My 40 Day Challenge that You should Join

Ever have one of those days that you just don't want to do....anything. You just want to be?

Well, I have to admit Fred & Ginger (left leg & right leg) express a mood to chill from time to time. After all, they weigh 12 lbs each so if I'm tired, they are tired.
We have had talks from time to time as my heart and brain want one thing & Fred & Ginger want something else.

So, for those times I give in and let them rest, I find that I love watching the kids in the E*Trade commercials (not all the time, I do have other interests, really I do) but if I need a laugh I watch something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhfl4mFH1No

The messages are funny but it is also KIDS telling ADULTS how to do something the right way. Hence, listen to the little people they can really open your eyes.

Ok, so what is my challenge. For the next 40 days (starting today) I am going to omit the idea that I have an answer. I'm going to ask for advice and find a way to engage the little people of our world as part of this. In addition, I'm giving up the tendency to have comments, advice or input when people share with me. I'm being nurtured (through an amazing leadership course) to be a much better listener.

Find something you can do for YOU while laughing at the same time. I see these commercials and find how easy it is to laugh but get a great message.

Let me know how your doing!! You can do ANYTHING for 40 days.

Love, Jen

Elite Alpine Skier at 130 mph

Olympics - summer or winter, I love watching them. The camaraderie, talent and ambition to go for the gold always inspires me. I am even more excited for the Paralympics, for obvious reasons, but how often do you get to experience inspiration at their level.

Looking at this photo what do you see? Great smile, happy dog, warm landscaping, etc. Do you see anything missing?

Marty Mayberry is a 24 year old Aussie who lost both of his legs at 16 due to menengitis. He is now the ONLY ELITE alpine skier that is a double BK (below-knee) amputee.

Great skill and fitness plus state-of-the-art prosthetics enable him to zoom downhill at 130km/h, and his prosthetist will be in the Canadian ski resort of Whistler to cheer him on at the Winter Paralympics next month.

I am looking into a ski trip and can't wait to see how I do. It's guys like this that give a whole new meaning to "things aren't always as they seem."

Look for the Paralympics March 12 - 21st in Vancouver.

Question of the Week

Check out the new poll on the right side of the blog. I'm going to pick your brain once a week-ish with a new thought or idea. Participate as much as you like. I'm really quite a curious cat. :)

Peace,
Jen

Umami

Anyone who knows me knows how much my stomach & food are the best of friends.

So, as friends take care of friends, I help my stomach by looking at new places to patron or recipes to try.

While I don't live in Cali, I recently stumbled upon good food, good knowledge & a whole new vocab! Welcome to Umami Burger! What is this you ask? It's a yummy looking hamburger-veggie burger restaurant. Check out the eats.

Ok, so it's food. No big deal. But wait. I kept asking "what is Umami?" For those who already know (and I can guess a few) here goes my explanation. Umami is the 5th taste! There are the basics tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, salty. For that extra taste we enter "savory" or umami.

"A comparison of umami ingredients from the East and the West: umami is actually used in various forms all over the world. In Asia, umami is mainly found in beans and grain, fermented seafood-based products, shiitake mushrooms, kombu and dried seafood. In Western cuisine, there are also fermented or cured products derived from meat and dairy products, namely ham and cheese. The most well-known ingredient is the tomato."

Here is my thinking: go beyond the food. If a current life scenario, shortcoming, disappointment or emotion can't be checked off on a box or attached to a label, then create your 5th taste. Life is not always as we wish or want it to be but don't stop if you don't have a box to put it in. Create something new, learn from it and go with it.

Most of our blocks or speed bumps are designed to bring out our inner strengths not to create frustration. Enjoy your 5th taste and take from it what you can.

Peace,
Jen

The Best Little Project

I'm definitely into being happy and even more into cool projects. So, as I'm playing with my e-reader I find this great gem: The Happiness Project.

The author, Gretchen Ruben, says this is an approach to changing your life. She did a different thing every month and documented what she was trying, what she learned & even started Happiness Project Toolbox website!

She writes like she is talking directly to me (or you, in your case ) while putting me into thinking mode. She is very clever.

Trying new things in my life is an on going thing so why not meet new people, have new stories and experiences to share. All while creating your own project.

Be more polite, try a new approach on a co-worker, say Thank You more, sleep more, drink more water, etc.

The point: just enjoy and try :)

Love,
Jen