Fun Friday – What to expect when you’re expecting stress free travel plans

 

How do you plan for a trip? Do you recite a list in your head to make sure you have packed everything for your trip? Two things you must pack are your patience, and a sense of humor. This reminds me of the old American Express card commercial, never leave home without it.

One of my favorite bible stories growing up was about Sampson, and how God gave him physical strength in a time of dire need. I didn’t think I was in dire need the day I felt like I had the strength of Sampson. My miraculous episode of strength happened during a conference.

Rising before the sun, I pulled on my purple spandex workout pants, and matching tank top with a white swoosh on it. Off I went to the hotel fitness center. For the next 40 minutes I did squats, knee thrusts, used weights, and ended with a short yoga session.

At the end of my huffing and puffing I felt energized and ready for my first cup of coffee. A warm shower was a pre-curser to that cup of coffee.

Back in the room, I attempted to wash the sweat and workout germs from my hands. The bar of soap could hardly be considered a bar. It was the length of a business card, and only a little thicker.  A lather formed on my hands as I rubbed and sang the Happy Birthday song. Before I could sing round two of the song, the soap broke in half and hid itself in the lather.

The itty-bitty, teeny tiny soap didn’t hold up, under the pressure of my strong hands. I tossed the remnants of soap in the dish on the countertop and stepped into the shower hoping for better results, but that was not the case.

In the shower, there was no itty-bitty soap to contend with, instead there was body wash. The gel soap was in a metal container attached to the shower wall. The container looked sturdy…but it had not yet met my hands. I pressed the knob with the palm of my hand, and a squirt of the gel dropped into my hand, but so did the face of the container.

The little patience I packed, was begging to run out. The bright side was, each time a mishap occurred, my humor bone strengthened. I didn’t crush, crumble, or smash anything else during my trip, but there were other occurrences where I was glad I’d traveled with my sense of humor.

When you expect to have a stress-free trip, know that things happen, and the best laid plan can go off course. Pack your patience and your sense of humor and enjoy your journey.

What is something humorous that has happened during a trip you’ve taken?

Wordless Wednesday - Humor Happy Hour - Costly car repairs

 

YouTube Video: The lighter Side if a costly car repair

Wordless Wednesday - Humor Happy Hour - Muscles that refuse to cooperate

 

Humor Happy Hour - Do your muscles pop?

Wordless Wednesday - Finding humor with helpful family

 

Humor Happy Hour - Helpful Family

Muffins with Mom – The Lighter Side of Car Repairs

 

Is there anyone among us who likes costly auto repairs? When I am told that my car needs repairs, I break out in a sweat, clench my jaws, and temporarily stop breathing. The price is written on a piece of paper and slid across the counter to me.

I stared at the numbers scratched on the paper. I blew out a gush or air so strong, that the service guy could probably smell the purple onions and Raspberry vinegarette dressing from my salad at lunchtime.

“Let me think about whether I want to have this done right now,” I said to the service person.

When I returned home, I shared my repair situation with my son. He shared his viewpoint with me.

“Ma, that’s not something that you really need right now. Think of it like this…your chip a fingernail and they want you to get a new set, but all you really need is a fill-in.”

“When did you learn nail tech language?”

“I’m just trying to explain things in a way you would understand.”

Since my son painted a clear picture (pun intended, newly painted nails and all), I decided not to go with the cosmetic repairs.

Instead of crying over the money I would have to spend on car repairs, my son provided me with a moment of humor relief.

Where are you finding humor – at work, a family situation, perhaps an embarrassing moment? Humor is around us every day, uncover it and use it as a stress release.

Feel Good Friday – 10 Things that bring you joy

 

Joy – “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.” What are you doing to experience your share of joy as often as possible? Do something today that gives you a feeling of happiness and great pleasure.

Don’t miss out on the joys in your life. An article I read suggested making a list of 10 things that bring you joy. For those who are writers, the article suggested that you write about one of the items in a journal, essay, or blog post.

For those who are not writers, don’t fret. Here’s your challenge…everyday for ten days, engage in one item from your list. What would you include as the 10 things that bring you joy? Below are 7 examples from my list:

1.      Relaxing on a lawn chair soaking up the sunshine

2.      Watching a Hallmark movie

3.      Reading a good book

4.      Laughing with family and friends

5.      Reading a devotional

6.      Experiencing a massage

7.      Sipping coffee and watching a sunrise

I could probably come up with a story to share related to each one of the items above, but I’ll share a quick one. I remember sitting in my backyard on a blanket on a warm sunny day during the COVID quarantine. I relaxed with a book, my bare feet, and birds tweet overhead.

An unwanted guest interrupted my relaxation. Out of my peripheral vision, a shadow swept past me. Was it a bunny, a chipmunk, a little bird who lost its’ way? No, it was a mouse. Minnie and Mickey Mouse are cute on TV, but not dashing through my backyard. I took up my blanket and left.

Now I enjoy the sunshine and breeze from the sliding door in my kitchen.

You may be able to come up with an extensive list of ways you find joy, if so, create a list of 30 things. Your task then becomes a 30-day challenge of seeking great pleasure and happiness. Go for it.

Wordless Wednesday - Humor Happy Hour - Kids Say the Darndest Things

 

YouTube Video: Remember the saying, Kids should be seen and not heard? Here's a fun example

Motivational Monday – National Brain Health Month

 

Are you keeping your brain healthy? The month of June is recognized as National Brain Month. Focus on things that bring awareness to your self-care and wellness. A few ways to accomplish this include – exercise, socialization, and being mentally active.

One method I use for mental health is to practice yoga and meditation. I am not at the top of the class when it comes to meditation, my mind won’t cooperate. The soft voice guiding the meditation says, “relax your mind.”

My mind immediately snaps back at the calm voice – I need to make a grocery list, put a load of clothes in the wash…what time does the bank close today?

The voice continues, softly rolling instructions from her tongue like a ball of yarn unraveling. My legs are crossed, my back is straight, and my eyes are closed. My mind…still not relaxed.

The friendly voice says, “inhale.” What I hear is in hell. My mind lashes out at the voice, who’s in hell. I’m not going to hell. I’m trying to live right, get my body right. I don’t want to be in hell.

After a couple more deep breaths, I refocused. I realized I’d had a flash back to my childhood days where we studied words that sound alike but have different meanings. I believe those are called homophones.

The same as we practiced our lessons in childhood, there are still things we can learn as aging adults. Perhaps there is an activity you have considered trying but kept putting it off. Challenge yourself to try something new this month.

Invest in yourself this month, exercise, eat healthy, socialize, and focus on your mental health. You deserve it.