Bringing Courtesy Back!

I'm ticked off. Lately, a letany of perceived rudeness of epic proportions has left me wondering what has happened to common courtesy? Has the advent of technologies such as cell phones, e-mail, Facebook, Myspace, etc. made courtesy an outdated token?

Guess what - NO - it has not!

Since it appears there is a need to be schooled in common courtesy here is my crash course to getting your courtesy up to par:

• Stop answering your cell phone in the company of friends, family, acquaintances or business colleagues unless absolute necessary - doing so tells those in your company that their presence isn't important.


• Return phone calls within 24 hours and not with a text message - if someone has taken the time to call, they need your response in a timely manner. (I'm still waiting for a call from a friend who lives in a region recently struck by an earthquake and their lack of response has caused me to visualize a number of horrible scenarios, which could be laid to rest by a simple return phone call!)


• Write Thank you Notes to those who attend and bring gifts for your Baby Shower, Wedding, Graduation, Birthday, etc. - doing so shows your appreciation for their time and effort. (With the availability of e-cards you just look doubly thoughtless and lazy when you don't!)


• Return e-mails, Facebook or Myspace messages within 3 days. (Beyond this - know that I think you're an unfeeling jackass!)
  

Granted I am old fashioned but I believe that by adhering to common courtesy, technology can bring us all closer together and foster a caring community. Here's to bringing courtesy back!

No Resolutions!

It's another year and unlike a lot of people, I'm not making any resolutions for the future. Instead I'm focused day by day, moment by moment.

This time last year, I was feeling really depressed and it had begun to weigh me down physically and mentally. I didn't recognize who I was anymore and I didn't like my life or what I saw in the mirror. I remember being in tears and feeling "enough is enough"and it was in that moment that I resolved to live the life that I wanted regardless of my current circumstances.

I stopped waiting for the perfect time to start a diet or exercise, I stopped trying to avoid activities that I wanted to do because I wasn't skinny enough, I stopped putting myself down, stopped eating if I really wasn't hungry or if the food didn't taste as good as the first few bites, stopped allowing people in my life to hurt me and STOPPED trying to be perfect.

I started to pamper myself, tried new things, began doing the physical activities that made me feel good - like dancing, started putting on makeup for no other reason but to look cute for myself (even if I didn't leave the house that day), I started to savor and cook new healthy foods, and most importantly - I started to BELIEVE that it really is possible to live the life of my dreams if I BEGIN with the present moment and leave the past where it belongs!

I know it might seem like a silly concept BUT amazingly - this past year I've lost 51pounds without killing myself in a gym, improved my self-esteem, invested more in my family and friends, accomplished professional and personal achievements and have found a new joy in life.

It's exciting to SEE moment by moment my transformation into the person I've always wanted to be!