Monday Musings – The Day I Almost Became Part of the Exhibit

 

Life is too short to be embarrassed; This is what I told myself the day I almost became part of an exhibit. As a result of this episode I stumbled upon my new mantra – I may be aging, but I’m still rocking the boat.

You’re probably familiar with the saying, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Well, take good look at the photo included with this blog post; it has a story to tell.

It was an atypical workday, the rare occasion where I escort a group on a trip. We enjoyed a tasty dinner that was pleasing to the palate. As we waited for the entertainment to begin…I became the entertainment. It was comical, but I was not performing comedy.

A large group of us stepped outside of the venue to absorb serene atmosphere- a sandy  ocean front, the sun setting, and a relaxing fire pit. I would be remiss if I did not mention the replica sailboat that sat on slats near the sandy area. It was a perfect spot for photos.

I watched as several people posed standing in front of the sailboat or sitting on its edge. Then it was my turn, I excitedly plopped on the front edge of the boat. It rocked, swayed…almost capsized.

I hoped up, took a bow, and asked those who took pictures before me, “why didn’t you warn me?” That replica sailboat couldn’t handle my hips. There should have been a warning sign, a weight limit, something to deter me from mounting that boat.

One of my travelers was doubled over with laughter. When she caught her breath and regained her composure, she began singing, “Rock the boat, don’t rock the boat baby. Rock the boat don’t tip the boat over.”

I joined the clamor, raised my arms as though I had just received a score of 10 on a balance beam dismount. In that moment, I realized you’re never too old to make a spectacle of yourself.

Below are 5 ways you can survive embarrassment by finding the funny.

1.      Give yourself permission to laugh.

2.      Change the question from “Why me?” to “Why is this funny?”

3.      Use humor as a reset. A good laugh can change the emotional temperature of the entire situation.

4.      Ask, “Will this matter 5 years from now?” If not, you might as well enjoy telling your story.

5.      Celebrate your ability to recover. Sometimes the funniest part isn’t what happened but how you handled it.

I’m learning to grow older without growing too serious. How do you handle an embarrassing situation?

Fun Friday – When Nature Calls and Won’t Let You Leave

 

I just needed a bathroom break, not a survival story. My episode happened at a service plaza on a turnpike. I was traveling with 50 other passengers on a charter bus…and I was the group leader. This was one time I wished we had played that childhood game – Follow the Leader. Maybe then I would have had a rescue team.

I let my troops (group) off the bus and watched them disperse into the restrooms and eateries inside the plaza. I rushed toward the women’s restroom with a heard of other travelers seeking relief. Inside the restroom we were all peeking into the slightly open stall doors. The last thing I wanted to do was to walk in on someone in a Tai Chi squat position.

Once in a clean stall, I slid the metal lock into its space on the door, then made my bladder happy. Nature called and I answered.

Ready to make my exit from the stall, I attempted to slide the metal device to open the door. It didn’t budge. I tried again, and again with no luck. I began to snatch  the door from the bottom, toward me. The lock still did not free itself. I planned scenarios in my head – I could crawl underneath the stall door.

I abandoned those ideas as I remembered seeing one of our travelers at the sink when I entered the stall. I called out in a wee voice, “Wanda…Wanda.” The only response I heard was running water, and hand dryers blaring. I grabbed my phone from my purse and attempted to call Wanda.

Once I unlocked my phone, a message scrolled across the top, Wi-Fi unavailable, emergency calls only. I refused to call 9-1-1. Instead, I said, “Lord, you parted the Red Sea, and turned water to wine; could you open this stall door? I’m sure this will be funny later, but right now I’d like a cup of coffee.”

I tried the lock one more time, and it opened. I said, “Thank you,” and off I went to gather my troops to reboard the bus. The next time nature calls when you are traveling, take a buddy.

Below are a few fun tips to get you through a situation like the one I experienced.

1. Stay calm. Panic burns calories, but not enough to justify the stress.
2. Accept your new address. "Currently residing in Stall #3. Mail can be slipped under the door."

3.                Start planning your autobiography. From Freedom to Flush: My Journey Behind the Locked        Door.

4.            Wave proudly at the person looking through the gap under the door. Awkward for them, entertaining for you.

5.                Keep your sense of humor. It's lighter to carry than embarrassment.

Have you ever found yourself in an awkward situation where you were able to later turn it into humor? Spill the beans, what happened?

Monday Musings – When Your Biggest Fashion Critic Lives in Your House

 

There was a time when I was worried about what my boss would think of an outfit I wore. Those were the simpler days. Now before I can even grab my car keys, I have to survive a full-blown fashion review from my adult son. He’s the self-appointed CEO of Closet Corrections. I can leave the house wearing confidence, but somehow five minutes with him has me wondering if I accidentally got dressed in the dark.

Our conversation the other day was my fault, I already knew the answer when I asked the question. I think I just needed confirmation. Before I get to the question, I need to briefly share the backstory.

Lately, I’ve been dealing with the bulging belly of menopausal bloatedness. My comfort clothes have become anything with an elastic waistband. When it came to deciding what to wear to work on casual Friday, I immediately eliminated jeans. An obstacle appeared when I decided to wear my blue logo staff shirt, made of soft breathable material.

The scavenger hunt began to find pants to accompany the shirt I’d chosen. My blue capri pants had a button missing, and I was not in the mood to fight with a safety pin. My beige ankle length pants would have been ideal, but I had already worn them that week. Fast forward three outfit changes…

I grabbed my Pepto-Bismol colored leggings, pulled them on with ease, along with my blue l polo work shirt. I entered the doorway of my son’s bedroom and shook him awake, “Does this look okay to wear to work?”

“Did you get dressed in the dark? Those colors give baby shower vibes. Your co-workers are going to think you’re going to a gender reveal.”

My son’s statement solved my wardrobe issue – I changed clothes and finished preparing for work. My fashion critic had spoken. This time my closet didn’t betray me, my son did. However, I survived the morning fashion intervention.

Here’s my closet confidential, tips on how to survive when your clothes try to betray you:

1.      Appreciate elastic waistbands – the older you get, the more you should appreciate elastic waistbands, and stop apologizing for it.

2.      Remember: your style doesn’t have to earn your kid’s approval – it just has to survive their commentary,

3.      Confidence is wearing what you love, even if your in-house stylist disagrees.

4.      The best accessory is a sense of humor

Through my fashion mishap, I’ve begun to wonder  whether “comfortable” and “fashion” are allowed in the same sentence. One thing I know for sure…I’ll continue to celebrate me; and you should do the same.

If you are facing a challenge here is a quote to encourage your forward momentum:

“Storms don’t last forever, but the strength they build does.”