Eat More...

Now I don't actually mean eat more. It's pretty clear that the majority of people in this country do not need to eat more. But, if you are trying to make a change in your diet for any reason, try to think about the foods you want to be eating more of. This will vary for everyone, but in general most people should probably be eating MORE fruits and vegetables, healthy fats and complex carbs. Most diets call for LESS fat, saturated fat, sodium, carbs, etc. These two are the same thing, just different ways of thinking about it. If you eat more fruits and vegetables, healthy fats and complex carbs, you will automatically be eating less fat, saturated fat, sodium, carbs, etc.
The difference is merely psychological, but then again, so are most diet "issues".

Willpower Can Be Strengthened

I was recently reading about a study done at Florida State University that showed willpower can be strengthened by practicing it, just like strengthening muscles. You can also overdo it, like many people do after the New Year, which leads to fatigue and failure.
That makes sense to me. And it seems that much of society is losing willpower strength because we are not forced to use it at all anymore. Just about everything seems to be instant nowadays. And we have everything at our fingertips - we don't ever have to go without anything. And if we do, well that's ok, there's probably a pill for that.
I'm going to try and practice willpower every day.

Eff It

I'm here today to defend profanity, cursing, swearing, cussing, obscene language, or whatever you want to call it.

Fuck
Shit
Ass
Bitch
And all the other words that people consider "bad" (suck, crap, bastard, prick, etc.)

I've been thinking about these words because I enjoy using them, but I always feel like I 'should' try not to. I remember reading an article in a magazine when I was about 16. It was written by a woman defending her right to use what she referred to as "colorful language". So now I'm doing the same. I've been an adult now for quite some time and I can swear if I want to.
Now, I'm not going to go to work at the retirement community and start cursing at residents and coworkers. I'm not going to swear at children (though I will only censor myself so much in a public place). I'm not planning to walk around telling people to fuck off. But there are many other times and places that I think I should feel comfortable expressing myself. This language is often classified as 'abusive', but how often is it actually used that way? There are lots of ways to use these words that are not abusive at all, AND there are plenty of ways to verbally abuse someone without using any of these words. Let me show you.

"I'm so fucking happy for you!"
"Don't step in that pile of shit!"
"I fell on my ass yesterday."
"That test was really a bitch!"

"Everyone hates you."
"You should get a bigger size next time you buy jeans."
"You're an idiot."

When I was a kid I remember adults saying that swear words makes you sound dumb. Well, I hope that anyone judging my intelligence would consider the entire content of what I'm saying, rather than assuming I'm dumb based on a word or two. Actually, that makes them sound dumb if you ask me.

I think these words help you make a point. I could say "I'm so in love", and you're picturing this dreamy romanticness with hearts and flowers and la-dee-da. But that's not the point I'm trying to make. "I'm so fucking in love". See? Now you're picturing skull and crossbones, daggars, and hearts with blood dripping off them. THAT'S what I'm saying.

Happy New Year!

So for the last few weeks I've been trying to come up with my 'project' for 2010. Last year I tried the 1000 pictures project and failed - it lasted 6 months and gave me somewhat of a distaste for photography. I'm NOT doing anything involving cooking, even though I LOVE to cook, I refuse to jump on the Julie & Julia bandwagon. Besides, I want to actually enjoy cooking. I'm not prepared to make any major life changes. But I want to do something. So I'm going to work on this blog that I started more than 2 years ago. I'm going to practice writing about whatever I want. I've never taken writing classes or tried to make money writing, and I don't intend to. But I think of things to write about all the time, and I get compliments on the things I write at work. So I'll give it a go here. There are no rigid rules, which I understand may be a recipe for failure, but I want to enjoy this. I'll use my discipline in other areas of my life.