Love the Rock

One of the many perks of my current freelance job is that I get to spend a lot of time online, connecting with other bloggers.  One of the newest additions to the blog tour event I'm organizing Teresa, has posted about 7 suggestions for 2012.  By far, my favorite is #2.

"Remember if you can't change the situation change your attitude.  If you're tied to a rock, learn to love the rock.  Let the situation change you."

I had this image in my head of myself hugging a rock, though a chain bound us together, loving the rock as if I'd chosen to be bound to it.    While many of the things we are bound to are results of our own choices, sometimes we are bound to things because of the choices of others, or circumstances beyond our control.

I LOVE freedom.  I love to have no ties that bind, no anchors, no chains holding me back, all the analogies you can think of, I'm sure they apply to me.  And when I do sense something weighing me down, I tend to fight it, wriggling like a worm on a hook to get out of the situation and be free once more.  But sometimes, the things that "weigh us down," whether it be a loved one, a job, a health concern, a living situation, financial lack, whatever it may be... have purpose in our lives.  These things are there to teach us patience, perseverance, wisdom, to strengthen us and prepare us for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

So I am trying to see the "rocks" of my life as blessings.  How can I grow from this?  How is this rock helping to change me into the person God wants me to be?  When I see the rock as a blessing in disguise, I love it.

Look Back, Look Forward

Well, it is New Year's Day, 2 am to be exact.  The evening did not go exactly as I had originally planned, but I ended up having the perfect, lovely evening with family and friends.  I have been aching to get some time out in nature or to just be alone and meditate, really soak in the events, opportunities, and challenges of this year and think about what I'd like to change.  Unfortunately between work and um... other things (Harry Potter marathon, totally necessary) I haven't been able to do that.  I had this long list of things I wanted to wrap up today, in order to start the new year with a clean slate.  Somehow I managed to get most of it done and still enjoy the evening.  And since I am still wide awake, I'll take the time now to look back, and look forward.

Looking back: This year brought me lots of adventures: concerts, the circus, 3 months in Australia, 3 new jobs, a ton of new friends... it also brought me lots of challenges: money issues, health issues, relationship issues.  But looking back I can see how each of those things shaped me and made me into the person I am tonight, right now.  I have learned so much this year- new ways of thinking that I know will help me progress, new insights to myself, recognizing more of my strengths and weaknesses.  I feel so blessed tonight, looking back over the past 365 days, but there are still many things I want to change- new things to see and do, new people to meet, and new ways to become a little more the woman God wants me to be.  So what do I want to see, do, and try this new year?

I want to invest in my health more-time, money, energy, whatever it takes for me to be truly healthy and happy.  I want to invest in my dreams more- write, paint, create anything and everything I can, and not let feelings of fear, doubt, and negativity hold me back.  I want to use my talents and gifts to help those around me, enrich their lives, uplift people, and make the world a more beautiful place.  I want to build upon the skills I developed this past year, fine tune the basic good habits that give me strength and peace.  And last but not least, I want to have more courage- courage to open my heart to people, courage to try new things, courage to fail sometimes, courage to be myself, courage to rise to any challenge that may arise.

I am reminded tonight of "Up," an incredibly touching and beautiful movie (if you haven't seen it yet, please do!)  In the movie, 78 year old widower Carl Fredricksen finally embarks on an adventure he's been wanting to take his whole life.  He spends a lot of time looking back over his life- meeting the little girl he would later fall in love with, building a life together, living through disappointments and joys, losing her.  He goes on an amazing adventure with tagalong boyscout Russell, and comes to realize that though one phase of his life is over, he still has many more adventures ahead of him.  At one point he has to empty things from his house so that he can continue to travel, which reminds me of an analogy from Amy Parmenter, who says that when we are making transitions or seeking to change our lives, we need to look at it as embarking on a journey.  We need to "pack a suitcase," carefully considering what supplies (attitudes, behaviors, beliefs, habits) will help us, and what will weigh us down and hold us back.  And then we need to consider what supplies we don't have that we should have to help us on our journey, and focus on acquiring them.

What are you unpacking at the end of this crazy year?  And what new things will you choose to take with you into 2012?

Love the Questions

I have been wanting to write a new post for awhile now... something about Christmas, something about the New Year, something about family and friends and all of the things I've been learning lately.  But I have been so busy and had so much on my mind lately that it's been hard for me to organize my thoughts.  

Much of what has been on my mind involves questions about the future- relationships, work, finances, plans... so much to think about.  And we are impatient people.  We like to know now what is going to come of something, where to focus our efforts.  We don't want to go down a road that will end up in us being hurt, or disappointed.  But sometimes we have to let go of the urge to figure things out and just embrace the uncertainty of this adventure called life.  We have to stop worrying about which path we are taking, and focus instead on enjoying the journey.

Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart

and try to love the questions themselves ...

Don't search for the answers,

which could not be given to you now,

because you would not be able to live them.

And the point is, to live everything.

Live the questions now.

Perhaps then, someday far in the future,

you will gradually, without even noticing it,

live your way into the answer.

rainer maria rilke

CREATE!

This has been one of the things on my dorky dailies list for the month of December, but I am way behind.  Or at least, that's what I thought.  Today I read an ebook by Amy Parmenter called "Know Where To Go."  It's a short book about making changes to have a more fulfilling and happy life.  She shares six steps to make positive change in your life:
1- Consciousness- you have to come to a realization of who you are and how you got here
2- Reflect- take a long hard look at yourself, your strengths, weaknesses, needs, desires, faiths, and fears
3- Emote- focus on how you feel about who you are individual aspects of your life
4- Aspire- with a fresh perspective, make your mind and heart open to new possibilities
5- Try- make goals to try instead of to achieve, it's far more enjoyable and less intimidating
6- Emerge- move forward with direction, a positive attitude, and confidence
She ended by stating that her father is an artist, and that she had always bemoaned the fact that she didn't have a creative bone in her body.  Like her, I applied the word "creative" to art, music, etc.  But creativity is simply the ability to create new ideas, and that can apply to every area of our lives.  It wasn't until she pointed it out that I realized the first letter in each the six steps spell out the word CREATE.  May we each use our God-given creativity to create a beautiful, fulfilling life!

Make More New Friends

Last time I wrote about this topic it was something I really struggled with.  I mean, full-blown anxiety struggled with.  And while meeting new people and turning them into friends is still a challenge, I realize that I have grown a lot in this regard since my post 10 months ago.  Good thing, huh?  I mean, that is the whole idea of this blog- to make personal progress.  I feel pretty rich in the friend department right now, and while some of that is due to my own efforts, a lot of it has come by Divine intervention.  

A couple weeks ago I started a new job, organizing a blog tour for a Christian author.  At the time I had never even heard of a blog tour.  But now I am contacting new people every day and trying to connect with each of them on a personal level.  It was slow going at first, but now a few days into it I have met some of the most beautiful people and feel like this whole new world of friends has opened up to me.

I love those moments where we can see God's hand in our lives, bringing opportunities that help us learn and grow and people who will inspire us to become our best selves.

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out.  It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being.  We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.  ~Albert Schweitzer

Talk on the Phone

I... hate... talking on the phone.  Through text or email you can think about what you're going to say.  In person you can read someone's facial expressions and body language.  When you're talking to someone on the phone, you've got nothin' but your words and theirs to convey thought, feeling, expression, and concept.  Not cool.
Nevertheless, sometimes we must communicate through this method, and i am trying to accept that.  Tonight I talked to someone I'd been meaning to call for two weeks... and it was lovely.
I don't know why I work myself up about these things because despite occasional pauses or stuttering, my conversations usually go pretty well, sometimes dazzlingly well.  And yet...
So I did a little research tonight.  Turns out that people who talk on the phone regularly are usually better at socializing in general.  (Hm... another problem of mine.)  I also found some dorky fun tips for talking on the phone:
1.) before you call, think about what you want to say/ask.  (Duh.  But if you are like me, you may spend too much time thinking about it and psych yourself out.  Don't do that.)
2.) try to relax (you mean, don't get hopped up on Redbull and pixie stix?  Oh... that's what I've been doing wrong.)
3.) get into a conversation (gee, why didn't I think of that?)
4.) be honest (no problem there, I am usually TOO honest.)
5.)  (Ready... this is my favorite...) If there is an awkward pause, say "Can you hang on a sec?" and pretend like you are stepping away to do something until you think of something to pick up the conversation again with.  (That. is. brilliant.)
And so, people in my life, I am trying to overcome my phone aversion to improve my relationships with you.  Because I love you.  I love you so much, I will even talk to you on the phone.

Follow Your Heart

I always have a lot going on in my mind, but lately it has been especially crazy.  I've been seeking others' advice, people I love, trust, and admire.  But at some point you have to stop asking other people what you should do and listen to your own thoughts.  A good friend of mine once told me he admired me because I know who I am and what I want.  This is wonderful, but it doesn't necessarily mean life will be simpler for me.  Just because I know who I am doesn't mean I don't want to change things about myself.  And just because I know what I want doesn't mean I know how to get it, or if I'm even meant to have it.
Everyone has dreams that never come true, a career path they don't follow, a place they never go, people they never meet, talents they never develop, things that they want, big or small, that they will never get.  But at the same time, God is placing new people, places, events, opportunities, and learning experiences in our path on a daily basis.  Who knows what will happen if we can follow our hearts and seize these moments?

Your time is limited, so dont waste it living someone elses life. Dont be trapped by dogma which is living with the results of other peoples thinking. Dont let the noise of others opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary. - Steve Jobs

Give Thanks

Predictable topic given the time of year, I know.  But hey, this is a good policy all year long.  I've talked a lot about the importance of gratitude, how much a positive, grateful outlook affects how you feel and how you live your life.  I started out my Thanksgiving Day by making a list of some of the things I'm grateful for, and then I had the...best...holiday...ever.  We went to my aunt's lake house in Georgia and shared a delicious meal with extended family.  The highlights were playing a hilarious game of "Apples to Apples" with my siblings and cousins, and the 15 min or so my adorable 84-year-old grandmother sat on my lap and we talked and laughed and caught up on each others' lives.  Even the 2 hour drive there and back was fun.  I don't know how it's possible, but my family can make even lame games like name that tune and helping my dad with his crossword puzzle a hilarious exchange of witty banter.  I settled in for the night feeling truly blessed.  If only every day could be like that...

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice.  ~Meister Eckhart

Reminisce

So I popped over to my parents' house tonight to see what everyone was up to, and they were watching this home movie from 1993.  It was Christmas morning and our... outfits... were... awesome.
Oh the days of scrunchies and sweatpants and neon graphic tees.  Oh the perms and bangs and haircuts (I don't care what you say Mom, Dad totally had a mullet.)  We also watched a clip of 3 yr old Brittany (in the middle in this pic) feeding ducks by the lake, and it was pretty much the cutest thing ever.
Looking back is not only fun, according to medical and psychological research studies, it also boosts memory and cognition and strengthens relationships.
Reminiscing can also help you make meaningful connections from the events of your life.  When we see where we've come from, it gives us a clearer vision of who we are and what we want.  So spend some time walking down memory lane for awhile, and enjoy the view.

“What can ever equal the memory of being young together?” 
― Michael Stein, In the Age of Love

Nov 15: Live Your Life

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "We are always getting ready to live but never living."  How sad (and true) is that?  While looking back to learn from our experiences is good, and looking ahead to plan for our future is important, we need to learn to live in the moment as well.  This is something that comes particularly easy to me.  In fact, I enjoy living in the moment so much that it can seem that I don't remember anything or worry at all.  This is something I'm working on, a balance.

Anyway, for those of you who don't have this "gift," here are some of my tips for living (and loving) the moments in your life:

1.) Start the day off right.  I try to start every day with prayer, scripture study, journal writing, and yoga.  This always makes me feel peaceful, centered, invigorated and ready to face the day.

2.) Be interested.  Take interest in the people, places, events, music, food, sights, sounds, etc. around you.  It's the details in our lives that make them rich and full.

3.) Challenge yourself.  Whether it's mental, physical, or spiritual, keep raising your expectations.  Not too much, you don't want your goals to be unattainable, but they should be high enough that you grow in the process.

4.) Get away.  Traveling broadens our horizons and breaks down old ways of living and thinking, which can open us up to new possibilities.

5.) Take risks.  In the end, it will be things we didn't do that become our regrets.  Taking risks like going for things we really want, trying something new, telling someone how we feel, makes us stronger.  And even the risks that don't turn out the way we want will be for our learning and experience.

6.) Follow your passions.  Make sure the things you love are a part of your life in some way, on a daily basis if possible.  If your passion is Italy, you may not be able to go there every day, but you could try out an Italian meal, spend a few minutes learning an Italian phrase, or browse the internet for articles or pictures of Italy.  Even if all you do is think about your passions each day, you attract more of that to your life, which makes you a happier, more fulfilled individual.

7.) Cut things from your life that are a waste of time and energy.  (self-explanatory)

8.) Face your fears.  Courage is not the absence of fear, it is action in spite of fear.  Whether your fear is socializing, speaking in public, or spiders, facing them weakens their power over you, avoiding them makes them stronger. 

9.) Count your blessings.  Recognizing the beauty of nature, the love and comfort of friends and family, the excitement of new possibilities, and the joy of life reminds us how happy we already are.

10.) Have faith.  One reason I seem to never worry is that I know that despite any efforts I make, all things are in the hands of God.  I know His plans for me are far greater than any I could have for myself.

Nov 10: Catch Up

So between me housesitting and my sister having a life, we hadn't really talked in over a week.  And so tonight she came over and we talked for hours- out on the porch while I drank hot chocolate, on the couch when it got too cold outside, in the kitchen while we dared each other to drink Malta and try ginseng candy (disgusting).  Last night I had another friend over for dinner and a movie, a friend I greatly admire but hadn't spent any real time with in months.  It's amazing how quickly a gap can be bridged once you make the effort to actually spend time with someone. 
I was thinking about this tonight, how much we need the people in our lives, and yet sometimes we forget that, or get caught up in our own lives, or grow apart.  It's normal for us to change, we have to in order to progress.  And some relationships, if stressful or destructive, may be better left distant.  But when we have someone in our lives who brings us joy, or comfort, or who accepts and loves us for who we are, it's important that we do our part to keep those relationships alive and well.

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out.  It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being.  We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.  ~Albert Schweitzer

Nov 5: Get Away

I know I do it to myself.  I'm a problem solver, and I will involve myself in anything no matter how frustrating or stressful or obnoxious if I think I can help.  But lately all of my "helping" has been taking a toll on me.  At what point do we have to step back and let people solve their own problems?

Luckily for me, God often provides exactly what we need most, in the exact moment we need it.  And so I am embracing the opportunity of having two back-to-back house-sitting jobs spanning about five weeks.  My days will involve occasional time with family and friends, and tons of time to myself.  Which is exactly what I need right now.

Take some time for yourself, even if it's only a few hours, and do something that brings you joy :)

Nov 1: Get Serious About a Goal

There are so many things I'd like to change about myself and my life, that I often find myself paralyzed.  Where to start, when to start, how to proceed, which goals are most important, how to break goals down into manageable tasks, this is all very overwhelming to me.  After watching "Limitless," I often wish I could take a little magic pill, one that would unlock the channels of my brain, help me focus, know exactly how to proceed.  But unfortunately, there is no little magic pill.

So I am left to fight against my weaknesses and figure things out for myself.  I decided that since it November, National Novel Writing Month (or NaNoWriMo), I would get serious about writing again.  I signed up, started my profile, and I'm psyched to dive in. 

My challenge to you is to pick something you've wanted to do for a long time, anything from getting a college degree, to developing a new talent, to losing weight for an upcoming event.  Whatever you choose, dedicate yourself to achieving this goal, and don't let anything get in your way.  For awesome tips on achieving any goal, check out this article: http://www.wikihow.com/Accomplish-a-Goal

Fear melts when you take action towards a goal you really want.Robert G Allen

Oct 26: Everybody Calm Down

Wow.  Dealing with so much drama today.  Usually I can kind of separate myself from all of it, be surrounded by it, and yet have this inner calm, and deal with the situation.  But today I got so defensive of a loved one and so frustrated that this ignorant, selfish person was attacking them, that I lost it.  I was heart-pounding, hands-shaking, nail-spitting angry.  So now I am trying to calm down.  It's really hard, once you've let yourself get all worked up.  But getting angry doesn't solve the situation. 

I've been looking up tips online for controlling anger, calming down after a confrontation, etc., and I have found some interesting and diverse tips.  From things like prayer, journaling, venting to a friend, taking deep breaths, getting exercise, burning lavender or vanilla candles, to unique things like tearing paper and beating a couch with a plastic bat, there are plenty of options and one is bound to work for you.  I do know one thing: after you've calmed down a little, you must deal with a situation, not ignore it, if you expect to feel better.

So here's to calming down and dealing with things in a more dignified manner. Horray...

Oct 24: Get in the Spirit!

It's my favorite time of year- Fall!  When the air is cool and crisp, harvest colors appear, and the calendar is filled with festivals, haunted houses, corn mazes, and costume parties.  My mom is wonderful about decorating for holidays, and so our porch is strewn with pumpkins, a skull, a black cat, and orange lights.  Tonight we carved pumpkins. (The picture is unfortunately not one of them, but one of the coolest carved pumpkins ever, and a good movie as well.)
So I was thinking tonight about how important it is to get into the spirit of the events in our lives, to embrace the holidays, birthdays, and anything else that comes our way, because that is what makes life rich.
Here are my top picks of movies that inspire the Halloween spirit:
1. The Pumpkin Who Couldn't Smile
2. It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!
3. Chucklewood Critters- Which Witch is Which?
4. Disney's Halloween Treat
5. Casper
6. Hocus Pocus
7. Monster House
8. The Haunting
9. The Others
10. The Shining

Oct 21: Open Up!

So... this week has brought a few changes to my life, one of which is a new job.  This one change has brought other changes, like meeting new people, learning new things, getting up at ridiculous times.  And perhaps all this change has given me a little more confidence, because the other day I dealt with what might have been an awkward situation in a very new and refreshing way.  So it got me to thinking about much change helps us grow, how stretching out in new directions creates more opportunities for good things to come into our lives.  I have always loved change in most areas of my life, but in one particular area, that of opening up socially, I keep reverting to my comfortable old solitary ways, which a. is not healthy and b. makes people think I am a snob.
Anyway, in order to further my progress (and because I am a dork), I looked up some suggestions online, here are some of my favorites:
1.) try new things (sounds familiar), trying new food, music, places, meeting new people, joining clubs, all these things make you a more well-rounded and interesting person, which builds confidence
2.) volunteer (again, familiar), focusing on the needs of others makes you focus less on your own insecurities
3.) be friendly and approachable (this is the hard one for me, not because I am mean, but because I am often in my own little world and mostly happy that way, but we all need balance)  smile at people, introduce yourself, ask people about their lives
4.) jot down notes about people so that you can follow up on important events in their lives, it shows that you care about them
5.) face your fears (tough), most of the time when we don't socialize, it is out of fear. Conquering our fears, a little at a time, builds confidence and opens our lives up to new possibilities.
p.s. just realized this is my 100th post, hooray!

Oct 19: Look Up, Step Up, Cheer Up!

This is something I heard in General Conference and LOVED!  I decided to make it my quote for the month and try to apply it to my life.  The idea is that when you are more positive and try a little harder, you will be happier.  For tonight I'll focus on part one of this concept: Look UP.  To me this has several meanings, such as looking to God- His love for us, his desires and plans for us, and what we are capable of with His help.  It could also mean to think with an eye toward the future, instead of being distracted or bogged down by present cares and circumstances.  It could also mean to be more positive, something I've been working on for a long time.  Here are some good suggestions I've found in my research:
1.) Accept that there are problems. (Ignoring them does not make them go away). 
2.) Make some small, achieveable goals.  (Where there are no goals, there is no progress, which can lead to negativity.)
3.) Count your blessings.  (The more you do this, the easier it gets to name more and more things, and you will be amazed at how many you can come up with.)
4.) Avoid negative influences.  (We can't control the attitudes of others in our lives, and it can seem like the more you try to be positive, the more negative others will seem.  But if you tell your friends, family, and co-workers what you're trying to accomplish, most will curb their negativity for you.)
5.) Surround yourself with positive images, colors, and music. (Yellow, orange, and pink are all happy-making colors, and I love listening to "On the Sunny Side of the Street" by Billie Holiday when I need a pick-me-up).
6.) Get involved in positive activities.  (Volunteering is the best way to gain a positive outlook, because you are focused on the needs of others instead of yourself.  Any wholesome group activity- sporty, artistic, intellectual, spiritual, etc. is good too.)
7.) Try new things.  (The more things you try, the better you'll know yourself and the richer your life will be, which leads to fulfillment.)
8.) Plan things that you can look forward to, follow through, and then document the occasion. (Studies show that the anticipation of an enjoyable event is often more intense than the event itself.  Following through with plans shows you that you have power to make things happen.  And documenting the event, by writing in a journal, taking pictures, or sharing the story with others is like reliving the experience.  It releases endorphines, making you feel positive again and again even though the event is past.)
9.) Realize that what you focus on becomes your reality.  (Thoughts become actions, which affect your circumstances.  Think negative, get more negative.  Think positive... you get it.)
10.) Last but not least... Make a commitment to be happy and remind yourself of it often.  (Happiness is not a destination we arrive at, it's a way of traveling.  It requires a conscious effort.)

“Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence”  - Aristotle

Oct 17: Begin Anywhere

  Wow. So there is an obvious time gap between this post and my last one (in case you missed that).  I am happy to say I have made progress in several arenas since then.  But sadly I have become slack in others, such as this blog, which I love and miss.  Going back and reading my old posts makes me realize that this blog has been like therapy for me.  That blogging about my problems and challenges, and then researching solutions, finding a visual and an inspiring quote, has helped bring some focus and clarity to my life.  I am sorely lacking this lately.  I have been feeling very inspired, but have had trouble channeling that into something productive.  The more time goes by, the harder it is to jump back into something: church, school, a job, a hobby, anything.  And if you're anything like me, you WAY overthink the whole process, causing further delay.  I waited so long to start blogging because I had so many thoughts since then that I didn't know where to start.  I felt like this post had to be powerful, had to somehow redeem me for all the time I missed.  But then I realized how silly that is.  It doesn't matter where I begin, only THAT I BEGIN.

"Not knowing where to start is the most common form of paralysis.  Begin anywhere." - John Cage

June 26: Get Some Inner Peace

My friend and I went to see Kung Fu Panda 2 yesterday, and two words have been reverberating in my head ever since, "Inner Peace."  It's something I've been trying to achieve for a long time, ever since I read "The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire." 
It can be hard, in the hustle and bustle of life, as appointments and "to do lists" and calendar days fly by, as our differences cause us to clash and collide, as disappointments and frustrations deride us and we feel restless, upset, or hopeless, to achieve and maintain that inner peace.  This weekend was really fun, but it also involved some serious conversations, and a lot of thinking about things that are lacking from my life.  Sometimes we think we have things figured out, only to have a thought or realization that throws everything up in the air again and has us trying to put together a puzzle we've already put together, dangit!  When moments like this arise and we feel ourselves on a precipice of change or big decisions, it can be wise to pause, reflect, and gain some inner peace.
I love to turn to writing, reading, and meditation, but a nice long talk with my Mom also helps.  We are impatient creatures, but it helps to slow down, take a deep breath, think things through, and realize that answers usually come when we need them, things work out if we are true to ourselves, and the Master is aware of every possibility our lives contain.

“Anything is possible when you have inner peace.” Shifu

June19: Take Matters Into Your Own Hands

So I have been here a few weeks now, and though we have been to some really beautiful places and done lots of fun things, I am definitely at the mercy of my friend.  She's a wonderful person, but we are very different.  She doesn't like to explore the way I do.  I dragged her along paths, on long rides, and into cathedrals with me, but in general she just has no interest and would rather stay home. 

I was stuck between being her guest (where I don't really know people and the area and should mostly keep by her) and being myself (inquisitive, restless, and anxious to wander).  I thought things might get kind of ugly.  But today I had a genius idea that has led to a major breakthrough.  I printed out a google map of the neighborhood- Itea Court in Regents Park, all the way to Browns Plains (where the mall is and where I have occasionally persuaded to walk with me, even though she hates walking).  There are 9 parks on this map, 9!  And I am pretty good at finding my way around when I have a map.

So this afternoon I got my ipod, my camera, and my map, and I headed out to explore!  I was gone for about an hour, walking along neighborhood streets, south to the market corner, east to Acorus Park (where I found a 1.5 k Green Loop, along a beautiful natural trail, and just before dark arrived back at home.  I marked my path on the map and it's gratifying to see where I've been and how much is left to walk.  It has become my new goal while I'm here to walk as much as possible and go to all 9 parks.  And I thought, this is a great thing to do no matter where you live or how many times you've walked your streets.  Print a map of the neighborhood, or a neighborhood nearby, and find some treasure...