More of the same (Update)

Quote of the day:

I guess, never being satisfied to a point generates ambition and creativity, no? Sister Sue.

As I write the title to this post I imagine what I will be writing. A sort of depressed introspection about how nothing and no one ever changes. But, in fact, the words, "more of the same" came to me when I thought about all of us bloggers blogging away. Each of us doing the same kind of thing that is characteristic of our selves over and over again. Like a mantra. Some do their political shtick over and over again - same opinions, same side of the aisle. Others write about their devotion to this or that God, about cooking, gardening, therapy. There are even bloggers who look at the wonders of aging. I write over and over again about how I came to be me, exploring it from every angle, past and present, through family and society. Over and over, round and round, spiraling up and down but somehow it is always more of the same. My own personal mantra. And here I go again ... well, almost. I think I will look outwards, towards you instead of inside me today, and share the Year of the Pig ...

Exchange Every Day sent out these Tips for a Powerful Chinese New Year, which is coming up this weekend. As we all go around and around each on our own personal life or blog carousels, perhaps some of these "tips" will give us a boost. I dedicate these to you - whoever and wherever you are:

From an unknown web source comes these suggestions for making the most of your New Year:

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day.  And while you walk, smile.  It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.  Buy a lock if you have to.
3. Buy a TIVO, tape your late night shows, and get more sleep.
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement:
   My purpose is to___________ today.
5. Live with the 3 E's:  Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy.
6. Watch more movies, play more games, and read more books than you did in 2006.
7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, tai chi, qigong, and prayer.  They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.
11. Drink green tea and plenty of water and eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds, and walnuts.
12. Try to make at least 3 people smile each day.
13. Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk, and let new and flowing energy into your life.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts, or things you cannot control.  Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.  Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more.   It will keep the energy vampires away.
18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously.  No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument.  Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'.  You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie.  Don't save it for a special occasion.  Today is special.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words:  "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Forgive everyone everything.
28. What other people think of you is none of your business.
29. Time heals almost everything.  Give time time.
30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick.  Y our friends will.  Stay in touch.
32. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.
33. Envy is a waste of time.  You already have all you need.
34. The best is yet to come.
35. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.
36. Do the right thing.
37. Call your mother and father often.
38. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:
    I am thankful for __________.  Today I accomplished____________.
39. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
40. Enjoy the ride.  Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass.

Update:

Too good to just leave in the comments, Richard says about more of the same:

Fitzgerald said that each of us has one or two big things happen to us in our lives and we write about those things over and over and that's what gives us our identities as artists.

Yes, Richard, # 9 is a good one - I want to be way ahead on that one too ...

A year ago at Tamarika: Breathing deeply

Comments

[Richard Lawrence Cohen]

Thanks, Tamarika. I wish I had the exact quote -- it's online somewhere, of course, no doubt on a quotations website, and in the book "Fitzgerald on Writing," and it's beautifully phrased -- but time presses onward...

[tamarika]

Joy and girlanddog,
It is a great list, isn't it? I love the idea of getting rid of "energy vampires" and that "the best is yet to come."

Richard,
Your bit about Fitzgerald is so fabulous, I have to put it in as an Update to the post. Too good to be missed in the comments. Thank the Heavens for you. Always.

[girlanddog]

I'm at a crossroads in my life right now, and your post was food for thought. It reminded me to slow down and appreciate what I have now, and to not stress about tomorrow. Thanks!

[Richard Lawrence Cohen]

I'm way ahead on #9. Seriously, Tamar, it's a good list and if it pushes me a little step furhter forward, I'm grateful.

I, too, feel that I repeat the same themes over and over in my writing and I would like to expand my range, but not in a way that's false to who I am. And perhaps the one little thinking that makes us valuable to the world. Fitzgerald said that each of us has one or two big things happen to us in our lives and we write about those things over and over and that's what gives us our identities as artists.

[Joy]

Tamar, there are a few things on that list I try to do, and many others I can work on. I don't imagine that any of us can follow them all, but it's nice to have this reminder. Thanks so much.