I believe it does take a village

I just found out my daughter is moving back home after a living a little more than two years in another town, another state, another job.

The move back is unexpected but welcomed. It'll be nice to have my not-so-little girl close by again. My son, her brother who moved with her, plans to stay behind; he likes his life. (But I cannot help but wonder if his attitude will change once she's gone. Ummm.)

What brings her home is unimportant other than it shows me how well she can handle a challenge. She's found herself indirectly involved in a life-changing experience, and she's taking responsibility for helping make the transition go as easily as possible, not just for herself, but also for those nearest and dearest to her, such as her brother, who would otherwise be left in the lurch.

She knows it takes more than one person for chaos to occur in a relationship. And she knows how to focus on the solution rather than drain all her energy on the problem. That doesn't mean she doesn't vent. Trust me. I've heard it all. But that's okay. We all need those shoulders, and more importantly, we need to know where we can find them. I'm glad she knows.

I hope you know where your support system can be found. If you don't, today I encourage you to start looking. We are not alone on this journey. My son reminded me of that several years ago, and I can still hear his voice in my head when I need to be reminded again. "You are not alone, mom!" he said to me during one particularly angst-filled morning. His words were so comforting to hear at that moment, and I've never forgotten them. Just as that bicycle sitting my garage appeared at the precise moment when I needed it, his words did as well, and I know they came from a source greater than ourselves.

That's also why I know BIKE is more than just a ride; it's a spiritual ride. The time you have alone with yours will help you find your metaphorical village. Wherever your support might be, all you have to do is be open to the embrace when it arrives.

Enjoy the rest of your day not only knowning but also believing, "You are not alone."

Jackie

Can the ride lead to laughter?

I've been gone a bit longer than intended, but I hope you haven't forgotten to ride. If you're still asking what that is, simply put, your ride is how you interpret your life. Is it good, bad, neutral? Are you having a good day, a bad day, a so-so day? How do you want to interpret your day? Remember, you are the navigator.

Here's a tip I just learned at a speakers' convention this past week:

On those so-called bad days that may begin with you in a cranky mood, don't get out of bed without first acknowledging your mood and then asking: What's the BEST that can happen?

Did you notice the difference? Aren't we used to saying, "What's the worst that can happen?"

Today, let's switch it up and ask the opposite. Put positive focus on your thoughts and observe the changes in your mood. Sneaky, huh?

When you consider that you only wake up cranky if you choose to wake up cranky, you give yourself back the power to decide. When you start paying attention to your moods, your thoughts, your habits, you open yourself up to awareness. And more importantly, you open yourself up to your personal power -- the power to choose.

Today, embrace that power and choose to smile.

What's to smile about, you may ask. My answer: create your own list.

Here's my short list from this morning:

sunshine
good health
my dog asleep at my feet
singing karaoke with my speaker friends from France and Portland
a messy desk
a car that needs cleaning so I get to use the power sprayer


From your own self-exploration, you'll see there's much to smile about every single day. Put your focus on that instead of on that which makes you frown. Problems make you frown. Solutions, however, make you smile.

If you want to feel the power even deeper within yourself, do what my Phoenix speaker friends Kitty Wiemelt and Kathleen Thoren, both laughter leaders, might suggest: laugh out loud.

So, yes, when you take charge, when you set the course in a forward-moving direction -- even if you don't go far at first -- your BIKE ride will not only lead to laughter but even the detours along the way will bring smiles.

How's that for centrifugal force?

All my best,
Jackie

How's the "ride"?

I'm asking because my ride feels a little rough right now. The bumps in the road are keeping my focus on other things than this blog.

It's okay, though, because there's focus. Focus is good.

Keep that in mind as you run into your own bumps, or the places in your life that may at least FEEL bumpy. It's okay. They'll show up from time to time. Just remember you can ride right by them. There's smooth surface ahead.

Think about that this next week; I'll be off-line, pedaling around on a different project. But I'll be back at the end of the month.

Keep pedaling!
Jackie

Testing, testing...

My mental BIKE has been tested a lot lately.

You know when you have so much to do, and there's hardly enough time, but you know you have to do the work, anyway...what do you do? How do you get started? How do you reach the finish line?

I like to follow Anne Lamott's advice from her book, Bird by Bird. I remember to do it one thing at a time, one day at a time, and if it's a report about birds, then one bird at a time. It's easier to accomplish something if you tackle it in bites rather than gulps.

So I've been tested a lot lately about prioritizing, scheduling, being able to "fit it all in." I thik we all are tested in this way at times. How do you manage this?

With my special brand of BIKE, especially the first part of it -- my Best self -- I am reminded that at the end of the day, I'll do myself a huge favor by realizing I can only get through what I can only get through.

I'm reminded of the advice also in the book, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff.

Next time you're tested, do the same for yourself. Don't sweat it. Remember that we don't have all the time in the world. Pick something to do, do it, and then be grateful you accomplished that. Remember to celebrate your accomplishments and make specific plans to tackle the next item on your list.

Your Best self would be the part of you that treats you well, reminds you that you don't have in infinite amount of time, and lets you say "no" when it's necessary.

This week, starting today, remind yourself that it's okay to say "no" to the things you don't want to do or to the things you don't have time to add onto your schedule. Be clear about your schedule with others. Doing this will lead to a self-assurance that will help you save time for the things that you do want to complete. And you'll be a more joyful person.

Imagine yourself now with your hands high up in the air as you come up to that finish line. No matter how long it took you to get there, you did it.

That's what BIKE is about.

All my best,
Jackie

Miss me?

Maybe you've noticed I haven't posted in a few days. I've been busy with deadlines and preparing for a BIKE presentation that I just gave on Sunday. That was two hours of telling my story and audience interaction and discussion; the program ended with me getting lots of hugs from my audience members. How empowering is that?! I was humbled and so joyful.

I left the meeting room feeling particularly proud of myself and happy that I have a message to share that can truly inspire.

It's a great illustration of the ability to turn a negative into a positive. We all have the power to do that for ourselves.

I hope you've been thinking about your BIKE -- the vehicle that will move you past whatever pain you might be going through.

I've been talking a lot about BIKE in the past few years. It's become such a part of my life. Without it, I'm not sure I'd be selling to the national magazines. I'm not sure I would be traveling as much. I'm not sure my life would seem as full.

Becoming aware, paying attention, living consciously -- all of that will occur more and more as you ride. Trusting those gut feelings helps us make better decisions that allow us to experience life in an exhuberant manner.

Wouldn't it be great if you could feel joy despite the sorrows? You can. It's the law of life, the yin and yang.

No matter what is annoying you today, or grieving you, or causing you pain, think about what also gives you joy. If you're not already doing so, start keeping a "Grateful" Journal. A friend of mine gave me such a journal when I was going through my divorce. In it, I wrote down ONLY those things for which I felt grateful. I filled the pages with grateful thoughts. If you do the same, you'll be surprised how your attitide can change after just one week of this practice.

Today, think joyful thoughts.

All my best,
Jackie