Monday, March 31, 2014

Uptight? Not to worry...

"Uptight (Everything's Alright)"
Stevie Wonder

Baby, ev'rything is all right, uptight, out of sight.
Baby, ev'rything is all right, uptight, out of sight.
 
(Lyrics inbetween)



And it's all right, what I can't do,
Out of sight because my heart is true,
She says baby ev'rything is alright, uptight, clean out of sight.
Baby, ev'rything is alright, uptight, clean out of sight.
Baby, ev'rything is alright, uptight, ah ah ah ah,
Baby, ev'rything is alright, uptight, clean out of sight.
Baby, ev'rything is alright, uptight, clean out of sight. 

Today, I'm focusing on the chorus of this song. Stevie Wonders "Uptight" reminds us that sometimes we can get so caught up with this and that, that we can forget to push our own "up-tightness"  out the door. This is just a little reminder that everything can indeed and is, alright :)
Happy Monday

Nicole

Friday, March 28, 2014

YOU are your greatest investment...








You want it? You need it? Then go for it! Anything is possible

I was told, I would probably never walk again. This was me two years ago..





 and this was me just last month. I was asked to perform at Belhaven University.



And this month...


Like I said, you are your greatest investment, YOU. Anything is possible

Nicole

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Oh what a beautiful morning...

"Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day. I've got a wonderful feeling, everything's going my way."


Its Wednesday  quotes quote days of the week wednesday hump day wednesday quotes

Wednesday wisdom. #Quote via @Alice Cartee Chic 
Nicole

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Thoughts, thoughts, everywhere

 Be the best you can be quote from Pete Rose

It's so funny the places our brain takes us. All it takes is a sight, touch, taste, smell, or even hearing something and we're automatically back in some memory, thought planning, and what not.

I was making some pumpkin pancakes this morning (egg-free, organic, and delicious), and during the process I realized I was actually cooking. Not to long ago, this was something I couldn't have done even if I tried. The other day, it was overcast and rainy. I could only think about where my career is now and where I want it to go.

Perhaps I'm not alone. Perhaps you've had your own moments where specific thoughts swirled around in your head. I guess my question is, are they just thoughts? Or are they thoughts that will lead to action? It's one thing to give yourself this internal checklist, but it's another to take your thoughts and put them into action.

For me, I want to get a better body, better career, a better way to get my name out there. My life has been flipped upside down. I had a very concrete plan for myself and my future. That is now out the window. I'm unable to do what I wanted for my life right now. My dreams aren't necessarily over, they're just on pause for the moment. In the meantime, what can I do to keep me going? What can I do that will make me happy? Aha! I found it, but is it something I'm just saying? Well, you've all heard the expression "the proof is in the pudding". If you say to yourself, this is what I want to do, this is what I need to do, then get up and do it.

Keeping up with social media is tough for me. However, if I want the career I want, and I want to get there, then social media is something I need to become one with. After all, "talk is cheap, actions speak louder then words."

I talk and even preach these things because I believe each and everyone of us has this potential inside of us to be greater then we ever expected we could be, and all it takes is for us to know and believe that about ourselves. So, turn your thoughts into realities. I can confirm that it can come true. Trust me.

I'm not gonna lie, I want the best for me. Along with my family and friends, naturally. But I want the best for me. I can see it in my thoughts, I can feel it in my bones, but unless I take these thoughts and do something with them, then they are just what they are, thoughts.

If you are happy with the "what ifs" and daydreaming, have at it. That's not really my cup of tea, but that's just me. Turning my thoughts into a reality just seems like the best adventure. And honey, I'm not alone when I say, I am ready to set sail!

Nicole

Monday, March 17, 2014

My thoughts on...the "Bad Attitude"


The word "bad" can be found in the dictionary, so can the word "attitude." Found together as one word, that is something you can't find in a dictionary. Though for me, I feel you should.

Ever since I was little, I've seen my parents have their ups and downs, general tiffs here and there about bills, miscommunication, the car, and so on. My parents have had their own moments when they've blown up, but nothing too extreme. Even when my brother and I had our moments, and trust me, we've had our fare share, they never just flew off the handle. Maybe if it was something that was absolutely out of line, they would give us our sentence for whatever the "crime" was, and we would move on. We'd move on because, what was done was done and it was now time to move forward.

Growing up, I watched as things would happen to my parents. Friendships drifting away, family members passing, getting the bad end of the stick after they were told otherwise...I'd watch all this. Little did I realize at the time, but despite whatever crap was thrown their way, they managed to assess the situation, figure out how they were going to move forward, and then they'd begin this process, and just do it. Now it wouldn't happen right away, but eventually they'd finally get to where they wanted to be.

Despite whatever stress they might have been going through internally, they constantly would push it to the side and keep going. Funny, because I'm realizing this more and more as I'm typing the words. They'd have their moment of aggravation, frustration, disappointment, etc, then it was, "ok, let's make this better."

While in the hospital, I was pretty much the youngest one in rehab. The next youngest person in there was like 53. Maybe it's something about getting older, but it seemed so many of those older patients would constantly complain. They'd complain about soreness, or they were tired, or they couldn't do something, or worse, just cuss out whoever was helping them because they thought they were being tortured. It was about this time I learned that many of their aches and pains were far from even existing and they just really didn't even want to get out of bed. Who could blame them? Every room had a flat screen attached to the bed and there were channels for days. Talk about an awesome lazy day.

Well, after about 2 days of listening to bad attitudes I realized that I was allergic to them. It was such a foreign concept to me to have one. I mean, if you're in the hospital and you don't want to be, fix it! It may take a bit, but eventually, you'll get better and get OUT.
I really believe that attitude has a lot to do with your all over being. So, I declared to all these bad attitude patients:
"Quit griping!!! What was that Mr.Nelson? Your knee hurts because you tweeked it? I'll bet...well, I fell off a building. Everything hurts. So I'm here to fix that, and you're screwing up my mojo with your complaining. Now, turn that frown upside down and work. How's that knee feeling now?"

The therapists loved me for this. I said all the things they were thinking but couldn't say out loud.

And that was the way things were. I don't do good around people with bad attitudes. Especially when they complain about wanting to find a solution to their bad attitude, tell everyone and their momma, yet take absolutely NO advice when given it and prefer to gripe more about the bad attitude and no solution. Almost as if the bad attitude is actually the thing that makes them happy.

I've met a slew of characters since my accident. The ones from the medical community are the really interesting ones. I've met some folks who have wanted to one up me with their list of injuries (we're all in the same club, so there is no one upping), they enjoy making other able bodied individuals feel uncomfortable because they aren't disabled and will never know what it is like to be in a disabled persons shoes, or the best, they go head first into the victim role and because they are where they are now, the whole world owes them.

Look, I have believed from day one that what has happened has happened and I can't change that. But what I can do is make the absolute best for myself and build a future for myself. I'm still breathing. 

Will I continue to experience complications due to my accident? Most likely. Will I have days that will absolutely frustrate me? 100%. Will anyone ever understand what I'm going through? Not really. Do I care about these things? Nope, I have better things to do with my time.

I don't like bad attitudes. I have them though because I'm human and not a machine. I'm sure most people feel the same way. When I'm faced with someone in a bad attitude, I am compelled to help them fix it, but if it is clear that they're holding on to the bad attitude, I distance myself. It makes things easier. I know misery loves company, and if that's your thing, so be it. It's just not really for me.

Here's my final thought:
Does the bad attitude in your life deserve so much of your attention, and really... is it worth it?
 
Nicole

St. Patty's day!

 Happy Saint Patrick's Day !!!
 Happy Saint Patrick's DayIrish Proverb

Happy Saint Patrick's Day 

Happy Saint Patrick Day! 
File:Happy Saint Patrick's Day 2010, Dublin, Ireland, Accordion Violin.jpg
Happy St. Patrick's Day 2012Happy St. Patrick's Day

Friday, March 14, 2014

Clarity

Whenever I am booked for a speaking gig, I always tailor my speech according to the group to which I'm speaking. Of course, I am hired because people are interested and want to know my story, so I'm used to giving my testimony and account of my accident.



I'm used to going over my story. I'm used to going over all the details of my fall and all my injuries. I'm familiar with my story because, after all, it's mine. There is no need to worry about getting it wrong since I lived it. So, when I go up and am speaking these words to my audience, giving my account, I don't really expect surprises. Every now and then though, I catch myself becoming slightly overwhelmed with what I am saying.

Yesterday I was giving a speech. At one point,  I looked at my audience and said, "after all, I'm alive." When I spoke those four words, I could feel a lump in my throat. My voice started to quiver. I then followed up by saying, "I was told I would never walk again. Now look at me. I am a rare bird. I am a walking ambulatory quadriplegic." I struggled to pushed out each word. My eyes were fighting tears from forming and I struggled to maintain my composure.

Luckily,  I made it through my speech, but couldn't believe how affected I was by my own words. Not in a bad way. More like, in a "I can't believe how fortunate I am" sort of way. "I'm alive" kept ringing in my ears and in my head during the duration of my speech.

My life is not perfect, my experiences in life have not always been the best. My heart has had good days and bad, and despite all of that, I thank my lucky stars for each of those moments. It certainly beats the alternative.

Whether my day goes good or bad today, north or south, it doesn't matter. You know why? Because I was alive to experience it.

Nicole


Monday, March 10, 2014

Daylight savings

Daylight savings, what a time . The days are longer and our bodies unwind.
Or so we think...
The clock then changes that day light savings night.
Our precious slumber is interrupted by an earlier morning light.
Then we look at that dreadful clock,
Realize what happened and can only think
"Man this sucks".

My body says sleep, even though it's 8:00.
Which immediately, I think "well this is great." (sarcastically of course)
Coffee brewing in the kitchen,
The aroma filling my nose.
You'd think coffee would be a winner, but instead
Waking up just makes me feel like
a sinner.

Then I started thinking,
Crazy that may be,
But have you ever heard someone
Brag about all the nights they got some zzzzzs?

Hear me out.
In life we look back fondly
On all that we have done.
Do we ever look back and remember,
All the sleep we had and done?

No one looks back and remembers
The nights they had great sleep.
Instead we remember the things that count
And majority of those memories are usually when
We were awake and NOT asleep.

So once again,
It's daylight savings,
And "tired" is the place most of us are in,
Yes, yes, indeed.
But we won't stay there long. Trust me, please, please.
Eventually this will change.
Memories are ready to happen for us.
They're ready to begin.


Sleep is for the birds.  When we awake,
We WIN!

Nicole



Friday, March 7, 2014

Sooner or Later

"Sooner or later it all comes crashing down (crashing down),
crashing down (crashing down) when everyone's around
I bet you would've paid up all your cash down (you'll cash down)
and not make a sound (to make a sound) everyone knows now

Could have had so much done you blew it off 
 Your chance is passing you by
(You were gassed)
Time waits for no one
And it cost for a lost
Because made joke should you laugh or cry"

 N.E.R.D | Jam Sutton
Laugh About It by N.E.R.D on Seeing Sounds (Explicit) @pandora_radio 


Nicole

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Oh what a night

Last Saturday, March 2, was a great night.

I was asked a month ago to perform at a concert for Joni Eareckson Tada. Joni Eareckson Tada is an artist, recording artist, radio host, author, cancer surviver, and she has been a quadriplegic since she was 17 due to a diving accident. The women is 67 now, and travels the county 


  
Bel haven University in Jackson, put together an "uplifting night with Joni Eareckson Tada. An inspirational evening for all to attend," and I performed on stage to a song she recorded while she watched from the audience before she spoke.

Now, whenever I perform, be it a speech I'm giving at a conference, acting on stage, playing to the camera, or dancing for a concert, I always like to prepare before hand. Usually as early as I can. I knew this was one performance I was really wanting to nail because of the occasion and because I have massive respect for Joni. The women should experience a wonderful performance.

Thus the pressure began. Did you know that we are actually our own worse critics? Well we are, or at least we are totally unconscious  that we are. For me, I want my best to be always better. Call me a bit of a perfectionist. But it's true, when performing, I want to give 110%.

The dance I performed, I did with a partner. Words can't describe how exhilarating that felt. I haven't danced with a partner since my accident and it was amazing. Everything I've ever learned about dancing with a partner just flooded back into my brain. It felt the same as riding a bike. Now, knowing I can do this, the dance and the practices started to become more about looking good and looking normal instead of letting go , having fun, and just dance.

Finally Saturday came. The time had arrived. A months worth of practice, everything we have been  working on is now about to come to life.  I'm in costume, my partner is in costume our music starts and we perform. After our performance, we, along with other dancers that performed in dance pieces before ours, all formed a complete line and gave our bows. We received a standing ovation. 

Once we left the stage, Joni appeared in her wheel chair backstage. She congratulated us and gave us her praise and excitement. Joni then went and waited backstage until she was introduced and the rest of the dancers migrated to the dressing room. Myself...well, I was over wheeled with disappointment. All that was going through my head was that 'I could have done better." like I said, we're our own worse critic. So, here you have Joni expressing her amazement of the dance piece, we just got a standing ovation, and I'm still unsatisfied...until what happened next.

I had a bouquet of roses that I had forgotten to give Joni. Luckily she hadn't wheeled out yet and was still waiting backstage. Grabbing the flowers, I knelled beside her wheel chair and told her how grateful I was to meet her along with performing for her. What she whispered in my ear next got all and any second guessed thoughts out of my head. She whispered, "I'll never forget this night for the rest of my life. Thank you." Afterwards, all was right with the world.

Why is it we put so much pressure on ourselves? It's good you want your best to be better, but its enjoying the experience that makes it worth it. I believe this to be true...

Nicole

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

HAPPY MARDI GRAS!

HAPPY MARDI GRAS!!!!


Mardi Gras - New Orleans, Louisiana Print by Lantern Press at Art.com 

Happy Mardi Gras ya'll! What exactly is Mardi Gras? 

Mardi Gras

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mardi Gras, Carnival
KosmicFrenchmenPurpleFaceMardiGras2009.JPG
Celebrations in New Orleans, USA
Also called Shrove Tuesday, Fat Tuesday
Type cultural
Significance Celebration prior to fasting season of Lent.
Celebrations Parades, parties
Date day before Ash Wednesday, 47 days before Easter
2013 date February 12
2014 date March 4
2015 date February 17
2016 date February 9
Frequency annual
Related to Shrove Tuesday; Carnival, Shrove Monday, Ash Wednesday, Lent, Maslenitsa, Valentine's Day
"Mardi Gras" /ˈmɑrdiɡrɑː/, "Mardi Gras season", "'Fat Tuesday'" and "Carnival season",[1][2][3][4][5] in English, refer to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after the Epiphany or Kings day and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday, referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday. The day is sometimes referred to as Shrove Tuesday, from the word shrive, meaning "confess."[6] Related popular practices are associated with celebrations before the fasting and religious obligations associated with the penitential season of Lent.

Mardi Gras

Mar·di Gras

[mahr-dee grah, grah] Show IPA
noun
1.
the day before Lent, celebrated in some cities, as New Orleans and Paris, as a day of carnival and merrymaking; Shrove Tuesday.
2.
a pre-Lenten carnival period climaxing on this day.
Origin:
1690–1700;  < French:  literally, fat Tuesday
 
So there you have it. Mardi Gras is festive, it's traditional, it's good. Happy Tuesday, and happy Mardi Gras!!!
  
Mardi Gras over the years...
 
1930s
 
1930's african american parade 
1950s
 
1950's canal st. 
1970s
 
Mardi Gras 1967
 1980s
  
 
_______________________________________________________________________
 
1990s
http://images3.mtv.com/uri/mgid:file:docroot:mtv.com:/shared/promoimages/bands/s/spears_britney/buzzworthy_blog/happy_birthday_31/brit-19.jpg?enlarge=false&matte=true&matteColor=black&quality=0.85

2000s

 

2010s 

 

 Nicole