Tag Archives: Adversity
Just to let you know, I’ve lacked in the inspiration department lately…as if you couldn’t tell. I realized that it’s not that I don’t have anything to write about, but it’s that I have too much to write about. Am I making any sense at all? If not, click out, do your search, and go visit one of those “other” blogs. I’m really done with worrying about what my readers think about my every word. Don’t get me wrong; I love you, but the stress is not worth it. I am who I am. Love me. Hate me. It’s all a part of the Journey…
I’ve come just far enough through a break up with my husband of almost nineteen years to learn and understand some things. Dare I share them with you? YES! They might help someone out there…
1. Fear (not people) is controlling and always gets in the way of your dreams and goals.
2. Be good to yourself. If you don’t, know one else will.
3. Be careful around addicting substances and people. Hook, line, and sinker…that’s all I have to say about that.
4. Don’t put yourself in emotionally charged situations; such as, weddings, funerals, graduations, baby showers.
5. If you feel yourself sabotaging your health, wellness, dreams, get accountable…damn quick!
6. Drink lots of water…I always say that!
7. Don’t make important decisions when emotionally compromised ( it’s OK to choose salad dressing and stuff like that).
8. Believe in your ability to make it through anything…no matter what!
9. Accept responsibility for YOUR actions. That means there may be consequences, too.
10. You can never take words back…
I hope that you find everything you want out of life, that your journey is adventurous, and you make effort everyday to get closer to your authentic self. Add your best break up tip if you dare…
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
If you loved this one, you may enjoy these Women’s Life Link classics:
What Is Your State of Mind…Really?
IntrospectiveSunday
Well, I couldn’t think of a more appropriate day to come back to my regular posting than the one where I “Introspect”. It’s been an interesting couple of weeks moving into a small two bedroom apartment with my youngest daughter. This transition from being married and living with five other people to it being just the two of us is revealing. Let me explain.
Ever since I can remember, I have sought out other people, friends, family with which to spend the majority of my time. Though my tendency to do this has not changed, it’s the opportunity to “always have people around” that has. You get used to having other bodies present, hearing voices other than your own, getting irritated by the quirkiness of other humans. The time alone, or semi-alone, is just a different kind of animal for me. A part of me cries; a part of me rejoices, and I’m OK with that. It’s good to even say that, knowing that there was a time when I had to separate each event into two categories: Good and Bad. Well, this is neither good nor bad; it just is what it is.
My introspection is this: What are the reasons I find being around others all the time appealing? What are the challenges? How can I find more energy and fulfillment being by myself?
If you have the opposite challenge of feeling overwhelmed when with others and find it difficult to be around groups of people, ask yourself these questions: What are the reasons I find being alone so appealing? What are the challenges? How can I find more energy and fulfillment being with people?
My Discoveries
♦ I don’t like being alone because there is no one to listen to my ideas.
♦ I receive energy from the presence of others.
♦ I like to look at people and listen to their voices, hearing what they have to say.
♦ My personality type is one that receives energy from regular touch and interaction with people .
The Challenges
♦ I don’t get quality time to do this introspection thing…LOL
♦ I ignore my own needs.
♦ Missing too many important points of self-improvement due to constant interaction with others.
♦ I can’t listen to the music I want to or sing without getting an emphatic “Shut up!”
Finding Balance
♦ I can practice being alone by doing things that I love like visiting a museum or garden park.
♦ Schedule time with friends and family so I have events to look forward to.
♦ Continue to introspect during times of solitude (that sounds so much better than saying “being alone”).
♦ Allow myself to feel the emotions without judgement.
If you feel inclined to do so, please join me in today’s self-awareness exercise and share your discoveries!
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
Hi everyone! I’ve been taking time to work out some family stuff recently and have not posted the usual daily article. I found a poem by Susan Polis Schultz that really spoke to me this week and wanted to share it with you.
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
This life is yours
Take the power
to choose what you want to do
and do it well
Take the power
to love what you want in life
and love it honestly
Take the power
to walk in the forest
and be a part of nature
Take the power
to control your own life
No one else can do it for you
Take the power
to make your life happy
IntrospectiveSunday
It’s a beautiful day in Indy; the birds have been serenading since around 5:00 AM. My soul is connected to nature more now than ever. I believe in the force that drives us all to live and breath. In considering my place in the world, I suddenly got a picture of a child standing at the edge of a street, wanting to cross but a little hesitant because of all the times she was warned that something “bad” could happen. She wants what is on the other side, she excitedly thinks but knows that there are obstacles to getting there.
“Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow.” ˜Doug Firebaugh
Moving ahead in life (crossing the street) is just another way of bringing clarity about who you are and understanding of “what” lies before you. Though there may be scary things or challenges to that move, it still is a part of life, the “real” life we are supposed to live. It’s OK to be hesitant, but with all courage girded up, the best thing is to “look both ways before crossing” and proceed when It feels right.
Asking for Help
Even a child knows they have limitations and is aware of actions that should not be attempted without help. We really aren’t a whole lot different when we grow up; we still need help from time-to-time. It’s a lot easier to move when you know that others have your back…like the child that knows mom or dad is standing close by, hand outstretched, ready to assist in her next step.
It’s Worth Another Look… just in case
One of the things I always do while driving is be constantly aware of where I am, what is around me, and what danger might be lurking ahead – true defensive driving. When I make any kind of turn, I always look both ways and then look back to the left one more time before I pull out into any intersection. This precaution has saved me from many accidents. The world has too many people who don’t look before they leap…it’s those people from which we must defend ourselves.
One thing I understand about any kind of progress whether it be “life” or “vehicular travel” is that to be driven by fear hinders and actually makes bad things happen; to be moved by confidence and clarity gets you there and more securely.
Ask yourself: What is on the other side of the road that you want? What obstacles are in your way? How do you proceed? Feel free to tell us about your special “crossing”.
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
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IntrospectiveSunday
Facing adversity is a part of life…sorry, that was sort of a DUH statement. It is in times of trial that we really see what we’re made of. All of the bugs come out of the woodwork so to speak. And some of them can be big and ugly. I want you to think about how you handle hard events and emotional trial. When the Cortisol starts flying, do you run for the hills or do you stay put; do you turn into Medusa or are you calm, collected, and gentle?
“Sooner or later we all discover that the important moments in life are not the advertised ones, not the birthdays, the graduations, the weddings, not the great goals achieved. The real milestones are less prepossessing. They come to the door of memory unannounced, stray dogs that amble in, sniff around a bit and simply never leave. Our lives are measured by these” ˜Susan B. Anthony
Though all of these emotional reactions are perfectly normal, humanity as it should be, they aren’t all becoming of us. I’ve been challenged with numerous life events that have literally knocked me on my ass and taken a good part of my composure. Yes, even life coaches go down. We are all vulnerable to the storms of life, but it’s how we react to them that sets the stage for what’s next. Coming to emotional milestones on your journey is something you should want; without meeting them and pushing on through them, we would stagnate and ultimately fail at reaching our potential.
Initially, it can be difficult to get your bearings; the reason for most poor choices and distress. The panic mode that we all feel sets in. I have found that owning these heightened emotions is the best way to overcome the pattern of making erratic choices and setting yourself up for failure. It’s OK to feel hurt, angry, confused, or any of many negative emotions. However, it’s crucial that you find a way to turn your experiences into positive springboards, to find a forward-motion that keeps you on track to grow and make changes for the better.
Remember that nobody is perfect; nobody plays fair 100% of the time; nobody is going to go through life without being hit with challenging situations. Take a moment to clarify your emotions right now. Recognize the negative as an important part of who you are. Then put it into a place where it can’t destroy your dreams and goals. What are these feelings trying to tell you? Where do you need to go from here? Introspection.
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
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The Courage To Be Me-The Courage To Be You
Stop Pretending To Heal Your Life
IntrospectiveSunday
I was reminded today about how lucky I was that my two oldest children (now adults) were not high-strung, rebellious, down-right nasty, or any of those negative personas that make any woman reconsider her motherly throne. But that was like a million years ago. The “others”, I say, and hate to separate them, are testing my sanity at the core….yes, even the Missy Moo (two-year-old girl).
The rebel-fest causes this mega form of introspection that, honestly, I hate. Why? Because I never win in the inner battle for understanding of what the hell teenagers are all about? After all, I’ve done my best. What could I have possibly done that’s so bad to enlist such disrespectful behavior? And what did I do SO differently with the older ones? I’m left with one desire: to catch the next airplane to an island in the Caribbean…alone to enjoy peace.
What thrilling, ugly times (or anything in between) have you gone through with your teen? And how does experiencing this change you as a mother? What kinds of things do you think about yourself as a mother?
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
OK, so I borrowed Journey’s famous song title for this post, but please bear with me as I make a point that will change the way you see your life. Take a look at the refrain from the song that has now made a HUGE comeback thanks to that little TV show called GLEE:
Strangers, waiting, up and down the boulevard, Their shadows searching in the night, Streetlight people, living just to find emotion, Hiding somewhere in the night.
For the most part, the lyrics of the song are general and can represent a number of scenarios that are taking place all over the world right now. I’d like to take a crack at drawing out something that makes a tasty life-lesson…my favorite kind. There are several key words that stand out to me in this verse: strangers, waiting, searching, and hiding. Hmmm…do you see what I see? How many of you are strangers to yourselves and the world? What are you waiting for? How long have you been searching? Will you come out of hiding?
I knew that Journey was my favorite band back in the day for a reason more than Steve Perry’s pipes…
The life journey can be tricky at times, leaving you unfulfilled, lacking belief in yourself, and running for cover…like the “streetlight” people who are not really living but are in a cheap substitution for the life they could be experiencing. As a life coach, a part of my job is to ask clients questions that bring clarity to their unique situation. Often the revelation in the answers remind them that they can know where they are and where they want to go, understanding without debilitating fear.
Coming Out of Hiding
, it’s imperative to ask “what” it is that you’re hiding from and then allow yourself the moment of clarity that comes with the answer. It’s obviously some form of fear that taunts enough to 
keep you immobile and in the dark. I hear the phrase “I’m stuck” so frequently in my business that I’m planning on offering a special “Get Unstuck” package. This problem is really more about being afraid of the unknown than it is being unable to move…a default excuse for not even trying.
During a recent conversation with some colleagues, a question was posed in which I found a deeper understanding. We discussed, “what’s the worst thing that can happen?” as being a foundational question to help clients discover and overcome their fears. So, I ask you: what is the worst thing that can happen in your situation? Yes, the one that keeps you up at night and sends gray hairs to the surface of your head like tiny “I surrender” flags.
It’s your personal discovery in this hiding place that will catapult you to a new beginning, the renewal of belief in yourself and your journey. It’s not something that you can do just once and expect that you’ll never visit that “comfort zone” again; you will go back but with a greater understanding and holding a “map” that shows the way out. How do I know this? Because I still go there myself, and I still have to ask myself “what is the worst thing that can happen?”. Be well-be beautiful-be happy.
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Am I all That?
Photo by D. Cruz
I’m Madeline, a forty-something woman who takes life by the horns…but I don’t take the bullshit that often comes with it. I tell it like it is…to your face. My philosophy is simple: be yourself, laugh often, make others laugh, and Be Happy Already!
OK, my darlings, I might have to re-neg on last week’s post about trying to make peace with Mondays. I’m in a rather stinker of a mood today and have no time to run from it or hide under my fluffy blanket. So, here I am with my jaw clenched, making no sense, facing the music…Monday and the computer.
If only ice cream and chocolate would make it all better like it does for the little ones and women much, much younger than I. Instead, I would just get indigestion and a fat ass (excuse my tone and choice of words); I’m trying. Just so you know, I’m in the middle of a cleanse, detox, the raw reality of turning your entire body inside out…or so it seems. As to the other source of my untimely funk, I can only blame it on the wonderful world of womanhood. What can I say? I’m not a real fan of cramps, zits, and weight gain.
Who is?
Love,
Madeline♥
As parents, we often worry about our choices that concern our children, what form of discipline to use, how to tell them about sex, how much independence to give. It’s a never-ending challenge to balance the good with the bad. Though all of these things are important, I find myself thinking about something completely different…whether I can be a well parent. Now if you’ve never had a chronic illness, you may not relate to this at all, but humor me.
For over seven years, I’ve had a great deal of time and energy stolen from me by chronic migraine and CDH (chronic daily headache). As if it wasn’t enough to spit in my face, the incredibly rude and annoyingly curt illness has tripped, mocked, and short-sheeted my children. They have learned the emotion resentment (doesn’t go well with the teen years). I have learned how that extinguishes all confidence as a mother.
At times it seems as though they don’t want to hear that I’m improving, afraid that it’s not real or that the relief will only be temporary. I used to feel the same way about telling anyone if I had a good day or even a week. Not anymore, though. I am better; I am stronger; I am going to be a well parent. If it kills me…just kidding.
My physical, emotional, and spiritual growth has been life-changing in so many ways. I’ve searched deeper within myself than I ever have before. My body has a fighting chance to heal, to mend all the flaws caused by chronic pain and endless medication. The momentum has me moving in a direction that is bringing fulfillment, energy, and self-love. I no longer tell my head off or wish that someone would just put me in a coma. Yes, I could write a book called, 250 Ways to Live Without Your Head.
Looking to the future, I see myself spending more time making up for all that I’ve lost…we’ve lost. They may not understand all the trips to the doctor, all the pill bottles in my purse and on my nightstand, the painful injections that “make mommy silly”, or the nights I spent at the hospital, but I hope they know how much I have loved them through it all. I appreciate the times when they did help out a little more or comfort me with a foot rub or just their presence. I couldn’t have made it without them.
I don’t know what this new season of “no headaches” will bring; I don’t know if it will last forever or leave as quickly as it moved in. Regardless, I won’t take any of this precious time for granted. It’s a gift from God…
Thanks for being here.
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
Introspective Sunday
I for one am someone who delights in a job well done, especially if it’s my own. There is, however, a difference between being efficient and quality-minded and being a perfectionist. Let’s explore that , sometimes invisible, line that separates the two.
“Perfectionism is not a quest for the best. It is a pursuit of the worst in ourselves, the part that tells us that nothing we do will ever be good enough – that we should try again.”
˜Julia Cameron
First thing’s first, you have to understand that not everything is as it seems. There are those who impress in every project, every outfit, every word they say, and even in every little task they perform from day-to-day. Having said that, here’s the funny thing: Though those individuals look and act like they have “it” all together, it’s likely that their lives are sitting on the edge of a very high cliff, ready to take a plunge to the rocks below. You just never see the faults, the insecurities, the mistakes; they won’t let you. They are perfectionists. A unique set of rules govern this group of people. Here are just a few:
Ten Commandments of the Perfectionist
1. Never let anyone see you struggle. That is why it always seems like they are natural at everything. In fact, they will steer clear of anything that they are not good at from the beginning.
2. Don’t admit fault or say you’re sorry. It’s too painful for them to realize that they are not perfect.
3. Have great ideas but have lousy follow through. New things make them vulnerable and put them in the critical arena where anyone can shoot them down.
4. Keep working on it until it’s perfect. There is a voice in their head that tells them “it’s not good enough; try harder.”
5. Avoid social scenes when you don’t feel pretty enough or have just the right outfit to wear.
6. Get constant approval from peers.
7. You must suffer from stress-related illnesses like, headaches, ulcers, high blood pressure, heart problems, and depression.
8. You must be competitive and always be right.
9. Be a chronic procrastinator. They don’t want you to know that they put things off because of fear of failure.
10. You must be perfect as expected by your parents. Or you must always win the affection of the one who abandoned you.
Now, that’s a lot of dysfunction to be whirling around in one person’s life, huh? Trust me…I know. I’ve been that person. Though I don’t still walk on the side of extreme perfectionism, I do tend to visit on occasion. It’s a place I spent a lot of time, so it’s normal to want to go to a safe place. However, I know that being a perfectionist is damaging and only produces constant negative thinking and ruins relationships. You can never be good enough for yourself , let alone anyone else. Pure hell.
Can you think of a time when you may have been wearing the shoes of a perfectionist? Don’t worry if you can; it doesn’t mean your doomed or anything. It just means that you have some real work to do…the kind that will help you succeed at being the person you are meant to be. I had to say goodbye to my perfectionist alter-ego. She really was very flawed and very stubborn…and so am I, still. The difference… it’s OK not to be perfect. I put that stubbornness to better use. I’m a much happier girl with all my faults, mistakes, and things I suck at. The joy is in the journey to become you, not in how much you can impress other people. Be well-be beautiful-be happy.
If you enjoyed this article, you may also like, Letting Go of Perfectionism.
Power300
Well, the topic for today is one that might make a few of you cringe or at least think about whether I have read your mail…so to speak. It’s just too big of an issue to not address here before God and everyone. So, let’s move on.
What do you think about the word “press” and all of the negative forms it seems to take? Just think about it…you have depression, oppression, suppression, pressure…
These are all barriers in some form or another. And how many of you have experienced one or more of the above?
That’s what I thought.
You’re not alone…I’ve had a few rounds with every one of those beasts myself. That’s why I type here today with confidence when I say this…
You can beat them with your hands tied behind your back. Let me explain…briefly. I only have 300 words in which to make a point. Every one of those grizzly entities are a symptom of imbalance. Sound simple? Well, it is…not always easy, but simple. The key is discovering why the teeter-totter is slamming into the ground and leaving you with a sore rear end. You’ve got to place equal weight on each end if you want to flow up and down smoothly (I went to the park with my kids this week…what can I say). It’s a good analogy though. Think about how it feels when you aren’t balanced. It sucks. It hurts. It brings about trouble and bruises.
Let’s make this simple…
♦ Locate yourself (where the &*$# are you, anyway?) What word did you put in the blank? Mine was not bad at all…
♦ Prioritize (What makes you happy?)
♦ Set Goals (What results do you want?)
♦ WEED THE GARDEN (Only you can decide what this one means.)
♦ Move some things around (It means that you might have to say no.)
♦ Enjoy your new growth and balance (Peace…ahhh)
♦ Maintain (A little follow-up goes a long way.)
OK, I blew the 300 words, but I’ll make it up with a 200-worder next time. Let me know how you do with this one.
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
You may also enjoy the article on life balance from the Mayo Clinic.
More Out of Monday…What’s Left of Monday with Madeline♥
I’m Madeline – a healthfully humorous, radically ridiculous, momentarily messy broad here to give you a flicker of joy on the (in most cases) most indignant day of the week.
Monday is like…
…going through customs, slow, rude, and there’s almost always someone present who wants to make your life miserable…not to be confused with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
Oooh…I’m so late with this post that I should be ashamed of myself! If I don’t get my act together, Madeline will be no more. You try juggling kids, pets, my hair, and being interesting…well, I guess you do, except the “my hair” part. Some days just seem so…short. Today was like that, and the funny thing is, we just passed the Spring Equinox (twelve hour day/twelve hour night). The scarier thing is that I actually know that fact and, for the life of me, can’t remember why.
Speaking of time, I’ve always been one to be late. No, I mean chronically, unforgivably late; my relatives and friends have made a covenant. They actually plan (or conspire) gatherings with the understanding that I’ve been told to be there at least a half hour before everyone else. That way no one has to eat cold food waiting on me. It’s the hair; I’m telling you.
I have three…not one, not two, but three MAJOR cowlicks in my hair. And, I’m sorry…but to have something on my body that has anything to do with a cow’s tongue is not my cup of tea. Yeah, I looked it up. A cowlick is the swirly mess that is left after a mama cow licks the shit off her baby…literally. Aren’t you glad we don’t have to do that with our children? Although, I do recall my mother licking her hand and then trying to smooth down the unacceptable hump-of-hair in the back of my head. Please tell me why I just had a flash of an alternative rock band named “Hump of Hair”. And you better believe they had some cowlicks! =)
Anyway, my hair has been a object of discord among my family since I can remember. I actually think my mom paid my brother to put gum in it so she could cut it all off.
That was a sad day…for my brother. And, yes, it was cut short, into what was coined back then as the “Dorothy Hamill”. Oh God, this post is going south real quick; I’m talking about the seventies again. Let’s see, I started with time, went to family gatherings, then to hair, cows, gum, and now, for the love of God…Dorothy Hamill. Well, I don’t know about you, but I’ve certainly received a lot MORE out of my Monday!
I couldn’t think of any more fitting video clip to leave you with than one of that precious figure skater showing off her famous hair cut…and, of course, winning an Olympic gold medal.
Love,
Madeline♥
Photo by Gothicjade
Introspective Sunday
When did we arrive at a place where the simplest action of asking your fellow humans for assistance is not on the list of options, and for some, as painful as getting a root canal? Seriously, what form of twisted philosophy has inundated our lives, families, and businesses to the point of preferring a state of chronic dysfunction to freedom and success? Today, I want you to think about how easily or how difficult it is for you to ask for help.
“The great blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach; but we shut our eyes, and like people in the dark, we fall foul upon the very thing we search for, without finding it.”
˜Seneca (7 B.C. – 65 A.D.)
Isn’t that the truth? We will close our eyes to the challenge, issue, problem before we will ask for help. This unfortunate habit often puts us into a loop of defeat and low self-esteem. Keeping this way of thinking long term can lead to depression, anxiety, relationship issues, and any number of physical health problems.
As a life coach and a woman who naturally wants to help people, I find this kind of resistance often. I usually just ask flat out “why” they don’t ask for help. The answers are anything from “I don’t know how” to “I don’t want to bother someone with my problems”. Though I believe that what comes out is the “truth”, there is likely a deeper issue that needs to be uncovered.
Pride
Could it be that many people don’t want to involve others because they don’t want to them to see how dysfunctional they are?
The answer to that is, possibly. Pride and embarrassment really go hand-in-hand. If you have something to be proud of and then suddenly it’s threatened, you might do just about anything to keep your secret of failure from others. During financial problems is an area that you see this type of behavior quite often. The bankrupt business owner will wallow in the self-pity for months (even years) instead of reaching out to a friend, life-coach, or even a therapist to help with the emotions and physical climb out.
Here’s the thing with that: the longer you wait to get help with any problem, the longer you will have it. Additionally, and likely the worst part, you create this negative mantra (looping self-talk) that eventually becomes your normal if you don’t change it. It’s like accumulative stress that DOES NOT stop until you decide to stop it.
So, can you think of a time when you were afraid to ask for help?
What happened as a result of your fear and pride? Could you have solved your problem faster with the help of a professional or even a friend or family member?
Here’s a few tips to help you recognize when getting some help might be a good idea:
♦ You feel trapped in your situation. The thoughts that “things will never change” often come to mind.
♦ The “old happy you” has taken a permanent vacation.
♦ Your family has noticed a change in your behavior.
♦ You find that all the things you used to do are not as satisfying as they used to be.
♦ You lie awake in bed trying to “figure things out” or come up with the “miracle solution”.
♦ You avoid conversations that involve your problem.
The other thing is figuring out what kind of help you need. It could be that you just need to get out with a friend for some girl time or a nice chat – a break from your usual routine. On a more serious level, you might need to seek out the help of a professional like a counselor or psychologist. I am not qualified to tell you if you are at that place, but I will say this: If you are having constant feelings of despair and loneliness, you might want to talk to your health care provider about it.
The Life Coach
In between the two scenarios above would be the seeking out of a life coach. It’s the kind of help that can be as ongoing or short as you need. As a client, you call the shots with this relationship. There are no demands; you work on what is important to you. The coach is simply someone who leads you to the answers through self-discovery. Because they are experts at asking the right questions, you find answers much faster and more efficiently than you do in your insomniac nights.
No matter where you are in your life, there is bound to be something that has you stuck. Face it; you might need a helping hand. Please speak freely in your comments. After all, helping is my business. Be well-be beautiful.
***For more information about Kellie Stone and the coaching services she provides, please contact her via womenslifelink@gmail.com.
Fortunate Friday
My Missy Moo (toddler girl) has been watching this one episode of Barney and Friends over and over again. Though I don’t have anything against the purple dinosaur, it never fails that the songs get stuck in my head…I then proceed to sing them – a common mommy event, I’m sure.
One particular song that has invaded my brain is the “Raindrops” one. The lyrics go:
If all the raindrops were gumdrops and lemon drops,
Oh, what a rain that would be.
Then they stand there with their mouths open, tongues out, as if to catch the yummy candy as it comes down. It got me thinking after rolling around in my head for about an hour; how many times do we get disappointed when we know it’s going to rain or snow? Our picnic or outing may be ruined; the walk or run we had planned gets bumped in exchange for an indoor activity; or your mood simply plummets when the sky is gray.
I do have a point…really.
What if we just start getting thankful for every “Raindrop” whether we think we want it or not? Even better, what if we consider an event (good or bad) as something that simply “is” and has the potential to give into our lives (like the perpetual falling of gumdrops and lemon drops). Hint: you have to choose to open up and receive.
I believe that young children to do this on a regular basis. That is why you will find them engrossed in one thing many times over. They relish the positive energy and joy that one toy, one TV program, one person brings to their experience. And, when we grow up, we forget to find the wonder in that one thing…our life. We are too busy wondering what to do next that we can’t find the now. Maybe Barney should do a show for us.
Clarity
Are you clear about what you see in the “raindrops” of your life? Probably not completely, no one is…not even the most “in touch” person on the planet. It’s best to understand most things on a need to know basis. In other words, if we knew everything about our future, we would likely be petrified with fear. It’s called a journey that we take one step at a time (one rain at time). We do need some clarity, however. The kind that keeps us going, picks us up when we stumble, and tells us that there are “gumdrops and lemon drops” in the rain…and “chocolate bars and milkshakes” in the snow. It could be you just need to wipe your eyes and take another look.
Now go buy yourself some gumdrops and lemon drops! Enjoy them, and know that you can have them anytime you want. Be well-be beautiful.
The Doctor Trainer Is In
I thought we’d give the doc a break and call in the fitness guru. Donna Martelli answers a client’s question about staying fit while laid up or when mobility is limited. Even if you don’t have a current injury, you can use the following tips for office fitness as well.
Limited mobility…what can I do?
By Donna Martelli (Holistic Health and Fitness Expert)
Recently, a client of mine sprained her ankle and was told that she had pretty serious damage from the sprain and from earlier injuries to the same area. Her doctor put her on crutches for a month and told her the only way she could go to work was if her boss would let her do everything seated with her foot up. Right before this injury, she had started a weight loss and fitness program. She was totally at wits end as to what to do now that her mobility was severely limited. Here is what I told her:
“Laura (not her real name), there are many things you can do to stay in shape and loose weight. Do you have any free weights? (If not, use 2 gallon milk jugs filled with water.) You can work with them sitting down. Also you can do sit ups in a chair and push ups with your hands on the arms of a chair. You are creative – do anything you can do in a chair! But, most importantly for now – limit your calories to 1700 per day. Try to eat mostly fruits and vegetables with some whole grains and a little chicken or fish. Drink LOTS of water – 8+ glasses a day. By doing just those things, you can loose a significant amount of weight and tone your middle and upper body in a month. Use this as an opportunity!”
Sometimes we need to think in new ways. Circumstances change, but there is always a way to work out and stay in shape at any level. Every time I have had to change my program due to a “problem”, I have learned and developed things that would never have come to be without the perceived “limitation”!
***As with any new fitness program, consult your healthcare provider before you start, especially if you have injuries present in your body.
***For more information about Donna Martelli and the services she provides, visit Beautiful Bodies Fitness.
***If you liked this article, read more about office fitness here.