The book The Happiness Project
This library is fabulous. It was so good to see the students utilizing information in such a variety of ways. I realize they are the privileged. Every student should have a library in which to learn to love learning.
It was great today to return to my old college Santa Clara University and see their fabulous new library...I mean learning center. It was really inspiring to see all the young people working in so many different ways with information.
Spend out
I am enjoying using my iPod for podcasts at work. It helps me keep focused instead of being distracted by office chatter which can be negative.
Having some decorative notepads makes my workspace more cheerful.
It was a nice day out in SF yesterday;good lunch;nice ride with Dennis;good discussion with Patty.
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.
Energy
The Universe usually smiles at us if we give it a chance
Negative thinking
Acceptance
The man to whom the angels spoke.
Professional conference proposal sent off ahead of schedule. Yippee!!
This moment will live forever in this child's mind!
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.
When you don't need anything, then you truly have everything. When you know that you already have enough, that you already are enough, that everything is as it should be, then your life will be rich indeed.
— Ralph Marston
I pray that i may have the courage to face my future one day at a time.
How did my friend, Gail Murphy, a girl from Hawaii, end up HERE?
Bo is making the most of the snow in his back yard!
There is always a high cost to low living.
— Anonymous
I have to be willing to be willing to look at my financial situation without fear.
My serenity is inversely proportional to my expectations.
Having brunch out with my family. Eggs florentine...ymmmm.
Do good daily.
Buying new scent...Something about LeLe by Benefit.
Keeping on good terms with my co-workers is always the best policy. Adds to everyday serenity. No one likes a grouch.
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.
Great to be in Berkeley overnight and to see Gretchen Rubin at her book event at Books, Inc. She is the real deal and it shows!
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.
Great AA mtg this morning. I was even able to share.
My mood was immediately lifted when I walked into my house and smelled banana bread baking. My favorite!!
Nice day out at the Cartier exhibition with Patty. Good lunch and conversation.
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.
Glad that the Foster City Library has re-opened. Got a new book today.
William Holman Hunt still lives!
Quiet stillness.
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.
This is the face of focused happiness.
Courage is faith that has said its prayers.
— From "Drop the Rock: Removing Character Defects"
Expectations are resentments waiting to happen.
— Anonymous
THE BOOK arrived today via Amazon. Yippee!
Our grey matter is more dynamic than we think.
I love this painting because I have had the good fortune to have stood in this same spot in London many times.
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.
A lovely reminder of the reason for the season.
Happy Christmas to us all!
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.
ANOTHER security breach??
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.
Dennis has over 200 of these drawings. He remains committed to his art.
Getting together with my family never fails to bring me joy.
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.
Nice to see Europeans flying the American flag for the young president.
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.
To thine own self be true.
— William Shakespeare
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.
I can see that Bo, the Obama family dog, has been pressed into service as sentry at the WH. Don't let his cuteness fool you. No one gets round Bo without credentials.
One of my favorite Christmas memories is a concert of carols at St. Martin-in-the-Fields in London.
During the darkest time of the year seeing the holiday lights cheers me up.
Most years I re-read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
I am attempting to take time to be more aware of the seasons
Having a new book to read never fails to lift my mood.
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.
It's not just a political strategy for these young people...it's a mission.
Today I pray for Nic the same joy and contentment that I wish for my self.
"It's not always about YOU".
— Anonymous
Seeing Twilight: New Moon. Innocent fun! Sometimes the simplest things are the most enjoyable.
Acceptance is usually the answer to all my problems. Simple but not easy.
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.
A strange image I had forgotten about.
A beautiful Fall day can't fail to boost my mood.
Finally the pain of not changing has become greater than the fear of change. I have to let go.
Sasha and Malia had to negotiate at the highest level to get a pardon for Mr. Turkey.
We always have more to be grateful than we think we do.
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.
We are lucky to have such a radiant First Lady!
Simple but not easy advice.
Even though my sunrise isn't exactly like this it is still a good way to start the day. Grateful.
Today I am grateful that on a clear day you can see San Francisco from our work lunch room.
You don't have to be at the beach to feel this relaxed but it helps.
Lighten up! Remember...Your face could STAY LIKE THIS FOREVER if you don't snap out of it!
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.
How it work (usually).
Let the gratitude begin!
Despite day to day troubles I often forget to be grateful for the blessings I have.
They always look their best!
"Sometimes common sense is not common enough"
— Anonymous Co-Worker
Praying for joy and contentment for others makes me acknowledge that this is what I wish for in my life also.
Lovely angel!
One of my favorite images from a favorite artist.
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.
I learned how to make pumpkin soup from fresh pumpkin!
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.
Tomorrow I am going to have lunch with a girlhood friend. Longstanding friends are the best!
On Halloween, I am going to visit an atmospheric old cemetery.make pumpkin soup, and check out the decorations in my old neighborhood.
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.
Words to the wise!
Rare spirits they were...Evelyn and William.
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.
My evening ritual is reading before bedtime. It is a perfect way to wind down from the day.
Bo, the first dog, appears to be missing from the family photo but otherwise this is great.
It is hard for me to resist a good horror film. With Fear.net I don't have to.
Trying too hard usually doesn't work for me but neither does doing nothing. Finding a balance is not always easy for me.
"Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be"
— Abraham Lincoln
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.
Another autumn scene.
I would like to aim to be as bright as these daffodils. And maybe a little daffier too!
He looks good for 140!!
Well being is based upon spiritual condition.
Positivity is contagious but so is negativity...beware and don't invite it in.
I'm grateful that I have a job that gives me PTO and 3 short weeks in a row. Yippee!
Sometimes WORDS DO COUNT!
WOW...the iMac just fixed itself...and now we can PRINT again!! Yippee! I'm a believer again! Thanks Steve Jobs!
It works if you believe....
Recovery feels better than a glass of champagne!
Clean laundry, clean carpets, and topic sentence for essay begun. All before 11:00 am. Grateful to have a job that gives me paid holidays.
Today a friend told me she were glad I was in her life.
Today my head was clear enough to compose some coherent thoughts about Gotch/Pre-Raphaelitism. Instead of discouraging myself I just plunged ahead.
Madonna/Christ/Child
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.
Thanks, Ted, from a grateful nation!
Rare spirit who never explained nor complained.
Always true to herself!
I have been happily lost in 15 C. Flemish paintings for the weekend. Their jewel-like quality engages the eye and settles the mind.
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.
Surely inspirational to Gotch
Gotch seems surely influenced by his 19th C. contemporary.
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 after my comfort lunch of grilled cheese and chips I took a nap. It was so relaxing to have time off to do this.
I would LOVE to visit this site.
Today I feel grateful to have a job that gives me paid time off.
I'd love to get the THUMBS UP from Sasha!
I'd like to feel MORE like THIS!
I'd like to FEEL like this photo LOOKS!
I don't want to continue to feel like this.
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.
I want to visit this historic town.
Today because I was less stressed I didn't crave the calorie-laden sweet roll from the machine at work.
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.
Martha's Vineyard awaits the First Family!
One of the greatest movies ever made (for art historians)
One of my favorite places on earth.
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.
Enjoy your vacation First Family! You have earned it!!
The latest of my vampire heroes!
Today when I overslept I realized that I must need more sleep than I am getting. The past few days have been horribly stressful and today my body just verified that.
Today I learned that I need more sleep.
My unwillingness to ask for help is one of my worst character defects.
You go girl!
One of the Flemish works brought to Florence to inspire its artists.
Probably my favorite Gotch
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.
One of my favorites.
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.
A Florentine master pays homage to the Flemish masters!
Quietude of the Flemish masters
These artists rendered the spiritual world in brilliant and sumptuous detail.
Today was spent amongst 15th Century Flemish and Florentine artists without leaving home.
Sometimes it is an uphill climb!
Finally doing the things you have been procrastinating about gives you a sense of relief and energy.
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.
Another wise woman for the court!
Don't ever underestimate the power of a happy ending!
Today I meet with Toni who usually has some wise advice to offer if I am receptive enough to listen.
Today a girlhood friend sent me some wonderful vintage photos of 1960s/1970s Honolulu where we both grew up.
Blessed are the peacemakers!!
Almost any photo of the Obama girls cheers me right up!
When I don't combine pleasurable activities with obligations I feel drained and overwhelmed.
Today I learned something about restraint. Don't. Click. Send.
I always feel content when I have a stack of interesting books on my bedside table waiting to be read.
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!
Make time for spiritual reading/leisure reading before going to sleep. Helps to slow me down and ease me into dreamtime.
