Learning Wisdom from Others

I was able to have lunch with an amazing group of women a couple weeks ago.  They are more mature and experienced in life, marriage, family, and home than I am.  I absolutely enjoyed partaking of their conversation, advice, and stories.  Being the youngest in the group doesn’t happen as often as it used to.  One of the women apologized that I was having to socialize with “older” women and was worried I felt awkward.  Are you kidding?  I LOVED IT!! 

I learned new things about these women, home & family tricks, and how to better serve in my community.  One woman talked about her world champion horse, losing weight, and taking dance class.  Hooray for her!!  I enjoyed hearing about these positive things in her life.  Another woman came from work on her lunch break, and talked about her love of canning and preserving.  She brought a great tool she uses to keep her lids from sticking together!  And she shared a makeup tip.  Another gal talked about moving from California to Idaho to be near her best friend and sister and how she is so happy she made this change!  There was a new friend that told us about an organization she and her husband are a part of.  They get to go to Africa with families who are looking to adopt out of country.  They help in the orphanages with physical and emotional needs.  I was so humbled to hear of her passion and love for this cause.  One of the Ladies was already a friend of mine (the one who apologized); she shared her story of giving her kidney to her son with kidney disease.  She talked about the testing and the doctor’s doubts.  She shared her good health choices and how they made it possible to share her kidney with her son.  Another gal talked about traveling the world with her husband and how happy she is that they can enjoy it together.  She offered cleaning tips for the home.  The last lady to share told about an accident her husband had when falling off a ladder.  The head injury he received and the bleak outcome that the doctors have given him.  He is home, and she is his caretaker, for now.  They are hopeful, prayerful, and grateful.  She feels so lucky to still have him with her, no matter the challenge.  They are positive that they can work through this.

I shared my story of where I grew up, how I met my husband, and my current journey to Mrs. Idaho America.  I talked about my platform, Be The Positive.  I expressed the importance of having a positive attitude and having something that we enjoy to help us through the tough times.  I didn’t need to share for long.  These women have amazing experiences and positive attitudes.  They inspired me to be more positive that day!!  What a blessing for me to be invited to attend this luncheon.  Truly inspiring.  I now have 6 new friends.  None of which are old or boring!  Thank You Ladies for your wisdom and friendship.  The only thing I regret, is I didn't get any pictures!!!!  Oops!

Belly Dance !?!

I LOVE to try new things.  It helps me gain a new perspective, create a new hobby, and learn something new.  It can be frustrating and challenging.  That is why I do it, to challenge myself and challenge my positive point of view.  

I started taking a Belly Dance class about 8 months ago.  It is so fun, challenging, and engaging.  I am definitely a beginner.  But so is everyone else in the class.  We are busy watching our own feet and trying to learn something new.  We don't to care about what other's think.  The class is so liberating.  

Our instructor, Katisha, teaches us to keep trying, feel the dance.  Our bodies and brains aren't working together with all the moves, but she is so encouraging and helpful.  We keep trying.  She goes over the moves and counts as many times as we need.  She teaches us some of the history and culture of the differences in dance.  It so fun to learn how different cultures have interpreted this form of dance.  

I love the environment in the class.  We are all women trying something new, encouraging one another, laughing together (not at each other), and discovering a new sense of our female side.  It is so exhilarating when we learn new dance moves or try dancing with a veil, or finger symbols.  We are doing something bigger than ourselves and finding a new world.

If you know me, you know the following pictures are awkward for me to post.  If you don't know me- I am a very modest person.  I don't like to show a lot of skin or wear skimpy things.  I do hope you can appreciate the costume as much as I did.

This is a traditional costume, Katisha brought for me to try on.  I appreciate being able to put the costume on.  It lit a fire inside.  I couldn't stop smiling.  While learning the dance moves and trying the finger symbols, I felt like the dance was part of me.  I was doing it!  We did some veil dance, and I flowed through the room.  Katisha could see it.  Putting on the costume, really brought the dance to life for me.

This is my instructor Katisha.  She is beautiful inside and out.  She has been dancing since she was 14, if I remember correctly.  She was born in Istanbul, Turkey.  She is currently taking more Belly Dance lessons and is part of a performing group.  She is very knowledgeable about Belly Dance, the history & cultures, and the Belly Dance culture in our own community.

I look forward to Wednesday mornings.  It is such a great opportunity to break away from daily tasks and learn something new.  I go find a new energy, positive outlook, and a renewed sense of self.  I encourage all of you to look up a local belly dance class.  Come to Idaho Athletic in Eagle and join us!  If it's not Belly Dance, find something new, something you've always wanted to try.  You may find something positive out of it.

Setting Goals

We all need to set goals.  It gives us something to work toward.  Whether it’s a goal to read a book, or find peace in our lives, become physically fit, get an education, or even get dinner on the table tonight.  We all have goals big and small.  We may not even realize how many goals we set in a day.  We call it our “to do list”.  But to accomplish these goals we have to have a plan.

Goals can become habit, they can improve your overall life, and even other’s.  Some goals can be life changing events.   My current goals that change my daily routine are to learn about & participate (& do well) in the Mrs. Idaho Pageant (plus all the community involvement that goes along with it!).  I need to work out to become physically fit enough to be on stage in a swimsuit, without having a panic attack.  I do have other things in life I would like to do, but I have not created a plan for those.  This is where I have prioritized my time.

There is a person in my life that has been an uplifting voice, encouraging attitude, and perfect picture of endurance.  It is my sister-in-law, Lindsay.  She is always smiling, and sharing positive and kind words.  I’ve never heard her speak ill of another person or put anyone down.  I enjoy being around her, hearing from her, and having her as family and a friend.

Lindsay was a source of inspiration to me this past weekend.  Lindsay told me a few months ago she was doing a sprint triathlon.  She was nervous, but used her knowledge and resources and trained.  Lindsay did research on bikes, attire, wet suits, and training schedules.  She watched YouTube videos to help her be a better swimmer.  She went to the gym and swam laps (sometimes twice a day), rode bikes, and ran.  She practiced transitioning between swim, bike, & run.  She studied the course map and drove the race route.  She practiced swimming in open water; she practiced riding the bike route.  Lindsay has a hubby who made a great support team!  She also had a pretty fun cheering section. ;) 

The day of the event arrived.  We were at the lake early in the morning to cheer her on.  She started & we could barely keep up with her!  She was a speed demon on that course.  She felt good, she had prepared, and the goal was being accomplished!!  She place 1^st in her age division.  It was so fun to see her accomplish this goal she had been working toward.  Lindsay enjoyed it, she was prepared for it, and she performed exceptionally well.  And was still up for pageant shopping afterward!!

It is such an inspiration of how goal setting should be.  Make a plan, work toward that plan, and don’t give up.  Having an event at the end really helps.  You know you have to have it done by a certain time.  My personality type needs something like that to help accomplish goals.  The Pageant as a deadline has been good for me.  Now I want to try a triathlon too!!  Lindsay has given me a lot of energy & great tips.  I know triathlon season is about over & I’m concentrating on the pageant right now.  But I would love to do one next spring/ summer.

I don’t feel like I’m saying anything new.  But hopefully this gives you a nice reminder, a gentle push, or new perspective to goal setting; and maybe even physical fitness.  Please share goals you have set & are working on, or have accomplished!  I would love hear your success stories.  Share some of the struggles you have had while working on goals.  Let’s see if a new perspective can help!!?