Dread Pirate Alice

I’ve fallen behind again so this time around I’ve picked one prompt to answer. And I’m going to “go there” I’m going to answer it fully and honestly.

Friendship How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst?

The person who changed my perspective on the world this year is no longer a friend. The change was a sudden burst…more like a slap in the face actually. She showed me that I had been ignoring things that I didn’t want to see, because I didn’t want to believe that any friend of mine would be that cruel or do something so selfish. I was projecting my own moral compass onto her, expecting her to think the same way I do and to act the same way I would in a certain situation.

This has helped me to realize that I can’t expect everyone I know to have the same scruples I do. I can’t expect my friends to all act with the same principles and ethics that I have. I can only expect myself to make decisions and react in an acceptable way that is worthy of me. I can only expect myself to treat others the way I want to be treated.

Tough lesson to learn, not all people have the same level of integrity that  I expect from myself. But I’ve learned it now and perhaps moving forward my eyes will be open so that I don’t get slapped again.

Day 9 – Party Prompt: Party. What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans.

My 40th birthday party was pretty awesome. Although there were people who couldn’t make it and that I didn’t get to see at either party. I’m sure a good time was had by all.

The Karaoke portion of my birthday was zany and awesome. Singing badly at the top of your lungs with a group of people is very much fun. And having dinner with the people who mean the most to you is also a wonderful thing. And then a long weekend with Sam and Violet is always amazing.

Day 10 –  Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out?

The wisest decision I made this year was to take in Ishtar. She is a very sweet cat even though she claws the shit out of my couch. And if I think hard about it, this couch is the remnants of a shitty relationship anyway so why not let her claw the crap out of it? She is symbolically clawing that asshole everytime… or at least I let myself think of it that way, then I’m not so angry about her clawing the shit out of my couch. But she has been entertaining, and I hope Mabel likes her well enough…

Day 11 – 11 Things What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life?

1. negative thinking
2. poor eating habits
3. untrustworthy/deceitful people
4. more bills
5. unsupportive people
6. negativity in general
7. shallow guys
8. worry
9. loneliness
10. materialism
11. crappy weather

I think if I get rid of these things I’ll be a much happier person. I’ve already taken steps toward keeping the unsupportive people as well as the untrustworthy people out of my life. I can’t be around people I don’t trust nor people who aren’t supportive. I think avoiding shallow guys is just good in general for the self esteem.

I’ve been working on the negative thinking and the negativity in general. It’s not easy but it’s very important. When you stop the negative thinking, and try focusing on being positive, it does change your whole view of the world around you.

I think getting rid of all these things will definitely go a long way toward a better state of mind.

Day 12 – Body Integration This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present?

No, there was never a moment where there wasn’t a mind and body. I’ve never had a “cohesive you” moment. I think I always separate my mind from my body.