Hi all & welcome back! I’ve been legit slow with this blog, so I’m ramping back up! I’ve been spending time focusing on what I want to share on this blog and have figured out a plan to try and keep myself disciplined on sharing my story with all of you in the interweb on a regular basis! I just came back from a wonderful weekend in NH skiing with friends and I wanted to share two big lessons that really came to light over the course of the 3 days away in the snow.
First lesson: Celebrate Success, always.
We all need to celebrate success more often. In our every day lives, no matter how big or small, we need to take the time to pat ourselves on the back a little bit more. I’m not one to celebrate any success – anyone will tell you that! I can always find flaws with whatever I do, I can always find areas for improvement. I can always tell myself that I’m not good enough, that I should be better. I tore my ACL 4 years ago as of this past Saturday (March 3, 2013). I’m no dare-devil over here, never have been – if anything, I’m a bit too conservative. So when I tore my ACL while skiing, I know it impacted me mentally as well as physically and made me even more cautious. Why would I ever go back to the same mountain? Why would I risk having that happen again and have to go through THAT surgery and post-op? I love skiing, even though everything tells me that I shouldn’t ski. The ACL. The 8 hand and toe warmers and the multiple layers. The anxiety I have every time I get off the chair lift and look down the mountain. Its scary. Let’s be real. I’m an adult and I’m scared on a regular basis and I put myself in these situations! Every single run. But it is also so much fun and so rewarding! No matter what happens, every time I make it down the mountain, every time I make it through the slushy mounds of snow, every time I ski across ice and don’t fall, I’m so proud of myself. I’m so proud that I did it! I overcame my fears. I pat myself on the back and I feel accomplished. I don’t think anyone knows the emotional roller coaster I go through when I go skiing, but there is so much going on in this head of mine.
I want to share this with others because every day we do various things that scare us. We overcome challenges that only we as individuals know. We speak up in a meeting when we’re surrounded by others that intimidate us. that don’t believe in us, that don’t care to hear what we have to say. We push ourselves extra during a work out class, we challenge ourselves physically when we’re tired, lack motivation, and feel we can’t push ourselves to that level. We speak in front of a group even though we’re sweating like crazy and wondering if the whole ‘picture them in their underwear’ thing has actually ever worked. We face our fears every day and every day we should build ourselves up by acknowledging our achievements (no matter the size) and celebrate our successes! If we don’t, who will?!
Second lesson, Always Laugh so Hard you Cry.
One of the best parts of these weekends away with friends is all the laughing! My favorite quote has always been “The most wasted of all days is one without laughter” – e. e. cummings. This has followed me through life since I was a child. As I go through the ups and downs of life, I ground myself on this mantra. I am always looking to find more opportunities to laugh, to cry with laughter. My advice to anyone: surround yourself with people who make you laugh uncontrollably. Make time to share adventures with friends and always look for the funny part of whatever you’re doing.
Just Lau
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I’m convinced this keeps you in check. I’m convinced this helps you keep perspective. I’m convinced this is exactly what I need more of in my life. I laughed to tears so many times this weekend and so many times I realized I had a huge smile on my face for what I thought was no reason. It was because I was genuinely having a great time; I was filled with happiness. I was happy with the present, the here & now: with the present activity, the present experience, the present company. I was happy and I loved that feeling. As I look at 2018, I need more of this. I want it. Always laugh no matter the situation.
Hope you enjoyed this motivational monday! Have a good one!
– A