A fresh path in the snow...

Making a fresh path…
I was the first one up and out this morning with the dogs. A fresh blanket of snow awaited our new paw prints.
As I walked with Toby and Sammie I thought of the new paths we often take this time of year (new year’s resolutions in particular) and how similar it can be to making the first path on a snowy morning. The going is harder in the fresh snow. I had to make the way through the snow plowed corners and lift Toby over the 3 foot bank. We couldn’t quite see the way – where is the sidewalk anyway? There was hidden danger as ice was underneath. And it hurt when the snow froze in between the toes on the paws. Even though we had been around this block before, it was different on this morning when the snow covered the way.
How often it is like that in life. We may have been down this road before, but the path is harder the first time through it. There are hidden dangers (temptations and set backs) and yes it even hurts sometimes.
However I really did enjoy being the first one out there. I was breaking the trail for someone else. I would be the one the next person would follow. And I knew the next time out here it would be easier- someone was going to clear the way and make it better for me after the shoveling and salting.
So whether you like or hate the snow – there is a story in it, there is inspiration in it if you are willing to make your way through it.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

The reason for the season?

I sometimes forget. At this time of year there is so much going on - and it is contrary to what I think winter and the holiday of Christmas should be.
The bears and most animals are smarter than we are I think. They slow down, they tunnel in, they REST at this time of year. But what do we do? We eat too much, move too little, worry and scurry....

Winter is so beautiful here in WI and I want to take more time to enjoy it. The snowfall the other night was so beautiful! The tail lights and stop lights and holiday lights make the drive so festive. The warming joy hot chocolate brings!

I think of the warming fires for the shepherds in the fields, the dazzling light in the sky, the joy the birth of our King brought... and yet there was hurrying and scurrying going on according to that story too. People coming into town from everywhere and not enough room for everyone to stay. Stress as a baby is about to be born - oh my gosh - can you imagine dealing with that?!

But then there was rest and celebration and peace and joy.
I hope you find these things during this time of year. That is my wish for you - to remember the reason for this season.
Love, Carol

10,000 A Day Keep the Dr. Away

10,000 a Day keeps the Doctor (and the pounds) Away

Today I would like to share with you four ways to better health.

An Apple a Day keeps the Doctor Away is something we have all heard.
An apple can provide more energy than two cups of regular coffee –so have an apple instead of the Starbucks everyday! (Save $ too!)

8 a day – required for good health –
Most if us are walking around dehydrated. This leads to workplace mistakes and accidents.
Dehydration is often masked as a headache, hunger, lethargy? So drink up!
Consider milk as a food, pop as a diuretic (water doesn’t have the chance to be absorbed) and most juices as pure sugar empty calories – which isn’t good for regulating energy levels!
Tips to get your water: Visit the drinking fountain on every trip to the restroom, get a pretty mug- 1 cup of coffee, then 1 cup water.

10 a day – servings of fruit and veggies is what my doctor recommended – while this is sometimes hard to do – think salads, think snacks – this is a good way to get in the 10 servings a day. I have taken up the habit of having a banana in the morning and an apple in the afternoon, carrot sticks while I cook at night and lots of salads. Try something new… pretend you have joined the Fruit or Veggie of the Month club! Try mangos, return to something you love (sweet potatoes, grapes, tomatoes.) Add lettuce and toms to that burger or chicken sandwich.


10,000 steps a day is what is recommended in order to lose weight and walking is a sport for just about everyone. On average we get about 3,000 steps in per day, but if you are not office bound it might be eye-opening to hook on a pedometer and see what an average number of steps for you is over a three or four day time period. To lose weight, they recommend 12,000 steps a day!!!
Get the right shoes, cheap pedometer, start slow and steady – build up, start a walking club at work, get a dog!

Setting a goal is important – either a daily goal, a monthly goal or an exercise goal… My goal is to do the Stoughton Syttende Mai walk in May – 17 miles… WOW! I am working up my total mileage each week and a long walk once a week. Some other ways I try to incorporate these things is to have a reminder on my computer to “Drink up!” Always have two veggies for supper (And French fries don’t count!) When eating out I would exchange a salad for fries – just this once…you get two or three veggie servings right there!

So remember, 1 a day, 8 a day, 10 a day or 10,000 a day are some ways to improve your energy and health. I hope you will adopt one of these ideas to help you on the way to positive health.

At least we’re dressed….

As I was walking my dogs one morning I was thinking about the level of stress we have had at work and how it seems like we can never get caught up. We are also feeling the pressure of not doing our job as well or as perfectly as we’d like to. I know this is a struggle many of us face…Striving for perfection is not always what it is cracked up to be, but we can hope to come somewhat close on most days.

As I was walking, wishing Toby and Sammie would take care of business a little bit quicker and not stop to smell every spot of discolored snow, I was thinking of all I had left to do before work. I was thinking maybe if I could get up just ten minutes earlier, life wouldn’t be so chaotic in the morning. Just like at work, maybe if I had just a few more hours, I could get that project done and have it be a little more polished rather than doing just the bare minimum.

Then I thought of how much this situation parallels my every morning of every day and how I just wish I had more time….

If I had more time in the morning…

I would make eggs and hash browns and bacon and muffins

I would actually enjoy a whole cup of coffee – sitting down!

I would wear jewelry that actually matches my outfit – including earrings, necklace and ring!

I would be sure to have my slacks ironed.

I might even coordinate my underthings so that they’d match (and I’d feel pretty!)

I would make myself a healthy lunch instead of shoving a lean cuisine into my oversized bag

I would wear matching shoes! And socks!

I would actually put on eye shadow and use lip liner

rather than a swipe of eye liner and chapstick

I would brush my teeth for the ADA recommended two minutes…

And I would floss.

I would walk the dogs an extra block and let them play for a few minutes with their friends Abby, Stella, Molly, Rocko, Coco,or Abe or Bitsy or Tiny or Gizmo if they are out

However since most mornings are NOT at all like this - the best you and I can hope for is to say….

At least I am dressed…

SO be glad you are not going into work naked, and be happy if your shoes and socks match – sometimes that is the MOST we can do!

Love and hugs,

Carol

While walking the dogs....

I was walking my dogs early this morning when a fellow dog owner came out of his house with his dog. I have seen him before and I watched closely how he was treating this animal. He was not very kind to this dog and you could see the submission in this beautiful beast. I am not sure what kind of dog, but it is large, long-legged with a big head. When I have seen them before he is always shouting "NO, NO" at the poor thing. And this morning it was the same. My frustration comes with the knowledge that dogs, like people, do not always know what to do as an alternative to "No" or "Don't".

It reminded me of a motivational speaker I admire - Denis Waitley - and how he would say "You can't 'do' a 'don't." Meaning if someone tells you "don't do this..." you are very inclined to do that exact thing because it is what you focus on... For example - if you tell someone "Don't forget to....whatever it is" guess what? They are very likely to do exactly that "forget"... and not do "remember" which is what you really want.
In advising students and my advice to my kids I try very hard to focus on the positive or on the "do" versus the"don't" because you get better results...

Let's try what I mean... if you say "Don't spill that coffee" versus "Please hold on tight to that coffee cup", which do you think works better? Or when dealing with children, how about "Stay inside the playroom" versus "Don't go into the other room" The child knows what to do versus all of the options confronted him by what "not to do". How about "Don't you go near the street" versus "You can stay beside me on the sidewalk when we are walking" or "You can stay in the driveway while on your bike". By stating the behavior you want you also set up opportunites for praise.

Even as grown up I try to focus on the positive - something as simple as "Feel free to contact me" versus "Don't hesitate to call" send different messages and calls for different action.

SO going back to the poor dog...if the owner would just tell the dog to "sit", "stay" or "come" then the dog know what to do and is set up to be praised versus having him say "No" to anything the dog does... you end up with one frustrated owner and one confused and miserable dog...





-