Day Forty-Eight ... More Visits!

I sat down at the computer and began contemplating what to write about today. Mentally reviewing my day for anything outstanding ... I remembered my friend Ann's email. She is coming to visit in November. I have lots of visits to look forward to as the summer winds down!

My Mother-In-Law is coming to visit in September and quite possibly my Father-In-Law will be visiting in October. And now Ann is coming in November. I also think my friend Arlette will be coming in December, but that isn't set in stone at this point in time. However ... It looks like I have much to look forward to this fall. Anyone else want to come and visit?

Having been missing my friends and family back home so acutely of late this really is great news. I will get to spend time with my Parents-In-Law who live in Florida and as a result I don't get to do anything more than talk on the phone with them once in a while. It is hard to get to know them that way.

Plus I have all sorts of great restaurants I want to share with Ann and Lou, there is a Thai restaurant on my list to try and I know they love Thai food. Las Vegas is like a giant grown-up playground. There is an endless amount to see and do, be it outdoors in nature or the hustle and bustle of the strip. It is going to be great fun to share that this fall.

Looking forward to more visits,
Nicola Byrne

There is magic in long-distance friendships.  They let you relate to other human beings in a way that goes beyond being physically together and is often more profound.
-Diana Cortes

Day Forty-Seven ... Sticking with a Newer Habit

The past week has certainly challenged my intention to focus on the positive. In spite of having created a new habit, once challenged by adversity the old habit jumps up front and says "pick me! pick me!" making it so easy to drop the new habit and comfortably embrace the old and familiar habit. That old and familiar habit being negativity and focusing what is going wrong, rather than choosing optimism and focusing more on what is going right. There will always be things that go wrong. There will always be things that go right.

Where I place my energies and my focus will ultimately determine how I feel. Honestly I want to feel good. To look forward to each new day. To go to bed at night feeling optimistic, content and peaceful. I have noticed that the more productive I am the more optimistic, content and peaceful I do feel.

The old habit and the new habit warred a lot this week. I did not meditate, I know that would have helped the new habit, yet I did not make time for it. Chances are if I did make time for it I would have fallen asleep anyway ... I really don't know what that is about but at this point in my life meditation seems to equal a nap. I'd like to change that!

Also, I chose to listen to music instead of affirmations. While driving I found I was ignoring the affirmations completely and that I was stuck in my own head. It wasn't pretty, but I noticed it. I chose music because it pulled me out of my head and encouraged singing. I was paying attention to the words instead. I did make sure all the music I chose was something that brought on a good mood or good feeling.

I also exercised a lot. Alternating with walks outside with the doggies, rebounding on the trampoline, and intervals/circuits at a very challenging intensities. All of that created lots of good endorphins which helped me out too.

Basically what I learned looking back over the week was to change my course slightly to arrive at the same destination. Sort of like sailing and chasing the wind. I did not let the old habit of focusing on what is wrong resume its comfortable spot in my life. I kept uppermost in my mind my goal and pulled out some new (or are they old?) tactics towards positivity.

I can honestly say that I wouldn't have done that if I didn't have a commitment to write something I find uplifting or positive in the blog every day. Always scanning the day for something to write about has opened my eyes up to much I may have otherwise missed.

Staying on course,
Nicola Byrne

Every thought is a seed.  If you plant crab apples, don't count on harvesting Golden Delicious.
-Bill Meyer

Day Forty-Six ... Visiting with Friends and Family

This weekend was quite full as my two short posts Saturday and Sunday can attest to. My sister-in-law Suzanne and her husband Charlie were in town from NY for a vacation. My friend Rob from NY was also in Las Vegas on a business trip. Friday and Saturday we spent time with my sister-in-law at their hotel. Friday night by the pool we sat talking for hours. Saturday we went to dinner at a great Italian restaurant called Ferraro's and then went to Fremont Street to see Missing Persons playing. It was great. Late nights both nights though! I think I'm still a little sleepy from staying up so late.

Tonight we went out to dinner with Rob and I really enjoyed catching up and relaxing. We went to the China Grill and the food was very nice. Mandalay Bay was packed. Must have been a big convention weekend in Las Vegas. Dinner was early so we were able to come back and walk the dogs. I even had time to do some rebounding ... I need extra rebounding after all this dining out over the weekend!

It was great to visit, catch up and spend time with them. I have been feeling very homesick for people, not places though. Missing my family and friends back East. I love Las Vegas, and love living here, but I wish I could fly out my friends and see them all more often. I've been here almost ten months and that is a long time without seeing my family and friends.

It was so nice to spend time with everyone this weekend.

Grateful for a weekend spent with friends and family from back home,
Nicola Byrne


Sometimes our hearts get tangled
And our souls a little off-kilter
Friends and family can set us right
And help guide us back to the light.
~Sera Christann

Day Forty-Five ... A Poem

Today was another very busy and long day with little time to write. Or to even think of what to write! Instead I will share one of my favorite poems ...

Come to the edge", he said.
They said, "We are afraid".
"Come to the edge", he said.
They said, "We are afraid".
"Come to the edge", he said.
They came.
He pushed them ...
and they flew.
-Guillauame Apollinaire

It gives me a peaceful feeling whenever I read it.


Good night,
Nicola Byrne

Day Forty-Four ... Strength

Today is a late entry ... but it was a long day and a late night. Driving home I thought of something. Strength. Something I admire. And I realized something I own. I am strong, physically and mentally. Events may cause me to stumble, however I don't fall. I catch my stride and go right back on course towards my goals. I like that about myself.

We have no right to ask when sorrow comes, "Why did this happen to me?" unless we ask the same question for every moment of happiness that comes our way. 
-Author Unknown

Day Forty-Three ... The Glasses Caper

The day started off well enough or so it seemed. As time to leave for my first training session neared I started gathering my things for the day. Clipboard. Wallet. Keys. Glasses? Where are my glasses? After ten minutes of searching I began to get a little concerned but not overly. This isn't uncommon for me and part of the reason is because without my glasses on it becomes ever so difficult to see them and find them in the first place.

Then it became time to leave and I still could not find them. I asked the dogs. I asked they cat. They had no input whatsoever.

I texted my client to let him know I wouldn't be there early in case he was. More time passed and I had to text him to cancel. I simply cannot drive without glasses and believe me the world is better off without me on the roads nearly blind as a bat zipping around in a Mini Cooper late for work.

By now I was beginning to feel a bit frantic and I had to slow myself down, breathing deep and even I got my emotions under control. Instead of using my eyes to find my glasses, I had to use my hands, and find them I did. Under the bed. Between the base for the headboard and the casters for the box spring. Not visible to the human eye, even with 20/20 vision. I cannot imagine they simply fell there on their own. I have a feeling they had some feline intervention? I picture little Trinity playing hockey with my glasses with Sixto watching ...

She even LOOKS guilty

All in all I learned I can calm myself in times of real stress, my client was very understanding, my boss was understanding and texted me to get contacts. I thought he said CONGRATS though ... Wow, talk about needing glasses. Clearly I need a back-up form of something, contacts or glasses. My biggest worry was that I had mindlessly placed my glasses in an unusual and unfindable place. It is a relief to know that I did put them on the bedside table as I always do and they were moved by paws to a new location.

Grateful for my glasses,
Nicola Byrne

The obscure we see eventually.  The completely obvious, it seems, takes longer.
-Edward R. Murrow

Day Forty-Two ... A New Month

It feels right to start the first day of a new month off with being grateful for the past month ...

I am grateful to my friends and family who support me when I'm weak and cheer me on when I'm strong.

I am grateful for my health. My vision. My hearing. My taste. My sense of touch. My sense of feeling.

I am grateful to be alive. To be able to breath on my own. For the use of my arms and legs. For having ten fingers and ten toes.

I am grateful to live in Las Vegas. Where the sky is almost always blue, the mountains are a reminder of eternity and to not sweat the small stuff. That even the big stuff will pass too.

I am grateful for the phone, it keeps me in touch with those I love.

I am grateful to love the work I do and for each and every one of my clients. They inspire me and make me proud.

I am grateful to have loving and healthy pets. They remind me to slow down and enjoy moments.

I am grateful for the certification course I took last month. It has challenged me both mentally and physically; and has brought new concepts and tools to my training.

I am grateful for the food I eat and the water I drink.

I am grateful for my rebounder. I absolutely love jumping on the trampoline, especially knowing how much it does for me.

I am grateful for the experiences in my life, each have contributed to the person I am.

I am grateful for the hair dye that disguises my grays ... and that is a big job!

I am grateful for all the new friends I have made since moving to Las Vegas.

I am grateful for my car. It gets me here and there and everywhere.

I am grateful I began this blog, because every day without fail it keeps me vigilant for good things to write about. It changes the focus of my day from "Ugh, I can't believe that happened" to "OK, let's forget that because I can't write about it, where is something good and uplifting to write about instead?"

Thank you for reading,

Nicola Byrne

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.

-Cynthia Ozick