Jennifer’s writing

I learn life lessons all the time through exercise. I see inspiration, courage, fear, and everything else that has to deal with the human condition. Many people use exercise as a weapon to prove they are strong enough, some use it as a therapy to deal with emotional pain, some want to push to be stronger, and some see it as a healthy social event. Either way, exercise can teach us life lessons.

Exercise is stronger than medication

Exercise is the healthiest drug, and it is free to use. Whatever you choose as your exercise, moving your body makes you feel better. It also offers a chance to leave troubles or a bad day behind. I do my best problem-solving and thinking while I am running. Exercise allows you to set goals and chart your improvements. It feels good to be doing something positive for yourself and to see the healthy changes.

Being strong physically requires mental strength

If you want to do well at any physical activity, you have to also work on your mental strength. Confidence in your ability or just sheer determination will push you to become stronger. Force yourself to not give up and to do some things that might be out of your comfort zone.

Consistency and practice are the keys to almost everything.

Being committed to something is the key to success. Build physical activity into your daily routine the same way you would brush your teeth every day. The more you do it, the more comfortable you will be with the activity and the better results you will see.

Perception is different for everyone

Everyone has the bar set at a different level. I hear conversations at races all the time to convince me of this. One person is depressed because his 5k time was 29 minutes, while someone else is ecstatic that she came in under forty minutes. Our expectations for ourselves and others are different according to our circumstances, so set your own goals without comparing yourself to anyone else.

Excuses and fear hold you back

Excuses are holding you back from a better life. Stop finding all the reasons why you cannot do something and figure out a solution for how you can. There is always a way to make something work whether you need to find childcare or time. I see plenty of people who show up at races refusing to make excuses. They want to live their best life instead of being a prisoner in the recliner. The first step is the hardest and each one after that will be a little easier.

Being healthy affects everything else in your life

When you are healthy you are in a better mood, you sleep better, you can focus more, and you generally enjoy life more.

Do what works for you.

It doesn’t matter what you do for exercise as long as you are active. Pick an activity you will enjoy doing and that way you will look forward to doing it and stick to a program.

You can help others by helping yourself

You never know who might be motivated by what you are doing. Someone else might begin an exercise program that could save his life because of you. When you are healthy, the effects ripple down to your friends and family. You can enjoy time with them more and better health means lower health care costs.

Be proud of your efforts and accomplishments, whatever they are.

If you are exercising regularly, you are an athlete and you need to think of yourself that way. I will never forget one day when I was out for a run and a lady who was running too was coming the other way. I said hello and she said, “Don’t laugh at me because I’m trying to run. I know I’m not a real runner.” I was so surprised at that statement that it took me a minute to react. I turned around and caught up with her and told her that she was just as much a runner as I was.

Exercise is a way to deal with demons while making yourself stronger and happier. It can help you turn so many negatives into positives. Start living your best life and learn the lessons that exercise will teach you.

Robert Frost is one of my favorite poets and I love his poem, The road not taken. He comes to two divergent paths in the woods, and he has to decide which path to take, just as we have to make decisions about which path in life to take. What if we had chosen a different path in life? Would the outcome be different, and what decisions would have been responsible for those changes? I’ll tell you a few decisions that would have changed my life, and I hope they help you to reflect on some of the things that have influenced your life.

I grew up in an area where the public schools were not very good. My parents had been disappointed with the experiences that my two sisters and brother had, so they decided to put me in private school. I didn’t realize it until college, but private school gave me an education and opportunities I might not have had in our town’s schools. My biology class was a child’s dream. There were three monkeys, a snake, a raccoon that would groom anyone’s hair that sat near the cage, and there was an assortment of other creatures. While none of my siblings went to college, I was surrounded by people who thought that was a basic expectation, so I just assumed I would go too.

In college, I had a chance to spend a year in France. If I had not done that, I doubt I would have become a French teacher and traveled as much as I have.

My dad owned the local gas station and car repair shop. When he was going to retire, he asked if I wanted to take over the business. I said no, and I’m sure my life would have been very different if I had said yes.

My last example is my desire to have a third child at 43. It was the best decision because she slowed me down, helped me adjust my priorities, and she amazes me every day as she shines her light.

There are so many more decisions that could have led to drastic changes. What are some of yours?

Another part of Robert Frost’s poem says, “I chose the path less traveled.” Have you done anything in your life that was different or perhaps not approved by those around you? My daughter graduated with a biology degree and was working in a research lab. I knew something was wrong when she told me she had to start taking anxiety medicine because of the job. One day, she called and told us she had quit and was going to do at-home sales. We were skeptical at first, but she has been very successful. Sometimes you should follow your heart if it leads down the path less traveled.

I was interviewing a local business owner and I was impressed by what a great listener she was. She was completely focused on our conversation without checking her phone, her e-mail, or looking around at what others were doing. I knew she heard me completely. Can you say that about most of the conversations you have during the day? We are so distracted by the many facets of our life that many times we don’t really hear what someone is saying to us. Good communication can solve problems, and poor communication can cause them. I am going to try harder to be a better listener.

My interactions with the business owner made me wonder what other traits make a big difference in the way we live our lives. Here is a shortlist that matters to me.

Kindness

Everyone struggles in some way and a little kindness can go a long way. I actively look for ways to be kind. Simple gestures like smiling at someone or opening a door can help. If you can pay for someone’s coffee, do it. Whatever you think will lift someone up is a good idea. Be kind when it is hard to be. We were at a restaurant and the service was terrible. I have learned to find the reason before reacting. The waitress told us that only one cook showed up to work, and they were also missing two servers. The signs that say thank the people who showed up are perfect. Don’t allow frustration to get the better of you.

Transparency

I heard on the news today that many people act completely differently when they are at work and home. I think the mask of trying to be something I’m not would be too heavy to carry. Wouldn’t you always be afraid that someone will figure out you are not who you are pretending to be? Be your authentic self and people can choose to accept that or not.

Keep an open mind

Is it hard for you to accept that someone else’s opinion might be the correct one, or do you like to hear others share their ideas? I like to discuss topics with people who can talk about an issue calmly. I can learn more in that situation.

Non-judgmental

I think judgmental comments are hateful, but it is something I struggle with myself. I can hear myself saying, “What was she thinking?” or, “Why did he say that?” I always feel awful when I realize I have judged someone, and I swear I will do better tomorrow. I’m going to keep trying because I don’t have any right to decide how someone else should act.

Positive

I would like to think I am a positive person, but the negative thoughts slip in now and then. Thoughts, like I’m not good enough or can’t do something well enough, are defeating. We need to work on keeping our thoughts positive and productive. Every time you hear a negative thought creeping in, turn it into a positive.

Loyal

We all need a few people in our lives who are fiercely loyal. These are the people who don’t talk behind your back, and always have something good to say about you.

What are the top qualities on your list of essential traits?

Overcomers are faced with huge obstacles, but instead of letting the obstacles crush them, overcomers bust through them and come out stronger, all the while inspiring us.

We don’t always have the power to control what happens to us, or what challenges rise up in our paths, but we do usually have a choice about how to react to the situation. Overcomers respond with grace and strength. They see complaining as a waste of time in a search for a solution. They will state the facts, but it is merely to describe the situation.

Overcomers see hope when we think a situation might be hopeless. They do not see giving up as an option. Their questions are about doing better and moving forward instead of asking why they are dealing with a challenge.

Overcomers teach us about strength and resilience. They show us that there are things worth fighting for, and we should not settle for less than a joy-filled life.

Here are a few examples of overcomers I know.

Our neighbor’s granddaughter was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis shortly after she was born. Cystic fibrosis is a disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. Mucus becomes thicker and stickier than it’s supposed to be and blocks passageways that carry air into and out of the lungs. The abnormal mucus can plug channels that carry enzymes produced by the pancreas to the small intestine. Without these digestive enzymes, the intestine cannot absorb the necessary nutrients from food. I watched this young lady grow up and lead a life like any other young girl except that she had to go into the hospital frequently to receive antibiotics, breathing treatments, and vitamins. She missed school frequently, but always maintained good grades. She sees her disease as something she needs to manage while playing paintball, white water rafting, and horseback riding. It might slow her down sometimes, but she refuses to let it steal her joy.

I know a woman who was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. She has four children and one of them has special needs. She never complained and was very open about her struggles. She was focused on what she needed to do to move forward and heal. The last I heard; her treatment has been successful.

I have known too many people who have had cancer. All of them dealt with it with courage and strength. I’m not sure I would be as much of an inspiration if I was diagnosed with it. I would probably be blubbering in the corner.

Overcomers are fearless. They are the young entrepreneurs who follow their dreams, the athletes who keep pushing, those who don’t accept the negative, and the ones who overcome the odds.

What challenges have you overcome? Do you know any overcomers? Let their inspiration help you to overcome your challenges.

I had the strangest dream last night. I met a woman who had been in a coma since 1971. She was asking me what had changed since that time. I know I dreamed this because my husband and I were talking about the crazy things happening in the world. It’s easy to shake your head and say what is going on? Has everyone lost their mind? The fact is though, we have had controversy and a lot of crazy in every decade. So, here are the questions I remember her asking in the dream and my answers to them.

Dream lady: How have things changed? Has there been a lot of progress?

Me; Well, there has been progress in many ways, but we still have a lot of work to do.

Dream lady; Have there been improvements in gender and racial equality?

Me; We have had a black president, and we have our first female vice-president, and the speaker of the house is a woman. However, we still have work to do in this area too.

Dream lady: If a lot of progress has not been made in human relationships, where did most of the positive changes happen?

Me; We have made many advances with technology. Instead of researching with books, we use the internet for quick answers. We have cell phones that can serve most of our needs. They can give us directions, let us send messages to each other, and we can video chat, read books, and watch movies. There is something called social media where we can share photos and post our thoughts and comments. There are different types of social media including one that is just for quick photos that you can alter to look better. Although they can be a way to connect, they can also cause problems by fostering comparisons, and sometimes stirring the opinion pot.

Dream lady: So, our culture has focused more on perfecting machines than on strengthening relationships.

Me; Well, that would depend on your perception.

Dream lady; What about food? Please tell me that hamburgers and pizza are still popular.

Me; Definitely.

Dream lady: Thank goodness something makes sense.   

Prayer is powerful hope. Prayer offers calm where there may be chaos. I respect anyone’s decision not to believe in this power, but I have seen it work too many times in my life not to believe it. Let me tell you a few stories about prayer in my experience.

When I was little if I misbehaved my mother would say, “Wait until your father comes home and I tell him what you did.” Every time she said that I would pray that God would make her forget by the time my dad came home, and since I never found out what dad would do, I was sure that God was listening to my prayers.

My sister had already had breast cancer once and had to go in for another biopsy years later. She told me if the tumor was malignant, she would not accept the treatment. I have a group of friends that I call my prayer warriors, so I asked them to pray that the tumor was benign. When I called my sister the night of the biopsy, she said that when she entered the office, the technician said they wanted to take another x-ray before doing the biopsy. When they took it, there was no tumor. The doctor later said she could not explain it. The tumor had disappeared.

As a Catholic, I have a patron saint. Mine is St. Thèrese de Lisieux. I didn’t know much about her until later in life when I found out that my sister had the same saint. My sister told me that the symbol of St. Thèrese is the rose and that when I saw roses that meant everything would be o.k. St. Thèrese and I have a lot in common. She was French, I am a French teacher. She was a writer; I try to be a writer. She was stubborn and so am I. I was making a tough decision about quitting my job and moving my family. There were a lot of pieces to the decision, and I was worried that I was making the wrong choice. Suddenly, I started seeing roses everywhere. Don’t laugh, but they were even on the Chinese take-out box and on the toilet paper in Outback. I pray to St. Thèrese all the time and she comes through for me. My husband has planted roses all around our yard. On a school trip to France, I walked into the cathedral dedicated to her without knowing it until I was inside.

My parents bought a collie when I was born, and we grew up together until I was 13. She was amazing, and for the rest of my life I wanted another collie, but it never worked out until this year. We lost our dog of many years, and although I knew I eventually wanted another one, I wasn’t sure where I should look for it. A thought jumped in my head that said it would come to me. In October, I was out running when my friend Lynn pulled out and said, “I’m going to go rescue a dog. A couple bought it for emotional support, but it is too active for them. It’s a border collie.” I asked my husband if we could just look at him and the rest is history. I was out running several days later, and I thought, “Oh my gosh, I have a collie and it came to me!” I consider it another answered prayer.

I am also grateful that some prayers have not been answered because they were not going to be good for me.

If you are not a believer, you can still see results by sending out positive affirmations. My family used to laugh at me when we would pull into a packed restaurant parking lot and I would say, “We will get right in!” when we went in there would always be a table for four that just opened up. Now, they usually say it before me.  

Many of us suffer from insecurities, and we would rather avoid trying something new and failing at it than being stagnant with what is comfortable. We cannot grow until we step out of our comfort zone, but often that first step is terrifying. If we believe we can do it, that first step is a little easier and as we start to see success and the possibilities, the sky is the limit. I have a sign on my desk that says that something is only impossible until you do it. Here are a few things that will help you believe that you can do those things that seem out of reach.

Adopt a positive mindset. Positive thinking can send out strong energy and when you use positive words of affirmation, it is amazing to see the results. After you prove once or twice that you are capable of difficult tasks, you will gain confidence and continue to be stronger. Possible mantras are as simple as, “I am strong enough to do this.” “I am capable.” Also, adopt a growth mindset. This means that if something is difficult for you to accomplish, acknowledge that you might need some additional knowledge or experience, and although you haven’t accomplished it yet, you will.

Ignore the haters. No matter how well you do something, there will be people who find something to criticize. Worrying about what other people say is wasted energy unless it is a good critique that you can use to grow. If you are passionate about something, you need to do it, and sometimes that means you do it even without support from those around you.

Be patient. Make goals and plans for what you want to accomplish, and if something doesn’t work, then reflect on what needs to change. Let’s say your dream is to complete a marathon. You can’t be ready for that in a week. Give yourself time.

Be persistent. It is so easy to give up when we don’t find success right away. You have to keep trying, and if you fail at something, so what? Get back up and try again.

Remember you are a rock star. This sounds like you have an ego, but it is a good practice to remind yourself of your good qualities on those days when you are feeling down.

O.k., it’s time for you to go prove that you can. The first step is to believe you can.

Are you carrying some heavy burdens? Do you wish you could lighten your load a little? We all have burdens of some kind, though we may carry them in different ways. The way we react to our challenges in life will determine whether we continue to struggle or whether we live life to the fullest.

When we are faced with roadblocks in life, we always have choices. We can let them paralyze us and not move forward, we can bust through them leaving havoc in our wake, or we can find a way around them continuing down our path. Here are a few ideas to help you lighten your load.

Be transparent about your struggles.

One of the best things I did when I was struggling with some choices my two older children were making was to stop worrying if anyone else would find out. I started talking about it with a group of mom colleagues and I saw them all breathe a sigh of relief as they began to share their own struggles as parents. If you share your burdens, not only could you lighten those of someone else, but you will release the fear and stress of hiding the struggle. You also never know when someone might know how to help you.  

Keep them in perspective

Everyone has issues. Whenever I am having a pity party about something that really isn’t that big of a deal, suddenly I hear stories of people dealing with horrific problems that leave me putting my tiny issue in perspective. Here is an example. I hate going to the dentist and as I was sitting in the office waiting for a cleaning, I was feeling sorry for myself until a woman walked up to the desk to check out. The receptionist said, “What insurance do you have?” The woman replied, “I don’t have any insurance.” (burden #1) “I haven’t had any since a year after my husband died.” (burden#2) “Since my cancers, (burden#3 because not only one cancer but plural), the insurance companies won’t accept me.” (burden#4) Let’s say that after that I realized the dentist isn’t that bad.

What can you let go?

There are some burdens that are not really ours to carry, and we sometimes make them heavier than they need to be. I didn’t understand the choices my son was taking, and instead of trying to understand him, I plagued myself wondering what I had done wrong. I worried myself into an extreme state of stress wondering how to help him, when a friend said, “Jen, love him through it. He is more likely to repair the relationship if he feels accepted and loved. You should let go of your need to fix it.” She was right and letting that stress go lifted a huge burden from me. Sit down and ask yourself if you are putting extra burdens on your shoulders. Is there something in your life that it’s time to let go of?  

Ask for help

Instead of accepting your burdens, ask for help to lighten the load. People want to help, but they are often not sure how to do it. Make a plan to make things better.

Pray or send out a request to the universe

If you are a believer, pray that your burdens will be lightened. I have seen the power of prayer. I also think sending out positive thoughts works as well. Say things like, “I will be healed of this illness.”, or “Nothing but blessings for me for now on.”

Take care of yourself

When you feel burdened, it is easy to become depressed, overwhelmed, and unmotivated. Don’t allow that to happen. Take care of yourself by eating well, staying active, and surrounding yourself with good people.

Burdens are part of life, but the lifting of them, and the journey to do that, can turn those burdens into blessings. Remember, it’s not what happens to us, it’s how we react to it.

Finding motivation

Do you ever have those days when you cannot find the motivation to do anything? If I have a day like that it usually starts out with me having a death grip on a cup of coffee while I stare into space wondering, why I am so tired and why do I not want to do anything. What are those things that steal your motivation and what can you do to find it again? Here are a few reasons for a lack of motivation that I think is common and some ideas to solve them.

Being hard on yourself. Do you go through times like I do when you don’t think what your doing is good enough, or you aren’t working hard enough at it? Do we also add in the comparison game of why can’t I be as successful as that person? The way I fight these feelings is to make sure my thoughts are realistic or are they limiting. I make a list of what I have accomplished and what I would like to achieve, and then I adopt a mindset of thinking that I might not have achieved something yet, but I can do it if I figure out how. Change those limiting thoughts to empowering ones and see if it makes a difference.

Rediscover your why. Why are you doing a project, activity, job, or anything else in your life? Clearly define your reasons for where you spend your time.

Feeling overwhelmed. If you look at something you need to do and start to panic, break it into small tasks. You can use this technique for anything you do. I do this when I run. Instead of saying I am running 6 miles, I take it a mile at a time. There is a 5k race we do every year that I love because, for me, there are three distinct miles. Mile one, I have to make it to the park, mile two, I’m out of the park and back on the road, and mile 3 is back where I started. Breaking it up like that makes that run easy for me.

You do not have support. I am going to confess something here I don’t think I have ever told anyone but my closest friends. My husband and my children could care less about my writing passion, and I don’t think any of them have ever read anything I have written. To be fair, they are the same when it comes to my running obsession, it’s just not their thing. I cannot expect support from them, but in a way that motivates me more because I want to show them, that I can be a success at what I love. I also make sure I work in an environment that makes me happy. Do whatever you can to do the same. I have a creative space filled with everything I love, including a diffuser with some amazing aromatherapy.

Being unhealthy. If you are not sleeping enough or taking care of yourself by eating well and exercising, your motivation can be drained.

You are bored. If you feel like you are in a rut, change some things up, and renew your routine.

Think beyond yourself. How can you help others with what you do? Sometimes helping others helps you.

One last idea. I read a great article that said emotion creates motion, and motion creates emotion. Figure out what needs to move, to change, and find your motivation.

Anyone who knows me will tell you that my love language is food. If you are struggling, I am going to bring you your favorite food because food can lift our spirits as well as nourishing us. It’s a way to express love with a simple gift that can help the body and soul.

I taught high school for forty years, and I spent a small fortune feeding my students because teenagers are always hungry, and it’s hard to focus on learning when you are hungry. I also enjoyed giving them snacks because many had run out of the house without breakfast because they had tried to sleep as late as possible, or they skipped lunch to study for a test. The gift of food can help someone manage a hectic schedule.

Think about the last time you had friends over for a meal. Where did the guests congregate? My guess is everyone was in the kitchen because good food is always anticipated, and it can bring people together.

Food is our basic need and our fuel. Giving extra that we have to those who need it is a gesture we should all be willing to make.

Cooking is a calming activity, and it is even more fun when it is done with friends. Eating your creation with loved ones while you talk, and laugh is priceless.

Food creates memories. If you ask my oldest what she likes about her trips to France, (I’m a French teacher), she won’t say Notre Dame or The Eiffel Tower. She will say baguette sandwiches, French onion soup, and Crêpes, and she will say it with a dreamy look in her eyes.

Unfortunately, all good things can have a dark side too. Many eat food in excess to deal with their struggles. It is a form of comfort when life seems out of control, but it can make things worse by hurting your health. Those struggling with eating disorders refuse to eat because it is the only thing they feel they can control. If you have an unhealthy issue with food, I hope you will reach out for help.   

So, what will you do with your food power? Are you going to your favorite restaurant, cooking for friends, or gifting someone with food? No matter what you do with food, it will be powerful.