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September 15th, 2013 The last few days my daughters have been “welcoming me back into the working world” as I grappled with computers and finding that all-important cup of afternoon coffee. Today, sitting on a quiet beach, watching the tide go out, I thought more about that – returning to the working world. It turns out that I didn’t know how much I missed it until I no longer had it. And I only realized that because of the spirit jolt I felt this past week, even though it was hard.
Couple these thoughts with a song I’ve been chasing for two weeks now on the radio, and it all makes perfect sense. Until we experience the “without”, we can never appreciate the “within”. The song Let Her Go by Passenger explains it so much better than I ever could – and with just a few words written across a gentle melody. This funny little song caught my ear one day in the car and I had to hunt it down. I never heard of Passenger, but I suspect I’ll like more of their music.
Check it out on iTunes or Spotify. It might just catch your ear too, especially if you’ve been missing someone or something in your life.
And so, as another beautiful beach day slowly goes by,
You never need the light til it’s burnin’ low, you never miss the sun til’ it starts to snow, you never know you loved her til you let her go – and – you let her go.
…and…I have written.
September 14th, 2013 This is actually the Fun Friday A 2 Z blog hop post – it’s appearing on Saturday – so can you guess what kind week it was? Yup. Hard. What made it hard? The fact that I’ve been called to edge of my comfort zone so many times in just five days.
This was my first full week working at my new job at Koko Fit Club. It’s been five days of learning three computer programs and helping members without having a clear map of what I was doing. Then came my bout with Laughter Yoga. We all know how that went. (Click on it if you missed it.)
Today topped it off. I had to go open and work the Harwich club for the first time. My GPS succeeded in getting me lost IN the plaza the club was in. After finally getting there, my instructions were to unlock the the door with no lock on it, by turning the key away from you. Yeah. A member helped me figure that one out. When I went to log on to the computer the keyboard and mouse were unresponsive. After putting in a distress call for help, with a member waiting to update their key, I kept trying to figure out the problem. Finally help came and I was online. Phew! I was about to relax when a lovely woman came in and announced she wanted to sign up. Panic. I never did a new contract on my own. I took a yoga breath and because the lady was so kind and patient, we made it through it together. I had her up and running on her first elliptical program and the club manager walked in to help out. Was I ever glad to see her. (Let me just say the Koko members and employees I work with are the nicest groups of people I ever met.)
But it doesn’t stop there. Yesterday I found out October is employee adventure month and I might find myself rock or rope climbing. Don’t ask. It’s a topic for a future blog. (This new job is good fodder for future posts.)
It was a week of a lot of “firsts”. A week of being called to step up, get in the game, and figure it out. I always want to go the extra mile to help people and get so frustrated when I don’t have the knowledge or information to do so at my fingertips. I know I need to be patient with myself. It’s only my second week on the job. Being called to perform at the edge of your comfort zone teaches you to have patience with yourself.
I know by Christmas this job will easy and second nature, but right now I like the stimulus the challenge of new territory presents. Everyday in my Prayer of Jabez I pray for God to “enlarge my territory”. Well this week He’s gone out of His way to do so. Since Monday I’ve navigated more uncharted territory than I have in the last three years. And it’s good. It’s exactly what I need right now. I’m proud of myself for not for not backing down, even when the opportunity presented itself for me to say no. I said yes. I went in nervous and with palms sweating. But I went in.
Have you “gone in” this week? Entered a place where you’ve never been before and gave it your best? How did it turn out for you? Were you as scared as I was? If so, it’s okay. You tried. You didn’t back down or say no. Kudos to you.
And if you said, “No”, that’s okay too. There’ll always be a next time to jump in with both feet.
And so, as another day goes by, I’m high on spending time on the edge of my comfort zone – where life is at its best, and…I have written.
PS – check out some of the cool blogs below, and if your a blogger, click below to join the hop!
September 12th, 2013 Ok, here it is, the skinny on Laughter Yoga. Last night I attended my first Laughter Yoga class in West Barnstable, taught by Bobbi. First let me start off by saying that if there’s ever a person that should be teaching Laughter Yoga, it’s Bobbi. Bobbi is a fun loving, jovial person with an infectious laugh.
The class started by learning a rhythmic clapping chant that would be used to move us from one laughing activity to another. Then Bobbi proceeded to tell us the rules – no talking – everything is done by eye contact. For instance, one exercise was to hold your hand up to your ear listening to a funny phone call. Then walk up to someone in the group laughing and put it to their ear. They would pretend to listen and start laughing, too. You would proceed from person to person until Bobbi started the clapping chant, then she would explain the next exercise, and so on, for about an hour. That’s the general idea of how the class works. Now, what did I think of my experience?
Uh…first of all, if you were with the group of women I was with last night, you wouldn’t really need a laughing class. They are warm, kind, and hilarious all at once and have been dear friends of mine from Bikram yoga for three years now. We were the right group for Bobbi to share her first class as an instructor with. Now let’s cut to the chase – what did I get out of the class?
The first thing Bobbi did was hold her hands in a circle and go around and have each of us deposit our ego in her basket. I just thought, okay…we need to be uninhibited to do this. I could do that.
Then we began learning the chant.
I felt silly.
Then we did the first laughing exercise.
I was hot.
Then we did the second exercise.
My ears were hurting due to the loud laughter. (We were in a small dining room in a house – not acoustic friendly)
Then we did the third exercise.
The glands behind my ears were hurting really bad.
Then we did the fourth exercise.
My jaws were killing me from holding them in a laughing position for so long.
By the fifth exercise I was tired, sore, and my head was splitting. At the end we sat in a circle and talked about our experience during the class. Of course, I had nothing to say because I was ‘Miss Crabby Pants” throughout the whole thing. But my dear friend, Lisa, of whom I don’t get to see near enough of, says, “You know, we don’t take time during the day to make eye contact with the people we meet and we miss learning so much about them.”
Wham! I bit my lip and just hung my head. Guess who didn’t put her ego in the basket? I once again made the whole class about me and how I was feeling, completely disregarding making any connections with the people I was with. It was hard to keep laughing for so long. I hurt. It was hot. My head was spitting. But there were lessons to be learned.
Does this sound familiar? It sounds like so many Bikram yoga posts I’ve written about putting the physical irritants aside and push through to find the wisdom to be gained by the experience. Just like after even the roughest Bikram classes, when we were done last night I felt really good, relaxed, and so glad I came, despite a long work day.
Even though my ego didn’t make the basket, I was proud of myself for pushing through the tiredness, not making an excuse, and actually going. If I didn’t, I would’ve missed not only a great time afterward visiting with my friends, but another chance to learn more about myself. Would I do it again? Absolutely. I’ll have a different frame of mind going into it, just like …Bikram. This is a huge gain for me because three years ago I definitely would’ve given the tired excuse and not gone at all.
And so, as another day goes by, finally I’m able to put my fear and insecurity regarding trying new things aside and just go for it and see where I land, I always discover I’m capable of more than I think I am, and…I have written.
September 11th, 2013 I know. Laughter yoga? What on earth? Well, it’s too funny – but you’re going to have to wait until tomorrow for the skinny on this one because I’m so tired from laughing for a solid hour, that I must giggle my way to bed.
Let’s just say, for tonight, when you have a chance to experience something new, put your fears and ego aside and go for it.
And so, as another day goes by, until tomorrow, and…I have written.
September 10th, 2013 This afternoon I got the following text from Boston daughter about the new iPhone 5 coming out tomorrow.
I used the link, watched the video, and then went to the website to check out the two phones. They gave me too many choices. (It’s the same reason I can’t shop in an H&M – way to many colors and styles to choose from).
Now, tell me, how am I supposed to choose from this?
And if that isn’t enough, there’s also the iPhone 5s that has finger identification in the on button, but only comes in silver and gold.
Do I sacrifice those gorgeous colors for finger identification? Anyone who reads this blog regularly, knows my penchant for bright colors – but you also know my penchant for gadgets. What’s a girl to do?
I’m sitting here finishing up my last hour of work at Koko contemplating this dilemma and it dawns on me – if this is my biggest dilemma tonight, them I’m a very lucky girl. Does your biggest decision tonight make you feel lucky, too?
And so, as another day goes by, time to start doing the closing checks here at the fit club, then drive home feeling very lucky, I’m sure I’ll come to a decision, and…I have written.
September 9th, 2013 Today I drove back to the Cape and had to work the 4-7 shift at the Koko Centerville location. I’ve only been here once and am not to familiar with the shops in the plaza. It was 3:45 and way past my afternoon coffee time. I pulled into Bell Tower Mall and looked around for a Dunkin Donuts. I didn’t see any, so I began to scan for the word “coffee”. I saw a sign saying Coffee Box further down the sidewalk. I was early, so I ventured on down there. It was a little glass kiosk in the middle of the sidewalk filled with K-Cup boxes. I thought it was just a store to buy them, but when I walked in I spied a Keurig all lit up and ready to go. Yay! Not only hot coffee, but fresh coffee in every flavor you could imagine. Clearly I was in K-Cup heaven and will not mind working the Centerville location at all.
It’s these little blessings that surprise me during the day that I love most about my ordinary days. Did a little blessing surprise you, too, today?
And so, as another day goes by, I love my new “working” life, I’m looking forward to all the new surprises it’s sure to bring, and…I have written.
September 8th, 2013 Today was just a day of collecting stuff and having fun. Here’s what I have:
A little bit o’ blog:
This morning, my blogger friend, Christine, and self-proclaimed aspartame addict wrote an excellent post entitled Hello My Name Is Christine And I’m An Aspartame Addict. In it she wrote a line I loved and want to share with you:
Like many toxic relationships you know must end for the betterment of your body and soul, the end doesn’t mean you won’t miss them
A little bit o’ prayer:
A little bit o’ wise Bible:
And a whole lot o’ fun:
A ride in the MG:
And topping off the day with:
-A New England Patriots Win
-The Women’s US Open finals between Serena and Vika
-Sunday night football with the NY Giants
-My hubby and his tailgate food
And so, as another day goes by, I learned, I contemplated, I prayed and I had fun. I can’t ask for more…and …I have written.
September 8th, 2013 It’s blog hop day and the letter of the week is G. G is for Guided Meditation.
I recently completed the 21 Day Oprah / Deepak Guided Meditation Challenge. I must admit, meditation has always been a challenge for me and I did not have high hopes of success going into this one. Why? Well here’s one example:
I wrote the first sentence of this post, glanced up at the TV (which is on, on mute, just to light the room at 5:38 am) and saw something called a Stone Wave Cooker that cooks all kinds of things in the microwave. I push the button on my iPad and I’m searching Amazon for it. Whoa. Before I could push “buy now with one-click”, I returned to this post – after all, it is about keeping your mind on one thing for at least fifteen minutes.
Now you can see why meditation is such a challenge for me. Everyday both Oprah and Deepak gave specific instructions on how to sit still, go inside yourself, and think about completely nothing. They even provided a mantra to keep thoughts from entering your mind. I did well at the sitting still, very good with going within myself, but even the mantra provided a vehicle for thoughts. I’d picture the words, start remembering their Sanskrit meaning, and be on way thought hopping until I went from something like “I am” to the plants on the patio that I forgot to water. By Day 3 I thought this guided meditation thing was just going to take a lot of practice. By Day 10 I decided that trying not thinking about anything was more stressful than the stresses the meditation was supposed to alleviate.
Instead of stressing over not thinking for the next twelve days (quitting was not an option – it would stress me out more to quit a challenge than to fight my way through it) I used the part where they played the fifteen minutes of music to sink into prayer. It was the most beautiful quiet connection with God I ever felt. I would sit still, eyes closed, and speak my prayers for the day. Then I would let God speak to me. When the gentle bell rang at the end of the fifteen minutes, Deepak would gently bring me out of my one on one time with God. Upon opening my eyes I would feel immensely peaceful and rested. I think I meditated because that’s how they said you’re supposed to feel at the end.
I completed the challenge for the remainder of the days using it as a prayer time. It was over more than a week ago and now I realize I miss it. I had gotten to the point of looking forward to it each morning, and now it was suddenly gone. I could go to the website and purchase access the series of twenty one days for $39, but I think that’s a bit steep (if it was $19.99 I’d already own it because $19.99, to me, is a fair price for something I’d love to have – the Stone Wave Cooker – which I’m still contemplating – is only $10… Oops, here I go again…) Back to guided meditation. So here I sit at a crossroads. Was it the guiding words from Oprah and Deepak I needed, or was the fifteen minutes of meditation music enough? It’s been two weeks and I’m still thinking whether or not I should purchase the series and continue to train myself to meditate, or should I just get some cool meditation music and go it alone?
See why I’m really bad at this? Even mediation, for me, involves money and decision-making. I’m stressing over de-stressing. Bottom line? I want that same experience everyday, but I don’t want to pay the sale price of $39 for it.
And so, as another day goes by, it’s early, I’m up alone, I think I have some music I can try to use to meditate unguided and see where it takes me, and … I have written.
September 6th, 2013 Last night no chairs for the concert. No big deal. Went without them and had an even better time than if we had them. This morning ordered my dad a new computer online and put myself down as the on to pick it up. Go to the apple store in Albany and the store guy asks for my license. Open my wallet and realize I left it in the wristlet I took to the concert last night. Still ok. They let me have the computer with all my other forms of ID.
Arrive home this afternoon and settle down to watch my girl Vika play in the semi-finals of the US Open. Oh! I should get that license out of the wristlet and put it back in my wallet before I get too involved in the tennis and forget. Open the wristlet. No license. I realize I must’ve lost it at the concert last night. Normally I would break out into a cold sweat and frantically start trying to figure out what to hurry and do next. Not today. I made a cup of soup and sat down and watched the tennis. In between sets I called the venue (no one turned it in yet). Finished my soup and watched another set. Then search the DMV online to find out how to replace a lost license. Found out its an enhanced license so I have to replace it in person. I have to go there Monday morning before going back to the cape. I’m amazed none of this upset me. Normally something like this would have me calling my husband and wringing my hands. Agh. I’m just glad I lost it while here in NY and can replace it before I leave.
Life really is too short to spend time time sweating, wringing my hands, and complaining about inconveniences. Yes, I wanted to leave bright and early on Monday. The last place I want to go is the DMV on my way out of town, but you know what? I’m going to finish this post, watch Serena in the next semi-final, and go to visit my sister tonight and enjoy my pizza and wine and her company.
And so, as another day goes by, life is about more than forgotten chairs, lost licenses, and the many problems and inconveniences that our days throw at us, and…I have written.
PS- I just remembered I wrote about Victoria Azarenka last year when I saw her on Ellen. I remember it being a very inspirational interview, so I looked up my post. After reading it again, I think you might like it too. Finding That Power Within
September 5th, 2013 Tonight hubby and I had lawn tickets to Maroon 5 and Kelly Clarkson at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in NY. We have attended concerts at this venue since we were seventeen, back when lawn tickets were two bucks. (These were forty apiece) We used to bring our girls to concerts here when they were little and the tickets were twenty bucks, so we are very familiar with lawn tickets. We know the drill – we always used to bring a blanket and a bucket of chicken, a few bags, chairs and coolers, etc.
I arrived in NY about three today and if we wanted dinner, we needed to leave at four. My husband looked at me and said, “What about bringing a blanket? We don’t have any chairs here. We didn’t think this out too well.” I told him to put the blankets in the car and we’ll decide when we get there. Well when we got there he decided he didn’t want to carry them around. I said let’s just go in without chairs or blankets and be mobile all night. It was the best decision. We got drinks and sat on a bench until the concert started. Wandered around during the warm up act, standing next to a few trees in the back. Went back for another drink to wait for Kelly to come on. Sat on the bench some more. It was great not to have to find and keep a spot or not be able to leave our bags and chairs.
When Kelly came on I really wanted to see her. It was a capacity crowd and there wasn’t even a smidgen of lawn (actually dirt) territory to be found even if we did have a chair. We sauntered down the handicap ramp to the extreme left of the amphitheater. Half way down the ramp we stopped and stood in front of a large screen. We had the best view, until security moved everyone off the ramp. Before he got to us, we climbed inside the railing where people were sitting amongst the landscaping. I found myself a nice little nest in the plants, sat with a glass of wine and thoroughly enjoyed Kelly.
She was right on. Serious voice in person. This was the first concert I’ve been to in years where the band didn’t drown out the vocalist. She had it in perfect balance. She sang every one of my favorite songs and saved “The People Like Us” for the encore and wore a dress and glasses made out of glow sticks with neon lipstick. It was very cool. The whole performance was energetic and she managed the stage well.
For the next intermission before Adam, we were free to move about the venue again without the burden of chairs and bags. When Adam came on we ventured up on top and stood in the back watching on the big screens. He also sounded great. I’m a big Maroon 5 fan and really enjoyed their music. From the back Adam sounded amazing. He, too, had it balanced really well and his band didn’t drown him out. We decided to leave before the end because with the amount of people there tonight, it would’ve easily been an hour walk back to our car.
Adam and Kelly were awesome, but the best part of the concert lawn experience was NOT taking chairs. Sometimes you just have to go with what you have (or don’t have) and you end up having a new and better experience. (Just like the Harpoon Brewery experience in Boston – tonight I wore my UFO shirt which has turned out to be the best T shirt I ever owned.)
And so, as another day goes by, I’m learning life is so much more fun when I let go of always having to have everything perfect and planned, and …I have written.
My “nest”:
And the view from it:
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