Monday, March 17, 2014
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
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
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
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
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
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"
(You were gassed)
Time waits for no one
And it cost for a lost
Because made joke should you laugh or cry"
Nicole
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Oh what a night
Last Saturday, March 2, was a great night.
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
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" /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.
Happy Mardi Gras ya'll! What exactly is Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the carnival. For other uses, see Mardi Gras (disambiguation).
| Mardi Gras, Carnival | |
|---|---|
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
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
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
1950s
1970s
1980s
_______________________________________________________________________
1990s
2000s
2010s
Nicole
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)