Day 230: Just Magnificent

...Bored?

Watch this video and feel "Magnificent, Just Magnificent."

Day 229: The Call of Calm

Dang. I know I talked about changing one's ringtone (literally - but mostly figuratively) in a previous post. But, man, oh man! What a difference it makes!

I used to absolutely hate talking on the phone. I would, unknowingly at the time, tense up when I heard the phone ringing.

But now - now I'm filled with curiosity at who is calling.

Now, I actually like to hear my phone ring.

Because I genuinely enjoy the sound of it.

Adriene, from Yoga with Adriene, always tells us "find what feels good." And boy does that hold true - even when it comes to the sounds your phone makes.

But finding what feels good is more than just pleasure for the senses. It comes from a deeper place. From connection to the inside. And can be identified through an emotional (or gut) response.

When I was picking my new ringtone it first captured my attention because it was pleasing to hear. But more than that, I felt a sense of calm as I continued to listen to it.

My imagination quickly created an image in my mind of me missing all future phone calls because I was too busy enjoying -and relaxing - to the new sound of my ringtone.

"This is really nice," I thought with a blissful, closed-eye smile stretched across my face.

But then Hazey showed up.

"Yeah, but how will you hear it? It's quieter than your other ringtone and you could barely ever hear that."

She had a point.

 

The new peaceful piano ringtone was less ear-piercing than the former. But, . . . if I wasn't answering my phone to begin with, what difference does it make if the same outcome continues with a more pleasant sound?

Quite honestly, the idea of using my ringtone, on the rare occasion it went off, to enjoy and take a few seconds to consciously relax didn't sound so bad to me.

Dare I say, I was tickled by the idea?

Plus, if I didn't like it I could always change it.

As in life, nothing is permanent.

And with impermanence comes an amazing gift. The opportunity to continuously experience and enjoy, change, and grow.

There is no time restriction for feeling good.

It doesn't have limitations to where it can or cannot be experienced or by who it can and cannot be obtained.

Feeling good is accessible to everyone.

For a brief moment.

For a prolonged span.

Awareness cultivates good feelings.

Appreciation magnifies them.

So here's a challenge: Next time you are doing something that gives you pause - no matter how brief - stop and pay attention to how you feel.
What's your body doing (or not doing)?

Where do your thoughts go (or not go)?

Feeling neutral when you usually feel overcharged?

Feeling energized when you typically feel depleted?

Feeling calm when you normally feel stressed?

Pay attention.

And if you're feeling adventurous, try out a change.

It may have bigger impacts than you'd imagine!

Day 228: 20 one-liners

My last class assignment - write 20 one-liner jokes.

1. I got into a little fender bender at the grocery store the other day.
    It was in aisle 4. . . and aisle 12 . . .

 

2. I find it weird when couples look like each other. They're probably thinking, "well, once we have a kid, no one will question if we're related anymore."

 

3. What do you say when an atheist sneezes?
    Nothing

 

4. Isn't it weird how flowers tend to give off more odor when they're dying?
    That's probably why old people start to smell.

 

5. Washing your hair is a sham - poo doesn't belong on your head!

 

6. I think hair must be pretty dumb, it never learns to do anything on it's own - even after years of conditioning!

 

7. People who talk a lot are generally pretty out-going, probably because no one wants them in-staying.

 

8. They say owning a pet is good practice for taking care of a child, but do you really need more practice if you already date straight men?

 

9. I've heard sex and cereal is a thing now- it's supposed to make for cheeri- Os

 

10. I walk into a friend's apartment and hear her telling someone, "I just don't like your personality. I don't think we should see each other anymore."
She was standing in front of a mirror.

 

11. I saw an ex-boyfriend a few days ago and am at a loss for the way to best describe him . . . petite?

 

12. My friend asked me if I liked her new earring, then she showed me her hand [ring with an ear on it]

 

13. I got asked out via FB messenger recently.
      I didn't expect it to be by a former classmate's mom...

 

14. Alarm clocks don't make sense to me, why would you want to feel frightened right when you wake up?

 

15. I do a moderate amount of apartment gardening, but the winter months make it harder. So when it's cold I just stick to growing leg hair.

 

16. Abortion - it's not as boring as it sounds!

 

17. Social media is like pink eye, bad for your eyes and contagious as hell

 

18. I've always loved Raisin Bran, but I feel like at this point - shouldn't Bran be able to take care of himself?

 

19. Therapy is like poop spray, it helps you feel better about all of your shit.

 

20. Bad dates are like sentences, the easiest way to end them is using your period.

Day 227: Church Coaching

For the better part of a year I've experienced a recurring call (can it still be considered a 'call' if it feels more like a tug?) to offer my coaching services to the church community I am a silent member of.

I've listened to many great homilies with deep hitting messages. And for some reason, the same question has continued to pop into my head after hearing every one of them.

"But, will people know how to break this goal down into small enough steps that they can actually get there?"

My heart's immediate response every time has been: "I can help with this!!"

My desire is to help others turn passionate and heartfelt, yet ambiguous, goals into reality by way of self-discovery and self-understanding.

It's my guess is that by the time most of us come to the end our lives on this earth, we'll have only uncovered a small percentage of what was possible for us.

Think about it. 

We were created by the same God that constructed the universe and the cosmos!
If that's who our maker is, then there's sure as heck more to each and every one of us than meets the eye.

So what keeps us from exploring all that we are?

I can only speak for myself, but my top reasons boil down to:

1. Lack of exposure: I didn't even learn what life coaching or self-discovery were until I was well into early adulthood
2. Lack of direction/guidance: I had no idea how to break down goals into small achievable steps or how to overcome challenging obstacles and setbacks in ways that work specifically for me

We are all going through this life together, even when it doesn't feel like it. 

 

When we take the time to discover and light our own path, we create light for others as well. Thus, improving life not only for ourselves, but all those around us.

It doesn't matter if you are 'religious' or not, go to church or not, follow certain teachings or subscribe to various labels. 

 

Coaching brings you closer to yourself, which in turn connects you much more to everything else.

Don't believe me? Try out a few sessions and prove me wrong - I DARE YOU!

 

Here's the booking link: Sarahpie Coaching Free Consultation

Day 226: Fender Bender

I got into a little fender bender at the grocery store the other day.
It was in aisle 10.

This was not the cart I hit (the first or the second!), but I did think it was kind of odd and a bit inconsiderate to abandon one's cart in the literal middle of the aisle. So I decided to document.

Day 225: Showing Up

If you're like me having big goals is great, but they can also be pretty intimidating.

Especially when things don't go as expected (as expectations have a way of turning great opportunities into disappointments).

What I've found (and continually find myself 'rediscovering' over and over) is that there are always much smaller goals in place before the big one can be accomplished.

Often these smaller goals are disguised as tasks or actions - the building blocks of progress.

And, when viewed as tasks rather than goals, it is way too easy to become overwhelmed with stress.

Why?

Because the learning, knowledge, and information that can be gained from these 'tasks' or 'actions' is overlooked. And when this happens, when we aren't actively learning from what's going on around us, we will eventually find ourselves in a bit of a slump. Feeling stuck, lost, stressed, pressured, and wondering where the fire and excitement we used to have for the goal has gone.

This is a crummy place to be.
I'm finally starting to come out of my own brief stay here.

The thing that helped me flip the switch and remove stress and pressure was zeroing back in on the smaller goals. And not just the tasks themselves, but WHY I am doing the tasks.

For example - taking a standup comedy class. The real reason I did it was to learn. To learn writing skills and delivery techniques for a more engaging presentation.

The class wasn't started in order to become a comedy star or to 'be the best.'
It was simply to learn.

To learn basics.

To build up my life toolbox so that I can practice manipulating skills and techniques in new and different ways than I could before.

It's about collecting data - seeing what I like and what I don't like, what I enjoy most and what I enjoy least.

It's not about perfection and it's not about achievement (as much as Hazey would have me believe otherwise).

It's about learning, plain and simple.

And the only guaranteed way to learn is to show up.

It's the very first step possible.
It holds no expectations or agendas.
But from it, anything is possible.

The first goal is showing up.

Let's start there.

Day 224: Giant Steps are Stressful

I've been experiencing a stress streak, lately.

It started out so subtly, at first, I didn't even realize it was there - and growing.

It took recognizing that I was now baking on a nightly basis - and had been for weeks - to finally question myself:

'...oh, this isn't a good routine to be creating. . . . what's really going on??'

The short answer was avoidance. 

Avoidance of what I was feeling - or afraid of feeling.

Avoidance of what I was thinking - or afraid of thinking.

I had big goals I was supposed to be working towards - establishing myself as an engaging and dynamic public speaker and an impactful coach - and Hazey made sure I didn't forget.

Unfortunately, the reminders I received were only for the ultimate end goal. A goal that can't be achieved at this immediate point in time. Rather than for the small goals I had originally set for myself a few months ago.

Therein lies the problem. And the root of my avoidance - fear of failure.

I was operating under the mindset that the first step is a giant one and had to be done perfectly. That I needed to know how to do everything right now. And I also needed to be a fortune teller to know in advance how everything would turn out.

I don't.

I just need to break things down more.
Break my goals down into much smaller pieces.
Starting with the first step.

"Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives."

Daytime American soap opera, Days of Our Lives, knows what's up!

 

Break everything down into tiny pieces - like grains of sand.

It becomes much easier for things to move that way.

And such movement starts with an equally small act.

Showing up.

Nothing more. Nothing less.

We just need to show up and be present in whatever place or task is happening.
We don't need to do anything. 
That comes later.

Then, after we show up, we can take the next tiny step. And the steps will continue to build off of one another. Sometimes progressing way faster than we anticipate, other times moving much slower than we would have liked.

Regardless of the speed, as long as we show up, there will always be movement.
And it is through movement that we shrink stress, avoidance, and fear.

Day 223: New Ringtone

Isn't it interesting that something as seemingly ordinary as a sound can make all the difference in how you interpret something?

It can be the difference between dread and delight.

Ok, so, say I had a really obnoxious ringtone during the time I was dating my last boyfriend and now when I hear my phone ring I get a sense of dread. Can I get rid of that by changing my ringtone?

Yes!

Obviously (or maybe not so obvious), it's not the sound that is causing the dread, but rather the thought associated with the sound.

Changing the sound allows you to access a different perspective and build new associations to phone calls so that no matter the ringtone, you can feel relaxed and delighted.

Anything can be viewed as a dreaded phone call:
- feedback on a project
- interacting with strangers
- stretching
- etc

and conversely,

anything can be viewed as a relaxing and delightful phone call:
- learning something new
- meeting someone new
- stretching
- etc

Next time you experience feelings of dread or upset,
why not try out a new ringtone and try on a different perspective?

Day 222: Perspective Beauty

 

What if disappointments and mistakes are actually an important part of something beautiful?

While I'm sure in nature leaves with holes are a sign of disease, to my beholding eye they look like beautiful, nature-made lace.

What beauty might come into view with a bit of a perspective shift?

Day 221: Coaching Is . . .

Coaching is not just hiring a personal project manager for your dreams.

Coaching is that AND

• getting to know yourself on a deeper level
• gaining an understanding of exactly why you think and do what you do
• creating your own happiness

 

And boy do I need a Coach. 

I'm so glad I have Audrey!

Especially now as I'm finally starting to get in motion with my own dreams.
Things are starting to feel scary!
Because I'm encountering a lot of new experiences I've never had before.

The most basic (and perhaps indicative of a privileged life) is the experience of challenge.

Up to this point, everything I've pursued has come somewhat naturally to me.
Yes, I've had challenges, but my overall endeavors were not Challeng-ing.

I guess that means I'm used to receiving some form of instant gratification or validation for my efforts. And now I'm moving into territory where nothing is instant or feels natural.

I'm not used to this feeling.

I'm gonna be honest, I don't like it.

It's intimidating as hell and Hazey has been taking FULL advantage to freak me out and commandeer my brain. This is done in attempts to get me to stop trying and protect me from any possibility of disappointment or failure.

Man, I wish that once we worked through insecurities and doubt they would just stay gone.

But that's not how life works.

We are given opportunity after opportunity to strengthen our resiliency, bravery, and trust in ourselves. And it come in the form of fear.

Ugh. Gross.

Why does it have to be so uncomfortable?????

Because that's where learning happens.

Kind of bleak - but very true.

We get to choose what we do when things start to get uncomfortable or scary.

And I choose to use coaching to help.

Day 220: Happy Wedding, E!

One of my best and oldest friends from Chicago is getting married today.

I met Elsa as a naive, doe-eyed 21 year old. Introduced by a mutual friend, we bonded instantly. 

Over the next decade we experienced a lot together. So many laughs, dance nights, and at home NPPs (nail painting parties), Easter celebrations and homemade pretzels. 

We navigated the hard times that come with growth and discovering who you are, bittersweet separations cross states and continents and long-awaited reunions, loss, and heartbreak. 

It was with Elsa that I realized my dream to be an inspirational speaker - originally set to launch once we became senior citizens, as a dynamic duo. 

Elsa has always been a shining light in my life. Demonstrating what it means to know and be proud of what you love and what makes you happy. A true child of rock & roll.

It has been quite the journey to get to where we are now. And it seems like the past 5 years, with Matthew in the picture, happened in the blink of an eye. Or perhaps over the course of a decade, because that's how fitting he is for Elsa - and within her closest friend group (i.e. I couldn't approve of him more).

On this very special day in our lives, I wish for my dear Elsa . . .

Never-ending Happiness : generated from deep inside you and sustained by being exactly who you are - amazing, authentic, Elsa - and amplified through your life partnership.

Continued Growth :  in every experience you have as an individual and as a wife, friend, and partner-in-crime. Learning from everything that comes your way so you may encourage and assist one another in the continued climb towards embracing your best selves.

Ease & Peace :  that comes from seeking out and focusing on that which will add to your life, continuing to learn about and understand yourself as an individual and partner, and always letting your values direct your path.

E-biscuit, it's an honor to know you and call you my friend. 

Happy Happy HAPPY wedding day!

Day 219: Alignment over Loyalty

I've seen so often on the dating app, Hinge, profiles of men (and I would also assume, women) saying they're looking for loyalty.

For some reason that doesn't sit well with me.
Learning of this search for 'Loyalty' seemed to bring along with it a splash of bad vibes.

I suppose it's because the definition I have of 'loyalty' is strongly associated with 'being forced to pick sides' and 'committing to something no matter what - even if it's not the best for you.'

(Boy, is that perspective telling of previous experiences I've had!!)

You know, like how in tense tv or movie dramas there always seems to be someone questioning another's loyalties when it comes to a moral decision or dilemma.

Due to this, I find that alignment is a much better thing to search for. 

Depending on which dictionary definition you go with, this may or may not make sense.
I'm referring specifically to alignment as:
"a state of agreement or cooperation among persons, groups, nations, etc., with a common cause or viewpoint."

This feels WAY better to me!

Why?

Because it allows for the natural and expected growth and change that comes with being alive.

Alignment does not restrict you to one viewpoint forever.

Alignment doesn't keep you chained to the same routines and muted dreams in order to accommodate or please others.

Alignment lets you FLY.
And ensures that whoever is in alignment with you is flying, too. Whatever that flight path may be.

Day 218: Own your insults

When I was little my sister called me "bossy" all the time. 

 

I'd constantly be nagging her to pick up her clothes and tidy her belongings in the bedroom we shared for 18 years. 

 

In the moment, I'd get defensive and then combative; feeling bad at the attacking insult yet not willing to change my behavior.

 

I could have carried a chip on my shoulder all through life, adopting the negative energy attached to such a label as "Bossy." Could have believed it was something that was 'wrong with me' or a flaw that 'people will never like.' 

 

But I chose another direction. 

 

It wasn't until later in life that I realized that this "bossiness" was not a negative thing or insult at all. Rather, it was the first emergence of a character trait and powerful skill I would later come to utilize for success. 

 

As I developed awareness of myself and what makes me "me", I was able to see my "bossiness" for what it really was - a gift. 

 

It was my gift of organization. Activated long ago in its purest raw form - unharnessed & unrefined.

 

I mined the insult and label thrust upon me by someone else for the gold it contained; resulting in any hurt or insecurities attached to it to wither away.

That's the power of building your awareness and owning your insults.

Because they are really your strengths, unrefined.

Day 217: There's always more to see...

 My sister and I were walking back to my apartment
when something caught our eyes ...

Does this make us creeps?

Yeah, probably...

We may be creeps, but we're observant creeps. 

- and it makes life more fun!

Day 216: Never Have I Ever . . . 2!

Never have I ever been asked out via FB messenger . . .

 . . . by a former middle school classmate's mom . . . 

. . . for her son (not for her) . . .

Msg #1

Msg #2

What the heck?! This is so WEIRD!!!
(And also sort of questionable if they were both meant for me)

But, hey - if nothing else - it's a nice reminder of how awesome I am!!!

Anything that can be taken as acknowledgement or appreciation of you and your qualities, personality, etc - 

TAKE IT

There's a reason people say these things.
It's ok for you to believe it - and be proud of it - too.

Day 215: How to write a joke

This is what I've been trying to figure out practice.

Two weeks ago I started a standup comedy class. And I've had two weeks to complete my one homework assignment, which is to tell a 4 minute personal story.

Sounds simple enough. I'm just telling a short story about an experience that I've had, should be easy!

It should be, but it wasn't. 

It took me the WHOLE two weeks to actually sit down, write out the main points, add extra details of emotion and description, and smooth out transitions. 

If I were to boil down the span of days to see how much time I actually spent working on my assignment, the total would likely clock in at around 4 hours, max.

Isn't it interesting that the things we want and are interested in, we often push off and procrastinate on the most?

At least, I'm finding that's the case for me.

When this happens, it can be hard to make sense of. 
"Does this mean that taking this [standup class / insert your interest here] is not as important to me as I thought?!"

"Maybe it's not really what I'm supposed to be doing..."

One quick way to check in and confirm - or squash - these pesky second guessing thoughts is to think about how you feel when you do the activity in question.

For me, during my first standup class, I was filled with joy.
I'm willing to bet money I had a smile on my face, ear to ear, the whole 3 hour session.
And when we practiced a 2-minute story in class with the microphone, not only did I hold myself back from volunteering to go first, but I loved sharing my story. I relished that my classmates got to relive the surprise I experienced months ago, in real time.
And if that wasn't enough of an indication that this class and what I am learning is, indeed, important to me - I was so jazzed and energized when I went home, I could barely go to sleep!
It felt just like a coaching high.

So, with my interest confirmed - what was holding me back?
- from working on my homework?
- from practicing skills I need and want?
- from trying something new and not-so-familiar?

I'll give you one guess.

fear

When I was totally honest with myself, I was afraid of things not working out.

Afraid that, now that I'm taking steps towards realizing MY dreams, my desire won't be enough.

I won't be enough.

That's right, Hazey was back at it - trying everything she could think of to keep me where I currently am.

The thing is, where I AM is not where I want to BE. And in order to get there, I need to do things I haven't done before. 

The only possible way for me or you or anyone else on the planet to not 'be enough' is if we stop trying. 

As a former coaching client beautifully put it, "I am learning every day."  

And this means that every day we can learn and practice and grow, bit by bit, closer to the dream we have for ourselves.

I will learn how to write a joke - lots of jokes.
But not only that, I will learn to share myself, perspective, and life outlook in an entertaining way that positively impacts others.

What will you do?

Day 214: More Squirrels

On Tuesday I had another squirrel hole sighting. And this time I got a good picture!

As the little girl in Kittens Inspired by Kittens would say,
Double Heads!!

They are two young squirrels. I saw the Mamma earlier and she was falling asleep - she could barely keep her eyes open!

I also met a fellow nature enthusiast named Carole. She's been taking pictures of and feeding the squirrels all through the pandemic. She shared with me that she's even sent in some of her Squirrel photos to the news station and they showed them on the air! 

I show her my squirrel babies photo.

"Oh my gosh, this is amazing! I've never seen that before. Will you send me this photo?!"

Uh - YEAH!!!

So then I naturally show off my photos of the beaver I saw earlier in the year - she wants these photos, too.

Boy oh boy, am I feeling good!

She then tells me that I should send some of my photos of the beaver to the news station. And I just might!

I guess little squirrels just bring people together...

Day 213: Exploring Self-Kindness

Over the past year I have learned how unkind I am to myself.

And it was quite a shocking thing to learn. 

I never thought I was mean to myself.

 

I never consistently put myself down, thought I was worthless, or would never amount to anything in life. 

 

However, I didn't really believe that I could do anything. 

 

Most of the things I delighted in, for a variety of 'reasons,' could only ever be interests for me. While others could make a career out of something that I enjoyed, for me it would always remain just 'something I liked.'

No, I was meant for "bigger and better things."

Impactful things. 

Things that are clearly known for impacting and changing the lives of others. More altruistic things. Like nonprofits or social services.

What I didn't realize was that this belief & viewpoint was very limiting to myself. And it was also secretly holding me back from happiness I had never experienced before.

It's true I was rarely outright mean or cruel to myself... But, isn't restricting your own happiness not very ... nice?

Over the past eight months I learned that the ideas that floated into my head telling me "that interest I enjoy I will never turn into a career," or "I love watching stand up but I don't do that" - were actually veiled ways of putting myself down.

I was consistently struggling with indecision and second-guessing myself. 

My connection to my intuition was almost non-existent. 

I would wait to make decisions until seeking out the opinion of others. 

And I would always keep to myself the art, creations, and expression of my inner world rather than sharing them openly (which is what I desperately wanted).

 

My unkindness towards myself, though discreet, was actually breaking down the trust I had in myself. And rather than allowing myself freedom and space to do and explore what I felt pulled towards, I restricted my movement so I could fit into the boxes and criteria of others. (Or what I believed they were.)

In the restriction of ourselves, we lack kindness. 

It is a very subtle and almost imperceptible act. But when we get right down to the core of things, to be kind and loving towards oneself means:

- to acknowledge all of the strengths and goodness that resides within us

- to acknowledge and encourage any dream, interest, or desire that lives deep inside

To be truly kind to oneself is to look towards - and for - every opportunity to enhance our happiness in life.

Period.

If you've ever had the thought "I would never say something like that to one of my friends" and yet you find yourself saying something like that to yourself - chances are you could be a bit kinder.

And the reality of this is we're all oblivious to how we treat ourselves!

We live in our body every second of every day for our entire lives. We are too close to the situation to be able to get an objective view. Unless acted on by an outside force - thanks Sir Isaac (Newton).

That's where Sarah's World comes in.

That's where I come in. 

That's where you come in. 

 

Let's explore what life could be like from a different angle. 

Let's explore how life and happiness could feel different. 

Let's explore who we really are, deep down, when we are completely open, honest, and vulnerable with ourselves.

It is from these explorations that true kindness, compassion, belief, and love for oneself grow.

In living life, we are not doing anything wrong. 

In exploring ourselves, we open up new paths to live in a way that feels right.

Day 212: Influencing Sarah's World

Sarah's World was undeniably influenced - and inspired - by Bobby's World. 

For those unfamiliar with the cartoon, here's the overview - compliments of Wikipedia:

Bobby's World is an American animated television series. It ran from 1990 to 1998 on FOX Kids. It was set in 1979 in California. It was about the life of Bobby Generic (pronounced JEN-ə-rik) and his imagination on how he sees the world. 

I watched Bobby's World a lot as a child. Which is funny, seeing as I don't really remember much about it, now. But, I guess conscious memories don't really matter when the impact is visible many years later....

What's the impact, you ask?

The most obvious is the desire to share my world - my thoughts, perspectives, struggles and achievements.
 - To share the unique way I interpret things and explore what it would be like if things actually played out as I imagined them.
 - And doing it all in a way that is 100% me. Rather than trying to mimic or match the tone, content, or presentation of others.

But there's more to Bobby's World's impact on me than that. After reading up a bit on the show, I discovered some unexpected similarities - or dare I say, aspirations?

One - The show was based off of Howie Mandel's stand up shows and his character, Bobby.
While I definitely don't have a standup show, I have recently acknowledged and accepted that is a goal I want to work towards.

Two - It focuses on the seemingly mundane or inconsequential, yet addresses big life lessons.

Three - Through the use of grand imagination, the audience is given an opportunity to see the same topics approached from different perspectives.
These differences in perspective show that there is never one way to view or do something, nor is there ever only one side to a story - there are many.

Lastly, in this article/video, Bobby's World has been suggested as the 'Seinfeld for Kids.' 

Wow - fav show from my childhood meets fav show from adulthood?!
I feel like I'm catching a whiff of an uncoincidental coincidence...

Day 211: 225 years old - and counting

My computer alerted me on August 30th, that it was Mary Shelley's 225th birthday.

I sincerely hope that in 1000 years, we are still tracking the age of deceased artists...

Day 210: Hole in a Tree

In January I went for a walk and noticed a hole in a tree.

I wonder if an animal lives in there?

Nosy by nature, I balanced on tip-toes to peer inside.

I don't think anyone is home, but I spy a bed!

Fast forward roughly nine months later, to today. 

I, again, went for a walk. But this time, I decided to take a seat on a bench overlooking the pond. 

It just so happens that this bench directly faces the tree with the hole I had noticed at the beginning of the year. During my sit I had planned to do some thinking and writing, but my attention was quickly diverted.

By a head.

Poking out of the hole!

My jaw dropped.

There's a squirrel in there!! I've never seen a squirrel inside a tree before!

Needless to say, I was excited.

So excited, that I had to capture it! Even if it is with a low-quality, kind-of-hard-to-see-what's-happening-unless-you-saw-it-in-real-life sort of video.

This is just another example, in a growing list, of how everything comes back around to connect together. 

Sometimes it takes months, other times days. But always it requires an observant eye.

Day 209: Veggie the Bird

I have a giant head and big eyes because I love looking around and observing everything around me.

I really like nature and traveling - which makes sense, because I'm a bird!

Ooh, look at all of that fog - spooky.

Brrr, this ice sheet is cold!
-------
That's all for now.
Adventure awaits!

Day 208: Lessons from a Grasshopper

A while back, when on a nature walk, I spotted a grasshopper. 

Wow, I haven't seen a grasshopper in a Long time!

Naturally, I wanted to get a close up photo of it (given my newly discovered photography skillz).

I didn't have a chance. I couldn't get close enough and the grasshopper, sensing my encroachment, hopped away.

A few days later I saw a group of them in some tall grasses I was passing by.

Ooh! I'll try to get my photo now!

Nope, same outcome as before.

Disappointed but undeterred, I maintained my determination to one day capture the beauty, details, patterns and textures of the grasshopper with a close up photo.

I didn't know when or how it would happen, but I fully believed that one day it would.

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This morning before work as I was making breakfast and getting ready for my day, something caught my eye.

The sight was so compelling I stopped what I was doing, grabbed my phone and scurried over to the window.

Something seemed VERY out of place.

What the heck?! There's a grasshopper on my 4th story window!!!

I was so excited! How was this even happening? A grasshopper randomly climbing on MY window FOUR stories above the ground?! 

I couldn't believe it. I was finally going to get my close up! Well, the grasshopper was going get IT's closeup.

And you'd better believe it was a photoshoot. I tried out ALL of the angles. Probably spent a solid 5 minutes - at least.

 

It is so interesting how the things that capture our attention and really spark an interest or desire seem to keep resurfacing.

Sometimes we miss them, too distracted or busy to catch the subtle appearance.

And other times the reappearance is too obvious to miss - like the grasshopper.

What we focus on expands.

This is why when something catches your eye - say someone's bright yellow shirt, for example - you then start seeing the same or similar things all over the place/way more frequently.

It's on your radar, now [whatever 'it' is], so it's much easier to pick up and notice later on. 

This is a great realization to have not just about nouns - people, places, or things - but about attitudes, perspectives and approaches as well.

What we focus on expands.

Knowing this, why not focus on the things that we want, are interested in, lift us up, make us feel good? Why not intentionally expand the positive attitudes, open-minded perspectives, and nonjudgmental approaches that would benefit us most?

That sounds a whole heck of a lot better than focusing on things that hold us back and break us down.

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In the spirit of accuracy, I must admit that all of the grasshoppers I saw on my walks and the one I had a photoshoot with this morning are actually Locusts. Not Grasshoppers.

I didn't know what a Locust was until I looked up the difference between a grasshopper and a locust after my sister asked which it was.

Locusts can fly. Grasshoppers can't.

Who knew? Clearly not me.

My research also left me with these fun facts [courtesy of AZ Animals] - enjoy!

Grasshoppers

There are many things you may not know about grasshoppers. Here are some examples:

• Grasshoppers have ears on their bellies
• Grasshoppers make music by stridulating
• Grasshoppers lived way before dinosaurs
• Grasshoppers are a good source of protein

Locusts

Locusts also have some interesting things about them:

• If food runs out, locusts turn cannibal
• Locusts have serrated jaws
• Locusts are waterproof and can repel poisons
• Eating locusts can reduce heart cancer