The Little Things

Happy Thanksgiving!!! Today is the day we choose to celebrate the little and big moments we cherish with gratitude. Do you know what I am thankful for? A working toilet. Was that a thank-you at the top of your list too? If it wasn't; I am gonna guess you haven't had plumbing problems of recent weeks. Then you need to be thankful because our bathroom is slowly draining our patience *wink*. It is having one issue after another. We tried to ignore the initial problems or at least downplay them. But the toilet that one got our attention and a plumber on their way. The plumber was happy to give us an estimate for all of our troubles, but notice I am grateful for the toilet. One issue down and many more to address down the line. It was a slight problem. We would flush the toilet and it would do its thing. Empty the water and then fill back up. Keep filling the back tank. And keep filling. And not stopping. Do you know where the water went? Out the handle!!!! Like Niagra Falls. I am not a handy-person. But that, that was wrong and kind of gross. I know I know. It's just water. But ewwww!!! My husband and I both became scared of the toilet. It was a rough roulette. Because sometimes it worked and more often it did not. The toilet was winning the war because we were running halfway around the house to use the non-issue bathroom. When the plumber came for his first visit of what might sadly turn into many he quickly fixed our first issue. And as mentioned gave us an overview of what events have sadly played out in the bathroom and what could be done to remedy them. We've all been there. Those moments that need to be addressed but that we just want to ignore. Weight is that way for many people. One pound, Two pounds, five pounds, who is really going to notice. No one really, twenty pounds might get an extra look, fifty there is gossip or at least chatter, and then hundred piles on within a nanosecond it feels. But it doesn't happen in a nanosecond, probably not even a week, possibly a month, but most likely a year's plus of looking away choosing to ignore the current moment. Life is complicated there is no doubt. But life is full of choices. Do we fight or take flight? Sometimes we can't do it all. It would be nice to roll over and go back to sleep and ignore everything like: the pets that need to be fed, comforting the sick child, balancing the impossible check-book, sorting the mountain of laundry, washing the never-ending dishes and the list goes on and on for all of us. It is in the moments of chaos we need to focus on the little things. We can't fix the whole picture in one stroke. But, we can fix a little thing one stroke at a time. By realizing with each little step we are choosing to improve the whole picture. I like to rush the masterpiece and try to paint everything with one stroke. It doesn't work and then I try to ignore everything. But that also doesn't work. Nothing gets done. So we pick a small project and focus. Because each step forward may be a little thing, but it tends to be a little thing worth our gratitude. So thank you plumber for fixing the niagara falls toilet. On this day and everyday I hope you have the people in your life that help you either enjoy or laugh at the little things from your daily life. May your HealthFULL Journey be FULL of choices and focus and gratitude. 'Til we meet again. . .

ZuMbA Anyone?

Did you Zumba today? Oh, let me tell you I sure did! I completed another first today. I participated in my first class at the gym EVER in my adult life. And it was. . . FUN!!! As you may have figured I went to a Zumba class. Before I explain Zumba to those not in the know. I have another accomplishment I would like to brag about. It is Wednesday night and I have at least met my small goal of working out at the gym at least two times per week. So yay! Now back to Zumba. I am just going to start off that I am a bit of a klutz and without the dancer physique. But I do appreciate those who have talent in the dance field. I love dance movies, dance tv shows, and appreciate those who can do a mighty fine jazz square (that's especially for you my theatre compadres) :) Zumba is a cardio class made up of a little of everything. The class I attended tonight is an hour long and we covered a little bit of everything. I think the dance types they tend to focus on include some salsa, line dancing, hip-hop, kick-boxing, dance basics and etc. The point is to get your heartbeat up, learn some "easy"choreography for roughly 9 songs, and most importantly to have fun. I really appreciated that we all were in the class learning. The instructor stressed to listen to your body if you need a break take it. (I did the full sixty without a sideline break thank you very much:) but I did learn I will bring water the next time I attend!!!) The other bit of advice is if you lose your footwork keep marching. I did march...quite a bit :) I would get pretty excited when she hit the box step and the grapevines. I'm thinking "SCORE!!!" also I do wiggle a fine shimmy if I do say so myself;) But I did have fun. Another great thing to Zumba being my introductory class is that everyone is at a variety of skill levels and stages of physical health. As I mentioned the instructor made it clear to step aside if the joint work is physically uncomfortable. I noticed jumps not my forte right now. There is a little more of Suzy than Suzy prefers for gravity to work against. So as I get stronger "and lighter" the jumping might get a bit easier , I hope ;) That's where marching and I got to be close personal buddies. There was one song where we kept a bounce to the rhythm with our legs and worked our arms the entire song. I will proudly say I was not the only one groaning with relief at the end of that number. Wowsers!!! Loved the two closing numbers as it was all about the stretching. And for the first time in the class I almost felt as if I was up to snuff:) Zumba was definitely a new experience that I am thrilled I tried. What lessons did I learn to carry with me as I continue my HealthFULL Journey? I truly can move for a continuous sixty minutes and still function afterwards. I am klutzy. And the most thrilling discovery, that I can still laugh at myself. :) Life offers too many scenarios where laughter is needed; I am glad that I can still pack a sense of humor no matter where this journey leads, even if it is to a Zumba class. I recommend Zumba to everyone. It is an energizing, challenging, and fun work-out for any skill level. Here's my last question, Zumba Anyone? :)