Ask your partner, your work buddy, your gym friend, etc… which best describes their life right now.  You’re bound to get a different answer depending on the person, the mood, the activity, the environment, etc…  The beauty is that there are no right or wrong answers.  It just enables us to peek inside each other ever so slightly and see how we each are feeling at the time of our 3-word impulsion.

So, at this moment I can describe myself as – “getting it done”.  Those are the words that best describe me at this time and place.  And of course, the words and feelings are subject to change (and absolutely will change).

If you are so inclined, you can play this game with index cards that have these words written and/or illustrated to better explain how you are feeling.  Sometimes “mopeyness takes over”, or “happiness is catchy”.  These are some of the 3 words that I have used in the past to describe myself.

It also enables me to succinctly identify how I’m feeling, and I know pretty quickly if an attitude adjustment is in order!

So, how are you feeling at this moment in time?  Which three words best describe you?

Thankfully my then teenage son, told me that I was rude and people deserved more courtesy and respect than I gave them.  I took it to heart and remember making a conscious effort to add courtesy back into my life.

Everyone has a job to do – some people are not happy with their decisions to work at a certain job, but do so nonetheless.  Especially in this economy!  And we can make their tough jobs and days a little easier by smiling and acting politely.  It takes so little to treat others as we would like to be treated – sounds biblical, eh? I am not a religious person, nor do I read the bible, but I do try treat others with courtesy.

As a 2010 Census Enumerator I have had doors slammed in my face and some people go out of their way to avoid me.  I’m not sure why.  I have a job to do, and I always smile and engage with others when I can.  The few minutes that are spent to speak with your local census worker are so painless, while it takes more time (and the government’s money) to avoid participation.

Next time someone knocks on your door, calls you on the phone, cashiers for you, or serves you food, etc… – try to remember to smile and act politely.  Remember they are human beings too, and your smile may just help them through their otherwise routine day!

I admit that our privacy efforts have taken a hit as a result of our Social Media involvement, our fight against terrorism with Privacy Agreements at every corner, and 24/7 phone and email availability.  The good news is that we can control our online exposure if we’re diligent.  I, for one, am an avid Social Media user, but I do try to control my online profile.  My Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, and blog posts are consciously controlled and readable by all – potential clients, employers, and friends!  I make sure that NO “too” personal information is shared.  I make use of a readily available “google search” about my name and see what is being said about me.  Thankfully I have not seen anthing bad “out there”.

My 20-something son tells me that people just want to be left alone.  Government is too big, too intrusive, and it seems that our lives are an open book.  Yes, compared to 20 years ago, it may seem that we can no longer hide in our homes, but I am taking the necessary steps to ensure that my public persona is as controlled as possible, and you can too!  And by the way, I completed and submitted my 2010 Census form right away.  I am not afraid to be counted and want my district to be properly apportioned and financed.  I take advantage of my local resources and invite you to do the same.

Be aware of your online profile,  keep information relevant and current, and remain aware of your electronic persona by performing an easy Google Alert and Search of yourself.

Let’s control what others see about us.  And if you have not returned your U.S. 2010 Census form, please give a few minutes of your time to the Census Enumerator who will no doubt knock on your door.  Here’s your chance to control that information!

What are you doing to control your public persona, and simultaneously maintain your privacy?

I’ve started and stopped many different blogs, just not happy with the content, the direction, and the end result.  So here I am, with a multitude of blogs that I’ve already written, thoughts on networking, Social Media, job search, community organizing, and reinventing oneself during this tough economic time – and my computer screen seems empty and uncooperative.

So, just like the title of this blog says… I’ll give myself a Permission Slip to come up blank.  With all the noise and chatter that comprises our daily lives, sometimes having nothing to say, speaks volumes!  I just need to be ok with the silence.

I’m working on it!

It’s no longer hip to be an overt consumer and to show the world how large a footprint you can require.  The Hummer is a great example of this.   The Hummer went out of style because it offered such low gas mileage and was so big and (in my mind) intrusive, it’s market-share was too low to sustain it as a viable car option.  Perhaps it still makes sense as a military vehicle, but not as a pleasure one.

The recent economic downturn is giving people much appreciated permission to eat at home, have game night (at home), turn off the lights and save money as well as energy, take public transportation which hopefully saves money as well as is good for Mother Earth, give smaller and more meaningful gifts… the list goes on and on.  For special occasions, my 83 year old mother no longer gives me a sweater or belt that I don’t need, but rather, she gives me a meaningful piece of her jewelry.  Things that I’ve seen her wear for years; items that I know mean a lot to her, and thus her gift to me has significant meaning attached.  I would much rather take possession of a gift that was given with thought behind it, rather than a gift from our local retailer that was just given to me because it’s my birthday.

Many of us recently celebrated Earth Hour where our collective goal was to turn off our lights for one hour, save energy, be more sustainable, and show our care and appreciation for this planet by “flipping the switch”.  Some people were more successful than others, but it was indeed humbling to see a darkened Las Vegas Strip, Egyptian Pyramids, Empire State Building, etc…   People of the world united to ultimately share a common goal of doing more with less, and showed the onlookers that we survived and perhaps even liked it!  Can you imagine if people took this a step further, and regularly turned the lights off to save energy and be more sustainable.  What a great idea!

Even though I live in the “land of plenty”, I enjoy getting off the consumer bandwagon and learning how to be more satisfied with what I have.  Hopefully you are learning how to be happy and satisfied in this new era of spending less and consuming less, and being grateful for what we have.  Let’s give this a try, we may like it!

I am an avid recycler.  I no longer buy plastic containers if I can help it, and it goes without saying that I no longer buy water.  The expense and the recycling issues are just too grave.  Separation of paper, plastic, and glass is a common occurrence at my house, and I’ve found that my actual non-recyclable trash output is next to nothing.  As a matter of fact, today was trash day in my neighborhood, and I had an empty trash bin.  It felt great to keep my trash can in the garage an extra week.

Yes, some of my friends think I’m crazy for my apparent devotion to recycling.  I’ve made my 80-something year old parents separate their trash and I dispose of it properly for them (the recyclable items, that is).  I use and re-use wrapping paper, plastic bags, and paper.  I reject polite bag offers from local merchants, carrying away my purchases if possible, or bringing my own bags if necessary.

When it comes to recycling, I know people that do more than I do.  I try to incorporate these tips into my life, and I’m interested to know what you’re doing to help diminish our trash footprint.  I hate reading about the Sea of Plastic in our beautiful ocean, and I’d like to know what you’re doing to help us reverse this disturbing trend.

Personally, I have enjoyed the break that the Olympics have offered us.  I usually pay little attention to the Olympics.  Even as a sports enthusiast, I find little that keeps my attention in people taking their life in their hands as a Luger, a Curler, or even a Bobsled expert.  But this year, this time, I have found myself paying more attention to who’s ahead in the medal count, the smiles and tears of pride that surround those on the medal podium.

Perhaps it has something to do with a recent motivational seminar that I attended, where speakers included Colin Powell, Condileeza Rice, and Michael Phelps.  General Powell and Ms. Rice were excellent to hear, as expected.  Michael Phelps was not a dynamic speaker, he didn’t speak, rather he answered questions that were directed at him.  But his determination and devotion to excellence is what stood out for me.  He has been swimming for the better part of his life, training for his Olympic opportunities, doing without some things that most of us take for granted – i.e. birthdays, holidays, days off.  His daily workout regime was ongoing, without let-up until his Olympic participation.

How many of us can even get close to that kind of determination and motivation,  to grab at a carrot that could possibly be years down the road?  That type of daily commitment and mental fortitude is something that should be admired and held as a model for our behavior.  We all long to be passionate about our jobs as well as who we strive to be, but the day-in, day-out  commitment that true Olympians show – that is something to hold in high esteem.

So, as the 2010 Winter Olympics wind down, let us all take a minute to breath in the true nature that Olympians model for us, and stand strong behind their collective commitment to excellence.  Mediocrity is not part of their vocabulary and I strive to remove it from mine.

Let the games continue and never end.  Join me in collectively striving for commitment and excellence.

Sometimes it’s tough to keep everything in perspective, and reading a few blogs, Tweets, columns, and posts, all help me to realize how much I have!

Here’s ways in which I choose to remain grateful and hopeful:

1. Network daily by phone, email, and most of all – in person.  Meet someone for coffee, talk to a solicitor, greet the cashier at your local market and swap stories!   Talking to people enables me to share my knowledge with others and to gleen helpful information from people.  All good stuff.
2. Exercise, exercise, exercise.  Go for a long walk – ya know, use a pedometer and work on the 10,000 steps per day goal.  This helps me to get outta my house and most importantly outta my head.  The endorphins that are released as a result of exercising feel so great and help me feel better.
3. Volunteer my time every week.  I share my knowledge by volunteering my time and it helps me to network (isn’t that #1?).  I teach, train, sit on a board, and try to share what I do and know.  Volunteering usually has some type of payoff – no, not money, but some type of reason to keep track of volunteer hours.
4. Keep learning!  I am currently taking a University of California extension class at no cost.  That’s right – for free!  I volunteer my time  (isn’t that #3?) at the local college, and have accrued enough volunteer hours that I’m able to take a great class at no cost.  I’m updating my skills, learning, and networking, and the price is right!
5. Read a good book!  I admit that at times I get weary of living my life as I know it.  Escaping into a good book from the local library is a great way, again, to get outta my head, and take a great adventure.

I have a lot of other trips and tricks to share, but I wanted to limit this blog post to 5 of my favorite things.  The things I mentioned and do are all at no cost.  The price is right (there’s no excuse for the “I can’t afford it” song).  I already feel better, reminding myself of how much I get done.  What do you do to help yourself stay positive and engaged?  Let’s help each other!