Today’s Note from the Universe

I love how these are so often right on target for my present state of mind.

Re-evaluating

I have decided to take a step back from my freelance work. I have been so focused on my goal of earning $500 a month in freelance income that I have been accepting as many jobs as possible, and my myriad deadlines are leaving me stressed. I’ve been feeling like I haven’t had time to get things done around the house (including unpacking the boxes that remain in the middle of our dining room), spend quality time with Ryan, or just relax. No wonder I’ve felt so frazzled and strung-out these past few weeks!

I’ve come a long way in just a couple of months — I have a growing body of work on the Web that will help me get more jobs when my schedule allows it.

Out of the Tunnel

I just finished listening to an audio program on self-discovery. It wasn’t the most inspiring program I’ve ever heard; a lot of it was repeat information for me, and the mixed metaphors — bridges, tunnels, chains, tapestries, and even boxes of crayons — left me cringing. But one of the metaphors did tie in to something I’ve been thinking about lately regarding my writing life. The speaker talked about tunnel vision: how at a very early age, we learn how to think and act and relate to the world around us a certain way. And how, as adults, it can be very hard to look outside our tunnels and see things differently.

What We Keep

“Why do we have this?”

I was in bed reading when Ryan asked the question. I looked up. He was standing at my closet door, holding up the end of a purple and gold Knox College lanyard that hung over the doorknob.

“I got it at Homecoming.”

“And … ?”

“And … what? I have two of them. The other is in my car.”

He shook his head and dropped the cord. What else could I tell him? Keeping the lanyard made perfect sense to me. It was a souvenir, a keepsake from Homecoming, which was itself a celebration of memories — a reminder of four monumental years spent at Knox, shaping my values, my goals, my true self. Besides, what if I suddenly found myself in need of a long cord on which to hang something? It could come in handy.

Investing in Our Inner Selves

I remember once hearing the idea that we should invest as much time, energy, and money in our inner selves as we do our outer selves. Think about that for a moment. How much time and money do you spend monthly on new clothes, haircuts and coloring, manicures, pedicures, waxes, makeup, perfumes, etc.? Maybe less now in the current economic climate than you used to, but I’m willing to bet there are certain things you aren’t willing to give up. As someone who strives to live a simple, inwardly rich life, I’m almost embarrassed to admit how long it takes me to get ready in the morning, or that if I have a bad hair day, it affects how I feel about myself for the rest of the day. How much more successful would we be in our careers, relationships, and personal conduct if we put as much effort into our inner selves as we do on our outward appearances?