love your nontoxic life

Happy New Year!

>> Friday, January 1, 2010

8 Secret New Year's Resolutions

>> Thursday, December 31, 2009

After Christmas, instead of asking everyone, "How was your Holiday?", I would like to ask, "Did you find what you were looking for?"

This year, I was looking for a little companionship and fun. And to be honest, I didn't really get either.

I have realized that I need more fun and friends in my life. That is why my New Year's Resolution reflects that. I plan on socializing more in 2010. Or how about just socializing at all?

I think this is somewhat the way others determine their New Year's resolution. Every year many get their hopes up. It's called Holiday Spirit. People try to get "into" the meaning of the holiday. Others look to family and to a lesser extent, friends, to fulfill their Holiday Spirit needs.

I believe our secret New Year's Resolutions reflect, what deep down inside, we realized we were missing after the Holiday.

So we move on to improve things. We figure the new year is the answer for what we missed at the holidays.

The following are 8 well-known New Year's Resolutions and their secret counterparts:

1. The most popular not-so-secret New Year's Resolution's is to lose weight. With similar secret resolutions being: to look younger, wear more fashionable clothes, apply make-up more professionally, and of course, have more good hair days.

2. Probably the next most favored resolution is regarding money. Something along the lines of spend less, and/or make more. The connected secret aim is to get a new car, bigger house and more toys.

3. There's the infamous career advancement, which really means I want the boss to like me.

4. Of course, another attractive intention is to have closer relationships, companionship and understanding. These people secretly want love or just better sex.

5. I've also heard a lot about spirituality. People really want inner peace, change, a fresh start/clean slate, less stress, hope, relief, freedom, or just an easier life.

6. Another leading declaration is to be more organized, which translates to having a clean house or just more time in the day.

7. The people who wish to be smarter, declare themselves to want to go back to school.

8. The resolution to quit smoking is sometimes about health, but most often about control.

In my mind there is nothing wrong with trying to improve your life through a resolution, as long as one is committed and can sustain the momentum all year. My 2009 New Year's Resolution was vague, but I think I (barely) managed to sustain it. It was to put more effort into yournontoxiclife. How'd I do?

There may be more to come on the 2010 New Year's Resolution. I may use yournontoxiclife as an online diary of how well I do with making more friends and having more fun. Stay tuned.

Happy New Year!!!

(photo credits: Abigail Silvester, alancleaver_2000, Qfamily, DorkJr)

Running Alone

>> Wednesday, December 23, 2009

On most days, I like to get up before the world and go running. I try to slip out of my house as quietly as possible, lest I hear "Mommy?" and have to be her.

Rather, I like to get out there and have my "alone" time. As I start out, in the dark, though, I often find myself anything but alone. Even at that early hour, there are others. As I run near the main arteries, I am always surprised to see how many people are already rushing to get places.

However this is a different rush than I see if I run in the evening. In the evening, the rush is more plaintive, more acute and people are more likely to make noise: the squeal of tires, squeaking to a stop, and honking out of frustration. There is actually more anger in the evening traffic. Perhaps people have run out of patience by that time in the day. Perhaps people are so close to home that any delay causes a tantrum.

The morning traffic keeps their tension to themselves. However, when they see me on a cold, snowy morning, I can feel their surprise. They are not expecting to see a runner. But I digress.

Running in the early hours gives me my time, but even with the opportunity to be one with my thoughts for 30 minutes, I still find myself trying to connect. I always greet any other runners with a wave a nod. (We have a secret handshake, but it's hard to run and shake at the same time.)

But what I spend most of my time on is: spying.

I spy the yards of my neighbors. I check out the holiday lights that are still blazing at that time. I observe the well kept houses versus the run down houses. I see who's lights are on in what rooms; I know who leaves early for work and who comes home really late.

The thing I am most obsessed with, however, is who has come before me. After a snow, I always notice the foot prints in the snow and am surprised when mine are not the first ones. I mean who could come out before ME? I follow the prints to see if I can determine who the person is. Where did they come from and where are they going? Most importantly, was it a fellow runner?

I used to run on a crowded path, where no matter how early I would get out, I would find myself dodging cyclists and dogs. I wasn't the only runner, either.

I very much like my new running route where I make it as much about other people as I want, which, as it turns out, is very much.

(Photo credits; davidcoxon, ibm4381, _Shward_)

Happy Winter Solstice!

>> Monday, December 21, 2009

(photo credit: ItzaFineDay)

Can I Apply For A Job As A Rich Woman?

>> Friday, December 18, 2009

Here is my application:

Name: Magda Madison
Contact Information: magsmadisonATyahooDOTcom

What experience do you have being rich?

Flew first class to the west coast. I handled myself quite maturely when I realized Bonnie Hunt was seated two rows behind me.

Searched online for Mercedes cars.

Know someone who has a Rolex.

An avid watcher of Santa Barbara.

Experience trying on diamonds.

Cleaned a house in a gated community.

How do you plan on keeping a high profile?

Ok. That's easy, I will make sure to have plastic surgery, eat at Taco Bell and break windows with golf clubs.
I will volunteer for a reality show, where I will go bra-less and adopt some kids from another country.
I will change my name at least twice, change my hair at least weekly and only wear red--it will be my trademark.
During slow times, I will be prepared to go commando.

What causes will you champion?