i did this

Peonies are seriously the most proud flowers on the planet.  Photographed with Nikon D300, 60mm micro lens.

This was a good week.

Yesterday, after a meeting, I took myself to lunch at my regular haunt, and the woman who worked behind the counter smiled when I walked in.

"Hi!" she said.  "How are you today?"

"I'm great," I responded.  Then I thought about it.  "No, seriously, I'm great.  I'm in a really great mood.  I should enjoy this for a minute!"  She laughed.

The reason that this has been such a good week is because I had the opportunity to interview several really cool people as part of the research for my book.  You know how sometimes when you talk to someone, and they're just so fantastic they put you in a great mood for the rest of the day?  I've been talking to people like that all week. 

Anyway, during most of these conversations, we've all had the opportunity to describe a time when we did something that made us really proud of ourselves.  I noticed that there's really no better pick-me-up than when you remember a time when you did something wonderful.  You just knocked it out of the park.  You did something that made you feel like you were just made of awesome.

So, I thought to end the week, I'd invite you to share something you did at some point in your past that was very, very cool.  And this is your time to brag, too, no holds barred (feel free to share anonymously, if you want to say what you did "out loud," but aren't comfortable attaching your name to it).  The only rule:  it can't be that you met someone wonderful, or that you have a long marriage, or that you're a good parent (although I'm sure you've done and you are all those things).  This has to be something that you did uniquely and completely for you, and not (necessarily) for the benefit of another person.  It doesn't have to be something wild, like you participated in the Iditarod or walked the Appalachian Trail or climbed K2 (although good on you, if you did!) -- it can be something simple, like you completely sewed your first dress on your own, or you learned how to ride a bike as an adult, or learned a new language.  Or you learned how to juggle, even though you're normally a total klutz.  Or heck, you finally learned how to poach an egg.  Whatever gave you a little pang of pride.  Extra points if doing it pushed you out of your comfort zone.

So here's mine:  when I was in my early 30's, I took myself on a fabulous vacation to the Cayman Islands -- alone.  It was the first and only time I ever went on holiday by myself, and for 5 days, it was just me, my dive gear, and a ton of reading.  At night, I took myself to wonderful restaurants, and had great meals by candlelight while I lost myself in wonderful fiction -- some of it great literature, most of it trashy novels.  It remains one of the best vacations I've ever had in my life.

Okay, your turn.  And to all of you, whether or not you share your feat here, have a great weekend -- and may you take some time, at some point during the next couple of days, to bask in the glow of your awesome.

Song:  My way (a mi manera) as performed by Robin Williams (from the Happy Feet soundtrack)