First domino

Tags

conflict, domino, priorities

Sometimes it’s easier to sort through priorities if we approach them in new ways.

The question I asked myself yesterday was, what is the ONE domino when tipped over that seems to knock everything else over? This “domino” gone awry or out of sorts will tend to trigger a series of issues.

Maybe it’s sleep. Too little and we can’t cope with change or conflict. Maybe it’s food. Too little and we’re edgy and ready to jump into the fighting ring. Too much and we feel fat and ready to punch someone. Maybe it’s a reading deficiency. Without our daily dose of a good book we feel jarred. Maybe it’s a specific relationship. When the relationship is spot on we feel empowered to take on the world. When things are rocky the world becomes gray and even breathing or washing our hair proves difficult.

The first domino in our life isn’t silly or shallow. (Even if it feels like it) It just is. The benefit of identifying this domino is to position it as a high priority item and give it time, effort and energy to make sure it stays in a good place. Obviously it’s worth keeping this ONE thing in order if it keeps other dominoes standing strong.

What’s your FIRST domino?

Epic nap on the dishwasher

Tags

dishwasher, nap, pillows, power nap, sleep

I was sitting on the kitchen counter (in some homes this doesn’t fly, but since I’m the queen of my castle…) in the sunshine, drinking tea, talking with my husband. And then it hit me…I needed a power nap. Now.

I set my tea aside, laid on the counter (as my husband ran and grabbed some pillows – you’re the best!) and fell asleep on top of the dishwasher, warmed by the sun, listening to the hum of water swishing. AMAZING. One of the most amazing power naps I’ve EVER had. I could have moved to the living room or bedroom. That would have been standard, normal, appropriate behavior.

When it’s not a decision between right and wrong and there are no moral issues at stake, break the mold and try something different. You might find a whole new way of living!

“Pictures are worth a thousand words.” I’m past the awkwardness of a sleeping picture of myself. The nap was intoxicating and I’m delighted to share a glimpse of these moments with you! Hope you’re inspired to do something a bit out of the ordinary today. 

 

Crusty skin orange

I peeled an orange, ran off to the office and forgot it. An hour later I came back and ate an orange with crusty skin. All in favor of crusty skin oranges raise your hands! (Yeah, not one.)

I could have eaten a soft, sweet, juicy orange as soon as I peeled it but waiting really lessened the experience. Whether it’s business, conflict resolution, a budding relationship or a new fitness goal – STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT!

Stranger interest

Tags

gymnast, hobby, sport, stranger

Have strangers asked you if you had a certain occupation or interest based on your actions and behavior?

Someone asked me if I was a gymnast. Nope. Not unless you count forward rolls and cartwheels at the age of 7 as a “gymnast.” This got me thinking of the random things people ask about me, which got me thinking of the random things people ask about you.

If enough people ask us about a particular hobby, sport or occupation, do you suppose we exude the characteristics common of those that participate in that activity? Maybe we’d be great at it and love it! Maybe we wouldn’t. It would be an interesting experience to know if strangers can detect things that we may have  suppressed or disregarded.

 

Dove dirt

Tags

doves, exhausted, human, rest

A pair of doves have happily nested themselves outside…in the dirt.

Maybe it’s just my human perspective, but if I were nesting, I would opt for safety and height.

We’ve all been so tired and worn out that we just needed to rest…and it didn’t really matter where. Walk into an airport tonight and you’ll see people sleeping in precarious positions on every surface imaginable. Exhausted. Children fall asleep while playing and eating because they just can’t continue on.

Let’s take a cue and rest when our bodies need it. Forget the invites to dinner and unnecessary errands – they’ll be there tomorrow.

Obvious answers

Tags

runner, stride

“That’s a heck of a stride you have. Are you a runner?”

Hmmmm…You just complimented me on my ability to run, so isn’t this obvious?

Ah, but that’s what we do…we ask questions with obvious answers…creatures hunting for confirmation and resolution.

 

 

Here’s to muscles!

Tags

eating, fitness, friends, healthy, heart, muscle, rate

Some people think my fitness is purely self-gratification. It’s not. (If you’ve seen me work out, it’s ugly and painful…not anything I would put next to “gratification.”)

2010 did bring a lot of gratification related to fitness in the form of several friends who decided to exercise regularly and change to healthy eating habits. They’ve received amazing results from these decisions externally and internally! I’m so proud of each of you!

I’m happy to push myself, especially if it means raising the bar for all of us to get better. Here’s to muscles and heart rates in 2011!

Farmer Carry

Tags

balance, bar, gym, weights

Picture a weight-lifting gym…2 bars with weights on each end sitting on the floor and a person standing between the bars to pick them up and walk farmer carry-style.

It’s important the bars are picked up at precisely the right spot because a hand width is the only balance offered the 5 ft. bar. Surprisingly 1/3 inch makes a HUGE difference.

We make “1/3 inch” decisions all the time.

 

Body-building

Tags

bodybuilding, kids, mom

A friend of mine hit the stage for the first time in a body-building competition this month. She’s 42; at-home-mom of four kids.

Enough with excuses.

If you want it, go get it.

Monday’s Shoulders

The gym is a great place to learn life lessons.

Recently I was going through a tough workout and had an inspirational moment (which became clearer once I showered and ate some protein).

Overall I needed to complete 55 reps of an exercise with a relatively large amount of weight compared to my body size. I was overwhelmed looking at the weight. Then it occurred to me I only needed to lift the weight once, 55 times. I didn’t need to lift the weight of 55 reps the first time, or any one time at all.

How often do we approach life this way? We carry the weight of the week on Monday’s shoulders. Just live Monday, then Tuesday and so on. Don’t have a bad week because Friday holds a daunting project.

We put a high premium on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Monday is life too. Don’t miss it.