Feathers and Hammers

I can be an asshole. That may shock some of you, but it is very true.  I am careful with my words, except when I’m not. This week has definitely been an exercise in NOT. I seem to be arguing with everyone; insurance providers, coworkers, children, the people at the optical, and my beloved spouse. My poor spouse has taken the brunt of my rude and sassy behavior this week. Kudos for not locking me out of the house. Kudos for not divorcing me.

In the heat of the moment it is so easy to lose sight of the impact your words have. As the quote says, they can either be feathers or hammers.  I have been beating the Hades out of almost everyone I have come in contact with this week. 

I am owning up to my bad behavior. I vow to lay my hammer down. I have to start reminding myself that like Ali my words need to be light as a feather. I need to be a better steward of the tongue I have been given, the grace I have been shown, and the words I think and use.

How have your words been landing this week?

Turning 39

A few days ago I turned 39.  I love getting older.  I know a lot of people do not share my enthusiasm for aging, but I am unapologetically thrilled each and every year I turn just a bit older. As the old saying goes, it sure beats the alternative. I’m still here!

I had been thinking about this milestone for a while. I wanted to create a theme for my 39^th year. Something to focus on, and something that would when all was said and done make me a better person all the way around.  I pondered a bit, and then it came to me as I was driving.  Year 39: Giving, Growing, and Going!

There are all kinds of giving.  I am better at some than others. For year 39 I want to work on giving more of my time to the things that I am passionate about.  I want to work on being more thoughtful, and doing things for others just because.  I want to work on really connecting with people by giving more of myself in each and every interaction. I want to stretch and stretch some more!

I love growing as a person.  I have realized that there are several areas where I feel I am a little stunted, and I want to focus on growing those areas specifically this year. One of the things I am doing is committing myself to read more this year than I have in the last 5 years combined!  I have a list of books in all kinds of genres, and I am reading or listening to the audiobook of 3 to 4 books a week.  It has been a wonderful experience so far.  I am also working on setting more goals this year, and creating plans to meet those goals.  I’ll share more on that as time passes.

In year 39 I want to travel more.  Last year I flew for the first time, going to Los Angeles twice. I also took a fabulous road trip with my beloved to Florida for my brother’s wedding.  I really want to step outside my comfort zone and do things I have never done before.  I want to go new places and meet new people.  I want to really get going! 

I want year 39 to be the best build up to 40 I could ever imagine. Do you create themes for your years?  If so how do you choose them, and what are they?  How do you feel about aging?  I’d love to know.