Day Fifty-One ... TGIF !

The weeks are flying by, keeping busy at work and at home has a lot to do with it. I almost don't have the chance to get tired because Saturday gets here so fast.


It also goes really fast ...


The weather in Las Vegas is supposed to be gorgeous, as usual. I'm really looking forward to tomorrow and having the day off to relax, take a walk, to sleep in. I never actually do sleep in, as much as I look forward to it. I wake up and that's it, I'm up. Not needing to watch the clock and be out the door by a certain time is right up there on my list next to sleeping in though.


I am grateful for a productive week and grateful for a day off tomorrow.

I saw this picture and had to laugh ... which means it really has to go in here where I choose good thoughts, or a good laugh!


TGIF,
Nicola Byrne‎


I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.
-Charles Swindoll 

Day Fifty ... Question Answered

Since I moved to Las Vegas ten months ago I've been seeing this particular shrub all around that I love. Some are twenty feet tall, some only four feet tall. I have wanted to know what they are so someday I can plant them in the backyard. This shrub has the greatest colors. Pink. Red. White. Magenta.

Anyway, a few weeks ago I was fully expecting to find out what on earth this shrub was when I went to the Springs Preserve. I assumed it would be in their desert gardens. It wasn't. The ice cream festival went a long way to compensate for that disappointment though. At some point in time, walking the dogs, I thought I would see a homeowner out tending their yard and simply ask.

Then on Tuesday I picked up my girlfriend to go for a walk in Pueblo Park. I didn't even think to ask her what the shrub was, but I should have because she always knows what plant is what. It turns out I didn't have to ask, it came out that my mysterious shrub is oleander. I don't remember seeing oleander before, though I may have. It is funny that it seems to be in the scenery all the time when I read a book and I never thought twice about it. Never was curious to go and look it up.

But now I know. Gorgeous oleander is all over the place in Las Vegas and I love it. It is one of my favorite plants to see when I am walking around, the colors are extremely vibrant and it seems to simply thrive everywhere.

I am looking forward to getting some oleander in the backyard now that I know what it is! All different colors.  I hope hummingbirds like it, because I see them all over the place too.

Thank you Michelle,
Nicola Byrne


A day is Eternity's seed, and we are its Gardeners.
-Erika Harris

Day Forty-Nine ... Adversity? Opportunity?

What makes one person perceive situations and incidents so differently from another? An event in their childhood? Perhaps one later in life? Is it just a trait born in them? I'm making the effort to change the way I see things. As a result I am questioning more. Questioning why I feel the way I do about things and how I can improve upon those feelings, and in turn, improve myself.

Today I was talking to someone at work, a client I will be training in the future once they have gotten a few things ironed out. We were very much on the same page and it was great to talk to someone else that embraces appreciating everything. 

Have you ever met a person that had a trauma, be it physical or emotional, and in spite of that they have the best outlook on life? Yet you can meet another person and they have had more opportunities and advantages than most and see nothing good in their life or in the people around them? I've met many of both and I wonder how those paths are chosen. It isn't like there is a fork in the road and a sign that said "Optimism" and "Negativity". If it were only that easy!

I wonder where it all begins. Where is that first incident that the first person sees as an opportunity or a blessing and the other person sees nothing beyond something to complain about? Over time complaining becomes second nature and appreciation is a forgotten talent. Yet improving your life and that of those around you is as simple as appreciating what you have, every day, every moment.

There's a quote I like (I know, there are many that I like):

Happiness is not having what you want. It is wanting what you have. – Anon

However, since I'm being all cerebral and contemplative here I believe I'd like to change 'wanting' to 'appreciating' and that is where true contentment and happiness can be found. Or we can go deeper than appreciating what we have to appreciating who we are. How can you value anything you have or anyone around you if you don't value yourself?

For a great many years of my life I didn't value myself at all and spent a great deal of time lamenting over my flaws. That was comfortable and familiar and I extrapolated it to lamenting over the flaws I saw in others. When you are looking for flaws suddenly they are everywhere.

Now I'm appreciating things about me more. That leads me to seeing and appreciating so much more in everyone around me, and everything around me. It really is an inside job.

Contemplating the choices in life,

Nicola Byrne

I wish I could show you,

When you are lonely or in darkness,

The astonishing light of your own being.

-Hafiz

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