Take Control of Your Day

It's not always easy to stay cheerful and focused—as a matter of fact, it's hard work—however, as a wife, mother, and superwoman (yes, I am), I find that it's a much harder thing to allow the negative forces of life to rule me. I simply don't have time to add those demons into a day that already has the potential to be a challenge.

Let's face it, there are multiple reasons to get up in the morning and say, "this day will mirror the rest of em'—poorly planned and poorly executed—so why bother making the effort to be productive?" Well, if you're like most, you make the effort based on the possibility that the day could turn out to be special.

My advice is to focus on the latter point more. Stop making it tough for yourself to find the positive spaces within the harried levels of your daily life. Wake up and take five minutes to imagine the day as a success—visualize yourself getting something done and being a productive piece of this overwhelming puzzle—not a failure.

You have a responsibility, to yourself, to be more than just an instrument utilized improperly by someone else. Take control of your day and make something good happen.

Related articles

• Trying hard to stay motivated (mamahaas.wordpress.com)

Valentine's Day: Nominate A Happy Couple....for Stoning? (VIDEO)

Okay, full disclosure, I do not "celebrate" Valentine's Day. I don't expect the flowers, the candy, or even the jewelry. That day is just like any other for me and I don't feel the least bit bad if nothing happens to make if feel more special.

That said, I never judge those who do choose to make it an event worth remembering because, well, why not? However, this video (seen below) did give me quite the laugh—it's complete nonsense, of course—but that doesn't make it any less funny to watch.

So, for all you Valentine's loathers out there, this one's for you:

Related articles

• And once again...it's almost Valentine's Day (greenphonebooth.com)
• The Passive-Aggressive Guide To Getting Your Guy A Valentine's Day Gift (crushable.com)

Welcoming In The New Year: Are You The Superstitious Kind?

Over the years I have subscribed to many an "old wives tale". Most of them don't appear to have any history behind them, but  if not followed, the alleged outcome is supposed to be something unfavorable and who needs more bad luck, right?

Well, just for kicks, I figured I might track down some of the more well-known wives tales regarding both welcoming in and saying goodbye to the New Year.

So, get your pin and pad, you may need to write some of this down.

1. Eat your black-eyed peas and greens: The black-eyed peas are supposed to represent good fortune, and good health, while the greens ensure you will have money throughout the year.

As a southern girl, I have had my fair share of greens and peas on New Years Day and, I gotta tell ya, I haven't seen much difference. However, it never hurts to try!

2. Do no laundry on New Years Day: The washing of garments is a representation of the death of someone close to you. Stay away from the washing machine and, just for good measure, don't wash dishes or cars either—better safe than sorry.

3. Kiss your significant other: Be sure to kiss the man/woman in your life at the stroke of midnight if you hope to continue a healthy relationship into the new year. No kiss is a harbinger of a cold and difficult year together.

4. Invite a friend...just make sure it's a dark-haired man: Make the first guest that enters your home in the New Year be a male one. Males bring good luck—females, not-so-much. Don't ask me why.

5. Have a clean house: Make sure your humble abode is spotless before the New Year comes in, or else be a victim of having a messy house all year long.

6. Open the doors: Let the New Year in, and the old year out, by opening the doors at midnight. Welcome in the good possibilities of 2011 and allow its predecessor to be on its merry way.

Happy New Year!

Related articles

• Your best recipes for welcoming 2011 (salon.com)
• Awakened by The New Year (socyberty.com)