August 6 is an important date in my life. First, it is the date I was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, so today is my “cancer-versary.” Second, it is the date 13 years ago when I adopted my precious Maltese pooch Chance, my best friend in fur, so I am also celebrating my “chance-aversary.”
To celebrate my cancer-versary, I am writing all my doctors to thank them, and I am thanking all of my friends and support network who stuck bymy. And I am giving Chance an extra special treat for dinner tonight!
With all the talk now about debt and the seriousness of our country’s financial situation, and for many us, our own financial security, I am also taking stock and re-evaluating my life and its value. No just monetarily, but also qualitatively.
I am setting up a budget plan to better balance my life. Here is Melanie’s Manifesto:
First, I am raising my indebted ceiling. This is not to be confused with my “in debt” ceiling which is another story. My indebted ceiling means I am going to be more gracious and grateful for the life I currently lead and complain less about what I do not have in my life. I am indebted to my doctors, my friends, my family and to modern medicine. And I am indebted to the fact that I am free to make choices about how I want to live my life when many women in other countries do not possess that option.
Second, I am going to take stock of my life portfolio: what is working and what is not. Where do I really want to be in 5, 10, 20 years (that famous job interview question) and what will it take to get there? How realistic are my goals? What in my portfolio needs to be added, switched or tossed in order to live life better on my terms (now that I am no longer living on modern medicine’s schedule).
Third, I am eliminating toxic assets. These are defined by me as anything and anyone that is getting me down emotionally, physically or financially (a.k.a. toxic ass-#$%!s). It means creating distance between you and people who are negative, demanding or draining. It means eliminating clients or business relationships that are overbearing, ungrateful and not profitable. It means eliminating foods that bloat you up, drain your energy and make you gain weight. It means doing away with time and energy suckers, like wasteful computer chit chat, waiting in lines for things you really may not need, being put “on hold” for services and avoiding complainers, bullshitters and yackety yackers.
Fourth, I am readjusting how I invest my time and talents to manage a balanced life budget. I am going to focus more on doing what I enjoy, what makes me happy. I am going to focus less on giving away my time to “can I just pick your brain?” “come grow with us” and “tell us what you think we should do first” pitches and focus on the valuable talents I possess to make me money so I can pay off debt, save for the future and live without financial stress . I am going to reduce the amount of time I waste on activities that are not productive or enjoyable so I have more free time to spend with people I care about and activities I do enjoy. I am going give my time and talent to what really matters, both giving back time to myself to enjoy more out of life and giving time to causes I care about who really do need help. But, all within balance. My goal: Live Life On My Terms.
I want to invest in people, activities, projects and places that deliver better ROI: return on inspiration.
I am balancing my life budget by raising my indebted ceiling, eliminating toxic assets, reducing waste and bloat in my life, investing in things that will matter, inspire me and others and make a difference in my future, spending less on material goods I do not need and spending more time with people and activities that do matter.
Now if Congress could just find a plan to balance the national budget!
I went on your site again today – NOT to tell you something BUT to read what you are saying. Now, I am going to look at my life in a different light and I am a winner because I read every word you wrote. Thank you Melanie.