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Who hasn’t made a resolution to ditch it a few weeks later. Resolutions don’t work, I think, because they’re declared in a moment of irritation, they’re not fun and they are not connected with values. 2010 is the year I resolved , that’s right resolved, to do something I’ve never done before every month. They are the only criteria: haven’t done it before and do it monthly. My January resolution came early.
The thermometer said 22 degrees. (That's enough to turn me back. I don't like cold.) The sky was clear, the sun shining brightly. It was my first resolution day - the day I was going to laughter yoga at Yogaville. I’d read about it and decided that would be fun since laughing is a favorite activity. I signed up for the full day package, including lunch and dinner. This first time I’m jumping in completely.
I’d heard about Yogaville for years. The two hour drive went quickly as I wondered what the day would be like, who’d be there, what the food was like. The temperature was 18 degrees as I pulled into the parking lot.
The friendly host in the Visitor Center greeted me with “Welcome. You’ve come a long way. You need a cup of tea.” “First I need the restroom.” I said hurriedly. “It’s down the hall there.” said a sock footed woman. Information had said to wear warm socks as shoes weren’t worn in the buildings. Note to self: wear slip on shoes next time.
Registration was in the building across the grass (make that snow) square. I took off my shoes the second of eight times, to be told the proper building was behind me. Finally I got to the right building. The sock footed woman was Renee, who told me what to expect.
Laughter is very therapeutic. It produces endorphins, T cells to fight infections, reduces stress and exercises muscles. It’s contagious. And it feels good. Just try to be with someone laughing and not giggle at the least.
Laughing makes you hungry, too. After a round of Yoga Laughter, excitedly I went to lunch, curious to experience it. And tt was an experience. The salad bar had the usual fare. The hot lunch was various veggies. Nowhere was there meat or white bread, my usual lunch sandwich. I ate at the table designated the silent table to see if I could eat in silence. That was easier than drinking hot tea without my customary spoonful of sugar. Lunch affirmed I am a carnivore.
After lunch I toured Yogaville, 800 plus acres bounded by the James River in Buckingham County, Va. It is mountainous, beautiful and well kept. Buildings are scattered around the property. Lotus is the focal point, a picturesque place of meditation, and geese feeding in surrounding ponds.
After I raided my car to find a sweet peppermint treat, another laughter yoga class rounded out the day. This time my voice was hoarse and my face hurt from laughing. A nap and diet coke would’ve been perfect.
Dinner was served at dusk. Again the salad bar was the usual fare. Very tired broccoli and shriveling baked potatoes rounded out the veggies. Both screamed out for butter, sour cream, cheese. None to be found. Don’t even think about sugar. And so went dinner. Note to self: bring candy.
After dinner for the last time I put on my shoes, laced them up and walked to my car. A resolution was complete as I left Yogaville. The temperature was 34 degrees.
Still yearning for meat and sugar, eight miles from Yogaville I stopped at the first convenience store and bought a Milky Way. It tasted soo good as I drove down the highway headed home. And the next day the lunchtime juicy hamburger on squishy white bread was the best food I’ve eaten in ages.
Who says resolutions are hard to keep?
Snow Hysteria Richmond Style
For days weather forecasters are predicting the unappreciated – snow. In sunny VA sun is our major snow remover along with any vehicle that holds a blade large enough to push snow and person with a shovel attached to their arms. Activities are cancelled. Driving is dangerous because we don’t know how to drive in snow. Hysteria takes over.
The sun is shining through thin clouds this morning. Grocery store parking lots are full. Shelves inside the stores are emptying. (Could this be a stimulus plan?) Stores do a landslide business as shoppers buy three weeks of supplies to ride out the approaching storm.
Neighbor Patsy called after I finished putting my newly purchased provisions away.
“It’s going to snow. Do you have a snow shovel?” she asked.
“Absolutely not. I live here so I don’t need one.” I replied. Curious I asked “Why do you need one?”
“In case I can’t get out my door. “ she said.
When I asked where she was going, she said, “No where. It was 24 hours before my walk was shoveled after the last storm. And I wondered if we had to shovel our own walk.”
“Only if you like to shovel snow and can't wait.” I quipped.
Patsy and I laughed with each other because we had drunk the kool-aid and were infected with hysteria.
Unappreciated snow I really appreciate. I’m looking forward to tapping my fresh supply of hot chocolate, watching snow fall and reading while wrapped up in my zebra-stripped snuggie.
The sun is shining through thin clouds this morning. Grocery store parking lots are full. Shelves inside the stores are emptying. (Could this be a stimulus plan?) Stores do a landslide business as shoppers buy three weeks of supplies to ride out the approaching storm.
Neighbor Patsy called after I finished putting my newly purchased provisions away.
“It’s going to snow. Do you have a snow shovel?” she asked.
“Absolutely not. I live here so I don’t need one.” I replied. Curious I asked “Why do you need one?”
“In case I can’t get out my door. “ she said.
When I asked where she was going, she said, “No where. It was 24 hours before my walk was shoveled after the last storm. And I wondered if we had to shovel our own walk.”
“Only if you like to shovel snow and can't wait.” I quipped.
Patsy and I laughed with each other because we had drunk the kool-aid and were infected with hysteria.
Unappreciated snow I really appreciate. I’m looking forward to tapping my fresh supply of hot chocolate, watching snow fall and reading while wrapped up in my zebra-stripped snuggie.
Create your 2010 smartly
January is the time for new beginnings. The cool short days now are perfect for thinking about what’s really important to you. You may not be able to do much about the recession. You can do a lot to have a great year. Here are some different ways to plan your year.
What are three main goals to accomplish this year? What’s important about them? How will your life change because you met them?
What one thing can you do that brings out the best you? Is it to join the gym and actually use it to firm up flabby arms and jelly belly?
What change can you make that will improve your life right now? Is it to clean out your closet, fix the broken drawer, clean the winter debris off the garden?
What change do you have to make? When does it need to be done? Probably the sooner the better.
Where can you lighten up?
What skill do you need to improve or develop?
What habit do you want to develop?
How can you put more fun in 2010? Perhaps a regular date night, a monthly night out with the girls, going to a new place for dinner, wear a pin upside down and see who notices, wade in a fountain, join a book club.
How can you do more of what you love to do? My favorite is laughing. Try it: laugh a good ole hard belly laugh ‘til your jaws and sides hurt because you laughed so hard.
What are you excited about?
What wacky, crazy thing do you want to do? This is the year to do it so get going.
Who can help you? While this life is do-it-yourself, it isn’t a do-it-alone job.
What do you want to be able to say on Dec. 31 about your life this year? And finally, if you had a theme for 2010, besides tie a knot on your rope and hold on, what would it be? Ask your teammates at work to pick one for the department and listen to an energizing conversation.
It’s a new year, new you and new times never experienced before. Go for it. Create your 2010 smartly.
What are three main goals to accomplish this year? What’s important about them? How will your life change because you met them?
What one thing can you do that brings out the best you? Is it to join the gym and actually use it to firm up flabby arms and jelly belly?
What change can you make that will improve your life right now? Is it to clean out your closet, fix the broken drawer, clean the winter debris off the garden?
What change do you have to make? When does it need to be done? Probably the sooner the better.
Where can you lighten up?
What skill do you need to improve or develop?
What habit do you want to develop?
How can you put more fun in 2010? Perhaps a regular date night, a monthly night out with the girls, going to a new place for dinner, wear a pin upside down and see who notices, wade in a fountain, join a book club.
How can you do more of what you love to do? My favorite is laughing. Try it: laugh a good ole hard belly laugh ‘til your jaws and sides hurt because you laughed so hard.
What are you excited about?
What wacky, crazy thing do you want to do? This is the year to do it so get going.
Who can help you? While this life is do-it-yourself, it isn’t a do-it-alone job.
What do you want to be able to say on Dec. 31 about your life this year? And finally, if you had a theme for 2010, besides tie a knot on your rope and hold on, what would it be? Ask your teammates at work to pick one for the department and listen to an energizing conversation.
It’s a new year, new you and new times never experienced before. Go for it. Create your 2010 smartly.
Sometimes Good Enough is Good Enough
This holiday began with vacation with Don and friends. In great excitement I packed carefully for one full week at the beach. Extra winter gear for walks on the beach, batteries for the camera, food, presents to exchange and a 4’ tree filled the car. The tree was naked - to be dressed and lighted beach-side.
Since it was my first Christmas at the beach I decided ornaments would be whatever I found on and near the beach. Being a recovering complusive shell-picker-uper it was easy to find “ornaments” to dress the lighted bare tree. Shells strung with colorful ribbons did the trick. Feathers, pinecones, and lichen covered sticks added finishing touches.
The Christmas tree passed all expectations. To complete the image I took the tree to the edge of the water and took its picture. Geese and swans were feeding in the water nearby. Desiring a more authentic scene I placed the tree on the dock railing where birds and water made the perfect background.
I stepped back, centered the tree in the camera lens and felt a gust of wind. Crash went the tree to the dock floor as Don yelled “Oh no!” Branches fell out. Shells scattered and broke. Feathers laid in goose poop.
With his help the fallen tree and its dressings, minus feathers, were picked up and carried back to the cottage for a make-over.
Many minutes of fussing and re-doing produced a different look for the tree. It had a slight list to the right, lights were reworked and it was adorned once more with nature’s ornaments. Proudly it stood as if it had never wrecked, doing its job towering over presents and shells too big and heavy to wear.
“What does a Christmas tree have to do with 2010?” you’re asking.
The plan for the tree was carried out just right. I messed with it, unknowingly putting it jeopardy. The wind blew it over, changing everything around.
You have your 2010 plan. A force unseen and unexpected change can come along and change everything. 2009 is a testimony to that. Help from unexpected partners is available. The repair job gets you on track again.
Someitmes good enough is good enough.
Happy 2010 to you and yours. I hope all winds blow in the favored direction.
Since it was my first Christmas at the beach I decided ornaments would be whatever I found on and near the beach. Being a recovering complusive shell-picker-uper it was easy to find “ornaments” to dress the lighted bare tree. Shells strung with colorful ribbons did the trick. Feathers, pinecones, and lichen covered sticks added finishing touches.
The Christmas tree passed all expectations. To complete the image I took the tree to the edge of the water and took its picture. Geese and swans were feeding in the water nearby. Desiring a more authentic scene I placed the tree on the dock railing where birds and water made the perfect background.
I stepped back, centered the tree in the camera lens and felt a gust of wind. Crash went the tree to the dock floor as Don yelled “Oh no!” Branches fell out. Shells scattered and broke. Feathers laid in goose poop.
With his help the fallen tree and its dressings, minus feathers, were picked up and carried back to the cottage for a make-over.
Many minutes of fussing and re-doing produced a different look for the tree. It had a slight list to the right, lights were reworked and it was adorned once more with nature’s ornaments. Proudly it stood as if it had never wrecked, doing its job towering over presents and shells too big and heavy to wear.
“What does a Christmas tree have to do with 2010?” you’re asking.
The plan for the tree was carried out just right. I messed with it, unknowingly putting it jeopardy. The wind blew it over, changing everything around.
You have your 2010 plan. A force unseen and unexpected change can come along and change everything. 2009 is a testimony to that. Help from unexpected partners is available. The repair job gets you on track again.
Someitmes good enough is good enough.
Happy 2010 to you and yours. I hope all winds blow in the favored direction.
Santa Dances
“Santa here 11 to 1” stated the sign on the door to the neighborhood hardware store. After finding what I needed, I cruised the aisles to see what merchandise was there - and to find Santa.
Methodically I went up and down each aisle. There Santa was, snuggled among the festive Christmas gardenware like the Travelocity gnome. He was the usual Santa complete with the ill-fitting beard, red suit and twinkle in his eye.
“Santa, can you help me? If you’re taking orders for Christmas, will you bring me a boyfriend?" I asked. "And can you bring one that dances, please?”
Always politically correct “I’ll see what I can do.” was his reply. He continued, “Do you know where Farifax Station is?”
“Santa, I can find it, I’m sure. Why do you ask?” I said.
“Because I’m there on Wednesday nights with my dancing club.”
Methodically I went up and down each aisle. There Santa was, snuggled among the festive Christmas gardenware like the Travelocity gnome. He was the usual Santa complete with the ill-fitting beard, red suit and twinkle in his eye.
“Santa, can you help me? If you’re taking orders for Christmas, will you bring me a boyfriend?" I asked. "And can you bring one that dances, please?”
Always politically correct “I’ll see what I can do.” was his reply. He continued, “Do you know where Farifax Station is?”
“Santa, I can find it, I’m sure. Why do you ask?” I said.
“Because I’m there on Wednesday nights with my dancing club.”
Call 2009 a Wrap
2009 was filled with activity, success, failure, surprises, change and bold moves. Many lessons were learned and ideas became new models and tools. Take time to review 2009, glean the priceless value it brought you and celebrate your successes.
1. What are your disappointments, failures, and breakdowns?
Let’s acknowledge what these are. This is an opportunity to let them go, carry them forward, or make a new promise. Make a list titled Disappointments, Failures, and Breakdowns and record them.
2. Make a second list titled Successes, Wins, and Accomplishments.
This is a chance to celebrate and own who you’ve become this year. Where did you step into your power and greatness? Don’t skimp on these. The little stuff counts. NO modesty here. IF YOU’VE DONE IT, IT ISN’T BRAGGING. Validate all your accomplishments. Look through your calendar and any notes to remind you.
3. What have you learned about yourself and your life? What insights have you gained? How have you changed?
True insights have the transformational capability of shifting you into a new, more alive place! This is the stuff that isn’t taught in MBA school. If it had been, you wouldn’t have believed it.
4. What are you grateful for?
This list might include some of the above and anything else you truly appreciate about yourself or any other area of your life. There is a basic principle. Whatever you appreciate and give thanks for will increase. .
5. How can you celebrate to honor your 2009 accomplishments?
What would be a fun, special thing to do for yourself to celebrate your success? You’ll want to include family, friends and associates. Brains are sexy.
1. What are your disappointments, failures, and breakdowns?
Let’s acknowledge what these are. This is an opportunity to let them go, carry them forward, or make a new promise. Make a list titled Disappointments, Failures, and Breakdowns and record them.
2. Make a second list titled Successes, Wins, and Accomplishments.
This is a chance to celebrate and own who you’ve become this year. Where did you step into your power and greatness? Don’t skimp on these. The little stuff counts. NO modesty here. IF YOU’VE DONE IT, IT ISN’T BRAGGING. Validate all your accomplishments. Look through your calendar and any notes to remind you.
3. What have you learned about yourself and your life? What insights have you gained? How have you changed?
True insights have the transformational capability of shifting you into a new, more alive place! This is the stuff that isn’t taught in MBA school. If it had been, you wouldn’t have believed it.
4. What are you grateful for?
This list might include some of the above and anything else you truly appreciate about yourself or any other area of your life. There is a basic principle. Whatever you appreciate and give thanks for will increase. .
5. How can you celebrate to honor your 2009 accomplishments?
What would be a fun, special thing to do for yourself to celebrate your success? You’ll want to include family, friends and associates. Brains are sexy.
8 things 2 say thanks for
Thanksgiving is a fond memory. Yummy food, a day in the 70s and family filled the weekend.
Three generations visiting our beloved legendary Santa carried on the tradition for one more year. There is so much to say thanks over. Here’re a few more:
1.Although a legend in my own mind, any auto accident I have will go unnoticed.
2.Little girls are beautiful in pretty dresses.
3.Colorful crisp leaves on streets and sidewalks to walk through and kick in the air.
4.Family travelers arrived at their destinations safely.
5.Santa said he’d do his best to bring me a boyfriend.
6.A long time desire to have the family at Tea at the Hotel Jefferson was fulfilled and more fun than thought.
7.My heart sings when my girls and I are together.
Three generations visiting our beloved legendary Santa carried on the tradition for one more year. There is so much to say thanks over. Here’re a few more:
1.Although a legend in my own mind, any auto accident I have will go unnoticed.
2.Little girls are beautiful in pretty dresses.
3.Colorful crisp leaves on streets and sidewalks to walk through and kick in the air.
4.Family travelers arrived at their destinations safely.
5.Santa said he’d do his best to bring me a boyfriend.
6.A long time desire to have the family at Tea at the Hotel Jefferson was fulfilled and more fun than thought.
7.My heart sings when my girls and I are together.
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