Well the holiday season flew by, and I have no idea where the days or time went. I do know one thing, I am so thankful and blessed by the family I have. They are pretty great people!
So with this new year I've decided to try a new mindset. I'm going to admit right off there will be times I slip back into old ways but I read something yesterday that gives me new hope- "365 new days- 365 new chances" and there is always the option to start fresh or start over every single day. Life is too short to live with regrets or get stuck in old ways.
I saw an editorial a week ago where the subject was the most over used word of 2014-and I have to agree 110%. The word was "over share". This seems to be the norm for our younger generation as well as some adults. There have always been and always will be those people who "over share". I just tune them out, turn them off or cut them out. I try not to be rude but who cares and who wants to hear those details and personal information, unless you are the town gossip? No one wants to hear it. Keep it to yourself.
So my word for this year is "believe". The end of 2014 started to bring me back to believing in myself and who I am, my talents and my abilities. I have let people, and some of these people are pretty close and important people in my life but none the less, I let some people make me feel less than I am. These people have made me feel like my ideas and my worth were stupid or less than smart. They make me feel like I don't know what to do or how to do things or how to deal with situation. No one knows exactly how to deal with everything-no one is an expert on everything. Although there are some people who think they are. And I sure as heck do not want to give someone advise then have it back fire on them. I'll listen to hear, not listen to give answers. But with the end of 2014 I have learned that I can still do things and believe in myself. I am just as important and worthy as the next person, including those who squelch my dreams or take enjoyment out of making me feel stupid or dumb.
But for 2015 I will "believe"...
-I will believe that all people are good
-I will believe that each day is a gift and no one is guaranteed to be here tomorrow or at the end of today.
-I will believe that anyone's dreams can be achieved and I will do my best to believe in those who share their dreams with me and I will do my best to support them.
-I believe that no matter what, tomorrow is a new day-a new opportunity to start again.
-I will believe that trading my expectations with appreciation will change the world.
-I believe that having no expectations will make life a lot less disappointing.
-I believe that working together results in better things than working against each other.
And I can go on and on with my thoughts on believing but in short I believe this will be a better year and I hope it is true for all. Life is fragile and short...
But most of all believe in yourself and who you are and all your talents.
Positive thought of the day: Sweating may make you smell but it makes you happy!!
Friday, January 2, 2015
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Taking life as it comes
State Dance competition is always stressful for me. I have a love-hate relationship with this! This year was more stressful considering the circumstances I've had to deal with. I've questioned my coaching and human relationship abilities a lot the past couple of months and to be honest it has been tough going. I've found myself one moment dreading practice and state to the next moment caught up in the love of dance and working with kids. I've used the term "the elephant is in the room" as well as "beating my head against a brick wall" a lot, but mostly for lack of a better way to describe this season. That's pretty much how this year has been. Our reaction to things affects those around us a great deal. So I've had to play the "we're gonna put on our big girl panties and do this" card to get this group going.
So as the last two weeks have rolled around and I've had to be tough, tougher than I've ever had to be with kids, and I don't like being that way. I pushed these kids to work harder, try harder and told them to their face that I believed in them, they needed to believe in themselves. Some were receptive to it, and for others, usually the ones who needed it, they were oblivious to it. All the coaching and encouragement in the world was not going to do any good. This is just how life goes. Some work harder when you push. Some don't have any idea how to work or believe in themselves and continue doing or not doing what they have been doing all along. We practiced a lot, and we practiced in the early mornings. I've been to school by 6 a.m. or earlier a great deal the past couple of weeks. We've practice on Saturday evenings-the guys asked for this. And once again the group that asked for Saturday evening practices and wanted 5 a.m. practices (I said no, 6 a.m. was early enough) came away from state showing that working hard pays off. The kids who listened when I coached and showed up for practice-brought home something to show for all that hard work. It wasn't what they wanted but it was the best we could do this year. To say I lack leadership with one of the groups is so apparent it is sad. But there is only so much I can do as their coach. I can't drive a bus around town to pick them up to make sure they get to practice, much less on time. Our lack of leadership this year has also taken it's toll. Just when we needed that peer leadership it is not there. So another battle I've had to deal with.
As state approached I had a whole host of behaviors from my girls...I can't do this.....I don't feel good....and the list goes on. The "I don't feel good" was a case of nerves. The "I can't do this" didn't do "it" and thus the reason why we got the scores we did. If I return to coach another year I won't put that individual back on my team. The term "way to let your team down" rings loud and clear. Kids just don't get what effect their "lack of" has on those around them. If you're not going to do it, you're not going to dance in competition. But life goes on.
I will admit I was a nervous wreak Thursday morning. But this was the first time I was doing all of this solo. I had no sidekick to go along and be my second in command. But once we got to state my jitters and worrying settled down and I was all business. We needed to stay focused and for the most part we did. I had one young man, a first year senior, wanting me to talk him through the dances and help him fix some things he though he was struggling with. He also admitted to me that he was in awe before his first performance that he didn't believe me as to how big it all was. It can be a bit daunting and he was nervous to say the least.
But when all was said and done things went as I knew they would. I was a tad bit disappointed by one score but if you don't try you cost your team....I can't change that as a coach. I can't get out there and dance for them. I'll just make sure it doesn't happen again. But that's life. You get what you put into it. So yes I learn lessons from these kids and I learn lessons every time we go to state. It is a scary, fun, encouraging experience. And will I be back again next year....we'll I'm probably more likely to return than I was a month ago. Sometimes the curve balls life throws at you are hard to catch. It's when there are several curve balls all coming at you at the same time that I question myself first and foremost. And life secondly. And all I can say is I need to remember to take life as it comes.
Positive thought of the day: Take the opportunity to slow down and enjoy life and learn the lessons it is teaching you. We are all in the same boat.
So as the last two weeks have rolled around and I've had to be tough, tougher than I've ever had to be with kids, and I don't like being that way. I pushed these kids to work harder, try harder and told them to their face that I believed in them, they needed to believe in themselves. Some were receptive to it, and for others, usually the ones who needed it, they were oblivious to it. All the coaching and encouragement in the world was not going to do any good. This is just how life goes. Some work harder when you push. Some don't have any idea how to work or believe in themselves and continue doing or not doing what they have been doing all along. We practiced a lot, and we practiced in the early mornings. I've been to school by 6 a.m. or earlier a great deal the past couple of weeks. We've practice on Saturday evenings-the guys asked for this. And once again the group that asked for Saturday evening practices and wanted 5 a.m. practices (I said no, 6 a.m. was early enough) came away from state showing that working hard pays off. The kids who listened when I coached and showed up for practice-brought home something to show for all that hard work. It wasn't what they wanted but it was the best we could do this year. To say I lack leadership with one of the groups is so apparent it is sad. But there is only so much I can do as their coach. I can't drive a bus around town to pick them up to make sure they get to practice, much less on time. Our lack of leadership this year has also taken it's toll. Just when we needed that peer leadership it is not there. So another battle I've had to deal with.
As state approached I had a whole host of behaviors from my girls...I can't do this.....I don't feel good....and the list goes on. The "I don't feel good" was a case of nerves. The "I can't do this" didn't do "it" and thus the reason why we got the scores we did. If I return to coach another year I won't put that individual back on my team. The term "way to let your team down" rings loud and clear. Kids just don't get what effect their "lack of" has on those around them. If you're not going to do it, you're not going to dance in competition. But life goes on.
I will admit I was a nervous wreak Thursday morning. But this was the first time I was doing all of this solo. I had no sidekick to go along and be my second in command. But once we got to state my jitters and worrying settled down and I was all business. We needed to stay focused and for the most part we did. I had one young man, a first year senior, wanting me to talk him through the dances and help him fix some things he though he was struggling with. He also admitted to me that he was in awe before his first performance that he didn't believe me as to how big it all was. It can be a bit daunting and he was nervous to say the least.
But when all was said and done things went as I knew they would. I was a tad bit disappointed by one score but if you don't try you cost your team....I can't change that as a coach. I can't get out there and dance for them. I'll just make sure it doesn't happen again. But that's life. You get what you put into it. So yes I learn lessons from these kids and I learn lessons every time we go to state. It is a scary, fun, encouraging experience. And will I be back again next year....we'll I'm probably more likely to return than I was a month ago. Sometimes the curve balls life throws at you are hard to catch. It's when there are several curve balls all coming at you at the same time that I question myself first and foremost. And life secondly. And all I can say is I need to remember to take life as it comes.
Positive thought of the day: Take the opportunity to slow down and enjoy life and learn the lessons it is teaching you. We are all in the same boat.
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
All it takes
Early morning practices typically has kids dragging in, not yet fully awake and barely functional. I'm not a morning person and I'm trying really, really hard to become one as my world can't start at 10 a.m. But one thing I've found is if you greet these sleepy, tired and over extended kids and make things light hearted you get them to work with you and they will work hard. Nine young men rolled into the gym at 6 a.m. this morning to practice for state dance team. It was their call to practice at 6 a.m. Actually they wanted to go at 5 or 5: 30 a.m. but I knew that would be counter productive about an hour into practice. So for one hour and 40-minutes we danced and fixed and critiqued and helped one another to become better as a team. And when I complimented an individual or the group as a team they seemed work harder and got better each time we did the dance. They were pleased and energized with themselves when we left that gym at 7:40 a.m. I was thrilled and the guys were in a much better mood than there were at 5:55 a.m.!
I've always found you reap what you sow, to be so true. If you want people to treat you nicely then you have to treat them nicely. There are those few rare people in this world I won't waste a breathe on as they are just plain mean and nasty-I take their treatment for so long then I'm done. But for the most part people are kind-I like to believe this. And believe it or not people can change with time, I'm surprised here too! There used to be a parent that I deemed to be one mean and nasty piece of work. She was mean and snide to kids, especially athletes and especially kids in her daughter's class. Now that I have her son she is a different animal. She is more of a positive parent, team player, mellowed and has grown up-we all do with time. Have I forgiven her for the hell she put me and my daughter through-yes because it was only hurting me. Have I forgotten-NO! I will always wait for the mean, nasty person to come back but right now she is at least tolerable! She is what I will always refer to as a "mean girl".
So today as I do everyday I try to offer a positive word to those around me. Be it "good luck tonight" to the kids who have a game this evening. Or "thank you" to a student when I ask them to do something and they do it without an attitude. It's the little things that make people want to be nice in return and maybe just makes their day a little bit brighter.
Positive thought of the day: Have a great day! : )
Sunday, November 30, 2014
What a difference a week makes
I have to admit that Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, if not the most favorite. The 4th of July holiday used to be a favorite but not so much any more. But Thanksgiving is a holiday that is all about family, appreciating all you are blessed with and being with others. There is no decorating, or holiday shopping rush. It seems to be a holiday that is getting muscled out by all those who want to rush into the Christmas season. But when it comes down to it, Thanksgiving needs to hold it's ground and make it a first priority over Christmas and all that goes with it.
I love the few days before Thanksgiving more than the days before Christmas. It seems with Christmas I am stressing out, cooking, food and Christmas shopping and all the rat race that goes with it. The week of Thanksgiving is about the food and preparing for those who are coming to celebrate. My kids arrive home some time that week and it becomes all about family and the meals and the time together. There is laundry and cooking in there too. But the fun times of spending time together are what I love the most. Laughter and cooking together have become more of a norm for us. And regardless of who does or does not make it home or who are no longer with us to celebrate the holiday, they are still with us in spirit. I love the feeling that we are here to celebrate each other rather than gifts and such.
So as this weekend winds down and I look back on the past four days I have nothing but great memories and leftovers that I shared! Yes it is a lot of work but so worth it. I enjoy the time together and the memories we made. Once everyone is back where they are suppose to be I will rest easy and head into the new week ahead. Thank you to all who made this holiday a thankful one for me, regardless if you were here or not- you were missed but I'm still thankful for all those who have been and still are part of my life.
Positive thought of the day: I'm thankful for the time I had with friends and family. It was all about the people and time spent together.
I love the few days before Thanksgiving more than the days before Christmas. It seems with Christmas I am stressing out, cooking, food and Christmas shopping and all the rat race that goes with it. The week of Thanksgiving is about the food and preparing for those who are coming to celebrate. My kids arrive home some time that week and it becomes all about family and the meals and the time together. There is laundry and cooking in there too. But the fun times of spending time together are what I love the most. Laughter and cooking together have become more of a norm for us. And regardless of who does or does not make it home or who are no longer with us to celebrate the holiday, they are still with us in spirit. I love the feeling that we are here to celebrate each other rather than gifts and such.
So as this weekend winds down and I look back on the past four days I have nothing but great memories and leftovers that I shared! Yes it is a lot of work but so worth it. I enjoy the time together and the memories we made. Once everyone is back where they are suppose to be I will rest easy and head into the new week ahead. Thank you to all who made this holiday a thankful one for me, regardless if you were here or not- you were missed but I'm still thankful for all those who have been and still are part of my life.
Positive thought of the day: I'm thankful for the time I had with friends and family. It was all about the people and time spent together.
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
A lot to be thankful for!
On this Thanksgiving eve we all typically reflect on what it is we are most thankful for. There is the standard and always popular- family- friends- a job-car-home-food on the table and such.
But what about the little things? The ability to swing your legs over the side of the bed each morning. Or the ability to see or breath freely, or to be able to go where you want because you are able and because you live in a free country. As a society we have a lot of things that we take for granted each day and usually never give it a second thought. The healthcare we do get, or the prescription that we can get filled to help maintain or improve our health.
The simple luxuries of filling your vehicle with gas and having the money to do so. Also the ability to run to the grocery store to get that gallon of milk or the fresh produce or meat for a healthy meal-these are indeed reasons to be thankful. Some people in this world, country, state or hometown don't know where their next meal is coming from.
You don't know what you've got until it's gone is a common statement and applies to tons of things. It could be someone who is gone from your life due to death, or by choice or because of a job or other commitment-appreciate those people regardless if they are still in this world or not. Appreciate the people around you, the good ones and the bad ones who make you appreciate the good ones!
And while you may not be celebrating this Thanksgiving holiday with all those you love and treasure it does not mean we are not thankful or the holiday has less meaning.
If miles are keeping your from a loved ones remember we are still very, very blessed for the fact that in this day and age of technology we can communicate instantly, 24/7. No more taking pictures and getting the film developed then getting prints and mailing them to people-you can take a picture and less than 5 seconds later they've got it!
So enjoy this season of thankfulness and try to keep this thankful feeling in your heart each day all throughout the year....because each and every day is a gift as well as the people who are in you life.
Positive thought of the day: THANK YOU!!!
But what about the little things? The ability to swing your legs over the side of the bed each morning. Or the ability to see or breath freely, or to be able to go where you want because you are able and because you live in a free country. As a society we have a lot of things that we take for granted each day and usually never give it a second thought. The healthcare we do get, or the prescription that we can get filled to help maintain or improve our health.
The simple luxuries of filling your vehicle with gas and having the money to do so. Also the ability to run to the grocery store to get that gallon of milk or the fresh produce or meat for a healthy meal-these are indeed reasons to be thankful. Some people in this world, country, state or hometown don't know where their next meal is coming from.
You don't know what you've got until it's gone is a common statement and applies to tons of things. It could be someone who is gone from your life due to death, or by choice or because of a job or other commitment-appreciate those people regardless if they are still in this world or not. Appreciate the people around you, the good ones and the bad ones who make you appreciate the good ones!
And while you may not be celebrating this Thanksgiving holiday with all those you love and treasure it does not mean we are not thankful or the holiday has less meaning.
If miles are keeping your from a loved ones remember we are still very, very blessed for the fact that in this day and age of technology we can communicate instantly, 24/7. No more taking pictures and getting the film developed then getting prints and mailing them to people-you can take a picture and less than 5 seconds later they've got it!
So enjoy this season of thankfulness and try to keep this thankful feeling in your heart each day all throughout the year....because each and every day is a gift as well as the people who are in you life.
Positive thought of the day: THANK YOU!!!
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Count with me...5...6...7...8!
I've never been a morning person, try as I might I still struggle with early mornings and I get worse with getting up early as the week goes along, not terrible but I'm not so gung-ho on Thursday as I am on Monday or Tuesday. BUT I no longer sleep in on the weekends. It wacks out my schedule. So early morning dance practice is not a favorite but we do get a lot done. And ya' gotta do what you've gotta do!
People are either morning people or not. Some people love mornings and get more done before the sun comes up than other people get done all day. I must admit I do get a lot done when I have to get up in the mornings. But being organized the night before is the secret to success for anyone's morning. I like to have everything ready the night before so if there are any glitches I can deal with them and keep moving rather than causing havoc and slowing me down.
You can tell who the morning people are when it comes to adults and kids. Some of my kids show up to early practices all bright eyed and bushy tailed, smiling and ready to roll. Others roll into practice grumpy and looking like they just got out of bed, which they probably did. And then there are those who have that grumpy look no matter what time of the day their day starts.
With dance you use counting, usually either with an 8 or 12 count. And I've noticed that at morning practices counting seems to be a struggle quite often. If you are suppose to go on the 6-count, go on the 6-count. Not the 5-1/2 count or the 7 count-the blessed SIX count!! After having a great practice yesterday after school my girls struggled with the simple task of counting and going on their count over and over and over again this morning. Not sure what the reason is, but counting to 8 and going on YOUR count was all over the place today and a struggle!
I used to use the "count to three" method with my own kids when they were little. They knew when I started counting they'd better be done doing whatever it was they were doing by the time I reached the number three. But alas my youngest son was sometimes a bit of a pill and so when I'd start to count to three he would often finish. After I would say 1...he would quickly add 2....3!!! It was funny but also frustrating! I don't honestly think he knew what he was doing other than counting with me!! Learning numbers and letter is important in early development! I'm wondering if he was at that time thinking his mom wasn't too smart since she could only count to three most days!!
I don't like to get in people's faces as far as when they are screwing up. But with this group of dancers, this year rather than make a general correction, I now call the girl out on her mess up. It's how I have to deal with this group with the circumstances we've had. I'm not longer being Mr. Nice-guy-too bad that's the way it goes. I'm sure to a couple of girls it feels like I am always on their case. But we are only as strong as our weakest dancer. Learn to count, listen and pay attention. So my solution to fix our counting problems, now that we are two weeks away from state, is EVERYBODY counts with me! All together now!! It usually does the trick and gets things into their brains and muscle memory! Counting to 8 with Lynn may be a good title for this method!
We are always counting, and as a non-math person I deal with math all the time. YUCK! Actually I'm a math hater, I dislike math with a passion but we use simple math daily from how many days until the weekend or next break to how to stage a dance and count it with the choreography to figuring out totals and such. It's just part of life.
So I guess my whole play on numbers is how important it is do your part are in life, from dancing to counting on people and working together. Know your counts, do your part and come in on YOUR count for pete's sake!
Positive thought of the day: Work together not against one another! : )
People are either morning people or not. Some people love mornings and get more done before the sun comes up than other people get done all day. I must admit I do get a lot done when I have to get up in the mornings. But being organized the night before is the secret to success for anyone's morning. I like to have everything ready the night before so if there are any glitches I can deal with them and keep moving rather than causing havoc and slowing me down.
You can tell who the morning people are when it comes to adults and kids. Some of my kids show up to early practices all bright eyed and bushy tailed, smiling and ready to roll. Others roll into practice grumpy and looking like they just got out of bed, which they probably did. And then there are those who have that grumpy look no matter what time of the day their day starts.
With dance you use counting, usually either with an 8 or 12 count. And I've noticed that at morning practices counting seems to be a struggle quite often. If you are suppose to go on the 6-count, go on the 6-count. Not the 5-1/2 count or the 7 count-the blessed SIX count!! After having a great practice yesterday after school my girls struggled with the simple task of counting and going on their count over and over and over again this morning. Not sure what the reason is, but counting to 8 and going on YOUR count was all over the place today and a struggle!
I used to use the "count to three" method with my own kids when they were little. They knew when I started counting they'd better be done doing whatever it was they were doing by the time I reached the number three. But alas my youngest son was sometimes a bit of a pill and so when I'd start to count to three he would often finish. After I would say 1...he would quickly add 2....3!!! It was funny but also frustrating! I don't honestly think he knew what he was doing other than counting with me!! Learning numbers and letter is important in early development! I'm wondering if he was at that time thinking his mom wasn't too smart since she could only count to three most days!!
I don't like to get in people's faces as far as when they are screwing up. But with this group of dancers, this year rather than make a general correction, I now call the girl out on her mess up. It's how I have to deal with this group with the circumstances we've had. I'm not longer being Mr. Nice-guy-too bad that's the way it goes. I'm sure to a couple of girls it feels like I am always on their case. But we are only as strong as our weakest dancer. Learn to count, listen and pay attention. So my solution to fix our counting problems, now that we are two weeks away from state, is EVERYBODY counts with me! All together now!! It usually does the trick and gets things into their brains and muscle memory! Counting to 8 with Lynn may be a good title for this method!
We are always counting, and as a non-math person I deal with math all the time. YUCK! Actually I'm a math hater, I dislike math with a passion but we use simple math daily from how many days until the weekend or next break to how to stage a dance and count it with the choreography to figuring out totals and such. It's just part of life.
So I guess my whole play on numbers is how important it is do your part are in life, from dancing to counting on people and working together. Know your counts, do your part and come in on YOUR count for pete's sake!
Positive thought of the day: Work together not against one another! : )
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
"I just like to smile, smiling's my favorite!!"
What makes you laugh or brings a smile to your face? Have you ever been in one of those situations where you are suppose to be serious but something funny happens and it hits you as incredibly humorous and you just can't contain your laughter or you end up looking like you are guilty when all you are doing is finding humor but trying to keep a straight face? Ah yes, we've all been there! I have a couple of occasions that I still think back to that bring a smile to my face or even a laugh! I love these moments.
There is a fine line between finding humor and laughing with someone and at someone else's mistakes or accidents-those hurt. I have someone in my life who takes great pleasure in laughing at and loves to draw attention to my blunders or lack of grace when I have those moments. This hurts my feelings-yep, I just admitted it. I know we all have our less than graceful moments but for me when someone trips or blunders, especially in front of other people I try to ignore or make light of it rather than draw attention-I try to be compassionate. We all know those people who take great pleasure in seeing other people mess up...not sure why or if they realize they do this, but this behavior has changed how much I interact or deal with this person, unless I absolutely have to. It's like they just wait for me to mess up. I just want to say to this person go find something positive to do with yourself rather than make me even more embarrassed or uncomfortable in life : (
Anyway back to humor in life! I love to laugh and find humor in life. I'll be the first one to laugh at myself for whatever reason.
I remember sitting in church once with my eldest niece and the bible reading by the lector was not funny but in the way the lady reading it did it. She read s-l-o-w-l-y and enunciated each and every word and read with exaggerated expression. It was not a drama filled scripture reading! It hit my niece, Brenda, and I as incredibly funny in the same way. We could not contain ourselves nor get ourselves pulled together. It was so bad that I thought I was settled down but then saw her shoulders shaking and I was a goner again! We got nothing out of church that day and to this day when I think about it I start to giggle and if I hear that bible reading it brings back great memories. I can even quote a few lines and do them just like that lady did that day!
It also seems that when life is tough or stressful or sad that laughter can help make things a little less as bad. I had an experience with my mom and sisters as we sat with my dad as he was in the last days of his life. I accidentally gave a close family relative the wrong name and everyone knew who I meant and it immediately hit us all as hysterically funny-we laughed and giggled about it for some time. It was still a running joke between my sisters and I when my mom passed.
I was about asleep last night when my lovely little, white, half-grown, kitten-Frosty decide it was a good idea and time to get up on the dresser that is sitting slightly askew from the wall. I turned off the lights and was trying to relax and fall asleep but Frosty thought it was playtime. I suddenly heard a clunk and this was followed by pitiful "meows" that also sounded rather muffled. I wondered and guess that someone had fallen behind the dresser and was stuck as I turned on the light. I was right! Guess who was behind the dresser and could not move or get out....I slid the dresser out and he was baffled by the room and just stood there. I was laughing and had to reach back and pick him up to get him out from behind the dresser. He was grateful and followed me then to bed, but I laid there in the dark laughing for quite some time. Only Frosty would do this kind of thing, in the dark and at night!
Anyway my point in all of this is that humor, in a positive way, is good for you! Laughter helps lift spirits and reduce stress. And I know there is a whole host of medical benefits of laughter. And honestly I have those days where I try to smile at someone who I am pretty sure won't smile back on purpose, and when I do smile and they don't smile back I have a little bit of an "upper hand moment". Ha! You can walk around frowning at the world and you are going to get that right back. I choose to smile and I usually get that back too...except for those really, really miserable people who no one wants to be around anyway. Go ahead and frown-you won't get far in life looking like that!
Positive thought of the day: Find something that makes you laugh and enjoy that laughter!
There is a fine line between finding humor and laughing with someone and at someone else's mistakes or accidents-those hurt. I have someone in my life who takes great pleasure in laughing at and loves to draw attention to my blunders or lack of grace when I have those moments. This hurts my feelings-yep, I just admitted it. I know we all have our less than graceful moments but for me when someone trips or blunders, especially in front of other people I try to ignore or make light of it rather than draw attention-I try to be compassionate. We all know those people who take great pleasure in seeing other people mess up...not sure why or if they realize they do this, but this behavior has changed how much I interact or deal with this person, unless I absolutely have to. It's like they just wait for me to mess up. I just want to say to this person go find something positive to do with yourself rather than make me even more embarrassed or uncomfortable in life : (
Anyway back to humor in life! I love to laugh and find humor in life. I'll be the first one to laugh at myself for whatever reason.
I remember sitting in church once with my eldest niece and the bible reading by the lector was not funny but in the way the lady reading it did it. She read s-l-o-w-l-y and enunciated each and every word and read with exaggerated expression. It was not a drama filled scripture reading! It hit my niece, Brenda, and I as incredibly funny in the same way. We could not contain ourselves nor get ourselves pulled together. It was so bad that I thought I was settled down but then saw her shoulders shaking and I was a goner again! We got nothing out of church that day and to this day when I think about it I start to giggle and if I hear that bible reading it brings back great memories. I can even quote a few lines and do them just like that lady did that day!
It also seems that when life is tough or stressful or sad that laughter can help make things a little less as bad. I had an experience with my mom and sisters as we sat with my dad as he was in the last days of his life. I accidentally gave a close family relative the wrong name and everyone knew who I meant and it immediately hit us all as hysterically funny-we laughed and giggled about it for some time. It was still a running joke between my sisters and I when my mom passed.
I was about asleep last night when my lovely little, white, half-grown, kitten-Frosty decide it was a good idea and time to get up on the dresser that is sitting slightly askew from the wall. I turned off the lights and was trying to relax and fall asleep but Frosty thought it was playtime. I suddenly heard a clunk and this was followed by pitiful "meows" that also sounded rather muffled. I wondered and guess that someone had fallen behind the dresser and was stuck as I turned on the light. I was right! Guess who was behind the dresser and could not move or get out....I slid the dresser out and he was baffled by the room and just stood there. I was laughing and had to reach back and pick him up to get him out from behind the dresser. He was grateful and followed me then to bed, but I laid there in the dark laughing for quite some time. Only Frosty would do this kind of thing, in the dark and at night!
Anyway my point in all of this is that humor, in a positive way, is good for you! Laughter helps lift spirits and reduce stress. And I know there is a whole host of medical benefits of laughter. And honestly I have those days where I try to smile at someone who I am pretty sure won't smile back on purpose, and when I do smile and they don't smile back I have a little bit of an "upper hand moment". Ha! You can walk around frowning at the world and you are going to get that right back. I choose to smile and I usually get that back too...except for those really, really miserable people who no one wants to be around anyway. Go ahead and frown-you won't get far in life looking like that!
Positive thought of the day: Find something that makes you laugh and enjoy that laughter!
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