I went home at lunch today – after the friend bailed out on me and body pump class because of some dull important family stuff, whatever (just kidding – smooches!) – and I told myself to get on the treadmill. I turned my TV on and The Dead Poets Society was showing. Okay, I like this show, I will give myself 5 minutes on the treadmill and if my lazy-ass mood doesn’t change, I will get off and watch the movie – easy enough. Just get through 5 minutes…
Well you know what? I got through a slow walking 5 minutes and that turned into a slow walking 2 miles and 38 minutes! There was no over exertion on my part – hell, I still had my work clothes on! I just knew that after 5 minutes and on that big beautiful fluffy bed I would plop myself down and lazily watch the movie. It didn’t happen.
You know what changed? During my first 5 minutes of slow walking, the part of the movie where Robin Williams is demonstrating conformity and the boys are walking in circles came on. Robin Williams quoted Robert Frost’s poem that read something like this: “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by and that has made all the difference.”
Today I took the road less traveled by and will forever more. Today for the first time I was inspired to keep walking for me and me only. I do most of the things in my life for the benefit of other people and I do not regret that in the least bit. But, today – today I chose to go down a less traveled road for MY benefit. And after everything was said and done and the 38 minutes was over, I had written this entire blog in my head.
All too often we go down the most traveled road there is in our life out of conformity, family, friends, or convenience. Very seldom do we take the road less traveled – especially in our eating habits and workouts – because you know why? It. Is. Too. Damn. Hard.
I am guilty a thousand times over taking the most traveled road because of its convenience. I have never been a conformist – and my mom will attest to this statement – but, sometimes doing the same things over and over again because the other options are too hard or inconvenient, or I am just simply lazy has to come to an end.
The road to the best body that I can realistically imagine for me has not been traveled upon. I travel upon the open highway of “hit and miss” workouts – smaller “crap food” portions or “healthier” fast foods places (if that is even possible) because it is convenient and easy and even though I am dedicated to my Building Blocks of baby steps toward longevity, I am still taking the easy way out. I know that I can do better. I know that I can triumph over any fears of the road less traveled because I now BELIEVE that I can do anything. The real question that I have to answer for myself is “do I really want it?” And my answer is “HELL YEAH!”
I have proved to myself that I can do so many things already! Why should I feel the need to keep sabotaging the ONE thing that originally started this blog!? I will do it! I will prove that the road less traveled is the road worth taking because I would expect nothing less from a person whom I was training. Period.
If you don’t see me on your road of conformity, laziness, or convenience – “know that I have taken the road less traveled by and it is making all the difference in my life!”
I challenge you to look inside and see where you are traveling down an open highway of – fill in the blank – stop and look for a road that diverges from the simplistic easy of something you desperately want and then take that road less traveled and create the miracles you know you are capable of producing.
Do not fear change or failure. Because to venture down the road less traveled takes courage and courage overcomes fear and the change itself will be the reward you truly seek. When you decide to take a chance on something you believe in and KNOW that it is going to be a bumpy road, but you keep on trucking anyway? – there is NO failure! You just learn and keep on going!
For all of you out there with negative thoughts, discouragements or “yeah right’s!” I leave you with some famous words that graciously passed my desktop this morning from President Theodore Roosevelt:
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; who does actually try to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.
Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat."
There is no “daring greatly” unless you take the road less traveled…and that DOES make all the difference.
So get off your ass and DO something about what it is that you really desire to have, be or do in this lifetime and make all your wildest dreams come true!
Days 169-173 To My Mom
My last surviving grandfather passed away this past Friday after Thanksgiving. His funeral was yesterday. Right before the funeral my mom asked me if I would read a letter about him that she had written. Of course my other two sisters said that they “couldn’t” do it, so that left me. And I did it. I got up there in front of a ton of people and read aloud the last words that described my grandfather to the core. I almost made it to the end without crying, but that’s okay – I recovered and finished the letter. After the funeral, Mr. Strong asked me if I had written the letter and I responded with a “no, mom asked me to read it because she couldn’t get the words out…” He looked me square in the eyes and asked “you’re not afraid of anything are you?” And I replied with a”No. No I am not.”
But you know what, I was terrified. My stomach was so nervous that I felt like I needed to find a bathroom asap! Public speaking is a fear of mine – one that I am working on. See, the thing is, something in my body takes over the moment that I KNOW something needs to be done even though I am terrified to the core. I guess you would call that courage – knowing when something is greater and more important than my fear. Was it the hardest thing that I have ever done? No. Speaking for my brother at his funeral was the hardest thing that I have ever accomplished in my life. Where does it come from?
My mom – period! My mom is the strongest women that I know. Strong in the sense of raising 4 children on her own… Strong in the sense that no matter what, she always let us know that someone was far worse off than we were… Strong in the sense that she was there the whole time AND in the final moments of her mother, son and stepfather while they were dying in a Hospice bed… Strong in the sense that she has dedicated most of her life to the medical profession… Strong in the sense that she has NOT let any of her traumatic witnessed experiences get her down… I could go on and on, but simply put, I get my courage from my mom.
Today is a short and somber post for me.
I hope you find the courage you need to accomplish something you thought impossible. Whatever it is in your life that you are afraid to start, have, be or do, I encourage you to look beyond your initial fears into a world of limitless possibilities. I hope that in your lifetime you will be a person that is admired and written about because of the fears you conquered.
Today? I will continue to follow my dreams, workout, drink more water and relish in the fact that the possibilities for me while I am here on this earth are in fact, infinite.
What does today hold for you?
(I encourage everyone to donate to their local Hospice Centers. We have used Hospice care 3 times for 3 different family members and their services are desperately needed and appreciated! I you don't have one, here are two of my local Hospice and HomeHospice organizations that need your help! )
But you know what, I was terrified. My stomach was so nervous that I felt like I needed to find a bathroom asap! Public speaking is a fear of mine – one that I am working on. See, the thing is, something in my body takes over the moment that I KNOW something needs to be done even though I am terrified to the core. I guess you would call that courage – knowing when something is greater and more important than my fear. Was it the hardest thing that I have ever done? No. Speaking for my brother at his funeral was the hardest thing that I have ever accomplished in my life. Where does it come from?
My mom – period! My mom is the strongest women that I know. Strong in the sense of raising 4 children on her own… Strong in the sense that no matter what, she always let us know that someone was far worse off than we were… Strong in the sense that she was there the whole time AND in the final moments of her mother, son and stepfather while they were dying in a Hospice bed… Strong in the sense that she has dedicated most of her life to the medical profession… Strong in the sense that she has NOT let any of her traumatic witnessed experiences get her down… I could go on and on, but simply put, I get my courage from my mom.
Today is a short and somber post for me.
I hope you find the courage you need to accomplish something you thought impossible. Whatever it is in your life that you are afraid to start, have, be or do, I encourage you to look beyond your initial fears into a world of limitless possibilities. I hope that in your lifetime you will be a person that is admired and written about because of the fears you conquered.
Today? I will continue to follow my dreams, workout, drink more water and relish in the fact that the possibilities for me while I am here on this earth are in fact, infinite.
What does today hold for you?
(I encourage everyone to donate to their local Hospice Centers. We have used Hospice care 3 times for 3 different family members and their services are desperately needed and appreciated! I you don't have one, here are two of my local Hospice and HomeHospice organizations that need your help! )
Days 167 & 168 Top 10 Reasons Why I am Thankful
In the spirit of the Thanksgiving Season, I have listed here the top 10 reasons why I am thankful – in no particular order…
1. I am thankful for Mr. Strong.
I am thankful for Mr. Strong because WE have stuck together for 16 ½ years and he has put up with my once a month psychotic episodes the whole time. I am thankful that I have a husband that can look at me – no matter how bad I think I look – and still tell me that I’m beautiful. I am thankful that I have a husband that supports each and every dream that I have had or will have in the future (as long as we don’t go broke…). I am thankful that I have a husband that can still see the young, wild girl that I USED ;-) to be and be as attracted to me now as ever before. I am thankful that even when we fight, he still tells me he loves me every night in bed (even when he doesn’t get any!).
2. I am thankful for my belly roll.
I am thankful for my belly roll because it means that I have had enough food to eat. It also means that I have enough extra food in my pantry to donate to those that really need it and NOT just during the holidays. I am thankful for my belly roll because it reminds me of the two beautiful babies that inhabited it for a while. Sometimes it’s present when I am standing and sometimes it appears when I sit down, but no matter which, I am thankful for my belly roll because it reminds me to keep working out and becoming a healthier person each and every day.
3. I am thankful for my children.
I am thankful for Kitty and all her teenage hormones. Even though I want to carry around a glass of water to throw in her face just so I can see a different expression other than a desperate, pouting, “do I have too?” look on her beautiful face. She makes me appreciate my mom 100% more who put up with four children and 3 of those were girls one year apart! I love you mom! Kitty is my clone. She is my first born and I am thankful (sometimes) that she tells me everything, so I get to experience her teenage years through her too.
I am thankful for Kiki and all her elementary DRAMA! She reminds me that she still needs hugs and kisses to make all the hurtful words go away from the horrible little spoiled biatches that she goes to school with. (I have never met more rude, ruthless and just plain mean little girls in my life!) Kiki still makes me feel like a “mommy” who can kiss the hurt from a boo-boo away.
I am thankful for Doodlebug. He is the son that completed our family. I am thankful for his terrible two into three stages because it is making me gain more patience than I thought I would ever possess. I am thankful for the long sleepless nights from his feet in my back or my head AS his pillow because I know he will soon outgrow wanting to sleep with mommy and daddy. I am thankful for the money we HAD saved in order to adopt him from birth and I am thankful that a higher power aligned Mr. Strong and I up with family and careers to accommodate a brand new baby in such a short time. Doodlebug reminds me what it is like to be young and how to appreciate the small things in life – like time out for coloring and playing cars.
4. I am thankful for my family.
I am thankful for ALL of my family; even the one brother-in-law that can’t (won’t) pronounce my name correctly. From the very beginning of his courtship with my sister, he has never pronounced my name correctly on purpose. I have finally come to the decision that he must have dyslexia in the phonics department, so I won’t get mad at him. ;-) My family dead or alive - mom, stepdad, dad, grandparents, sisters, brother, and all their individual families - spouses, nephews and nieces; I am grateful for their support, understanding and unconditional love from each and every one of them. My family is like a combination of the daily soaps, Young and the Restless, General Hospital, and All My Children, (Love/Hate, Predictable, Unpredictable and ALWAYS Entertaining) and truly addicting!
5. I am thankful for my friends.
Although not many close friends, I am thankful for my loyal and supportive friends. The wine, cocktails, shopping and good conversation are just bonuses. I am thankful for my readers (cyber friends) that support and believe in the entertainment that I try to write every day. Even if you (my cyber friends) didn’t exist – I would write anyway. I am very fortunate and grateful that you DO though.
6. I am thankful for my job.
I am thankful for the stress, the people and the times where all I can do is bang my head on my desk from my job because it means that I can take care of my family financially. Every time I pay a bill or donate money I give thanks that I have a career that allows for this huge luxury. I do not take it for granted – ever – therefore I give many thanks for my job.
7. I am thankful for my health.
However much improvement is needed, I am very thankful for my health. My health allows me to play with my children, umm do “other” things with Mr. Strong, get up and go to work every day, workout when I choose to and consciously enjoy every minute that I am alive and living in the moment.
8. I am thankful for the Law of Attraction
I am thankful this year that I have discovered a new way for me to live. The Law of Attraction has taught me soooooo much this year and I am a better person for it. The Law of Attraction has firmly explained to me why certain things in my life have gone the way they have and now I know that I control my own destiny and happiness. If nothing else, the LOA has helped me change my attitude and learn how to be accountable for my thoughts. The Drill Sergeant remains imbedded into my soul, but I am no longer degrading about the way I think – that might not make sense to you if you have never met me before reading my blog, but I am in fact a better person because of the LOA.
9. I am thankful for my dreams.
I am thankful for my dreams. My dreams remind me that I am still alive in this world ready and willing to make each and every one of them come true. My dreams remind me that I have the ability, support and encouragement from myself and my family that “EVERYTHING in my life IS possible.” (Sound familiar?) My dreams are my future destiny because I am in the driver’s seat. There is nothing that I can’t do – that is why I am thankful for my dreams.
10. I am thankful for this blog.
Oh let me count the ways…!!!!!!!! I am thankful for this blog for so many reasons! I am thankful that this blog is a form of therapy that I would have to go pay for somewhere else. This blog is the Building Block upon which I have learned that I can “stick” with something if I set my mind to it. This blog is my lifeline to a future of fame and notoriety because I have HELPED billions of people. This blog is the starting point of me taking control of my life and accepting all the GOOD that I am capable of. This blog is a piece of the puzzle that will lead to a completion of me fulfilling my dreams. This blog is my accountability to each and every one of you. This blog reminds me that after 168 days I. Still. Haven’t. Quit.
Watch out world! I’m on fire! ;-)
What are you MOST thankful for this time of year?
1. I am thankful for Mr. Strong.
I am thankful for Mr. Strong because WE have stuck together for 16 ½ years and he has put up with my once a month psychotic episodes the whole time. I am thankful that I have a husband that can look at me – no matter how bad I think I look – and still tell me that I’m beautiful. I am thankful that I have a husband that supports each and every dream that I have had or will have in the future (as long as we don’t go broke…). I am thankful that I have a husband that can still see the young, wild girl that I USED ;-) to be and be as attracted to me now as ever before. I am thankful that even when we fight, he still tells me he loves me every night in bed (even when he doesn’t get any!).
2. I am thankful for my belly roll.
I am thankful for my belly roll because it means that I have had enough food to eat. It also means that I have enough extra food in my pantry to donate to those that really need it and NOT just during the holidays. I am thankful for my belly roll because it reminds me of the two beautiful babies that inhabited it for a while. Sometimes it’s present when I am standing and sometimes it appears when I sit down, but no matter which, I am thankful for my belly roll because it reminds me to keep working out and becoming a healthier person each and every day.
3. I am thankful for my children.
I am thankful for Kitty and all her teenage hormones. Even though I want to carry around a glass of water to throw in her face just so I can see a different expression other than a desperate, pouting, “do I have too?” look on her beautiful face. She makes me appreciate my mom 100% more who put up with four children and 3 of those were girls one year apart! I love you mom! Kitty is my clone. She is my first born and I am thankful (sometimes) that she tells me everything, so I get to experience her teenage years through her too.
I am thankful for Kiki and all her elementary DRAMA! She reminds me that she still needs hugs and kisses to make all the hurtful words go away from the horrible little spoiled biatches that she goes to school with. (I have never met more rude, ruthless and just plain mean little girls in my life!) Kiki still makes me feel like a “mommy” who can kiss the hurt from a boo-boo away.
I am thankful for Doodlebug. He is the son that completed our family. I am thankful for his terrible two into three stages because it is making me gain more patience than I thought I would ever possess. I am thankful for the long sleepless nights from his feet in my back or my head AS his pillow because I know he will soon outgrow wanting to sleep with mommy and daddy. I am thankful for the money we HAD saved in order to adopt him from birth and I am thankful that a higher power aligned Mr. Strong and I up with family and careers to accommodate a brand new baby in such a short time. Doodlebug reminds me what it is like to be young and how to appreciate the small things in life – like time out for coloring and playing cars.
4. I am thankful for my family.
I am thankful for ALL of my family; even the one brother-in-law that can’t (won’t) pronounce my name correctly. From the very beginning of his courtship with my sister, he has never pronounced my name correctly on purpose. I have finally come to the decision that he must have dyslexia in the phonics department, so I won’t get mad at him. ;-) My family dead or alive - mom, stepdad, dad, grandparents, sisters, brother, and all their individual families - spouses, nephews and nieces; I am grateful for their support, understanding and unconditional love from each and every one of them. My family is like a combination of the daily soaps, Young and the Restless, General Hospital, and All My Children, (Love/Hate, Predictable, Unpredictable and ALWAYS Entertaining) and truly addicting!
5. I am thankful for my friends.
Although not many close friends, I am thankful for my loyal and supportive friends. The wine, cocktails, shopping and good conversation are just bonuses. I am thankful for my readers (cyber friends) that support and believe in the entertainment that I try to write every day. Even if you (my cyber friends) didn’t exist – I would write anyway. I am very fortunate and grateful that you DO though.
6. I am thankful for my job.
I am thankful for the stress, the people and the times where all I can do is bang my head on my desk from my job because it means that I can take care of my family financially. Every time I pay a bill or donate money I give thanks that I have a career that allows for this huge luxury. I do not take it for granted – ever – therefore I give many thanks for my job.
7. I am thankful for my health.
However much improvement is needed, I am very thankful for my health. My health allows me to play with my children, umm do “other” things with Mr. Strong, get up and go to work every day, workout when I choose to and consciously enjoy every minute that I am alive and living in the moment.
8. I am thankful for the Law of Attraction
I am thankful this year that I have discovered a new way for me to live. The Law of Attraction has taught me soooooo much this year and I am a better person for it. The Law of Attraction has firmly explained to me why certain things in my life have gone the way they have and now I know that I control my own destiny and happiness. If nothing else, the LOA has helped me change my attitude and learn how to be accountable for my thoughts. The Drill Sergeant remains imbedded into my soul, but I am no longer degrading about the way I think – that might not make sense to you if you have never met me before reading my blog, but I am in fact a better person because of the LOA.
9. I am thankful for my dreams.
I am thankful for my dreams. My dreams remind me that I am still alive in this world ready and willing to make each and every one of them come true. My dreams remind me that I have the ability, support and encouragement from myself and my family that “EVERYTHING in my life IS possible.” (Sound familiar?) My dreams are my future destiny because I am in the driver’s seat. There is nothing that I can’t do – that is why I am thankful for my dreams.
10. I am thankful for this blog.
Oh let me count the ways…!!!!!!!! I am thankful for this blog for so many reasons! I am thankful that this blog is a form of therapy that I would have to go pay for somewhere else. This blog is the Building Block upon which I have learned that I can “stick” with something if I set my mind to it. This blog is my lifeline to a future of fame and notoriety because I have HELPED billions of people. This blog is the starting point of me taking control of my life and accepting all the GOOD that I am capable of. This blog is a piece of the puzzle that will lead to a completion of me fulfilling my dreams. This blog is my accountability to each and every one of you. This blog reminds me that after 168 days I. Still. Haven’t. Quit.
Watch out world! I’m on fire! ;-)
What are you MOST thankful for this time of year?
Days 163-166 Extreme Makeover Inside Edition
I can’t begin to describe the atmosphere and the energy at the Extreme Makeover Home Edition’s build site in Wellman, TX.
I spent hours there in the VIP Tent and even a few more hours at the Seagraves, TX High School where Ty, the design team and Emma Roberts presented the family with news of the Alex Brown Fund yesterday.
It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it…
You can read all about the Brown family here and learn how to donate: http://www.palmharbor.com/extremephn/extremephn-2/family/
Where do I begin?
Okay, so I signed Mr. Strong and myself up to be volunteers at the site and I was all “gung-ho” and ready to give my all at building this house – by myself if I had too!!! I was prepared to just “get in there” and put my whole heart into creating something tangible for the family. Well it turns out that the EMHE people knew better (or maybe they received an anonymous tip about my ability) because we weren’t chosen to help with the build. We did however donate a large amount of money (probably more than we should have…), so naturally the emails and calls began saying “Come visit us!”
Let me start by telling everyone that Wellman , TX has a population of 300 people. Yes you read correctly! The producers of the show hosted “pep-rallies” in Midland and Lubbock TX over an hour away in each direction in fear of a volunteer shortage. I think I read that there were some 3,000 volunteers and a waiting list a mile long just in case the chosen “few” didn’t show up.
This show really is about the volunteers and what coming together in numbers and a variety of skills can accomplish! I got to watch the furniture movie-in and I can’t wait for the episode to broadcast!
When you take out the reality of the whole event – the scheduling, the time delays, and the somewhat organized chaos that is happening everywhere – you look through every bit of it and see true magic. You see people from all walks of life and all skill levels volunteering their time and abilities in an unorganized harmony that somehow evolves into a spectacular house built with nothing but good and deserving energy.
When you step back from the reality of the West Texas wind, hard work, blood, sweat and tears, you get to experience the purest form of the generous human spirit. EVERY single person involved in the process can confidently stand back at the amazement of what THEY accomplished together. There is nothing they can be more proud of…
When all is said and done and the Bus is moved – every one of us involved can take a deep breath and experience what it is truly like to be able to give a gift of this magnitude to someone. There is no better feeling in the world than seeing the joy, gratitude and honest happiness on someone’s face after receiving “the impossible dream.”
I wasn’t that worried or hurt when we weren’t chosen as volunteers. I started the whole process off with a drill in hand hoping to find my place on the tangible foundation of this new house for the Brown family.
But it turned out that this was the only tool they needed me to use to help accomplish their goals for the Remember Alex Brown Fund.
I joke a little, but I know that the check I signed is just as important as the other volunteers because this process requires two sides - labor and money – to make it WHOLE. EMHE doesn’t have one without the other and although it would have felt GREAT to get in there and “nail” something, I was still able to help in the only way that I really knew how.
Extreme Makeover Home Edition has been one of my favorite shows from the very beginning. Now that I have actually been a (small) part of this episode and process I have truly experienced an Extreme Makeover Inside Edition.
I challenge all of you forever more to give what you can - physically or monetarily - to ANYONE that needs help. The challenge is not in the giving, but in the recieving of their pure happiness and joy as you help them. Don't give nonchalantly - be present in your giving - whether it is a dollar, a coke or simply opening a door - be grateful in your giving abilities because you never know what or how much can complete the impossible dream for someone else.
AND - the Law of Attraction states the more you give - the more you recieve of the same! Like attracts like!
I spent hours there in the VIP Tent and even a few more hours at the Seagraves, TX High School where Ty, the design team and Emma Roberts presented the family with news of the Alex Brown Fund yesterday.
 |
| My waiting buddies! Can I say "AWESOME" girls! |
 |
| Yes, this really happened!!!!! OMG! Once in a lifetime for me! |
It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it…
You can read all about the Brown family here and learn how to donate: http://www.palmharbor.com/extremephn/extremephn-2/family/
Where do I begin?
Okay, so I signed Mr. Strong and myself up to be volunteers at the site and I was all “gung-ho” and ready to give my all at building this house – by myself if I had too!!! I was prepared to just “get in there” and put my whole heart into creating something tangible for the family. Well it turns out that the EMHE people knew better (or maybe they received an anonymous tip about my ability) because we weren’t chosen to help with the build. We did however donate a large amount of money (probably more than we should have…), so naturally the emails and calls began saying “Come visit us!”
Let me start by telling everyone that Wellman , TX has a population of 300 people. Yes you read correctly! The producers of the show hosted “pep-rallies” in Midland and Lubbock TX over an hour away in each direction in fear of a volunteer shortage. I think I read that there were some 3,000 volunteers and a waiting list a mile long just in case the chosen “few” didn’t show up.
This show really is about the volunteers and what coming together in numbers and a variety of skills can accomplish! I got to watch the furniture movie-in and I can’t wait for the episode to broadcast!
 |
| "LET'S MOVE IN SOME FURNITURE!" |
When you take out the reality of the whole event – the scheduling, the time delays, and the somewhat organized chaos that is happening everywhere – you look through every bit of it and see true magic. You see people from all walks of life and all skill levels volunteering their time and abilities in an unorganized harmony that somehow evolves into a spectacular house built with nothing but good and deserving energy.
When you step back from the reality of the West Texas wind, hard work, blood, sweat and tears, you get to experience the purest form of the generous human spirit. EVERY single person involved in the process can confidently stand back at the amazement of what THEY accomplished together. There is nothing they can be more proud of…
When all is said and done and the Bus is moved – every one of us involved can take a deep breath and experience what it is truly like to be able to give a gift of this magnitude to someone. There is no better feeling in the world than seeing the joy, gratitude and honest happiness on someone’s face after receiving “the impossible dream.”
I wasn’t that worried or hurt when we weren’t chosen as volunteers. I started the whole process off with a drill in hand hoping to find my place on the tangible foundation of this new house for the Brown family.
 |
| This - by the way - made Mr. Strong laugh hysterically! |
But it turned out that this was the only tool they needed me to use to help accomplish their goals for the Remember Alex Brown Fund.
I joke a little, but I know that the check I signed is just as important as the other volunteers because this process requires two sides - labor and money – to make it WHOLE. EMHE doesn’t have one without the other and although it would have felt GREAT to get in there and “nail” something, I was still able to help in the only way that I really knew how.
Extreme Makeover Home Edition has been one of my favorite shows from the very beginning. Now that I have actually been a (small) part of this episode and process I have truly experienced an Extreme Makeover Inside Edition.
I challenge all of you forever more to give what you can - physically or monetarily - to ANYONE that needs help. The challenge is not in the giving, but in the recieving of their pure happiness and joy as you help them. Don't give nonchalantly - be present in your giving - whether it is a dollar, a coke or simply opening a door - be grateful in your giving abilities because you never know what or how much can complete the impossible dream for someone else.
AND - the Law of Attraction states the more you give - the more you recieve of the same! Like attracts like!
Days 161 & 162 My Little Secret
In honor of one of my favorite cyber blogger Mrs. Fatass I am going to share one of my little secrets just as she did.
I work in the financial world – which is no secret to any of you – and I have been struggling to find my “creative outlet” – you know the piece of the pie that is missing?
This blog has helped me tremendously and my book too - even though I am now officially several weeks behind on it…but, I have been taking all sorts of career tests and now I have direction towards my Ah-Ha moment, so the momentum is gaining.
As with most anything I do, I over analyze and prod and poke and test out every option possible in order to be absolutely certain that what I want is not a “quick fix” and a potential waste of my time. (I have a LOT of those!) I set the Building Blocks into a foundation that I can comfortably construct upon and I have made a decision.
My little secret…?
In January, I will be getting my Group & Personal Fitness Trainer Certifications. I want to train children. Not only will I start training after my certifications are awarded, but I will be completing the Life Coaching "Results" Training at the same time too! I feel the combination of these two things will fill the hole inside of me. The Drill Sergeant is back! Dun-dun-dun.
Mr. Strong and my family think I should have done this a long time ago, so I have all the support within me and from them to become great!
Oh don’t get me wrong here – I am not quitting my day job by any means! I love my job and the money, so this is something that I will be doing for ME!Maybe Down the road in 5 years, I will build up enough clients to support my current lifestyle, but until then, I am ecstatic and extremely lucky to continue doing what I do in the financial world 4 full days a week!
But you know what?
I am scared and nervous and I haven’t even started yet. I am scared and nervous out of excited anticipation of my decision and finally turning a corner in my life that is guided and motivated by an inner peace instead of money. I finally found the combination of training/coaching that I can firmly say “I would do it for free, because the look in someone’s eyes after helping them discover their inner strength would be payment enough.” And all the butterflies, goosebumps and nervous energy have confirmed that I have made the right decision – even though I haven’t even started yet!
So tell me your secret – anonymously if needed – share it with the world.
My Building Blocks Bootcamp motto is: EVERYTHING you want in your life IS possible!
So go out and prove it!
I dare you!
I work in the financial world – which is no secret to any of you – and I have been struggling to find my “creative outlet” – you know the piece of the pie that is missing?
This blog has helped me tremendously and my book too - even though I am now officially several weeks behind on it…but, I have been taking all sorts of career tests and now I have direction towards my Ah-Ha moment, so the momentum is gaining.
As with most anything I do, I over analyze and prod and poke and test out every option possible in order to be absolutely certain that what I want is not a “quick fix” and a potential waste of my time. (I have a LOT of those!) I set the Building Blocks into a foundation that I can comfortably construct upon and I have made a decision.
My little secret…?
In January, I will be getting my Group & Personal Fitness Trainer Certifications. I want to train children. Not only will I start training after my certifications are awarded, but I will be completing the Life Coaching "Results" Training at the same time too! I feel the combination of these two things will fill the hole inside of me. The Drill Sergeant is back! Dun-dun-dun.
Mr. Strong and my family think I should have done this a long time ago, so I have all the support within me and from them to become great!
Oh don’t get me wrong here – I am not quitting my day job by any means! I love my job and the money, so this is something that I will be doing for ME!
But you know what?
I am scared and nervous and I haven’t even started yet. I am scared and nervous out of excited anticipation of my decision and finally turning a corner in my life that is guided and motivated by an inner peace instead of money. I finally found the combination of training/coaching that I can firmly say “I would do it for free, because the look in someone’s eyes after helping them discover their inner strength would be payment enough.” And all the butterflies, goosebumps and nervous energy have confirmed that I have made the right decision – even though I haven’t even started yet!
So tell me your secret – anonymously if needed – share it with the world.
My Building Blocks Bootcamp motto is: EVERYTHING you want in your life IS possible!
So go out and prove it!
I dare you!
Days 157-160 Snapshots Into My Life
Saturday the kids and I participated in the Face the Race 5k. I was expecting it to be very cold and highly anticipated watching a DVD in the truck with Doodlebug while the girls ran (yay - doing the cabbage patch!), but my laziness what shot in the ass when the sun came out. OH MAN! I didn’t bring Doodlebug’s stroller because I just KNEW it was going to be too cold for him outside…crap!
We (Doodlebug and I) made it through the first lap of 1.6 miles and he was tired! He ran and ran and then walked then started kicking the ground and complaining he was tired and then he would run some more. You can really learn a lot from a 3-year-old just by watching how they actually LIVE in the moment. There wasn’t a piece of paper, pile of dirt, crushed and flattened snake, and every other kind of misc yuck on the ground that we didn’t miss looking at, touching or playing with the entire 1.6 miles. Time? Who cared about time - there were too many things to see! When we got close to the finish line he started running the whole way and received a medal!
I have a video of him at the starting line. When everyone took off he started running and yelling at me to “run, run, run!” Yes – he is my next drill sergeant in the making…LOVED IT! One of these days I’ll figure out how to get it off my phone on onto this blog for everyone to see!
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At the end of October we headed to the Sporting Clays National Championship in San Antonio and had a blast! We took the kids to Sea World on Halloween and it was FUN! I have been meaning to post these pictures for a while now…enjoy!
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Last night Doodlebug helped me rinse dishes – I know! – I know! This is usually Mr. Strong’s department, but something extremely rank and putrid smelling was coming from the sink and I couldn’t take it anymore. Come to find out that it was a sippy-cup half full of soured soy milk – ewwww – gag!
I didn't even care that my kitchen floor was half flooded from his rinsing abilities, or that he was playing in the water more than he was rinsing the dishes because he went and got his chair and basically TOLD me that he was helping me - I didn't have to ask.
***sigh***I remember when the girls were that way!
We (Doodlebug and I) made it through the first lap of 1.6 miles and he was tired! He ran and ran and then walked then started kicking the ground and complaining he was tired and then he would run some more. You can really learn a lot from a 3-year-old just by watching how they actually LIVE in the moment. There wasn’t a piece of paper, pile of dirt, crushed and flattened snake, and every other kind of misc yuck on the ground that we didn’t miss looking at, touching or playing with the entire 1.6 miles. Time? Who cared about time - there were too many things to see! When we got close to the finish line he started running the whole way and received a medal!
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| SEEEEEEEEEE! |
I have a video of him at the starting line. When everyone took off he started running and yelling at me to “run, run, run!” Yes – he is my next drill sergeant in the making…LOVED IT! One of these days I’ll figure out how to get it off my phone on onto this blog for everyone to see!
____________________________________
At the end of October we headed to the Sporting Clays National Championship in San Antonio and had a blast! We took the kids to Sea World on Halloween and it was FUN! I have been meaning to post these pictures for a while now…enjoy!
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| $5 to get in this machine and dry off ....only to walk out STILL wet! |
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| Kitty: "i am not happy - I am wet, but I will try to look forward to spending the $100 bill that dad has bribed us with if we ride ANYTHING he says..." |
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| My life! |
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| Kitty: "yay - another picture mom..." |
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| Beer = happiness at theme parks! |
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| Doodlebug had it rough in this wagon - I wanted to ride with him but Mr. Strong wouldn't let me! Party pooper! Who cares about the weight limit!? |
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| It was a quiet ride home! |
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| Here, Mr. Strong, let me show you where to break the bird and be totally awesome like me! Are you watching? |
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| Dare I admit that this picture turns me on? yummmmy |
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| I am soooooo badass I can't stand it! |
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| PULL! Wait for it - wait for it...DEAD PAIR! |
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| Here I am shooting a Side x Side Shotgun - Oh yeah - I WON Ladies Champion in this event! (Go me, go me - running man - running man!) Thank you Mr. Strong for buying me this gun the night before! xoxo |
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| My shooting partner rocks! You know why? Because she is in A class now! HAHAHA! (cabbage patch - cabbage patch) |
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| FOCUS - FOCUS - "REALLY?!" |
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| humm... Going to my happy place! I can break these clays! humm... |
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| SING it with me! Big man and little juice box...big man and little juice box... |
Last night Doodlebug helped me rinse dishes – I know! – I know! This is usually Mr. Strong’s department, but something extremely rank and putrid smelling was coming from the sink and I couldn’t take it anymore. Come to find out that it was a sippy-cup half full of soured soy milk – ewwww – gag!
I didn't even care that my kitchen floor was half flooded from his rinsing abilities, or that he was playing in the water more than he was rinsing the dishes because he went and got his chair and basically TOLD me that he was helping me - I didn't have to ask.
***sigh***I remember when the girls were that way!
Days 155 & 156 Over-Achiever Over Here!
Okay everyone – I missed you yesterday! Yes, I have been busy with work and work and well – work!
I’m not complaining though…
I told myself that I would not write about my first EVER spin class on Wednesday out of fear of being completely embarrassed, but why the hell not - right?
Okay, (over-achiever over here!) I arrive first to the class and I am standing there by one of the bikes waaaay over in the corner at the very back WITH a padded seat. I am just standing and looking and looking some more and then I act like I am looking something up on my phone and FINALLY someone else walks in.
And then a few more people walk in and I just observe what they do. Several of them get on and off their chosen bikes and then begin to adjust the seats up and down and forward and backward. I get it! They are fitting the bike to their bodies – I can do this too. So here I am adjusting my bike seat – not knowing what the hell I’m doing but TOTALLY looking like I do and the instructor walks in.
The class begins…
The instructor tells us to sit up on the bike and just warm up our legs by peddling – I got this!
Then she says – bend at the hips and lean forward. Okay – ouch! Is my hoohah supposed to feel like this?! Maybe I didn’t lean right – so I’m over there wiggling on my seat like I have an itch that I can’t relieve trying desperately to get comfortable enough to continue– thank GOD I was in the back!
Then I heard the words – “Have you ever ridden before?”
I knew she was talking to me, but I didn’t want to look up – but I finally did and told her NO! "This is my first spin class." Good! We established that I looked like a wiggling idiot for a reason– I had an excuse now.
But in the back of my mind I’m thinking - she called me out! Now I have to prove to everyone that I am bad-azz like they are and try to do everything that they are doing better!
Here we go!
We are riding and riding and riding and I am begging to get to the part where you stand up so my butt will re-flate and my hoohah can have some much needed pressure relief! We get there – and boy was I wrong for wanting that!
The instructor is yelling “Climb that hill! – Push through it!” And all I want to do is push her off her bike!
Do you NOT see me over here pushing through the pain of only being able to feel my hurt crotch from the waist down lady!?
40 minutes into the workout I am struggling – BAD – to keep up with the mountain climbs and every time we stand up – I cringe when she tells us to sit back down and “go, go, go!” (I want to “GO” alright – go home, go back to work, go drown in a vat of wine and hide in my closet while icing down my crotch!) I’m expecting the “cool down” part any minute and then she says “one more mountain climb section and we can cool down!”
WHAT?!
WHAT?!
I turned to the girl next to me and asked in a desperate “please don’t answer wrong” plea of “Is this an hour class?” Of course she smiled and said “Yes.”
NO! NO! NO!
I’m praying to the Tampax Gods to bring me several heavy overnight diaper-looking pads so my vajayjay could last the next 15 minutes! I even contemplated rolling up my towel and sitting on it but that wouldn’t have worked because we were up and down – up and down!
I was giving it my all that last 15 minutes - my boobs were bouncing uncontrollably and I was moving probably a little more from side to side than it was beneficial because the instructor kept saying “you shouldn’t be bouncing in your seat – keep your movements controlled – waist forward.”
I knew she was talking to me – but "screw you lady! I’m surviving the only way I know how!"
FINALLY it’s over and I don’t want to get off my bike! I’m afraid that my legs weren’t going to hold me up. When most everyone had left the room, I finally descended and walked very slowly and bow-legged to the women’s dressing room where I collapsed on the bench thanking God that was over.
By 8pm that night my hoohah was still throbbing and when I told Mr. Strong that “it” was hurt – he kindly remarked “well it’s not from me – I didn’t do it!”
Thank you Mr. Strong for dismissing my pain in retaliation from you “not getting any” the night before – you horny ass-tard!
It’s been two days and my crotch still hurts – I think I’m permanently bruised.
I do have to admit the part where sweat was dripping from my eyeballs and my shirt was soaking wet was kind of nice. It was a good workout in that sense, but it is going to be a while before my hoohah recovers!
I’m not complaining though…
I told myself that I would not write about my first EVER spin class on Wednesday out of fear of being completely embarrassed, but why the hell not - right?
Okay, (over-achiever over here!) I arrive first to the class and I am standing there by one of the bikes waaaay over in the corner at the very back WITH a padded seat. I am just standing and looking and looking some more and then I act like I am looking something up on my phone and FINALLY someone else walks in.
And then a few more people walk in and I just observe what they do. Several of them get on and off their chosen bikes and then begin to adjust the seats up and down and forward and backward. I get it! They are fitting the bike to their bodies – I can do this too. So here I am adjusting my bike seat – not knowing what the hell I’m doing but TOTALLY looking like I do and the instructor walks in.
The class begins…
The instructor tells us to sit up on the bike and just warm up our legs by peddling – I got this!
Then she says – bend at the hips and lean forward. Okay – ouch! Is my hoohah supposed to feel like this?! Maybe I didn’t lean right – so I’m over there wiggling on my seat like I have an itch that I can’t relieve trying desperately to get comfortable enough to continue– thank GOD I was in the back!
Then I heard the words – “Have you ever ridden before?”
I knew she was talking to me, but I didn’t want to look up – but I finally did and told her NO! "This is my first spin class." Good! We established that I looked like a wiggling idiot for a reason– I had an excuse now.
But in the back of my mind I’m thinking - she called me out! Now I have to prove to everyone that I am bad-azz like they are and try to do everything that they are doing better!
Here we go!
We are riding and riding and riding and I am begging to get to the part where you stand up so my butt will re-flate and my hoohah can have some much needed pressure relief! We get there – and boy was I wrong for wanting that!
The instructor is yelling “Climb that hill! – Push through it!” And all I want to do is push her off her bike!
Do you NOT see me over here pushing through the pain of only being able to feel my hurt crotch from the waist down lady!?
40 minutes into the workout I am struggling – BAD – to keep up with the mountain climbs and every time we stand up – I cringe when she tells us to sit back down and “go, go, go!” (I want to “GO” alright – go home, go back to work, go drown in a vat of wine and hide in my closet while icing down my crotch!) I’m expecting the “cool down” part any minute and then she says “one more mountain climb section and we can cool down!”
WHAT?!
WHAT?!
I turned to the girl next to me and asked in a desperate “please don’t answer wrong” plea of “Is this an hour class?” Of course she smiled and said “Yes.”
NO! NO! NO!
I’m praying to the Tampax Gods to bring me several heavy overnight diaper-looking pads so my vajayjay could last the next 15 minutes! I even contemplated rolling up my towel and sitting on it but that wouldn’t have worked because we were up and down – up and down!
I was giving it my all that last 15 minutes - my boobs were bouncing uncontrollably and I was moving probably a little more from side to side than it was beneficial because the instructor kept saying “you shouldn’t be bouncing in your seat – keep your movements controlled – waist forward.”
I knew she was talking to me – but "screw you lady! I’m surviving the only way I know how!"
FINALLY it’s over and I don’t want to get off my bike! I’m afraid that my legs weren’t going to hold me up. When most everyone had left the room, I finally descended and walked very slowly and bow-legged to the women’s dressing room where I collapsed on the bench thanking God that was over.
By 8pm that night my hoohah was still throbbing and when I told Mr. Strong that “it” was hurt – he kindly remarked “well it’s not from me – I didn’t do it!”
Thank you Mr. Strong for dismissing my pain in retaliation from you “not getting any” the night before – you horny ass-tard!
It’s been two days and my crotch still hurts – I think I’m permanently bruised.
I do have to admit the part where sweat was dripping from my eyeballs and my shirt was soaking wet was kind of nice. It was a good workout in that sense, but it is going to be a while before my hoohah recovers!
Day 154 - Short and Sweet
There are quite a few of you out there that are having “bad” days and then those bad days are turning into more bad days etc…
So, let me share something with you all (and probably make several of you mad – but I don’t care!) that I learned from the Secret and the Law of Attraction:
Before you commence with the eye-rolling and the sighing and the pushing of the Back button – just hear me out mmmmkay!? I’ll keep it short and sweet…
Whatever feelings you have within you are attracting your tomorrow. (I wrote this yesterday…)
Worry attracts more worry. Anxiety attracts more anxiety. Unhappiness attracts more unhappiness. Dissatisfaction attracts more dissatisfaction.
AND…
Joy attracts more joy. Happiness attracts more happiness. Peace attracts more peace. Gratitude attracts more gratitude. Kindness attracts more kindness. Love attracts more love.
Your job is an INSIDE one. To change your world, all you have to do is change the way you feel inside. How easy is that? It is possible to change in less than a second and the positive affects last a loooooong time!
So…
To all you debbie-downers, party-poopers and PMS-ers out there – get over it! Everything WILL get a LOT better just as soon as YOU decide that it will – so stop delaying and making everyone around you “catch” your pissy mood!
From the writers of Happy Gilmore - "go to your happy place..." and if that doesn't help, come to my house and do my laundry - ok maybe that won't make you feel any better, but you can use your negative energy constructively! It would put a smile on my face...
p.s.
FYI: Happiness, gratitude and forgiveness are contagious too! Why don’t you try those on for a day or two and see what happens?
Just saying…
So, let me share something with you all (and probably make several of you mad – but I don’t care!) that I learned from the Secret and the Law of Attraction:
Before you commence with the eye-rolling and the sighing and the pushing of the Back button – just hear me out mmmmkay!? I’ll keep it short and sweet…
Whatever feelings you have within you are attracting your tomorrow. (I wrote this yesterday…)
Worry attracts more worry. Anxiety attracts more anxiety. Unhappiness attracts more unhappiness. Dissatisfaction attracts more dissatisfaction.
AND…
Joy attracts more joy. Happiness attracts more happiness. Peace attracts more peace. Gratitude attracts more gratitude. Kindness attracts more kindness. Love attracts more love.
Your job is an INSIDE one. To change your world, all you have to do is change the way you feel inside. How easy is that? It is possible to change in less than a second and the positive affects last a loooooong time!
So…
To all you debbie-downers, party-poopers and PMS-ers out there – get over it! Everything WILL get a LOT better just as soon as YOU decide that it will – so stop delaying and making everyone around you “catch” your pissy mood!
From the writers of Happy Gilmore - "go to your happy place..." and if that doesn't help, come to my house and do my laundry - ok maybe that won't make you feel any better, but you can use your negative energy constructively! It would put a smile on my face...
p.s.
FYI: Happiness, gratitude and forgiveness are contagious too! Why don’t you try those on for a day or two and see what happens?
Just saying…
Day 153 - My "AH-HA!" Moment
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear. ~Ambrose Redmoon
I start today’s post with this quote because I have been contemplating something for a good while now. I work for wonderful people at a great company and I can’t complain about the kind of money I make, but there has been “something” missing for a long time. I joined the board of a special needs school thinking that would fill the hole of “I need to do something more – something with meaning” but it hasn’t. I love my corporate job in finance and I love the students and teachers at the school too, but the hole remains.
So over the last 6 weeks I have been periodically taking career aptitude, personality and “what the hell do you want to do with your life” tests. I think I’ve taken about 14 so far. EVERY single test reveals that I should be a mental health counselor, psychologist, novelist/poet or teacher. There were even a few tests that I went back and took over thinking that maybe I hadn’t answered the questions truthfully, but the results were the same.
Every one of these careers is in the field of changing lives. EVERY ONE! So that has to be what is missing from my life – my contributions to making other lives better – right?
I’ve always threatened Mr. Strong that I am going to get out of the corporate world one day and become a teacher, so I can be with my kids more and his answers are always the same”
“You don’t have the patience to be a teacher.” Maybe a coach – not a teacher.
“You would miss making the money you make and we would be broke during the summer.”
“You would be bored on your time off during the summer.”
Mr. Strong is absolutely right on all accounts! I can’t argue with any of them! Even though Kitty tells me I would be a great teacher because I don’t except excuses – I agree with Mr. Strong on this one.
Then yesterday, I came across a self-assessment test. This self-assessment asks you to think about the times that you feel the most joy. Well, this was hard because I feel true joy when I am planning a vacation and really just at the thought of a clean house, but that isn’t what it’s really asking…is it?
Okay, if I am being honest with my whole entire being, the times that I feel true joy are the times that I have helped someone accomplish something. This summer was amazing for me! I helped myself, but I also helped the girls and a few friends learn that their goals ARE attainable. I felt true joy the day CL came into my office and told me “thank you” for helping her lose 12lbs. (Although she is the one that done the work, she said without my “drill sergeant” encouragement and direction she wouldn’t have even started.) This brought the happy tears to my eyes – that was true joy for me. Or when the girls and I went school clothes shopping and they were finally happy with their sizes and Kiki wasn’t afraid the girls this school year were going to call her fat! That is true joy for me! Knowing that I helped change – if nothing else – their negative attitude and instilled some self esteem, so they could face whatever came their way. Or when I helped a friend get through some tough non-profit accounting training – with just a few suggestions and corrections – she jumped for joy the day she finally ran the reports and “understood” that she COULD do the job! She sent me flowers…
Showing someone that they have what it takes to accomplish ANYTHING they decide they want to accomplish and seeing their happiness when they do – THAT IS MY PURE JOY MOMENT!
THAT is what fills the missing piece.
Anyway – after I took this self-assessment from this Ivy League University and incorporated everything that I just wrote above – my career paths that were decided based on my answers were basically the same, only this time Personal/Life Coach was on the list.
Is that even possible? Me? A personal/life coach?
Naturally I drilled into the Personal/Life Coach line and every description, every characteristic of “do you have what it takes” and EVERY duty of a personal/life coach fit me – it fit everything that I try to do now with my family and friends.
Then I read this:
“Most people can’t make big changes on their own,” says Kim Goad, author, personal leadership expert and president of Ovations, a Westminster-based performance consulting firm. “[They] cannot push themselves. They need someone to tell them to stretch, and they need to hear it from someone other than a spouse or friend.”
Well if you HAVE read any of my previous posts then you KNOW I am the person behind the persons encouraging (YELLING) at them to push beyond their set limits.
For now, I will be doing some more research, but I feel that I have had what Oprah would call my “AH-HA!” moment where the light bulb turned on.
And you might (probably not) be asking how this relates to the Law of Attraction – well, I know now that today I am placing an order for my tomorrows from the Universe. My predominant thoughts and feelings today are creating a frequency that is automatically determining my life tomorrow. So, for today, I will feel good about what I have written in order to make my tomorrows as magnificent as I currently imagine.
I hope you are doing the same!
Those of you that read my blog or know me personally - what do YOU think?
I start today’s post with this quote because I have been contemplating something for a good while now. I work for wonderful people at a great company and I can’t complain about the kind of money I make, but there has been “something” missing for a long time. I joined the board of a special needs school thinking that would fill the hole of “I need to do something more – something with meaning” but it hasn’t. I love my corporate job in finance and I love the students and teachers at the school too, but the hole remains.
So over the last 6 weeks I have been periodically taking career aptitude, personality and “what the hell do you want to do with your life” tests. I think I’ve taken about 14 so far. EVERY single test reveals that I should be a mental health counselor, psychologist, novelist/poet or teacher. There were even a few tests that I went back and took over thinking that maybe I hadn’t answered the questions truthfully, but the results were the same.
Every one of these careers is in the field of changing lives. EVERY ONE! So that has to be what is missing from my life – my contributions to making other lives better – right?
I’ve always threatened Mr. Strong that I am going to get out of the corporate world one day and become a teacher, so I can be with my kids more and his answers are always the same”
“You don’t have the patience to be a teacher.” Maybe a coach – not a teacher.
“You would miss making the money you make and we would be broke during the summer.”
“You would be bored on your time off during the summer.”
Mr. Strong is absolutely right on all accounts! I can’t argue with any of them! Even though Kitty tells me I would be a great teacher because I don’t except excuses – I agree with Mr. Strong on this one.
Then yesterday, I came across a self-assessment test. This self-assessment asks you to think about the times that you feel the most joy. Well, this was hard because I feel true joy when I am planning a vacation and really just at the thought of a clean house, but that isn’t what it’s really asking…is it?
Okay, if I am being honest with my whole entire being, the times that I feel true joy are the times that I have helped someone accomplish something. This summer was amazing for me! I helped myself, but I also helped the girls and a few friends learn that their goals ARE attainable. I felt true joy the day CL came into my office and told me “thank you” for helping her lose 12lbs. (Although she is the one that done the work, she said without my “drill sergeant” encouragement and direction she wouldn’t have even started.) This brought the happy tears to my eyes – that was true joy for me. Or when the girls and I went school clothes shopping and they were finally happy with their sizes and Kiki wasn’t afraid the girls this school year were going to call her fat! That is true joy for me! Knowing that I helped change – if nothing else – their negative attitude and instilled some self esteem, so they could face whatever came their way. Or when I helped a friend get through some tough non-profit accounting training – with just a few suggestions and corrections – she jumped for joy the day she finally ran the reports and “understood” that she COULD do the job! She sent me flowers…
Showing someone that they have what it takes to accomplish ANYTHING they decide they want to accomplish and seeing their happiness when they do – THAT IS MY PURE JOY MOMENT!
THAT is what fills the missing piece.
Anyway – after I took this self-assessment from this Ivy League University and incorporated everything that I just wrote above – my career paths that were decided based on my answers were basically the same, only this time Personal/Life Coach was on the list.
Is that even possible? Me? A personal/life coach?
Naturally I drilled into the Personal/Life Coach line and every description, every characteristic of “do you have what it takes” and EVERY duty of a personal/life coach fit me – it fit everything that I try to do now with my family and friends.
Then I read this:
“Most people can’t make big changes on their own,” says Kim Goad, author, personal leadership expert and president of Ovations, a Westminster-based performance consulting firm. “[They] cannot push themselves. They need someone to tell them to stretch, and they need to hear it from someone other than a spouse or friend.”
Well if you HAVE read any of my previous posts then you KNOW I am the person behind the persons encouraging (YELLING) at them to push beyond their set limits.
For now, I will be doing some more research, but I feel that I have had what Oprah would call my “AH-HA!” moment where the light bulb turned on.
And you might (probably not) be asking how this relates to the Law of Attraction – well, I know now that today I am placing an order for my tomorrows from the Universe. My predominant thoughts and feelings today are creating a frequency that is automatically determining my life tomorrow. So, for today, I will feel good about what I have written in order to make my tomorrows as magnificent as I currently imagine.
I hope you are doing the same!
Those of you that read my blog or know me personally - what do YOU think?
Days 148-152 "Tic-Toc"
After the funeral last week and the traveling back and forth and well – everything else in between – I became overwhelmed and acted like a real witch with a capital B! Mr. Strong finally broke down and told me that I needed to go workout (to relieve stress and create my “happy” endorphins) or I needed to go away for the weekend. ***sigh*** that’s how bad “I” was…
Whatever - I went and worked out and it really did make me feel better. But, the whole time I was peddling away on that bike my mind was trying to figure out WHAT it was that was really bothering me. WHAT? What is it that ALWAYS seems to instantly put me in a bad mood – what is the negativity that is surrounding me and smothering me into a GIANT BIATCH!? I kept coming back to the same answer – my house. The once happy and carefree atmospheric energy is now dead and buried under a pile of laundry, chores, and “stuff.” I’m not a hoarder or anything that BAD, but I know for the kind of energy that I need to find and dig up again, I need to get rid of a lot of unwanted – outdated – broken – new – what-the-hell-was-I-thinking-when-I-bought-that “stuff.” I am overcome with staleness when I walk into my house. A staleness that creates NO energy AT ALL and that in turn creates unorganized rooms, closets and indifferent persons living in there – somewhere.
Most people that have been in my house would think that I am crazy for writing this – they can’t see what I’m talking about. Yes, everything on the surface is put away (or the door is shut) and straightened up, but it is the closed cabinets, drawers, closets (under the kids’ beds) that are full and bursting at the seams - ready to rip open and explode! I know the good (like a cool fall breeze on a sunny day) energy is buried somewhere deep down in the depths of closet hell! I NEED to find it again. SOON! I see (a lot of) little signs of house neglect here and there and I want to fix it – I don’t know how, but I am an expert “google-er” I can figure it out – right?
Saturday, the girls and I spent 4 hours – FOUR HOURS – cleaning two rooms. That is CLEANING two rooms – NOT organizing or de-cluttering! I guess I felt that if the beds and linens were washed and made and the floors were HAND-SCRUBBED then it would be easier to de-clutter and organize – after the fact.
Well, “after the fact” came and went and here I am back to a straightened house with an energy that is paranoid to resurface because it has been gone so long. And yes, I will be getting a private maid, but she won’t be paid to de-clutter my house! This is something that “I” have to do ***sigh***
The LOA tells us that simple visualization has been shown to increase strength, speed up healing, and increase attitude and comfort levels. I desperately need some mental healing right now, so I am going to visualize my clean, organized, clutter-free and simplistic house. I am going to feel the welcoming happy energy that I used to feel when we first bought the house many years ago and all the small neglecting has been taken care of.
I have learned that we’re likely to create our own limits within our minds and will need support from “wherever and whomever” until we learn how to have no limits to what we believe we can do within our own minds. I still have some set limits, but I have conquered through quite a few of others and have PROVED that the LOA works! I KNOW that I will get my house back to the simple and organized state that it has been and I know that I will once again feel the butterflies of excitement that I felt when we first signed the papers and the keys were handed over. And if I am brave enough - I will take before and after photos!
I MUST.
Tic-Toc
The countdown has started.
Clean house or mental breakdown?
Tic-Toc
Hmmm - mental breakdown might be easier…
Tic-Toc
Fine - Clean house it is then…
Tic-Toc
(Like the sunrise? I just had to change the background - now I can remember to be a Sunrise person everyday, even when I sleep in! Have you decided what kind of "person" you are yet?)
Whatever - I went and worked out and it really did make me feel better. But, the whole time I was peddling away on that bike my mind was trying to figure out WHAT it was that was really bothering me. WHAT? What is it that ALWAYS seems to instantly put me in a bad mood – what is the negativity that is surrounding me and smothering me into a GIANT BIATCH!? I kept coming back to the same answer – my house. The once happy and carefree atmospheric energy is now dead and buried under a pile of laundry, chores, and “stuff.” I’m not a hoarder or anything that BAD, but I know for the kind of energy that I need to find and dig up again, I need to get rid of a lot of unwanted – outdated – broken – new – what-the-hell-was-I-thinking-when-I-bought-that “stuff.” I am overcome with staleness when I walk into my house. A staleness that creates NO energy AT ALL and that in turn creates unorganized rooms, closets and indifferent persons living in there – somewhere.
Most people that have been in my house would think that I am crazy for writing this – they can’t see what I’m talking about. Yes, everything on the surface is put away (or the door is shut) and straightened up, but it is the closed cabinets, drawers, closets (under the kids’ beds) that are full and bursting at the seams - ready to rip open and explode! I know the good (like a cool fall breeze on a sunny day) energy is buried somewhere deep down in the depths of closet hell! I NEED to find it again. SOON! I see (a lot of) little signs of house neglect here and there and I want to fix it – I don’t know how, but I am an expert “google-er” I can figure it out – right?
Saturday, the girls and I spent 4 hours – FOUR HOURS – cleaning two rooms. That is CLEANING two rooms – NOT organizing or de-cluttering! I guess I felt that if the beds and linens were washed and made and the floors were HAND-SCRUBBED then it would be easier to de-clutter and organize – after the fact.
Well, “after the fact” came and went and here I am back to a straightened house with an energy that is paranoid to resurface because it has been gone so long. And yes, I will be getting a private maid, but she won’t be paid to de-clutter my house! This is something that “I” have to do ***sigh***
The LOA tells us that simple visualization has been shown to increase strength, speed up healing, and increase attitude and comfort levels. I desperately need some mental healing right now, so I am going to visualize my clean, organized, clutter-free and simplistic house. I am going to feel the welcoming happy energy that I used to feel when we first bought the house many years ago and all the small neglecting has been taken care of.
I have learned that we’re likely to create our own limits within our minds and will need support from “wherever and whomever” until we learn how to have no limits to what we believe we can do within our own minds. I still have some set limits, but I have conquered through quite a few of others and have PROVED that the LOA works! I KNOW that I will get my house back to the simple and organized state that it has been and I know that I will once again feel the butterflies of excitement that I felt when we first signed the papers and the keys were handed over. And if I am brave enough - I will take before and after photos!
I MUST.
Tic-Toc
The countdown has started.
Clean house or mental breakdown?
Tic-Toc
Hmmm - mental breakdown might be easier…
Tic-Toc
Fine - Clean house it is then…
Tic-Toc
(Like the sunrise? I just had to change the background - now I can remember to be a Sunrise person everyday, even when I sleep in! Have you decided what kind of "person" you are yet?)
Day 147 - Random Ramblings
Let me start my apologizing up front for today’s post – it is extremely random and if you want to quit now – go ahead. I can’t seem to focus on one thing right now; my mind is going crazy!
_________________________________
Last night:
Kitty was explaining to me that she had an English project that required her to look up a famous dead person and write 6 facts about them and include pictures of those 6 facts…got it?
Okay -
Kitty: “Mom, I felt so retarded turning in my English project today!”
Me: “Why, what was wrong with it?”
Kitty: “I was the only person to turn in drawings instead of using printed pictures.”
Me: “So? You did the project to the best of your procrastinating, no printer at home abilities!”
Kitty: “Yeah, but I drew STICK FIGURES!”
Me: “What? Stick figures? Why didn’t you ask me to print pictures at work and bring them home?!”
LMAO!
Kitty: “I forgot. – My teacher just looked at me like I was in kindergarten!”
Me: “Why? Did you just draw 6 stick figures?”
ROTFL!
Kitty: “No! I drew them all 6 different sizes – you know a small stick figure of baby George Washington all the way up to the grown gentleman stick figure of George Washington – I didn’t have my map colors to color his puffy hair white, but I drew his afro!”
LOL! I couldn’t even speak at this moment – I was crying so hard from laughing at her because she was so sincere in her efforts!
Shish! I love that girl!
_________________________________
I watched the Biggest Loser last night and I now firmly believe that I was a Drill Sergeant in another life! This would explain my excessive yelling and constantly timing the chores or directions I give. YOU HAVE 3 MINUTES! Every aspect about the yelling, the discipline, the teamwork and the honor and integrity of (making) showing someone the power they do have within – well? – that is what I am ALLLLLLLLL about!
____________________________________
“The Friend” came into my office this morning and caught me eating a corndog. Yes, a corndog. She informed me that I needed to give up all fast food (all fast food by her standards) and, well, you know what? She is right. I do need to give up the CRAP food that I put into my body and try to focus more on my eating! But, that breaded wiener coated in mustard sure was yummy! Just saying…
___________________________________
Do you see that little box to the left? This is my NO MORE EXCUSES box. I WILL show everyone that I CAN do what I write about. 21 miles EVERY WEEK is my goal. So, if you see me slacking – please send me a comment and let the world know or give me a reason to get my hotness off the freaking office chair and go run!
WAIT! DON”T comment today! You have to understand that my grandmother passed away yesterday and these next few days I will be traveling in and out of town. So, I will do my best to meet my goal this week – but next week? IT”S ON!
_____________________________________
There have been a lot of things happening during the compilation of today’s post, so now I am going to go to the HUMMER and beat my head against the steering wheel out of frustration…toodles!
_________________________________
Last night:
Kitty was explaining to me that she had an English project that required her to look up a famous dead person and write 6 facts about them and include pictures of those 6 facts…got it?
Okay -
Kitty: “Mom, I felt so retarded turning in my English project today!”
Me: “Why, what was wrong with it?”
Kitty: “I was the only person to turn in drawings instead of using printed pictures.”
Me: “So? You did the project to the best of your procrastinating, no printer at home abilities!”
Kitty: “Yeah, but I drew STICK FIGURES!”
Me: “What? Stick figures? Why didn’t you ask me to print pictures at work and bring them home?!”
LMAO!
Kitty: “I forgot. – My teacher just looked at me like I was in kindergarten!”
Me: “Why? Did you just draw 6 stick figures?”
ROTFL!
Kitty: “No! I drew them all 6 different sizes – you know a small stick figure of baby George Washington all the way up to the grown gentleman stick figure of George Washington – I didn’t have my map colors to color his puffy hair white, but I drew his afro!”
LOL! I couldn’t even speak at this moment – I was crying so hard from laughing at her because she was so sincere in her efforts!
Shish! I love that girl!
_________________________________
I watched the Biggest Loser last night and I now firmly believe that I was a Drill Sergeant in another life! This would explain my excessive yelling and constantly timing the chores or directions I give. YOU HAVE 3 MINUTES! Every aspect about the yelling, the discipline, the teamwork and the honor and integrity of (making) showing someone the power they do have within – well? – that is what I am ALLLLLLLLL about!
____________________________________
“The Friend” came into my office this morning and caught me eating a corndog. Yes, a corndog. She informed me that I needed to give up all fast food (all fast food by her standards) and, well, you know what? She is right. I do need to give up the CRAP food that I put into my body and try to focus more on my eating! But, that breaded wiener coated in mustard sure was yummy! Just saying…
___________________________________
Do you see that little box to the left? This is my NO MORE EXCUSES box. I WILL show everyone that I CAN do what I write about. 21 miles EVERY WEEK is my goal. So, if you see me slacking – please send me a comment and let the world know or give me a reason to get my hotness off the freaking office chair and go run!
WAIT! DON”T comment today! You have to understand that my grandmother passed away yesterday and these next few days I will be traveling in and out of town. So, I will do my best to meet my goal this week – but next week? IT”S ON!
_____________________________________
There have been a lot of things happening during the compilation of today’s post, so now I am going to go to the HUMMER and beat my head against the steering wheel out of frustration…toodles!
Days 140-146 Getting Back on Track
Yesterday was spent in business meetings and catching up on the mounds of work that overtook my desk. I had planned to post last night when I got home, but my computer apparently cheated on me and caught a virus when we were away and now it is crap! Soooo, I get to spend my lunch break at Best Buy! Ugh!
First let me begin by saying that I had a fun time away! I enjoy ANY and ALL time that I get to spend NOT working! The kids went with us this year and they definitely made the trip entertaining. I have several stories I want to share with everyone, but I will post those one at a time or I will have a book-long post today.
(Speaking of books – after 9 days of not writing, I am now wayyyy behind on mine – just saying…)
Random:
When I got home, I got back on the scale.
I shouldn’t have…
I saw pictures (who I think – not quite sure) of myself this weekend.
I shouldn’t have looked… (That can’t be me – maybe they were secretly photoshopped - hmm Nancy?)
I didn’t really deep “clean” the house before I left.
I should HAVE!
*sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhh*
Okay, story number one. You know how most families drive down the road listening to the radio or watching a DVD – something – right?
Well my family talks - case in point – the conversation went like this:
“peter piper picked…”
“peppers!”
“no – it goes – peter piper picked peppers”
“no – that’s not it either – peter piper picked pickles”
“peter piper picked pathadaaaaaaaaaa”
“WTH are you saying?”
“peter piper picked pathadaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa”
“omg – you are all idiots!”
“peter piper picked pickled peppers”
“NO – You don’t know it either!”
“peter piper picked pathadaaaaaaaaaaaa”
Over and over again - THIS WENT ON FOR 20 MINUTES PEOPLE!!!!!!
Finally I googled the dang nursery rhyme and for all of you people out there that are completely screwed up now because my family can’t remember the words, they are:
“Peter Piper picked a peck(yes that is spelled correctly) of pickled peppers.”
Okay, after I googled the correct words, you would think that they “got it” right? Hell no, it started all over again!
“peter piper picked pethadaaaaaaaaaaaaa”
Over and over again!
“IF YOU DON’T HAVE IT BY NOW, YOU’RE NEVER GOING TO GET IT – QUIT TRYING!”
Leave it up to my family to travel down the highway F-ing up nursery rhymes for our entertainment pleasure! LOL!
By the way, my stomach hurt the next day from laughing so hard! Shish!
Speaking of stomach – mmmkay - I WILL be working out from now on – no more breaks! Even if it is just walking – I can’t keep riding this roller coaster and ending up at the same place where I started– it’s time I find my motivation again that drove me at the first of the summer OR I will gain back the entire 27lbs that I have lost!
And that can’t happen – no way – no how!
This having 3 chins thing isn’t working for me! I totally can’t pull off that facial accessory!
Now, I get to go into another fun work meeting…
First let me begin by saying that I had a fun time away! I enjoy ANY and ALL time that I get to spend NOT working! The kids went with us this year and they definitely made the trip entertaining. I have several stories I want to share with everyone, but I will post those one at a time or I will have a book-long post today.
(Speaking of books – after 9 days of not writing, I am now wayyyy behind on mine – just saying…)
Random:
When I got home, I got back on the scale.
I shouldn’t have…
I saw pictures (who I think – not quite sure) of myself this weekend.
I shouldn’t have looked… (That can’t be me – maybe they were secretly photoshopped - hmm Nancy?)
I didn’t really deep “clean” the house before I left.
I should HAVE!
*sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhh*
Okay, story number one. You know how most families drive down the road listening to the radio or watching a DVD – something – right?
Well my family talks - case in point – the conversation went like this:
“peter piper picked…”
“peppers!”
“no – it goes – peter piper picked peppers”
“no – that’s not it either – peter piper picked pickles”
“peter piper picked pathadaaaaaaaaaa”
“WTH are you saying?”
“peter piper picked pathadaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa”
“omg – you are all idiots!”
“peter piper picked pickled peppers”
“NO – You don’t know it either!”
“peter piper picked pathadaaaaaaaaaaaa”
Over and over again - THIS WENT ON FOR 20 MINUTES PEOPLE!!!!!!
Finally I googled the dang nursery rhyme and for all of you people out there that are completely screwed up now because my family can’t remember the words, they are:
“Peter Piper picked a peck(yes that is spelled correctly) of pickled peppers.”
Okay, after I googled the correct words, you would think that they “got it” right? Hell no, it started all over again!
“peter piper picked pethadaaaaaaaaaaaaa”
Over and over again!
“IF YOU DON’T HAVE IT BY NOW, YOU’RE NEVER GOING TO GET IT – QUIT TRYING!”
Leave it up to my family to travel down the highway F-ing up nursery rhymes for our entertainment pleasure! LOL!
By the way, my stomach hurt the next day from laughing so hard! Shish!
Speaking of stomach – mmmkay - I WILL be working out from now on – no more breaks! Even if it is just walking – I can’t keep riding this roller coaster and ending up at the same place where I started– it’s time I find my motivation again that drove me at the first of the summer OR I will gain back the entire 27lbs that I have lost!
And that can’t happen – no way – no how!
This having 3 chins thing isn’t working for me! I totally can’t pull off that facial accessory!
Now, I get to go into another fun work meeting…
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