#105: The Best Gifts. Ever. (Friday, December 26)

Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, screaming "Shit, what a ride!!" -Unknown

We've come to the last post of 2008 which is also the final post with our 2008 theme, "Enjoy Life." As we go into our third year of Good Friday, and considering that this is the season of gift-giving, I thought it would be appropriate to mention some of the best gifts I got this year.

Life: I know, it sounds cheesy and cliche, but it's really one of the best gifts we've been given, and the best gift we can give in return is to really enjoy it. Many of us, myself included, lost loved ones this year--as a matter of fact, I almost lost another friend Christmas morning who was in a terrible accident, but managed to walk away unscathed. Life is unpredictable, but what's better than a gift that is dynamic and unexpected.

Friendship: I know a lot of people, but I have few friends--people that truly know me, understand me and accept me with all my flaws. It's a gift to find those people with whom you connect and have relationships that transcend distance and time. How many people have friends who would fly thousands of miles, in a snowstorm, to surprise them for a birthday? I'm happy to say I do. I always say that I have enough friends, but I met really amazing people this year, and I know some of them will be lifelong friends, so that is yet another unexpected gift.

Growth: This was an amazing year of growth for me. I finally closed the door on an emotionally destructive relationship; I realized that sometimes it's ok to not be in control and to always be the responsible, practical, reasonable one; I realized that sometimes blood is not thicker than water, and sometimes the strongest bonds are formed in the most unlikely places; and I'm learning to be more vocal about my feelings. I know quite a few people who are stagnant, and who have bad habits that they aren't even trying to break, so to get the opportunity to learn and develop is yet another amazing gift.

I hope the gifts you got this year were as awesome as mine! Have a safe and happy new year!

#104: The Best & Worst of 2008 (Friday, December 19)

My closest friends and I have an annual tradition, which I've shared with my Good Friday readers for the past couple of years.

Every year, toward the end of the year, we all go around and say what our best and worst of the year was. People usually remember the terrible things that happened to them, so it's an opportunity to balance out the memories.

Besides just posting this Good Friday blog, I also have an email distribution list of 87 of my closest friends, who get a personal email from me each week. My goal is to reach out to every single person on my distribution list and find out their best and worst. Should be a piece a cake. LOL.

Take a few minutes to think about your best and worst moments of 2008...hopefully your bests will outweigh your worsts.

#103: Make A Difference (Friday, December 12)

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

This week I got two lovely surprises, one of which I count among my proudest moments of the year.

The first was an unexpected award "Make A Difference" award, which I received from the African Heritage Network at my company. When I sat down at the meeting (which was attended by many of the top Black executives at my company) and saw my name in the program, it completely took me by surprise! For one, I'd proofed and edited the program and the list of awardees (from which my name was slyly omitted for the purposes of my proofing). Secondly, I'd only been helping out because it was something I ENJOYED, not because of a sense of obligation. I really liked helping...it was fulfilling.

The second was a sentence in a speech and is one of my greatest accomplishments this year. I mentor with StreetWise Partners, a job-readiness program that teaches adults from underserved, low-income communities the skills they need to be successful in Corporate America. I mentor a young woman in the Young Adult program. One of the things that struck me when I first started mentoring was the lack of minority mentors (most of the mentees were either Black or Hispanic), so although things got hectic at work and there were days when I had to go to the program until 9 then head back to work, I decided that no matter what, I wouldn't quit. Last week was the final week before graduation, and each of the mentees had to deliver a presentation about their future plans. One of the mentees (who I personally think will be famous one day because he is SO driven) gave his presentation and made a joke, which could have been offensive to a certain group (none of whom were in the room).

After the presentations, I pulled him aside just to tell him to be careful of those jokes in the future (and to tell him not to wear an earring with his business suit). LOL. He listened, but I didn't feel like what I'd said resonated with him, until this week at the graduation ceremony. He gave his speech, and at the end gave me a special acknowledgement. "I'd just like to thank you for last week. You gave me some advice that will stay with me the rest of my life. Thank you for pulling me aside and sharing that with me." I was blown away. To be told that you have made an impact on someone that will stay with them for life is really an overwhelming thing.

I'm glad I made a difference, and he has unknowingly made a difference in my life as well. I will never forget how that one sentence made me feel.

#102: Enjoying Life...In Spite of It All (Friday, December 5)

This week was a challenging one; a few colleagues (including one whom I'd worked directly with and who was the first person to take me to lunch and talk about the business with me) got laid off. Add to that some family troubles, my last office plant finally giving up and coming down with a sinus infection and it's just a recipe for a bad week.

But in spite of it all, I'm still determined to be cheerful and happy, so I thought of a way I could get some enjoyment out of this week and cheer up some other people who I know are also having a difficult time this week. And that's when I came up with the Museum Crawl, a day of museum (and other) activities to lighten the mood and uplift the spirit...at least that's what museums do for me. :)

If you're in New York, you're invited. If you're not...organize your own. Or, think of some other activity that doesn't cost a lot but can uplift the spirit of those around you.

Enjoy life...in spite of it all!

#101: Congratulations On Your Wealth! (Friday, November 28)

Wealth is the ability to fully experience life - Henry David Thoreau

Congratulations, you are wealthier than you could have ever imagined:

You have people who love you and have your best interests at heart.
You have a warm bed to sleep in.
You went to bed with a full stomach last night, and had your choice of meals today.
You have access to education, one of the best means to improve yourself.
You are healthy, and even if you have a few ailments, it is nothing life threatening.
You have more than one pair of shoes, and outfits for every occasion.
You didn't have to dodge bullets, bombs or missiles in the daily course of your life.
You are free to think creatively, passionately without fear of reprisal.
You can choose.
You can dream, and have the means to make those dreams come true.

You are wealthier than you ever imagined...

#100: Don't Worry About Things You Can't Control (Friday, November 21)

Some of my friends think I've lost my mind. I work for one of the largest financial companies in the world.

In the last couple of weeks, things have taken a drastic turn, and I'm faced with a possible job loss and seen a part of last year's bonus decline to almost nothing.

But I still go into work with a smile on my face. I still answer my phone as cheerful as ever. And even though I,ve packed up all of my personal belongings and am shuttlin them home bit by bit (Marketing is always the first to go) I encourage people to be positive. "I think she's lost it," I overheard one of my coworkers tell another after I'd left the pantry. "Some people just don't handle stress well."

I'm actually not stressed at all, because I'm not worried. Why worry about things that are beyond my control? The fate of my job is really in the hands of the people who own the company's stock, who use its services and are patrons of its bank. Basically, yawl. LOL.

So I continue to live my life. I still plan to have my birthday party, because years from now when things get better, I don't want to regret not celebrating my 30th birthday.

But something struck me today. I got a quote that said, "Sometimes not getting what you want may be the best gift you could have gotten." Had I gotten the promotion I wanted, I'd probably be placed in the difficult position of having to let people go or deciding who should go. A gift indeed.:)

For those of you worried about your jobs, it is wasted energy. You have people who love and care about you and you will not starve. Live your life and trust that things will work out in your favor.

#99: 15 Things You Should Know How To Do (Friday, November 14)

I used to love the show McGyver. No matter what situation he found himself in, he always had a trick to get out. McGyver most of us are not. LOL. But there are certain basic life skills that we all should know. Life is unpredictable; you never know when you'll need one of these...

1. Read a map/use a compass: To get where you’re going, you need to know where you are.

2. Swim: The earth is more than 70% water; there really is no excuse

3. Save a life: Do you know what to do if someone’s choking? Can’t breathe? Is losing a lot of blood? Basic first aid and CPR skills are essential

4. Operate a computer: You don’t need to be Bill Gates, but it’s a mandatory skill for our times.

5. Negotiate: Whether it’s your salary, a cheaper rate on your credit cards, or a lower price, there is nothing wrong with asking.

6. The laws where you live: “Ignorance of the law is no excuse.” Know your rights…it could save you a trip to jail.

7. Operate a car: This includes basic things like changing the tire, the oil and putting gas in it.

8. Give a speech: Most people are terrified of speaking in front of a large audience, but you never know when that skill may lead to a valuable opportunity.

9. Deliver bad news: It’s a morbid thought, I know…but someone has to do it, and it will probably be you at least once in your life.

10. Speak another language: This is gonna shock you, but only 25% of the world’s population speaks English. Why limit yourself by only interacting with English-speaking people all your life?

11. Listen: It’s sounds simple enough, but not many people know how to do it well.

12. Promote yourself: Most of the people I surround myself with are humble, and don’t like to brag. But if no one knows how great you are, how can they consider you for the next big opportunity?

13. Save: We live in an “immediate gratification” society. Alas, there are many people who, if they lost their jobs today, wouldn’t have enough to pay their bills for the next month.

14. Remember names: Don’t cop out and blame it on a bad memory; all it takes is a little effort and listening.

15. Cook: You don’t need to be Top Chef, but you should know at least the basics…like a soufflé. LOL.

#98: Be You (Friday, November 7)

I am in some way eternal, I will never be duplicated. The singularity of every man and woman is Jah's gift. What we struggle to make of it is our sole gift to Jah. - Bob Marley

Sometimes I can be moody; I'm not good at returning phone calls, but if any of my friends need me, I'm there in heartbeat; sometimes I'm too objective and I'm usually trying to find the good in people; I get easily annoyed; and I hold the people I love to very high expectations. I have my faults, but those who love me also love those imperfections because that's what makes me...well, me.

At any given moment, there are millions of people in the world pretending to be someone (or something) they are not. Whether it's by omission or false representation, there are those who just don't think their authentic personalities are great enough to be their true reflection in the world, which is a very unfortunate thing. Whenever someone underestimates their worth or thinks they have to be other than what they are to be accepted and fit in, it makes me very sad.

There are over 1000 people with my name in the U.S. alone. Yet that doesn't affect my perception of who I am. The greatest gift you can give the world is to be you. Not what people think you should be, what they expect you to be, or what you think it's cool to be. You bring something to this earth that no other living thing (and there's trillions of them!) can. Celebrate your uniqueness by keeping it authentic and being true to who you are.

#97: Food For Thought (Friday, October 31)

Some statistics: 

• To end world hunger would cost $30 billion a year -- the same amount that was spent last December to buy gifts
  
• A mother dies every minute because there is no doctor, nurse or midwife by her side. The amount that US consumers spend on bottled water each year would be enough to pay for 700,000 midwives that could end this strategy.
  
• $11 billion dollars could cover the cost of implementing universal primary education, half of what Americans spent on ice cream last year.
  
• Every 5 seconds, a child dies from poverty. The $50 billion China spent preparing for the Olympics could help save these children.
  

You're probably wondering what this has to do with you. You've worked hard for your money and you should be able to enjoy it, right? That's true, but by making small lifestyle adjustments, you can make a difference:

For the cost of a few bottles of water or a drink at the club, you can feed a hungry person right in your neighborhood, or  protect a family from malaria for up to four years (www.nothingbutnets.net).

Purchasing fair trade products helps to ensure that farmers in developing countries can earn enough to lift themselves out of poverty (www.transfairusa.org)

Our actions do impact the lives of others.

#96: Spot Check (Friday, October 24)

There are nine Fridays left in the year. Nine more opportunities to accomplish the things you'd planned to do at the beginning of the year. Where are you on that list? Did you start out the way you hoped, then slowly fall off? Did find reasons why you couldn't do the things you planned? Well, you have nine more chances to catch up.

Ask yourself a few questions:
- What did I do this year that made me happy?
- Who did I meet that changed my life (made it better or worse)?
- What's the one thing I wanted to do this year that I haven't done?
- Why haven't I done it?
- How can I make the next 9 weeks fantastic?

This is your spot check...there will be a quiz on December 28! LOL.

#95: What Have You Done With Your Dash? (Friday, October 17)

A few weeks ago, two of my dear friends lost their mothers within a few days of each other. I recently had the chance to speak with both of them and although they don't know each other, their advice was pretty much the same:

"We stress and worry over a lot of unimportant things, many of which won't matter a day, a week, a month from now. What's important is what you do with the time you're here."

The dash between your birth year and the year you leave this earth is entirely up to you. The catch is, you never know whether you're midway through the dash, or somewhere towards the end, so it's important to make the most of every moment. Be happy, be kind and live it up. Make your dash count!

P.S. Here's how to avoid sweating the small stuff that doesn't matter: Ask yourself two questions: "Can I do anything about this problem?" and "Will this matter next week?" If your answer to any of these questions is "No", put it out of your mind and move on.

P.S.S. I didn't come up with the brilliant idea of the dash on my own. There's actually a book about making the most of your dash. I just can't remember what it's called, or who wrote it.

#94: Moving Mountains (Friday, October 10)

There is an old saying, "Faith can move mountains." I think it can be used with trust as well. A relationship -- whether it be a friendship, business partnership or romantic relationship -- without trust is one that is on rocky ground and doomed to fail. Trust is the foundation on which all human interactions are built.

Even the strength of our economy is based on trust: the value that money has is simply because we have confidence and trust that when we give someone that piece of paper, it has value. Without our trust in the value of the paper we use as money, it would be worthless. The current market conditions are a result of lack of consumer trust...and fear.

Even in these difficult times when everyone is worried about their jobs, and trying to make ends meet, it's still important to trust that things will get better. Despair, fear and panic will only make things worse. Your role in stimulating the economy is important. Trust that everything that happens is part of a larger plan, and things will always work out...even when you don't see a viable solution.

Be patient, be positive, and don't stop living. Be prudent with your spending choices, but don't let it stop you from making the most of the time you have here. Remember, you can't live your life based on a the value of a dollar.

#93: Preserving the Memories (Friday, October 3)

This image was on the side of a NYC tour bus. I saw it as I was leaving work tonight. I couldn't capture the entire bus, because I was using my phone. But I'm sure you get the point. LOL.

I love taking pictures. Most of my friends can attest to being caught in an unflattering pose or two once I have a camera in my hand. LOL. It's partly because I only have about 7 childhood pictures (my older siblings have even less, so I'm not complaining), but there's a more important reason: I like to think that by taking pictures, I'm helping my friends and loved ones preserve a memory of a certain event, and that long after we're gone, the images will be there for generations to come.

This past summer, it didn't feel like I did much; but I recently went through and looked at all the pictures and realized what an amazing summer it had been. I saw the Murakami exhibit; roadtripped to Philly with someone I'd only met the day before (who ended up also being my travel partner to Brazil); met so many new people; saw my first baseball game live; watched a historic US Open match with two African-American male players; reconnected with an old friend; saw Stevie Wonder live; ate an authentic German meal; helped make history at Habitat for Humanity; roadtripped to DC for carnival; danced my Sunday away at Ft. Greene Park; spent my Labor Day Saturday feeding the homeless; relaxed upstate...and those are just the events I have pictures for!

I also had two major milestones this summer that are just as important even though there are no pictures: I conquered my fear of drowning by going white water rafting, and went after a longtime dream of becoming a firefighter.

I lost my camera during my trip to Brazil, and although I was upset for the first day after it happened, I'm over it now. I'll get another one and continue to take pictures and preserve the memories.

#92: Listening and Learning from Others (Friday, September 26)

This has been a very informative week for me. Aside from learning about the culture of Brazil, I´ve met wonderful people and learned a lot from them as well.

As a writer, I think I´m trained to be observant and to really listen to what people say underneath the surface. I hope my friends can say the same. However, I also think that the American culture is one that veers toward surface listening - i.e. not really taking the time to listen.

I become even more conscious of this when I travel and there is a language barrier. Even though I don´t speak Portugese, I seem to be getting by very well and I really chalk that up to listening. I hope that more people will take the time to listen. You never know what you´ll learn.

#91: 10 Ways to Make Your World A Better Place (Friday, September 19)

This entry comes to you from Ipanema beach in Rio, and is a combination of the Salvation Army's newsletter and my own input:

1. Associate with people who are different. When I first met the woman who I'm now traveling Brazil with, I had no idea that we'd become friends. It didn't seem like we had much in common. And now that I know her, we don't. But we get along like a house on fire.

2. Live simply so that others can simply live. You don't need much to survive, just friends, family and #7 and #9 on this list.

3. Forgive. Holding on to things causes bad skin. LOL. Just kidding, but it really doesn't benefit you.

4. Travel nice. Be friendly to the people you meet in your travels, and always respect the culture of the place you're traveling to.

5. Be aware of your bad moods. And just try to stay clear of others when you're in them.

6. For every negative thing you say or think, balance it out with 6 positive messages.

7. Love.

8. Live.

9. Laugh.

10. Practice reciprocity. Do unto others...

#90: The Power of Words (Friday, September 12)

Earlier this week, I read a quote that resonated with me. I thought I'd share it for this week's Good Friday idea:

I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances. -Martha Washington

The bottom line: We cannot determine the situations in which we find ourselves, but we can determine how we react in those situations. :)

#89: Do What You Love (Friday, September 5)

Sometimes fate puts people in your life and you don't even know why. When I signed up for the Habitat for Humanity build, I did so with 3 other friends. Unfortunately, two couldn't make it at the last minute, so we had to join a team of two other people, one of whom was a guy named Brandon. He was outgoing and funny and had me in good spirits through the entire build. I knew that we'd become very good friends, but as luck would have it, I didn't get the chance to really know him (or see him again, for that matter), because he left NY two weeks after the build.

He left his family, friends, a great job and everything he knew to go travel the world. And he didn't even really know why he was doing it, just that he had to. Sounds crazy, right? Yet, I was very inspired by the few brief conversations we had about his leaving. He was one of the catalysts in me booking (my now foiled) trip to Thailand, and had a little bit to do with Brazil as well.

Since he's gone, he's had some amazing experiences, and has been kind enough to document them. I can't wait to see what he does next. Brandon is doing what he loves, and has inspired me to do the same...I'm already looking for my next destination after Brazil with plans for Japan in summer '09. :)

Are you doing what you love?

#88: Self-Denial Isn't Good For The Soul (Friday, August 29)

Ever since I was 25, my dream was to go to Brazil for carnival before my 30th birthday. I don't know why it was Brazil -- I didn't have any Brazilian friends -- but I read an article about Salvador, and I was hooked. Since then, every year friends would ask what I wanted for my birthday. "Just be there with me in 2008 for carnival," I would respond.

I started sending out reminders in 2006. One of my dearest friends couldn't make it; she was moving to Trinidad. Others had family and work commitments, but a few confirmed. Then in April 2007, I finally started making plans: this was what I'd been waiting for. Alas it wasn't to be: the friends who had confirmed could no longer go. I was devastated. I tried to console myself with the thought that it wouldn't be the same without people I loved around me. It worked for about a month, then the longing came back.

I ignored it; I'd heard that Brazil wasn't safe for a single woman, so going alone wasn't an option. I made plans for trips to other countries and convinced myself that it wasn't meant to be. Then last week I was at work, and a thought popped into my head: "What if you don't make it to your 30th birthday?" Morbid, I know, but it made me realize that although I didn't make it there for carnival before my 30th birthday, I could still make it there. I got online and booked my flight within 10 minutes, with no place to stay, no itinerary, and without knowing a word of Portuguese.

So in a little over two weeks I leave for Brazil, and because I took the first step, I also have a friend coming along. I'm excited to be sharing one of my big dreams with her. All these years, I was planning for an event that I could have done back when I was 25. But thankfully I'm doing it now.

What have you been denying yourself that could potentially increase your enjoyment of life?

#87: Give It Up (Friday, August 22)

Someone once said, "In order to get anything, you have to give everything." It's so true. One of the best things you can do is to give away something that you no longer need. It really brings you a sense of well-being. This week, I found some sites (some of which you probably already know about) where you can give away (or swap) things you no longer need.

Check 'em out and start giving. Chances are you have a lot of stuff in your house or apartment that someone else could use.

Freecycle - Just type in your city to locate the freecycle group near you. I'm a proud member of the Brooklyn Freecycle, in case you were wondering.

Giving Away - Same concept as Freecycle

Swap Style - You can swap clothes, books, DVDs, jewelry, cell phones and other items with someone who has something that you need.

Start uploading and start giving...you'll enjoy it, I promise.

#86: Don't Let It Rain On Your Parade (Friday, August 15)

So as you all know, the Good Friday theme for this year is "Enjoy Life".

This past week, with the terrible weather we've been having, many people canceled plans and opted to stay indoors instead.

Today, a friend and I had made plans to go to dinner, but after reading the weather report, those plans became tentative. At 6:00 the skies which had been blue and sunny for most of the day had turned black, and there were mutterings of an impending tornado.

I decided that the summer was way too short to let the weather spoil my plans. "Don't let it rain on our parade," I told my friend. We agreed to press on.

The result: a fantastic Australian meal at Bondi Road, plans to return for Shark Attack Sundays, and some of the friendliest waitstaff we'd ever encountered in NYC. All in all, a spectacular evening.

The Moral: Oftentimes, we let inclement weather spoil our plans and cheat ourselves out of an amazing experience. It is, after all, only water, so don't let it rain on your parade.

The show must go on...

#85: Patient Man Ride Donkey (Friday, August 8)

In Jamaica, we have a saying, "Patient man ride donkey", which means that only a patient person can ride a donkey. They are stubborn animals who won't budge until they are good and ready, no matter how much you weep or plead.

Earlier this week, I saw first-hand what a little patience can do. A friend of mine had been dealing with a toxic situation for more than a year. Many people (including me) gave her advice on how she should handle it, but being the trusting person she is, she didn't take any of it. She just wanted to believe that in essence, people were good, and things would work themselves out. But they got worse, and I got pretty ticked off that she wasn't listening to anyone's advice and was just waiting for things to sort themselves out.

It took over a year, but the situation finally resolved itself. She was so happy that she "went to 5:30 mass, and lit two candles for St. Jude..." (St. Jude is the patron saint of hopeless cases, for the religiously-challenged.) LOL.

Granted, I don't think I could wait a year for something so oppressing to resolve itself, but she taught me a little lesson about being patient. And something I was reading just last night reinforced it even further:

"Patience gives us time to reflect, to actually enjoy our life without rushing around chasing our tails and accomplishing nothing but stress-related illnesses. With patience also comes a space for inspiration, that ah ha moment when we know what the next step is for us to move closer to our dreams. This can only be heard when we are still and quiet long enough to listen..."

It's a good thing I'd already absorbed the message last night. I had my mid-year review today and just found out that I will likely not get the promotion I've been working towards all year. LOL.

#84: Life Lessons (Friday, August 1)

Life is learning. It's by learning that we either advance or keep repeating the same mistakes. I learned quite a few things this week. Allow me to share them with you:

- I learned that even in death you can celebrate. I attended a wake earlier this week where they had an awards show. Many family and friends accepted awards on the deceased's behalf and celebrated her life. It was an occasion to behold.

- I learned that, ironically, Locks of Love doesn't accept locks. LOL.

- I learned that in a true friendship, no matter how much time has passed since you've last seen each other, it'll never be awkward.

- I learned that in NYC, you can't purchase a co-op apartment unless you're a US citizen. LMAO.

- And I learned that when people say "you're the best thing since sliced bread" they don't actually mean it because 1) Very few people really know when slice bread was "invented" and 2) because there are many things I know were recently invented that are WAY better than sliced bread. Here are just a few of them: tampons, strapless bras, laser eye surgery, mutual funds, depilatory creams, invisible deodorant, thongs, that eyelash curling thingumajiggy...well you get the idea.

LOL.

This entry brought to you by the Enjoy Life Committee. We hope it made you smile today.

Carpe Diem before global warming gets us all!

Why Do You Do It? (Friday, July 25)

I was having a conversation with a friend of mine the other day about my Good Friday blog. She wanted to know why, after a year, I was still doing this every Friday. Besides, she added, no one was really reading it anymore what with summer, people's busy schedule and everything else.

I didn't even have to think about it. I continue, because I enjoy writing my Good Fridays. I like to think that there's this one little place that someone can log onto and get a nice burst of positive, uplifting energy to get them through their day. I like to think that even though no one reads every single entry, there are a few that resound with at least one person who will be forever changed after reading it.  And frankly, it's therapeutic for me as well. Sometimes I go back through the archives and just get some inspiration when I'm having a bad day.

Why do I still do it? Because it makes me happy! :)

#81: Inspiration From Unexpected Sources (Friday, July 18)

This week I have a story:

So I got a new boss...who just happens to be a micromanager and has absolutely no clue what it is that I do. Since last week she has been sorely trying my patience (and apparently the patience of everyone in our department). LOL.  Each day, I've had to listen to at least two people complain about something she'd done, which only served to increase my annoyance and distract me.

On the day when my irritation reached it's pinnacle and I'd snapped at an unsuspecting coworker who'd done nothing to me, I finally decided to lock myself in a conference room just so I'd be able to get some work done. Ten minutes later, I got a random email from a friend of mine. It was an article about having faith, written by an executive at Merrill Lynch.  

That same evening, I came home and the wind had knocked down a picture frame and some books from my bookshelf. One of the books was The Four Agreements, which was given to me by one of my dearest friends. I re-read the four  agreements:

Be impeccable with your word; 

Don't take anything personally; 

Don't make assumptions; and 

Always do your best

and immediately resolved to approach my work situation with a different attitude the next day.

The Moral: Sometimes when your enjoyment of life becomes challenging, inspiration can come from the most unexpected places.

#80: The Flavor of the Month (Friday, July 11)

It's no secret how much I love to eat and travel to new places. Alas, I don't have the budget (or the vacation time) to do as much of the latter as I like, so I came up with a wonderful compromise.

The Idea: Try a different cuisine every month. There are hundreds of countries in the world, each with their own special seasonings and sauces, why not try them all?

The Cost: The price of the meal.

The Benefit: You're enriching your palate, learning about the other cultures (which I spoke about on a Good Friday last year) and hopefully getting some culinary inspiration.

Testimonial: First Flavor of the month? German, in honor of my late dear Uncle Pete. Zum Schneider's in LES is the place of choice and I'll be going next week. If you are in NY and want to go, just shoot me an email!

#80: The Flavor of the Month (Friday, July 11)

It's no secret how much I love to eat and travel to new places. Alas, I don't have the budget (or the vacation time) to do as much of the latter as I like, so I came up with a wonderful compromise.

The Idea: Try a different cuisine every month. There are hundreds of countries in the world, each with their own special seasonings and sauces, why not try them all?

The Cost: The price of the meal.

The Benefit: You're enriching your palate, learning about the other cultures (which I spoke about on a Good Friday last year) and hopefully getting some culinary inspiration.

Testimonial: First Flavor of the month? German, in honor of my late dear Uncle Pete. Zum Schneider's in LES is the place of choice and I'll be going next week. If you are in NY and want to go, just shoot me an email!

#79: More Than Just A "Face" (Friday, July 4)

How well do you know the people on your Facebook friends list? Do you know their favorite color? Or the snack they like to eat when they go to the movies? How about the song that puts them in a good mood? There are people on my Facebook friends list who I have no clue who they are and have never spoken to them, other than adding them (they were friends of friends). There are people on my Good Friday email distribution list whom I've never met in person, but have such great energy online that I know we'll be friends once we do meet (shouts to DD in Toronto, DL in Baltimore and LR in Cali!!).

The other day when I was in my funk 2 of the folks in the latter group actually took the time out to reach out to me and offer some words of encouragement. It made me ashamed that I had not made more of an effort to connect with these two women, despite communicating with them via email for almost 2 years!

The Idea: Spend this weekend really meeting at least one new person or establishing a valid connection with someone you've already met. When I say really meeting, I mean talk about more than the weather, politics or what they do for a living.

The Cost: Just some of your time.

The Benefit: Sometimes it is our connection with others that gives us the most enjoyment out of life.

Enjoy life!

#78: Just Accept It (Friday, June 27)

Ok, I'm back. Last week wasn't such a great week, but it's over and I've moved on. One of the reasons last week was so bad (and one of the things that sometimes prevents me from enjoying life the way I should) is that I'm really hard on myself. I hold myself to an invisible standard, and if I fall short, I spend more time beating myself up than appreciating the experience.

The Idea: Accept yourself without judgement. Your flaws, successes, failures, joys and sorrows are what makes you who you are. And believe it or not, even with your imperfections, everything is as it should be. I'm in my 29th year and it's a lesson I'm still learning.

The Cost: A little soul searching.

The Benefit: Your ability to enjoy life begins with you. Until you can fully accept your idiosyncrasies and "isms" the enjoyment you can get out of life is compromised.

Testimonial: A recent shoulder injury has curtailed my training for the FDNY. It was something I really, really wanted to do, and although I was feeling a little discouraged before the injury. I was still devastated that something outside of my control had taken away my opportunity. Instead of celebrating the fact that I was the only woman in my training and had kept up with the boys for a month, I focused on the things that I hadn't accomplished. Now I'm accepting that I gave it all I had and I tried my best. :)

#77: Take A Moment (Friday, June 20)

This was a bad week (yes, believe it or not, I have them). It seemed like unfortunate things came from every angle. In comparison to what other people are going through, it could have been worse -- much worse, I suppose -- but by this morning, I felt defeated. Family life, professional life, personal life all collided with one big thud and seemed to be conspiring to shut me down. I decided that I needed a moment...

The Idea: Take a moment to reflect and regroup. Whether it's a weekend trip, or just a few hours of solitude, just take some time to yourself.

The Cost: Is there any cost too great to pay for peace of mind?

The Benefit: A return to sanity and the chance to get back on track.

I made a promise to myself a couple years ago to try and find at least one positive part of every situation, so this time is no different. I can't leave this post without ending on an upbeat note. The week was not all bad: I made it to Yankee Stadium before they tore it down and saw my first live baseball game. :)

#76: Make History (Friday, June 13)

Today, I made history. I helped make a closet in the largest Habitat for Humanity Build (to date) in the world. It may not seem like much, but 50 years from now, I can (hopefully) go to that building and tell my grandkids that I helped make a closet for a well-deserving family. Life doesn't get any better than that.

The Idea: Make history. Leave your mark on the world. Do something that (no matter how insignificant you may think it is) will leave the world a better place than you found it.

The Cost: Your time, a few dollars, or just your good energy. :)

The Benefit: I don't know how it'll make you feel, but I feel AMAZING. I feel inspired, and I cannot wait to drive by that little street when it's home to 41 families. What a wonderful feeling.

#75: The Backyard Tourist (Friday, June 6)

For the past two years, a couple friends and I have been planning to road trip to Rhode Island for seafood (don't laugh, RI has some of the freshest seafood ever...well so I've heard). We've been planning and planning, but something always comes up and we never make it. I started thinking that if I died today, it would be one of the things I was "gonna do" but didn't. I also thought about the other places I've wanted to visit that are much, much closer.

The Idea: Be a tourist...in your own backyard. No matter where you live, there are neighboring states, counties, parishes or provinces that you've never visited. Why not now?

The Cost: Depends on where you live, and where you want to go.

The Benefit: You'll visit a new place, learn something new...and maybe meet some interesting people.

Testimonial: Whenever I need a quick getaway, Philly is my default. I've taken several day trips there, and each time I see something different, or wandered down a street I've never noticed before. It's a great walking city...as a matter of fact, I'll be there this weekend for their African festival for the second year in a row. :)

#74: Revisit Your Childhood (Friday, May 30)

One of my life's goals is to get through The BBC Big Read (which unfortunately means I'm going to have to read the Lord of the Rings books *sigh*). I'm about half-way through, and have admittedly spent most of the time re-reading some of my favorite books from my childhood instead of new titles. It's been great to revisit my childhood through these books. I remember sitting on my veranda engrossed in To Kill A Mockingbird. Alice in Wonderland was my prize for getting 1st place in 1st grade...I even got so caught up in my childhood visit, that I went out and bought a tin of Royal Dansk cookies. LOL.

The Idea: Revisit your childhood. Whether it's through books, movies, music or an activity you used to do, go back and spend some time in that age of innocence.

The Cost: Free, or the cost of the activity.

The Benefit: Sometimes you have to go back in order to move forward. Besides, the things that you used to enjoy when you were a kid can only be even more enjoyable now that you're able to appreciate them.

#73: Be One With The Water (Friday, May 23)

A couple years ago, my friends and I wanted to go white water rafting. By the time we all signed up, it was sold out. I was so disappointed; aside from the fact that it was one of the gutsier things I'd contemplated (probably in my life), it sounded like fun.

The Idea: Go white water rafting. Grab a bunch of friends, and get ready for the time of your life.

The Cost: About $100, depending on transportation, who you go with, etc.

The Benefit: It's fun! How many times in your life can you say you've gone white water rafting?

Testimonial: I'm signing up for a white water trip this summer!

#72: Laugh 'Til You Cry (Friday, May 16)

A couple years ago, you couldn't even get me to smile in a picture. Nowadays, it seems like every picture I take I'm laughing or smiling ("way too hard" as I like to tell myself). I've come to realize that a laugh - much like a yawn - is contagious. It's hard to hear or see someone laughing and not be infected with their good humor. And it's also a great way to enjoy life.

The Idea: Laugh until you cry...and try to do it a couple times a week. Despite the pressures and responsibilities of life, there must be something that can invoke your laughter.

The Cost: Zero...just a good joke or a memory.

The Benefit: It relieves stress and a good belly laugh can help tighten up those abs. It also does wonders for your outlook on life.

Testimonial: I have a coworker who's good for at least one guaranteed laugh-til-you-cry moments a week. I have several friends who are great storytellers, who are also guarantee a good laugh. And I have friends whose laughs are so contagious, that it's impossible for me to hear them laughing and not join in. The combination of these things (plus shows like The Office and Best Week Ever) have provided me with many hours of laughter.

When was the last time you laughed? If it's been more than a week, you need to lighten things up.

#71: A Cause for Celebration (Friday, May 9)

Even in the most uneventful day, you are bound to have at least one success. Others may think it's minor, but only you can determine what success means to you. 

The Idea: Celebrate your successes. Maybe it's finally completing a recurring item on your to-do list, or just breaking a daily routine, or turning a year older, or getting through yet another day at a challenging job - matter what it is, celebrate it.  It doesn't have to be an all out celebration, but at the very least acknowledge that you accomplished something.

The Cost: Depends on how you decide to celebrate. You could treat yourself to lunch/dinner, get a manicure/pedicure, or just give yourself a pat on the back.

The Benefit: Taking time to acknowledge even your smallest successes will help you really LIVE in every day instead of just existing in it.

#70: It's What's On The Outside (Friday, May 2)

When I go back to the Caribbean, I'm always in awe of how happy, young and healthy everyone looks. People who I've known since I was a baby don't seem to have aged at all. They say the key to staying young and enjoying life is to be a good person with a big heart, but sometimes what's on the outside is equally important.

The Idea: Get outside. Many of us - especially those who live in seasonal climates - are tempted to hibernate in the cold months and only get out in the summer. But summer is only about 90 days long, so you're shortchanging yourself for 200+ days out of the year. Resist the temptation to stay indoors, even when it's raining or snowing. Lay on your back in the park and watch the snow fall; get drenched by a spring shower; go for a brisk walk when the temperature is lower than normal.

The Cost: The best things in life are free.

The Benefit: By making a concerted effort not to have any more missed opportunities (the days when it was "too cold" or "too hot" or "raining"), you can add at least a couple more years to your life. Besides, being out in nature keeps you young!

#69: Feed the Longing (Friday, April 25)

Good Friday #68 was AMAZING. One of the high points of my year so far. I thought I'd continue the streak with another great way to enjoy life...

The Idea: Do something you've always wanted to do...and let nothing stand in your way.

The Cost: The cost of whatever it is you've been longing for.

The Benefit: You can cross it off your Bucket List.

Testimonial: For years I've wanted to go to the Tribeca Film Festival, but the tickets to the shows I wanted to see were always sold out. I finally got hip to the game and realized that you needed an AMEX to but tickets early.

I asked all my friends...no dice. But I was determined that I was going to make it to the Tribeca Film Fest this year, by ANY means necessary and on my terms (I'd gone to see a film last year on a date, but I didn't get to choose).

Long story short, I will be seeing three fantastic documentaries (my favorite category): An Omar Broadway Film, Kassim the Dream and My Life Inside. I'm soooo excited! Whoo-hoo!

#68: Get Out of Character (Friday, April 18)

What an amazing two weeks these have been! I'll just sum it up by saying I got a much needed visit from an old friend (and some great perspective) and overcame a big obstacle. :)

So happy and refreshing were these two changes, that I decided to do something completely out of my character...

The Idea: Do something that is completely opposite of your character and ENJOY it to the fullest.

The Cost: Within your price range.

The Benefit: Just the act of doing something impulsive is liberating.

Testimonial: I worry and plan. That's my character. I like itineraries and I always have a Plan A, a plan B and sometimes a Plan C. But I recently did something (that for me is) completely wild. I booked a last minute trip without planning, strategizing or even asking for the time off before I did it.

Whoo-hoo!! I'm so excited! I leave tomorrow am to an unknown land. No cell phone, no Blackberry, no internet...I will be completely unreachable for the next 4 days. :)

#67: Make A Meal (Friday, April 11)

I have an obsession with food. I love, love, love to eat. It is one of my passions in life. Food, in my opinion, isn't just about sustenance. It's about the experience.

The Idea: Make yourself a fantastic meal and enjoy it with a bottle of wine or your favorite beverage.

The Cost: If you're making it yourself, it shouldn't cost more than $40.

The Benefit: You improve your cooking skills and get to immediately enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Testimonial: I think I'm a pretty good cook, but with my work schedule I've taken to making salads since last year and meals that take less than 30 minutes. My salads end up being very, er, hearty. My specialty is a chicken salad with lettuce, corn, raisins, red, green and orange peppers, croutons, apples, eggs and pepperjack cheese.

#66: Easy Like Sunday Morning (Friday, April 4)

I started a routine last year: every Sunday I go out for brunch. Sometimes I have company, but most times I'm alone. Sometimes it's early in the morning and other times, it's almost dinner time...but I always go for brunch on Sundays. It's my time to review the weekend, prepare for the week ahead, and just enjoy life.

The Idea: Make brunch a part of your life.

The Cost: About $20.

The Benefit: Some quiet time by yourself, enjoying a good meal.

#65: Dance Like There's No Tomorrow (Friday, March 28)

(Pictures from Soul Summit - one of my favorite dance events EVER - at the Brooklyn Academy of Music)

I love to dance. I'm not very good at it (think Elaine from Seinfeld), but I do it anyway. LOL. Since I'm not a fan of cardio at the gym, the best workout is for me to go dancing until day break. There is nothing like death to make you appreciate your life, so I've been really trying to stick to my mantra of doing things I enjoy.

The Idea: Grab a friend and go out and dance like there's no tomorrow. It doesn't matter if you're offbeat, or what kind of music it is (although I'd personally stay away from polka) just enjoy the music!

The Cost: Maximum $20 to get into a club, but this is perfectly doable for free (in your house) or much less.

The Benefit: I truly believe dancing is one of the best ways to enjoy life.

Testimonial: I practice what I preach; I signed up for a ballet class at the Broadway Dance Center. Yay!

#64: Find Your Muse (Friday, March 21)

(Untitled, From the Tuskegee Airmen Series by Michael Richards)

Yay! It's actually Good Friday! Happy Good Friday to all. I have a confession which is going to sound really geeky, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE museums. Whenever I feel the need to be inspired, I'll just visit a museum or a gallery, and voila, I'm restored and renewed. This works out really great for me; especially since I work 2 blocks away from a museum and my company ID lets me in to pretty much any museum in NYC for free!

The Idea: Find your muse at your local museum. Get lost in history, see some great art, watch a cool film - the possibilities are endless.

The Cost: It's usually about $10, but some specialty museums cost a little more. And if you work for a major corporation, you might be able to get in for free.

The Benefit: You'll feel inspired, and you'll leave a little smarter than you came.

Testimonial: I just went to the museum this week; instant mood booster!

#63: All You Need Is Love (Friday, March 14)

The set up was perfect: one of my favorite sports, free food and drink, courtside tickets and minimal conversation. How could I say no?

One of the perks of my job is that it sometimes gives me opportunities to do enjoyable things, and this Monday was a prime example. I got invited to an exhibition tennis match with Pete Sampras and Roger Federer - only two of the greatest male tennis players alive. While it didn't have the pizzazz of the Open finals, it was great to watch, and they kept us entertained until the very last serve (Federer won this as well).

The only bad part? It was the one day I forgot my camera. But I did manage to take some blurry pictures on my phone.

The Idea: Go see a professional game of your favorite sport. Whether it's basketball, football, the olympics, hockey, swimming, you owe it to yourself to splurge for the tickets.

The Cost: It could be expensive, but you only live once, so you can't let expenses deter you from living your life.

The Benefit: The feeling of being there at an event that will never happen the same way again is just great.

Next up: Football (i.e. what the rest of the world calls football) World Cup in South Africa. Whoo-hoo!!

#62: Sing Your Heart Out (Friday, March 7)

Ever wonder why the Japanese always look so young (and stylish)? It's probably because they have karaoke! LOL. Y'know the wonderful feeling you get belting out your favorite tune in the shower? Imagine if you could get that same feeling and hang out with your friends at the same time.

The Idea: Sing karaoke.

The Cost: A few rounds of drinks and enough courage to showcase your voice in a room full of strangers.

The Benefit: It helps with shyness, singing does a body good, and if you're really good, you might get discovered.

Testimonial: I did karaoke a couple weeks ago with some of my friends. It was my first time, and although I was nervous, I was encouraged by the tone deaf guy who sang every song from U2 to Madonna in the same note. I was proud of my lusty rendition of Coldplay's Clocks.

#61: The Comedy of Errors (Friday, February 29)

This week was a Comedy of Errors. I recovered from a recent visit to the ER, only to be struck with flu-like symptoms, that ended up being a viral infection which I ironically caught from the emergency room. LOL. The bronchial infection could not have come at worse time, as 4 weeks ago, I'd signed up to participate in a company wide race with many of the super senior executives at my company. I decided to drop out of the race; but 3 people on my team dropped out before me, so there were no other replacements left to sub for me.

Not one to disappoint my team, I decided to compete anyway, even though my respiratory system wasn't the best. When we got to the track, it was a real track...not the tiny one like I'd practiced on at the Y. And we had to run around it 5 times. Our race was scheduled to start at 9:30, but since our company wanted only our teams to run together, we were pushed to last - i.e. running at 10:30 p.m. But our anchor man was positive and kept us motivated - until he pulled a muscle warming up and wasn't able to stand, let alone be the anchor for the team. We found a sub, completed the race at 11:15 (my team came in second), at which point I decided that instead of taking the company bus back to the office, I'd just jump on the subway.

I was bent on taking the subway; but super senior management insisted I get on the bus, as it would be faster. Ten minutes later on the West Side Highway, a tire blew out, splints are flying, the bus is full of smoke, and we're in the middle lane. The bus inched its way to the nearest exit, we got off and hailed a cab. My injured anchorman offered to drive me home, once he collected his things from the office. I decided it would be a good time to get my iced chocolate coffee from the refrigerator to rejuvenate me, seeing as how it was 12:30 in the morning. They had cleaned the refrigerator and tossed out my iced coffee AND my water bottle which it was in.

Needless to say, I'm writing this at 1:45 a.m. because now that I'm home, I'm wheezing and my chest is on fire, so I can't sleep. And to top it off, I can't call out tomorrow, because my back up is on vacation. LOL.

The Idea: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. You can choose to enjoy your life, even with the curve balls or you can choose to be miserable.

The Benefit: Why should you let a little setback thwart your enjoyment of life?

The Cost: Lemons are 5 for $1, but for you it's free. :)

#60: Fun People = Fun Times

One of the best ways to enjoy life is to have fun. What's one of the easiest ways to have fun? By surrounding yourself with fun people!

The Idea: Surround yourself with fun people. (It'll be a lot easier if you're a fun person to be around yourself, trust me.) How do you find these fun people, you ask? Simple. Just look for people who:
*Have good appetites. There is so much enjoyment in food, that you can't help but have a good time around someone who loves to eat.
*Are good storytellers. Anyone who can tell a good story can capture your attention (and imagination) for a long time.
*Have an offbeat sense of humor. Sarcasm and self-deprecation are big pluses, in my opinion. How can you not have fun around someone funny?
*Have interesting jobs. How many astronauts or skyscraper window washers do you know? I thought so.
*Make brave choices. Anyone who doesn't mind straying from the pack and standing up for what s/he believes in will always have your back, and probably knows a thing or two about going against the grain to have fun.

The Cost: Taking some time to meet a few good people.

The Benefit: Hanging out with fun people will increase your enjoyment of life.

#59: Take Time For Tea! (Friday, February 15)

My friends are always laughing at my love of tea. I carry teabags around in my purse, and drink at least 4 cups (unsweetened, of course!) Of green tea every day. Tea is really one of my life's enjoyments!

Interestingly enough, as I'm getting more involved in Japanese culture, I found out a little bit more about their tea ceremony. The Japanese Tea Ceremony signifies that evey human encounter is a singular occasion which can never recur again in exactly the same way. Imagine how much more we'd value our interactions if we thought about each of them like that!

The Idea: Take some time for tea. Instead of just considering it a beverage, use it as an opportunity to catch up with a friend, or just relax and savor the good things in your life.

The Cost: Not more than $10.

The Benefit: You will realize the importance of each moment of your life (or at least the ones spent drinking tea), and recognize that that moment will never occur again in the same way.

#58: Overdose on Art (Friday, February 8)

Art is one of the most beautiful things on this earth. Each person takes something different from it. And it's also one of the many ways to enjoy life.

The Idea: Take some time out for art therapy. Visit a gallery, a museum, or even paint something of your own.

The Cost: Varies, but most museums typically have free nights so check their website for details.

The Benefit: Overdosing on art can only improve your frame of mind and bring you joy.

Testimonial: I've been doing a lot of art therapy in the last few weeks: the Caribbean Exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum in January; the Kori Newkirk Exhibit at the Studio Museum (where I discovered a Bklyn artist named Danny Simmons whose work really made me think); and the MoMA Design store where I got a cute green magnetic hedgehog to hold my paperclips.

Get your art on!

#57: Recognizing The True Value of Life (Friday, February 1)

In order to truly enjoy life, one has to recognize how fleeting it is, and seize the moment to do those things that are most important to them. A couple days ago, one of my favorite uncles unexpectedly died of a heart attack.

My uncle was our family's historian; he knew the births, deaths and marriages of everyone, and he was the person to call if you needed an address for an obscure aunt or cousin you hadn't spoken to in years. He was also a computer whiz; any problem with computers, he could solve it. And he made my aunt happy.

This past week, I've heard of a new mother losing her newborn and healthy baby to SIDS; and a man who had the best years of his life ahead of him had them taken away too soon. Work will always be there; and if it's not, you'll find another job. Don't let that be the excuse for not taking advantage of life.

Enjoy life to its fullest now. Life is fleeting and tomorrow is not promised.

#56: Celebrate A Small Step (Friday, January 25)

Y'know that saying, "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind"? Well, you may not be making giant leaps for mankind, but you are where you are today because of a number of small steps along the way. Your road to financial success can start the small step of paying off one bill or saving $20 more per week. A lot of times we forget about the small steps along the way to our goals.

The Idea: Enjoy life by celebrating the small steps along the way to a major goal. Whether it's treating yourself to dinner, buying a small token for yourself, or just taking some time off, it's important to recognize even minor accomplishments.

The Cost: The cost of however you decide to celebrate.

The Benefit: You'll be able to see how far you've come, and it will motivate you to continue to take more small steps.

Testimonial: I'm celebrating the completion of two small steps this week. One is a 99.385% pass rate on my FDNY written test, and the other, I'm keeping quiet for now but I'm still celebrating it. ;)

#55: Working Out The Kinks (Friday, January 18)

Part of enjoying life is about taking some time to treat yourself. You work hard, so you should always choose at least one way to reward yourself each paycheck. It doesn't have to be an extravagance, just something that says, "You've done a good job!"

The Idea: Get a monthly massage.

The Cost: Varies, depending on your location, but if you're a regular customer, many places offer discounts.

The Benefit: Massages are a great way to relieve stress, remove toxins from the body and can leave you rejuvenated.

Testimonial: I have a little spot that I go to every month for my massage. It's not one of those trendy places, but it's clean, quiet and the only place in NYC I can get an hour massage for less than $50, with tip included. My monthly massage definitely increases my enjoyment of life.

#54: A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words (Friday, January 11)

I've been to some beautiful places and had some great times, many of which are thankfully captured on film. Sometimes, just going back and looking at the pictures gives me so much joy, it's almost like I'm reliving the experience.

The Idea: Take pictures of every new experience and every person you meet.

The Cost: The cost of your digicam and a good memory card.

The Benefit: Lifelong memories, and the opportunity to relive and enjoy some of your life's best moments.

Testimonial: I know this idea sounds strange, especially from someone who is normally so averse to having her picture taken, but I'm trying to enjoy life. I've decided to embark on a project called a Picture A Day, in which I photograph myself and/or surroundings. At the end of the year, I hope to have a daily picture journal. (This was actually one of my goals last year, but I won't tell if you won't.)

#53: New Year, New Opportunities (Friday, January 4)

I love the beginning of a new year. No matter what happens on December 31, January 1 is an opportunity to wipe the slate clean and start over.

Last year, the theme for Good Fridays was impacting the lives of others through little deeds. This year, I was at a loss for a theme, and then it hit me. I was talking to a friend in December who said he didn't think I was really enjoying my life (I am, I assure you). However, since this is the year I turn 30 and I'd planned to live it up in the year leading up to my birthday, I thought that would be a great theme. So the theme for Good Fridays in 2008 is "Enjoy Life".

We all have responsibilities and demands on us, and of course our lives will not always be perfect, but we should still make time to enjoy our lives as we have them. What will you do to ensure that 2008 is a great year for you?