A vivid memory from my childhood, into my teen years, and eventually until my Daddy's passing is that of his music collection. Stacks of old records, cassettes, CD's and even old 45s. The collection was always out. It accompanied us on family vacations, on trips to the grocery store, while he waited for any one of my sisters or I to finish an after school practice, or most commonly I recall walking into the house and seeing my Daddy after a long days work sitting there TV off, reclined in his chair, his eyes closed singing along to any genre of song from any era. His favorites were the oldies. My sisters and I grew up singing along to the Temptations, Elvis, The Supremes, The Beatles, and so many more. Included in there was The Coasters. While sitting on the beach today, their 1958 hit Yakety Yak, came to mind.
A few months ago I referenced the madness of May that consumed my life. Looking back to that time and a bit before, you'll notice my posting rate has dropped dramatically with the start of spring/summer. For a while this frustrated me. I have/had a million things I wanted to blog about but 'couldn't find the time.' In May I made a new friend. One of the first things I said to that friend in an email was "I just looked at some of your facebook pictures from since you've been here, and you've managed to make Clearfield/Pa seem so much more exciting than what I experience on a daily basis!" That statement spawned a somewhat altered approach to what my life back home post college had become. Without realizing I began to appreciate things so much more. Over the next month +, I spent time with that friend trying to show him some of the more exciting, and even simple things that I regularly take for granted.
May has come and gone, but the madness really hasn't. In May I stopped having 'chores' ... no more 'taking out the papers and the trash.' As this very second my toes are in the sand, the ocean breeze is blowing my hair, and I'm certain of only a few things. No chores in life. When I go to work, I make the most of where I am at and the tasks at hand. When I work-out, I do it because I want to (doesn't mean I won't complain just a little!). When I frantically balance work, coaching, applying for jobs, planning my life, blogging, family and friends, I'll continue to do so with a smile. And if that means I don't blog more than once a month, that's ok.... I love to talk, so Coasters, friends, take this as a yakety, yak... I'm talking back... and I hope you are as well.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
46% Half way!
I'm over half-way!!!! This site I've repeatedly referred to says that after six months, 46% of people are still going strong. I don't know if strong is the right word, but I'm still going!
I'm actually a bit indecisive on how I'm doing with my NYR. This post is late, I've blogged less in the past 3 months, I've run around crazy-like claiming my life is madness. (Which it is!) But I like my life, and while my NYR are not being perfectly executed (if execution is even the correct action here), they have actually become a part of my daily life. I am no longer making a conscious effort to achieve these goals. I think that's an accomplishment! However indecision sets in when I see that I've let things shift in my life, and what was once daily activities have become weekly... maybe. BUT it's summer, I'm happy, I'm smiling... I think that's success enough.
Summer-NYR fact. People who 'failed' at NYR, or refused to set them, actually tend to set mini summer resolutions often subconsiously. People get out more, attempt to work on that beach body, even eat a bit healthier! Watermelon, tomatoes, all sorts of fresh produce scream summer time!
My Resolutions:
1. Run a half-marathon. During the month of June I can think of one run I went on. I failed right? Nope! I disagree! There is more than running that helps prepare for a big run! My new training method is amazingly awful. Insanity and Shaun T are killer. I do have some concern about the fact I will be finishing Insanity only 6 weeks before the half-marathon. I originally thought I'd try and balance running and Insanity but decided I'd rather do Insanity and follow their schedule. And trying to run, play soccer occasionally, after Insanity led me to the quick realization that my legs were dead. So I'm working on this resolution, just in an altered way... a not running way! AND disclaimer here, I still plan to run a half-marathon but have no true desire to run one whatsoever. I do keep it as a goal, but am more satisfied with the fact it's got me back to regular intense exercise which hasn't been a part of my regular schedule since high school!
2. Try new things. I started Insanity in June. Because of Insanity I also stared counting calories... While my counting has flopped, I did manage to do the 5 meals a day for a solid 2 weeks.... And I got CLOSE to the calorie intake I needed to maintain weight.
3. Be better at everything. I'm going to use this one to reflect on a friend, mentor, coach, extraordinary human being, that passed away a few weeks ago. While I consistently try to be a better person, and be better at everything I do, Al Siegel was a true depiction of the kind of person I want to be. While I am saddened by his passing, I am even more inspired to, at the end of my life, have led a life like Al's. Al cared for people. He helped people. He motivated people. He listened to people. As his son said, Al gave a piece of his heart to everyone he met. Al never expected anything in return. So I've got some big life goals, that I hope will make even a small impact on someone somewhere! I'm going to be better at everything because of Al and I'm going to achieve those goals!
4. Find luck. If I failed at any of my NYR this past month, it was this one. I forgot to look....
Past NYR updates:
January 1 - 12 percent
End of Jan- 64 percent
End of Feb. - 58ish percent... I bet
End of March - First Quarter. Has to be less than 50%
End of April - 46.8 + or - 2.2... maybe?
End of May - _____ %.
I'm actually a bit indecisive on how I'm doing with my NYR. This post is late, I've blogged less in the past 3 months, I've run around crazy-like claiming my life is madness. (Which it is!) But I like my life, and while my NYR are not being perfectly executed (if execution is even the correct action here), they have actually become a part of my daily life. I am no longer making a conscious effort to achieve these goals. I think that's an accomplishment! However indecision sets in when I see that I've let things shift in my life, and what was once daily activities have become weekly... maybe. BUT it's summer, I'm happy, I'm smiling... I think that's success enough.
Summer-NYR fact. People who 'failed' at NYR, or refused to set them, actually tend to set mini summer resolutions often subconsiously. People get out more, attempt to work on that beach body, even eat a bit healthier! Watermelon, tomatoes, all sorts of fresh produce scream summer time!
My Resolutions:
1. Run a half-marathon. During the month of June I can think of one run I went on. I failed right? Nope! I disagree! There is more than running that helps prepare for a big run! My new training method is amazingly awful. Insanity and Shaun T are killer. I do have some concern about the fact I will be finishing Insanity only 6 weeks before the half-marathon. I originally thought I'd try and balance running and Insanity but decided I'd rather do Insanity and follow their schedule. And trying to run, play soccer occasionally, after Insanity led me to the quick realization that my legs were dead. So I'm working on this resolution, just in an altered way... a not running way! AND disclaimer here, I still plan to run a half-marathon but have no true desire to run one whatsoever. I do keep it as a goal, but am more satisfied with the fact it's got me back to regular intense exercise which hasn't been a part of my regular schedule since high school!
2. Try new things. I started Insanity in June. Because of Insanity I also stared counting calories... While my counting has flopped, I did manage to do the 5 meals a day for a solid 2 weeks.... And I got CLOSE to the calorie intake I needed to maintain weight.
3. Be better at everything. I'm going to use this one to reflect on a friend, mentor, coach, extraordinary human being, that passed away a few weeks ago. While I consistently try to be a better person, and be better at everything I do, Al Siegel was a true depiction of the kind of person I want to be. While I am saddened by his passing, I am even more inspired to, at the end of my life, have led a life like Al's. Al cared for people. He helped people. He motivated people. He listened to people. As his son said, Al gave a piece of his heart to everyone he met. Al never expected anything in return. So I've got some big life goals, that I hope will make even a small impact on someone somewhere! I'm going to be better at everything because of Al and I'm going to achieve those goals!
4. Find luck. If I failed at any of my NYR this past month, it was this one. I forgot to look....
Past NYR updates:
January 1 - 12 percent
End of Jan- 64 percent
End of Feb. - 58ish percent... I bet
End of March - First Quarter. Has to be less than 50%
End of April - 46.8 + or - 2.2... maybe?
End of May - _____ %.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
In a van, down by the river.
In the past 3 weeks I've come to a serious life conclusion......... I should be a motivational speaker/life coach. Maybe kind of like this.
Or maybe not quite...
But seriously here are the reasons I think I could be a successful and valuable life coach for someone(s) out there in the world:
1.) I'm an expert decision maker............... of other people's decisions. I look objectively at what the problem is, what the solution is, what the pros and cons are of each option, and what will truly make that person happy. Then I offer my opinion when asked.... just don't let me somehow be a part of the decision or I'll go back and forth for days! (disclaimer- days might be an understatement... just maybe)
2.) I set clear, concise, attainable goals..... I just have too many for my own life and now am willing to offer them to anyone that needs some life direction. I think high school seniors could be a good audience to target for my initial employment.
3.) I am so inner-driven, self-motivated, and relentless that I am a great life cheerleader for other people! Just don't try and cheer my life on or I get frustrated, as I cheer myself on. And if I'm a life coach, who really would try and cheer my life on?
4.) I LOVE to talk, BUT am also a pretty good listener I like to think! But sticking with the talking part, put me up in front of a crowd and I can talk with the best of them, Matt Foley has nothing on me! .... Well I haven't lived in a van down by the river, but I did work on a river once... Close enough, right?!
Add another life goal to my list.... life coach. Well unless someone else wants this goal, then of course I can give it to you and work on another that's on my list....
Or maybe not quite...
But seriously here are the reasons I think I could be a successful and valuable life coach for someone(s) out there in the world:
1.) I'm an expert decision maker............... of other people's decisions. I look objectively at what the problem is, what the solution is, what the pros and cons are of each option, and what will truly make that person happy. Then I offer my opinion when asked.... just don't let me somehow be a part of the decision or I'll go back and forth for days! (disclaimer- days might be an understatement... just maybe)
2.) I set clear, concise, attainable goals..... I just have too many for my own life and now am willing to offer them to anyone that needs some life direction. I think high school seniors could be a good audience to target for my initial employment.
3.) I am so inner-driven, self-motivated, and relentless that I am a great life cheerleader for other people! Just don't try and cheer my life on or I get frustrated, as I cheer myself on. And if I'm a life coach, who really would try and cheer my life on?
4.) I LOVE to talk, BUT am also a pretty good listener I like to think! But sticking with the talking part, put me up in front of a crowd and I can talk with the best of them, Matt Foley has nothing on me! .... Well I haven't lived in a van down by the river, but I did work on a river once... Close enough, right?!
Add another life goal to my list.... life coach. Well unless someone else wants this goal, then of course I can give it to you and work on another that's on my list....
Thursday, June 2, 2011
_____ %.
I feel like I've epically failed at my NYR as of lately.... part of that is just because my life has been crazy madness. (Madness of May post surely to come... in the not so distant future!) So you can be the judge of my success/failure... But end of 5 months, I'm still trying. So I think I deserve some points.
Fun facts:
According to statistics from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, more vehicles are stolen on New Year's Day than on any other holiday throughout the year.(1)
1. Run a half-marathon. In the month of May, I worked out/prepared for my half-marathon less than 8 times, and that's probably being gracious. I can think of 3 instances where I ran. As mentioned above, May was madness. No excuses, but I was crazy busy every night. Now that May is over I'm already back to running (So far I'm 100% for running in June :) )
2. Try new things. Food is normally where this goes each month, but not this time! This might be my best kept resolution for May. I tried lots of new things... sort of! Some of them were things I've done multiple times, but did them with a new perspective. I also decided to just go for some life goals. We'll see how these play out, but I'm doing things I want to do!
3. Be better at everything. Honestly, I am better at everything after May. I was so busy, I had to be my best to assure success! Soccer seasons ended, another great learning season as a coach. And while I didn't want to keep all of my soccer players (just one!) for good, I would like to still have them for a set amount of time each night, then return them to their parents. Believe me an hour is enough most nights! I definitely am a better coach because of them. And OH did I work on a patience this season with a few of them! One thing in particular I would like to point out. I went from long, drawn out emails (because I have so many good things to say), to very short emails that are directly to the point. This will help me in the future... maybe! ;)
4. Find luck. I've stopped looking for luck, and I think that has made luck find me! I make my own success and happiness. Right now, I'm the happiest girl in the world! Probably the most confused as well, but I'm keeping my eye out for the luck and making the most of everything!
So call me a success, or don't. But I'm still going. I'm still getting better. I'm just living a dream, and dreaming a life!
Past NYR updates:
January 1 - 12 percent
End of Jan- 64 percent
End of Feb. - 58ish percent... I bet
End of March - First Quarter. Has to be less than 50%
End of April - 46.8 + or - 2.2... maybe?
Fun facts:
According to statistics from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, more vehicles are stolen on New Year's Day than on any other holiday throughout the year.(1)
1. Run a half-marathon. In the month of May, I worked out/prepared for my half-marathon less than 8 times, and that's probably being gracious. I can think of 3 instances where I ran. As mentioned above, May was madness. No excuses, but I was crazy busy every night. Now that May is over I'm already back to running (So far I'm 100% for running in June :) )
2. Try new things. Food is normally where this goes each month, but not this time! This might be my best kept resolution for May. I tried lots of new things... sort of! Some of them were things I've done multiple times, but did them with a new perspective. I also decided to just go for some life goals. We'll see how these play out, but I'm doing things I want to do!
3. Be better at everything. Honestly, I am better at everything after May. I was so busy, I had to be my best to assure success! Soccer seasons ended, another great learning season as a coach. And while I didn't want to keep all of my soccer players (just one!) for good, I would like to still have them for a set amount of time each night, then return them to their parents. Believe me an hour is enough most nights! I definitely am a better coach because of them. And OH did I work on a patience this season with a few of them! One thing in particular I would like to point out. I went from long, drawn out emails (because I have so many good things to say), to very short emails that are directly to the point. This will help me in the future... maybe! ;)
4. Find luck. I've stopped looking for luck, and I think that has made luck find me! I make my own success and happiness. Right now, I'm the happiest girl in the world! Probably the most confused as well, but I'm keeping my eye out for the luck and making the most of everything!
So call me a success, or don't. But I'm still going. I'm still getting better. I'm just living a dream, and dreaming a life!
Past NYR updates:
January 1 - 12 percent
End of Jan- 64 percent
End of Feb. - 58ish percent... I bet
End of March - First Quarter. Has to be less than 50%
End of April - 46.8 + or - 2.2... maybe?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)