Lessons learned

Christmas vacation . . . it looked so full of opportunity and possibilities just one week ago.  The list was endless but the main points included: escaping for Christmas (CHECK on that one), talking to Marlee (check), spend tons of time with friends (ok, a mini-check), reading books (CHECK), catching up on some TV (check), research a new unit for school (no check), grade papers (no check), plan for the coming month (mini-check).  Here it is . . . FRIDAY . . . aargh!  I'm feeling like a log.  I've spent more time with the TV and the books than with real life friends.  Why do I do that?  Maybe I'm part bear and need some hibernation time, who knows?

My vacation has turned out a lot like my the rest of my life . . . unplanned . . . wasted(?) I think that I've heard it said that choosing to NOT make a choice is a choice anyway.  So, life goes zooming by while I've chosen not to venture out.  However, in my choice to not venture out too much, I have been able to relax and rejuvenate.  I mean, when was the last time I actually let myself sleep until 9:00 a.m.? Well . . . I've read a couple of Janet Evanovich books (one, where I actually laughed out loud. When was the last time THAT happened?) 

I watched some fun shows off my Hulu queue. (i.e. Covert Affairs, Burn Notice) I also got addicted to a new show.  Thanks to my dear friend, WK, I am now addicted to The Good Wife.  She has been talking about that show forever and I had waited too long to begin watching -- you cannot jump into a series in Season 3-- so I started checking the DVD's of the first season out of the library.  Let me just say that it's my new obsession. (And this is where the lessons learned part starts)  Alicia Florrick (Season 1) is my new hero (I'm still waiting for Season 2 to arrive at the library).  From her, I've learned that crises do not have to bury you.  Her advice to "dress up, put on make up, and take care of yourself" is valid even when you do NOT feel like doing it.  I think it goes along with the "fake it, til you make it" idea.  I feel a kinship with her.  It doesn't work to play the martyr in real life.  Everyone has bad things happen to them and you cannot just curl into a ball and play the "poor me" card because life goes on and you have to move on as well.  

Another lesson: observe everything, then make judgements.  I love the way she just seems to absorb everything around her and then ZING she makes the connections and pulls it all together.  You cannot learn about people unless you observe and listen.  I need to do more of that in my life.  Talking less, observing and understanding more.

WK and I were laughing about the things we learn from our different television obsessions.  Lessons come in so many different forms.  Maybe I can deal with my troubles by watching tv, reading books, living my life and sharing what I've learned by blogging.  Self awareness and learning lessons . . . isn't that what therapy is all about?  And this is WAY cheaper!  Stay tuned!