I learned that making amends is not as hard as I thought.

Restraint of tongue and pen is always the best policy.

Today I learned that making amends is an ongoing process and a tool for growth.

Today I learned that I need more sleep.

My unwillingness to ask for help is one of my worst character defects.

Today i was reminded to believe what someone tells you about themselves. It's more accurate than anything you might want to believe about them.

Why do I always feel that I must know/understand a thing perfectly before I dare to render an opinion on it.

Today I realized that I don't have to let old childhood labels affect my life today.

Today was spent amongst 15th Century Flemish and Florentine artists without leaving home.

Yesterday I learned that finally doing the tasks you have been avoiding is always a good idea.

Yesterday I learned that sometimes we fool ourselves into believing we are in mutual relationships where we are actually doing 100% of the work.

Today I meet with Toni who usually has some wise advice to offer if I am receptive enough to listen.

Today I learned something about restraint. Don't. Click. Send.

Today I learned that the aphorism "When in doubt, do nothing" is more about examining doubt rather than not taking action.

Today I learned that the aphorism: "Live and let live" really means I should concentrate on living my own life well and let others live theirs!