10-days of silence

On Wednesday, January 17, I will arrive in Jesup, Georgia for a 10-day silent Vipassana meditation course.

You read that right. Ten days of silence. I turn over my phone at the door. There will be 59 other people there that I cannot speak to, including a roommate that I do not know. I cannot bring books or anything to write. (Complete rules here.)

I'm lucky to not be going into this completely blind. My boss has taken this course three times. I've also been practicing meditation for roughly five years now and have done a lot of research. I feel like I know what I'm getting into (even if I'm still worried and overwhelmed by the task).

Meditation for me is a way to calm the "monkey mind," the spiraling, non-stop chatter that happens in my head. Not only is it exhausting, but it raises your cortisol to an unhealthy, constant level. I don't like the person I am when I'm dealing with that level of anxiety. I don't like how I treat people and I want to be better.

I've seen the benefits of meditation on my life. I've been able to stop taking my anxiety medication for the first time in 8 years. I see stressful situation unfold around me, but I don't ride the wave of emotion that I used to. I'm able to respond, instead of react.

But I could be better. I struggle to stay present in the moment. My reliance on my smartphone scares me. I see myself withdrawing in large groups. I'm hoping this course helps me continue my journey.

If you would like resources: I started with Susan Piver's newsletter once a week, graduated to Calm and now use a mix of Tara Brach podcasts and the 10% Happier App.

If you want to learn more about meditation, I highly suggest Dan Harris' book 10% Happier. Like the great journalist he is, he did all the research on meditation for you and his journey has given me the insight and courage to begin and continue.

You hold the future.

There's a few things I have to do on every trip to New Orleans: shop at Fleurty Girl, Marie Laveau's and all around the Quarter; treat myself to a hurricane and a hang grenade (or maybe a few); and have my palm read in front of St. Louis Cathedral.

Usually, it's a comical mix of generic truths, terrible advice and things that are just dead wrong. On our trip over Memorial Day, my reading really struck home.

• My work is (finally) going to calm down in July.
• I need to stop worrying. I'll always have money. I'll never need a hand out. And I have a great body. (Why, thank you.)
• I'm a great budgeter but could cut back more. So true.
• I'm stubborn. Steve is 10x more stubborn.
• I take after my mom, but I got my dad's brains.
• I'm going to have a baby in a 1.5 years. When I told her we didn't want kids, she said birth control doesn't really work well in my family. (Yikes!)

The whole trip was a much needed escape for me and Steve. It's so nice to have a home away from home in this majestic city.

Mixed Media 5/21/15

• Politics: Any student of history can tell you the rate at which Americans are changing their minds about major social issues is unprecedented. I love the graphical retelling of change on issues.
• Books: Creativity, Inc. is the smartest business book I've ever read. Some lessons felt like pure therapy.
• Music: My family is obsessed with Bob Seger and this article is just fantastic. Creating Bob Seger's Night Moves
• I love this list of things blogger Jamie Meares knows about herself on her birthday. Part of growing up is learning to accept the part of you that you can't change and love the parts of you that you should change but don't want to. 

Mixed Media 4/17/15

• TV: The cable industry shake-up is really getting underway with more TV channel announcing subscription models that are independent of cable companies. HBO is reaching out to consumers who have tweeted that they would pay for HBO. And they're going deep. Some of the tweets are from 2012. 
• Commerce: There is definitely a trend toward marketplaces that promote the goods of survivors. I've seen a couple on Shark Tank. Another example is To the Market. 
• Girl Power: A few body image quotes to cheer us all up. 
• Mental Health: Therapy gets a bad wrap but Kristen Bell* and Dax Shepherd have been in therapy since they started dating as a proactive measure. Appreciate their effort to break the stereotype. 

*Corrected.

Mixed Media 3/30/15

• Books: I'm almost ashamed to share because I should have read this years ago. All The King's Men is all the things I love. Southern, politics, scandal. Fantastic read.
• TV: I should be giddy because baseball is almost here. The truth is the Braves are going to be awful this year and it's pretty hard to get excited. Now, Tom Hart, the best Braves personality around, is leaving the team, too. It's too much to handle. 
• Blogs: So perhaps there is a bit of snark in me after all. For hilarious take on celebrity kids, you have to read Suri's Burn Book. 
• Videos: There's been a lotta news lately about people filming/taking pictures of themselves doing really stupid things. For a while, I've said the biggest thing my generation has to learn is that just because you can videotape something, doesn't mean you should. Also, this. 

Obsessed with something new and cool? Let's chat. @WhitneyGibbs

Mixed Media 3/26/15

• Blogs: Trying to revive the blog a bit with a format I really like from my favorite style blog Capitol Hill Style. Her "Workday Reading" format has become a favorite of mine, a great punch list on her thoughts, style suggestions and current events. I always feel better when I write. Maybe this will lead to a better cadence.
• Twitter: I attended a great Social Media Club Atlanta meeting last night with great insight from companies across the southeast. As could be expected, the tweet stream was very active. Shout out to my boss for knocking one of the park.
• Podcasts: If you haven't listened to Jonathon Fields' The Good Life Project you are missing out on a weekly dose of insight, intelligence and inspiration. I've been listening for probably two years and recommend it so often to family and friends. This interview with Gretchen Rubin on habits is by far my favorite. I'm an obliger and an abstainer, which does not make me crazy.
• TV: Are you watching Kimmy Schmidt?! The new Tina Fey show on Netflix has me hooked. Stop what you're doing right now and watch. Report back. 
• Apps: Layout is pretty cool.
• The News: My dad lives in a small sleepy town of Ponchatoula, Louisiana. Imagine my shock when I see them trending on Facebook yesterday. Yikes.

Obsessed with something new and cool? Let's chat. @WhitneyGibbs

Kimberly-Clark's Push for Women in Leadership

I enjoyed this article about the tactics Kimberly-Clark employed to make their senior leadership look more like their customers, make them women. Through generous maternity leave, flex schedules and a later start time, the company increased their staff retention rates and have seen an increase in female directors.

While these changes were enacted to gain more female leaders, I think we can all agree that it would improve work life for both genders, whether or not you have kids. I'm very blessed with a flexible team environment that values hard work and achievement over hours spent in house. Because of that, we probably spend more time in house than we intend, because we enjoy our team and our time there.

MSNBC vs. the Romney Family:: Snark vs. Love

Breaking News: Something stupid happened on cable news the other night.

I know, that's not breaking news. It seems like every day someone says Santa is white, calling on people to defecate in a public personality's mouth or the like. It happens on all the networks. Lucky for us, it now happens around the clock.

This week, the outrage machine is fired up over comments made on Melissa Harris-Perry's MSNBC show about Mitt Romney's adopted grandchild. While pointing out the obvious in an off-color political tone, they managed to offend a lot of people.

Let's point out the obvious: Yes, MSNBC isn't a fan of Mitt Romney. Yes, the latest edition to the Romney family is a bit different than the rest. Yes, cable news makes a mint off of attacking their political opponents.

Instead of lashing out over the latest political mishap when another is just around the corner, I'm going to take the opportunity to try something new.

In the age of Twitter, snark is the new black. Everything has to be witty, dry and a little mean. MSNBC, if nothing else, was definitely being trendy.

The Romney family was instead acting out of love. Christian love for each other, for the community. They are making the world a better place, one life at a time.

Let's take this opportunity to dial down the outrage and the snark, and instead operate out of love.

(And only a little snark.)

Friday Dance

What I learned this week: My title can be "Birthday Girl" on a legally binding document. NOLA birthday party, here we come!

Also, here is my Friday dance.

 

This is my Friday Dance.

How to Start a Budget

Did you ever put off a goal simply because you don't know where to start? If you want to run a marathon but don't even know how far that is, you may feel silly asking or you may be too overwhelmed to try.

After two tries at a half-marathon and realizing that I max out at 7 miles, I'm not going to be able to help you run a marathon, but I can help you start a budget. Sure, budgeting seems boring but it can help you figure out where your money is going and how to reach your financial goals.

Start with these easy steps and let me know if I can help you!

1. Analyze your spending. Online tools like Mint.com make this easy. Simply open a free account, load in all of your bank accounts and credit cards, and allow it to load your transactions for the last few months. You may have to spend some time sorting transactions to organize it, but it's a simple way to categorize your expenses.

Once you have a clear picture of where your money goes, make a list of the areas you should change. Are you paying bank or credit card fees that you can get rid of? Are you spending more on eating out than you thought? Did you know that much of your paycheck went to your cell phone bill? Make a note now so you can follow up.

2. Set short-term financial goals. Once you have an idea where your money goes, figure out where you want it to go instead. Do you need to save for a car or a wedding? Would you like to have a trip fund so you can pick up on a whim and leave town? It's your money! Make it work for you.

3. Where to cut? Once you have a financial goal in mind, figure out how much it will cost and how much per month you can pay towards it. Mint has great resources in their Goals section. Once you know how much you will pay per month, build it in to your budget. Bye, bye fast food lunches; hello beach vacation.

Do you realize that you now have a budget? It wasn't as hard as you thought it would be, was it? After a while, you may need to make changes because you reach your goals or your categories change. These minor fixes won't take long, especially because you already started!

In defense of gift cards

Christmas is only a week away and many people still have a few gifts left on their list. Over the last few years, gift cards have gotten a bad rap for being impersonal and not thoughtful. However, let me waste a few minutes of your Tuesday to let you know why I think gift cards are the best gift.



1. I like to budget, which often means I don't have a lot left over to mindlessly shop for myself. Shopping used to be a hobby of mine and I would love to be able to do this without the guilt of wrecking my budget.

2. We have too much crap and we usually can't wait to buy what we truly need. While I know you put a lot of thought into the house plant or the pair of earrings you got me, chances are if I really wanted it, I would have already bought it. Also, odds are your gift will end up in the back of my guest room closet.

3. The things I am waiting to buy are too pricey for me right now. Your gift card will get me closer to my savings goal and get that big gift sooner.

You have seven days to figure out the perfect gift for your cousin/co-worker/in-law.  I say go for the gift card.

Books of 2012

     

    

When I started this blog, I would diligently write book reviews as I finished new books, but then something great happened. I started reading so many books so quickly, I just didn't have time to right a thoughtful review for each one.

So, here's a little update on the top 5 books I've read this year.

1. Looking for a lesson in Atlanta history? Where Peachtree Meets Sweet Auburn walks you through the city's history through the families that would produce two mayors. The story telling is beautiful and the interviews with the family's are invaluable. Also, for a book that is told from such a personal perspective, this book is careful to be objective, especially when it comes to failed policy.

2. An uplifting story about the power of the human spirit, Louis Zamperini is a real-life Forrest Gump. From the Olympics to a WWII POW to a difficult return home, Laura Hillenbrand infuses this story with personality, humor and inspiration. By the end of the book, I was in tears!

3. If you're looking for something more light hearted, Sloane Crosley is your girl. Her observational story telling skills are unmatched and I giggled my way through the short stories in the book. My favorite story involves Alaska and bears.

4. I read Team of Rivals before I knew there would be a Lincoln movie out this year. I'll confess, the size is a bit daunting and their are too many characters to keep up with. Goodwin, however, does a good job navigating the plots and adds great flourish to what could have been a stale recounting of history. Got some downtime later this month? This is definitely your book.

5. My husband thinks I'm obsessed. I've now read 6 books at least partially about Zelda Fitzgerald's life. Did her husband's drinking drive her crazy? Did her instability drive her husband to drink? When did the marriage sour? Would F. Scott Fitzgerald ever become the legend he is without his wife/muse? Would he have been able to have a more substantial career without her? The more I read. The more I want to know. This is by far my favorite of her biographies, although they're all great.

If you would still like insight into the books I'm reading, let's be friends on Goodreads. I update this site pretty regular on what I've read since it'll give me new recommendations.

Let's talk about something else

The US media loves to focus on the sensational, the trashy, the depressing. They'll argue it isn't what they want, it's what consumers seek and they have a point. I have a certain love for celebrity gossip and bizarre news stories because they're a nice distraction from the every day.

I've been working to take personal responsibility on the media I consume. If you would like to join me, there's an easy way to do that today.

A certain trouble-making celebrity was arrested last night for being immature, stupid and violent. Whenever the news comes up today, change the subject to Malala Yousafzai. A quick Google search will give you all the information you need about this brave Pakistani girl who just wanted to go to school.

She became an outspoken leader in women's rights, even though she's only 15 years old. The Taliban decided she was such a threat to their culture that they shot her in the head as she rode the school bus home in October. As a teenage girl, she was targeted for assassination. She is recovering from her injuries in England.

There's a world out there that doesn't involve TMZ, Honey Boo Boo or the trash the media spoon feeds us. Make today about someone who works to make a difference, and you'll be making a difference, too.

I'm thankful for 2012

It’s been a whirlwind year with a lot of highs—and a handful of lows. In fact, without this tradition, I may not sit down this year and give thanks for a year that has brought me to tears more than a few times. But, on closer inspection, I have so many things that make me thankful. Chief among them, the spirit of resilience that all of my family members have, the attitude that no matter what happens, we each will keep going.

In 2012, I couldn’t be more thankful for:

-Steve and your patience; your enthusiasm for picking on Marlie and me; your sense of adventure; that moment when your patience runs out and you finally tell me what’s on your mind; our love for travel; your generosity with my family; and your incredible sense of humor.

-My mom, my very best friend, who puts up with all of me, which is no easy task.

-My dad, who is only a phone call away to fix all of the problems in my life, from leaky showers to tearful fits.

-Taylor and every giggly phone call that reminds me of our late night conversations growing up.

-Reed and your ability to take on everything, including our family drama, in the same way you caught frogs for Taylor and me when were little, like it’s easy.

-Mallory, thanks for bringing your insight to so many of our family moments. You have a careful eye that catches the things we often miss.

My dear, dear friends. God blesses me through each of you every day with humor, love and attention. I’m so very thankful for friends that:

-Wouldn’t commit a misdemeanor, let alone a felony.

-Laugh loudly.

-Dive into pools.

-Have traditions.

-Let me cry.

-Apologize.

-Pick me up out of the bushes.

-Make breakfast.

-Have babies.

-Get married in awesome weddings

-Appreciate my bossiness

-Read my blogs

-Make me dinner to celebrate their engagement.

-Gossip.

-Introduce me to new people.

-Dress up for birthdays and Halloween.

-Share inside jokes.

-Sister, get up!

-Make me laugh. Hard.

-Introduce me to their fabulous in-laws.

-Tweet, GChat and Email, because we can’t see each other often enough.

-Give side-eye

-Share their struggles

-Celebrate life with girly cocktail hours

-Share our love of any of our passions.

-Love Will Hoge

-Tailgate for Opening Day

-Ask me to be in their wedding

-Take us rafting

-Quote 30 Rock and make up drinking games

-Hike

-Encourage me

-Let me sleep at their house

-Cook

-Commiserate about the Braves

-Have an irreverent sense of humor

-Have a disdain for raised medians

-Are very upset that I have no Georgia swag but plenty from FSU

-Tahiti

-Aren’t judgy

-Form friendships even if we haven’t met in real life

-Are happy

-Show me how to start over and learn new things

-Say “good talk”

Thank you for the many ways you bless me and the nonsense you put up with from me: Molly, Brad, Wylly, Sharon, Nate, Rick, Chris Brown, Nikki, Steven, Brett, Liz, Theresa, Chris Connolly, Ben, Matt, Debbie, Krisi, Pete, Sarah Beth, Cam, Patrick, Tom, Ivan, Kristi, Sarah Melissa, Chase, Shawn, Kevin, Callie, Joe, Matt, Martha, Chris Bailey, Kristin, Damon, Ashlee, Meaghan, Jenna, Seth and Billy.

Thank God for Twitter; Riesling, Malbec, ciders and tequila; treadmills; DVR; Homeland, Nashville and 30 Rock; blogs like Suri’s Burn Book; Sharpies and highlighters; Susan B. Anthony; Midnight in Paris; Zelda Fitzgerald; Will Hoge, Miranda Lambert and Jason Aldean; Dry Roasted Almonds; Willy’s Mexican Grill; my phone; covers; celebrity gossip; vacations and new adventures; people that drive better than I do; library books; hurricane coverage; the Silver Comet Trail; Jackson Square; fortune tellers; my bed; gum; the days I can work from home; coupons and contests; old pictures; awkward conversations and situations that are funny later; the laughter that comes from old jokes, and being easily amused and a little bit childish; and the million other small things that get me through the day.

God bless the Braves; Baby; Freddie Freeman hugs; Craig Kimbrell; Chipper Jones, his tweets and all his retirement gifts; Kris Medlen; Andrelton Simmons; the way Chip Caray says Francisco; and fans that throw trash for garbage calls. I’m still mad about the infield fly rule.

Epiphanies where God finally shows me what he’s been working toward all along.

That I have a Savior who blesses me everyday, and loves me for who I am but loves me too much to leave me this way.

And finally, for the chance to count my blessings. 

Gosh, I love Twitter

If you caught the picks on College Gameday Saturday, you know who Braden Pape is. The five year-old Oregon fan was the celebrity picker after he sang the College Gameday theme song on the show last year. I can't find the whole video, but you should definitely check it out. He stood up to those analysts and had great reasoning for his picks. I just couldn't stop laughing.

As I normally do when something has me absolutely tickled, I tweeted about it. Guess who tweets me back but Braden's dad?!

@whitneygibbs our favorite part as well :-) -Braden's Dad
— Jordan Pape (@jordan_pape) November 19, 2012

Great job, sir. I know you're very proud of your son and I'm glad Twitter could bring us together.

Mug Shot Monday

Monday's are the worst but at least you're not in jail. Local edition after this actor was arrested at The Vortex this weekend.

c/o TMZ

2012 Voting Information

Hi everyone!

We're 22 days away from the November 6 election. Below, you'll find voting information for by absentee, early and Election Day voting. While I'm normally advocating for candidates in this email, the election is woefully boring in Georgia this year. However, if you have questions about ballot referendums or candidates, feel free to ask.

1. Vote by Mail

Steve and I always choose to vote by mail since he's often out of town and I like to research as I vote. Fill out a request  and mail it to your county's elections office. No excuse needed! All ballots must be received by the close of business on Election Day, so don't waste any time if you would like to vote by mail.

2. Early voting kicks off today across Georgia and runs through Friday, November 2. There will also be Saturday voting on October 27! You can vote at any location in the county where you're registered. When voting in person, make sure to bring an approved form of photo ID.

3. Vote on Election Day. Sure, you can vote the old fashioned way. Polls are open from 7 am to 7 pm on Tuesday, November 6. You must be in line at 7 pm to be allowed to vote. When voting in person, make sure to bring an approved form of photo ID. Find your polling location here.

If you aren't registered to vote, you unfortunately missed the deadline to register for this election. However, get a jump on the next election by registering today.

Voting is made so simple in Georgia that you have no excuse to miss it! Thanks for doing your civic duty and voting!

Seth Godin

PSA: Poor Tennessee Toth

Reese Witherspoon had a baby today and, bless her heart, she named him Tennessee James Toth. Sure, the Nashville native may be a little homesick and it's a fun name for the former Southerner. For Hollywood, however, it's a little trashy.

I know young Tennessee is just getting acquainted with the world but he could quickly become a cliche. To help out, my lovely friend Molly and I made a list of things he should never do.

1. Visit his grandparents in Nashville.
2. Become a Volunteers or Titans fan.
3. Listen to country music.
4. Run for political office.
5. Use the "You're the only Ten-I-See" pick-up line.
6. Drink Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey or become friends with someone named Jack Daniels.
7. Wear a cowboy hat or own a horse.
8. Wear plaid, ever.
9. Marry a girl named Georgia or Virginia.
10. Dress like Elvis.

You're welcome, sir.