Play ball

To challenge oneself is the name of the game this week. Personally, Monday started a little slow. We are now into Wednesday, even though it's almost over, and so far so good. Hopefully I'm not alone...

With Thursday fast approaching, I hope you've made the best of this week so far. Only two more days to go. Lets kick this weeks a&%!

Nicole

I challenge me

Monday, Monday...

The last few weeks I've been dealing with a small internal battle. Ever get one of those? You may know the feeling. The feeling like your head is going through this tug of war. To be or not to be productive...this is my delima.

Working out has always been a big part of my life, lately I just haven't been that enthusiastic about it  and  I've just been taking it easy. Not that big of a deal right? Well, I'm sure at different times, and whatever the situation, at some point you've felt that internal struggle of what you should or should not do. You also make up your mind if you want to act on it or not.

That was exactly what I was going through, but how could I break the cycle? The answer came pretty clearly. What if I just challenged myself? If I'm wanting to get results and know what I need to do in order to get them, then I challenge myself to do it. Time to be my own cheerleader.

The battles we face internally are real, but in order to move forward, we have to push ourselves and do it because we know we can. It's so easy to think and say what you want, you can talk and talk and question your lack of results, but you know the truth. There isnt really much effort on your part trying to get what you want, nor is there any enthusiasm and devotion to attaining it either. But, I don't have to explain to much, you know, when you go for it, commit and go for it, that's when you really see yourself in a different light.

It's already Monday, so the week is rolling. For the remainder of the week, I challenge you to challenge yourself. What is it that you keep saying you need to do but haven't done it yet? Challage yourself to complete whatever it is. Just go for it, like Nike.

Nicole

These things happen

In our everyday lives,  whether you admit it or not, at some point you will pass judgment on someone...

Pretty good opening huh?

Nobody really wants to admit it, but we all judge in different ways. We judge fashion, food, music, sports, and the big one, each other.

We see it played out in the media all the time. There are television shows, news programs, and websites, where this is spot lighted. It's in magazines, newspapers and as we all know, the list keeps going. Ever notice how  quick we are to judge one another? Its pretty incredible. The average amount of time it takes to judge someone from one introduction, is seven seconds. That's insane!

I have been on both sides of the coin.  There are a number of times I immediately pasted judgement on someone. Some of my thoughts were insensitive, judgmental, and crude. And at the same time, there are people out there who are making assumptions about me and my story. They are likely passing judgement the exact same way I was. 

Sadly, passing judgement is something we all posses. However, if you choose to break part of the cycle, you 100% can. 

I believe when you allow yourself to have an open mind and just take in this new exchange with someone, judging doesn't seem to exist. In that moment, you are interested in an authentic introduction and pleasant interaction. 

I'm sure everyone has heard the saying "you never know what someone's going through". But, it's absolutely true. We each have a story. All of us are going through our own personal battle. 

Try to keep that in mind next time you feel the urge to immediately start talking smack about the "weird" looking lady heading into the grocery store and wearing mismatched shoes and clothing. Maybe she's homeless and grabbed the only clothes she could from the shelter. Maybe she has some brain damage, or, she could be slowly slipping into dementia and has no next of kin to watch after her. 

The point is, don't be so quick to judge if you can. You just never know...

Nicole 

The moments that make us human

As human beings, we feel on many levels. Our emotions go from one extreme to the other. They range in depth, time, spans, and much more. Whenever we get a dose of reality, whether it's good or bad, it does something to us. It reminds us of the creatures we are and just how different we are from any other species.

There have been plenty of situations I've find myself in, and I'm sure I'm not alone, where reality has slapped me in the face. Anytime I've lost a loved one or have been around someone else who has lost someone time stops for a moment, and in that moment it comes to light that someday this will happen to us. We will leave this world. It is one of the purest and most shocking moments we can have. It reminds us that this is part of our human destiny, one day, we will be no more.

The same goes with helping those in need. Let's say, you come from a good home, a good family, you have a roof over your head, food on your plate, and a place to sleep. Then you go on Facebook or youtube and see videos of folks who have none of those things. People that are homeless and search for scarps of food in the trash. Again, in that moment time stops and we see the reality of being human. We see that things like this exist and happen on a daily basis. Then we see people reach out to those in need. We see the love we as humans posses to help our fellow man.

Whenever I catch an article or video of someone who has persevered through adversity, or is determined to write a new narrative for themselves  after some life altering event, I see what we as humans are all about. I see how strong we are and just how special we are and how deep, I mean really deep we can go. 

We are unlike anything else in this world, and to quote the fabulous Gene Wilder, a.k.a, Willy Wonka:

And if you really think about it, we are. We are surrounded by life. Each of us has felt what being human truly is and how we stand apart. So its OK to feel emotions, its OK to indulge in life, and its OK to be who we are. Through out our lives, we continually have moments that remind us we are who we are. Try to learn and appreciate whatever you can from each one. They were put there for a reason... 

Nicole