Day 15: Coffee & Donuts

The idea that coffee and donuts go together was seared into my brain when I was a small child. It's doesn't matter that this pairing came solely from media, facts are facts regardless of where they come from!
[We'll leave this notion to be addressed at a different time.]

Having no first hand experience (or second or third hand, for that matter) with this legendary combination, you can imagine my thrill when I witnessed it for the first time. Or should I say, when I witnessed another person witnessing it for the first time.

It was 2011 and I was inside a Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin Robbins shop, enjoying some ice cream with a friend. A family comes in - mom, dad, kid - and orders, then sits down to wait for their items. 

Moments later, a police officer walks in and goes to the counter to place his order.

"Hi, can I get two chocolate glazed donuts and a large coffee?"

'OH MY GOSH!!' 

The dad exclaims as he hops out of his seat. 'You're a cop - and you're ordering coffee and donuts!' 

 

 

The real-life fulfillment of a media stereotype was almost too much for the dad to take. He could not believe what he was seeing in front of him  - and neither could I!!!

Day 14: Half Baked

One evening I was talking to my sister on the phone and she told me she was about to enjoy a half baked pie and ice cream.

Mmm, yummy! But . . . why didn't she want to eat a fully baked pie . . . ?

No! Not a half-baked pie!!

HALF OF a baked pie!

My oh my - some things really get lost in translation. Use incorrect grammar or punctuation and the thought takes on a whole different meaning!

Don't believe me? Just ask the Grandpa with the cannibalistic family.

[Let's eat, Grandpa! Let's eat Grandpa!!!]

Day 13: Cupid Sighting

SPOTTED - Cupid on the Broadway bus.

 

Watch out ladies and gents, this not so chubby cherub is getting to work early this year! And I wasn't the only one who noticed - note the other phones documenting.

Seems a little strange that he'd choose to ride the CTA over flying . . . but it is winter in Chicago. I guess that also explains the red sweatsuit . . .

He fluttered off the bus, scattering Love Dust as he went. Right after, the bus stopped to pick up a woman in a motorized wheelchair . . . who immediately got stuck in the snow on the sidewalk trying to get to the bus door. It took the bus driver and 3 other passersby to get her unstuck and lifted onto the bus.

Moral of the ride: Love is Everywhere . . . ?

Day 12: Gyoza Knows Best

While quickly preparing some frozen gyoza and thinking about the resistance I have towards using social media for my coaching business, I had an important realization. 

I feel resistance and negative judgement towards it because . . . I don't really understand how to use it!

When was I born, 1920?! 

. . . I guess it's just never been a strong interest in my life.

 
As I looked down I spotted a giant 'S' on the plate. I viewed it as if it were my superhero symbol, confirming my next steps and future success.

Ok, I can learn whatever I need! Now, time to eat!

Well. . . eventually. Those suckers got really firm in the microwave and refused to release the paper towel.

I guess gyozas just be like that. 

....but I think that's normal, there's no way I could have done anything wrong ......

Day 11: Haircut

I've been thinking about getting a haircut, lately. Like, chopping my moderately-long hair all off with a short cut.

Yeah but, why does she slick her hair back EVERY day, though?

I was so tickled by the thought of getting a short haircut and slicking it back as my styling choice (once, let alone every day), that I was compelled to capture it. 

. . . Perhaps it's something to consider . . . I think I'll have to work up to it, though. Maybe starting with a bob . . .

Day 10: Choose Yourself

I'm coming to find that one of the bravest acts we can take on a day to day basis is choosing ourselves.

Now, I'm not talking about the "I've been waiting the longest at the bus stop so I should get on first!" kind of mentality. 

There's no entitlement involved with the choice I'm referring to. But rather, consideration - of everyone - through the prioritization of ourselves.

Prioritize 'ME' to strengthen the 'WE'.

When we really pay attention to what feels best, works best, sounds best for US to function as individual beings - and honor that - everybody wins.

Because when you you feel good, you do good. And when you do good the world becomes better.

So make sure YOU feel good. Listen to yourself, your body, your intuition and honor what it tells you - even if it means saying 'no' to others at times. 

The ultimate outcome of prioritizing yourself will ALWAYS far surpass that of putting yourself and your needs last.

Day 9: The Ease-y Life

I like the saying, 'Life is an inside job.' 

I take this to mean that how your life goes is up to you. 

You get to call the shots, you get to decide if you want the 'hook-ups' of an easy life - excuse me, I meant an ease-y life.

The Merriam Webster Dictionary tells us that for something to be 'easy' it:
     : causes or involves little difficulty or discomfort
     : requires or indicates little effort, thought, or reflection

So an 'easy life' would be one where nothing was challenging or unexpected and you never had to try, think, or reflect on the past. For some that might sound like a dream. But for me, that sounds like a boring and unfulfilling life.

This is probably because my view of an easy life, uses a different definition - and spelling.  

My ease-y life is built upon the 2nd definition of 'easy,' again, from the Merrian Webster Dictionary.
      : without undue speed or excitement 
      : without worry or care

Imagine a slower life. Not in the sense of boring and physically slow, but rather in the way you think and feel about things. There is rarely a flurry of anxious thoughts during times of change or friction. Nor is there a trail of hurried decisions. Moments of indecision are met with patience and curiosity. Emotions are deliberate, never rushed, and always welcomed - positive, negative, and neutral. Pressure and stress are rare visitors and confidence and belief in oneself is the norm.

What would would it be like to live in this world??! 

 

What would change for you?

 

I think I'm beginning to find out . . . 

 

Over the past six months I've been doing a lot of work getting to know myself better. So far, these are my biggest gains:

• I'm becoming more and more aware of my thoughts everyday and how they affect my emotions and actions. 
• I'm unearthing a LOT of horrifying (to me) beliefs I didn't even know I had, and THANK GOODNESS! Because now that I'm aware of them I can change them!
• I'm MUCH less prone to falling victim to my emotions (and I've always been a very sensitive person!)
• I'm better able to catch and disassemble my people-pleasing tendencies
  
• I'm more confident in my skills, abilities, and in myself as a human
• I've experienced a notable decline in my caring of what others think [of me] 
• I'm choosing and prioritizing myself fully for the first time in my life - and LOVING my time by myself. Guess what? You know that feeling you have when you're out with friends or on a date and having a wonderful time and don't want the night to end? You can have that same feeling with YOURSELF. I know because I've experienced it firsthand, and let me tell you - it's awesome!!!
• I feel the happiest I have ever felt in my life. Which seems crazy, and kind of sad to say (because it illuminates how unhappy I really was in previous periods of life). But it's also incredibly exciting because I know life is only going to get BETTER! 

If this is just the entry way of The Ease-y Life, I cannot wait until I'm fully in it.  Sarah's World has officially leveled up. Come join me in The Ease-y Life, you won't regret it.

Wait, what's that adorable little stick figure person? How do you join me in The Ease-y Life? Well that's simple - it all starts with coaching! Start HERE.