Ten Items Or More

I want to introduce you to my college roommate, affectionately  known as the ‘Pineapple Princess’.  Nani is a woman who finds joy wherever she goes, even if she finds herself in, say, Minnesota.  A strange  and crazy place for someone from Hawaii. Nani knows how to care for her ‘girl’ spirit, how to renew her energies and fill her soul. She makes a habit of noticing and practicing the things that delight her, make her laugh and feel pampered. Why is this so important?  Because it is these things that help us recover after tragedy, and setbacks.  They help us maintain balance when the pressure is on and keep us on and in the game.  

Run Like A Girl Intention#8  Be in the game: Stay in tune with your balance, energy and soul. 

By Nohealani Stewart

Recently I saw a movie entitled, Ten Items Or Less. It got me to thinking about ten things that make me happy.   Then, last week when I went shopping, I noticed there is now a sign that says, “Twenty  items or less” at the grocery store.  I had to laugh because I got to thinking, “Wow, NOW I get twenty items instead of just Ten!”  And guess what?  The thought of TEN MORE, made me smile and feel like  I had WON something.

So, here’s MY “list” to remind ME each day of those NOUNS (people, places or things) that I have in my life to keep me “up and running” like a fine tuned gal.  In making my – list, I’m not denying that I don’t have worries or concerns.  We are all very aware of our responsibilities that cause us to put our heads down and plow ahead with our lives.  This is just my way of helping ME to keep things balanced in a life that has been unbalanced a lot lately and over the years.  Can you feel me, sister?  Yep, YOU!  I know YOU know what I’m talking about….. with “our” lives being unbalanced.  

Anyway, as you read my list, I hope you will be inspired to create your own “20+” list and find your way to the girly joy of playfulness, laughter and smiling as we each walk our days & write our nights of this adventure we call OUR LIFE.   Life is for savoring and relishing.  Like the saying goes,”Life is short, eat dessert first!”  Happy Indulgence!

My List

1.  Getting a phone call, IM, email, text message or note from my husband, sons, sister, family or friends.
2.  Petting my dog, the neighbor’s dog or most any good smelling animal that I’m not allergic, to. Important: Good Smelling ONLY, no stinky pets!| 3.  Feeding the wild animals who come to our home, and thinking about the squirrels that I used to feed my leftover peanut butter toast to while in college some 35 years ago at Seattle University with Kathy.
4.  Knowing that I have 116 pairs of colorful & crazy socks.
5.  ALL good smelling flowers, except the one that blooms only once in its lifetime and is called the “stinky flower.”
6.  Christmas decorations, and how much my Mom used to love putting them up…and how much I enjoy doing the same now.
7.  Having the sunshine on my face…sunscreen or not.
8.  Watching the sunrise…and then the sunset, with a nap in between so I can stay up for both.
9.  Having my very own bar of soap to bathe with.  Hubby has his manly smelling one, I like MY own fragrant bar.
10. The aroma of soup, chili, pie, cookies, cake or anything yummy as it simmers, cooks or bakes.
11.  Knowing that my sons are happy with their lives.
12.  Watching planes or hot air balloons fly by.
13.  Listening to the phone ring, and ring and not have a voicemail come on.
14.  The smell of gasoline, tar and chocolate…individually, of course.
15.   Watching heavy equipment move…Vroom-Vroom!
16.   Riding our John Deere tractor or using our Snow Plow
17.   Visiting someone in the hospital, Hospice or someone who is lonely.
18.  Driving my Hybrid car & knowing that I’m doing something good for the environment.
19.  Being able to read anything.
20.  Having lots of Frequent Flyer Miles so I’m able to travel or surprise others with an airplane ride.

So take some time to think about the twenty items or more that you could put in your arsenal.  Make a point of noticing and  practicing those things the delight you. It will make you  a better mom, wife, daughter and friend.  Life is a balancing act so make your list, and share with us!

Kathy Vick C.L.C.
www.fluentlifecoaching.com
www.runlikeagirl.org
503 886 9642 
Look for me on 
Facebook: Run Like a Girl Book
Twitter: RLAGCoach

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