A former co-worker of mine once said to me that she thought inspirational quotes and pictures of clouds are cheesy. I can still fee how embarrassed I was that I loved that kind of stuff. I am a sucker for good inspirational writing, an underdog story, or pretty much anything that gives a warm fuzzy. What's more embarrassing than feeling ashamed that I liked that stuff was I let her words become my own. Let me tell you, her world, with no inspirational reading was so NOT my world. I realized then that I AM cheesy. I live for inspirational quotes and stories (ok live is a bit dramatic but you get the gist.) Yesterday, it rained inspirational messages and ahhhhh moments. Do you ever wonder why some days are filled with an abundance of insight while others have nada?
I was at the Orthodontist yesterday morning with my lil blueberry who was about to get an expander...ouch! When I looked over at her she was smiling so brightly with those big blue eyes radiating a love for life. Throughout the procedure she embraced a smile while she happily conversed with the Dr. She never once complained or let on that she was scared. It wasn't until we were in the car that she fully expressed how scared she was. She followed that by saying, "I have to step on fear to get more braver!" Seriously *wise* lil blueberry! Do you step on fear or let it dictate?
One of my favorite parts of a Dr.'s office is all the good magazines I never get to read. This months Real Simple had an amazing article written by Adrienne Starr. She talks about her singing career and how fortunate she was to be gifted this kind of talent. She one day just gave up on singing. Later down the road she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her cancer therapy left her without the voice she always had available to her. It was then that she realized how much she regretted giving it all up. She writes...
"Allow for the possibility of failure. Give yourself room for disappointment. It will never compare with the sense of loss you feel when you no longer have a choice....I would tell her not to stop - don't stop - because you never know if this is the last time...." I have been struggling with whether or not to keep training for a triathlon knowing my knees may or may not be cooperative. My knees feel fine and I wonder if some of my angst isn't me living in fear. This article really hit home for me - my paraphrasing does not do it justice. Give it a read. Do we give up? Stop because of fear? or ? because we truly can't move forward?
Third piece of inspiration was another article talking about temper tantrums. The article spoke to kids, teenagers and adults (I know, adults!). Of course adults throw fits so its not like I was shocked that it happens more that the writer was actually calling it a temper tantrum. I realized then this was a direct message from God. Just that morning I had a temper tantrum in my car taking the blueberries to school. I am alwyas asking / praying for compassion. Well, I got a dose of it when after my temper tantrum I felt embarrased and remorseful. I decided to take the advice of the author of this article (I'm sorry I can't find where I wrote down the name of the author - it too was in the Real Simple from this month) and apologize to my children. Explain that however I am not saying there behavior or lack of listening is ok, I did not need to have a temper tantrum. Both girls were so sweet - full of grace and accountability. My oldest said "mama if I had just listened to your words you wouldn't of had to get so upset, I would have been upset too!" I am so proud of them. I will say, ever since my daughter pointed out that I can look like a puffer fish when I loose it - it has really helped me see myself and my temper tantrums in a new light. This article was a lovely reminder to keep up the work. With kiddos I will have lots of chances to practice.
This puffer fish is off to teach some yoga!
All love and breathing (so I don't have a puffer fish flair up),
M
