Motivational Monday - Memorial Day Inspiration

 

YouTube Video Credit: True Wordings

Wordless Wednesday - Humor Happy Hour - The Shower Incident

 

YouTube: The Shower Incident - uncovering humor in a crazy situation

What are you finding humorous today?

Wordless Wednesday - A Dose of Humor - The Yoga Incident

 

The Yoga Incident

Monday Musings – Mental Health Awareness Month – How gratitude and humor help

 

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Health is wealth, this is a statement that is used quite often. The month of May is observed as Mental Health Awareness Month and is a great opportunity to emphasize health and wellbeing. Laughter is one method to use to assist with your wellbeing.

I saw an advertisement recently about practicing yoga, it read, “when your mind is right, your body will follow.” My first thought was my mind must not be right because my body is not doing what I want it to do…lose weight.

I’ve tried yoga, I like yoga, I’ve failed at yoga, but I keep trying. I attribute my stalling weight loss efforts to the aging process. I know I am stronger because I am moving my body, but I feel like I have to work doubly hard (I know that’s not correct grammar) to get the results I want. I’m not giving up yet, but I will poke fun at things along the way.

In addition to humor, expressing gratitude can help your mood. These things help me find balance and still have joy although I have not reached my self-imposed goals and deadlines. I’ll share a story of how I recently combined gratitude and humor.

After experiencing a plumbing issue, I was grateful for balanced water pressure at home.

I awoke one morning, started my routine by brushing my teeth. I turned the water on and a stream of water, the thickness of a pencil led, trickled out. I cupped one hand under the faucet in an attempt to rinse the foamy toothpaste from my mouth. It felt like an eternity before my mouth was clear of foam.

Flushing the toilet was an adventure in itself. Just to get toilet paper to go down, required holding the handle for a ten count. Once, I walked away and returned and the toilet paper was back. It felt as though I was in a game of hide-n- seek. Where was the water pressure I needed?

As I turned on the shower, my expectations were low. Would there be enough water pressure to work up a lather with the soap? The answer to this question was a resounding, YES, the water worked up a lather. However, the experience was the opposite of what I anticipated.

I stepped into the shower, adjusted the water temperature, all of a sudden the water was shooting out rapid fire. I blast of water hit me in the eye, then my ear. I started swinging my arms and flailing my arms like a panicked swimmer trying to stay above water.

A twist of the shower head balanced the power of the water pressure. That shower scene taught me to be grateful for the little things…working water. Being able to laugh through the frustration of failed yoga sessions, and wacky water pressures, was good for my mental health.

Make a deliberate effort this month to focus on your mental health. It must be a priority…and laughter helps.

 

Wellness Wednesday – National Smile Month

 Share your smile with a friend

This post is a repeat from last year, yet still relevant. Happy National smile Month.

The month of May is celebrated as National Smile Month. This day was established by the Oral Health Foundation to raise awareness of important health issues. And it serves as an opportunity to flash your bright smile after a dental cleaning (just my opinion).

During my last dental cleaning, the hygienist asked how my adult sons were doing. She reminisced about the times my younger son would visit for his cleaning. He was about three or four years old at the time she recalled. “He would hop in the chair, no apprehensions, and after a short while he was asleep.”

A few years older, my son was still relaxed enough to fall asleep. The dentist and hygienist liked the antics of my son, but I was the one who got in trouble for his smile. I was told, “Mom, you have to brush his teeth for him when he doesn’t do it.” I don’t think they understood my struggle. I tried to brush his teeth; I got a few of them brushed before he twisted and turned.

Fast forward fifteen years or so I’ve still said a time or two, “Did you make your dental appointment?”

His response was, “Ma, I’ve got it from here.”

That’s when I realized, this phase of my parenting was done. The condition of my son’s smile was now in his hands.

What will you do to observe National Smile Month? Dental Health.org has ideas for celebrating. If you have grandchildren or know of young children, one idea that sounds fun is to write a letter to the tooth fairy.

For adults who want to show support, take a smiling selfie, and post it to social media. There is a “Smiliey” background that Dental Health would like you to use. If you’re interested in more details about National Smile Month, click here.

Keep your smile healthy and brighten someone’s day by flashing your smile at them.