The self-help gurus - Robert Holden

At almost half a century old, I've read a solid pile of self help books and done my share of navel gazing. I think that each of us has a balance somewhere between looking inward and examining ourselves, and looking outward, and just living the lives we have. Both are necessary, but either one in excess can throw us off balance.

This year, I'm going to have a look at some of the popular self help gurus, and consider what they have to say - and at the same time, I am going to take myself outside, and just live more.

Robert Holden is a happiness guru, and has a 'radical 10 day plan to accept who you really are.' I thought I would give it a look:

Self-acceptance is an invitation to stop trying to change yourself into the person you wish to be, long enough to find out who you really are. Robert Holden has a 10-day plan to help you figure out who this self is that you're supposed to be accepting and how to say yes to your life.

Take a moment right now to assess where you are on the self-acceptance scale. Over the next 10 days, focus on just one main principle and exercise on the pages that follow. At the end, take the test again to see how much you've grown.

The self-acceptance scale can be found here, on Oprah's site if you want to join the party and follow along for ten days.

I scored about 50%, and though I doubt 10 days can change the balance of self esteem, it could be a good place to start.

First Day of the last year of my 40s

Yesterday was my birthday, and to be honest, it ranked up there with the worst birthdays ever. There was no party, no cake, no gifts, no cards, and no singing the birthday song. I know that the horrible birthday is because of my own hermit-behavior, and depression etc, but that doesn't stop my inner self from feeling lost, alone, and sorry for myself. So, I cried myself to sleep and resolved to get on with things.
This is my new year, and I am going to make it a much better one. I would like to be able to read this on my 50th birthday, look back over the year, and see what amazing changes I've been able to make. It's up to me. With that in mind, it's time to start making changes. I have to set some goals, and learn how to make them happen. Here's a start. I want to journal all of this year - I've been having a hard time finding the motivation to do it - but this is the beginning and here we are. I want to lose about 20 lbs and get in shape so I can feel good about my body again. I want to quit smoking this year. I want to get in better financial shape this year. That's a good start for today.
The next step is to build the steps I need to achieve my goals. Today I am cocooning and licking my wounds and building strength.

The Getting to 50 Bucket List

I've jotted down the beginnings of bucket lists a few times in my life, but never kept them and never really took the items on the list seriously as life goals.

The BucketList website is a great way to finally build that list and begin to make those things happen. You've got to check it out! It's going to be fun!