Day 232: The Female Toupee

 

Is it or isn't it?

I don't know!

I think the uncertainty of the matter makes this sighting especially Spooky.
-------

But you want to know what's more spooky than a toupee - no matter who is wearing it?

Feeling like you need to look a certain way or change yourself in order to fit in or be accepted.

The invisible pressure - from some unidentifiable place - telling us that in some way, shape, or form we are not enough.

We all feel this at different times in life - All of us.
Every.
Single.
Human.

But, we don't have to carry the weight of this pressure. 

Instead, we can use it as a magnifying glass
- to more deeply explore the hidden beliefs and veiled thoughts we have about it
- to uncover and bring to light what we are making this pressure mean about us, individually

Cue horrific music - because this is where things get really scary . . . [When unearthing beliefs you didn't know you had]
'Oh, my gosh, did I really believe that having perfectly coiffed hair is the way to receive validation and self-worth - AND it only counts if it comes from others and not myself?! ?! I don't agree with that at all!!

But as the music and horrifying shock fades, and we are left with our own silence, we can then start to assess, dream, and create.

- How do these beliefs and thoughts limit me?
- What do I want my experience and life to be like in regards to this [particular pressure]?
- What is one small shift I can make (whether in thought or action) that would feel better to me?

The answers that come up, when we are brave enough to be honest with ourselves, will hold the keys to navigating a life with less pressure and less spooky.

Because when you are living a life that feels good to you, no one will ever question if it's a toupee.

Day 231: Ooh, Spooky

Halloween is in the air! 

That's right, people - it's October, and that means pumpkins, Pumpkins, PUMPKINS!
Well, I guess that's just fall

That means it's ghosts, cobwebs and SPOOKY!

Here are some first glimpses . . .

Maison Parisienne

Halsted Flowers, LLC

Nipple Eyes!!!

I don't know who this guy is, but he looks . . . very surprised!

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.