I laughed to myself as I drove home around 7 p.m. tonight - not from PRFitness, but instead from a blur of department stores and thift stores in search of uniform shorts for my ever-growing children. Earlier in the day, I had decided to call give myself a "rest" day. My head exploded Friday night into what I thought was allergies, but now believe might be a cold/flu. I did a CrossPit workout on Saturday and then hit the trails with the goddesses on Sunday, but neither went quite well. So, I listened to Coach Chris who told me to "rest" and stay away from the gym to get some energy back. But then I listened to guilty mom "my poor kids have no shorts and it is 62 degrees" and drove like a crazy woman in rush-hour hell to find one pair of shorts for each kid that pass muster with the uniform code.... So I had to chuckle -- because it never too late for more lessons about life in balance. Off now to truly rest - feet up and everything! Hope you all find time for real rest!
:)
Monday, April 11, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
I am the other talking belly button....
... as if you couldn't guess! Sherri's post is spot on: Life happens, and you deal with life -- not the drama of it! As each of us go through this process, my hope is that we remember to embrace the process and not always the results. I feel like I hug it a little closer and tighter to me each time I get the chance to step back and reflect. Sometimes I'm in a groove, and sometimes my belly button is doing the talking ...
"The most sacred place dwells within our heart, where dreams are born and secrets sleep, a mystical refuge of darkness and light, fear and conquest, adventure and discovery, challenge and transformation. Our heart speaks for our soul every moment while we are alive. Listen... as the whispering beat repeats: be...gin, be...gin, be...gin. It's really that simple. Just begin... again."
~ Royce Addington
It really is that simple, sometimes we make it so hard. Begin. Continue. Or Begin Again.
~ Royce Addington
It really is that simple, sometimes we make it so hard. Begin. Continue. Or Begin Again.
Wishing all of you well,
Kelly
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Thinking about perfection ...
I've been thinking a lot about the exhausting struggle to be perfect (or at least look that way) that Chris brought to light on Saturday. It's funny, my 9-year-old daughter can tell me what perfect is (not getting in trouble at school, always looking good and getting everything right), but she can't tell you where or how she got that idea. Or how she came to understood that perfection is a good or great thing - something she needed to work toward and feel badly about when it was not attained.....
The message needs to be scrambled, revamped, relevant. Maybe, it's about perfect moments.
The sweaty bliss of a good run or intense workout.
The unbridled laugh the unleashes your heart and mind from all the day's weariness.
The sweetest face of a child, asleep and dreaming at last.
The gorgeous meal you cooked and savored.
They are all so perfect, so real and so easily forgotten in the quest for the 100 percent/people-pleasing madness of doing it all, so perfectly...
For what it is work, check out this movie: http://www.lovethismomentmovie.com/
The music may be cheesy and the graphics kinda Hallmark-esque, but the message rings true to me.
I am thinking of you and wishing all of us perfect moments...
The message needs to be scrambled, revamped, relevant. Maybe, it's about perfect moments.
The sweaty bliss of a good run or intense workout.
The unbridled laugh the unleashes your heart and mind from all the day's weariness.
The sweetest face of a child, asleep and dreaming at last.
The gorgeous meal you cooked and savored.
They are all so perfect, so real and so easily forgotten in the quest for the 100 percent/people-pleasing madness of doing it all, so perfectly...
For what it is work, check out this movie: http://www.lovethismomentmovie.com/
The music may be cheesy and the graphics kinda Hallmark-esque, but the message rings true to me.
I am thinking of you and wishing all of us perfect moments...
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Read this, loved it, had to share it ...
Living with Certainty
Many things in life can bring feelings of uncertainty - especially the things we want to accomplish. There is risk in any endeavor.
How can we live with certainty in a world where we so often hear that nothing is certain? Are there ways to begin new tasks with a greater certainty that we can overcome challenges?
How can we live with certainty in a world where we so often hear that nothing is certain? Are there ways to begin new tasks with a greater certainty that we can overcome challenges?
Yes, and here are some helpful tips...
First, believe that you will succeed, and clearly imagine what you will accomplish. Feel and express heart-felt gratitude for your future success. Focus your mind intently on your desired outcome.
Second, keep moving forward. There is greater risk in not taking action, for then failure is the only certain outcome. In the end, only the actions taken will lead to the life you desire. Rest if you must, and then continue moving forward.
Third, control fear by focusing your actions on your desired outcome. Action alone will not bring success if it is misdirected or ill timed. Make sure each action, no matter how small, is directed and purposeful.
Fourth, trust in your God-given abilities and past learning experiences to guide you in the right direction. If one path turns out to be "certainly wrong", take other paths until you find one that is "certainly right." Then, you will turn challenges into stepping-stones. God gives us dreams to fulfill that make us stronger - not only after we have achieved those dreams, but also during our achievement of those dreams.
Fifth, give your dreams the appropriate time to manifest. You might want to start a new career, live in a different place, get a college education, enhance your wellness, create a new piece of art, or spend more time with your family. You might have a goal that could positively affect thousands of people, or it might be a small yet significant change in your life. Some dreams need weeks, and some dreams need years; each has an appropriate gestation time. Patient action and focus will allow magnificent blossoms of achievement to appear.
The poet Rumi once wrote, "A new moon teaches gradualness and deliberation and how one gives birth to one slowly. Patience with small details makes perfect a large work, like the universe. What nine months of attention does for an embryo, forty early mornings will do for your gradually growing wholeness."
Certainty is not something external to us; we won't find certainty by searching for some thing that is certain in this world, for all things in this world are as impermanent as our recent February snow. As John Locke suggested in today's quote, certainty depends on our inner awareness; it is a state of mind we choose to adopt. Certainty is an internal flame, which we quench with doubt or fuel with faith.
No matter what you want to do, you can transcend your fears and move confidently in the direction of your most cherished dreams. If you believe, control fear with focused action, trust in your God-given abilities, and give your dreams the time they require, you can look forward to a bright and thrilling future - living with certainty.
First, believe that you will succeed, and clearly imagine what you will accomplish. Feel and express heart-felt gratitude for your future success. Focus your mind intently on your desired outcome.
Second, keep moving forward. There is greater risk in not taking action, for then failure is the only certain outcome. In the end, only the actions taken will lead to the life you desire. Rest if you must, and then continue moving forward.
Third, control fear by focusing your actions on your desired outcome. Action alone will not bring success if it is misdirected or ill timed. Make sure each action, no matter how small, is directed and purposeful.
Fourth, trust in your God-given abilities and past learning experiences to guide you in the right direction. If one path turns out to be "certainly wrong", take other paths until you find one that is "certainly right." Then, you will turn challenges into stepping-stones. God gives us dreams to fulfill that make us stronger - not only after we have achieved those dreams, but also during our achievement of those dreams.
Fifth, give your dreams the appropriate time to manifest. You might want to start a new career, live in a different place, get a college education, enhance your wellness, create a new piece of art, or spend more time with your family. You might have a goal that could positively affect thousands of people, or it might be a small yet significant change in your life. Some dreams need weeks, and some dreams need years; each has an appropriate gestation time. Patient action and focus will allow magnificent blossoms of achievement to appear.
The poet Rumi once wrote, "A new moon teaches gradualness and deliberation and how one gives birth to one slowly. Patience with small details makes perfect a large work, like the universe. What nine months of attention does for an embryo, forty early mornings will do for your gradually growing wholeness."
Certainty is not something external to us; we won't find certainty by searching for some thing that is certain in this world, for all things in this world are as impermanent as our recent February snow. As John Locke suggested in today's quote, certainty depends on our inner awareness; it is a state of mind we choose to adopt. Certainty is an internal flame, which we quench with doubt or fuel with faith.
No matter what you want to do, you can transcend your fears and move confidently in the direction of your most cherished dreams. If you believe, control fear with focused action, trust in your God-given abilities, and give your dreams the time they require, you can look forward to a bright and thrilling future - living with certainty.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Quote for the week, er, for a lifetime ...
Life begins when you do ....
Walk to the edge.
Listen hard. Laugh. Play with abandon.
Practice wellness.
Continue to learn.
Choose with no regret.
Appreciate your friends.
Lead or follow a leader.
Do what you love.
Live as if this is all there is.
Listen hard. Laugh. Play with abandon.
Practice wellness.
Continue to learn.
Choose with no regret.
Appreciate your friends.
Lead or follow a leader.
Do what you love.
Live as if this is all there is.
Mary Anne Radmacher
Friday, February 11, 2011
Miss you Saturday!
I am sorry to miss tomorrow's meeting! :(
We will be out of town celebrating Chinese New Year with 10 beautiful girls and one silly son!
I am thinking of all of you in your struggles and triumphs and wishing you love and strength!
We will be out of town celebrating Chinese New Year with 10 beautiful girls and one silly son!
I am thinking of all of you in your struggles and triumphs and wishing you love and strength!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
What a way to start the day!
Jason or "Dr. J" taught the first 6:30 a.m. class today at PR Fitness! It was great - I highly recommend it to anyone who struggles to get a workout in at the end of the workday! I was never good at working out in the morning, but then one day I told my body (right, Chris?) that we were going to do this, so that I could have more evening time with my family. My body agreed, and worked! Now I love the feeling of sitting at this computer at 8 p.m., and knowing that I packed in a great early workout and was able to make a yummy black bean chili for the family! With time to spare!
Have a great week, folks!
Have a great week, folks!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Cabin fever musings ...
Day Three of "The Ice Storm that shut down IPS," and every other school district and I am grateful for the sunshine, even if it comes with some bitter temps! We have done an ice-chipping WOD - with some success - and Chris' posted "at home" workout - very fun, kids love the swooping Hindu pushups! The food has flowed freely, but not without some checks and balances ... And I am thinking about last Saturday's BTWG class and awareness (thinking about awareness, that sounds odd, but true). Just wanted to share a bit of insight that helped me tremendously 8 years ago, and continues to guide me today ... Segue into a bit of a story,, but hey - you're iced in anyway, right?
Matt and I decided to become parents by adopting our amazing daughter Emma from China. About this time, 10 years ago, we had completed our paperwork, shared our joy with our families and started reading everything we could about adoption and China. Seven months later - in July - I found out I was pregnant with Sam (just about the same day Emma was born in China). Pregnant without fertility (who knew?) and now two kiddos on the way, I wish I could tell you that I was ecstatic. Instead, I felt scared and unprepared. Sam was born in March and Matt left for China in early April to bring Emma home (with my Dad, a whole 'nother story). By the end of April, I was parenting an infant and a 9-month-old, and my life was full of joy and fear. When I look at photos from that time, I feel like I was in shock -- somehow, not really there, or maybe there, but kinda numb.
Enter the point of the story: Matt and I took a great parenting class with a woman named Michelle. And here's what I learned about awareness - of parenting, food, exercise, wellness, life:
Michelle broke awareness down into 4 categories:
1. Unconsciously incompetent
2. Consciously incompetent
3. Consciously competent
4. Unconsciously competent
Most of us start out unconsciously incompetent in our journey (Really? 1200 calories in one meal at Steak and Shake? 10 minutes of mediation is a great start to a busy day? Walking to the fridge does not burn calories?) As we progress, we become consciously incompetent, and that is where we are alot in BTWG, don't you think? (Wow, I ate that, and now I KNOW how many calories that was... Wow, I skipped 2 workouts and now I FEEL the difference...) The goal is to become consciously competent (No thanks to the chips, I'll eat the carrots with hummus instead ... I'll get up early to workout because I might not fit it in tonight...) At some point, I think we hope to be unconsciously competent - at a place where we don't have to think about our choices, we just find ourselves making the right (healthy) ones ... Each stage is necessary, and we all dance at different places for different amounts of time. What I can say now is that I waver between 3 and 4...Most of the times, I know better, and many of the times I choose well without too much thought. When I don't, I know it. But instead of diving into a vat o guilt, I choose to think about these levels - and where I started: Holding 2 crying babies, unsure of what to do next -- and now smiling at the chance to spend some family time in the snow, or maybe even beating one of them at Wii! :)
Matt and I decided to become parents by adopting our amazing daughter Emma from China. About this time, 10 years ago, we had completed our paperwork, shared our joy with our families and started reading everything we could about adoption and China. Seven months later - in July - I found out I was pregnant with Sam (just about the same day Emma was born in China). Pregnant without fertility (who knew?) and now two kiddos on the way, I wish I could tell you that I was ecstatic. Instead, I felt scared and unprepared. Sam was born in March and Matt left for China in early April to bring Emma home (with my Dad, a whole 'nother story). By the end of April, I was parenting an infant and a 9-month-old, and my life was full of joy and fear. When I look at photos from that time, I feel like I was in shock -- somehow, not really there, or maybe there, but kinda numb.
Enter the point of the story: Matt and I took a great parenting class with a woman named Michelle. And here's what I learned about awareness - of parenting, food, exercise, wellness, life:
Michelle broke awareness down into 4 categories:
1. Unconsciously incompetent
2. Consciously incompetent
3. Consciously competent
4. Unconsciously competent
Most of us start out unconsciously incompetent in our journey (Really? 1200 calories in one meal at Steak and Shake? 10 minutes of mediation is a great start to a busy day? Walking to the fridge does not burn calories?) As we progress, we become consciously incompetent, and that is where we are alot in BTWG, don't you think? (Wow, I ate that, and now I KNOW how many calories that was... Wow, I skipped 2 workouts and now I FEEL the difference...) The goal is to become consciously competent (No thanks to the chips, I'll eat the carrots with hummus instead ... I'll get up early to workout because I might not fit it in tonight...) At some point, I think we hope to be unconsciously competent - at a place where we don't have to think about our choices, we just find ourselves making the right (healthy) ones ... Each stage is necessary, and we all dance at different places for different amounts of time. What I can say now is that I waver between 3 and 4...Most of the times, I know better, and many of the times I choose well without too much thought. When I don't, I know it. But instead of diving into a vat o guilt, I choose to think about these levels - and where I started: Holding 2 crying babies, unsure of what to do next -- and now smiling at the chance to spend some family time in the snow, or maybe even beating one of them at Wii! :)
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Y-O-G-A
Perhaps the best 4-letter word I know! I went to Chris' yoga class tonight at Cityoga after a LONG absence. It reminded me how much I need yoga -- my body needs it, my mind needs it and my soul needs it! Yoga helps me put the workouts, nutrition and mediation all in perspective - like a soft, flexible ribbon that ties it all together with breath!
Enjoy your week, everyone, and stay warm!
Peace!
Enjoy your week, everyone, and stay warm!
Peace!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Old and new
Just in case anyone is interested, this is the link to my original blog for BTWG. I couldn't add to it, so decided to start anew!
http://btwgnoexcuses.blogspot.com/
Just finished shoveling snow. Time to find some grub for the kids and call it a night!
One quick thought to pass on about meditation: I struggle with this all the time. I am finding that it is easier to do in the morning, instead of at night, when I am beat.
Each morning, I have been hitting the snooze alarm, jumping out of bed and meditating until the next alarm ... It beats pretending to go back to sleep! :)
Looks like a great first week!
See you Saturday!
http://btwgnoexcuses.blogspot.com/
Just finished shoveling snow. Time to find some grub for the kids and call it a night!
One quick thought to pass on about meditation: I struggle with this all the time. I am finding that it is easier to do in the morning, instead of at night, when I am beat.
Each morning, I have been hitting the snooze alarm, jumping out of bed and meditating until the next alarm ... It beats pretending to go back to sleep! :)
Looks like a great first week!
See you Saturday!
Monday, January 17, 2011
The space between ...
I am honored and excited after meeting the BTWG gang on Saturday! Your honesty, your motivation, your desires - and your sense of humor - will make this next 12 weeks an amazing adventure!
I am starting my new blog - inspired by yours - in the space between. It just sounded right today. It is one of my favorite lyric-bites from Dave Matthews. It is a good space - better than the one I was wedged in two years ago, before my journey with BTWG. It has all the important information, all the muscle memory of great results, and all the not-so-good noted. It's filled with intentions, energy, community and gratitude. There is little room left for guilt and head games, but they clutter up the corners occasionally. This space between is solid, but leaves lots of room for growth and rearrangement. Peace - and chaos - fit perfectly! :)
Whatever your space, however it looks and feels right now, it is OK. And you are more than OK. You are here, the journey is on. Work from your space and trust yourself (and Chris!)
Remember to breathe - and to laugh.
Accept that you will be overwhelmed at times.
And know that you are not alone.
Your biggest fan,
Kelly
I am starting my new blog - inspired by yours - in the space between. It just sounded right today. It is one of my favorite lyric-bites from Dave Matthews. It is a good space - better than the one I was wedged in two years ago, before my journey with BTWG. It has all the important information, all the muscle memory of great results, and all the not-so-good noted. It's filled with intentions, energy, community and gratitude. There is little room left for guilt and head games, but they clutter up the corners occasionally. This space between is solid, but leaves lots of room for growth and rearrangement. Peace - and chaos - fit perfectly! :)
Whatever your space, however it looks and feels right now, it is OK. And you are more than OK. You are here, the journey is on. Work from your space and trust yourself (and Chris!)
Remember to breathe - and to laugh.
Accept that you will be overwhelmed at times.
And know that you are not alone.
Your biggest fan,
Kelly
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