Kelly Epperson's Blog, page 25

Dream

JOY assignment 7-14-11

An exercise in patience

WebGuy has been revamping my website and something happened in a tweak causing a wacky error message to be on every page, with a great big OK in the middle. It cracks me up, but I sure don't think it's OK.  I have been working with the hosting tech support but all the things we have tried obviously have not corrected the problem. Now it is between WebGuy and the computer/internet/website gods to do their magic. I will go light a candle now in their honor. Thanks for your patience. Fingers crossed that very soon, the website really will be OK.

Summer JOY Assignments

Summer should be simple, but instead of those lazy, hazy days, we make it crazy. If you find yourself running around like the proverbial chicken with the head cut off, this list is for you. Do at least five of these this month.

Catch lightning bugs

Swing

Go down the slide

Run through the sprinkler

Light sparklers

Do the hula hoop

Jump rope

Play with sidewalk chalk

Go to outdoor music concert

Ride the rides at carnival or amusement park

Blow bubbles

Blow bubbles with bubble gum

Get an ice cream treat or popsicle

Lay on your back and watch the clouds

Lay on your back and watch the stars

Go for a walk, paying attention to all the flowers you see

Go for a walk in the rain

Go kayaking or canoeing

Go fishing

Go on a picnic

 

 

 

Candy question

Does anyone remember a candy bar from the 70s that was chocolate with air puff holes? I recall it being sections, about one inch thick. Maybe a red wrapper? Maybe something like Swift?

It could be Chocolite, but I see a red wrapper in my mind.

Thanks!

Think It and It Happens

My latest post to HealthyRockford.com:

Just thinking about something can make it happen. Ponder that thought. What we hold in our minds is quite often what we attract to ourselves. So shouldn't it make it sense that we should hold positive thoughts?

I just read a health study about eating fruit and it mentioned something about the group that was told ahead of time to first simply think about eating more fruit in their daily diet ended up actually eating more fruit. Thinking and imagining in our minds makes it easier to do, or conversely, what we hold in our minds can come to fruition, good or bad.

For example, when I would walk on an icy sidewalk, I would think to myself: Don't fall, don't fall, don't fall. What was I concentrating on? Falling. Now when I walk on something slippery, I say: I am surefooted with great balance. I tell myself a positive story with a positive outcome.

Life is slippery. If we constantly are focusing on falling, we are going to be walking apprehensively, looking down and feeling tense. Is that any way to live?

Let me clue you in on a little secret. Faking it is okay. Even if you are not quite fully feeling surefooted and optimistic and positive, you can fake it. It still works. Telling yourself a positive story with a positive outcome will lead to real life positive outcomes.

We all tell ourselves stories whether we realize it or not. Today become a different narrator when you talk to yourself. Be a more positive narrator when you talk to others. Start small or totally change your tune, see what works for you.

Instead of complaining about the boss being a jerk, find one nice thing about the boss. Instead of losing your patience with your child, take a pause and remind yourself that this too shall pass. Instead of finding fault with your spouse, remember a time when you were crazy in love.

The stories we play over and over in our mind become our life story that gets played out on this stage. You are the writer, the director, and the main character. How do you want yours to play out?

 

(Kelly Epperson, author/speaker/mentor, and founder of Happiness Club of Loves Park is a former IRS agent, now an agent of joy. Kelly teaches that joy is the Journey of You and you can indeed love your life. Contact kelly@journeyofyou.com, www.journeyofyou.com and PO Box 2324, Loves Park, IL 61131.)

 

 

Daydreaming

I believe daydreaming is a good thing. First we think it, we imagine it and then that picture can become our reality. Seriously! Some of my best thoughts/ideas come from those daydreamy times. Allow yourself a little daydreaming.

On the bulletin above my desk is a quote from Joyce Carol Oates: A daydreamer is prepared for most things.

On the bathroom wall, painted above the mirror: What a day for a day dream….

Years ago, I daydreamed about a living space that was full of books and music and there was no constant drone of ESPN. I have that now.  I daydreamed about a smart, sexy, positive person who gets me. I have that now. I daydreamed about a lifestyle business that allows me freedom and flexibility and I get to help people by doing what I love. I have that now.

Don't poo-poo the daydreamers. Become one.

 

 

"Empowering Women"

My latest post for HealthyRockford.com blog:

Last night I attended a summer solstice and celebration of women event at Womanspace of Rockford. The wind howled and the thunder and lightning appeared at perfectly choreographed moments as Dorothy Bock, one of the co-founders, read a piece from The Red Tent book.

As we went around the circle and each woman spoke her wish for the future generations of women to come, I noticed a recurring theme. To be strong in who you are. To love yourself. To love and honor your body and your sexuality.

I look forward to the day when talk of "empowering women" will have no meaning because all women will know their power.

In my bathroom hangs a quote from Oscar Wilde: "Every woman is a rebel." Since I posted that quote obviously it resonates with me, but it begs the question: Does wanting to live my life on my terms make me a rebel?

I say then that we all be rebels. Men too need have inner peace, self-confidence, and compassion. If we all carried those qualities, society would hum along nicely.

My wish for the future was unconditional love. If we give that to our children, they thrive. Imagine if we all could also give that to ourselves.

(Kelly Epperson is a writer, inspirational speaker, and mentor to women who want to live their life and love their life. Kelly believes that we can live joyfully every day and that JOY stands for the Journey of You. Contact kelly@journeyofyou.com; PO Box 2324, Loves Park, IL 61131; and www.journeyofyou.com.

 

Take a nap

My post to HealthyRockford.com today:

I did something today I have not done in a very long time. I napped.

I ate lunch on my deck, sitting on the new comfy outdoor cushiony loveseat. The weather was ideal. Not too hot, not too chilly, just right. The slight breeze was also in the just right category, as was the blue sky.

Days like these don't come along too often. Soon it will be too muggy or buggy, but today, as I said, just right.

I scrunched down and laid my head back to stare at the sky and give thanks for working from home so I can have a lunch break like this. Next thing I know, I am opening my eyes and it's thirty minutes later. Now I am really grateful to be working from home and able to have a siesta like this.

I realize most folks have a workplace and they may not have a spot to catch any shut-eye, but if you do, go for it! Or go to a park. Set your watch or phone alarm so you don't get in trouble for being late. Even ten minutes of rest in the sun on a just-right day is rejuvenating.

Back at my desk, I am raring to go and feel energetic. The afternoon has been productive. Maybe all the talk about power naps is true. I will try again tomorrow and let you know.

 

 

 

 

Write your own obit

I just wrote my newspaper column about planning my own funeral. I had found notes I'd written in 2009 instructing my boys what to do if I kicked off. I wanted a celebration with songs and munchies. Laughter, tears, and hugs.

It got me thinking of an exercise I have heard people do – writing their own obituary. It may sound morbid, but it is a lesson for how to live life. How you want people to remember you is only dictated by how you live here and now.

Start thinking how you want to spend your time while you still have it. If you would like your obit to mention you loved life, are you exemplifying that now?

It's not on my bucket list to climb Mount Everest or work in an animal shelter, but I have goals and activities I want to do. How about you? Are you doing any of the things you had hoped for when you were in your 20s?

Do you want your obit to read: Joe Blow died peacefully in his sleep in his recliner. He worked hard and complained a lot about it. He appreciated his wife but never told her. He was proud of his kids but never told them. He had dreams but he never pursued them.

Maybe you are Jane Blow. Jane worked tirelessly, taking care of everyone but herself. She confided in her best friend once that she wanted to take a painting class but she never took the time and never believed she had any talent.

Too many people could have their headstones inscribed with "I wish would have….."

I think mine will say, "What are you waiting for?"

(Kelly Epperson is author, speaker, and founder of Happiness Club of Loves Park. She believes JOY is the Journey of You and that we all can find joy in the everydayness of life. Contact kelly@journeyofyou.com or PO Box 2324, Loves Park, IL 61131, or www.journeyofyou.com.)