My magazines

I guess everyone has a way that they relax and try to escape the pressures of day-to-day life. For me, my enjoyment comes from reading magazines. I try (note that I said try... I don't always accomplish this feat) to steer clear of ones like "People" and such because I once read that 80% of women feel worse about themselves after they read magazines about fashion and lifestyles of Hollywood stars. And I realized I was one of those, so I prefer to read Cooking Light, Southern Living, Parents, and my fave... Real Simple.

I love Real Simple. It is a collection of a bunch of short articles and practical advice. Although I love magazines like the Economist that have lengthy, in-depth articles, I just don't have time to read them when I have only five minutes to eat breakfast. But during breakfast I can easily get through an article or two of Real Simple and I can even take away a practical tip. I am a very practical person so the magazine is great for me.

Sometimes on the weekend Dave will come into the kitchen and see me sitting down with my cereal reading my magazine and he will turn right back around because he knows I love to eat and read. Even when I am rushed I have a hard time letting go of my magazine time.

Well this month's Real Simple had a great article called "10 ways to be happier." Usually I don't pay much attention to those types of articles because they tell me to get in touch with my inner auora and I will be set free from my worries (or something dumb like that). But this article had some truths that I feel are consistent with the kind of life God would have for us. Two things mentioned include:

• DO let the sun go down on anger- the author writes, "I had always scrupulousy aired every frustration as soon as possible... expressing anger related to minor, fleeting annoyances just amplifies bad feelings, while not expressing anger often allows it to dissipate." I totally agree. I used to think that the right thing was to always say how I felt. That got me in a lot of trouble. There is a time that expressing feelings is appropriate and a time that I should be quiet. Proverbs says that a fool gives vent to all his feelings... amen to that.
• Don't insist on the best- she writes about two different types of people, Satisficers and Maximizers, "there are two types of decision makers. Satisficers make a decision once their criteria are met. Maximizers want to make the best possible decision... they can't make a decision unless they have examined every option. Satisficers tend to be happier than maximizers. Maximizers expend more time and energy reaching their decisions, and they're often anxious about their choices. Sometimes good enough is good enough." Totally. I am a maximizer and I am a terrible decision maker. I need to learn to satisfice more!

Okay off my soapbox for now. And if you see me reading a magazine at breakfast, please let me be for just five minutes.
Cheers!