Today I didn’t need an alarm clock as I woke up at 5 a.m. with a Charley horse in my calf! Now I get these occasionally, so I decided to go looking for what causes them and a cure. I had always heard that it was due to a lack of potassium, but I also found: dehydration, lack of stretching when exercising and the side effects of certain medications. What was really fun was reading the cures for them: bananas I had heard many times before and drinking plenty of water is an obvious solution if the cause is based on dehydration. There’s also massage, which sounds really good right now. But I found other “remedies” that people swore by. Things such as:
Drinking salt water
Rubbing mustard on the affected area
Drinking pickle juice
Since I’m at a conference and have none of these items (and they do sound fun to experiment with), I’m going to drink plenty of water today with the intention of hopping on the saddle of wellness. So how can I be appreciative of that good old horse called Charley this morning?
Well, I have my legs that do very well in getting me around wherever I go, I’m even grateful for the pain that lets me know strongly that I want to feel better (and launched huge rockets of desire to feel better!). I love how I have clear, clean drinking water in which to feed this horse. I appreciate the availability of the internet in which to research items with a few quick clicks, and I appreciate Charley for reminding me that treating myself to a massage now and then is a lovely way to be loving to myself.
So giddy-up, Charley! It’s time to turn around and go for a ride on the wellness, feel-better trail!
Even though last night we all got an extra hour of sleep here in the United States because we turned back our clocks before going to bed, I ended up oversleeping this morning. I had asked the hotel where I’m staying for a conference for a “wake-up” call that never happened. Consequently, I woke up later (to the tune of my “back-up” plan on my Blackberry phone a half an hour later), and wondered what time it really was. When I realized that I never received the wake-up call and had overslept, I had a choice to make: either feel flustered, frustrated and upset that I was now running late (or) appreciate the extra time I really did have to rest. As you probably imagine based on my overall theme for this blog, I’ve chosen the latter.
We are all faced with many small choices like this everyday. Happiness is truly a choice we make, and it starts with these little things that happen in our daily lives. We always have the choice to see the glass as half-full, rather than half-empty. In doing so, we align ourselves a bit closer to being happy most of the time.
So this morning, I’m grateful for the extra rest. I’m happy that no one really cared about the fact that I was late, and it wouldn’t really matter if they did anyway, as that is their issue. My job is to be happy and I’m in charge of that by myself. If I judge my happiness on what other people think, I will be disappointed. If I judge my happiness on how punctually I get up in the morning, then I’ll be judging myself a lot and that would not be a kind, loving way to treat myself. If I blame the hotel for not setting the wake-up call, I’m going to be attracting that energy back to myself. So I’m giving myself a break, as well as the hotel for not setting the “wake-up” call when I requested. I’m going to appreciate instead!
By being late, I met two really nice people this morning at breakfast. In being late, I ran into a colleague as I was coming out of my room. It sure was good to see her smiling face this morning! The extra sleep was great for my overall well-being and will prepare me for the next two days when I may not get as much sleep. I appreciate my Blackberry alarm that served as my “back-up,” too. I love how I got an inspiration to write about this here, too. So I’m choosing to be happy. Isn’t that a good way to start the day?
I’m currently at a conference that officially starts tomorrow but because I’m in a leadership position in my professional association, I had to be here a day early. I also was reminded by another colleague that we get to turn our clocks back an hour tonight, so I’ll get “an extra hour” of sleep. Woo hoo! I’m so glad because these conference times can really be tiring. Of course, I’ll probably stay up extra late because I know I have an extra hour! Funny how that works, isn’t it?
I do appreciate conferences and getting a little extra sleep, now and then. I love meeting colleagues, many of whom have become my friends. So today I’m grateful for my job, my conference, the opportunities to meet new people in my region, the leadership opportunities that are available to me, and last–but not least–tonight’s extra hour of sleep! I’m probably going to need it, considering how long these conference days and nights tend to be. And I’m so grateful that I have such a comfortable hotel room with a bed that’s looking really comfy right now, too. (But that will be for later…)
Good morning! What a wonderful way to wake up and feel good! I so appreciate musicals and want to share this classic piece with you this morning. Music and dance are wonderful ways to feel good. Enjoy and have a great day everyone!
Yesterday I think we had our first frost of the year here in New York City. Since I travel a lot, I may have missed an earlier one. So for me, it was my first frost. As the summer is now long gone and many of the leaves of the fall are on the ground, I’m reminded of how much I appreciate the change of seasons. I lived for a time in places where there was relatively no winter (and certainly no snow) and I must say that I missed the winter. Sometimes it takes being away from something (or someone) for one to truly appreciate it (or that person).
So on this fourth day of November, I’m giving my appreciation to Mother Nature and the areas of the world that experience the four seasons. Each season is special in its own way and even if we get tired of one, we can always look forward to a change coming soon.
I have a passion for college football, and particularly for my Iowa Hawkeyes team. They are my team and have been since I can remember. I’m originally from Iowa and particularly from the Iowa City area, so it follows that I’m a true Iowa Hawkeye fan. So if you add on a couple of degrees from the University to that, you have a recipe for a true fanatic. Then again, if you’re from anywhere in Iowa, you’re likely to either be a Hawkeye, Cyclone or Panther fan. (Cyclones are the ones at Iowa State and the Panthers are from the University of Northern Iowa). And if you dare to get confused on which school is which, watch out! The fans will set you straight right away.
Why do I love my Iowa Hawkeyes and college football in general so much? Let me give you a taste of what it means to me and how much I really appreciate it all.
I love the anticipation of the weekly Saturday game, the camaraderie of talking about the upcoming game with other fans, the planning on where to watch it (or) where to tailgate and what to wear, if I have tickets and can travel back for the game, the suspense and controversy over the weekly football rankings, the unity of the fans brought together toward a common goal, the excitement inside the stadium, full of rituals like the marching band, the tunnel and the players who join hands together entering the stadium like a herd of hungry cattle rushing into a pasture of green grass to eat, the coordinated effort of which color to wear for a particular game, the celebration of every first down, and particularly those key plays like interceptions, forced fumbles and 70 yard + touchdown runs, the energy of a stadium full of fans cheering on their team, the excitement of the players as they encourage fans to yell loudly by waving their hands up and down, the noise from the crowd of the opposing team’s 3rd down attempt, cheering our defense on, the appreciation of the fans by the players when after a win on the road when the team gathers to sing the “Iowa Fight Song” together with their fans…..
….I could go on and on but it’s time to take a deep breath! 🙂 What is evident about being a Hawkeye fan is that we are extremely passionate and loyal to our team. I “survived” the years of Iowa Hawkeye football where we used to hold the national record for the most losing seasons, and was a loyal Hawkeye and would go to games, even when we got beat by scores like 64-0. The difference between then and now is that the fans would get excited if we scored ANY points at all back then, while now we’ve seen a much more favorable winning streak over the years.
Hawkeye fans are special fans. They stick with their team over decades, pass down family traditions generation after generation, have all types of Hawkeye gear to show off their Hawkeye pride, and can tell you where they were watching the Iowa vs. Michigan game in 1985–and if they’re not old enough to remember that game, they have a family member who does so they’ve heard the story of how exciting that game was between the #1 Iowa vs. #2 Michigan. (By the way, I was in the stands, cheering on my Hawkeyes to the victory.)
Iowa football brings people together in ways that people wouldn’t normally get together otherwise, united by the ONE thing that matters: their black and gold. I love how being a Hawkeye fan connects me with others. I can travel the world with an Iowa Hawkeye shirt on and always find someone who yells out, “Let’s go Hawks!” or makes a comment about how good the game was.
Yes, I love my Iowa Hawkeyes and I’m glad I was born a Hawkeye fan. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Didn’t you know that it’s in our genes? 🙂 And no matter how far away I live from Iowa City, I will always be a Hawkeye fan. Let’s go Hawks!
Today is Election Day in the United States. Having visited countries where its citizens do not have that privilege, as well as having relatives in another country who were denied life opportunities because they chose to voice their opinion about their government, and remembering my visits there where we often had to lower our voices when we discussed politics in the privacy of a home, out of fear that “someone” was listening, I totally know and appreciate my right to vote.
Just some “food for thought” for those who think that voting isn’t worth it anymore. Enough said! I’m off to exercise this privilege and so grateful that I have it! Thank you!
I haven’t given this blog the attention it deserves since I started it. Yet I know the power of gratitude in life: what you appreciate, radiates in your life! So I decided to make a commitment to blog everyday this month both here and at my other blog, Journey of A Spirited Strider, as part of NaBloPoMo month.
I was listening to a recent Abraham-Hicks recording about the importance of our focus. Abe says that we often focus on what’s not going right and really take for granted what is right with our world. Abe goes on to say that there is so much wellness in the world, but we rarely take the time to appreciate the BIG picture.
So in that spirit, my first post for November is all about the big picture.
I am so grateful that the Sun came up today. I love its warmth and how its rays of light brighten up the world around me. I am so grateful for this planet Earth, that rotates and the orbit that it makes around the Sun. I love how we have both a day and a night. I love the seasons, too. It all works together so perfectly, even though we hardly take the time to notice it.
Oh, how I love the canvas that is our sky! I love the blue skies and the clouds that allow my imagination to work overtime in identifying what they’re drawing for me, while they may draw a different picture for the person who is next to me. I love the sky at night and the beautiful moon that seems to change shapes throughout the month, and how it glows. I love the moon next to those twinkling stars that speckle the space and create tons of wishes for people looking at them.
I love the Universe. I love that its infinite. I love how we don’t know much about it, too. I love the opportunity to dream about other worlds, to ponder, to inspire, to theorize, to grow, and to believe. I love how the Universe conjures up infinite ways for us to have an opinion about it. Yet no one really knows. And while we don’t really know, it all works so perfectly. I love that!
Thank you. You are perfect, even though we rarely take the time to notice it. So today I’m making this space to give credit to you! Here’s to the big picture!
On this Mother’s Day of 2010, I am so grateful for my two daughters, Amanda and Andrea! As many mothers know, it is difficult to express exactly how deep love flows between a mother and her children. Words cannot express how connected that bond is. But my words can express how appreciative that these two beautiful young women are my children. I love you both and it was a love that began even before you were born.
I remember vividly that first moment when our eyes met each other after your birth. That bonding when our souls said, “Hi there! I know you and I love you! We are connected now for all of eternity.” While the umbilical cord connecting us got cut after birth, the mother/daughter love connection never ends. It is eternal, forever, beyond infinity… and I am grateful for that. I’m grateful that we are in this thing called life together. I’m grateful for all of the laughter, the love, the silliness and yes, the fights. While that may feel strange to you to read that, it is what a mother knows is a necessary part of seeing her children grow and develop. It is a reminder of how we mothers often fought with our own mothers, yet still the bond between us runs deep.
I am also so grateful that you have each other as “sisters.” What a beautiful connection that is and, as an only child, one that I never got to experience. But I see it and feel it from you. A little piece of me gets to “live” it through you.
I love the differences in your personalities and am grateful that you are each your own person: each with her own role to play in life. While most people think of parents as being the “teachers” for their children, I know that you are my teachers. You have taught me a lot about life and particularly about myself by being you. I am now a better person because of it!
I couldn’t have asked for better daughters than you both! So, on this Mother’s Day of 2010, I give you my appreciation, respect, gratitude and love. Thank you! Thank you for being my daughters! I love you both very much.
People may think that you have to spend long periods of time in meditation in order to be peaceful, heal or to manifest your desires. Yet I have found small doses of “meditative techniques” work what feel like miracles in quieting the mind. Here is one that I recently discovered from Deepak Chopra. I love and appreciate techniques like this! I invite you to watch the video and test it out yourself. You’ll notice that there’s a lot of gratitude going on in the routine, too. 🙂
It’s always good to be grateful and to appreciate. “I am.”
Appreciation Magic 