=== Mind Over Matter ===

I've come to realize that everything I do is a matter off the mind. For some time now I've been searching for ways to improve my productivity. As it turns out, that answer has been under my nose this whole time. Or should I say... behind it.

There are all sorts of things online claiming they can improve your mental focus and clarity. Do any of them work? Maybe... but are they really worth the money? I don't think so. See, there's an alternative which I think many people forget about; including myself. That option is quite simply.... doing it.

I sort of had this epiphany a couple nights ago when I forced myself to go to my computer late at night rather than laying down on the couch and falling asleep. I ended up staying up all night streaming on twitch and felt great after that I had done something fun and productive. In fact, I felt so great about it that I then enthusiastically cleaned up the kitchen and prepared for the day. This was accomplished because I made a decision to do something.

It can be quite difficult to tell your body to do these things when it is do exhausted, but it can be done if you put your mind to it... As long as your brain isn't out of juice as well. Yes, things like caffeine can help; I prefer to avoid needing any though if I can help it. Although... there is a real spectacular boost when you're able to effectively combine both caffeine and brain power.

I've seen people shut down no matter how much they want to keep going... including myself. The biggest hurdle really is resisting what the body is asking for and instead doing what YOU want to do.

So what do you say? Will you join me in putting your mind over matter?

~ Kyle Welykholowa

=== When Is A Person Not A Person? ===

     Okay, so this strange thing has come up at work recently which has me wondering... when is a person not a person? The nice thing is that I can talk about this because I'm not revealing any personal information about anybody specific; however, this IS something which has come up a few times recently when dealing with both people who are currently living in our community and with people who are applying to live in our community.

     We can only allow 2 people per bedroom living in a suite. The only time this is different is when it is a 1 bedroom in which case there can be 2 adults and 1 child under 10. In every other case, it is two people per bedroom. This seems simple enough, right? Well... when people come in to ask if we have any places available for rent, we have to ask how many people will be living there. Most of the time this is a normal interaction where they tell us there's two or four people or however many. Sometimes people come in and ask if we have a 2 bedroom and we won't have one, so they'll ask about 1 bedrooms... then you ask how many people would be living there and they say "Two."

     I'm going to stop there for a moment and note that this would be a perfectly normal answer. Two people in a 2 bedroom apartment. But then they continue on to say "There would be two people living there, and we have two kids." Well alright then, let me ju--wait, what? HOW many PEOPLE? "Two."

     The sad thing is that I have actually had to argue and explain to people that children are PEOPLE too. They do count as people. Living human beings. PEOPLE. Like... what could possibly make a child not a person? In what way could you possibly argue that your child does not exist, or count as a living occupant under your roof? I just don't understand; this is a real mindset that some people come to us with and it will forever boggle my mind until someone comes up with an answer for me.

Until then, all of you PEOPLE should go out there and have a wonderful day! ^_^

~ Kyle Welykholowa

I've Got All This Time On My Hands!

     It's just about 9:00 in the evening and I've got nothing but time on my hands; I've only been here since 8:00 in the morning. We were expecting to have Carley induced this morning due to complicatoins, but then between two doctors and one obstetrician, we were told there are no complications. So with that, Carley made the decision to be induced anyways.

     Eight hours later and here we are waiting with Carley beginning to feel some pains, tightenings, and contractions. I don't think either of us are REALLY knowing what to expect here both during the labour and after once we finally get to go home. I know I'm getting pretty excited at the moment, but I'm also trying to figure out how I'm going to get everything done all at once. I'll now have to work 8 to 10 hours a day depending on the drive, keep up with homework, take care of the dog, AND I'll have to help with our dear child. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited for this and look forward to our family, but at the same time I'm super scared that I won't have enough time for everything.

     Have you ever wished there was something you didn't have to do any more in your life? I wish I didn't have to sleep ever again. I would gain an additional eight hours a day! Oh, what I would do with all that extra time.... Right now all I can do is wait and wonder, what will happen, and how will we re-balance our lives? Our schedules will have to be re-worked, we'll have to plan out our meals better, and I feel like I'll have to figure out everything over again after I feel like I had just figured it out!

     So here we are back to the moment at hand. Carley's contractions are getting stronger and all I can do it sit here and watch and wait for whatever happens to happen. The good news, is that it seems like she may not have to have a c-section due to a failed induction. But I really wish there was more that I could do at this point. Honestly, I feel like I'm going to be the most awkward parent ever who has no idea how to handle having a child. My mind is reeling with possibilities left and right and I haven't a clue which path to follow through the intertwining branches of the overgrown forest inside of me.

I can't imagine how Carley is feeling at this point.

~ Kyle Welykholowa

The Welcome Wagon

And so it begins, the start of my talking to myself in front of the world. Welcome to my thought bag. Many things will be posted here about myself and things that I do or think. If you're brave enough to trek through my mind, then you're welcome to stay here as long as you like. Good luck to us all. ^_^