My twitter pal, Toni Rae Brotons, started a new “three things” meme. Jamie Notter created one about leadership that I responded to, and now I’ll take up Toni’s topic. She writes:
I am currently reading This I Believe, a book of short essays based on an NPR radio series, where men and women, famous or not, expound on their personal philosophies. Naturally, reading this book that includes a few people I greatly admire inspires me to wonder exactly what I would write about should I be called upon to write an essay called “This I Believe.”
Toni gave us permission to not think too deeply so once again I’m not. Here are the three things that I believe:
1. I believe nothing is better than laughter. I’ve been watching my one and a half year old nephew Henry on Thursday afternoons and we laugh a lot together. And we’re goofy. Okay, I’m goofy, and we both laugh. I think my blood pressure probably goes down twenty points when I’m with him. Whether it’s laughing with Henry, my goofy brothers, my equally goofy boyfriend, my friends, whomever — those will be the memories that mean the most to me.
2. I believe that helping others comes in a close second. It feels good, doesn’t it? Think about the most satisfying parts of your job — is it when you are helping others? It’s always been that way with me. If you need to improve your mood, help someone, or just be nice to someone. It works.
3. I believe food tastes better at the beach. I think we can all agree on this. I don’t even mind the sand.
Those are my off-the-top-of-my-head three things I believe. What are yours?
April 25, 2009 at 8:05 am
Here are my 3 things:
1. Life
2. Death
3. Family – I can’t make it without the love of my family and friends who are just like sisters and brothers to me.
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April 25, 2009 at 8:06 am
PS – Bourdain also thinks food taste better on the beach…that’s in the top 10 for me 🙂
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April 25, 2009 at 8:33 am
Family/friends, that’s what it’s all about — two of my three things (and sometimes all three) only happen surrounded by them. It’d be very cool to see what Bourdain’s 3 Things are. Thanks, Kris, for stopping by!
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April 25, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Three things I believe: 1. Kindness matters. One sure-fire way to feel better instantly without exercise, food, drugs or counseling is to extend yourself to others…volunteer….help someone you may find in your travels who needs assistance….smile at a stranger….the possibilities are endless and the payback is immeasurable.
2. It’s important to be in the moment…stop and really listen, smell, taste. How cool would it be to take a shower and really smell the shampoo and feel the water on your back instead of being 8 hours away thinking about what you’re going to have for dinner? Life only happens in the moment.
3. It’s important to spend time with family and friends. Keep them close and have fun!
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April 27, 2009 at 7:15 am
Your #2 is a great one! That’s what yoga helps you do. It’s so hard to control our monkey minds! Thanks for visiting.
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April 26, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Awesome, Deirdre! I’m with you on #1–all my troubles go away when I’m playing with my nieces & nephews. They truly are a light in my life. Thanks for sharing and thanks for all the link love 🙂
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April 29, 2009 at 7:32 am
1. Never, ever, go anywhere without a book. You never know. I hope one day soon to walk the Camino in Spain and I will carry a copy of Don Quioxte.
2. “Many of the things I’m supposed to know seem so useless that I can’t see the purpose in learning them at all,” explained Milo. “You may not know it now,” said the Princess of Pure Reason, looking knowingly at Milo’s puzzled face, ” but whatever we learn has a purpose and whatever we do affects everything and everyone else, if even in the tiniest way. Why, when a housefly flaps his wings, a breeze goes round the world; when a speck of dust falls to the ground, the entire plnet weighs a little more; and when you stamp your foot, the earth moves slightly off its course. Whenever you laugh, gladness spreads like the ripples in a pond’ and whenever you’re sad, no one anywhere can be really happy. And it’s much the same thing with knowledge, for whenever you learn sonthing new, the whole world becomes that much richer.”
The Phantom Tollbooth, Norton Juster – 1961
3. Reminding myself all the time just how freakin’ lucky I am.
4. (because it’s important) I believe in my cross court topspin forehand.
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April 29, 2009 at 8:13 am
Thanks for your four things, Teri. Will #1 someday change to “never go anywhere without a Blackberry or iPhone?” A friend said to me that she used to always have to buy a magazine before dining out solo, but now she has her Blackberry and doesn’t have to worry about that. My book-and-magazine-stashing-in-my-purse behavior has changed too, thanks to my phone. Of course, you can’t read books on a Blackberry, yet.
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April 29, 2009 at 8:48 am
Don’t think I’ll be able to abandon the book. (Interesting article in NYT, (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/26/fashion/26kindle.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=book%20v.%20kindle&st=cse)
I’m a bit of a Luddite. I’m sure you’ll be disappointed in me, D. No TV, no iphone/blackberry, no texting, no twitter.
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April 30, 2009 at 8:26 am
I’m the same way! I do try to carry a big bag when I’m out and about so that I can stow a book or magazine for solo dining adventures. But lately, I’ve spent more time on the Crackberry, leaving the other reading material unopened. Haven’t seen a Kindle yet, so I’m curious to see how portable they are.
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