This blog is about my efforts toward a nimble body and mind. Come on in, the water's warm! ~xo, Lori

Random Acts of Kick Arse: Gratitude

This month flowed with gratitude.

And when I say flowed, I mean like Niagara Falls!

Sami’s awesome RAOKA leadership has resulted in something special for me—almost like a cosmic shift. I have noticed repeatedly in my world that if one looks for something, one will find it.

A tangential example: a close friend of mine recently had a baby, and while she was pregnant and I was helping her out, I noticed pregnant women all over the place! I wasn’t actively looking for them, but they were ALL OVER, crossing my path in the grocery store, in parks, and in restaurants.

I think that’s what is also happening with each month’s theme. I notice things I would not have noticed. I certainly didn’t spent time thinking about random acts of kick arse as much as I do now.

I have seen and felt so much gratitude this month!

For example, once instance comes from our very own Sami May.

I was feeling particularly awful one day because of Ms. MS and Sami happened to check in on me, so I was straight up with her. I felt rotten. Plus, I was feeling really emotionally low about how I often can be too bossy sometimes, controlling, and generally a Type-A personality (yeah, moi). I’ve always been a leader and quite enjoy managing groups of people, especially teaching about health, science, or (you guessed it) leadership. Oh, and if I’m not five minutes early, I’m LATE!

So, she sent me two videos to cheer me up!

One, just a funny (watch it below or follow this link). I was howling with laughter!

And, two, a music video…

…with an accompanying pep talk in the body of the email about how leadership and Type-A personalities mean a lot to her (check the bottom of this post to watch the music video or follow this link). The video below is a great message and I agree, we are ALL meant to lead! I firmly believe that. I asked her permission to print here what she said in that email. Enjoy!

“Even the aliens know I’m that way inclined! Bossy Boots is a term I’m rather familiar with. ;)

“Actually, I love other Type A’s because they get me. Type A’s tend to be reliable, too. You can count on them for anything. They do what they say. Yes, we’re sometimes stressheads and control freaks but we know where sh*t is! And we get to places on time. So my dear friend, do not beat yourself up about being a Type A. The world wouldn’t have amazing inventions, organizations, charities, live aid events, music events, the Olympics, people landing on the moon, others summiting mountains, still others finding a cure for MS and god knows what else if it weren’t for us obsessive compulsive, control freak Type A’s!”

LOVE IT! This is me showing gratitude. Thanks, Sami!

On a final note, even if you choose not to join in and post your own moments of gratitude, take a moment today and see gratitude in your life. I promise you’ll find it! And, if you’re still having trouble, I’ll make it really easy:

I’m grateful for YOU today.

You are beautiful.

You visiting my site today means more than you’ll ever know.

Consider yourself hugged.

Now, get out there and lead something you’re passionate about—we need you out there! I need you out there!

Please share in the comments about your observations of gratitude.

:)

The RAOKA mission seeks to remind us that Random Acts of Kick Arse happens all around us. Each month, a member of Sami’s RAOKA groupies picks a new theme to focus our attention on something positive and good in this world. Then on the first Wednesday of the month (or Thursday for you folks living on the other half of this world) we all post about what we’ve observed.

If you’re feeling the ‘gracious’ love and have a post to add to the collection, stop by Sami’s site where she’s uploaded a linking function— just fill in the box with your site link and your link will appear on her post for all to see! Or, simply join us in the comments.

A note from Sami, “We’ve had a couple of core RAOKA members exit the group due to other commitments (thanks so much guys for being founding members) and as such, have two regular and enthusiastic contributors to this movement taking their place; Gayze from Gayzehound’s Animal Communications and Zeenat from Positive Provocations.”

Take some time to visit these RAOKA posts:

Sami at Life, Laughs & Lemmings
Lance at Jungle of Life
Dani at Positively Present
Gayze at Gazehound’s Animal Communication
Zeenat at Positive Provocations

______________________________________________________________

February Theme: Passion (as chosen by Dani, author of Positively Present )

______________________________________________________________

Niagara falls photo by Tasslehoff Burrfoot via Creative Commons

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Vacay

The beach near our vacay spot in Southern California (San Diego).

Hi all. Thanks for all your smileys in your comments at my Smiley post. How fun was that? Just remember, even though I’m not posting about my beliefs about commenting here, my “Smiley Policy” holds for all my posts. Sound good?

I had grandiose plans to continue posting three times a week while we are on vacation this week in San Diego. Now that we’re here, I’ve been spending time resting, relaxing, and pointing my face toward the sun. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to write my three posts this week. But, then again, I’ve never promised such (see my About page), so I won’t beat myself up about it. :) I’m sure you won’t either.

About a year ago, we moved away from this sun-kissed Garden of Eden for employment opportunities in San Francisco—a decision I do not regret—after almost a decade of living in San Diego. However, being back here, seeing the Pacific, watching the sun set over the water, smelling the flower-steeped air, and feeling the sun on my face reminds me of beautiful days we spent here not long ago.

I picked up a local paper to see a huge storm went through in mid-January, which brought record waves. I miss the hub-bub and conversation that arrive with big waves. Plus, the sight can’t be compared to anything else I know. Big waves makes me feel small. They put things into perspective.

Have you ever swam, surfed, or sailed in huge waves? I have swam in them many times. And, again, I felt SMALL. I felt insignificant. I felt like a small wheel in the huge machine of this universe. It actually reminds me, seeing the waves and immense ocean, that I need to lighten up regarding the decisions I’m making lately. I truly believe that we are here to enjoy our lives, to discover and explore this beautiful marble of a planet, take care of her, and to love being alive.

In regards to my efforts to post three times a week, well, the ocean put that “goal” into perspective. I think I’ll just keep my eyes on the horizon and when the urge hits, I’ll deliver what she wants me to tell you.

Please respond to my question about being in deep water or big waves. I’d love to hear about your experiences. And also, when is the last time you took some time off? Even just a day or an afternoon? Life is short. What one- or two-hour “thing” can you do to renew your sense of adventure or exploration?

Play. Explore. Live.

Create your day!
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Smiley

I’ve built this blog slowly, earnestly, and with my best intentions.

My goals for my blog are few:

1) A vehicle to connect with others

2) A method to be of service to others (i.e., to make a difference for at least one person)

To that end, I’m super happy about how these blog pages have unfolded and the people I’ve met.

However, there’s been something tugging at my hemline (well, actually it’s a go-go skirt, ’70s flower-child mu mu, camo pants, or ’80s sequined mini skirt—you’re in charge of the visual):

My comments section

I read all kinds of posts about how to get more comments, how to leave a “game-changing” comment, or how to use comments to build one’s readership. But, for me, I’m happy with the size of my readership, I rarely see a comment that I find obtuse or unhelpful, and I immensely value the community I find when I come to Jane Be Nimble. (Thank you!)

So, what’s my rub?

Well, it’s pretty minor, actually.

As most of you know, I often don’t feel well and don’t feel up to commenting when I visit blogs, even if I have something to add to the conversation. I get a lot out of reading posts, but I sometimes can’t put two and two together to leave a response. There are also times where I feel ‘more functional’, loved reading the post, and I want the author to know this, but I honestly don’t know what to say to add to the conversation or feel at a loss for words.

So, when you visit Jane Be Nimble, I want you to promise me something. Please don’t feel you need to comment to support me (although, I do love it so much—by all means continue commenting if you feel moved to do so). But, please, I implore you, if you’re busy running your business or making your next deadline at work and you’re taking a precious 2-minute break to rest your noggin and chillax, don’t feel the need to take another precious moment to draft a luxurious comment here. I will certainly know where you’re coming from!

I also know from checking my blog stats that only about 10% of you reading comment to my posts. It’s all good. No worries! I’ve been there, too.

Maybe we can make a deal?

If you come here, and you just want me to know you’re here and enjoyed what I wrote, or learned something new that makes you happy, or just want to show your support, but don’t want to construct a comment, just leave me a smiley face! You don’t even have to use your real email address in the comment form—make one up (email addresses are required by my blogging platform). I don’t cull my email addresses, anyway, and I’ll never spam you. That’s my promise to you.

And, let me be the first to start!

:)   (Hint: to make a smiley face, just type the colon symbol followed by the close parenthesis symbol [don't add a space in between them]. Or, you can use a semi-colon symbol followed by close parenthesis – or even the number 8 followed by close parenthesis: 8) . My theme/Wordpress converts many symbol pairs automatically to the ‘emoticon’. Fun!)

P.S. This post was inspired by a blogger and photographer I greatly admire. Thanks for inspiring this post, Susannah!

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The Harvard Psychedelic Club: Another Piece of the Puzzle

[photo credit afgooey74]
LSD = D-lysergic acid diethylamide
When I was asked to review The Harvard Psychedelic Club, authored by Don Lattin, the request couldn’t have come at a better time. Plus, Mr. Lattin was formerly the religion writer for the San Francisco Chronicle, right in my own geographical backyard. Coolio!
I was born in autumn of 1970. [...]

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Front Porch: Only in Lance World

[Photo courtesy faster panda]
I host a weekend series here at Jane Be Nimble called Front Porch with a focus on people’s stories, spanning comedy to tragedy, to steep us in the human experience. Many of life’s best stories are told on front porches, in break rooms, and in back yards; that’s what Front Porch is [...]

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Your Body is a Fortress, Part 8 – Go Nuts!

[Photo courtesy Athena's Pix]
An easy way to build a stronger body fortress is to pay attention to what you eat.
OK, stop it.
Stop it right there.
I can hear what you’re thinking! (Seriously, I really can.)
“Do you have to take us there!? This is so boring. I’m going to eat what I want, when I want. Ugh, [...]

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How to Not Blow Up Your Blog In Disgust After Six Months

[Photo courtesy Philms]
I’ve been blogging for six months as of January 19th, averaging three posts a week. And, yes, I’m still here.
I am woman—hear me roar.
[meow]
For those new to my blog, I should give you some context. I had to leave my job as a scientist in biotech about this time last year because of [...]

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Guest Post by Jason Ulsrud: Hold On, How I’m Surviving

I discovered Jason and his blog, literally, about a week ago via a comment he left over at my good buddy Steven’s site (at Human Explosion).
He had me at, “Hello.”
Well, he has my readership, anyway.

I find him to be vibrant, engaging, and genuine. I immediately felt connected to his spirit, which is [...]

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My Writing Life: An Answered Question

As I stated not long ago, 2010 is my year of the BOOK.
I will finish the BOOK and try my damndest to get the sucker published. I also mentioned that I want to bring you with me on my journey—today my message is towards that end.
Please get comfortable, slip the metal tab into the buckle [...]

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Front Porch: Cardboard Sleds, Machu Picchu, and Sami May

I host a weekend series here at Jane Be Nimble called Front Porch with a focus on people’s stories, spanning comedy to tragedy, to steep us in the human experience. Many of life’s best stories are told on front porches, in break rooms, and in back yards; that’s what Front Porch is all about.
The [...]

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