Omphaloskepsis is the contemplation of one’s navel as an aid to meditation. Blythe Industries CEO Bob Georgen loves the word.  Why wouldn’t he?  It’s a greek word that is fun to say and just as fun to explain.Maybe you could even challenge your friends to see who can say it ten times fast.  It’s DEFINITELY a tounge twister.  However, even more importantly, it’s a great way to stop take a moment in the busy whirlwind called life and do some important self-evaluation. Here’s an exercise for you.  Take a moment and think about it and write ten things that capture where you are in life right now.  I tried this a few months ago and love keeping  a record.  It’s a great way to show you how you’ve progressed in life. Here’s mine.

1. Organization is key.  Last night on my drive home I realized, despite how infrequently I used it, how lost I am when I don’t have a current planner.  My life is lived is a series of numbers.  Dates, times, amounts.. all numbers.  A quick stop at Target for a new planner refill and bill organizer helped put me right back on track.  After getting on the data in, I feel much more at peach with myself. Unfortunately, the thing about organizing one area of your life prompts the need for organization in others. I’ve contemplated taking a roommate, but in order to do so I would need to downsize. I don’t have a lot of furniture, but the pieces I have are large enough that I’d either have to store some of it or sell it.  I’m not sure that I want to so I have a lot to think about in this area.
2. Life is slowly coming back together. Six months after Jack chose to move out and I still live a day to day struggle with myself.  Happily, I’m no longer manic about the quiet or his absence. I still miss him, I probably still love him, but I seriously don’t miss the arguments and frustration.  It still irks me that he admitted to purposefully pushing buttons and PUSHING me into arguments.  Who does that? I know now, even if he doesn’t, that he was looking for those younger years like many people do.  I just wish he had known that he didn’t have to leave to do it. I, however, have become a stronger person.  It’s still a long road, but I’m getting there.
3. I love having a dog.  He’s a cutie (his bday is today!) and I enjoy his antics on most days.  Many times I wish that I had one of those dog collars from the movie UP! so I knew what was going on in his head.  WTH does all his dog food end up around his bowl ONLY when I’m gone, but he’s a neat eater when I’m home?
4. I’ve discovered a love for fitness and exercise.  Oddly enough it doesn’t play nicely with my laziness habit, but physically I feel so much better. I took a hike this past summer and a half mile in had trouble breathing.  This past weekend I took another and I loved how much farther I could go!
5. I’m exploring new areas.  GPS is a godsend and allows me to explore the areas around me without having to worry about getting lost.  Now if I can only remember to fill the gas tank BEFORE it dings that it’s low. Once I’ve got THAT down, than I’ll be able to tell you where Beacon Hill ends and Capitol Hill starts.
6. My teeth are on a great road to recovery after years of neglect through fear.  I’ve learned the hard way that it’s cheaper to take care of things while they’re small instead of waiting until they’re big.  Much better, not just in cost, but in pain management.
7. Brian Tracy says I am the most important person in this room. It’s a good mantra to live by when you’re working on Self esteem.
8. I put my Partylite Candle Business (Tupperware for candles for those unaware) business aside in 2009 because at first I needed a new goal.  Getting out of debt didn’t really apply any longer and than I couldn’t handle it after my husband moved out. Someone last night said that in life, we tend to let our emotions get in the way of business and we can’t do that. When you’re self employed there are no truer words.  Today I’m hopping back on the horse and getting started again. I have a list of potential hostesses to begin with and dates I want to work shows on.  Interested in being one of them?  Give me a call!
9. I love my ohana. and my friends.  Even those I lost faith in this past summer with everything that went on. I’ve learned though, that I can’t rely on them for emotional stability. I can only rely on myself for that. My ohana, for an example, don’t understand that even though I seem fine that life is still a huge emotional rollercoaster for me. Most days are fine, but there are still pockets of tears. Last night I watched a Webcast for Bunny Delgrosso’s Partylite Unit Meeting in Maryland and she talked about bloodsuckers and firestarters.  I realized that I’ve been the bloodsucker a lot this past year and I don’t want to be. 2010 is the year of the firestarter! or is it the tiger?
10. For 2010, I’ve purposefully chosen only one word to live by because it can lead into so many different paths.  If you missed my last post, the word is BE. BE ok being myself and being alone. I’ve never been there and it’s ok.  BE better prepared for life and the financial challenges it is putting in front of me. I don’t need to worry as much as I do because, frankly, I could be MUCH WORSE off. BE creative, BE adventrous, BE unafraid.

How about you?