Category: Tools for Life

A Return to the Tried and True

How often have you made a return to the tried and true? And why do we quit these habits in the first place?

Define Tried and True

That’s easy. We’ve done it before (Tried). Furthermore, we know it works (True).

So Why Do We Quit?

It’s really about creating habits versus the unrelenting search for something better.

If you like variety in life, like I do, it’s easy to chase after the new, shiny, 24 carat gold bangle when it drops right in front of you. There’s nothing wrong with that.  Yet, the shiny objects can live in peace next to the comfortable earrings we reach for almost everyday.

How Do We Restart?

  • Slow down.
  • Listen to your intuition.
  • Live in the moment.
  • Look for the joy.

First, we are all very different. Understanding yourself goes a long way toward being successful in your return to the tried and true. How do you start to understand your personality? One of my favorite ways is Clifton Strengths. This is not a free assessment, but well worth the price. If you are more into free, the TypeFinder Personality Test website also links to Enneagram Types.

A Real Life Example

Are you wondering why I have the photo of my bookcase? It’s how I managed to return to my tried and true method for self discovery, Morning Pages. If you look closely, you’ll see the original Artist’s Way book by Julia Cameron on the bottom shelf. Yet, that wasn’t how I started Morning Pages again. Rather, it was seeing the beautiful spine of the journal I pulled out of the many journals on the top row. Royal Botanic Garden SydneyThis journal is important to me. I bought it at the gift shop of the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney, Australia after I completed my Shoden, Reiki Level One at the International House of Reiki in the Blue Mountains.

For something seemingly unrelated, I’ve been watching Rake, an Australian series on Acorn TV, set in Sydney. It brought back beautiful Sydney memories.

How Positivity Works

How positivity works is the theme today. Do you even believe that.. a little? I’m going to give you a real life example.

The Area of Health

This is a big one for me right now. Although I’ve needed knee replacement surgery for decades, I wasn’t ready until late last year. Here I am in a new state, didn’t know anyone before I moved here and I’m having major surgery.

Positivity Helps Make Difficult Decisions

When I made the discovery appointment with Dr. Benjamin Parker, I knew the time was now. Everyone from the intern to reception commented on my positive attitude.

Thirty one days later, my neighbor dropped me off at the ER entrance at 5:30 am. I’m positively giddy with excitement. I banter with everyone; the person doing the COVID checks, the admission lady, and the nurse in the surgery prep waiting room.

A Positive Attitude is Catching

Since I had my cell phone, I took a before picture of my legs in pre-op. Everyone is in a good mood. Why is that? Part of it is my good mood. Energy is like that. Good vibes spread out in ripples and anyone who is open to my energy gets a little boost.

I noticed the clock… 6:45 am just before the nurse anesthetist administers my anesthesia. Next thing I know, it’s 10:37 am. I’m in exactly the same location only now I have a new knee. And I am still in a marvelous dream state. The smile on my face is just as broad as it was at 6:45 am. The surgery went well, everyone’s happy.

Requests are Met With Joy

Soon I’m in my room, various medical personnel filtering in and out, asking if I need anything. Coffee… that would be nice. Poof! A warm cup of Joe with creamer is in my hand. Even lunch was tasty. Wouldn’t another cup of coffee be nice?

‘Could I have a cup of coffee?’

‘Here you go.’

After lunch Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy arrive.

‘How about a little walk?’

‘Sure!’

The plan is a quick education on using a walker. Then a short walk to the door of my room. In contrast, I’m ready for more.

‘How about we go to the hand sanitizer next to the room across the hall?’

The experience of walking on an new knee was other-worldly. It was like a big cloud sponge under my right foot.

I gently sit down in the chair next to my bed. It’s 2:22 pm.

‘How far do you think I walked?’

‘About 40 feet.’

I celebrate with a fist pump!

Obstacles Disappear

My doctor decided I should stay over in the hospital one night for observation because the only person at home is my 93-year-old mother.

There’s one more little reason… I need to learn how to navigate stairs.

The stairwell is right next to my room. Up with the good foot. Down with the surgery foot. It was a piece of cake. Of course, the PT and OT girls have this big belt around my chest for safety and I was so thankful I’ve been exercising with a trainer for over 3 years prior. My arm strength came in real handy.

Positivity is Easy to Maintain

Here it is almost 3 weeks since surgery and I’m just as excited with each new challenge. My range of motion exercises progressed quickly, achieving my 4-week goal at 2 weeks. Now I’ve graduated to strengthening exercises because I’ve passed the knee flexibility test.

Some Parting Wisdom

All this positivity didn’t come overnight. It helps that I’m naturally a positive person. Even so, I practice mindful meditation daily with Ten Percent Happier. Furthermore, I include a Loving Kindness meditation each night before sleep.

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Don’t You Love the DMV – Part 2

When you first read, “Don’t you love the DMV part 2,” I imagine your response, “Oh Yeah, one of my favorite places to visit!” Perhaps you expected to read my disheartening experience as a former Floridian, trying to become a North Carolina resident. Let’s see how my visit really went.

Two weeks ago I wrote Part 1 of my experience at the DMV. If you missed it, here’s the link.

The Process Begins

As I sat down in the small office area, I appreciated the protection of the large plexiglass that allowed me to easily hear the maskless DMV employee’s questions as we got started.

Things were going well until I requested a Real ID.

“I need a passport or a birth certificate for that,” he said.

“Oh… I thought I had all the documents. Doesn’t a Social Security card suffice along with my old driver’s license?”

He looked again at my documents. “Wait a minute… yes, this will work.”

Everything went along nicely with us sharing little funny stories about our lives. The rapport between us was growing.

And Your Name?

I always like to know the name of people I meet in an official capacity. It seems friendlier and I like to acknowledge their customer service. However, in this article, I’m giving the DMV employee an alias.

“Well, some people call me ‘asshole’, but my name is John Doe,” he chuckled.

Laughing out loud, I replied, “Well, you didn’t earn that nickname today with me!”

And Then the Photo

As John was working on finishing up the paperwork, I was concentrating on getting ready for the dreaded photo. My eyes tend to look like slits as I almost always have a smile… and the DMV is okay with a smile now. I’m practicing opening my eyes slightly wider in anticipation.

Then I suddenly lose my grip on my purse, which tumbles to the floor. Bending down, I gather it up and return to a sitting position.

Ding! The flash goes off before I had a chance to prepare. The resulting photo is acceptable. Maybe I’ll get another chance in five years when I renew!

Sharing My Positive Experience

Next stop was a walk to the nearby tag office. I’m in such a good mood, the clerk comments on it.

“Yes, I’m so thrilled with North Carolina. Becoming a resident has been so easy and positive!”

“Who did you see at the DMV?” She asked.

“John Doe.”

“Really?” She exclaimed.

“I know, it was kind of unexpected, but I gave him an honest compliment and everything was easy peasy after that!”

In Conclusion

More and more, I’m seeing the truism that ‘Like produces Like’. If I feel down or expect the worst, negativity meets me at every turn.

Conversely, if I feel upbeat and expect the best, life flows easily and obstacles seem to peel off as I walk my path.