Time Blocking

Blocking time to share with your loved one is equally as important as blocking time with your associates, networking, and scheduling your day.  There was a twenty-three year period when I did not go on any vacations.  That is correct - 23 years!  There are very positive results from blocking personal time which are just as meaningful and fulfilling as work related results.  Not that we don't do any work on our time away together - that, would not be a truthful statement.  But, I can attest (attestation has become a key word in my mortgage world of late) the short-term get-aways have provided an excellent way to reunite, invigorate, and regain a sense of whom I am and where I am going in life.  In the end my epitaph will probably not reference my work skills but, I'm  hopeful it will say something of my love for my partner in life, my children, and those many important people I have met along the way.

Commitments

When I met the 'man I was supposed to be with' it wasn't exactly like the relationship of my dreams.  Now, let me expand on one aspect of our relationship a bit and the reason it started a bit bumpy.  The single most issue we had - we had some other issues but, they just aren't worth expanding upon today - was commitments.  He and I would make plans - actually, I discovered I made the plans.  He would forget or he just was used to changing his plans at any given point in time and, beg for forgiveness later.  This was a problem for me and it made him feel bad when he 'forgot.'  Finally, I had to stop getting mad at him and myself and find a way we could make plans and enjoy being with our loved ones, friends, and associates without a big issue beforehand.  Back in the day, my three best friends and I always had Friday night as 'girls night' and Saturday night was 'date night' with our boyfriends.  We never broke this commitment foregoing any other opportunities - even if it sounded like a better idea or more fun - and we lived quite harmoniously. So, based on past experience I suggested this concept to my man.  And you know what; it still works!  Commitments:  make it and keep the commitment even if something 'better' comes along.  You will have a much more peaceful relationship with your significant other(s) AND enjoy your life events!

Humble Pie

I made it to Houston, Texas this weekend and also avoided much rain and nasty weather around Baltimore.  I have had a desire to visit Texas since I was quite young.  Having the pleasure to visit twice before in Dallas/Ft Worth a couple of years ago, this trip was even better - it was absolutely wonderful!  Joel Osteen and Lakewood Church was the primary reason for the visit.  It's so true what he says about the people who attend his service at Lakewood.  I would take that a little farther and state 'people in Texas are some of the greatest people in the United States' - perhaps, because so many of them have come from other areas to get away from areas they don't particularly care to associate themselves with and want to live like their fellow Texans.  At least; that is what most of the transplants told me as I visited various areas between Houston and Galveston.  Sitting so close to the stage Joel stood, listening to him live, and having the opportunity to pray with one of his prayer buddies gave me such a tremendous sense of euphoria and happiness and hope.  I also ate a rather large portion of 'humble pie' as I related to the messages this man had to offer his followers today.