Three years ago, on my 50th birthday, I began this blog, Cathy's Heart. Since then, I've added a website, a blog on parenting, as well as a blog on parenting tweens and teens. And, as one of my children recently pointed out, I have become a Facebook (and Twitter) addict! (Yes, I tweet!) Yet, as I enter the world of websites, blogs and social media, I sense I am straddling a fence between not-too-old-yet but not-quite-young-enough to be on this new super highway of life. I love these new vehicles of communication and networking, but there are times when I feel like I am drowning in a deep, wide and swift river. Nevertheless, at a turtles pace, I am determined to continue moving forward. I am striving to keep up with, as well as grow in my knowledge and skill of the use of these amazing tools available to us.

In my younger days, much younger, I used to see myself as a flexible, easy-going person who adapted well to change. Wrong! I have learned, much to my dismay, I thrive in routine, order and stability. I enjoy (ok, I need) my Starbucks venti black ice tea each morning. I take a long walk, and then a short nap every afternoon. And, I like my beds made, my laundry done and my kitchen counter clean everyday. I admit it, I am "set in my ways." But, I am trying to learn new things! I am! In addition to blogging and tweeting, I work on learning new habits and disciplines along the way. Because, I want to prove to myself and others that, indeed, you can teach an "old dog" new tricks.

Case in point, last month, I threw away my very first empty container of makeup. For the first time in fifty-three years, I succeeded in using up a whole bottle of foundation. You see, I have never been a "make-up" kind of a girl, much to the chagrin of my friends who appreciate the benefits of color to accentuate a woman's features. Lately, however, I do not like the pictures my husband takes of me or the blotchy reflection that peers back at me in the mirror. So, I decided to try, once again, to learn the habit of wearing makeup.

At the store, I carefully selected the colors I thought would look best with my skin tone. While I waited to purchase my new products, I wondered where I could leave my new makeup so that I would actually use it. I thought of the time my doctor informed me I would need to start wearing a moisturizer with sunscreen to prevent skin cancer. I laughed, as he told me about the time he was in big trouble with his wife for not noticing a pre-cancerous spot on her face. Then, he carefully removed two spots from mine. He said, "put the bottle of lotion next to your toothbrush. Then, after you brush your teeth in the morning, apply the sunscreen to your face. Do it everyday, make it a daily habit."

Later, when I returned home, I put my new foundation, blush and eye shadow next to the moisturizer with SPF 15 on the bathroom sink. As I did, I remembered the first time I intentionally chose to start a new habit. I was in my early twenties, and to be honest, I was a slob! I had two roommates. One was compulsively clean. She even paid extra rent for her own room. But, my other roomie was, like me, more on the "untidy" side. We shared a room. One day it dawned on me; I did not like being a messy person. I was embarrassed when friends came to visit. So, then and there, I decided to change. And, I started with one simple step. I resolved, I would make my bed every morning. Then, week by week, one change at a time, I began to "clean up my act," so to speak.

So there I stood, looking at the makeup, lining my bathroom counter. If I could go from a slob to a pretty decent housekeeper, I could certainly wear makeup too. I made up my mind, I would put on makeup every morning, whether I felt like it or not. And, I did it! I have been wearing makeup (almost everyday) for several weeks now. Although, I have to confess, it's a habit I may never fully enjoy.

Today, on the third anniversary of beginning this blog,

I offer you these SIMPLE STEPS TOWARD CHANGE!

If they work for this "old dog," they can work for anyone.

1. Decide ONE THING that you need or want to change - "I do not want to be a slob"

2. Pick ONE SPECIFIC THING you can do to begin the change - "Make bed every day"

3. MAKE IT DOABLE - Sunscreen beside the toothpaste, Makeup beside the sunscreen...

4. RESOLVE TO FOLLOW THROUGH as long as it takes - "I WILL make my bed"

5. DO IT! EVERY SINGLE DAY! --- (Whether you FEEL like it or not!)

6. When # 2 become a habit, BEGIN AGAIN WITH STEPS 2-6

As you can see, this is a light-hearted, fun and quirky post, but I hope you enjoyed it. I would love to hear what one thing you would like to change. Here's to success. God bless your steps!