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

Reality, tv shows, madness, and self esteem

Reality TV, how silly you are to me.

Though I find myself getting sucked in from time to time

by your crazy debauchery.

From House wives, to tour buses, bar rescues and more,

 guilty pleasures to me, but nothing more.

Why, one might might ask,

I'll tell you my friend.

Seeing craziness ensue...

sometimes isn't so bad.

I think about my life,

and the people around,

craziness like what I see on TV,

is no where to be found.

So watching these shows is truly

a guilty pleasure at best, also

a self esteem booster,

I mean, have you seen some of those hot mess?

We all have guilty pleasures. Whether it's indulging in ice cream,  taking long baths, late night snacks, fuzzy socks,  you name it and it's probably a guilty pleasure of somebody. Mine just happens to be really horrible reality shows. You know the kind I'm talking about, people getting in verbal fights for the most ridiculous reasons,  pointing fingers at one another, uncovering scandalous revelations that aren't really that scandalous at all. I think I painted the picture for you. Yes, that is my guilty pleasure.  The main reason why it is such a guilty pleasure is because seeing these people getting aggravated over the pettiest things, makes me feel really good about myself and those around me. I'm no angel, but I feel like a saint after I watch some of these reality shows.

My point is, everyone has their own guilty pleasure, the one little thing that lets them release a little bit of steam and just indulge for a little while. I think a guilty pleasure, in a way, is a sort of escape.  Your brain turns off for a little while and you just enjoy.

The other guilty pleasure I have, and I'll admit it, I like stupid pop music. That's right I said it, with certain pop songs, I go into another world and just let go for a bit, and the best part is it's perfectly OK.  Whatever pop song I'm listening to, I can shut down, unwind,  and as I sing-along, I one, think I'm the best singer of all time (I'm really not) and two, enjoy the moment for all it's worth.


Before we are really knee deep into the holidays, go indulge in your guilty pleasure for a sec. So...what's your guilty pleasure?

Nicole

Holiday bliss...or madness?

The Monday after the Thanksgiving weekend isn't exactly a walk in the park. After counting down the days leading up to Thanksgiving, having the actual day, followed with the days after that, we are thrown  into a world spin of eating way to much, crashing on the couch all day, seeing friends and family, traveling, and eventually gathering up all the energy we can to make it to this day...The Monday after Thanksgiving weekend.

I commend you all. Most of us wish we were still on the couch, but never fear. Christmas or the "holidays" are fast approaching. You'll get to be lazy on the couch all over again.

With all the holidays underway and New Years literally right around the corner, we have time to look back on our year along with utilizing the time we have left. The year is not quite over yet, so any last minute self affirming steps you've been trying to make or things you need to accomplish before 2016 ends, you can absolutely do. Even though our time before the new year is technically pretty short, you can still make an impression. You can still do what you need to do to end this year with a smile, and greet 2017 with open arms and an open mind.

If whatever you are doing or need to do rolls into the new year, then you can consider that a good sign. You ended with a positive note and began the same way. One can definitely get anxious during this time, especially with all the hustle and bustle, even the year coming to a close gives you that butterflies in your stomach sort of feeling. One important thing to remember during this time, is that it is never to late. Interpret that the way you want, but again, "it's never to late."

When you really stop to think about it, we're really not on any specific timeline other than the one we created for ourselves. Personally, I set a timeline for myself to have a book out by Christmas. Did I think it was going to happen? Well, it wasn't really looking that way, and yet, looking at the calendar, I got a boost of confidence because it's not to late. I still have time, and by God, I'm gonna do everything possible to hopefully turn it into a reality.

 Your biggest competition is yourself, and where there is a will, there is a way...so 2016, I plan on sending you off knowing that I tackled what I needed to and start getting my smile ready :)

Nicole

You think this is a game??

"You think it's funny?"
- Seinfeld

I can't believe tomorrow is the day, I mean THE DAY. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving!!! One of those holidays where we're happy, we're sad, we eat to much, we don't eat enough, we enjoy company, we can't stand company, a constant wave emotions and laziness comes over us, and bam! Before you know it, we are knee deep in Thanksgiving! I think I pretty much summed it up. If I left anything out, I'm sure you can fill in the blanks.

Something we need not forget during this time, is that it is indeed a holiday, and there are many out there that find this holiday to be very difficult. It's just a reminder that, you never know who is going through what. Try not to judge a book by its cover and pay attention to the little things. For example, think about that  guy in your office that's really quiet  and seems to have the same characteristics as Eeyore. You know the guy, the one you think can snap at any moment, only, when you think about it, you realize you know nothing about him. Well, maybe he is really lonely and just wants a friend but has no social skills to obtain one. Who knows? You might go and talk to him, next thing you know you guys hit it off, he turns out to be a really  cool guy, and you invite him over for Thanksgiving. Just a thought.

Every now and then I question us as a society. I'm curious to know where our "good will towards your fellow man" went to. Curtsy goes so far, especially when it comes from a place of humility and is sincere. Let's not forget we are all human and something so small and heart felt goes a very long way.

(On a side note, I tried some of the stuffing I'm eating tomorrow and I'm having a hard time keeping my eyes open)

Tonight, think about the art of giving and reaching out to your fellow man. Fear not what you think is, and embrace the possibility of what could or might be. It feels good to open your arms to helping those that look like they may need it. It's Thanksgiving, so give hope, give kindness, and give to those who need a helping hand in their life. 

Happy Thanksgiving 🦃

Nicole