Thursday, December 6, 2012

Take a Minute Thursday

Well, we’re full throttle into the holi-daze… shopping madness, added events to an already crowded calendar, more chores and cleaning and cooking responsibilities, to say nothing of the added stress to look and be perfect and have that Hallmark Christmas that EVERYONE ELSE seems to have… or NOT?

Take a minute today to be thankful for what you have and what is happening in your life. I love the phrase “take a minute today” because life can so easily overwhelm as everything rains down upon us in (as my Grandmom used to say), one fell swoop. You may not be able to control everything that’s going on, but take a minute to sit down and think about and focus upon the good things you do have happening in your life. For example, I ran out of the house this morning with my ever-so-mandatory two-bag 20 oz. teacup, aka caffeine for life. I didn’t even realize it till I got to my destination. But thankfully, I was able to get a strong cup of tea and my friend Collette (God bless you, dear) even shared her soy milk with me. So as I sit here writing this, I am sipping a cup of tea for which I am EXTREMELY thankful!

Right now I’m in a time poverty situation where I’m juggling far too much and facing a looming deadline and scrambling to finish a paper while I try to figure out how to get the house holiday-ready for friends who are coming by Friday night (since at this writing I still have yet to take down the pumpkins and wheat shafts and hay bales from the autumn décor). Yes, part of me is completely verklempt and a mental madwoman over this. Part of me is chiding me for yet again biting off more than I can chew and not building margin into my life. But… I am taking a minute today to be thankful for my work, for the opportunity to be going back to school, for owning my own home and for my amazing friends who will visit and frankly couldn’t care what my house looks like because they love me. Trust me, girls, THOSE are TRUE friends!

And while we’re at it, let’s remember to be thankful for things like clean, hot water, a flushing toilet, food in our bellies, shoes on our feet, clothes on our backs, and a home of our own. How many out there can’t say this?

Look, I’m not trying to be a syrupy sweet Pollyanna with her head in the clouds when it comes to the reality of life. We all have heartaches and problems and overwhelming situations that crush us on a daily basis.. I’m in no way trying to minimize your life, your pain or your problems. I wish I could wrap my arms around each of you and let you cry until you feel better and then help you work things out. I know some days we’re so tired we can barely lift our heads up or take one more step… I do understand. What I’m asking is that you take a moment today to escape the reality, and look at one or two things that are good, and for which you feel blessed. I do believe it will give you a welcome break, if only for a minute or two… and give you a chance to catch your breath. Reality will soon be tugging at you and come back in your face with a rude awakening… but perhaps that momentary break will be just enough to give you a bit more energy, a bit more hope to face the rest of your day. I’m praying will help… just a little. Remember you are a very special and strong woman, and give yourself the gift of taking a moment today… for the blessings of which you are one to so many.

Blessings and encouragement,

Coach Linda

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Monday MOVE IT!!!

Monday – grey, rainy... the one-two “rainy days and Mondays always get me down” punch that they wrote the song about by the Carpenters (Google it if you’re too young to remember… sigh…) Okay, let’s break out and CHOOSE JOY TODAY! Sometimes you just gotta get outta your own way, outta your comfort zone and break free from the limitations you put on yourself. Ohhh… it’s Monday… poor me, I’m tired, work stinks, I gained two pounds… yada yada yada.

STOP IT! Why keep convincing yourself that today will be AWFUL? Howza ‘bout today, just for a few minutes RIGHT NOW… you opt to LIVE JUICY and do something fun and spontaneous?

I can never ever stay grouchy/grumpy/whiney/miserable if I dance. Just won’t happen! When I blast the music and start movin’ and a groovin’ shaking my dance thang, I always wind up feeling better. My endorphins start doin' the funky salsa through my bloodstream and before I know it, I have a big smile on my face and I just plain feel better.

So at some point (maybe even right now…), put on your earphones, turn up that music that rocks you to the point where nothing short of an act of God can keep you still – and let the music shake your body and spirit free. I don’t care if you think you look like you’re doing the Elaine dance, just do it. Think of the parade dance scene in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off when he gets everybody on the street dancing to the Beatles’ Twist and Shout! Or go to YouTube and watch Ben Aaron get people to Dance Walk – hysterical!!!

Seat dance in the car – who cares what the guy in the other lane is thinking? Really, will you EVER see him again? Start dancing and invite him to join in! Imagine a flash mob seat-dancing scene at your next traffic jam! Talk about making the most of a bad situation!! Blast the music in your car, sing at the top of your lungs and burn some serious calories at that red light.

Go ahead – I double dog DARE YOU to DANCE today! Ain’t too many folks lying on their deathbed taking their last breath who would regret going for the gusto when they had the chance!

DANCE!

Blessings,

Linda