Striving To Be Perfect

Photo by Laura Stone

Day 12 of Daily Blog Posting with the Ultimate Blog Challenge:

No one ever said I was perfect, well maybe one of two may have said that, but it doesn't really count when they are in a drunken stupor. But, I strive for perfection every day.  All around me I have examples of perfection to look to for inspiration and guidance.  The key is to not be disappointed when, by the end of the day, you are no closer to being a perfect human being than you were when you woke up in the morning.  The central point is that you tried and that you enjoyed trying to be good, better, best.

I am often inspired by the sheer beauty of things...objects....around me.  Take the full moon hanging longer than usual in the sky this morning.  It was 6:25 am and the sky was a noncommittal shade of blue.  Below, the recently seeded winter lawn popped up to say, "I may be young and weak now but soon I will fill in and provide golfers with a plush landing for their golf balls".  (Yes, the grass does talk to me!)

The morning walks with the neighbors and their dogs is filled with relaxing commentary on all things political while we are entertained by the constant frolicking of our four-legged friends.  Animals make you be better people by sharing the master-servant positions; we dutifully pick up their "deposits" in small plastic bags without hesitation.

I am inspired by the writing in the Wall Street Journal each morning and get excited to put something down in writing. I am inspired as I flip through the gorgeous pages of this month's Architectural Digest magazine.  While I may never have a room with furniture that looks cohesive, my home can be clean and organized and I can be appreciative of the items I have collected to date. 

There is a laser-like focus when it comes to the work I do with clients.  Every word on their website or sell sheet must feel perfect for their business objectives.  Sometimes, I have written and rewritten a paragraph so many times that my head spins, but in the end, I feel good that the effort put forth has produced something good and decent.

Parenting is perhaps the hardest area to prefect.  The presentation to the kids is often times derailed and off-target, but you always mean well!  Tell that to a child who you have just told they look like s**t or that they are not trying hard enough, and their feelings are hurt!  But, you keep trying by repeating that you love them dearly and that you only mean well.

It is the process of becoming a better, more perfect being that I find fascinating.  It never gets boring.  It is a worthy cause.  It lasts forever........

Guess Who I Admire?

Day Two in the Ultimate Blog Challenge: "Who Do I Admire....and Why?"

After writing yesterday's post whining and complaining about taxes and the politics surrounding taxes, I told myself.....tomorrow I will write and share my funny nature to new readers who may happen upon my little blog.  But when I read what Day 2's topic could be, the first name that popped into my head was the politician, Paul Ryan.  I promise, tomorrow's post will be filled with unsolicited sex, so hot, your computer monitor might melt!

In case your head has been buried in the sand or under the heavy weight of diapers and school homework assignments, Paul Ryan is the breath of fresh air in the House of Representatives/Congress, hailing from the great state of Wisconsin.  At 41 years old, he is head of the House Budget Committee and is a member of a group the media calls 'The Young Guns'.  Somehow over the past few years, he seems to be the one guy who puts down on paper solutions to this nations biggest problems.  First, he wrote 'The Path to Prosperity' giving a clear and orderly way to bring growth to the country.  Very recently, he put out  'The Path to Job Creation' or some fancy name like that......but again, he has put his ideas on paper. And then the attacks begin, from the left and the right.  Now here is what I admire: his comments....

Paul states, (and I am paraphrasing....) "hey guys, these ideas I've written up are here are meant  to be the start of an adult conversation.  If there are parts you dislike, let's discuss them and why don't you tell me what you'd like to put in its place".  The typical response.........waiting.....waiting.......waiting....well, basically the opponents usually just cut it down.  What could have been a smart place to start the language that might work for all, now sits on a shelf somewhere in Washington.

I also admire how Paul (yes, we are on a first name basis now) explains some very difficult topics in a manner that so many people can understand.  That is a talent that so few politicians have.  Sure, some can deliver a very eloquent speech about the common good of the people, but not a speech on how do we pay for all the things we want in life?

I also like that he goes to the crappy old House gym and works out using the PX-360 or PX-90 (or whatever it's called....I am not always on a first name basis with exercise programs!) system to keep in great physical shape.  I guess a whole group of Congressmen do it with him, too. So, he's not just talking the talk, he's walking the walk, so to speak! 

Finally, in yesterday's Wall Street Journal, in the Review section, Paul Ryan writes a review on a book called, 'The Price of Civilization' by Jeffrey Sachs.  It's long and Paul goes into great detail about Mr. Sachs beliefs about government, the pursuit of happiness and even the ultimate downfall of American economic society. And even though Ryan's beliefs couldn't be further than the author's beliefs, he writes a very respectful and interesting review.  No quick jabs, no words trying to demean the author, just thought -provoking comments on the role of government and the various ways a society can govern.  How many politicians would have taken the chance to demonize a fellow economist's views, in a huge article in the WSJ, no less?! But that's the Paul Ryan I have come to know and love and ADMIRE!

He's a keeper! He's someone to admire, no matter what your political convictions are!

It's 10:16 am and the Main Reason I Cannot Get Things Done

I've been up since 5:30 am, walking Wrigley all over the newly-mowed golf course grass, answered all my emails, and now I am stuck in this weird zone that has captured me everyday for two weeks now.

The symptoms:

Spending at least fours hours glued to the computer "researching" resorts in the Caribbean, Hawaii and Mexico with no end or trip in sight;

Up at 1 am, channel surfing and ending up on shows like E! News with Ryan Seacrest until I fall back asleep around 3 am.

Exercising in slow motion. Seriously, you try it without completely cracking yourself up looking at the reaction from the other people around you exercising! It's the most fun I have all day. The elliptical machine is my favorite piece do my slow exercising.

The prognosis:

Last week, the Wall Street Journal wrote a story and listed blogs about the Empty Nest and I was not listed! Of course, why would I be? I have hardly written a word for six months much less something worthy of reading and posting in an article in the one paper I read cover to cover every damn day!

Still, it bothers me because when I started to write this blog, I wanted to be awe-inspiring, hilarious, worthy of mention in the WSJ! It makes me mad that I have not figured out how to work full-time (as needed) AND write interesting material on my blog, too. I'm so busy telling everyone about the Twilight Farmers Market or some other event that I am wiped out and instead turn to endless Googling/Binging or whatever for the best island getaway!

The treatment:

I am going to write something, no matter how disgusting or stupid it sounds, on my little empty-nester blog....hopefully everyday. I figure eventually, the words might string together nicely.

I am also going to start reading more blogs again, to get me in the mood. You know what I mean, don't you?

And I am going to pray that the WSJ adds my blog in a retraction piece, in a statement of omission! (That's http://emtnester.blogspot.com).