The events of the past weekend, both personal and observed, have convinced me that it is time for each of us to take a deep breath, slow the heck down and start fresh. From earthquakes, mine disasters, an unexpected loss of a loved one to the loss of a job that we identified too strongly with, it is time to slow down and take stock in who we are, where we were and what we are going to do in the minutes, days, months and years ahead.

Nothing is guaranteed to us except for choice. We are guaranteed our right to choose. Be it a course of action, a way of being, to be happy or not, everyday we have an opportunity to "choose" what our future will hold. My request and my pledge is to choose friends, family and balance over trappings, stress and the emptiness of strangers. I choose to do all I can to create a life that I will be proud of, secure in and will benefit those around me. I choose to move away from those who wallow, complain and conspire. I choose to make the world around me, both near and far, a better place and I choose to embrace my children and appreciate each one for who they are. I choose forgiveness over a grudge. I choose to forgive myself from my past, accept my present and embrace my role in creating my future.

This is my choice. What's yours?

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Patience is the state of endurance under difficult circumstances, which can mean persevering in the face of delay or provocation without acting on annoyance/anger in a negative way; or exhibiting forbearance when under strain, especially when faced with longer-term difficulties. It is also used to refer to the character trait of being steadfast.

Perseverance is continuing in a course of action without regard to discouragement, opposition or previous failure.

These past few days have been a personal test in so many situations. I know by the end of next week, I will have answers as to how I will be able play out the next half of my life. It just kind of blows me away that this state of limbo has so much riding on it... and all I can do is persevere and be patient.

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I've to say as mom and care giver of my family I don't all ways put myself first. I'm all giving my time with hubby or helping the kids. I keep myself presentable but I don't go out of my way to make myself pretty like I use to. I haven't put on make up or did my hair in years.

But now that the kids are older I'm doing for me now. I've reopen my ears so I can wear ear rings. I've brought some make up to. I even went and brought some new things to wear.

It was so funny the other day picking out new make up and jewelry i was like a kid in a candy store I couldn't make up my mind what I wanted to buy. But I had so much fun doing it.

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The past couple of days have been quite wet here in upstate New York. But, that has been a great incentive for me to begin putting things in motion for the new season of farmer's Markets and fairs that I hope to participate in this year. As You Wish Cuisine is alive and well and I am so looking forward to striking out on my own. Wish me luck.

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Thinking about life and the paths we take and trying to figure out the ups and downs. Right now I'm in the middle of a muddle, hurting a bit and needing some comfort. One way I find that comfort is to lose myself and get creative, so the other day I forced myself to go out and shoot.

I had a destination in mind, the courtyard of the Palais Royale, a place I have been wanting to go to for a long time. The day was as gray as my mood and I went through the motions. I got some shots, but not what I could have had if I had concentrated a bit and put my heart into it. Wandered around a bit more, took some snaps of a man at the place de Palais Royale making big, gigantic bubbles... kids dancing and jumping to pop them, the rainbow of colors in the soap swirled in the air and then, poof... gone.

I caught the tail end of an impromptu street concert, all strings... beautiful sounds, the cello... my favorite, singing its mournful song... then they packed it up... 

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Part of bouncing back is learning to cover our butts.

Yesterday I was very glad to have a fresh, dependable backup of some files for a project.  What a great feeling to roll back the clock and fully restore my lost work, in perfect condition.

LBB tip of the day:  run a backup!

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I took this seaside photo a couple of days ago in a French town called Royan.  After a long, cold, snowy winter spent on both sides of the Atlantic, it felt good to gaze out on that same ocean, feel the warm sun, take in the broad expanse of the horizon, and observe the walkers advancing across the sand.

I've been thinking about walking.

Several years back my father carved two walking sticks.  They still lean in a corner by our front door, waiting for someone to take them out.

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The following is a post scriptum discussion with Laurent Gounelle (see our podcast on "The Career Test Guy"):

LBB: Does one's personality type change over the years? For example, if I retake the test three or ten years from now, will my profile be the same?

L.G.: The personality type does not change, although certainly a person can evolve. The challenges presented by a particular personality type are life-long, but one can learn to overcome characteristics that prevent life from being lived to the fullest.

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In the past 6 months, I left a job of 15 years, moved to another province, and got remarried.  My husband and I are also moving again next summer.  Now all of those things are things that I wanted and things that I'm happy about, but so much change in such a short time is difficult.  I'm still in a state of decompression.

So how am I coping?  What do I recommend for others?

1.  Develop a routine and daily things to accomplish.  Just because you're not working doesn't mean you should stay in bed all day.  Make lists of tasks that need to get done.  For me, it's working on a business plan for a new business, using my new found freedom to cook and garden, and continuing to finish up the administrative details associated with moving and getting married and changing my name.

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Today I am trying to focus on the future and find the key to surviving an economic crisis in Michigan. Something that will make a difference in peoples lives. Something to earn a healthy living and using "it" to motivate, teach and assist others in the way I am being helped.

I am excited to use this forum to share thoughts and ideas and to sort through my thoughts and filter what will be helpful and what to just drop all together.

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