tis the season

I feel very pollianna-ish lately.  Maybe it's the time of year.  Or, it occurs to me that I have grown.  Okay, that might be a stretch, so let's say changed.  Changing.  Morphing.  Molting.  I am much more likely to see the positive.  To give the benefit of the doubt.  To be easier on myself (the hardest part) and on others.  I credit a rough time and a good therapist.  Cheers!

But here's what I mean.  Each day we wake up and we have a choice.  A good day or a bad day.  Now don't get me wrong, there are outside factors at work here, lots of them, but in general, in those first hours, good mood or bad.  As things turn sour as some things are wont to do... handle it or wallow in it.  Have a quick temper or a less quick temper.  It's down right creepy, I tell you.  But it works.  It actually does.  Decide to be happy. Happier. Decide to be more easy going and, wow.  Look what happens.  Is this what I'm OK, You're OK was supposed to be about?  Never read it.  Much prefer zenhabits.net.  It's not that what I'm reading or hearing are any different from what's been written or said many times before.  I guess I'm just ready to hear more of it.  It's me.  I control me.   Who is this talking?  Sheesh.

Now let's be clear here.  I haven't lost my penchant for sarcasm or a good tantrum.  I just find they are shorter than they were before.Smaller cycle. It is easier to come out from under the dark cloud, or maybe not easier, just happens a bit more quickly.  I don't know what it is, and don't really care about the why, I can just say, I like it. Or it feels better.   Maybe its all these blogs I've been reading.  A bit too much self help.  Weird. Good weird, but weird.  Poo, poo, poo, I could be jinxing the whole thing.

Its funny.  That's not what I set out to write about today.

So besides all this good feeling... this is my favorite time of year for the lists.  My most favorite lists are lists of books.  So many books and so little time.  Here's one of my pre new year's resolutions.  Stop watching so much crappy tv and start reading more books.   I might just have to keep that one... since I think I found two more book clubs to try in my never ending quest to find some "people" in Philadelphia.  My good friend people in Miami came from my book club, pure and simple.  So that's where I'm starting here too.

I'm so late to some things.  Blogs are one of those things.  I am just starting to have a few blogs that I follow. the zen habits is one.  Brain Pickings is another.  Cool stuff.  I have a found a few cooking ones, picking up a few recipes.  Wow.  There's a lot out there.  I guess I should be flattered that some of you take the time to read this. Thank you.

Here's one book that totally captured my eye.  How to Be an Explorer of the World This book looks cool. Here's the list that started the book.

1. Always be looking. (Notice the ground beneath your feet.)
2. Consider everything alive and animate.
3. Everything is interesting, look closer.
4. Alter your course often.
5. Observe for long durations. (and short ones)
6. Notice the stories going on around you.
7. Notice patterns, make connections.
8. Document your finding (field notes) in a variety of ways.
9. Incorporate indeterminancy.
10. Observe movement.
11. Create a personal dialogue with your environment.  Talk to it.
12. Trace things back to their origins.
13. Use all of the senses in your investigations.

I love it. I challenge all of you (and myself, of course) to be more of an Explorer in your day-to-day life.  Go out there and see stuff.  Pay attention.  You'll be surprised what you see.  I just asked my mom the other day, if she remembered a kid's book we had called And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street.  it was one of my favorite books then and I think of it often now when I see wacky things on the street. Anyway.  Go explore.  Then drop me an email or comment here and tell me what you found.  I will do the same.  Just as I always do.

So enjoy the season of random acts of kindness.  Actually do one.  Buy someone a cup of coffee. Let the person behind you go first in the supermarket line.  Let the car in ahead of you.  Speak first in an elevator and say hello.  But most important of all, cherish your friends and family. Tell them they are important to you.  Yeah, its geeky and syrupy but what the heck... give it a shot.

Happy holidays and a very happy new year.