Monday Musings – Muscles, Meditation, and a Hot Mess

 

My mornings consist of meditation with a side of coffee. I sit criss cross apple sauce (legs crossed) on a cushion on the floor. You may think I’m bragging because I’m over the age of fifty and can still cross my legs. My secret is that uncrossing my legs is sometimes a theatrical production that involves rocking, stretching, and twisting. I have even ended up in a Downward Dog yoga pose to help me untangle. But I digress. Back to the story…

I woke up excited for a new day, a day of accomplishments. My goal was to kick off my week strong with meditation then a 30-minute workout. I opened my laptop and clicked on my favorite meditation app. As I lifted my head I felt a slight pull in my neck. My forehead creased as I scrunched my eyes in thought – did I just pull a neck muscle?

I tilted my head like a dog does when listening for a sound. A burst of pain traveled from the back of my neck around to the top of my left shoulder. It was official, I pulled a muscle doing absolutely nothing. It became clear to me why people say, getting old is not for the faint of heart.”

There I sat on my bedroom floor contemplating my next move – go ahead and meditate or get up and medicate? Before I could decide, I felt heat rising in my body; It was a hot flash, brought on by the coffee I sipped on just before attempting to meditate. Yes, caffeine can trigger hot flashes.

At that point I was hot, sweaty, experiencing discomfort, and had not begun to exercise. I tried to take a few deep breaths to relax, but even that made my neck hurt. I was a hot mess. Feeling like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, I leaned to one side and peeled my legs from the floor, one vertebra at a time.

Although my neck muscle decided to do its own thing, I was glad my leg muscles stood firm in their role. They got me from the floor to the shower without any crazy episodes. I let the hot shower water gently pound my neck and shoulder for longer than my usual shower takes, but it felt good.

I refused to let that muscle spasm, tweak, or whatever you want to call it, derail my day. I made it to work, then called my mommy to bring me an Icy Hot patch. That was one day I was glad I didn’t have any meetings, because I was walking around smelling like menthol.

And the moral of the story…persevere. You can do it. Side note...meditation is not for the faint of heart.

What situation have you had to persevere through recently?

 

Monday Musings – Lost in Space

 

There was a popular TV show in the 1960’s called Lost in Space. After an expedition had gone wrong, the characters were always trying to find their way home, amidst challenges thrown in their path.

I was lost in space the morning I took my glasses off…and couldn’t find them. Lucky for me I knew the blueprint of my bedroom in the dark. As far as I had gotten was from the bed to the bathroom, which is comparable to…

I pulled my glasses off to look at my phone up close and got caught in the vortex of scrolling through social media, then poof. I realized I didn’t have my glasses on, but they were nowhere to be found. My recourse was to wander through the jungle of my bedroom. It felt like Jurassic Park opened. The army of stuffed animals on my dresser looked like enemies preparing to attack.

Moving around the room like Velma from Scooby Doo (without her glasses), I extended my arms in front of me, feeling around the dresser and other spaces for the glasses. My biggest fear was that I had set them on a pillow where I might accidentally crush them. Then the light bulb came on literally and figuratively speaking.

Photo Credit: Tumblr

I remembered my second pair of glasses were in my purse. I had put them there the day before because I wanted to change my look. I put on my spare glasses and continued my search…without success. I sat down to draft this story, and thirty minutes later, I remembered another place I hadn’t checked, and that’s where I found them…in the linen closet.

My spectacles were sitting on top of a stack of folded towels, awaiting my return. I had taken them off to read the small print on a medicine bottle.

It’s so easy to become preoccupied with something that we are oblivious to things happening around us. After finding my glasses I put both pairs in their cases, put them on the dresser, and took ten minutes to meditate. I needed a reset for my morning.

After my meditation, I was no longer lost in space, I was ready for the day.

Have you ever become so consumed with something you’re doing that you are not present with what is happening around you? Don’t become lost in space. It’s okay to be focused but also be alert, be aware.

Share a funny episode that has happened to you.

Monday Musings – When Laughter is Your Go To Self-Care

 

Have you ever heard the statement, “You can’t pour from an empty cup?” What is your understanding of that statement? For me it means that you take care of yourself before you can help others (I read that somewhere). After you read this post, I want you to leap into action and do something for yourself, and don’t talk yourself out of it.

This week I’m pouring back into my cup through comedy. The root of my passion for comedy is three-fold:

1.      I like to write, and I like humor.

2.      Hearing laughter during a comedy performance is exhilarating.

3.     There is joy in knowing others are having a good time engaging in laughter and taking a break from life’s daily stressors.

As I write this blog post, I am preparing for upcoming shows this week. Every comedian prepares their set differently. My process begins with collecting ideas. When I observe something that I find funny, I write it down or snap a picture. It could be a phrase I overhear, or a sign posted somewhere that makes no sense.

One day my son and I were in different areas of the house, I yelled for him to do something for me. The thing is I called him by his brother’s name instead of his name. He then says, “Do I need to wear a name tag?”

I rolled my eyes and said, “that’s why you end up in my comedy sets.”

I mentioned in a previous post that my son and I were taking a comedy class together. Well, that class has ended and it’s time for our class showcase. If you’re in the area, stop by and catch a few laughs. I’ll share a snippet of what I plan to talk about.

The premise (main topic) of my set is homeownership, more specifically, the frustrating things that happen related to a homeowner’s association. This is new material, so I’ll test it out at an open mic tonight before I perform at the class showcase.

This is the first set in a while that I haven’t included some antic about my son. I can’t say the same about him. He talks a little about homeownership too, but I’m the punchline to his joke.

My son hasn’t said that he plans to become a comedian, but he’s had fun testing out his comedic side on stage. I, on the other hand, plan to continue to spread the joy of laughter and uncover humor in everyday situations.

Laughter is at the top of my list for things to include in my self-care. Refuel, reenergize and refill your cup. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of you.

Laugh long, laugh hard, and laugh often.