Uncategorized

January 1, 2010 In Uncategorized

Day 1

I’ve perused the internet and found too many sources of the following line so instead of crediting the wrong person, I will just share it here as that widely used quote:

“If you always do what you always did, you’ll always get what you always got.”
Now there’s a line with some common-sense reality that could help start off anyone’s new year one step ahead of the game. If you’re not happy with, “it”, him, her, the job, the place, the atmosphere, the weather, the anything- change it. Try something different. Don’t worry about who might think you’re crazy or someone you might disappoint or piss-off. It’s YOUR life, not theirs. Anyone who truly loves and supports you only wants you to be happy anyway. Perhaps we took some strategic jumps in the direction of change we knew we need, we’d all be a tad happier and more content. Worse case scenario, you go back to where you started and you’re only smarter and better for trying.
What are we waiting for, January 1, 2011? That’s a whole year away. I don’t know about you, but I’m all about having an extra year of awesomeness. If you want to jump and you haven’t already, it’s time. 
It’s always driven me nuts when people say; “It’s not that easy.” (To me that is code for, “I’m making excuses and being a chicken-shit.”)
No it’s not easy, but it’s possible.
Evaluate what’s great in your life and what sucks, then do yourself a favor; Put your big girl/boy pants and make some changes if you need or want to! Remember:
It’s not easy, but it’s possible.

Tick tock, tick tock- here comes 2011…
0
0
December 31, 2009 In Uncategorized

Out With The Old, In With The New

Dear 2009,

Even though I happily proclaimed on this day one year ago “2009 is my year!”, I knew by that I meant the hardest and most intense growth year of mine yet. (Kind of like when you have that feeling you’re about to watch a train-wreck.) Well 09, you certainly proved to be just that difficult and then some. As dramatic as it might sound, there were a few points I really questioned whether I’d actually make it through to ring in 2010. 
Well here I am. 
Thanks for doing whatever you did to show me that indeed I can and will be able to handle anything that comes my way now. Even though I wouldn’t tried to convince myself otherwise- I wouldn’t have been able to hack it all before now. Thank you for that.
~Diane 
Dear 2010,
I am so, so totally ready. 
Bring it!
0
0
December 30, 2009 In Uncategorized

Time Stamp

Living in the past doesn’t do us any good, but looking back in reflection is good for us all. I spent time today reading some things I wrote on this day one year ago in this notebook. I then promptly threw it in the dumpster outside my apt. Accept it all/own where you have been and what you’ve done, then toss it and move on. It’s always motivating to be able to see how far you’ve come, humbling to see how far you still have to go and thrilling to think about all the things that are possible for tomorrow.

One year from today? We’ll all be even faster, smarter, better than we’ve been this year. You’ve got to love that. It doesn’t come easy but it’s sure worth every ounce of blood, sweat and tears.
Here’s to looking at yourself in the mirror and not running away. 
0
0
December 28, 2009 In Uncategorized

I’m Danika Patrick

Moving to different states, starting new jobs, next chapters, etc.- all mixed in with the holidays tends to put a wrench in the writing plans. Sorry to have disappeared. In my absence I have certainly collected lots of stories.

I’ll tease you with a scene that might be in my book someday. I’m back to writing regularly again as of today too. Here’s a story to start:
It’s Christmas night, freezing and pouring rain. I am in the middle of nowhere and get to a friends house in the country. (They were gone for 2 days to see family.) It’s pitch black about 8pm and I am alone. I tried to be a bad-ass and wheel up into their snow covered icy driveway. (Have I mentioned how much I hate the snow and cold weather? I mean hate it. LOATHE it. If I never saw a temperature below 75 again in my life I’d be happy.) Because I am more stubborn than an ox, even though I don’t make it the first 3 times, I try for a fourth and then…yep. In the ditch I go. I get out and start pushing my car, in flip flops, in the snow and rain- soaked and laughing at myself because I knew damn well that I’d end up in the ditch but I tried anyway like an idiot. After realizing that unless I was going to suddenly become the Incredible Hulk, all 120lbs of me was probably NOT going to be able to push my car out alone. I got back in the car. Took a deep breath, channeled my inner Vermont, put my poor civic in reverse and burned that little thing out of that ditch like you read about.
I then left the car it in the middle of the road and walked in the house.
Merry Christmas to me. 
I love that I can appreciate these adventures and the fact that a year or two ago in this situation I would’ve been spitting and cursing. Now I sit here typing shaking my head and smirking. 
What’s it all worth it if you can’t laugh at yourself?
0
0
December 16, 2009 In Uncategorized

Just Pee And Exit Please

Should they really have to tape this up on a bathroom wall in a Doctor’s office?

I always love the random hand-written signs like these in various public bathrooms. It seems a lot of humans are having quite the little parties with themselves in these places, stuffing things where they shouldn’t, not understanding how to flush, locks the doors, etc. 
Entertaining.
0
0