No one starts off being excellent.

Oh this is so true! Give yourself a little space (and time!) to learn. We always want it done quick and easy but like they say, good things take time.

Don't complain; just work harder.

Yeah yeah, I complain about my job just like everybody else.

With that being said, there are many times that I could complain but I realize how lucky I am to have the position I do, so I just shut my mouth and work hard. I realize my value and what I bring to the table. I recently saw someone complaining about their job and that someone else had gotten a raise of her. This is one of those situations where the truth hurts; you have to ask yourself the cold, hard, raw question of, "what is my value to this company?" Could someone else do my job just as good as me? Before you open your mouth to complain next time, stop and ask yourself these questions. 

Questions to Discuss Before You Get Married

Questions for Engaged Couples
-- Questions to Discuss Before You Get Married
General
Family of Origin
Self Image
Time and Chores
Money
Parenting
Spirituality and Religion
Sex
Conflict

General

Will you change the
 toilet paper roll?

Why are we getting married? Pregnancy, financial security, loneliness or wanting to get out of the family home are not valid reasons to get married.

What do we as a couple want out of life?

What do you think we'll be doing in thirty or forty years?

How often do you drink?

Have you ever hit someone?

Do you think it is important to be faithful to one another?

Do you have a criminal record?

Family of Origin
What was your childhood like?

Was your family an affectionate one?

Do you think we will have problems with your family during the holidays?

What values do you want to bring from your family into our marriage?

What do you like and dislike about your family?

what do you like and dislike about my family?

What do you like and dislike about your parents' marriage?

What do you like and dislike about my parents' marriage?

Self Image

How would you describe yourself?

How do you think I see you?

Am I a jealous person?

Do I have trust issues or feel insecure?

How important is affirmation to me?

Do I handle compliments well?

What is your love language?

Do you think we listen to one another well?

Do you think it is important to know one another's physical and mental health histories?

How important do you think self care is?

Only place Success before Work.

Note in my Dad's studio.
September 2010
John House Art

 

Your future depends on many things...

Your future depends on many things, but mostly on you.
-Calendar at Mom & Dad's



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SaraHHouse365 | No quit option
SaraHHouse365 | Time for Everything

The 10 Most Important Lessons For 20-Something Workers : #1

The 10 Most Important Lessons For 20-Something Workers

#1: How You Spend Your 20s Will Define You

According to Meg Jay, Ph.D., a psychologist and author of The Defining Decade: Why your twenties matter--and how to make the most of them now, many 20-somethings believe they have all time in the world and how they spend their 20s doesn't matter. But Jay says they matter most. The foundation you build in your 20s will define the rest of your life. Take yourself seriously, she urges.

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SaraHHouse365 | Why Your Twenties Matter
SaraHHouse365 | 10 Lessons everybody learns in their 20s
SaraHHouse365 | Happy 25th, A fun point to see

Credits: Forbes article

Someone is looking for exactly what you have!!

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SaraHHouse365 | 10 Lessons everybody learns in their 20's
SaraHHouse365 | Staying Positive

My good friend Layna had this sign in her bathroom.
Great sign! Could apply it to many different scenerios: relationships, job search, etc.

The Paradox of our Time in History - George Carlin

My cousin Peter had this on his Facebook. How could I not share this?

Wow, this becomes more true each day!

 

Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate.

A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but ...shorter tempers, wider Freeways ,but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...
Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

If you don't share this with anyone....Who cares?
George Carlin

 

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20 Things Life Is Too Short To Tolerate

Stumbled upon this article in December while I was sprinkling my calendar with some motivation.

20 Things Life Is Too Short To Tolerate

You don’t have to settle, it’s simply a choice you make every day.  If you feel like you’re running in place there’s a good chance you’re tolerating things you shouldn’t be.  It’s time to reclaim your life.

Starting now, stop tolerating…

1. People who bring you down. – Relationships should help you, not hurt you.  Spend time with nice people who are smart, driven and likeminded.
2. A work environment or career field you hate. – Don’t settle on the first or second career field you dabble in.  Keep searching.  Eventually you will find work you love to do.  If you catch yourself working hard and loving every minute of it, don’t stop.  You’re on to something big.  Because hard work ain’t hard when you concentrate on your passions.
3. Your own negativity. – Be aware of your mental self-talk.  We all talk silently to ourselves in our heads, but we aren’t always conscious of what we’re saying or how it’s affecting us.  Start listening to your thoughts.  If you hear negative thoughts, stop and replace them with positive thoughts.
4. Unnecessary miscommunication. – Say what you mean.  Mean what you say.  Speak clearly.  Ask questions.  Clarify things until you understand them.
5. A disorganized living and working space. – Clear the clutter.  Get rid of stuff you don’t use.  Read David Allen’s book Getting Things Donefor some practical organizational guidance.
6. Your own tardiness. – Get up 30 minutes earlier so you don’t have to rush around like a mad man.  That 30 minutes will help you avoid speeding tickets, tardiness and other unnecessary headaches.
7. Pressure to fit in with the crowd. – Oftentimes, the only reason others want you to fit in is that once you do they can ignore you and go about their business.  Don’t conform.  Be you, because that’s the only person you can be.
8. An unhealthy body. – Your health is your life.  Don’t let it go.  Eat right, exercise and get an annual physical check-up.  The 4-Hour Body is an insightful and entertaining read on this topic.
9. Fear of change. – Life is change.  Every day is different.  Every day is a new beginning and a new ending.  Embrace it and make the best of it.
10. All work and no play. – Enjoy yourself and have a little fun while you can.  If you’re smiling, you’re doing something right.
11. People or beauty ads that make you feel inadequate. – Good looks attracts the eyes.  Personality attracts the heart.  Be proud to be you.  You are already beautiful.
12. Not getting enough sleep. – A tired mind is rarely productive.
13. Doing the same exact thing over and over again. – You are the sum of your life experiences.  The more you experience, the more interesting your life story gets.
14. Personal greed. – Don’t let greed and deceit get the best of you.  Greed will bury even the lucky eventually.
15. A mounting pile of debt. – Always live well below your means.  Don’t buy stuff you don’t need.  Always sleep on big purchases.  Create a budget and savings plan and stick to them.  Read I Will Teach You To Be Rich.
16. Dishonesty. – Living a life of honesty creates peace of mind, and peace of mind is priceless.  Period.  Don’t be dishonest and don’t put up with people who are.
17. Infidelity. – Intimate relationships are a sacred bond – a circle of trust.  If both parties aren’t 100% onboard the relationship isn’t worth fighting for.
18. An unsafe home. – If you don’t feel safe at home you’ll never feel safe anywhere.  Build a loving household in a safe area that you are proud to call ‘home.’
19. Being unprepared. – Life is unpredictable.  And there’s a big difference between being scared and being prepared.  Always be prepared.
20. Inaction. – Either you’re going to take action and seize new opportunities or someone else will.  You can’t change anything or make any sort of progress by sitting back and thinking about it.

And remember, you only live once, but if you live it right once is enough.

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SaraHHouse365 | Feed the Right Wolf

SaraHHouse365 | 20 Questions You Should Ask Yourself Every Sunday


Credit Marc & Angel

     
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I Just Don't Know How She Does It!

During this transition break, I've been so lucky to be able to spend some great time with my niece and nephew down at my sister and her husband's house. And during the last couple weeks, I've been able to get a true inside scoop on what the role of a mommy + wife looks like. Let's just say, I'm more than ever happy to have the title of auntie!

As I rolled out of bed this morning to click-click-boom. No, not a Black Eyed Peas song, but my sister's footsteps then the door closing and she left the house. My cell phone read 6:44 am.
Wait, didn't I just wake up just an hour or two ago to this same woman up with her hungry, crying 4 month old?

And here I lay just two hours later, laying in bed amazed by what my sister goes through on a daily basis. With a very busy two and a half year old and four month month old already fed, dressed and buckled up in car, she was on her way to drop them off at daycare, then headed to work.
The next 9 hours she shows the world what she's made of (again!); my sister kicks major butt at what she does. I can say totally unbiased, she's a highly valuable paralegal/right hand to a great attorney. Did I mention this is daily? This is a daily routine!
Then it's back to daycare to grab the kiddios, bring them home to start dinner for her and her husband in between laundry, tidying up, dishes, bathes, paying bills, etc.. And oh yeah, it's about a 30 minute drive from daycare to home.
Didn't you have the most horrible sleep last night and have to wake up 3+ times with your baby? How are you awake? Better yet, how are you awake and choosing to grocery shop and cook dinner at home vs. grabbing fast food?!
How do you go to work with a smile on your face?
Where do you find time to wash your face?
How do you not attack anybody who makes a wrong gesture towards you?
Do you take naps on your lunch break?

I'm in a confused awe....daily....watching this happen.



Now I know some women might do the same thing on top of having a life-threatening illness, husbands overseas or doing such as a single mother, but today, today my sister gets the credit.
 I could make this post a lot longer but in short, I just have to say, I Just Don't Know How She Does It!
Ruth, you're amazing and you continue to make my jaw drop daily.
Thank you for being an awesome role model to me. I love you.

Cash or experience?

Today's life jar message reads:

In the business world, everyone is paid in two coins: cash and experience. Take the experience first; the cash will come later.  - Harold Geneen



Not always an easy decision. Experience is priceless though. Many times when starting out at an entry level job, we're not satisfied with the coins. Little do we know that every task we are given, it is gold. Next time you get a task that you know nothing about, look at it as an opportunity to grow and learn something new. Once you accomplish that "can do" mentality, you will rarely get frustrated. A "can do" attitude is worth gold!