Day 69 - Energy Drains

Recently, someone asked me, "What gives you good energy?"  So, I have been thinking about that a lot. 

And, I have been identifying the stuff the fills me up with positive, rejuvenating energy.  But what is interesting, is that, while a few items like writing, and doodling, and reading I immediately knew brought me good energy, I found myself more easily able to identify the stuff that drains me.

Stuff like...

whiny, negative people

politics

the "I'm a victim" mindset

whiny kids

a messy home

Jersey Shore

passive aggressiveness

not getting enough sleep

not following through with my promises or commitments (especially to myself)

being misunderstood

crappy, greasy food

feeling lonely

addictive iPhone games

Diet Coke

being overweight

not friends "friends"

too much wine

beating up on myself

And some of these things are easy for me to avoid - like Jersey Shore.  So I do.

And some of these things are impossible for me to avoid - like whiny kids.  So I accept it and figure out how to best deal.

Some of the other stuff is harder. 

But, I know that it would be best to minimize the rest...so I choose to walk away from and not engage with whiny, negative people and decide to not eat fast food, and when I catch myself feeling like a victim, I, instead, choose to be a problem solver, and when I hear my inner mean girl I conciously stop her chatter and if I am tired I go to bed early.  At least I try to do those things.  And, mostly it helps.

So, I found it very ironic that this morning, when I was thinking about these energy drains, I got my daily email from The Universe (a fun website that anyone can sign up to get daily inspirational messages) that said...

It's not as if one could be bored enough, feel frustrated enough, or complain enough that their life would suddenly turn around. Doesn't work that way.

Whatever anyone "is," Kim, they become more of. And anyone's is'ness is whatever they say it is.

Happily,
The Universe

Isn't it funny how powerful messages arrive at just the right time?!!?

So, I am going to conciously try to have my "is'ness" be POSITIVE!

What is your is'ness?

Day 68 - Averageness

I originally posted this on June 8, 2010 and recently I thought about this post.   Because, writing this was incredibly an eye-opening experience, I decided to re-post it today.

Right now I am struggling with my average-ness.

According to Yahoo Thesaurus Average means...

"Being of no special quality or type: common, commonplace, cut-and-dried, formulaic, garden, garden-variety, indifferent, mediocre, ordinary, plain, routine, run-of-the-mill, standard, stock, undistinguished, unexceptional, unremarkable."

When I was growing up I seemed, well, average.

• I graduated smack-dab in the middle of my graduating class - a solid C or C+ student.
• I wasn't popular - but I had friends and was likable enough.
• I didn't excel at anything in particular...I tried out for track, but instead of running, I was asked to be the team manager. I was on flagline, but not a captain. I played the musical instruments, but was in concert band, not symphonic.
• I wasn't in honors classes - but I did not have to take remedial courses... (I could go on...)

And I embraced my average-ness. I became good finding my place somewhere in the middle - in between the wondrous shining stars and the in-different f-ups of the world. I feel comfortable being behind the scenes, and am skilled at blending into the background. When faced with a situation when I need to be in the spotlight, I manage and am successful, but feel relieved when the heat of the light is gone. I know enough about a lot, but not too much to be an "expert" about anything.

Because I defined myself as average.

I'm not so sure if I want to embrace my average-ness anymore. I think, perhaps, I am hiding behind it. And, that it is holding me back from more.

But, you know what? ...It seems to be so ingrained in who I am, that I feel completely, utterly, clueless about how to proceed.

So, I guess, for now, I'll just take the time to live in and experience this place - the space between the realization of a flawed definition of self and the revealing of a new me.

 

Day 67 - Lost and Found

I tend to believe that it is better when I find my way, or when I find myself.

But, perhaps I need to remember these wise words...

“You have to get lost before you can be found.”
― Jeff Rasley

And, maybe I could more enjoy in the journey!

Day 66 - Levi the Levy Guy

On Day 39 I shared with you that I was on a committee for the School Levy election.  And, today is the election!

I am sitting at an election watch party.  While many in other parts of the USA are watching to see if Mitt, Rick, or Newt will win Ohio, we are glued to the results for the School Levy.

And, with 40% of the vote in it is looking good!

While I am waiting for the rest of the results, I thought I would introduce you to Levi the Levy Guy.

Mocha, our Chocolate Lab and Levi

He was showed up all over Facebook, encouraging folks to vote for the levy.  And, HE is what made working on the election committee a wee bit more fun than I expected!

And Doggone it, I am happy about that!

Day 65 - Creativity that needed to get out...

I have said it before, and I will say it again...I am happier when spend time being creative, daily!

Today, I had some creativity that needed to get out...  So I figured I'd share it...

The Story of How Clondike the Crococeros came to be...

One day at the zoo

A mix up in the labs

When Dr. Dufus Dan Durkin lost tabs

On Who was What and What was Who

But, at birth it was certain

That the Whats and the Whos

Were mixed and confused

And stunned, was Dr. Dan Durkin!

A beast, half Rhino, half Croc

Was a ginormous shock!

But when the media declared

"Clondike the Crococeros'

Existence is historic!"

The good doctor's reputation was spared.

What Creativity do you need to let out?

Day 64 - Making it work...

10 days ago I started the 21 Day Challenge!

So, for three weeks I am committed to exercising/moving 6 out of 7 days a week for at least 30 minutes!

I am just about half way through the challenge and I am happy to report that all is going well.  But, I must admit it hasn't always been easy.  Some days I have been busy and wasn't quite sure how I would fit it in.  Other days, I procrastinated.  And still other days I wasn't in the mood to exercise and I had to search for my motivation.

To combat these roadblocks, I have tried to have fun and be creative about making my commitment work...

One day, when I had a lot going on including needing to get to the grocery store, I decided to walk to the store instead of drive.  By doing that, I felt like I was able to be productive and exercise at the same time.

Another day, when I was feeling unmotivated, I recruited my boys to join me.  The three of us Wii Zumba'd in our family room and had a great time!  It was amazing how much more motivated I was because Alex and Owen were right beside me getting their groove on.

On a sunny, but chilly day, Alex and I bundled up, and took, Mocha, our 90 pound chocolate lab, for a walk through the park.  It was a perfect opportunity to spend some quality, one-on-one time chatting with Alex and hearing his stories.

And yesterday evening, after procrastinating all day, I pulled out the Wii Fit and tried out some "games" that I had never done before.  I had a blast dodging large swinging boulders, jumping over rolling logs, and leaping from one platform to the next in the obstacle course.  And, I  hula hooped my way to a stronger core.  It was fun...really fun!  The BONUS is that it must have been a decent workout, because today I am sore!

Through this I am learning that if I am creative - I can make it work...even when I don't feel like it!

How do you creatively fit exercise into your life?

Day 63 - felt with the heart...



And, I will humbly add..."and that is possible, only if, one's heart is open."

p.s.  and having an open is heart is incredibly brave and powerful.