KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid!

I've been thinking for days about my word to add, and there are so many that fit right in.  What word could I use to make me sound smart?  What word could I use to make me sound worldly?  What word could I use to make me sound hip?

Did you know:

Squirreled is the longest one syllable word?

Strengths is the longest word with just a single vowel?

Rhythms is the longest word with 5 vowels?

As I was doing what I normally do, over thinking things, I was reminded of my Dad's "KISS" method.

Keep It Simple Stupid.

So my word is simple, simplify, simplification.

Life is complicated, why make it even worse with more complication?



I read about Occam's Razor - a basic principle that states among competing hypotheses, the one that makes the fewest assumptions should be selected.  In other words, the answer is usually right there, staring you in the face while you're busy running around the bush looking for something else.  And the fewer the assumptions - the better.

So I plan this year to simplify - to clear out the clutter that occupies my mind, my closets, my cosmetic case, my training gear, my wallet.  I am going to be simple in what I say and what I do - with the constant barrage of content on the internet that makes us say, "That's not a real kitty...." or "That's a hoax," wouldn't it be nice to not have to question?

I always say that what I admired most of my Dad was that he was a simple man, it didn't take much to make him happy because he eliminated all the complications and stuck to what was important to him.  Family, friends, Faith and doing what you want to do, not what others tell you that you should be doing.

So as I move into my simple phase, maybe I'll even go organic - have you priced all the organic Prosecco Wines?  But there I go complicating it again.

Simple - a short, uncomplicated word - a goal that will make the journey as much fun as the destination.

What's one way you can simplify in your life?

Seriously, looking serious!

Here I am looking serious.

Seriously.

My butt has not left this chair,

except to run 11 miles.

Oh, and when the bug fell off the ceiling into my lap.

I may be stationary but my mind is going a million miles a minute.

Some I could share with you

But I'll reserve all the fun for myself.

Unconditional Love

Wet nose, warm heart

Unconditional love and an occasional crap in the house.

How did this little ball of fluff wheedle its way into my heart?

You were supposed to be for the kids

Now you give me this pathetic look

so I'll pet you.

It works every time.

After I clean the crap from the floor.......

Ego Check

A day like today makes you feel alive.

Fresh snow under the feet, the sun high in the bluebird sky.

You take your run down the mountain, feeling the wind, 
feeling invincible

until

you hit that patch of ice

Your board flies out from under you,
leaving you on your back 

looking up at that bluebird sky

wondering

what happened?

That's what is called an "ego check."

Why Don't you LIKE me?

Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in stats.

How many people liked what I wrote.  Did anyone share it?

Why don't they like this, it's pretty hilarious to me.

I can get many positive comments, why am I holding onto the negative ones?

Then I read a quote this morning that makes a lot of sense, "Write like an orphan."

Write what I need to say, and don't agonize over the notifications.

Don't get bogged down by stats that look like you are falling off a cliff on the number of hits.

Create what I need to create, say what I need to say.

Don't read the reviews, don't analyze the comments.

Put it out there.

Move On.

There's better things to do.

Draw Backs to Cyber Banking......

Do you feel as strange as I do when talking to a computer screen?

It feels so impersonal, a little discombobulating because their background is not where you are but there face is present. I used to make faces at the camera when I went to the ATM machine, now smile like a fool at a computer screen showing me pictures of happy bankers.

Do you sometimes feel that for the sake of convenience, we are losing personal contact with people?

Sometimes all you really want to feel is the warmth of a handshake, or the gentle pressure of a hug.

Not a computer screen that then cuts over to a very nice graphic with a recording of, "Thank you for your business."

From heaven...

I was taking down my tree, and this ornament fell right into my hand.

Sent by mail after my mother died, with a note written by her hand.

"I'll always be with you."  Simple words.

Is it a sign, that she is there, watching?

Because sometimes, I get a little sad thinking

"Man, it sure will be a long time before I get to see her or my Dad again."

At least the signs are there, 

that they are watching.

Some comfort on a winter's day.

Do you see signs too?