From the monthly archives:
June 2006
Knowing When to Come in out of The Sun!
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, accounting for more than half of all malignancies and,sadly, the death rate is climbing. We put ourselves at risk each time we hit the patio (or beach) and soak up the rays. I say we because I’m as guilty as the next tanner.
Why is it that we (again we, because again guilt) think terrible things only happen to other people, never to us? Below is a link to an article that’s very much worth reading and worth even more thought.
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Intuition and Gut Feelings
“Learn to let your intuition—gut instinct—tell you when the food, the relationship, the job isn’t good for you (and conversely, when what you’re doing is just right).” ~Oprah Winfrey
I guess we’re all too familiar with the words, “I KNEW I should’ve…” or “I KNEW I shouldn’t have…” Hindsight does have 20/20 vision, which is why it can see well enough to kick us squarely in the butt each and every time.
It hurts the most when we did, in fact, KNOW better. We go against our intuitions so often it’s a wonder they don’t abandon us. Somehow, that deep down, gut feeling is just about always right -but we’re far too smart to fall for that, aren’t we? We want to drive the thought around in our mind for awhile, bounce it off of a few other ideas, and then when the thought’s all worn out, leave it there to teach it a lesson.
“Cease trying to work everything out with your minds. It will get you nowhere. Live by intuition and inspiration and let your whole life be Revelation.” ~Eileen Caddy
We just outthink ourselves too much. And often it’s our undoing. How many times have we heard a contestant on a gameshow say, “I was going to say that!” We would all do well to start trusting ourselves a little more and to go with our instincts more than we go against them.
“Intuition will tell the thinking mind where to look next.” ~Jonas Salk
Off to practice what I post - my gut feeling is telling me that I need another cup of coffee and an oatmeal cookie.
-Joi
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Lefty Does Right
Did you happen to read the story on Phil Mickelson in USA Today yesterday? The heart of the story was the relationship between “lefty” and his amazing parents: Mary, a nurse with an amazing sense of humor and Phil, Sr., a brave fighter pilot with the heart and spirit of 12 men.
I’ve always enjoyed watching Phil MIckelson play, even though a truly weird part of me has always wanted to see him throw a club. (What’s up with that?) But as big a fan as I am of him on the greens, I’m an even bigger fan of him with the greens, The man is one of the most generous amd giving people around. And that’s a beautiful thing. This is a man who has been known to tip waitresses upwards of $50, has pulled over to the curb to give money to the homeless, gave at least half a million dollars to the victims of Katrina. And the list goes on and on and on.
Like all things beautiful and otherwise, his generous spirit had an origin - someplace where the seed was planted. I actually believe the article even pointed out where it happened.
Mary, Phil’s mother, always wanted her son to remember those who were less fortunate than him. When he was 10 years old, she drove him through a very poor neighborhood to show him how so many other people had to live, and how different it was from the life he knew. As young Phil cried, Mary must have known that her point had hit just where the point was meant to hit, and I belive this was the pebble that caused all the beautiful ripples. Ripples that are being felt even today - 36 years later and will continue for years to come. How many people’s lives were touched because an unselfish and loving mother took her son for a ride?
Regardless of what anyone may think, this was the most important DRIVE of Phil Mickelson’s life.
Kind of a reminder to plant more beautiful seeds, eh?
Joi
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Beautiful Beyonce
What in the world has Beyonce tapped into that the rest of the females in Hollywood are oblivious to?! You don’t hear about her in hit-and-run incidents, she doesn’t starve herself to the point of looking like a stop sign, she doesn’t serial date, she forms complete, coherent sentences, and she always looks and acts every inch a lady. Her clothes, her hair…everything is so completely flawless and stylish. You’d think the other gals would look to her as a role model. Yet, if I didn’t know better, I’d think they look at her and devise schemes to head in the opposite directions. Idiots.
Anyway, I was adding some great Beyonce and Jay Z pics to our music blog when I noticed the beautiful little girl in the background of this picture. Is that just precious or what? You can see the admiration on her little face. All of a sudden I started thinking about dreams - about dreaming large. This little gal could very easily be the next Beyonce (God knows no one else is stepping up!). With hard work, devotion, and dedication - she could one day be on the other end of that sort of admiring look.
Same’s true of all of us, our dreams are right before us - just waiting to be made into realities. But they won’t transform themselves. That’s up to us. IF we want it badly enough. IF we’re willing to fight for what we want. And IF we white-out the words can’t and quit in our mind’s dictionary. Pretty inspiring stuff from an entertainment HQ.
Then I looked from the little girl to the bigger girl. To the bigger girl’s arms. And the smile left my face.
Where are those hand weights?….
Joi
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Friday’s Quote of the Day
“It is much easier to become a father than to be one.” ~Kent Nerburn
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Learning New Languages
“We’re all potential polygots.” I was flipping through my recent Psychology Today and these words jumped off of the page. Naturally I had to read up on it - to be perfectly honest, I had no earthly idea what a polygot was, let alone if I wanted to be one or not.
Come to find out, a polygot is someone who speaks multiple languages. Hyperpolygots are polygots who speak 10, 20, or 30 languages - and the article is convinced that we all have the potential for that as well. I was reading the article at 6:20 am, through one eye (the other was protesting the time I chose for reading) with a cup of coffee at my lips. So I was in no posititon to agree with the article; I kind of gave it a “Yeah, right.”
But, with both eyes open now, I’m willing to consider the possibility.
The magazine cited a Brazilian linguist who speaks 60 languages, including Chinese, Portuguese and Sanskrit. The hyperpolyglot’s name is Carlos Do Amaral Freire and he’s been studying nonstop for over 40 years.
Shockingly enough, experts say that we all have the potential to speak this many languages, and having a high IQ actually isn’t a prerequisite. Those who have learned to speak multiple languages say that each new one gets easier. That seems fascinating to me, because I’m pretty certain I’d just get confused. It wouldn’t be long before my sentences started in Spain, ended in France, and stopped by an Italian cafe along the way. Even Freire would have no idea what I was trying to say!
But learning a new language is one of the best things we can do for our mental fitness. It’s an amazing workout for our brain cells and gives our self confidence a cosmopolitan boost. That’s all good stuff, no matter how you say it.
Joi
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A Cool Book That’ll Fit Dad to a Tee
My Greatest Shot is a collection of thoughts from the greatest golfers ever to tee it up. From Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Byron Nelson, and Greg Norman to the greatest of the greats, Tiger Woods. (Okay, I have a favorite.) As the title suggests, they give their opinions on their greatest shots.
I don’t know about the others, but how in the world could El Tigre ever pick just one?!
Incidentally, I’m not even gonna lie - that post title is pure corn. And for this I’m sorry. Sorry, but too lazy to think of another title just now.
Joi
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Amazing Dolphins
Dolphins just never cease to amaze me! Below is a link to a post you have to check out. I LOVE the way they were “coaxed” back.
Have an amazing Thursday!
Joi
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