12 Things I've Learned in 2012

Are you still out there?  I took two months off my blog because I was recovering from a bad break up.

It went like this: Boy meets girl. Boy and girl really dig each other. Boy and girl realize it’s bad timing. Boy and girl break up.

Then I cried a lot, felt really insecure, ate pizza and chocolate, drank wine and commiserated with best friends...

...and then I hired a really amazing life coach who changed my life.  Low and behold I feel great again. I think the best part about aging is that you can recover faster from crappy shit life dishes out. 

Here are the top ten twelve things I’ve learned (or re-learned)  since the beginning of 2012:

1. Greatness is in the comeback. “Greatness is not defined in moments of victory; it is defined in the moments after a defeat.” - Darren Hardy
   
   
2. If someone says they are not ready to be in a relationship move on and don't think you can change them. 
   
   
3. Yoda already gave you the memo: "There is no try, there is only do or do not."
   
   
4. Ask big questions. Not just to yourself, or good friends, but to strangers you meet. Strangers love big questions. Embrace the unknown with someone you don't know. 
   
   
5. You are allowed to change your mind along the way. However if you change it, do it with courage. Say, "i changed my mind." You're allowed to do that. 
   
   
6. Cardio alone does not give you a great body. Muscle confusion and resistance training is the best way to a rockin’ bod. 
   
   
7. Own yourself without apology. Are you loud? Edgy? Kooky? Quiet? Bold? Own it. Be you first....take your stance. The best example you can create is authenticity. 
   
   
8. Sleep and drink your way to the top. Sleep is key to a happy life and water is key to the fountain of youth.  
   
   
9. Don't stay angry for more than a couple of days about anything. Anger, although useful, has a shelf life.  
   
   
10. Speak with conviction. Don't be a pussy.
    
    
11. Warm feet make a huge difference. If your feet are cozy you will look sexier and better on a dance floor than swaying in heels.
    
    
12. Doing less is actually doing more. The more simple life gets, the better you feel. (It takes a lot of discipline to create sanity, but it's totally worth the effort.) 

Female Panda with automatic weapon

Male Panda with shotgun

Alphaba the Superbird getting love from Pink and Eben

Neisha and I in Bend

 

Comments

[Sharon Murphy]

Hi! Glad to see you're back blogging again. I missed your posts and wondered what happened to you ZZ.

[ZigZag Montefusco]

Tom - Thanks for posting. That IS a great metaphor.

Your website looks really cool too. I will read through it. How do we know each other? Did you work for the Gateway to College Program?

I appreciate your comment.

- zz

[ZigZag Montefusco]

Thanks Erika!! it's great to have you pop up on my blog. I hope all is well. Maybe I'll see you and the family at Beloved this year?? xoxox

[Tom]

Great post! Thanks for sharing.

I once used the metaphor of "The Beach" from the movie to attempt to convince a woman I was dating (who falls under number 2) to move forward in our relationship. She's a avid traveler so I figured it would resound with her.

It went something like this: She's in Thailand, her travel schedule all prearranged but she hears a rumor about this amazing Beach; a once in a lifetime experience. Later on she meets someone who actually gives her a map; a map that has been shared with very few people. Does she stick with her prearranged schedule or regular tourist sites or does she check out the beach?

It actually worked, but what I forget about the movie that while their were some amazing transcendental experiences along the way, in the end the beach was an idealized experience that was still susceptible to human frailty. Oh well. :)

[erika]

fun! Glad you are still keepin' it real!!
xoxo Erika Siegel