Joy in the Laundry Room

Joy in the Laundry Room.

Joy in the Laundry Room

Barefooting

Happy Friday!

What would you be doing right at this moment if you could?  I tell you what I would be doing…I would be walking along the edge of the ocean , sinking my bare feet into the sand, while enjoying  the cool water flowing over my feet! This is my very favourite thing to do.  I absolutely love the feel of the earth beneath my feet, especially at the ocean.  There is something almost magical in the connection of my feet and the earth below me.  The other morning while sitting on my porch, with my coffee in hand and my bare feet dangling, I thought to myself;  gosh I love to be barefoot.  I  began to notice the relaxed state of my mind, body and spirit as I sat there unencumbered by shoes. Why is this such a freeing experience for me?

We all know that shoes were invented thousands of years ago.  Yet many people still prefer to do numerous activities barefoot.  Well the truth of the matter is, being barefoot can be good for you.  For one thing, walking barefoot utilizes muscles and tendons in your feet and calves that are not used when “stuffed” inside shoes. One has greater flexibility when barefoot. Kenyan athletes always run barefoot and have produced some of the best marathoner in the world.  Scientists have done studies on athletes training barefoot. Their evidence  has shown that training without shoes causes fewer injuries and also runners are able to run faster and further. Motion studies demonstrate that when running barefoot, one naturally lands on the forefoot, directly below the center of gravity. This results in optimum balance, increased stability, less impact, and greater propulsion. Going barefoot also strengthens your posture because one is not walking awkwardly in a shoe that isn’t designed to be walked in, for example high heels.
The human foot has 24 bones, working together in a complex structure designed to lessen  impact , combined with muscles tendons and ligaments that store energy during the footstep and release it at the end. Scientists have also proven that there is less knee injuries and leg maladies in cultures that are predominately barefoot. Reflexologists believe that there is an area in each of our feet designed to bring health to the rest of the body.

I have not been trained in the science of reflexology , but I do know that when I have my feet rubbed it is the most relaxing feeling ever.  I also sleep much better after a foot massage!

Without trying to sound out of my mind, I also suggest that there is a connection made between someone barefoot and the world around them.  Society today has become somewhat of a concrete jungle.  Everyday we are forced into our shoes, into our cars and into our cubicles to spend our day.  Shedding our shoes is a small way that we can reconnect to the simplicity of life.  It is like living  life without boundaries, so to speak.  When is the last time that your feet have relished in the feel of grass, damp with dew, underneath them? The sensations of different kinds of ground on the bottom of your feet are amazing.  Experiment with the textures that our Earth has to share with us.

Well on that note….think I will go sit on my porch and enjoy some Iced Tea…

BAREFOOT of course!

happy weekend!

 

See the Potential

Good morning everyone….another Monday.  At least this week it isn’t raining where I am.  But it’s still Monday and time for our Monday Motivational!

Have you ever watched the program “Flip This House?” I have watched that show while  thinking to myself, what do they see in that house?  That is the beauty of the show though.  The person who buys the house SEES the potential.  They are able to look beyond the current condition of the house and see real beauty that exists within it.  Once they have a vision of what they see the house as becoming, they begin the arduous task of flipping it.  Despite obstacles or anything that comes against them during the renovation, they are able to see in their mind the finished project.  They work tirelessly until they reach their goal.

My story begins with the fact that I have this tiny backyard.  When we bought the house a couple of years ago there was  rolled out sods of grass  in the backyard.  In attempt to sell the property the previous owner laid the sod making it look presentable.  The problem is the sod never took. So last year we pulled up the  dried dead sod because we wanted to redo the backyard.  Unfortunately for one reason or another that project never got done last summer.  So this year I had a backyard  full of dirt and weeds.  Quite disgusting really.  In my mind though I could see a cute space that would be relaxing and enjoyable.

I had a “deadline” in mind because I knew my sister and her husband were coming to visit us this summer and this yard had to look good!  There was no way I was having them visit and see my disgusting backyard of dirt and ever-growing weeds!  The way the weeds grow really makes me wonder why the grass couldn’t do the same thing….but I guess that’s just the way it is.  Those weeds are hearty!  For a couple of details that I feel you need to know to understand the depth of this story better are:

 

* I am not a strong person.

*  I am just 5 feet tall when I stretch.

* I am not a landscaper.

* I had a limited amount of funds for this project.

* I had ONE day left till they would arrive.

Last Thursday, I set out to start and complete this project.  I began by pulling all the weeds out of the ground.  This in itself was quite the job.  But understand, I saw the potential in my mind of this backyard.  I saw that it could look good. With complete focus I continued on throughout the day.  I put bricks down.  I planted flowers.  I put mulch down.   I worked and worked and as I did I was so excited , simply because I saw the yard becoming a place of beauty.  While I was out in the backyard I was “blogging” in my mind.  I wanted to share.  I had to tell everyone.  Sometimes when you look at something that looks downright useless and ugly, with a vision and an action plan it can be turned into a thing of beauty and purpose.  Honestly, if you saw this yard before and then after, it is startling to see the difference.  I began to think of so many concepts while undertaking this project.  I thought of the concept that no matter what the current condition of something, it can be “flipped” into something useful and appealing  I began to think of people and how stuck they sometimes feel in situations that are ugly.  How they begin to think, it’s useless.  They imagine that nothing can be done to salvage them.  I was full of faith and motivation realizing the truth,  with a vision and an action plan nothing exists that can’t be flipped into something favourable.

 

 

Today, I encourage you to take those things that you think are useless and ugly and make them into a place of magnificence!  Have a vision and make an action plan and follow through!  The finished project will leave you feeling so accomplished.  As I sat in my flipped backyard on Thursday evening viewing the finished project, I can not express the joy I had.  I had turned this pathetic place into a haven of peace that my family, friends and I can now enjoy.

Have an incredible day!

Charlene

Our Words are like Toothpaste

Sometimes having a visual to teach a lesson is very effective.  One day,when my children were younger, I shared with them a” Life Lesson” about the usage of words.  I had them gather around the table and gave each one of them an unopened tube of toothpaste and a blank sheet of paper.  I asked them to open up the toothpaste and squirt it all out onto the paper.  They had so much fun doing this.  I mean seriously when is a kid ever told they can play with the toothpaste! Of course during this time they were constantly asking questions as to why they were doing this.  I told them they would soon find out.
After they had successfully emptied their tubes of toothpaste, I told them to put all the toothpaste back into the tube!  They laughed and said, “Mom, that’s not possible!” That is the exact concept I wanted them to understand.  What an open moment to teach a valuable lesson.  I explained to them that our WORDS are just like the toothpaste, once they come out of your mouth you can never get them back!  It is so important to think before you spurt out words that you may later regret. So often we speak before we think.  It is easier to react with out taking the time to pause and reflect on the power of our words.  Today I encourage you to always be mindful of your words.  Before you react or respond to others listen to what you are saying.  Take the time to formulate a wise answer.  Use your words to lift up, to build up and to encourage those around you!

This little experience with the toothpaste has remained with my family throughout the years.  We still say, Remember the toothpaste!

Monday’s Motivational Moment

Happy Monday!  I know…it’s MONDAY! Weekends are so wonderful. They are full of fun, family and relaxation. Then along rolls Monday…the dreaded day to start another week.  (and it’s worse when it’s raining, like it is here today.)  You remember the song, Rainy Days and Mondays, always get me down?  That is exactly  why I have decided to try something new, beginning today.  Each Monday I will post “Monday’s Motivational Moment.”  This will give us something to start our week off on a positive note.

To begin with, the definition of Motivation is as follows:

mo·ti·va·tion

noun

1.the act or an instance of motivating, or providing with a reason to act in a certain way: I don’t understand what her motivation was for quitting her job. Synonyms: motive, inspiration, inducement, cause, impetus.

2.the state or condition of being motivated: We know that these students have strong motivation to learn.

3.something that motivates; inducement; incentive: Clearly, the company’s long-term motivation is profit.

So my new challenge to myself is, to motivate all my friends and followers each Monday! Trust me, I am as human as the rest of you and when I woke up this morning to rain and dullness and realizing  it was a Monday morning, everything inside me wanted to pull the covers over my head and go back to sleep.  But as I was laying there I thought of my family, friends, and followers and immediately filled with an excitement to connect….to say something that may somehow help us all reach higher ground today.  So I felt compelled to get up and get going.  I could hardly fix my coffee fast enough because I wanted to be with all of you.  Maybe that sounds silly but it isn’t.  We are all part of the circle of people that we influence.  I want to make a difference.  I want to share the insights and tips that have helped me grow.  I want to develop more each day and see others around me grow as well.  I guess being motivated involves being passionate about something!  So today, my question to you is, “what are you passionate about?”  What makes every nerve ending in your body tingle when you think about it?  What causes you to truly feel ALIVE?  These are the things that will motivate you and inspire you.  When you are passionate about something, you want to give your all.  I encourage you to start your week thinking about your passions and where you can make a difference in this world that we share. Remember it doesn’t have to be some “big thing” either.  Often times, we may be the one to motivate, inspire, or just bring a smile to one other person.  In the grocery store, learn to smile at the cashier, rather than complain.  Hold the door open for someone who has packages in their hands.  Practice random acts of kindness.  By doing these small things, your heart begins to become passionate about caring for others in this world.  If we would begin on a small-scale to practice this, our world would begin to feel the effects of love and acceptance rather than the violence and hate that is so prevalent .

Hope you feel a bit of motivation on this Monday!

Have an amazing day,

Charlene

The Ugly Monster- Self Sabotage

Do you find yourself setting goals, only to make little progress in completing them?  Do you have a pile of unfinished goals/projects that stare at you, making you feel even more unsuccessful? Do you experience great joy beginning a goal, to soon find yourself off track?
If this is you…more than likely you are sabotaging your own self.  You may be focusing on unhealthy behaviors or perhaps you are listening to negative self-limiting voices in your mind.
But WHY would I sabotage my own progress, you may ask yourself.  Often times we have feelings of inner shame, anger or unworthiness.  The lies that we have listened to all of our lives have become incorporated into our minds causing us to sabotage ourselves. While we are busy living our lives, we unconsciously make choices that sabotage our deepest desires.
In order to make this stop you need to dig deep into your heart to find out where these self-limiting beliefs stem from.  Identify the source and begin to replace these thoughts with truth.  For example if you feel like a terrible mother, take out a notebook and list reasons that reflect the truth, that you are a great mother. If you struggle with finding positive things to write…look even for the tiniest bits of truth to enable you to begin to alter your negative thinking.  Between parents, siblings, friends, spouses, employers, and media we all have been feed negative concepts that we simply”aren’t good enough.” Refute each thought that is negative with truthful, loving and positive words.  Sprinkle love to yourself.
This isn’t a one day exercise!  It will take time for  you to heal from the negative impact others  have made in our feelings of worth. I can guarantee you, however, if  you begin to shift the negative thoughts  into  positive thoughts, you will be released and you will begin to experience freedom and empowerment unlike anything you have ever experienced prior to now!  You are WORTH it!

***email me at charlene@topsspot.ca if you are interested in taking an 8 week  E-Course on Self-Sabotage***

Empowering you to reach the TOP,
Charlene

Me….First

I remember the first time I took an airplane and the flight attendant began to explain all the emergency directives.  It struck me odd when she stated that the oxygen mask would fall from the compartment above  and I was to put it on myself first...even if I were traveling with little children.  I thought to myself that I would immediately jump out of my seat and begin to attach the masks to everyone around me.  After all that’s just the way I roll, always helping others before myself!  It took a few minutes for me to wrap my head around what was actually being said.  IF I didn’t put my oxygen mask on first, then I actually would not be able to help others because I wouldn’t be able to breathe!
Seriously, this concept really took root in my “self- goes-last” brain.  The entire flight I contemplated this thought.
How often do we, especially as women, go through life helping everyone else and leaving little or no room for self-care?  I have learned since this experience how VITAL it is for me to take care of myself, in order to be of value to those I love.  It certainly takes a mind shift at first, but as the truth of this concepts takes seed in your mind, you will be able to begin to put yourself and your needs first.  I am not suggesting a selfish attitude, but simply that you learn to step back and give yourself blocks of time to do things that bring health and vitality into your own life.  It can be as easy as spending an hour reading,  doing a craft, taking a hot bath, gardening, or going for a walk.  Whatever activity brings you joy….do it!

Sometimes this will mean that you have to say NO to someone in your life who constantly seems to rob you of your own space.  Learning how to say no to others empowers you.  Don’t feel guilty, instead feel happy that you have seen the importance of taking care of YOU.
As you incorporate this habit into your life, those around you will see its importance and the strength that it gives you.

Remember, attach your oxygen mask first…and then assist those around you !
Enjoy your day!
Charlene