It serves me right!

I injured my back doing yoga of all things, and I’ve not been able to sit, stand, sleep, or walk comfortably for 4 days!

It’s because I’ve become a lazy slug. OK, I’m not lazy. I’m actually quite busy. However, I’ve thrown all healthy activity out the window to immerse myself in new opportunities at work.

Basically, I’ve stopped taking breaks, walking, and planning healthy meals. I rarely make dinner at home anymore, but work long hours and then opt to eat out instead. I sit all day long then come home to sit some more.

Well, it’s finally biting me in the butt – literally. I can’t even take a gentle yoga class without injuring myself.

Has this ever happened to you? Have you sacrificed what’s good for you because of busyness in another area of your life?

Balance was a lot easier for me when my kids were young. I needed it so I could be everything I wanted to be for my family.  My kids are grown now and no one is keeping me from working long hours or immersing myself in work.

But, no one is making me do it either.

I’ve always been passionate about eating healthy and love the ritual of making a meal. Food magazines, cooking shows and recipes on Pinterest have always been my go-to when I need to veg out (no pun intended). There’s also nothing better than a good stretch and walk to reinvigorate me and clear my head.

My body is clearly telling me it’s time to regain some balance. So after I’m done icing my back, I’m going to have a healthy lunch (a BLT salad sounds perfect), then do some gentle stretches, and take a little walk.  I’ll need to take it slow, but that’s OK.

My goal is to make time to…

• Stretch and walk every day
• Get my butt back to yoga
• Plan for healthy meals made at home instead of going out

Life is going to be busy, but if you don’t take care of your body, it will slow you right down. Lesson learned!

On a final note, here’s what I put in my simple BLT salad.

• 2 Cups or so of your favorite lettuce (I chose romaine)
• 1 Small tomato cut in chunks
• 3 Strips of cooked bacon, crumbled
• 1 Tablespoon mayo whisked with a little lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Toss it all together and BAM! Your done. I wish I had some croutons. Hmm, maybe next time.

 

 

 

Last Sunday, my son Jake and I took his two boys for a walk. Nolan, his 5-year old decided to ride his bike. As we started out, Nolan was adamantly directing our course away from our desired route of the river which is just a few blocks from our house. As we continually redirected Nolan, he was getting more and more irritated with us. “I don’t want to go to the river, I don’t want to take the hills!”

You see, almost every street that heads down to the river is a steep hill. Really fun to ride down, but Nolan also knows that once down, he has to ride back up – not fun.

Jake and I guided Nolan to the route where the hill was more of an incline and he contentedly coasted his way down until….

He discovered where we were. He was ticked!

To appease him, we stopped at every bench along the river to rest. We started looking for and pointing out interesting bugs, birds, and rocks. We worked to take his mind off the climb and focus on the beauty and fun along the way.

The past several months have felt like a continual uphill climb with more work than I have time for and little dramas that suck the joy out of every day life. I tend to get caught up in these things and forget to focus on the beauty and little joys of everyday.

Then you see real tragedy strike. Homes and lives lost in the blink of an eye from the devastating storms and floods in Texas and Louisiana.

What the heck do I have to complain about?

My lessons this week:

• Instead of focusing on the little dramas that weigh you down, look for something beautiful each day.
• Take time to rest and do something that just makes you feel good.
• Make time for the people you love.

So what did I do?

• Took a day off and reorganized my bedroom.
• Went to see my daughter Olivia in an improv show and she was AMAZING!
• Helped my mother-in-law pick out paint samples for her bedroom.
• Spent time with my niece and her husband as they were passing through town.

None of these were grand events, but each created in me a sense of peace and joy. They took my attention off difficulties, drama, and sadness and provided simple and beautiful moments to savor.

So Nolan made it home last Sunday. Once he stopped focusing on the climb, he enjoyed the journey. He just needed a change in perspective. Sometimes we all do.

I really hate this game. Typically when asked to play it, I freeze up. I can’t think of any unique or interesting facts about myself that most people don’t already know or could easily guess. I am a pretty open book, or so I thought.

After much thought, here are my two truths and a lie:

1. For five years I masqueraded as a professional writer and e-Learning developer.
2. I’m a tomboy at heart. I am more comfortable talking and hanging out with a bunch of guys, than women.
3. I harbor a secret fantasy to be the lead singer in a kickin’ all girl rock band.

After my post first blog post last week, several people I know responded with “Wow! I didn’t know you could write.” Well, number one above is true.

I am not a “trained” writer nor do I have a degree in English, but I did work as a writer and e-Learning developer for a little over five years with my current employer. It was a brand new role and there was a need to be filled. I thought “Hey, that looks interesting, I’d like to try that.” So I dug in, worked hard, and did it.

The truth is, I’ve done so many things I never thought I’d do, things I’m not qualified for, or even feel capable of. Much of my career and life has been made up of these types of situations. Feeling like a fraud, faking it till I made it, and then moving on to learn something new or when the struggle was no longer worth the reward.

I’m the exact opposite of number two above. I am not, nor have I ever been a tom boy. The tag-along of six older siblings – three older sisters and three older brothers. My mom and sisters were my life-blood and support system. The women in my life still are. Don’t get me wrong, my guys are pretty awesome, but when I need reassurance, encouragement, or just a good laugh, I’m going to turn to “the girls.”

So my discoveries this week…

• We’re all so much more than what we seem. Not frauds at all, but growing, evolving, beautiful beings.
• While I  haven’t always purposefully chosen my path, I’ve gained valuable experiences along the way. I need to continue to embrace new opportunities and use them to help pave my future.
• The most sustaining relationships in my life are with women I’ve been blessed to know. These relationships need to be encouraged, cultivated, and cherished.

That still leaves number three. Although incredibly inhibited, I love to sing. Raising my voice and belting out a great song makes my heart soar. So yes, it’s true. I fantasize about being in kickin’ all-girl rock band and you never know…

I could “pretend” to be in one some day.

 

 

I need a change.

I’ve spent my adult life trying to make the most of the situations I’ve found myself in.  I’ve focused on being a good mom, being safe, and doing the things I thought I should. When given lemons, I’d do my best to make lemonade.

With all this lemonade making, I realized that I no longer take risks, I rarely try new things, I’ve lost my creativity, and forgotten what my passions really are.

All this lemonade is giving me heartburn!

I’m starting this blog to take a risk. To hold myself accountable for trying new things and exploring the things that are essential to me – as essential as lip balm.

Now let me tell  you how much I love lip balm…

As ridiculous as it sounds, I can’t live without it. If I don’t have it, I can’t stop thinking about it. Like going too long without a drink of water, I feel parched and dry. I have multitudes of tubes hidden all over my house, in my purse, in my car, and in my desk at work. I am addicted and I know it.

I need to discover (or maybe even rediscover) “real” things that I feel that passionately about. I hope writing this blog will help reveal what’s risk worthy and what’s really not.

So tonight I’ll skip the lemonade, I’d like some tea instead. Then I’ll post this blog and throw myself out there. It’s just one of the risks I’m ready to take.