Maioush

1. Chocolate is only a temporary fix.

2. A properly fitting bra is not a luxury. It is a necessity.

3. Your happiness is your happiness and yours alone.

4. How to apply red lipstick.

5. How to wear the crap out of red lipstick.

6. A boyfriend does not validate your existence.

7. Eat the extra slice of pizza.

8. Wear what makes you feel gracefully at ease.

9. Love the world unconditionally.

10. Seek beauty in all things.

11. Buy your friends dinner when you can.

12. Try with all your might to keep in contact with far-away friends.

13. Make the world feel at ease around you.

14. Walk with your head up.

15. Order a cheeseburger on the first date if you want to.

16. Never, EVER bite your nails.

17. Swipe on some lipstick, put on your leather jacket, and sneak into a party somewhere.

18. Learn from your mistakes that night.

19. Dental hygiene is not multiple choice.

20. Take pictures, but not too many.

21. Your GPA is not a confession of your character.

22. There is strength in breaking down.

23. You don’t have to like yoga.

24. Pick a tea.

25. Take care of your feet.

26. Pick a perfume.

27. Even if you’re tall, wear the heels anyway.

28. Classy is a relative term.

29. Like what you like.

30. Offer no explanation.

31. You are no less of a woman when you’re in sweats and gym shoes than a woman in stilettos and a pencil skirt.

32. A woman is a woman is a woman.

33. Love your fellow woman with all your heart and soul.

34. Cry, uninhibited, with your friends.

35. Laugh until you can’t breathe with your friends.

36. Tell me everything.

37. Exercise to be strong and healthy. A beautiful soul needs a sturdy vessel.

38. There is no shame in hoping for love.

39. My cooking is the best cooking.

40. Anna Karenina. I’d like it if you read it.

41. The world spins on the principle of inherent tragedy.

42. Do not be blind to it.

43. Men are effectively idiots until the age of 30.

44. Carbohydrates are not the enemy.

45. Involve yourself in an organized activity of your choosing.

46. Listen to classical music occasionally.

47. Take hot baths.

48. Do not use bath salts.

49. You are more than capable.

50. I promise.

51. Don’t smile if you don’t mean it.

52. Mean your anger. Mean your sadness. Mean your pain.

53. I am always, ALWAYS listening.

54. Travel.

55. Make me furious.

56. Make me worry.

57. Come home smelly, tired, and with a good story.

58. Your story isn’t really yours.

59. You are a compilation of others’ stories.

60. Well-fitting and modest is ALWAYS sexier than too small and tight.

61. Who cares if glitter isn’t tasteful?

62. It’s too much eyeliner if you have to ask.

63. Learn to bake for when you’re sad and I’m not there.

64. Humility and subservience are not synonyms.

65. Wash your face twice per day.

66. Be gentle with your skin.

67. Science is really cool.

68. So is literature.

69. And history.

70. And math.

71. There is no substitute for fresh air.

72. Carry your weight.

73. Make up for it later if you can’t.

74. That salad is not better than pasta and it never will be.

75. You’re fooling no one.

76. Find at least three green vegetables you can tolerate.

77. A smoothie is not a meal.

78. Expect the best from everyone.

79. People will let you down.

80. Bask in the sun (wearing a sunhat and sunscreen).

82. There is a certain kind of man you need to avoid at all costs.

83. You’ll know it when you meet him.

84. What other people say is right doesn’t always feel right.

85. What feels right is where your happiness is.

86. Give thoughtful gifts.

87. Form an opinion.

88. Stick to it.

89. Exfoliation in moderation.

90. Argue with people when you need to.

91. If it’s worth fighting for, fight fiercely.

92. Don’t fight for acceptance.

93. You shouldn’t have to.

94. It’s not your job to keep the people you love happy.

95. It’s OK to disagree with me, and others.

96. You are so very beautiful.

97. There is no single person who can be your everything.

98. Money doesn’t grow on tress

99. Follow your bliss at all costs. (I’m cutting you off at 22, though).

100. Chocolate ice cream, however, might just be a permanent fix.

Mama, you will never know how much you mean to me; you have helped me in so many ways, you have given me advice when I needed it, you have made me strong when I was weak, you gave me a shoulder when I needed to cry, you have held my head when I was sick, you mean everything to me, if only I could give back half of what you have given me, you have made me this woman that I am today, the mother that I am today, you are a remarkable woman, to have you has a mother, I would never have it any other way, you are one in a billion, you will always be my hero, always and forever.

If I knew as a child what I know now, Mama, I probably wouldn’t have made things so hard for you. I would have understood that you were looking out for my best interest, even though it may not have seemed so at the time. I would have known how difficult it is to let go, to stand back and let someone you love learn from their mistakes. I would have realized how fortunate I was to have a mother who was always there for me, even after an argument, even after I’d said things I shouldn’t have. I know how often I took you for granted when I was growing up. I always assumed you’d be there when I needed you, and you always were.  But I never really thought about what that meant till I got older and became a mother myself, I began to realize how often your time and energy were devoted to me. So now, for all the times I didn’t say it before, thank you, Mama.  I appreciate how loving you are, how giving you’ve always been and that even though I may not always be good at showing it.

I love you very much,

Mai

So I travel to LA a lot, about every 3 months or so, I always brace for the impact of encountering airline passengers; when people are treated like cattle, they can hardly be blamed for reacting like baboons.  Here, rules of engagement for the most ruthless form of travel.

Pre-flight
Awkward Situation: Despite the airline calling for people to board by seat rows, 150 people are clustered around the gate, jockeying to get to the front.  You seem only to have two options:  shove your body through the masses like a teenager at a Jonas Brothers concert, or literally be the last person to board (forfeiting your access to overhead bin real estate).

Solution: Follow traditional traffic rules.  A coworker used to works at Swerve, a driving instruction company.  He says most people on the road should already know the common-courtesy rule of “Each one lets one.”  The same applies here.  As you move like so much human sand through the hour glass, let one person go in front of you and then someone else lets you in.  We hope.

Takeoff
Awkward Situation: You are finally seated and prepared for takeoff, when the person next to you reveals the undeniable fact that they are a Chatty Cathy.  Your eyes glaze over at the prospect of speaking for two hours with a total stranger whom you will never see again in your life.

Solution: Engage in minimal small talk until takeoff, wherein you pull a book from your bag and show it to the Cathy, saying kindly, “Have you heard of this author?  She’s supposed to be fantastic.  I’ll let you know how it is!”  And then promptly open it.

Beverage Cart
Awkward Situation: It’s your first official day of “break” and you and your friends are eager for a little yule-tide cheer — in the form of a beer.  Or wine.  Or cocktail.

Solution: Plane rides are not the time to party-hardy.  When you’re stuck in a stationary position and can’t even converse with more than the two people next to you, you’re not in a place to have too good of a time.  Just have one drink and pay with cash.  Order quietly so you’re not obnoxious.  Don’t ask twenty questions to see what brands they carry — check ahead of time by looking in the airline guide in the pocket in front of you.  Then raise a glass and cheers to a safe flight.

Switching Seats
Awkward Situation: The person next to you asks if you would please switch seats with their spouse so they can sit together — but said spouse is 15 rows behind you and in a middle seat.

Solution: If you can swing it for a short flight, consider it your good deed of the week and say you’d be happy to help.  If you are already sitting with your own spouse, kindly explain that you understand their situation but you would like to stay with your traveling companion.  Also, even if you aren’t traveling with someone, you’re under no obligation to move seats.

Bathroom Break
Awkward Situation: You’re practically bursting at the seams after four diet Sprites and two hours of resisting the urge to visit the dreaded airline bath-closet (how could we call that a room with a straight face?).  But there are three people already clustered around the stewardess area waiting their turn.

Solution: It depends on your seat.  If you’re middle or window, get up as soon as possible to expand the amount of time between disruptions of your seat mates.  If you’re aisle, wait until there is only one person or no line at all before hopping up.  Also, keep in mind that the people in the unfortunate seating of the last few rows of the airplane shouldn’t have to stare at your backside that hovers directly in their faces as you wait for the bath-closet.

Warm thanks to those of you who sent in great etiquette conundrums.  For those of you who have yet to inquire, feel free to ask about your awkward situation at mai@maioush.com

3 months ago, if you had asked what my favorite foods were, I would have replied, bread, rice, bread, chocolate, bread … and did I mention bread and chocolate? I pitied my gluten-intolerant friends and rolled my eyes at the trendiness of “everything-free” diets. So of course it happened: I found myself struggling with health problems, followed by the discovery that I, too, was one of those people whose sensitive to gluten, dairy, or refined sugar. As someone who loves food, this seemed like a tragedy. Little did I know it would reinvigorate my cooking, not to mention my health and happiness.

Here’s how I cut out my favorite foods and what I learned along the way…

Few months ago I finally got sick of being fat. Without veering into TMI territory, I’ll just say I had been suffering for months, and even years, from digestive troubles, skin conditions, migraines, fatigue, mild depression, you name it. My health practitioner suspected I might be eating something I was allergic or sensitive to and suggested an elimination diet. That’s where you stop eating certain foods for a period of time and note any symptoms as you add them back in, one by one.

Desperate to get to the bottom of my health problems, I agreed to go a month without eating common trigger foods like gluten, corn, dairy, eggs, nuts, soy, and refined sugar.

And then I started feeling better — so much better that I almost didn’t mind when I discovered that I’m sensitive to gluten, dairy, and refined sugar. (The only foods I was able to add back in were eggs, corn, and soy.) My worst nightmare had come true, yet I felt great. The funny thing is that friends and family seemed more sad about my new diet it than I did!

That’s not to say there weren’t challenges as I navigated different ways of cooking and eating. Being a picky eater has made it particularly difficult. Yet I am so much more appreciative of what I can eat, and of food overall. I still have a lot to learn, which is part of the fun, but here are a few significant things I’ve discovered in the past year.

Note: This post is not meant to suggest any specific way of eating or to provide health advice but simply to share some things I’ve learned about eating and cooking with joy and passion, even when you have to make difficult changes.

8 Things I’ve Learned About Cooking Without Gluten, Dairy, and Sugar

1. Listen to your body. Even though I might feel great on my particular restrictive diet, I’ve come to believe that each person’s body is different with individual dietary needs. Bodies change, too! I’m discovering that what worked for me might not work now, and what I need today could change tomorrow. As an example, I’ve recently been able to reintroduce small amounts of dairy, including some that had triggered symptoms since childhood. Without being obsessive, I continually reassess how I am feeling and eating.

2. Nourishment goes beyond taste. We’re accustomed to thinking about the flavor of food in our mouths, or how full it makes our bellies, but how about its effects on energy and mood? After years of feeling sluggish after eating, it was a revelation when I changed my diet and started feeling energized after a meal. I am much more mindful about how food makes me feel in my whole body, both physically and emotionally.

3. Focus on learning, not missing. As someone who loves food, I initially felt unmoored when I could no longer cook like I used to. But as I transitioned to new ways of eating, it reinvigorated my cooking and I’ve had so much fun experimenting and learning about different ingredients and techniques, from the science of gluten-free baking to making homemade sauce and raw desserts. Staying curious has saved me from feeling sad about what I’m missing.

4. It’s okay to fail. I say this after making plenty meals that ended up in the trash. Yes, it’s frustrating when you’ve invested time, money, and hope into a dish that doesn’t work, but with every mishap you learn how to be a better and more resilient cook. It helps to have a sense of humor, too.

5. Gluten-free and/or vegan doesn’t necessarily mean healthy. This is especially true for processed foods, which may be filled with refined flours, sugars, artificial ingredients, and fillers. While pre-packaged foods may be fine from time to time, I don’t make them staples of my diet. Instead, I focus on homemade, simple, seasonal cooking.

6. Asian markets are amazing. I regularly shop at Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Indian grocery stores where I find great deals on gluten-free Asian noodles made from ingredients like rice, mung bean, and sweet potato; gluten-free flours like acorn, chickpea, and sorghum; and coconut products like oil and milk that are all the rage in vegan recipes. (Note: These products usually aren’t certified gluten-free so they might not be the best option for everyone.)

7. Plan ahead. When you can’t eat common ingredients, it becomes much harder to grab lunch on the go or to eat dinner at a relative’s house. I always carry snacks in my purse and usually eat a little something at home (even a quick sandwich) before going out to dinner with friends.

8. Find what inspires you. For me, it’s fresh produce, wild foods, and spices. Whereas a trip to a bakery or even a regular grocery store can be demoralizing, at the farmers’ market, spice shop, or even in the woods I’m surrounded by an abundance of foods that I can eat! I love seeking out fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spice blends I haven’t tried. These make a meal interesting and exciting.

Do you follow a special diet, or cook for someone who does? Share what you’ve learned!

In the spirit of social situations (how’s that for alliteration?), let’s address those awkward encounters that we find all too frequently — and what we can do about them.

And by “we” I mean that these are true stories of my own, or friends who shall remain nameless.

Over Email

Awkward Situation: You receive an email from an acquaintance explaining that you are indeed invited to a mutual friend’s baby shower this weekend, despite failing to receive a timely invitation due to a “miscommunication.”  But won’t you please still come?

Solution: Without a trace of commitment, blithely reply that she needn’t apologize since you have plans that day anyway, but should the opportunity arise you may make an appearance.  Still go if you can, because after all, your friend shouldn’t suffer because of this acquaintance’s forgetfulness.

In the Office

Awkward situation: You and only one other person are walking down the hallway toward each other.  He kindly says hello and initiates a conversation as he walks toward you.  As you smile broadly in response and open your mouth to reply, you find there are not just two of you in the hallway.  This person is speaking to the nice man behind you.

Solution: Pretend that smile was just the daily one you give to everyone.  Also, always carry a mug so your hands are occupied, and you can use it as a decoy to look purposeful – hmm, is my cup empty?  Let me spend three seconds looking inside.

At an Event

Awkward Situation: You are at a social event, and here comes that woman who clearly knows exactly who you are and is thrilled to greet you – but if your life depended on it you could not recall her name.

Solution: Grab your date/husband/person-standing-nearest-you and cheerfully ask Mystery Woman if she has met the person whose name you actually know.  That will automatically prompt her to introduce herself, providing infinite relief to you as you say in your head, “YES!  I knew it was REBECCA.”  Then try to use her name at the beginning/end of a sentence at least twice before you move on to get something to drink.

On the Phone

Awkward Situation: A friend innocently asks “What are you doing on Saturday?”  They could be inviting you to the best party of the year, or asking you to help them move apartments for six hours.  You simply can’t tell by this open-ended question.

Solution: Since this person thinks it’s OK to back you into a social corner, you are free to be direct.  Briefly say, “I’ll have to check – what did you have in mind?”  Otherwise, if you should say, “Nothing, I’m free,” your friend could say, “Perfect!  I need someone to help me sort through my Tupperware,” and you’re trapped.

This situation is awkward enough that it merits an extra tip: when inviting people to do something, just straight-out ask them.  For instance, “Hey, I’m going rock-climbing this weekend, would you like to join me?” is so much more inviting than, “You free this weekend?” which seems to imply that your invitee has no life.

To have your most pressing etiquette questions addressed, please write to mai@maioush.com.   Also, if you think it’s funny to write to me as “Dear Maioush,” you already have an etiquette issue we need to address.

When my father passed away on New Year’s Day of 2010, while death had previously impacted my life, losing him was unlike any emotional pain I’d ever experienced. His death literally sucked the oxygen out of my body. It felt hard to breathe. It suddenly felt like a large chunk of who I was; my DNA, my backbone, the person who had been with me since the very first day of my human experience was no longer tangible. I couldn’t just pick up the phone and hear his voice, I couldn’t wrap my arms around him and envelop him in a hug, I couldn’t tell him how much I simply adored being in his presence. I was simply out of time. I’d never felt the sting of death in this way- or comprehended the type of finality it entailed.

The truth is none of us have enough time. There’s never enough time to be with those you love. And even after a year of his battle with cancer, and the idea that I could somehow make peace with the fact that we were going to lose my father, whether he died at 55 or at 95 – I think it would always feel like there was never enough time to spend with him. I’d always want more; one last kiss, one last chance to say I loved him, one last chance to see a twinkle in his eye. Ultimately losing him at 55 has changed the trajectory of all of our lives. I think death in a family does that– it just changes everything.

The loss of my dad has forced me to re-evaluate the limits I put on myself and the relationships I hold dear. It’s brought my tolerance for other people’s bad energy to zero, and so if I don’t feel like being in a situation where I know I’ll be uncomfortable, where I would have sucked it up in the past, now I just won’t do it. It’s also made me acutely aware of how utterly short our time is here, and that once the switch on our life is turned off, that’s it, we’re done.

I want to say I believe in the afterlife– and I am forever looking for pennies, butterflies, some sign from my dad– but sadly I’ve gotten nothing- and I guess right now, at this moment in time- I believe this is it. The right here and now- it’s all we have and all we can truly enjoy. And oddly enough that was the attitude my dad had – one I never could quite grasp. He never seemed to truly allow any situation to get him mired in sadness, pity or doubt. He just moved along, whistling, and being this incredibly optimistic force. I miss him like crazy – I want to talk to him every day, I want to hear someone call me “Maio”, I want to hug his tiny, frail body, I want to see his smile.

I want to wrap my arms around him and tell him how grateful I am for all the times I never told him how much I appreciated him- like the time he used to drive with me every day when I started a new job and I had to drive the freeway for the first time, him and mama used to ride with me every day at 6AM, and drive the car back home to come and pick me up at the end of the day to let me drive home, all this just to make sure that I’m safe while driving on the freeway. I miss my daddy, my hero, the first man I ever loved. But I can’t spend every day feeling spiteful, angry at the universe, angry that he was taken, angry that he’s not here to share in the joys of my kids. I can’t walk around in a haze of sorrow and self pity because that would be antithetical to the way he lived his life.

So to my dad, happy New Year wherever you are, if indeed you are anywhere. If a soul does live on in some form or energy I want to believe you are soaring, like a star burst, just all light and love. And Daddy, thank you for all the gifts you’ve given me, especially the gift of understanding the value of time and that I need to be cognizant and appreciative of every day I have on this planet and with those I hold dear.

You will always be in my heart,

Mai

My beautiful sweet blessing, deeply loved and treasured.

I adore you…and love you to pieces!!!  Now, as your mama, there are some things I’d like to tell you…My child, my first born, but let me start with knowing the truth of who you are.  Like fine china, my darling daughter, you are made beautiful by your creator, the God of the universe, the King of all, and the savior of my soul.  He is so good to have given you to me.

You are joy.  You are beauty. You are woven together by God in a perfectly fashioned, unique personality that sprinkles my life with happiness and fun.  I eagerly await getting to know the depth of your inmost being – all of who you are and who you will be.

Today you turned four years old. For months you’ve been talking about your birthday. You’ve been telling everyone everywhere we go that it’s your birthday soon; at school, at the store, in the restaurant, and even at the airport you happily exclaimed to the TSA, “December 24 is my birthday, I’ll be four years old!” He and I both laughed at your exuberance. Your excitement about your big day was pretty charming.

You’ve done a lot of growing up this year. You’re leaving the shell of your toddler years behind and you’re headed straight into kid territory. It’s kind of terrifying and exciting all at once.

As a mom, there’s this small side of me tangled up in emotions about the reality that most of your life lived so far you’ll never remember when you’re my age. And that’s kind of sad when I think about it. All the cuddles we’ve shared and giggles we’ve delighted in, you won’t remember when you’re older. Some of the best moments of my life shared with you, won’t really be a part of your memories.

On the other hand, a few moments when I’ve really blown it, you may not remember those either. Like the time you attacked my makeup and used my brand new RED lip stick all over the 2^nd floor, we went to town with it!

I should’ve laughed and grabbed a camera for one unforgettable picture, but instead I was frustrated and ticked-off. It was such a huge mess the red color was on the carper, the bed sheets, all over the wall, your clothes, your hair, the list goes on. Truly, that was not one of my finer moments in parenting: cleaning the rooms while you cried your eyes out. I’ve found comfort in thinking and hoping that maybe you’ll never remember that moment.

But now you’re four, and you’re bound to remember things. After all, I remember a lot of things when I was four: I remember playing outside with my brothers on our little bicycles; it was a huge balcony with high walls that we could barely reach. And it was so much fun.

I remember going to my grandfather’s farm, a huge one, that all I remember is just running to an endless road.

I remember going with my mom to the mall, and how pretty she looked, tall, thin, with amazing hair, and the most amazing smile, and I remember how fascinating it was to look at her choose clothes, everything she picked looked amazing on her. I wish I can as pretty as her in her age.

Which makes me think, Mira, that you’re about to do the same. At four years old, you’re going to remember some of these memories that we’re making right now – you’ll be able to recall details, like what you were wearing when you took a fall, or if I told you the snow was made out of diamonds or if I responded in a way that made you feel loved and cared for.

Of course, there are memories that you and I have shared that are already impacting your world view, and they will continue to do so for the rest of your life, but it is unlikely that you’ll be able to recall the tiny details of those memories. Instead, like small candles, they cast a glow over your view of self and the world.

I hope I’ve been a good steward of your heart, so far, little one. I hope I’ve lit good candles in your life. It’s my prayer. I breathe it out with a sigh every time I see you sleeping soundly in your bed. The remnants of the tiny cherub-baby I held in my arms for the first time when I gave birth to you, me – overcome with love and crying uncontrollably till someone asked me if I was okay. That baby is still there in my arms. I see her in the corners of your mouth, in the tips of your fingers, in the way your arms fold around your face when you sleep.

The other night, when I was pondering all of this: the memories I’m leaving on the hearts of my children. I was absent mindedly bathing you, and thinking about this coming of age that you’re in, I was thinking about how much I hope to do you right. Exactly as I was thinking those thoughts, you leaned over to me, put your hand over my heart and said, “I know. I know.”

I gasped audibly and looked at you like a ghost had just spoken.

Leave it to you to speak to me like a prophet about my own mothering.

Someday, when you’re a mother, you’ll know this to be true: the child is the prophet and the mother is the disciple.

I promise you, it is true.

But you’re not a mother just yet. At four years old, you’re in the cradle of childhood; I hope you enjoy it all. I hope I can help you gather up each carefree lesson of the day, and that you’ll enjoy the innocent happiness of your youth. I hope I will help fill your years with insightful and beautiful memories.

I pray I’m a good steward of your love, of your childhood, of your innocence. I pray this for you; I pray this for myself, on your fourth birthday, sweet Mira girl.

With all the love a heart can hold,

Mama

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLS0Y40WwlA[/youtube]

In my daughter’s eyes I am a hero

I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my daughter’s eyes

In my daughter’s eyes everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light and the
world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me gives me
strength when I am weak
I find reason to believe
In my daughter’s eyes

And when she wraps her hand
around my finger
Oh it puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about

It’s hangin’ on when your heart
has had enough
It’s giving more when you feel like giving up
I’ve seen the light
It’s in my daugter’s eyes

In my daughter’s eyes I can see the future
A reflection of who I am and what will be
Though she’ll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I’m gone I hope you see how happy
she made me
For I’ll be there
In my daughter’s eyes

If departure is the past and arrival is the future, then the road is the present, and there is nothing more spiritually difficult, or spiritually rewarding, than learning to live significantly in the present. – Leon Wieseltier

Live in the moment, they say. Enjoy the present, they say. It makes sense, right? The past has already – well – passed and the future is yet to happen, so now is what’s real. Yet most of us spend the present either engrossed in the past or looking ahead to the future. We tend to pass by what’s really going on at any one moment.

When it comes to travel so many people say if you want it, then do it. But it’s not always that simple. While this may seem like a ‘living in the moment’ and an inspirational kind of outlook, there are also so many other things to consider. If everyone did exactly what they wanted all of the time there would be anarchy everywhere.

Do what you want when you want… or don’t

Living in the moment isn’t doing what you want, when you want. It’s savoring the moments when you are actually living them. It’s enjoying being fully present during a conversation, it’s soaking up the sunset without worrying about tomorrow or next week, it’s stepping outside at dawn and relishing the sound of the birds.

Yes, of course, living in the moment corresponds with spontaneity – going with your gut instinct at any particular moment is probably one of the better ways to make a decision (in my opinion, anyway).

But living in the moment requires us to have hopes and dreams. Not hopes and dreams that we obsess over every minute of every day, but something that keeps us going; something for us to work towards. If we have nothing to work towards then we tend to feel pretty useless.

Take travelling, for example. we could quit our jobs tomorrow and get on the next flight to Timbuktu, or we could do a bit of research, save a bit of money, put all of our belongings in storage, not rush off anywhere, and enjoy the planning process while we’re at it.

The spontaneous option might be more exciting in the short-term (“Hey mama, guess where we are? Timbuktu!”), but which one would give you more piece of mind?

I guess it depends what kind of person you are. Some people have no problem about doing things on impulse; others like to take a more strategic approach. There is no right or wrong way.

Is there such a thing as too much planning?

There is the other end of the scale, though: too much planning. Too much planning makes us start to question ourselves; whether it’s what we really want; whether we should be doing something else instead; whether we can really pull it off.

But, regardless of if we like it or not, we are forced to think about the future at almost every opportunity. What will I do for money? Where will I go next? How will I get from A to B? What will I have for dinner today? It’s impossible to live in the moment every second of every day otherwise we would get nothing done. Sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to. Sometimes we have to consider other people. There’s a flipside to every coin.

So, when should we live in the moment and when should we plan for the future?

It’s tricky, and it depends on what you want to achieve. Dreams and aspirations are important in order to get us from one stage of our lives to the next, but there’s no point if you are wishing your life away to get there; there’s no point if you aren’t enjoying the journey.

And what if you fail? What if you don’t reach your goals? Well, that’s just one more thing to worry about. If you live in the moment, your world is less likely to crash down around you if your dreams don’t become a reality because they aren’t the only thing that have been making your life worthwhile. Living in the moment allows you to appreciate the finer things in life, if you will, which makes us less reliant on our dreams to make us happy.

Little bits of happiness here and there are much better than holding out for one big burst of happiness – whether it happens or not is a different story.

To finish, here are two quotes:

You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment – Henry David Thoreau

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams – Eleanor Roosevelt

Which one hits home with you?

If you understood this rambly post or, dare I say, enjoyed it, please feel free to share it! Tweet it, Face Book it, Stumble it – whatever you feel like doing in the heat of the moment ;)

1. Your perfume is Eau de Baby food.
2. You know closing a door silently is an art form.
3. You realize you’re talking about poop in public again.
4. You realize the kids have been in bed for an hour and you’re still watching cartoons.
5. Shopping alone feels like vacation.
6. You reheat your coffee 3 times and still don’t’ get to drink it.
7. You’ve experienced stroller envy.
8. You’ve found something you lost in the toilet.
9. Silence makes you nervous.
10. Nothing feels better than a long shower. Alone.
11. You fold laundry during your free time.
12. You believe door bell ringing at nap time is unforgivable.
13. You wish every store had a drive through.
14. You have 100 cheerios and 50 raisins at the bottom on your purse.
15. The gift doesn’t matter, only the little person behind it.
16. You wash the same load of laundry at least twice before you remember to empty it.
17. You consider Goldfish crackers a food group.
18. You listen to your kids’ favorite tunes even when you’re driving by yourself.
19. You can cry in a Huggies commercial.
20. You consider going to the bathroom by yourself the height of luxury.
21. You know how badly stepping on a piece of Lego can hurt.
22. You think wrestling alligators would be easier than getting kids in bed on time.
23. You save lives on a daily basis.
24. You spend more on carpet cleaning products than make up.
25. Your husband tells you it isn’t worth buying anything nice until the kids move out to college.
26. You cry with happiness when one of your children consents to eating broccoli.
27. You tell yourself pizza has all the food groups.
28. Some days you just want to quit motherhood.
29. You have clothes in every size under the sun.
30. You consider Outback Steakhouse fine dining.
31. You will never ever be able to sort, process or print all the photos you take.
32. Your kisses have magical, healing properties.
33. You have sung the same song a trillion times.
34. You daydream about a land where women go to the bathroom alone and don’t have to narrate what they’re doing in there.
35. Some days watching them is like seeing your heart do somersaults in front of your very eyes.
36. You couldn’t watch the Olympics without wondering if that might be your kids one day.
37. Cereal is a breakfast, lunch, and dinner kind of food at your house.
38. You are more excited to introduce your boys to one of your favorite movies than when you watched it the first time yourself.
39. Having kids has taught you how to love and be loved like nothing else on earth.
40. Your body is soft in all the right places and perfect for comforting and cuddling.
41. You are deeply loved.
42. You love deeper than today and further than tomorrow.