Perfectionism is not a Virtue: by The FlyLady, Marla Cilley
When we least expect it, perfectionism reaches out and knocks us in the head. It keeps us from following our heartÕs desire and stops us dead in our tracks. Perfectionism triggers procrastination. This is when we tell ourselves we donÕt have time to do it right so we do nothing. We have all suffered with this affliction.
We all have had dreams and those dreams were tossed aside because we told ourselves that we would never be good enough to accomplish this. Those words were heard coming out of other peopleÕs mouths at first and then we began to parrot them. We do not have to listen to those negative words any longer. It is time that we quieted those voices and replaced them with loving words of encouragement.
Loving yourself is about building yourself up and not shutting your creativeness down. All our lives we were chastised for being spontaneous and a dreamer. We have the ability in ourselves to follow our dreams if we will quit listening to the perfectionism that lurks in those negative voices that haunt us. We have a gift to give the world. It is a gift of creativity and making that gift is filled with joy.
Do you remember as a child doing something for your mother and spending hours working on it? When you were conceiving the idea, putting your secret plan into action and then presenting the gift, you were filled with great joy. You never expected to have your little dreams dashed by a perfectionist mother who only found the flaws in your work.
After that our little hearts only heard those voices. Our minds recreated them and keep on perpetuating that abuse with everything we thought about doing. It didnÕt take long for those words to be part of our daily thrashing. I know that this is hard to think about, but when we look at what happened in our childhood and forgive those who hurt us, we can begin our journey toward our dreams.
Those dreams have been force down so far in our minds that we can hardly remember them. As you begin to quiet those voices you will start finding them again. Loving yourself is about recognizing when you hear those voices and putting a stop to them. You are wondering just how do I do this. This is what we loving refer to as FLY Washing.
When you hear yourself say a negative statement in your mind or even out loud, I want you to turn that statement around and put a positive spin on it. Then say it back to yourself seven times. For example, I will never get anything accomplished, I get so sidetracked. Turn that around to say, I am a creative person and I have great ideas. I can learn how to be organized it takes babysteps!
Today as you follow your parade of daily adventures be aware of the conversations you are having with yourself. Recognize the harsh ones and gently turn them into a loving positive affirmation. This is what FLYing is all about!
Finally Loving Yourself is the gift you give the world!
For more help getting rid of your CHAOS; check out her website and join her free mentoring group at www.FlyLady.net or her book, Sink Reflections published by Bantam and her new book, Body Clutter. Copyright 2006 Marla Cilley Used by permission in this publication.
Life in the Kitchen by The Dinner Diva, Leanne Ely
Those of you who are old enough, remember going through Home Ec in junior high and high school. I remember hating the class the cooking was boring, the recipes were gross, my sewing was horrid (and still is). However, the one thing I did like about the class was that I learned that cooking is about some very basic principles: when followed, you get a good result, when you donÕt follow them, you donÕt.
BUT not all the time! There are times when you can fly by the seat of your pants and improvise as you go. And isnÕt that exactly what LIFE is all about? There are foundational principles for making a quality life happen.
I remember when I was experimenting when I was younger with cooking and everything was over spiced or the wrong seasonings were used. But I learned as I went that a little thyme in beef stew made for a much more delicious end result; that when you crush rosemary with your fingers before adding it to the dish youÕre making, you will help release its flavor.
My cooking improved with experience, education (mostly self-education) and trial and error. I learned the basics first; then put my own spin on things. As a result, I won a cooking contest, became a food editor for a newspaper, have written 4 cookbooks (so far), and now this weekly column, which goes out to hundreds of newspapers nationwide. Who knew?
This is the very essence of life: it all boils down to a few foundational principles and making them your own. ThatÕs what I love about cooking and thatÕs what I love about life: it might look different at your house than it does mine, but look at what our lives can become when weÕre willing to take some baby steps in the right direction!
The recipe for life comes through principled living. And once you understand how those keys unlock your life, you will find your own unique set of ingredients. These are the spices of life!
Remember this: when you put ACTIVE yeast into a lump of dough, it will rise!
You have the tools to cook in the kitchen of life and get busy. You also have the tools to cook on your own stove, so while youÕre working on the quality of your life, try my most often requested recipe, Garlic Lime Chicken in your own kitchen:
Garlic Lime Chicken
Serves 6
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (can eliminate if too spicy for you)
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon thyme
6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup chicken broth
4 tablespoons lime juice
In a bowl, mix together first 7 ingredients. Sprinkle mixture on both sides of chicken breasts.
In a skillet heat butter and olive oil together over medium high heat. Saute chicken until golden brown, about 5 minutes on each side. Remove chicken and add lime juice and chicken broth to the pan, whisking up the browned bits off the bottom of the pan. Keep cooking until sauce has reduced slightly. Add chicken back to the pan to thoroughly coat and serve with remaining sauce drizzled over the top.
Per Serving: 343 Calories; 11g Fat (31.1% calories from fat); 55g Protein; 2g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 147mg Cholesterol; 612mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 7 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 Fruit; 1 1/2 Fat.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Steamed broccoli, baked potatoes and steamed baby carrots.
VEGETARIANS: This recipe works very well with Boca Chikin patties. Cooking time is less.
For more help putting dinner on your table check out her website ). www.SavingDinner.com or her Saving Dinner Book series published by Ballantine and her new book Body Clutter. Copyright 2006; Leanne Ely Used by permission in this publication.
