Life-changing mail boxes

 I posted a letter this evening to the local deaf centre. I have enrolled for BSL1 which starts in September. I am really excited about this because it's been one of my goals for a long time - it's number 6 on the 101 Goals list, and I am sure it will be a good move career wise.
As I put it in the box, I thought about all the other letters I've posted in there and from my email box that have changed aspects of my life. The very simple task of pressing 'send' or putting that envelope into that red box has enormous power. At this point, you will either be thinking I am insane and wonder why must I ponder everything so deeply, or you will be with me.
Into my village post box, I have sent letters to my solicitor regarding my dog, my divorce etc, letters to court, letters to television production companies and many more that have had big impact on my life. My email is the same. I have sent overseas job applications, told my local MP exactly how I feel about hunting, told Nick Clegg exactly how I feel about his part in it, signed up for 3 mile races, got in touch with people after many years of silence, and most recently, volunteered myself.
Last week I registered with a volunteering service. In a moment of interference in a friend's life, I suggested he curb his drinking and moaning he is bored all the time by volunteering. Instead, he went to the pub and continues to moan that he is bored and I have signed up. Thus far, I've had my welcome letter and the woman I'm meant to liase with keeps ringing me at funny times and we have missed each other 5 times. Anyway, it'll work out and I'm excited about another new chapter in my life.
I did another spot of interfering tonight with a different friend who I have some ideas for. I think it's time for a new chapter in her life too. I am very keen for her to become as successful as she's trying to become and without being a giant pain in the arse, I'm interfering. I hope my posts to her this evening will change her life for the better.
My sister is doing some life changing posting this week too. Yesterday she contemplated a new country of choice to live in, this morning she applied for a job by email, by the early afternoon, they called her. She has been using my 101 goals idea but the Universe is working quicker for her than me! 

At the weekend my best friend and I tried to describe each other in 3 words. She said mine were;
Loyal
Outspoken
Goal Orientated
My posting online and in the red box this week have been all about those things.

Marking the Occasion

 I have just been away on a hen weekend. I had a good time, despite thinking I would not. It was much more relaxed than I anticipated and I met up with another friend there too. We were of course marking the end of the single life of one of our friends as she prepares to get married. There were some loud moments and there are now some embarrassing photos. My own hen do was a much quiter affair. I am not into dares/dancing on tables and being handcuffed to all and sundry. Not that the weekend I just went on was too raucous, just louder than my own. It didn't help that we started on the champagne and Pimms at around half ten am on the way down. At half one the next morning, most of us had crashed and burned and only two of us were still standing. Remarkably, one was me.
We spent our second day recovering with a greasy breakfast and some sea breeze, ice creams, girly chat etc.
During our Saturday night out meal, I realised looking round the table of 10 girls, I am the only singleton. I didn't know how I felt about this. The others are in in long term relationships. Some have children, some are married, some about to be. I am none of the above.
While we were on the beach, the hen was talking about adding to her tattoo collection. I wondered about getting one myself. Perhaps to mark the beginning of new chapters in my life and endings of old. I don't know what I would have or where I would have it, but it's a thought. Two of my siblings have tattoos. I have always said I would not get one, now I find myself reconsidering this statement. I am fickle. However, I am certainly not going for a too visible one or a tramp stamp.There will be no Chinese symbols for me or dolphins on my shoulder. I have considered getting MMX to mark the year, but if the rest of it turns out to be rubbish, I'll regret that. Maybe I'll get Hello Kitty on my hip? That will look sophisticated when I'm 70. 
My friend is decorating this week. Her house is now ex husband free and she's making it her own. I think this is good. These actions are good for the soul and good for the universe. Tells it you're ready to shut old doors. I did it too and it made a huge difference to the house and my feelings about it. Without wishing to sound like an insane hippy, the house has better energy.
I also went to see SATC 2 last night. Our girly group mark these occasions with dinner and cocktails. How original, but what fun. It had it's good bits- namely the bits with Aidan who was the man Carrie should have been with...mmmmmm Aidan. But it was not that great. What it did make me think about though was that I'm ok at the moment. I don't want to be watching TV on the sofa every night. I have so much freedom at the moment and I love it. I'll think about how I mark this happy point in my life.

Avoiding the News

I would probably be widely criticised for my practice of avoiding the TV news. I get snippets of the news from work, the radio and online, but in general I avoid news broadcasting. I find it to be a depressing and upsetting way to spend my time. As I am one of life's worriers, particularly about things which are beyond my control, I began avoiding it. There are some who think this is a good idea and those who think I am daft and a further group who make no comment.

Very little of what I see on the TV news makes me feel happy. I spent a long time being unhappy in the last decade and I do not wish to continue this pattern.

I know that while I shut this out of my life, the bad things in the world do not go away, but I avoid them upsetting me. Criticise if you will, but it is my choice.There is also a school of thinking that when you concentrate on negative things, you bring more to you. 

Mother Theresa once said;

"I was once asked why I don't participate in anti-war demonstrations. I said that I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I'll be there."

I think that is eloquent. 

However, it does mean I am unable to contribute to discussions about things elsewhere in the world. I did watch the icelandic volcano coverage, but only because it directly affected someone I knew.

I was messaged during the first live election debate to make sure I was watching it...I wasn't, and was told off by the person who'd messaged. I did watch though and it was a good idea. I do need to know who to vote for. I can read as much as I like during the next few days before the election, but to see these 3 men talking about things I care about is the only way to make an informed decision.

At work next week, we're holding our own election and talking about democracy. We'll be talking about matters of interest to the children and setting up a ballot.

I am probably a total hypocrite to tell them they need to take an interest in all this when I am just like the ostrich. I put my head in the sand.

When doubt is banished, abundance flourishes and anything is possible.

How quickly you - and by you, I mean of course, me - can go from a mood of happiness and contentment to feeling that your life has gone so way off track, you fear you may end up somewhere not good.

The weeble picture is because that's me.
Today I'm feeling like this but it won't last.
I'll bounce back, I always do.
Weebles wobble but they don't fall down.

I know what it is I want out of life. I want the sort of lifestyle where frequent travel is possible, where I never worry over bills, where I can shop without guilt - (within reason) and enjoy a good social life. I want a Tesco Finest life and not a Tesco Value life basically. I used to use this analogy about my father who is definitely a 'no frills Dad' i.e haven't seen him in years and he has no clue when it's my birthday. A girl I used to work with definitely had a 'Finest' Dad.
I digress, but the analogy is fitting here too.

I am the same about my personal life. I have done the Value option and now it's nothing but Finest for me. So many people get this bit wrong, me included, but I intend not to again. A friend of mine came to stay at the weekend and said that it had been noted that someone we know had been writing flirty stuff on my FB page and that she hoped that nothing would come of this! Without going into details about said person who had been flirting...there is NO CHANCE. Personal hygiene aside, I know I want someone who can pay for his weekly shopping without a five finger discount.

However, I am cheered by the sun this week and the lighter evenings which are always good and mean the SAD lamp can go away for another few months, but I want things to look up a bit more.
The title of this blog is another quote I've stolen - this time from Wayne Dyer I believe. It's the whole 'universe' thing again, yes boring, aren't I? But it's a VERY hard piece of advice to follow. Doubt is battling its way into my thoughts big style today and I'd rather it did not. The quote continues thus; "even when nothing seems to indicate that you're accomplishing what you desire in your life, refuse to entertain doubt."
I am trying Wayne, I am!
I am also cheered by the fact that I have not had to sleep with ear plugs all week to drown out the inane ramblings of my neighbours boyfriend who will compare himself to Ronaldo and has one volume - VERY LOUD.

A thought has just occurred to me. I wonder if my mood is not all about dissatification but is in fact caffeine withdrawal as I haven't had any Diet Coke in 5 days?