For those of you who may not know or remember, I had major spinal surgery in the summer of 2008. That was a harrowing experience to say the least. Then add a nearly one year long recovery...well you can see how fun that year was.
With that said. Thee only rehabilitation they wanted me to do was walking, yes, walking. For walking strengthens your core and what is your spinal column? Oh yeah, the core to your very being. And if you think you what your back/spinal cord does for you, then have back surgery. You will then realize that your back controls everything you do.
I have been pretty darned steadfast in my keeping up on my walking. I try to get out at lease five days a week and due to the fact that I have a pooch to keep healthy, it is a great symbiont relationship and it is a win win for the both of us.
But there is a group of us exercisers that work out in our own little neck of this neighborhood. That includes walkers (with and without dogs), bikers (and I am not referring to the Harley-Davidson type either) and runners. It seems to be an unwritten credo to just greet one another, whether it be a simple hello, a 'Hi, how are you?', or something to that effect, it usually gets said. But there are cars that pass us by on their way to work as well. With their windows rolled up, air conditioning cranking, there is no way to greet these folks. But alas...there is.
I grew up in a family that camped. We dragged our pull along pop-up camper behind a Volkswagen van and camped in there and we also used a tiny little two-sleeper tent. We loved it. But what I think I loved most about the camping experience was the friendliness of the fellow campers. They always had a kind word, or would offer their help when needed, and if passed when walking or biking, there was always a friendly wave...no words needed.
So I took up this practice in my walking routine. I wave to all vehicles that cross my path. Now I know that a majority of them are shaking their heads that some whacko lady is waving to a complete stranger. But I heard recently, that a stranger is just a friend we haven't met yet. Now I will grant you that I may not invite these people to my Thanksgiving dinner table, but I may just be planting a seed of kindness into their brains. And how knows, I could be cultivating a new breed of people who will soon be known as Waver's.
Showing posts with label Confidence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Confidence. Show all posts
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
It's My Life
I am the one in control.
I am the one who says what I can and cannot do. (To a degree)
I am the one says how I feel. (Emotionally and physically)
I am the one who says what medications I take (Refer back to previous statement)
All these things, for the most part are within my power. Now I get the fact that some things are not in my control, like who voices Mickey Mouse. Nah, just kidding. Like when I dislocated my knee and needed morphine to dull the pain. Duh, hello, a necessity. But once I healed the pain meds were gone. A few days at best. I know people who thrive and actually look forward to the dulling sensation brought on by muscle relaxers and the such. To what end. In that moment when you are carried away by the effects of the medication you...my friend are no longer in control. And for those who do not like the feeling of not being in control, why would you look forward to that sensation. Do not get me wrong, I know some things are a necessity, but for how long? Days, weeks, months. Please. Get yourself righted and watch how fast you no longer need those mood enhancers to make you feel better.
I also have the ability to control what goes into my moth and eventually throughout my body. There is a show played on BBC, 'You Are What You Eat.' Truer words were never spoken. And what amazes me, is that when people are confronted in a very in your face kind of mentality, they still do not think that is what they consume. What planet are you on folks. And if you think you are eating food, the think again. There are certain things we should all be doing in respect to our food choices. And here are 12 Food Commandments to live by. Try them all or one at a time. But common sense will tell you this is the way to eat...duh!?
How I feel. There is a adage that Elanor Roosevelt made popular. 'No one makes you feel inferior without your consent.' I am a very confident person, but I would hope I would not allow anyone to break me down. To what end? If what they are saying is untrue then they need to be told. If what they are saying is true and is something that offends me, but is something I want to change in my life, can they be faulted for pointing out thee obvious? I think not.
We all have thee ability to shape, mold, forge my life, and moreso the way I want it, not the way anyone else thinks my life should be. you pay my bills then I have to listen to you, but until that day, sit back, relax and watch me get myself together.
I am the one who says what I can and cannot do. (To a degree)
I am the one says how I feel. (Emotionally and physically)
I am the one who says what medications I take (Refer back to previous statement)
All these things, for the most part are within my power. Now I get the fact that some things are not in my control, like who voices Mickey Mouse. Nah, just kidding. Like when I dislocated my knee and needed morphine to dull the pain. Duh, hello, a necessity. But once I healed the pain meds were gone. A few days at best. I know people who thrive and actually look forward to the dulling sensation brought on by muscle relaxers and the such. To what end. In that moment when you are carried away by the effects of the medication you...my friend are no longer in control. And for those who do not like the feeling of not being in control, why would you look forward to that sensation. Do not get me wrong, I know some things are a necessity, but for how long? Days, weeks, months. Please. Get yourself righted and watch how fast you no longer need those mood enhancers to make you feel better.
I also have the ability to control what goes into my moth and eventually throughout my body. There is a show played on BBC, 'You Are What You Eat.' Truer words were never spoken. And what amazes me, is that when people are confronted in a very in your face kind of mentality, they still do not think that is what they consume. What planet are you on folks. And if you think you are eating food, the think again. There are certain things we should all be doing in respect to our food choices. And here are 12 Food Commandments to live by. Try them all or one at a time. But common sense will tell you this is the way to eat...duh!?
How I feel. There is a adage that Elanor Roosevelt made popular. 'No one makes you feel inferior without your consent.' I am a very confident person, but I would hope I would not allow anyone to break me down. To what end? If what they are saying is untrue then they need to be told. If what they are saying is true and is something that offends me, but is something I want to change in my life, can they be faulted for pointing out thee obvious? I think not.
We all have thee ability to shape, mold, forge my life, and moreso the way I want it, not the way anyone else thinks my life should be. you pay my bills then I have to listen to you, but until that day, sit back, relax and watch me get myself together.
Monday, May 18, 2009
But I'm So Ugly
I recently heard of a conversation that took place and it was quite interesting to me. There is a young lady I know that grows her hair out all the time, just so she can donate it to Locks of Love.
This is a big thing for many, if not most of the teenage girl population I know. But this young girl has gone outside of her comfort zone and donated her hair to those less fortunate.
Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that takes hair that is donated and makes wigs for children that are victims of cancer. Now I know that some people are offended by the word victim. But let me tell you how Merriam-Webster explains victim:
One that is acted on and usually adversely affected by a force or agent: as (1) One that is injured or destroyed or sacrificed under of any various conditions
Even Merriam knows these kids are done wrong. With that said, this young lady knows that she can keep growing her hair over and over again. These children to not have that advantage. And some of them may not even get the chance to enjoy the wig that is being made for them.
I have seen people tear down what locks of love does, saying they take monies and spend them unwisely. Hell, our own government does that, I don't see them moving to another country. For the most part I applaud what this organization does. And, what they cannot use for the wig itself, is sold off to other wig companies and the money is turned back into Locks of Love for other expenditures.
What had been said from an outside party was this, (And I am paraphrasing) "After my mother cut off my hair, I realized she had cut it too short and within a few seconds, I thought how ugly I really was." Hello, you think you are ugly? How about the little girl or boy who has no hair and a good possibility of dying. And you are worried about how much hair gel or spray you are going to need to make yourself beautiful. Puh-leaze. Give me a break.
Nothing is that important that I cannot give it up to help a fellow man, and moreso one who is handling a grave disease. Kudos to the young lady who is growing her hair out for those in need. What a very adult thing to do, and unselfish at that. I know there are going to be people who say, "Well if it works for her that is all fine and dandy, but it may not be my cup of tea." Again that person is correct, but do not sit there and have the gumption to tell me how ugly you are or that you could never do it, when a child's life is hanging in the balance.
To each his own, but I applaud fervently to all those who give up something that is so precious to many a female. But bottom line, it's only hair, for us it will grow back, for those with cancer, it may very well not.
This is a big thing for many, if not most of the teenage girl population I know. But this young girl has gone outside of her comfort zone and donated her hair to those less fortunate.
Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that takes hair that is donated and makes wigs for children that are victims of cancer. Now I know that some people are offended by the word victim. But let me tell you how Merriam-Webster explains victim:
One that is acted on and usually adversely affected by a force or agent: as (1) One that is injured or destroyed or sacrificed under of any various conditions
Even Merriam knows these kids are done wrong. With that said, this young lady knows that she can keep growing her hair over and over again. These children to not have that advantage. And some of them may not even get the chance to enjoy the wig that is being made for them.
I have seen people tear down what locks of love does, saying they take monies and spend them unwisely. Hell, our own government does that, I don't see them moving to another country. For the most part I applaud what this organization does. And, what they cannot use for the wig itself, is sold off to other wig companies and the money is turned back into Locks of Love for other expenditures.
What had been said from an outside party was this, (And I am paraphrasing) "After my mother cut off my hair, I realized she had cut it too short and within a few seconds, I thought how ugly I really was." Hello, you think you are ugly? How about the little girl or boy who has no hair and a good possibility of dying. And you are worried about how much hair gel or spray you are going to need to make yourself beautiful. Puh-leaze. Give me a break.
Nothing is that important that I cannot give it up to help a fellow man, and moreso one who is handling a grave disease. Kudos to the young lady who is growing her hair out for those in need. What a very adult thing to do, and unselfish at that. I know there are going to be people who say, "Well if it works for her that is all fine and dandy, but it may not be my cup of tea." Again that person is correct, but do not sit there and have the gumption to tell me how ugly you are or that you could never do it, when a child's life is hanging in the balance.
To each his own, but I applaud fervently to all those who give up something that is so precious to many a female. But bottom line, it's only hair, for us it will grow back, for those with cancer, it may very well not.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
She Stood Her Ground
There is nothing that makes a parent more proud then when all the discussions you have with your children finally pay off. You have to remember, I do not talk 'TO' my children, I talk 'WITH' my children. Big difference. And if you don't know the difference, ask me sometime.
We (my family and myself), went to Miami this past weekend, to see our families...my husbands and mine. And the adults got to hang out while the kids did thier thing as well. Granted, we knew where the kids were and with cell phones galore, everyone was just a text message away.
Saturday afternoon, my son and daughter went with a decent sized group to go see the new Star Trek movie (go see it, even if you are not a Trekkie, and take the kids). Well, there was a good friend of my nieces who we have met on more than one occasion and he was being taken home before they all traipsed to the theatre.
Well Mr. Know-It-All, started throwing down the 'F' bomb and the 'N' bomb (reference to black kids, this kid is also black) and my daughter had finally had enough and asked him to stop with the language. Now mind you none of tee other kids, my son included, asked this kid to back off. And form what my daughter said , he was letting them fly like geese going south in the winter.
Do not get me wrong, I can stand toe to toe with the best sailor, but to what end. Is swearing absolutely necessary? My sister thinks it is deserved. She says she is an adult and has no problem with her language. For those who have never met my sister, I fairly warn them. I go back to a snippet of an interview I once saw with Bill Cosby, and he asked Eddie Murphy if he felt it necessary, to throw around the 'F' bomb? Bill wanted to know if the jokes were only funny with that language in it , or could the act stand on its own? Something to think about.
We hear swearing all the time, but do we really need to say those words? Can we not make our point or have conversation without all the colorful language? For some people I think it is an impossibility. It's like the people who like need to say like and they like would not know how to speak and like carry on a conversation without the word like.
You will always be judged by:
1) The company you keep
2) How you dress
3) And you conduct yourself in conversation.
I am so terribly proud of my daughter for standing her ground in a matter that meant something to her. And I told her all afternoon in the car ride on the way home from our afternoon errands.
Go Nana!
We (my family and myself), went to Miami this past weekend, to see our families...my husbands and mine. And the adults got to hang out while the kids did thier thing as well. Granted, we knew where the kids were and with cell phones galore, everyone was just a text message away.
Saturday afternoon, my son and daughter went with a decent sized group to go see the new Star Trek movie (go see it, even if you are not a Trekkie, and take the kids). Well, there was a good friend of my nieces who we have met on more than one occasion and he was being taken home before they all traipsed to the theatre.
Well Mr. Know-It-All, started throwing down the 'F' bomb and the 'N' bomb (reference to black kids, this kid is also black) and my daughter had finally had enough and asked him to stop with the language. Now mind you none of tee other kids, my son included, asked this kid to back off. And form what my daughter said , he was letting them fly like geese going south in the winter.
Do not get me wrong, I can stand toe to toe with the best sailor, but to what end. Is swearing absolutely necessary? My sister thinks it is deserved. She says she is an adult and has no problem with her language. For those who have never met my sister, I fairly warn them. I go back to a snippet of an interview I once saw with Bill Cosby, and he asked Eddie Murphy if he felt it necessary, to throw around the 'F' bomb? Bill wanted to know if the jokes were only funny with that language in it , or could the act stand on its own? Something to think about.
We hear swearing all the time, but do we really need to say those words? Can we not make our point or have conversation without all the colorful language? For some people I think it is an impossibility. It's like the people who like need to say like and they like would not know how to speak and like carry on a conversation without the word like.
You will always be judged by:
1) The company you keep
2) How you dress
3) And you conduct yourself in conversation.
I am so terribly proud of my daughter for standing her ground in a matter that meant something to her. And I told her all afternoon in the car ride on the way home from our afternoon errands.
Go Nana!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Dangerous Curves Ahead
Ahhhh, remember when having curves was what you aspired to look like. Remember when women/girls wanted to look like Marilyn Monroe? Well if you tried doing that today, you would be labeled FAT! You read correctly folks F-A-T. I bet you anything that Marilyn herself is rolling over in her grave.
Don't get me wrong, I know there are girls/women who can eat and eat and eat and never gain an ounce (And I mean eating good food, not living on drive-thru or take out, that is not real food in my book). But there are those who actually strive to be as thin as Twiggy. I bet if you took a poll and asked men who they would prefer to have on their arm for a date and their choices where Marilyn Monroe or Kiera Knightley, wonder who they would choose. There are some who might even choose the stick figures, but I am leaning on the side of not.
And yet the media goes wold when any star even gets close to a normal-sized 8 in the clothing realm. Size 8, that is a whole size smaller than I am and I am pretty darned average. I do not have to shop in the plus size section so life is good.
I applaud what Dove is doing and promoting that real beauty comes in all different shapes and sizes. Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. But I also want to applaud so high profile women for taking a stand and not shedding thee extra weight just because society/Hollywood/the media says they should. I am comfortable in my skin and until otherwise I am good to go.
Jennifer Hudson: A woman who was voted off American Idol by The Public and she still managed to land an Oscar. You go girl.
America Ferrera: "Don't eat the flan." If you have not seen Real Women Have Curves, then may I make a suggestion...rent it. For any girl who is having issues with her body, this film should be a mantra. It is not for little kids, for there is a scene involving America's character deciding to have sex for the first time. And even thought nothing is seen or heard, parent discretion is advised. Great film all the same.
Kelly Osbourne: You may not approve of her lifestyle (which I don't), but she recently came out of rehab and told the press that she is OK with her figure, even if they are not. Good for you Kelly.
Sara Ramirez: Grey's Anatomy. That is all I have to say. This woman is of ethnic background. Why is it that most women from Latin Countries have no problem with being voluptuous? If they don't, then why should we? Get a grip folks. Oh yeah, on a curvy woman you would have something to grab onto.
I could sit here and list a few more, thee emphasis being on few. I understand there are those who are naturally thin. Happiness to you ladies. But I am 5'2", 136 pounds and have no intention of trying to let go of a few pounds. I am physically fit (save my recovery from surgery), I exercise semi-regularly, my blood tests let my doctor know that I had the lowest cholesterol she had ever seen in her years of practice. So nani-nani- boo boo to all you who purposely want to be overly thin. Hah!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Columbine Revisited
I will never forget as I was growing up and I would hear senior citizens talk about where they were the day JFK had been shot, or the day Pearl Harbor was bombed and the likes. I never got it, until...I went through a few things, such as the Challenger explosion, or the Columbia explosion, Hurricane Katrina, and lest we forget 911. Those days will be burned into my brain forever. Now I know how those people I listened to all those years ago could remember such things.
Those are the things that impact your life, for whatever reason. Maybe it was just thee incident itself, or maybe you had a connection to that incident. You might have lived close by at some point in your life, or that had been your favorite place to vacation. Whatever the reason certain incidents impact, for good or bad. And hopefully there is always some good that comes from bad. That in and of itself sounds like an oxymoron, but as I grow older and hopefully wiser, I do hope that there is good in everyone.
What people do not realize it that it is the little things in life that make the biggest difference. They 'Don'T' sweat the small stuff.', but that is exactly what can make the biggest influence sin our lives. But watching a video, or reading a book, or attending a seminar, or watching a documentary, people's lives can and will be changed.
I remember the first time I became a vegetarian. I was watching something on the television about the baby seal hunting that goes on in Canada. I sat there and cried like a baby. How can anyone sit there and bludgeon something so innocent to death. I know the answer, someone with no heart. What did that poor seal ever do to you. But I am getting off track here.
It is 10 years ago today that two boys went on a shooting rampage to make a point. What drives anyone and especially 2 teenagers to commit such a horrifying act. I cannot imagine the fear that ran through the school that day. I know how scared I can get over little things. But knowing my life may soon be over and then to only be anywhere from 15-18. I cannot comprehend that.
Didn't anyone see that these two were on a road that was going in a very wrong direction? I can see the slightest change in my children. I know when they are the least bit off from the normal. I also feel for the parents of these children they may still be questioning themselves as to why they did not see this coming. I think an answer fro many parents is that they are disconnected from their children. We don't do activities together, we don't eat at a dinner table any longer, the Norman Rockwell of thee American family is nearly unheard of. I see people hike an eyebrow when I say that we sit down every night at the dinner table and eat together. Whether it is all four of us or just two. To me, a family that dines together stays together. And TV trays in front of the television is not the same. Turn off the tube and talk to your children and then listen to them as well, they do have something to say. And inasmuch as you may not want to hear thier point of view. think back when you tried to talk to your parents and they thought your opinion was worth nothing. you may not agree with your child, hell, you don't agree with adults, but you keep them as friends. Listen to your children, it will pay off in thee end.
I leave you with a few videos of the first victim that died that tragic day. Her name is Rachel Joy Scott. She was a young girl who most more than likely had a premonition about her life. As her father says in the video, she was not obsessed with death, she was just at peace with her life. Who at that age can even wrap thier head around something like that? See what I mean? Children can teach us plenty, we just have to listen. For those of you who pray, please do so for all of those affected by this event. I will definitely keep them in my thoughts.
Rachel Joy Scott #1
Rachel Joy Scott #2
Rachel Joy Scott #3
And for those of you who prefer to read, here is a book in her memory. Rachel's Tears
Those are the things that impact your life, for whatever reason. Maybe it was just thee incident itself, or maybe you had a connection to that incident. You might have lived close by at some point in your life, or that had been your favorite place to vacation. Whatever the reason certain incidents impact, for good or bad. And hopefully there is always some good that comes from bad. That in and of itself sounds like an oxymoron, but as I grow older and hopefully wiser, I do hope that there is good in everyone.
What people do not realize it that it is the little things in life that make the biggest difference. They 'Don'T' sweat the small stuff.', but that is exactly what can make the biggest influence sin our lives. But watching a video, or reading a book, or attending a seminar, or watching a documentary, people's lives can and will be changed.
I remember the first time I became a vegetarian. I was watching something on the television about the baby seal hunting that goes on in Canada. I sat there and cried like a baby. How can anyone sit there and bludgeon something so innocent to death. I know the answer, someone with no heart. What did that poor seal ever do to you. But I am getting off track here.
It is 10 years ago today that two boys went on a shooting rampage to make a point. What drives anyone and especially 2 teenagers to commit such a horrifying act. I cannot imagine the fear that ran through the school that day. I know how scared I can get over little things. But knowing my life may soon be over and then to only be anywhere from 15-18. I cannot comprehend that.
Didn't anyone see that these two were on a road that was going in a very wrong direction? I can see the slightest change in my children. I know when they are the least bit off from the normal. I also feel for the parents of these children they may still be questioning themselves as to why they did not see this coming. I think an answer fro many parents is that they are disconnected from their children. We don't do activities together, we don't eat at a dinner table any longer, the Norman Rockwell of thee American family is nearly unheard of. I see people hike an eyebrow when I say that we sit down every night at the dinner table and eat together. Whether it is all four of us or just two. To me, a family that dines together stays together. And TV trays in front of the television is not the same. Turn off the tube and talk to your children and then listen to them as well, they do have something to say. And inasmuch as you may not want to hear thier point of view. think back when you tried to talk to your parents and they thought your opinion was worth nothing. you may not agree with your child, hell, you don't agree with adults, but you keep them as friends. Listen to your children, it will pay off in thee end.
I leave you with a few videos of the first victim that died that tragic day. Her name is Rachel Joy Scott. She was a young girl who most more than likely had a premonition about her life. As her father says in the video, she was not obsessed with death, she was just at peace with her life. Who at that age can even wrap thier head around something like that? See what I mean? Children can teach us plenty, we just have to listen. For those of you who pray, please do so for all of those affected by this event. I will definitely keep them in my thoughts.
Rachel Joy Scott #1
Rachel Joy Scott #2
Rachel Joy Scott #3
And for those of you who prefer to read, here is a book in her memory. Rachel's Tears
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Here's To Late Bloomers
We all do it, and if you deny it, you are a damned liar. I admit to doing it, so should you. We judge books by their covers. and I am not talking about the readable kind either. I am talking about people in general. You see someone homeless on the street and you think degenerate and uneducated. And yet I know of a man who served his country for 20 years in two different branches of the Armed Forces and ended up being homeless. But there is more. He is now on the road to getting his first novel written. That is not to say he will be gracing the front table at Barnes and Noble, but he is on a road that most people would never have put him on years back.
Case in point, Britain's Got Talent. This woman came out on stage, looking as matron as many of our grandmothers and the audience as well as the three judges had already pegged her as a frump and someone not even worthy of giving a chance to, but she came out, with her little bit of sass and blew these people away. And the female judge (sorry don't know all their names for I do not watch the show) said it in all it's honesty that her along with everyone in thee audience were all a bit cynical. I know when I saw her coming on stage I never thought in a million years her voice would resonate the way that it did. Gave me goose-flesh.
It goes to show you that you don't have to look like the Beyonce's , Christine Aguilera's of the world to have a talent. She proved that by opening her mouth. And if this video clip doe snot move you in some fashion, then you need to be checked to see if you are still alive.
Case in point, Britain's Got Talent. This woman came out on stage, looking as matron as many of our grandmothers and the audience as well as the three judges had already pegged her as a frump and someone not even worthy of giving a chance to, but she came out, with her little bit of sass and blew these people away. And the female judge (sorry don't know all their names for I do not watch the show) said it in all it's honesty that her along with everyone in thee audience were all a bit cynical. I know when I saw her coming on stage I never thought in a million years her voice would resonate the way that it did. Gave me goose-flesh.
It goes to show you that you don't have to look like the Beyonce's , Christine Aguilera's of the world to have a talent. She proved that by opening her mouth. And if this video clip doe snot move you in some fashion, then you need to be checked to see if you are still alive.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Things To Remember
I rarely if ever deal with chain Emails. they are, for the most part a waste of time. But I received one recently and scoured over it and read all the way through it , which is uncommon for me. But it wasn't the Email that hooked me so much as the final part of what had been sent.
This Email was from one of the survivors of the recent plane crash in the Hudson River in New York. We all know we should be grateful for what we have, but in all honesty we get slack in our thanks. Recently, (in the last few years) I have been thrown a few curve balls in the way of my health (via an accident), but all the same, my health was called into question.
And every now and then we are jolted into realizing just how precious life is, and that we all have a number. I can only imagine being any number of those who walked off that plane the day of the crash. And here are some of the things one of those people took away with them.
1. Cherish your families as never before and go to great lengths to keep your promises.
2. Be thankful and grateful for everything you have and don't worry about the things you don't have.
3. Keep in shape. You never know when you'll be called upon to save your own life, or help someone else save theirs.
4. When you fly, wear practical clothing. You never know when you'll end up in an emergency or on an icy wing in flip flops and pajamas and of absolutely no use to yourself or anyone else.
I myself had to rethink some things due to these statements (minus the flying part, for I rarely fly and 'always' wear practical clothing).
I try not to make promises, for then you look like a failure. So I usually say I will try, and that lets me off the hook.
Keeping in shape is not a problem. I have always kept a somewhat ideal weight (not those outrageous numbers the American Medical Association tells you you should be) and am glad to say this did not pertain to me. I had seen my mother get heavier as the years rolled on and she has used every excuse in the world except for taking responsibility for her own actions. I did not want to be that person...and I am not. That is not to say that I am fit enough to save someone else's life, but I am a sure sight better off than many out there. I love helping others and if dragging someone to safety is my destiny in life, then I want to be ready. Are you?
This Email was from one of the survivors of the recent plane crash in the Hudson River in New York. We all know we should be grateful for what we have, but in all honesty we get slack in our thanks. Recently, (in the last few years) I have been thrown a few curve balls in the way of my health (via an accident), but all the same, my health was called into question.
And every now and then we are jolted into realizing just how precious life is, and that we all have a number. I can only imagine being any number of those who walked off that plane the day of the crash. And here are some of the things one of those people took away with them.
1. Cherish your families as never before and go to great lengths to keep your promises.
2. Be thankful and grateful for everything you have and don't worry about the things you don't have.
3. Keep in shape. You never know when you'll be called upon to save your own life, or help someone else save theirs.
4. When you fly, wear practical clothing. You never know when you'll end up in an emergency or on an icy wing in flip flops and pajamas and of absolutely no use to yourself or anyone else.
I myself had to rethink some things due to these statements (minus the flying part, for I rarely fly and 'always' wear practical clothing).
I try not to make promises, for then you look like a failure. So I usually say I will try, and that lets me off the hook.
Keeping in shape is not a problem. I have always kept a somewhat ideal weight (not those outrageous numbers the American Medical Association tells you you should be) and am glad to say this did not pertain to me. I had seen my mother get heavier as the years rolled on and she has used every excuse in the world except for taking responsibility for her own actions. I did not want to be that person...and I am not. That is not to say that I am fit enough to save someone else's life, but I am a sure sight better off than many out there. I love helping others and if dragging someone to safety is my destiny in life, then I want to be ready. Are you?
Friday, February 13, 2009
It "Is" All About You
OK, so what's wrong with being selfish? Nothing, if it is done in the correct manner. I have always said, "I need to take care of me before I can be a good wife, mother, friend...." And in there is where the truth lies.
There is a huge difference between self indulgence and self kindness. One helps you...the other does not. Let me give you some examples and their differences:
Self Indulgence-
1) Continuing to do what is harmful to you and after you realize it is harmful
2) Loathing yourself
3) Getting lost in fantasies about how great your life is going to be, while you continue the same old self-destructive things
4) Not asking for help when you need it
5) Breaking the commitments you've made to yourself
Self Kindness-
1) Calling a halt to doing what's harmful to you
2) Defending yourself against anyone who attacks you- including yourself
3) Telling the truth
4) Asking for help
5) Believing that there's a good reason for what you're doing, even if you aren't aware of it at the moment
There you have it. In essence, all you have to do is be kind/good to yourself, the rest will fall into place...eventually. Nothing happens overnight. You didn't get there in one day and you won't dig out of it in one day either. So start with little steps. Find one aspect that fits your life and alter it. You have the power and the power to do what? Oh yeah, make choices. It takes effort to do the right thing. Whether it be eating properly, being nicer in traffic, saying a kind word to the wretch at work, more exercising. The possibilities are endless.
You can do whatever you want, it is your life. Make the best of it, you only have one. (Unless you are Shirley and then there will be many more)
There is a huge difference between self indulgence and self kindness. One helps you...the other does not. Let me give you some examples and their differences:
Self Indulgence-
1) Continuing to do what is harmful to you and after you realize it is harmful
2) Loathing yourself
3) Getting lost in fantasies about how great your life is going to be, while you continue the same old self-destructive things
4) Not asking for help when you need it
5) Breaking the commitments you've made to yourself
Self Kindness-
1) Calling a halt to doing what's harmful to you
2) Defending yourself against anyone who attacks you- including yourself
3) Telling the truth
4) Asking for help
5) Believing that there's a good reason for what you're doing, even if you aren't aware of it at the moment
There you have it. In essence, all you have to do is be kind/good to yourself, the rest will fall into place...eventually. Nothing happens overnight. You didn't get there in one day and you won't dig out of it in one day either. So start with little steps. Find one aspect that fits your life and alter it. You have the power and the power to do what? Oh yeah, make choices. It takes effort to do the right thing. Whether it be eating properly, being nicer in traffic, saying a kind word to the wretch at work, more exercising. The possibilities are endless.
You can do whatever you want, it is your life. Make the best of it, you only have one. (Unless you are Shirley and then there will be many more)
Thursday, December 18, 2008
I Can Die A Happy Woman
No, I do not have any terminal disease. I should hopefully be around for quite some time. But something hit me today. I could be taken from this Earth and be happy with my life and for a few reasons.
I have birthed and semi-raised my children. I would like to give them a few more years if possible. I have a happy marriage. I see so many relationships that are nowhere near what ours is...I feel for these people.
But the creme de la creme of my life was seeing Barbra Streisand in October of 2006. It had been my life's dream to see her before I die. And I have. I first saw her in the movie A Star is Born, with Kris Kristofferson. I was hooked. I was about 14 years old at the time, but I knew I was looking at a woman to be reckoned with. She had her stuff together. Little did I know what she had done before I had been introduced to her. She had a following to be rivaled by many, but duplicated by few.
I have birthed and semi-raised my children. I would like to give them a few more years if possible. I have a happy marriage. I see so many relationships that are nowhere near what ours is...I feel for these people.
But the creme de la creme of my life was seeing Barbra Streisand in October of 2006. It had been my life's dream to see her before I die. And I have. I first saw her in the movie A Star is Born, with Kris Kristofferson. I was hooked. I was about 14 years old at the time, but I knew I was looking at a woman to be reckoned with. She had her stuff together. Little did I know what she had done before I had been introduced to her. She had a following to be rivaled by many, but duplicated by few.
She was the quintessential...everything. She could act, direct, produce, and lest we forget, sing. Long gone are the days of real singers. Names like Judy Garland, Kate Smith, Ethel Merman. The likes of Streisand was a dying breed. No longer were singers belting them out. They were being synthesized and drowned out with special effects in the movie world. Show me a woman who can sing acapella and I will show you a real singer.
When I saw her in the arena I thought I was going to die. Tears came to my eyes as she began going through songs I knew word for word. The goosebumps never left my arms. We had tickets in the nosebleed section, but thanks to modern technology, and via big screen TV's, I was able to get a much better view of her than if I had been seated on the floor section. The price of the tickets were almost equal to my mortgage, but, to me at east, it was totally worth it.
Everyone has an idol they look up to and Streisand is mine. You hear all the rumors that she is the equivalent of a female dog, but if a man were to do what she has done in Hollywood, he would be praised. She has been ridiculed and scorned. And, she has been shunned when it comes to the Oscars. You ever want to see an un-Streaisand movie? Rent Nuts. This is not for the kiddies to see. Very adult themed, but what a performance, and yet, she was overlooked.
To each their own, but this woman inspires me and moves me to depths I can never begin to describe. She is versatile and can fill any role demanded of her. Try watching Meet the Fockers. Again, not for the kiddies, but oh so funny. When I am down or just need some calmness in my life, I just pop in one of her CDs and I am good to go. The rest of the world gets washed away and all is good.
So for all of you who have not been introduced to her, all I can say is Hello Gorgeous!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Peaks and Valleys
I have nothing against thin people, if that is their natural body type. But for many a girl/women, I am guessing they are surviving on air. There are times I want to go up and tell them to go eat a Big Mac (I would never, being a die hard advocate against junk food and a new-found vegetarian, but you get where I am coming from).
What ever happened to a real woman, or our perception of what a real woman's body should come close to resembling. I luckily never grew up with body issues, (even though the majority of my mothers family was morbidly obese). I grew up seeing that and knew I never wanted to grow up and go through what they went through and I never have.
But on the flip side, I have seen (never known) girls who are dying to be thin. Seeing them makes me shudder. Do they think it looks good? And thee answer is yes. And why do they think this. Well, just open any fashion magazine and there you will find your answer. Thank you Twiggy, and yet she is no longer thin. HAH! Payback can sometimes be a good thing.
Who told our girls that a size 1 was a good thing and something to strive for? Oh yeah, look at any TV show geared for the teen category. Not! There are a few things going on out there that are hopefully showing our girls that it is very much OK to have curves. Marilyn Monroe thought so and so did every man who drooled after her and every woman who wanted to look like her.
Here is a great show, but I will say it is gearded more for a teen population and I also suggest moms sitting with your daughters to guide them through any questions they may have. Read through Real Women Have Curves and see if it is right for you and your daughter. My daughter has curves and it made her feel so much better to see someone who was real to be OK with their body image. And yes, we do it the flan!
Another company who is doing strides to show the world that not all beauty comes in a size 1 or 3 is Dove. I may not endorse their products, but I do endorse their message 100%. Girls need to know that it is fine and dandy to be a size 8...10...12...and even 14, depending on your height.
I would also like to point out an authoress that has a grip on the fact that larger curvaceous women are not fat, even thought we have been led to believe that this farce is the real deal. I think no. May I introduce Meg Cabot of Size 12 is Not Fat & Size 14 is Not Fat Either. I personally have not read either of these books, so I cannot vouch for their content, but I would so love to get my hands on one if not both of these books.
There are also a few women who are standing up to thee establishment and telling them, "No, I will not drop 30 pounds just to please a few pencil pushers." Some of those women are, Jenifer Hudson, America Ferrera, Jordin Sparks, Sara Ramirez, Raven Symone, Fergie. I just want to say thank you from a mom who is trying to show her daughter that it is AOK to be a voluptuous, curvaceous, filled out figure of a girl/woman. I say Pah to the wannabe Twiggy's of the world and a big round of applause to those who are confident with the skin they are in.
What ever happened to a real woman, or our perception of what a real woman's body should come close to resembling. I luckily never grew up with body issues, (even though the majority of my mothers family was morbidly obese). I grew up seeing that and knew I never wanted to grow up and go through what they went through and I never have.
But on the flip side, I have seen (never known) girls who are dying to be thin. Seeing them makes me shudder. Do they think it looks good? And thee answer is yes. And why do they think this. Well, just open any fashion magazine and there you will find your answer. Thank you Twiggy, and yet she is no longer thin. HAH! Payback can sometimes be a good thing.
Who told our girls that a size 1 was a good thing and something to strive for? Oh yeah, look at any TV show geared for the teen category. Not! There are a few things going on out there that are hopefully showing our girls that it is very much OK to have curves. Marilyn Monroe thought so and so did every man who drooled after her and every woman who wanted to look like her.
Here is a great show, but I will say it is gearded more for a teen population and I also suggest moms sitting with your daughters to guide them through any questions they may have. Read through Real Women Have Curves and see if it is right for you and your daughter. My daughter has curves and it made her feel so much better to see someone who was real to be OK with their body image. And yes, we do it the flan!
Another company who is doing strides to show the world that not all beauty comes in a size 1 or 3 is Dove. I may not endorse their products, but I do endorse their message 100%. Girls need to know that it is fine and dandy to be a size 8...10...12...and even 14, depending on your height.
I would also like to point out an authoress that has a grip on the fact that larger curvaceous women are not fat, even thought we have been led to believe that this farce is the real deal. I think no. May I introduce Meg Cabot of Size 12 is Not Fat & Size 14 is Not Fat Either. I personally have not read either of these books, so I cannot vouch for their content, but I would so love to get my hands on one if not both of these books.
There are also a few women who are standing up to thee establishment and telling them, "No, I will not drop 30 pounds just to please a few pencil pushers." Some of those women are, Jenifer Hudson, America Ferrera, Jordin Sparks, Sara Ramirez, Raven Symone, Fergie. I just want to say thank you from a mom who is trying to show her daughter that it is AOK to be a voluptuous, curvaceous, filled out figure of a girl/woman. I say Pah to the wannabe Twiggy's of the world and a big round of applause to those who are confident with the skin they are in.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
They Know What They Are Doing
That's what I have to keep telling myself, and yet, it is not working.
Me: Nana, remember to to cut the onions really small for the sauce.
Skippy: Mom! I have made spaghetti at least ten times, I think I got it.
Me: Sorry I know you know, it's just a habit...a bad one, and I'm sorry that I keep reminding you like you have no clue. I know Aba(Cuban grandmother) does it all the time and it bothers me to no end to hear her say it and yet, I find myself doing the same darned thing.
How many of you with older children find yourself in a similar conversation. We have trained them, coached them, nurtured them, and even watched them do the things we have asked them to do and yet, we are constantly going behind them, or double checking, or reminding, or asking if they got it. We know they have, so why do we keep deflating their egos? If someone kept coming behind you asking you if you knew how to make your bed, or sweep your floors, you would eventually look them in the eye and tell them to get lost.
So why do we question our children. We do not do it on purpose, it is just a habit, but a habit I feel we need to stop.I know my daughter is very capable of many things, but I can't seem to stop questioning her. She gets the laundry done, dinner gets put on the table, so why do I keep on her back? I do not know, but I plan on trying my darnedest to stop.
If you find yourself asking your child about something they do all the time...STOP IT...they need that vote of confidence, and by not asking and double checking, you have solidified that they do indeed have the capability to do what we ask of them. No more double checking, as tough as it may be...just stop it!!
Me: Nana, remember to to cut the onions really small for the sauce.
Skippy: Mom! I have made spaghetti at least ten times, I think I got it.
Me: Sorry I know you know, it's just a habit...a bad one, and I'm sorry that I keep reminding you like you have no clue. I know Aba(Cuban grandmother) does it all the time and it bothers me to no end to hear her say it and yet, I find myself doing the same darned thing.
How many of you with older children find yourself in a similar conversation. We have trained them, coached them, nurtured them, and even watched them do the things we have asked them to do and yet, we are constantly going behind them, or double checking, or reminding, or asking if they got it. We know they have, so why do we keep deflating their egos? If someone kept coming behind you asking you if you knew how to make your bed, or sweep your floors, you would eventually look them in the eye and tell them to get lost.
So why do we question our children. We do not do it on purpose, it is just a habit, but a habit I feel we need to stop.I know my daughter is very capable of many things, but I can't seem to stop questioning her. She gets the laundry done, dinner gets put on the table, so why do I keep on her back? I do not know, but I plan on trying my darnedest to stop.
If you find yourself asking your child about something they do all the time...STOP IT...they need that vote of confidence, and by not asking and double checking, you have solidified that they do indeed have the capability to do what we ask of them. No more double checking, as tough as it may be...just stop it!!
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