So many terrific things happened in the past week (there were a few pain in the ass moments too) that I felt compelled to make a list of future considerations.  Points that have somehow wound their way through this past week to make it what it was and how to capture them to create circumstances that will continue the trend.

10.          Opinions – I’ve got them, shocking I know. One’s personal opinions are never wrong by virtue of the fact that they are opinions. Completely ignore anyone who says your opinions are wrong because their ignorance of the concept of opinion is self-serving and ignorant. Even if their opinions are based in incorrect data you are not going to change them and they are entitled to their view.  I want to base my own opinions in well-rounded fact finding, openness to varied views combined with personal experience and strong emotional links.  In other words, stay current, well read and open to new ideas.  I’ve also learned that it is not always necessary to share ones opinions…so much more on that later.

9.            Plan B –I’ve been there done that, living in perpetual Plan B isn’t healthy, soulful, or fun in any way.  However, shit happens and sometimes the best of intentions can get thrown under the bus.  Learn to distinguish when plan B is just an excuse for laziness, blatant disregard for me or when any number of real life factors intervenes to create an unavoidable and unintentional slight.  Recognize those who continue to force you into Plan B and get them out of your life quickly, at the very least demote them to arm’s length status to avoid any further pain in the ass moments.

8.            Exercising –It can be mind-numbingly boring…..I really want to find more ways to exercise that are fun.  They’re out there, so I’ll open myself up to seek help, ask, join, enlist people who can rally round my quest…and find a way to make exercising something I want to do on my own and with like- minded buddies. You know the ones that need to be pushed and prodded to get going.

7.            Posture –It’s important, you don’t want to look like your Grandmother, and you can easily look 5-10 lbs. thinner just by standing up straight. I need to find a way to recognize the slouch and picture my mother giving me that poke in the back to make me stand up straight. Catching that off handed glimpse in the mirror is getting frightening.  Agghhh

6.            Eating –Do not use food for anything other than for what it was intended, nourishment and joy. Read and reread Peter Kaminsky’s Culinary Intelligence.  Value the flavor per calorie (FPC) concept.  Never beat myself up for enjoying anything wonderful (i.e. Haagen Dazs Carmel Cone Ice Cream, Rispoli’s sfigliatele) and always try to use food for energy, nutrients and love.

5.            Laughing –This is an essential part of daily, yes daily, living.  It should be done often, loudly, and with abandon.  It should be done alone and with others.  This is a fundamental piece of my living. Thank you Willa for your ever insightful and hilarious mini FB blog posts.

4.            Companionship – Can you find joy in every day?  Those with kindness, humor, common interests, loving and patient ways need only apply.

3.            Friends – Facebook has it pretty well covered when it comes to categorizing and required actions. New friends are not immediate close friends, old friends are unimaginably more valuable than close friends and require a list of their own, and an acquaintance is not any less for their limited prominence in my life.  The need to establish settings/boundaries is important and to recognize when one must unfriend someone is immeasurably beneficial to one’s own well-being.

2.          Family, family, family.  One does not have to have been born into to be a family member.  My family is everything to me.  My extended family is everything to me.  Family, family, family.

1.            Health – Be your own advocate, take the time to know your body, do not procrastinate and be not afraid of anything.  Be kind to your body, it will take you far into your crotchety old age if given the chance.

These are my future considerations. Define your list, be it consideration, bucket or f**k it.  Know where you’ve been, learn from your experiences, and create your future.  This list has been a long time in the making and will morph and grow over time.  In each of these considerations a bit of legacy will take shape and carry me well into my very old, need a sippy cup for my wine, pastry loving old age.   I know like I know.