READY8 “When life gives you lemons, find a kid with a paper cut!” (OUCH!) ~ Anonymous
AIM8 Last week I shared my story of how I made lemonade out of the sour weather lemons I endured during my daughter’s zoo field trip. My “Fire!” challenge was for you to share your thoughts about how you make lemonade out of life’s lemons. As promised, I am sharing your thoughts in this week’s Arrows of Integrity and on my blog. Perhaps this refill of encouragement will inspire you to make excellent decisions.
Krystal shared – “LOL!!!! FYI--we "drank lemonade" at the Pizza Hut buffet that day.”
Julia shared – “That's my favorite AOI yet. Good one. I totally agree with you on letting those kiddos play and let loose (despite our grownup desires to be somewhere else!) Those are memories that didn't cost a penny and tell your children that their youth and silliness are not an inconvenience, in fact, their childhood is worth more than all the money in the world.”
Laurie shared – “I agree! I said to the other teachers "The kids got out of it what the parents put into it". If you went out and had fun, your child had fun too! My group had a great time. I have never seen Logan so excited or talk so much. That made my day. Thanks for sticking it out with us and supporting the teachers and kids!”
Dot shared - I really liked your "Lemons or Lemonade" article. While reading it I decided that I am a "Lemonade" sort of person. Sure, I have my problems but, hey, what good does it do me or anyone else really, to complain and moan and compare problems with others? There is a saying, and no I do not know where it came from, that I constantly remind myself of "If you don't laugh you will cry" and why spend your life crying? Better to go out and buy some sugar to make that lemonade. It will help you and those around you feel a lot better. (I get the feeling that God kind of likes Lemonade also.)
Anonymous shared – “I say we all just get together, bring salt, tequila, the lemons and have a margarita party!”
Thank you to everyone who shared their “lemonade” insights. Life is tough, let’s take those lemons and squirt life in the eye together!!
FIRE!8 The next time you find yourself in an unsatisfactory situation, pause, look at all the options and choose the high road. I’m certain there will be a lemonade stand along the way!
Be Excellent!
Lori
May 26, 2010
May 18, 2010
Lemons or Lemonade
READY8 “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade then give it to your enemies cause it will taste nasty unless life gave you sugar too." ~ Anonymous
AIM8 Yesterday was a glorious day…ok, where’s that sarcasm font? Truthfully, yesterday started out to be an interesting day; I volunteered to be a chaperone at the zoo for my daughter’s last-day-of-kindergarten field trip. Needless to say, it started raining before the trip even began. So here we are, several anxious parents gathered underneath our over-sized umbrellas, with extra umbrellas and ponchos in hand, waiting to get our chaperone assignments. Finally, the children were sent to their respective parents and we were on our way to ‘enjoy the zoo’ in the rain. Seriously?! Why didn’t I bring rain boots or galoshes for myself and my daughter? Oh, that’s because I never bought rain boots or galoshes because how often do you really need those useless foot coverings? Ordinarily, on days like yesterday, the answer to going to the zoo would have been a big, fat NO WAY JOSE! So, I put on my best “I’m going to enjoy this experience” smile and off we went, umbrellas in hand. Truthfully, the first part of our journey was manageable. I even thought, for a moment, that it wasn’t too bad after all. Yeah, I thought too soon. As we continued around the zoo, the rain started coming down harder and harder. Yes, the puddles became like land mines in our paths and the animals looked about as excited as we were to be out in this inclement weather. And yet, we trudged on, smiles on faces, umbrellas in hand, shoes and socks getting more soaked with each step. We finally arrived back at the entrance to the zoo, and headed to the pavilion to enjoy our brown bag lunches. As we munched on our lunch treats, I realized that more than three-fourths of the parents and students had bailed on this glorious adventure. What a bummer for their kids! I mean, how often do you really let your children play in the rain? How many times are they going to have an end-of-the-kindergarten-year field trip and lunch at the zoo? I found my attitude turning around and realized that I was proud of myself and the other hard-core parents who stuck it out and endured the rainy adventure at the zoo. Yesterday is a day we and our children will remember for many years. We will talk and share endless stories about the day we walked in the rain at the zoo. All in all, I took many fun pictures of my daughter and her friends laughing and having a great time with their umbrellas and puddle-soaked shoes. I must admit, I may have not felt like making lemonade out of the lemons we were handed at the beginning of the field trip. However, I am so thankful that I checked my sourpuss attitude at the door and had a fun adventure anyway.
FIRE!8 When life hands you lemons, what do you do? Do you wallow in self pity and despair or do you set up a lemonade stand? Share your thoughts and I’ll post ‘em on my blog.
Be Excellent!
Lori
AIM8 Yesterday was a glorious day…ok, where’s that sarcasm font? Truthfully, yesterday started out to be an interesting day; I volunteered to be a chaperone at the zoo for my daughter’s last-day-of-kindergarten field trip. Needless to say, it started raining before the trip even began. So here we are, several anxious parents gathered underneath our over-sized umbrellas, with extra umbrellas and ponchos in hand, waiting to get our chaperone assignments. Finally, the children were sent to their respective parents and we were on our way to ‘enjoy the zoo’ in the rain. Seriously?! Why didn’t I bring rain boots or galoshes for myself and my daughter? Oh, that’s because I never bought rain boots or galoshes because how often do you really need those useless foot coverings? Ordinarily, on days like yesterday, the answer to going to the zoo would have been a big, fat NO WAY JOSE! So, I put on my best “I’m going to enjoy this experience” smile and off we went, umbrellas in hand. Truthfully, the first part of our journey was manageable. I even thought, for a moment, that it wasn’t too bad after all. Yeah, I thought too soon. As we continued around the zoo, the rain started coming down harder and harder. Yes, the puddles became like land mines in our paths and the animals looked about as excited as we were to be out in this inclement weather. And yet, we trudged on, smiles on faces, umbrellas in hand, shoes and socks getting more soaked with each step. We finally arrived back at the entrance to the zoo, and headed to the pavilion to enjoy our brown bag lunches. As we munched on our lunch treats, I realized that more than three-fourths of the parents and students had bailed on this glorious adventure. What a bummer for their kids! I mean, how often do you really let your children play in the rain? How many times are they going to have an end-of-the-kindergarten-year field trip and lunch at the zoo? I found my attitude turning around and realized that I was proud of myself and the other hard-core parents who stuck it out and endured the rainy adventure at the zoo. Yesterday is a day we and our children will remember for many years. We will talk and share endless stories about the day we walked in the rain at the zoo. All in all, I took many fun pictures of my daughter and her friends laughing and having a great time with their umbrellas and puddle-soaked shoes. I must admit, I may have not felt like making lemonade out of the lemons we were handed at the beginning of the field trip. However, I am so thankful that I checked my sourpuss attitude at the door and had a fun adventure anyway.
FIRE!8 When life hands you lemons, what do you do? Do you wallow in self pity and despair or do you set up a lemonade stand? Share your thoughts and I’ll post ‘em on my blog.
Be Excellent!
Lori
May 11, 2010
Lighten Up
READY8 “Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film!" ~ Anonymous
AIM8 Sometimes life just gets too serious. Either that or we take ourselves and our lives too seriously. Regardless of the situation, every now and then you just have to lighten up. Come on, laugh a little, shrug off the junky stuff and look at the brighter side of life. Here are a few random thoughts that were shared with me by a good friend. I’m sure you’ll be able to relate to a few of these observations. I know I can totally relate to most of them!
Random Thoughts for the Day:
1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.
2. Nothing stinks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.
4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.
5. How in the world are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
6. Was learning cursive really necessary?
7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.
8. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.
9. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.
10. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.
11. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.
12. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this -- EVER!!!
13. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello?), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?
14. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.
15. And finally…I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone, just so I know not to answer when they call.
FIRE!8 What can you do to lighten up the mood of a friend? I suggest printing out Map Quest directions from work to home and ask a co-worker how you get from number 1 to number 5; which is out of the company parking lot!!
Be Excellent!
Lori
AIM8 Sometimes life just gets too serious. Either that or we take ourselves and our lives too seriously. Regardless of the situation, every now and then you just have to lighten up. Come on, laugh a little, shrug off the junky stuff and look at the brighter side of life. Here are a few random thoughts that were shared with me by a good friend. I’m sure you’ll be able to relate to a few of these observations. I know I can totally relate to most of them!
Random Thoughts for the Day:
1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.
2. Nothing stinks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.
4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.
5. How in the world are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
6. Was learning cursive really necessary?
7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.
8. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.
9. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.
10. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.
11. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.
12. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this -- EVER!!!
13. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello?), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?
14. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.
15. And finally…I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone, just so I know not to answer when they call.
FIRE!8 What can you do to lighten up the mood of a friend? I suggest printing out Map Quest directions from work to home and ask a co-worker how you get from number 1 to number 5; which is out of the company parking lot!!
Be Excellent!
Lori
May 4, 2010
Insanity
READY8 “Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” ~ Albert Einstein
AIM8 Are you stuck in a rut? Do you find yourself doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result because it’s a different day? What’s wrong? What’s keeping you in this rut? Whether it’s a dead-end job, a disappointing relationship, a financial crisis, or just an emotional funk, you HAVE to start doing something different to change your circumstances. “But Lori,” you say, “You just don’t understand my situation. I don’t even know where to begin.” Well friend, the journey of a thousand miles begins with one single step. However, that first step is often the most difficult. Perhaps Kris Kringle from Santa Claus Is Coming to Town says it best: “Put one foot in front of the other. And soon you’ll be walking across the floor—orr—orr. Put one foot in front of the other. And soon you’ll be walking out the door!” It’s true! You have to take the first step in a new direction to ignite the spark that will lead you out of your rut. Get angry, get irritated, get annoyed, get sick and tired of being sick and tired – just get going! You’ll be surprised at how much better you’ll feel about yourself, your circumstances and your future. So come on, what are you waiting for?
FIRE!8 Stop the insanity! Make a promise to yourself that you will do at least ONE THING to change your circumstances today. Maybe you need to update your resume, or evaluate your family budget or maybe, you just need to talk to a supportive friend. Whatever you need to do, make today the day you stop living in your rut and start living for your future.
Be Excellent!
Lori
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