Peter had to travel to New York this weekend for his grandmother’s funeral. The kids and I stayed back because financially (3 plane tickets @ $600/piece? NO!) and logistically (driving 14+ hours with a 6 week old? NO!) all of us traveling didn’t really work. Before he left for the weekend we headed out for a family night out.

Yet again, we had a Groupon to use. Somehow we always end up waiting until the last minute with these things. We headed out to Tin Drum Asia Cafe.

They specialize in a variety of noodle, curry, and fried rice bowls. And apparently special fashion shows. Perhaps we wouldn’t have body image issues if these were the standard for fashion shows? 😉

I went before, to the restaurant – not the fashion show - and tried a curry bowl. This time, I went for a noodle bowl since I would have to share with miss M. I ordered the Lo Men which included shrimp, mushrooms, carrots, onions, green onions, bok choy, and of course the noodles in a light sauce.

It was good, but I’m glad we had the Groupon. I don’t know if its worth the full price. What is worth the full price? Frozen yogurt. Always. A Yogli Mogli sits across the street from the Tin Drum and I had my eye on going there from the beginning. What can I say? I always have a hankering for dessert!

I somehow managed to feast on that creation and still not feel 100% full. Eat like that and still fit in jeans 6 weeks post partum that took you months to fit into post-Makenzie? Gotta love nursing! ;) 

Question of the Day – Which would you order: Noodle, Curry, Rice? Sumo fashion show – intriguing or scary?

Every day upon arising, we begin a journey led by one choice after another. Those choices add up to the sum total of our lives and whether or not we can claim to live in joy. What is that I hear you saying? Oh…you think that’s ridiculous and that we can’t control everything. You know what I say? You’re right. We can’t control everything. We can, however, control our perspective.

As I discussed before, sometimes we choose to put more emphasis on our body at the expense of fully experiencing the world around us with pleasure. We determine whether or not we live in that manner. In the same fashion, we choose whether or not to succumb to other forces in this world hoping to weaken us. That choice lies in the perspective we adopt.

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When a pair of pants fit too tight, you act out your choice whether you demean yourself the entire day with negativity or actively seek out ways to care for your health. When an insecure friend wants to tap into your insecurities with snide comments, you choose whether or not to listen (or stay friends for that matter). When a challenge arises, such as a lost job or illness/injury or broken heart, you can choose to continue living with the belief it will make you stronger or grab a shovel to dig yourself a hole of regret and self-pity.

Our perspectives don’t always have to shine with rainbows and glitter. No shame should occur in feeling pain, hurt, anger, sadness, etc in particular situations. We’re human and those emotions should not be glossed over or ignored.Sometimes we need such feelings to cloak us like a heavy garment and really feel them before moving on with our lives. Nevertheless, we still control those feelings and keep the perspective in tact.

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All of the above relates to self-love because part of loving ourselves comes in providing the best life possible. That life consists of seeing the glimmers of hope in dark places, the pain of others in their attempts to cause pain, the waste of time in fretting over matters we won’t remember in a few months, and the ongoing list of similar situations. The authority to provide a “best life” comes in a little package called perspective. It’s your choice whether or not to open that gift.

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How do you witness the power of perspective in your life? Do you currently face something where your perspective could make a difference?

Quote to Reflect On
Be careful how you interpret the world:  It is like that.  ~Erich Heller
We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are.  ~Anaïs Nin