I’ve been in a life filled with torrential winds for months. Sometimes I’ve hidden, other times I’ve had to step up front and center. I don’t know if it’s the little glimpses of sunshine I’ve gotten this week, or that I’m finally over this last cold/flu, but I’m ready to change things up and stop letting life toss me around.

A few months ago, a couple friends and I had a Twitter thread discussing the pleasures of having chocolate for breakfast. I like chocolate throughout the day, but especially a little taste for breakfast. Part of my change up is indulging that desire. General Mills has made it a little easier with their chocolate Cheerios and I’ve discovered a wonderful tea from Tisano that is chocolate…oh my!

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not embarking on a decadent or unhealthy approach to life and work. On the contrary, I’ve been exercising and eating well. In fact I am only 3 pounds away from what the doctor said was a good target weight and I’ve lost 20 pounds over the past 2 years! What I am doing is more of the things I let go because so many other things seemed more important.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned in my time in the storm is that guilt and regret are terribly negative influences. And undeserved guilt and false regrets are insulting to who I am meant to be. I love  to read. I love to write even more. With everything spinning around and around, taking a few minutes (or even an afternoon) to indulge in reading a new book made me feel like I was surely letting someone down. All the events made great excuses to avoid the real work of writing, which I know is my true calling.

So no more accepting undeserved guilt…and I’m working on fulfilling dreams and ambitions without excuse. It is a beautifully sunny day. The snow is melting a bit. Life is good.

So here’s how I start narrowing my focus to keep this blog relevant and interesting to me and my friends: I’m probably going to read a new book this weekend, I’m going to finish my new short story by tomorrow, and I’m going to have chocolate for breakfast every day. Join me on Monday, February 14 for a new look and new ways of indulging in little pleasures that keep life fun, healthy, and guilt-free.