It's December 4, 2010 and My Favorite Things Week has officially ended. So how did it go and what did I learn from a week where it is all about me? Well, first and foremost, it is never all about you. While I had plenty of "me" time, I also shared with others and that quite frankly is what makes the difference.
Because I'm a workaholic and I view a project as my personal signature, I spent Monday and Tuesday working on a checking restructure project that I am spearheading. Things went well and by Tuesday I was feeling good about the progress even though I'm out of the office. With the exception of four emails that I had to send on Wednesday morning, I managed to not log in to work email for the rest of the day. Can you say liberating?!
1) Health and Exercise - I had good intentions but didn't get to the gym until today. However, I did take some brief walks with Sydney which were better than nothing. I was most proud of today as I committed to a workout early in the day and followed through with a 60 minute session on the treadmill at Planet Fitness. I am going to commit and take it one day at a time starting with the goal to get a good nights sleep.
2) Learning - I arrived early for my Calculus test and felt reasonably good about it once I finished although I did run out of time. I didn't make an A but I did earn a passing grade..yes! My instructor told me that he could see a great deal of improvement and that really made my day.
3) Touch - I had a spa day on Thursday from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm. It was amazing. My massage therapist was an unexpected male (this is the second time excluding my son) and I was initially uncomfortable. He must have sensed it and did a great job of easing my mind. It was one of the best massages I've had in quite some time and he worked the kinks out of my shoulder in expert fashion. Afterwards I took an evening nap at home which is a luxury in which I rarely indulge. Can you say ahhhh......
4) On Stage - The Trinity River Plays was a special treat on my birthday. The three act play was phenomenal and took me back to my teen years on through adulthood. With themes of loyalty, betrayal and family it was extremely powerful. The second act brought me to tears and evoked feelings that I had not experienced in a very long time. Kudos to Regina Taylor and The Dallas Theater Center. You made my 50th memorable.
5) Eat - My 50th started with a fabulous brunch at Breadwinners in the courtyard. I was in New Orleans heaven. And with my son and niece to share it with, my birthday brunch was indeed special. What more can I say except that it was food for the body and soul.
6) Music - Well, I didn't do the Jazz in the Atrium as scheduled. Instead my son prepared a 70's and 80's funk music mix for me that was out of this world! I jammed all the way to Glen Rose and back to Dallas. The best part is that my son drove the entire round trip so that I could thoroughly enjoy the ride and the music. Parliament, Rick James, Bootsy Collins, Jackson 5 and Prince.......oh yeah!
7) Family - I was blessed to have all of my family with me for both our traditional birthday dinner and breakfast the following morning. We closed out the restaurant and lounged at both the bar and the fireplace. It was such a special time for which I am tremendously thankful. This was again a most memorable experience.
8) Travel - I didn't make it to Ennis and the drive-in theater so this goes on my future list. But the travel to Glen Rose was a nice break and soothed my spirit.
My Favorite Things Week is a wrap for 2010 but it inspired me to make some of these things ongoing and not just a once a year objective. What a change 50 years makes but I can say that it is a good change and one that I embrace.
