To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Peloton

47 Days: A plan to finish the year strong

47 Days. That’s the magic number until the page turns again. This one into a year of great expectation –– 2021. But a lot can happen in 47 days to make this one count even more so we should be alert. Each and every day is a gift, as we have learned this year.

During one of my Peloton bike rides this week, Alex Toussaint –– who I think is a flat-out amazing instructor due to his outrageous ability to encourage –– cited the phrase in the photo above…

My thought: Let’s find it… (rhythm, groove and pace). Let’s find it today and let’s recommit to it everyday… Let’s countdown the next 47 days by listening to every bit of uplifting music and reading and watching only what positions us for positive and forward momentum. Let’s focus our last thoughts and actions each day with a focus toward building the energy all around us.

This post is for Sunday and as I often like to do as a grounding exercise, I turn to the scripture for guidance and seeking wisdom or discernment. Throughout the last few weeks, the recurring message is two-fold. The first is on the need to serve those in need. To turn any attention from my own personal challenges and those the world imposes, to the real needs that literally surround me. “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,” (Matthew 25:35)

Let’s expand that … “For I was sad, For I was anxious, for I was overwhelmed…” You get the idea. These words are a call for us to look up and to see that no matter if it’s a smile, a kind word, physical help or sharing our resources…there is a need at every corner, and we are just the people to do that.

The second message has been the initial focus of this blog… the need for us all to SHIFT into all that is good and plentiful and brings gratitude. The scripture, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- If anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.” Philippians 4:8) We have 47 days remaining… let’s finish strong, let’s finish with locked arms toward building community and shining light in every dark corner that we approach.

Sending my love and prayers.

(Mom update: She remains under Hospice care at a local nursing home. She is holding her own and we honor each day and trust in knowing that God will carry forward the perfect plan. Your love and prayers have been what has and continues to hold us all up through this season. We are blessed beyond. Thank you.)

Vibe check: So, how’s it really going?

We have somehow almost pushed our way through May. Virtual and adapted graduations have largely come and gone, school is wrapping up, and Memorial Day on Monday will be our official nod to the summer days ahead. Most of us have adjusted to our routines (Groundhog Day, anyone?) and, like it or not, are realizing that the parts of the reality we lived in a few months ago are now but a memory.

We forge on. Humans are resilient like that.

I love my Peloton bike and find the instructors to be inspiring and generally on point with messages that work for any rider, no matter where they may live. My latest, favorite motivational coach is Alex Toussaint. He has a motto: Vibe check! As in, how are we all doing?

With so many people working from home and having their lives disrupted in many ways, we may have moved too quickly to believing everyone has adapted and is doing okay. They may be doing “okay,” but are they thriving?

We all know that being off-center is normal in smaller doses, and that we generally bounce back. We need to remember that living in this feeling for longer periods of time can (and likely will) take a toll.

It feels to me like it’s time to check in on our vibe, as Alex would say. It’s time to check in on how we ourselves, honestly, are doing, as well as the ones we love.What can we do to help shift out of any place that’s not healthy and help lift each other up? What can we do to keep wellness top of mind? There are so many great resources out there. One of my favorites is from Dr. Michelle Robin, whose resources are life-changing. One of my favorite thoughts she shared just this week was in the context of “what are we dreaming of today,” authored by Carol Lakin.

D – Draft on those that believe in you
R – Relationship: be mindful of who is in your life
E – Enrich: always remember who lifted you up
A – Authentic: Do your work to make generational change (I love this. We can all use this time to give this thought. Moving toward fulfilling a purpose is always an ignitor for the soul.)
M – Meaning or Magic: thank you for giving me a magical life with meaning (I think this is a great time to share this message with someone who has had an impact on my life…)

I would love to hear your thoughts on wellness & how we can keep the vibe going strong. Cheers to warmer days and spreading lots of love where ever and whenever we can.

You control the invite list: Will you invite the inner critic or the inner advocate?

If you have followed this blog for a bit, you will know that I’m a raving fan of Peloton, and specifically, the trainer Robin Arzon (@robinnyc), who is flat-out motivating and exactly what I need both on the bike and from a leader! Cardio isn’t my game normally, and I have had to learn to up the discomfort in order to get results and achieve optimal health. Robin’s commentary during any workout levels me up and offers useful thought-starters that help in so many areas. The one in the image above, was a particularly strong takeaway – as in, stop the bike and write it down… now.

I loved the focus on who we “invite to the party” in our head. “Do I invite the inner critic or the inner advocate?” I am generally strong on self motivation but honestly, with physical exercise, I am not forgiving of myself. In fact, if the script in my head was played for all to see, it may surprise those closest to me. I am not usually happy with how hard I can push, and I often am thinking while trying to “level up” that perhaps I can’t even go further…. this by the way is generally a bunch of self served BS. It even surprises me to be honest. Robin calls this out and I’m not sure (before that experience) that I could have recognized the tendency, and the potential impact on my ability to achieve what I’d like to.

I call this out for the simple reason that I do realize I am normally a more than glass-half-full person. It is important for all of us to realize that the stories we tell ourselves can either advocate for our success or can limit us greatly. This of course would fall true in other categories besides physical fitness… our diet/nutrition, ability to have strong relationships, achieve our career goals, remain strong as we age, etc.

With my “always” goal to be as brief as possible, I’ll leave you with this insight for today: You in fact control the dialogue in your mind. I feel if we would all make it a goal to really listen to what is on our mental “reel” through the day and in different situations we may just be surprised. By acknowledging it, we can reverse the trend and make a true impact for the better. What a great time of the year to plug this idea in and become stronger for the new decade ahead!

*As a side note: You also control the who and what you invite into your mind over this holiday season. Be sure to plug in the outcomes you want… whatever brings you peace, joy, faith and love seems like a great place to start.