Ring, Ring

The last time -- in fact every time -- I've gone to a concert, my ears ring afterward, something about too much noise, or too loud.  Or both!   and lately, my ears have been ringing that way once I get home from work.  And it has me wondering if it's from work?  I started googling around to see if there was anything else.  There's the usual "something electrical" in the house, from TV output to toys with batteries that are dying.  And maybe there's something to that. I'll have to check the only things with batteries:  the computer, the smoke detectors and flashlights -- on tomorrow's TO DO list!
The other thing that the Mayo Clinic had to say (one of my fav go-to's when looking up health issues) is that "stress, alcohol and caffeine, can make tinnitus more noticeable."   Ok, since I can't just cut caffeine out without a major meltdown at work, I decreased it by half today, and doubled my water intake (thinking I can at least flush some of it out?).    The other thing I'm pondering is some gentle ear plugs to block a bit of the louder ambient noise at work (or the boss's loud barking??? haha) to see if that helps.  I've unplugged both of my TV sets;  I seem to notice a bit more from my computer when it's on, but I leave that off when I'm not using it.  Someone else suggested reducing salt intake.  Hmmmmm.... so many things!

This will be trial and error until I figure it out!
I'll update if/when that happens :)

Keep It Simple

The Holi-daze has ended, and things are getting back to "normal" - whatever that is.  A New Year is full of new promises, a time for making resolutions - promises to ourselves for a start to a better new year.  Do you tend to keep your resolutions?  In the past, I found that I didn't keep mine because I made them too lofty, too unattainable.  I mean, lets be real, "Lose 50 pounds" isn't a very practical resolution, because at a safe loss of 1-2 lbs per week, it would take months to actually achieve!  And maybe we are more successful if we make smaller goals that when we actually accomplish, we feel that much better about ourselves, and even more inspired to try for more!

Yes, I want to lose weight this new year, but I also want to find a way to be a happier person, finding time -- scratch that, making time -- for the creative side of me.  So my two concrete resolutions are simple ones:  Take more pix/be creative, and smile more.  :)   Giving someone else a smile, if they give one back, perhaps it's a connection to the inner soul for a more peaceful me.

Sounds a little simplistic,

but with everything that's going on with family,

and my own feelings as I grow older,

simple is the order of the day.