Self-Imposed Intervention

Remember the intervention my friend Zeus had with me last year? Well, I have just embarked on a self-imposed intervention. Yep, I raided my closet once again and am getting rid of another 20 pairs of shoes. Can you believe it??? Despite the absolute visceral reaction I had while clearing them out, I am persisting. I have a pile for eBay and the rest will be available at my mega-garage sale next weekend.

Let's face it. It isn't realistic to own shoes I can only wear for an hour. Nor is it realistic to hold on to shoes that give me blisters. After last year's intervention, I said if I didn't wear them the following year I would commit to getting rid of them and I am keeping that promise.

So if you wear a size 8, 8 1/2 or 9, you may want to pop by the last weekend in March. EVERYTHING MUST GO!!! Or for higher end finds, check out my eBay store. Yep, I am using my own blog for shameless self-promotion. Wouldn't you?

And to answer your question, this DOES mean I have a shopping list for future purchases :) Happy Spring Cleaning to you all!

Flying Solo

Recently, I had a first. I flew to Portland, OR (new state for me) and back in less than 48 hours to facilitate a board retreat. And no, that's not the first I mean. I went on this excursion with only the shoes on my feet. Yep, no shoes in my suitcase. That's Thursday, Friday AND Saturday spent in the same footwear.

Why, you are probably asking yourself, would I do this? Well, quite frankly, I discovered the perfect shoe for facilitating AND airline travel. Yep, these black Pumas are comfortable and look great whether wearing yoga pants on a plane or business casual at a meeting. And after 3 days, I still love them and want to put them on my feet. I can't believe it! I may finally have a "go to" shoe. Should I buy them in every color and two of each just in case they wear thin?

My Commandments

The next step in my Happiness Project is to write my commandments. After much deliberation (and because I attended 16 years of Catholic school), I came up with ten:

1. Be Melissa.

2. I have to take care of me before I can take care of anyone else.

3. Everything happens for a reason.

4. Patience is a discipline.

5. It is OK to ask for help.

6. Let it go.

7. Change your hair, change your life.

8. Focus on now.

9. What if does not exist.

10. I deserve to be happy.

I'm not carving them in stone because they may evolve but I think this sums it up. I'm also not sure I truly believe them all but that takes faith, doesn't it? I'm a work in progress!

An Atmosphere of Growth

As my Happiness Project continues, I am on the last question before my next phase begins. Do you have sources of an atmosphere of growth? In what elements of your life do you find progress, learning, challenge, improvement and increased mastery?

I love this question! Finishing our Leadership Academy in 2010, I was inspired to continue my professional development and am currently enrolled in a governance certification series as well as the Certified Aging Services Professional certificate program. I'm always looking for ways to grow in my career.

Yesterday, I started exercising again (finally). It is an area I struggle with so I am taking one day at a time and celebrating the little victories along the way to keep myself on track.

I just enrolled in an online Italian course as well. Having studied the language in college, I've always wanted to get back to it so when a girlfriend told me she is getting married in Rome I thought, why not now?

In my relationship, I'm continuously trying to grow as a person. Trusting, listening, supporting, choosing happiness. And each day it becomes more of a way of life than a challenge.

Last Christmas I challenged my inner Grammie and created a scrapbook. I mean the real deal! Including aimlessly wandering the aisles of Michael's, feeling completely overwhelmed and getting glitter everywhere. But it was one of the best Christmas presents I've ever given and I will continue to fill the pages as the memories are made.

Wow, this post makes me really happy! I always was a good student and guess I continue to be as I mature. I wonder what I will learn next!