Posts Tagged ‘light my fire’

A few months ago, I met Matthew Rich. Although we’ve only hung out two times, I consider him a good friend. In fact, I’d call him my inspiration. He’s taught me so much about life.

How we met
It was interesting how we came to know each other. See, I have this Fit Friends fan page on Facebook and one of my friends suggested that Matthew fan the page. Right away, I noticed him. He was really enthusiastic about the health and fitness information I was posting, and was adding a lot of interesting comments. He really loved the purpose of the fan page — to motivate others to be happy and healthy.

We decided to chat on the phone — we were both interested in creating a video with workout moves and other fun stuff. After a little while, I had to go, but we made plans to keep in touch and get together to do more brainstorming. I’ll never forget what Matthew said before we hung up … he told me that there was a lot more he still had to tell me. Matthew told me he has cerebral palsy and is in wheelchair. That really caught me off guard because I knew he was a personal trainer, loved karate and just started dance classes. He uses his crutches whenever possible.

The key here is that I didn’t know he had any physical challenges. With his attitude, his accomplishments and his goals — you’d never know it. That’s how he lives his life. He doesn’t let things hold him back or feel saddened by what he can’t do. Matthew pushes ahead and does the things that people wouldn’t expect. He does it for himself, but he does it for other people too. He’s an example of how with hard work and determination, anything is possible. He says his place in life is to inspire others. I LOVE IT.

Appreciating the small things
After we hung up the phone, I got emotional immediately. I never told Matt this, but I called our mutual friend right away and cried. “Meeting” Matthew really put things into perspective. At the time, I was really stressed out with work, managing my time and meeting my personal and professional goals. I’m often really hard on myself … looking ahead to the next big thing … but Matthew’s influence has helped remember the little things.

It’s easy to forget how fast and easy it is to tie my shoes, go out for groceries or make myself a meal. For him, it’s more challenging. It takes more time, or maybe he needs help. Read the rest of this entry »

Today, I woke up with a need to be creative and express myself. I’ve been having so much fun with my nieces — they help me reflect on the simple things. They inspire me, and I love it. So this morning, I just wanted to be free … alone with an open mind, chalk and some sidewalk.

I wasn’t sure what to write or draw, or really want I wanted to say. But that’s the great thing — sidewalk and chalk is like life — you have a whole big open space to do whatever you want. If you mess up, you can start over or move on to the next big thing/space. You can “be” big, small, simple, loud — whatever you want!

I love that I just got out there this morning. I didn’t care that it was 8 am and the neighbors were out walking their dogs and that they might think I was a lunatic … and it’s Easter Sunday. Sometimes you just need to go do what makes you happy — short or long term — and be ok with being alone with your thoughts.

Next time you get the urge to do something, don’t hold back! Let Go, Live Loud, Have No Fear.

As a kid everything was AMAZING. Amusement rides, an Easter basket, a new toy, chocolate pancakes, camping … those were the days.

I’ve been thinking about these things a lot because I’ve been spending more time with my nieces. (Gabby is five and Sofia is two.) I’ve been taking Gabby to swimming and cooking lessons and it really reminds me of all the things I enjoyed as a kid. My aunt took me to swimming lessons once — afterwards, I totally made her to take me to McDonald®’s and to 7-Eleven for a slurpee and Nerds.

When I think back to my favorite memories, I remember the people who were there and what we did. (Oh man, I remember hanging out at my mom’s friend’s house while they gave each other perms!) Anyway, I really feel like I’m making memories with my nieces whenever we’re together, and I love it.

They get so happy and excited about the little things, and being around them reminds me to look at the world with young, fresh eyes. When you’re young, you don’t know how to hold grudges or live with regret, uncertainty and disappointment. And, everyday there’s something new to learn.

It’s kinda ironic … I remember wanting so bad to grow up and be a big girl. I was always impatient about wanting the next big thing. Kindergarten, high school, college … I wanted more and more. Now that I’ve finished the schooling, gotten job and life experience, I’m trying to be conscious of and thankful for all the things that made me who I am today. This includes all the people and memories that have shaped me.

My advice
Enjoy time with people of all ages — young and old. You’ll surely find something to take away, and you’re sharing a bit of yourself. Maybe it’s a memory that will last long after the moment has passed.

Make every interaction count. Be patient and be in the moment, wherever you are.

Years ago, someone told me — DO YOU. I can’t remember exactly who said it, but I’m pretty sure it was a guy I met, of course, at the gym. I must have been telling him about some things I had planned or what I had up my sleeve, and he just said — DO YOU.

I’m sure you’re reading this wondering … what the heck does that mean? Is it a question — like, DO YOU … want to blah, blah, blah? It’s not a question at all. It’s a statement!

It means: Be yourself. Be happy. Do your thing. Don’t hold back.

When you say it to someone, it also means that you encourage them to do follow their passions. You’re not telling them a million reasons why they shouldn’t … or question where their ideas and dreams come from … plain, simple, easy — you support and respect what they want.

My advice
Make “DO YOU” part of your vocabulary. Say it to yourself whenever you’re in a moment of self-doubt, making a decision or setting a goal. Think about what really makes you happy, and keep going with it.
Say “DO YOU” to your friends, family and colleagues and respect the path that they are on, even if it differs from your own.

In the end, Do YOU means you believe in yourself and others. You’re moving forward and you’re getting where you want to be — and encouraging others to do the same. The world would be a more loving, supportive and happy place with a little more “DO YOU!”

Photo by Rayani Melo.

Billy and I are like night and day — sometimes. I’m really out there and adventurous. I’ll do just about anything once. I talk too much and I wear my heart on my sleeve. Billy’s reserved. He’s private at times and not boastful, and likes to do his own thing. I like creative stuff like dance shows and plays — and he’s a horseshoe tournament champion and loves his Yankees and Giants. When we decided to do something together — he wasn’t into my mud runs, rock climbing, etc. — we picked tai chi. We had the special shoes and all.

What is tai chi? My definition = a slow, peaceful karate-dance.

Tai Chi promotes the circulation of chi — or life energy — within the body, encouraging wellness and vitality. Basically, you do a series of flowing movements and your body is in constant motion. The exercise is not strenuous — your feet are always planted, and your move your torso and arms in graceful, deliberate, and sequenced movements. They say tai chi can: reduce anxiety and depression; improve balance, flexibility and muscle strength; improve sleep quality; lower blood pressure; relieve chronic pain; increase energy, endurance and agility; and improve overall feelings of well-being.

It was a pretty cool experience. I’m not going to lie though — it was challenging! I’m very high energy, so I have a hard time being quiet and just calming my mind, moving slowly and measuring my breaths. Some of the moves were difficult to follow, but I think that’s with any new type of exercise until you get used to it. At the end of six weeks, I still didn’t think I was any good though. (Billy wasn’t any better! )

I really liked calm and gentle energy in the room …

If you’re looking to try a class, just do a quick search online. You might find that your local karate studio, gym or wellness center offers a tai chi program. You may even find a tai chi studio — TRY IT!

Photo by Diana bella computer is in hospital’s.

John Miller is a sweet, articulate and friendly person. I met him on twitter, and we hit it off immediately. I’d say we have similar values and we both care about others — and we’re kinda quirky in a fun way! In fact, when I asked him to send me a picture, he sent one where he’s dressed as a sheep for Halloween. I love it! John says the picture “expresses his oddness.”

Read about some of his life experiences and how they’ve made him who he is today. He’s an ambitious and caring blind individual with a passion for life that’s sure to inspire you!

ATG: What do you do “for a living?”
John: Currently, I torture myself by attending graduate school for rehab counseling and psychology. My ultimate goal is to find a way to bring people with disabilities and travel together.

ATG: What’s your favorite childhood memory?
John: My first airplane trip, which was from Charlotte to Los Angeles. We were headed out there to compete in an event called the Braille Institute Olympics. We trained for months, but were still slower runners than most of the other athletes there. I didn’t care though, as I got to meet some celebrities and visit Magic Mountain amusement park.

ATG: Have you ever been discriminated against or treated poorly for being who you are?
John: I was once denied a chance at employment when the hiring person heard that I was blind. She told me and my job placement specialist to turn around and leave because “he can’t even see the screen!” This was before we even pulled into the parking lot.

I know it’s something I should have fought, but I lacked the advocacy skills to do so at the time. It gave me a taste of how cold and cruel some people can really be.

ATG: What do you believe in?
John: I believe there’s ultimate goodness in people. Despite me mentioning how cold and cruel some people are, I have actually had many more positive experiences.

ATG: What are your life goals?
John: To gain a real sense of independence for myself. Then, I’ll reach out to help others do the same.

ATG: What do you do to “de-stress?”
John: Turn the volume way up and bounce around! You’d be surprised at how getting your blood flowing can change things. I admit that if things are looking particularly bad, I might crawl into bed either for a short nap or an early crash. I think the first method is actually more effective.
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Hello, Friends! I’m wishing you an awesomely healthy and energized week. Hope you like this “mixed tape” I put together — just for you! Feel free to comment or add your own suggestions. I have more mixes coming soon.

1. “BOYZ” – MIA
2. “American Boy” – Estelle
3. “Boom Boom Pow” – Black Eyed Peas
4. “Make it Clap” – Busta Rhymes
5. “I’m a Hustla” – Cassidy
6. “Do it to It” – Cherish
7. “Love Lockdown” – Kanye West
8. “Bonafied Lovin’” – Chromeo
9. “Shawty Get Loose” – Lil’ Mama
10. “King of the Dancehall” – Beenie Man
11. “Jook Gal” – Elephant Man, etc.
12. “Calabria” – Enur
13. “Get Me Bodied” – Beyonce
14. “Long Way to Go” – Cassie
15. “D.A.N.C.E.” – Justice

Photo by massdistraction.

It’s been exactly one week and a day since I got let go from my full-time gig. I’m no longer an “account executive” in a marketing department, and I’m no longer in the financial services industry.

“Account executive” doesn’t actually describe the work that I did. I didn’t have an account, but I surely had a lot of internal “clients.” I’d say I was a copywriter. I wrote for the internal and external newsletters … among other things. It was a good experience, and so was my work at my position before that (in a marketing department in the healthcare industry).

At both of these places, I met some of my closest friends — and my two mentors. At both places, I doubted myself as a writer (pushed through it, obviously!), and I was challenged all the time. I loved it! These experiences are what makes me who I am today. I got affirmation about what’s important to me, and clarity on how to live a life with passion.

Here I am
I cried in the car driving away from my old job. I called my fiancé, my mom and my best friend. And, during the hour drive to teach my kickboxing class, I “got over it.” Life is about change, and opportunities are out there for me. I haven’t felt bad about myself or gotten emotional about it since. Why? Because I did my best and have no regrets. It’s like Don Miguel Ruiz says:

Always do your best. Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

My current goals
I just want to keep learning and keep myself challenged. I want to meet more people and keep helping others. I want to be creative, energized and do what I’m good at.

I want to teach as many exercise classes as humanly possibleand show off my “Gwenergy.” I want to keep motivating other people to be healthy, and I want to inspire them. I’ll also get a personal training certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

As far as writing, I’ll keep up my blog, write for other blogs and publications and work with as many editors and writers as I can.

From there, I’ll take my time finding work. I want the right thing! Ideally, it will incorporate fitness, healthcare and social media.

I’m not worried
This is all meant to be. I’m happy with what I’ve accomplished, and how things have fallen into place. I’m excited for new opportunities!

Photo by worldmegan.

Ten fun, cheap and easy things to do together …

1. Cook together. Choose kid-friendly recipes and work together to create an appetizer, entrée and dessert that your whole family can enjoy. You may want to try cooking a special family recipe or your child’s favorite meal.
2. Create a family tree. Map out your family tree on a piece of paper, then work together to replicate it on a large piece of poster board. If you can — add photos, draw pictures and include the birth place of each relative.
3. Be the next “American Idol.” Have each family member dress up and take turns singing their favorite song. Be sure to award prizes for each performance. 
4. Decorate food. Bake cupcakes together. When they cool, decorate them with different types of icing and assorted jimmies.
5. Camp out. Depending on the weather, have an indoor or outdoor camping adventure. Bring sleeping bags and make sure to use flashlights in the dark.
6. Give back to the community. As a family, think of ways you can give back to the community. For example, create a gift box — using an old shoe box — to send to our troops. Or, make a list of the perfect “holiday” meal — then write letters and emails to friends and family asking them to help gather these items for a less fortunate family. 
7. “Hunt” for prizes indoors. Write clues on scraps of paper and lead each family member to an exciting prize — such as a new board game you can play together. You can even have each person “find” items — such as a DVD, popcorn, candy and soda — for a family movie night.
8. Have an indoor picnic. Enjoy a meal on the floor of your family room. Lay out a blanket and serve picnic items such as sandwiches, salads, chips and juice. If space allows, play a modified version of horseshoes or beanbags — by tossing coins onto sofa cushions placed on the ground.  
9. Play with pictures. Go through old photo albums together and tell stories about each picture. Tell your kids a little bit about yourself when you were younger — or their age — and be sure to tell them what they were like as a baby and toddler. If you can, take more photos that night.
10. Have a dance party. Have everyone choose their favorite songs and be sure to include some that are slow and sentimental.  Take turns “fast” and “slow” dancing together. You could even incorporate “instruments” such as pots and pans to bang on — or a box of pasta to shake — and have an indoor concert.

This article was published in South Jersey Mom Magazine. Photo by jek in the box.

Since I’m 30 now … here’s a list of 30 things what I’m thankful for:
1. My fiancée, Sweet William! He loves me for my craziness, randomness, dreams and goals.
2. Gabby and Sofia — my beautiful and fun nieces.
3. My brother, Mike, and his wife, Kim. They give so much to the community …
4. Hardworking parents. They’ve given me so much!
5. Front-row friends.
6. Cousins by the truck-load.
7. Loving and supportive “in-laws.” They are so generous!
8. My SUV. I can drive in the snow!
9. A set of new, sharp knives. I love cutting stuff now.
10. Inspirational books.
11. People that challenge me.
12. My Fit Friends, my workout partners and students.
13. Writing mentors — Holly and Greta, who really helped develop me and encourage me as a writer.
14. My Twitter friends.
15. People who give me blog love.
16. My favorite aunts — Auntie Evelyn, Auntie Alice and Aunt Diane.
17. Danielle — my maid of honor/BFF.
18. My education. No one can take that away.
19. My job at Amerikick. I’ve been teaching there for almost nine years.
20. Private jokes that make me laugh, even when I’m by myself.
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