Start #1: Gifts 389...

389.  Andy calling me on my way to work, first day back after over a week off, and making me laugh.  As I walked out the door to leave for work I said to Andy, "I know we're cutting back on everything we can, but we have to spend more on our eggs.  I can't eat those cheap eggs anymore, the one I just made was disgusting and I can't even eat it."  I know it probably sounds dramatic, but it completely grosses me out to eat the cheap eggs when I am used to eating the eggs from free-range, natural grain-fed chickens.  When I think of the cheap eggs, I can't help but envision mistreated chickens pumped with hormones and antibiotics and trapped in tiny cages, so disturbing.

I left everything on the counter - butter, salt, pepper and spatula - thinking that Andy would probably make eggs after I left.  He called me about 1/2 hour into my drive and said, "Do you think maybe the reason why your egg was disgusting was because of the coffee, chocolate and sugar you put on it?" Well, maybe that would explain it!  We have a little bit of this combo in a grinder that is exactly the same size and color as our pepper grinder, and right next to it.  So, I'll give those eggs another try, and know again, this change is temporary.  But the laugh, even though at my expense, made for a great way to start the day!

390. Waking up first this morning and having a few quiet minutes alone that I spend in silence sitting on the living room floor with my eyes closed, focusing on my breath.

391. People doing really wonderful, life-changing things and sharing them with the world to inspire more of the same: 366 Random Acts of Kindness

392. Reminders from Louise Hay, "Do You Love Yourself?  Here are 12 Ways to Start", published 12/22/11 on her website, but on Facebook today:

I have found that there is only one thing that heals every problem, and that is: to love yourself. When people start to love themselves more each day, it’s amazing how their lives get better. They feel better. They get the jobs they want. They have the money they need. Their relationships either improve, or the negative ones dissolve and new ones begin.

Loving yourself is a wonderful adventure; it’s like learning to fly. Imagine if we all had the power to fly at will? How exciting it would be! Let’s begin to love ourselves now.

Here are 12 Commandments to help you learn how to love yourself:

Stop All Criticism.
Criticism never changes a thing. Refuse to criticize yourself. Accept yourself exactly as you are. Everybody changes. When you criticize yourself, your changes are negative. When you approve of yourself, your changes are positive.

Forgive Yourself.
Let the past go. You did the best you could at the time with the understanding, awareness, and knowledge that you had. Now you are growing and changing, and you will live life differently.

Don’t Scare Yourself.
Stop terrorizing yourself with your thoughts. It's a dreadful way to live. Find a mental image that gives you pleasure, and immediately switch your scary thought to a pleasure thought.

Be Gentle and Kind and Patient.
Be gentle with yourself. Be kind to yourself. Be patient with yourself as you learn the new ways of thinking. Treat yourself as you would someone you really loved.

Be Kind to Your Mind.
Self-hatred is only hating your own thoughts. Don't hate yourself for having the thoughts. Gently change your thoughts.

Praise Yourself.
Criticism breaks down the inner spirit. Praise builds it up. Praise yourself as much as you can. Tell yourself how well you are doing with every little thing.

Support Yourself.
Find ways to support yourself. Reach out to friends and allow them to help you. It is being strong to ask for help when you need it.

Be Loving to Your Negatives.
Acknowledge that you created them to fulfill a need. Now you are finding new, positive ways to fulfill those needs. So lovingly release the old negative patterns.

Take Care of Your Body.
Learn about nutrition. What kind of fuel does your body need in order to have optimum energy and vitality? Learn about exercise. What kind of exercise do you enjoy? Cherish and revere the temple you live in.

Do Mirror Work.
Look into your eyes often. Express this growing sense of love you have for yourself. Forgive yourself while looking into the mirror. Talk to your parents while looking into the mirror. Forgive them, too. At least once a day, say, "I love you, I really love you!"

Love Yourself . . . Do It Now.
Don't wait until you get well, or lose the weight, or get the new job, or find the new relationship. Begin now—and do the best you can.

Have Fun.
Remember the things that gave you joy as a child. Incorporate them into your life now. Find a way to have fun with everything you do. Let yourself express the joy of living. Smile. Laugh. Rejoice, and the Universe rejoices with you!

Louise L. Hay, the author of the international bestseller You Can Heal Your Life, is a metaphysical lecturer and teacher with more than 40 million books sold worldwide. For more than 25 years, she has helped people throughout the world discover and implement the full potential of their own creative powers for personal growth and self-healing. Visit: www.LouiseHay.com.

393. Taco salad for dinner.  Thank you Andy for making dinner!  I think I could eat taco salads every day!

394. Another issue of Real Simple waiting for me at work today - thank you Danielle!  I appreciate the recycled issues immensely!

395. Hearing from a coworker today about extreme couponing

396. Listening to my kids today - really listening to them as I sat in their rooms while they do what they so busily do, and not doing anything but being present with them.

397. Grateful that I now get to rest my body and mind.