tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62987484478598997812024-02-20T04:10:01.052-05:00In Search of Me in MOMMYThis mom's purposeful journey to rediscover herselfKim Dettmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05453295550061861969noreply@blogger.comBlogger188125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298748447859899781.post-37766122474080697542011-07-20T15:45:00.000-04:002011-07-20T15:45:12.344-04:00Moving Day!My e-bags are packed and I am read to move In Search of Me in Mommy to it's new home! <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.insearchofmeinmommy.com/"><span style="color: #990000;">www.InSearchofMeinMommy.com</span></a></div><br />
At my new home, you can receive my FREE gift - <em>50 Ways for a Mom to Connect with her Authentic Self.</em> In this document I share with you some of the lessons I learned, thus far, in my search for me in mommy and hopefully will give you ideas about how you can connect with your ME, amidst the chaos of motherhood.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8taVDLcdHV-zwLcg3-ho8oNgkOm2Sh4hSp0X-tv2QgVOlz8yUaOEb8A5hrUL-7yTbwJlz9aJFJa3gR5HIIZvmQEj6jagaWKYZxjV8FJdxM8PoGnok_Li9kwZPTb1FTJARwUwBpP8p6Ip/s1600/50waylogo_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8taVDLcdHV-zwLcg3-ho8oNgkOm2Sh4hSp0X-tv2QgVOlz8yUaOEb8A5hrUL-7yTbwJlz9aJFJa3gR5HIIZvmQEj6jagaWKYZxjV8FJdxM8PoGnok_Li9kwZPTb1FTJARwUwBpP8p6Ip/s200/50waylogo_0001.jpg" t$="true" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">See you at <a href="http://www.insearchofmeinmommy.com/"><span style="color: #990000;">www.InSearchofMeinMommy.com</span></a> :)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<img align="right" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></div>Kim Dettmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05453295550061861969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298748447859899781.post-75321275360465537432011-03-30T10:04:00.000-04:002011-03-30T10:04:33.544-04:00I am selfish<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There. I said it. And, I'll say it again. <strong>I. Am. Selfish.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If <strong>selfish</strong> means that I take the time for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <strong>Time spent to...</strong></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Grow</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Learn</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Know myself </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Explore my interests</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Understand my strengths and my weaknesses</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Improve</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial;">Create</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial;">Dream</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial;">Step outside my comfort zone</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Have a life outside of my roles of mom and wife</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Pursue my passions</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Live more fully</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Love myself, so I can love others more fully</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Be me - a more authetic and whole me.</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then, <span style="color: #990000;"><strong>YES</strong></span>,<strong> I am happily, joyfully, authentically SELFISH!</strong></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">So be it!</span></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><img align="right" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></strong></span></div>Kim Dettmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05453295550061861969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298748447859899781.post-6298450020077389152011-03-23T12:15:00.003-04:002011-03-23T16:40:51.689-04:00Seeing Red...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday was a gray, chilly, dreary day in Cleveland, Ohio. Despite the treat of rain showers, I decided to head out for a walk through the park. Earlier in the morning I had read a section entitled "Tips For Interpreting The Signs From the Universe" in <a href="http://www.owningpink.com/getoutofyourownwaylissamanifesto.html"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><em>Get Out Of Your Own Way</em> e-course</span></a> by <a href="http://www.owningpink.com/lissa-rankin-md/bio"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Dr. Lissa Rankin</span></a> of <a href="http://www.owningpink.com/"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Owning Pink</span></a> that I am taking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I walked, I began to think about signs from the Universe and wondered about their existence. In the past I believe that there have been signs, here and there, that have pointed me in a direction or steered me clear from<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> a <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">catastrophe</span></span>. But, typically, I haven't focused on, or asked for signs on a regular basis. I hadn't really put much thought into whether there are, or are not, "signs" sent from the Universe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was during these thoughts when I, randomly, came upon the<span style="color: #990000;"><strong> little red devil!</strong></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZOmpImTmiiSsrV4a97TyGEvz_6u4-KFHiFEnaaXOxg_E4xM8ksHrSVlC2_SqAn6D-Y9VJNcMI-16QIVhkPFp37Li4o62vHTxdA_Frd_ChXXybb9XftzyoCuyVz4yg4-M4fqw3fPoCTZ5/s1600/IMG_3153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZOmpImTmiiSsrV4a97TyGEvz_6u4-KFHiFEnaaXOxg_E4xM8ksHrSVlC2_SqAn6D-Y9VJNcMI-16QIVhkPFp37Li4o62vHTxdA_Frd_ChXXybb9XftzyoCuyVz4yg4-M4fqw3fPoCTZ5/s400/IMG_3153.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That <span style="color: #990000;"><strong>little red devil</strong></span> was incredibly unnerving! I was even a bit frightened! Was it a sign? And, if so, what did this sign mean? </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Millions of thoughts ran through my head - most of them negative.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Was I in danger?</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Was something awful about to happen?</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>What was I being warned about?</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And, even though, I had an urge to turn and run back to the safety of my car, I continued on my walk. I tried to "spin" it in my brain and forced happier thoughts - like maybe the sign is about the "devil in the details". Or that since he was such a cute devil, that<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> it <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">certainly</span> couldn't</span> be an "evil" sign...Right????</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Moments later, I rounded a corner and saw, smack dab in the middle of the walking path, was a bright <span style="color: #990000;"><strong>red</strong></span> can of Coke.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">And suddenly, I began to see <span style="color: #990000;"><strong>RED</strong></span> everywhere! </span><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7r2kNRdrWCzSZxkf_X6vUB2y5L6GkOI7pd71sP8cCpVtJxcJk8-1XuiDNritRa7XaFspNMZGZkvMqExtO_Q5THTLWBnNDfPqQGVBptd96Ry8SEL3-a9zUdn8wiHD_d-SF721sAmSanHrR/s1600/Picture%25252520Red%25252520Headed%25252520Piliated%25252520Woodpecker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7r2kNRdrWCzSZxkf_X6vUB2y5L6GkOI7pd71sP8cCpVtJxcJk8-1XuiDNritRa7XaFspNMZGZkvMqExtO_Q5THTLWBnNDfPqQGVBptd96Ry8SEL3-a9zUdn8wiHD_d-SF721sAmSanHrR/s200/Picture%25252520Red%25252520Headed%25252520Piliated%25252520Woodpecker.jpg" width="137" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">A <span style="color: #990000;"><strong>red</strong></span> post on the side of the road. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A white plastic bag, with <span style="color: #990000;"><strong>red</strong></span> writing, caught in a tree, blowing in the wind.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A tree with a <span style="color: #990000;"><strong>red</strong></span> trail marking nailed into it's trunk.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">And, my favorite, </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">a <span style="color: #990000;"><strong>red</strong></span>-crested woodpecker hopping from tree to tree.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial;">...Just to name a few.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, obviously, the meaning of<span style="color: #990000;"><strong> little red devil</strong></span> "sign" had something to do with the color <span style="color: #990000;"><strong>red</strong></span>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Right????</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, when I got home, I googled <em>"the meaning of the color <strong><span style="color: #990000;">red</span></strong>"</em> and I found this:</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"></span> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_741375460"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Put some red in your life when you want:</span></b> </span></span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>~ Increased enthusiasm and interest </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;"><strong>~ More energy </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><strong>~ A</strong><strong>ction and confidence</strong> <strong>to go after your dreams</strong></span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>~ P</strong><strong>rotection from fears and anxieties</strong> </span></span></div><div class="td"><br />
</div><div class="td"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>And recently, that is everything that I have been looking for!!!!!</strong></span></div><div class="td"><br />
</div><div class="td"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I guess it really is a "sign"! </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Right????</strong></span></div><div class="td" style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div class="td" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">So, tell me, do you believe in "signs" from the Universe???</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img align="right" border="0" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div>Kim Dettmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05453295550061861969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298748447859899781.post-658662621990111792011-03-14T16:22:00.003-04:002011-03-14T16:25:43.028-04:00RENEWed!Have you ever had one of those times when your brain was telling you to say NO, but your heart and gut were screaming YES?!!? Deciding, at the last minute, to say <span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><strong>YES</strong></span> and attend a women's conference 6 HOURS from home was one of those of those times for me.<br />
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It was another experience that reminds me to...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><strong><em>"Say "yes" to life -- and see how life suddenly starts working for you rather than against you."</em> ~Eckart Tolle</strong></span></div><br />
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And it was a <span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;"><strong>Whirlwind of Goodness!</strong></span><br />
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On Thursday night I attending and help coordinate a wonderful Auction for the Foundation for our local school district where we raised over $40,000 for the kids in the district - <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">WOoHooIes!</span> - it always feels good to be a part of something so good! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDNnLr5_ZEH3K8jgI_9Wc14xOI7miHjkp7sXCn-aNtNed6knBJozZ_TgO3FombzNpMIhO2MjgpfZsQNPlc1lnYMV6Jrx-whVsnYIGLsKjvQCyH3YwSy10uB3nD4gkfh5C5zo2BxvQ0QK4/s1600/image+2011-3-14+0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDNnLr5_ZEH3K8jgI_9Wc14xOI7miHjkp7sXCn-aNtNed6knBJozZ_TgO3FombzNpMIhO2MjgpfZsQNPlc1lnYMV6Jrx-whVsnYIGLsKjvQCyH3YwSy10uB3nD4gkfh5C5zo2BxvQ0QK4/s200/image+2011-3-14+0002.jpg" width="128" /></a></div>Then on Friday, after packing my bags and taking my youngest to afternoon preschool, I headed to Alpena, Michigan for an exciting <strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">R.E.N.E.W. (Rejuvenating, Energizing, Nurturing, and Enlightening Women)</span></strong> Expo for Women!<br />
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Saturday, all day, I was surrounded by wonderful women who shared insights, stories, and encouragement with each other during the all-day conference. In the morning I was fortunate to hear <a href="http://www.christinewagnerconsulting.com/"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Christine Wagner</span></a> speak about <em>Using Your Whole Brain for an Amazing Life</em>. Which was incredibly interesting and really made me think.<br />
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During Lunch and directly following the meal, I heard the amazing <a href="http://www.debbiephillips.com/"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Debbie Phillips</span></a> share her insights about being a Woman on Fire and about finding your passion. I was inspired...and RENEWed! <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here is a<span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-UV6We7CDo"><span style="color: #0b5394;">video</span></a> made by the amazing <a href="http://thepromise365.com/"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Jamie Eslinger</span></a> of Women on Fire that created that gives a good sense of the event (and I even make a cameo in it).</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/7-UV6We7CDo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>The only bad part of the experience, what that I had to head home on Saturday and with the long drive home, I had to miss the wine tasting. C'est-la-vie ~ I had a glass of when I got home and I toasted to <br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><strong>saying YES to life!</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><strong>What are you going to say YES to, today?</strong></span></div><br />
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<img align="right" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" />Kim Dettmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05453295550061861969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298748447859899781.post-45818302341040337762011-02-25T12:35:00.002-05:002011-02-25T12:37:13.969-05:00Dear Fit Girl<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday, I posted a <a href="http://insearchofmeinmommy.blogspot.com/2011/02/dear-fat-girl.html"><span style="color: #0b5394;">letter</span></a> to my Fat-Self, to my Fit-Self. Today, my Fat-Self responds to the letter.</span><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_52PR2XzqEv71Y9JakYL2oq2npLNMWStDFH6ns5sgYqfYOzBzi1kKL6GKozlefu0px_JqwNjTXPHuE7ge1-ywuqpfRB-yYH0lqO5Vfm-kznuYnCaCAg-40-03awdcg-FcQw-ht9g_XOp/s1600/letter_writi_24714_md.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_52PR2XzqEv71Y9JakYL2oq2npLNMWStDFH6ns5sgYqfYOzBzi1kKL6GKozlefu0px_JqwNjTXPHuE7ge1-ywuqpfRB-yYH0lqO5Vfm-kznuYnCaCAg-40-03awdcg-FcQw-ht9g_XOp/s200/letter_writi_24714_md.gif" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em></em></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Dear Fit Girl Kim-</em></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em></em></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Please, back off! It is NOT helpful, in the least, when you tell me that you are disappointed and ashamed of me! Shaming me is not what I need and it is disrespectful. Please, be kinder to me.</em></span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Do you think I like to be me? No, I don’t! I did the best I could! Do you remember times when you were a quivering fearful anxious mess? Do you remember hiding and running away from the pain? I helped you get though tough times. Were my choices always the best? No, I know that they weren’t. I was just trying to survive with some semblance of togetherness. Yes, horrible habits were formed. I know that. But please – do not shame me now. Be patient with me. Habits are hard to break – especially when I only feel hatred from you.</em></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>It means the world to me that you have recognized how hard I tried to protect you. Thank you for acknowledging that. I feel appreciated and, yes, even loved! That is more helpful than you will ever know.</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>I am glad to see your strength and enthusiasm back. I feel your new “glow”. And, I welcome it. Trust me, I do! I want YOU to shine in the spotlight, as I do much better in a background supporting role. I never wanted to be on the stage. I was just a stand-in waiting for you. You are the star! I am thrilled that you are finding your way!</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Carry on – I’m with you!</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>With love,</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Fat Girl Kim</em></span><img align="right" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" />Kim Dettmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05453295550061861969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298748447859899781.post-55993563225555215182011-02-24T11:27:00.000-05:002011-02-24T11:27:48.547-05:00Dear Fat Girl<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was reading a blog, <a href="http://thepromise365.com/"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The Promise 365, by Jamie Eslinger</span></a> in which she posted a letters from her <a href="http://thepromise365.com/2011/02/02/day-33-dear-fat-self/"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Fat-Self</span></a> to her <a href="http://thepromise365.com/2011/02/03/day-34-dear-skinny-bitch/"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Skinny-Self</span></a> based on an exercise from the book, <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Course-Weight-Loss-Spiritual-Surrendering/dp/1401921523/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298481797&sr=8-1"><span style="color: #0b5394;">A Course in Weight Loss</span></a></em> by Marianne Williamson.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkrhUJKju5p_9VGoojQ4krdfQVUlXYR9a-RV-hypSFUO1fYy3cX_IXjOblx32spetRllZ4vV0r4J0zUIQsP_-ZDyqrIbZTljq-1_VIl16NYl8oZlQfoQz7TaKXOX_E5ttUlaYLj_0LCHc/s1600/ciwl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkrhUJKju5p_9VGoojQ4krdfQVUlXYR9a-RV-hypSFUO1fYy3cX_IXjOblx32spetRllZ4vV0r4J0zUIQsP_-ZDyqrIbZTljq-1_VIl16NYl8oZlQfoQz7TaKXOX_E5ttUlaYLj_0LCHc/s1600/ciwl.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I was inspired! So I bought the book and am reading it. I have found some nuggets of goodness! And, thus far, the biggest impact has been writing to my Fat-Self and Fit-Self (for me, "fit" was more comfortable than "skinny".) I wrote these letters over a week ago, and I have been hesitant to share, as it feels quite personal and I feel incredibly vulnerable. But it has been SO powerful for me that I decided to post them. </span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Today is the first letter to my FAT-Self, from my FIT-Self. And the next post will be a responce from my FAT-Self.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear Fat Girl Kim-</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dang, at times, you make me sad, disappointed and ashamed of myself. When I look at you I cringe with hatred! </span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you know how beautiful I am? You cover me up and won’t let others see my beauty. That pisses me off!</span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please stop. Please stop getting in the way of me.</span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I see myself so clearly in my mind, but when I see you in the mirror or a picture, I am shocked! When did you take over? How did I let that happen? I know it is scary to let go of that layer of protection you have provided me. But you are stopping me from enjoying and participating in my best life.</span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being alone WAS scary. It was frightening and felt incredibly overwhelming at times. I know you tried to protect me from those feelings. But, now you are not alone. And yes, you proved that you are worth it, no matter the size! YES, we are truly worthy of love and happiness! But, still, you continue to isolate me from others and from my best life. I’m tired of having my wall of fat up and blocking people out. </span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to let others in and I want to let my true self shine. I want to run and hike and dance and move freely. I want to stand in front of others feeling proud of myself. You get in my way. </span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>What do you need from me so we can move forward? I think it is love. But I am not sure if I know </em>how<em> to love you... </em></span><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I guess I’ll start with gratitude...</span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for trying to protect me from the pain of loneliness, failure and rejection. Yes, those are scary feelings – But, stuffing and numbing the pain with food, wine, and inactivity only increases the fear. And, I have learned that facing fears, head on, takes away their power. I know that your intentions were good and for that, thank you!</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But this has to end. P.L.E.A.S.E!</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, can we find other ways to deal with those painful feelings? Believe it or not, I want to feel them. Yep, that is terrifying, but I know that on the other side of the fear there is pure joy!</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please – join me! We can do this!</span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love, </span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fit Girl Kim</span></em><br />
<br />
<br />
<img align="right" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" />Kim Dettmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05453295550061861969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298748447859899781.post-7027113313076062552011-02-19T11:28:00.000-05:002011-02-19T11:28:38.772-05:00Create. Explore. Play.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFHRVqAL4amPUaBX-UWCOadoircAG2s5hyDdUQ2lZdUZLU-wTztE5iUyw6iOUxy8mfAVI5pGCFhwiX4mHBCDBxQ1HX-rrwJhIHJv5M3OQIuWGC4wcXR5AxCWt_cM4Z17pqCwIeB3CqUuD/s1600/create.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFHRVqAL4amPUaBX-UWCOadoircAG2s5hyDdUQ2lZdUZLU-wTztE5iUyw6iOUxy8mfAVI5pGCFhwiX4mHBCDBxQ1HX-rrwJhIHJv5M3OQIuWGC4wcXR5AxCWt_cM4Z17pqCwIeB3CqUuD/s640/create.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdg1_sjKK4_XLmZWjwnp_ltFfiGUdNfW8D2Fm6V_-Dgv040VDp0E0MWgk3cjO7Yvy85HUar8L_HxJ2C417exvcEbZzYGV3uZMsI0XZP5zMVsgrtLtMKm2Sz-i90wght_r9WGsyHcZTi9be/s1600/explore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdg1_sjKK4_XLmZWjwnp_ltFfiGUdNfW8D2Fm6V_-Dgv040VDp0E0MWgk3cjO7Yvy85HUar8L_HxJ2C417exvcEbZzYGV3uZMsI0XZP5zMVsgrtLtMKm2Sz-i90wght_r9WGsyHcZTi9be/s400/explore.jpg" width="331" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDSZiVQJgItIsEMhrWg9KWEf5LwhG4CsiQfyAeK_d6Ns_YKKE8C2j98YyYxVtuBzpvQGezu8LvhDUdUMzS72fTd4NP_LtBMmiM5qWFW0b9UAgULUPahv6vajs9sh9E5F8zRM6gcHbUbxb/s1600/play.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDSZiVQJgItIsEMhrWg9KWEf5LwhG4CsiQfyAeK_d6Ns_YKKE8C2j98YyYxVtuBzpvQGezu8LvhDUdUMzS72fTd4NP_LtBMmiM5qWFW0b9UAgULUPahv6vajs9sh9E5F8zRM6gcHbUbxb/s400/play.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<img align="right" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" />Kim Dettmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05453295550061861969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298748447859899781.post-13509516946582563432011-02-14T10:42:00.004-05:002011-02-14T13:08:43.656-05:00Valentine's Love Letter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkNkCJHITgUwacqs4e9allTnZtKwCn6uxoCZ6Pc8m_F9bMhudMXgfU-6xjgHnA2uapgiohNudh1m9OZ82-a5jvneb47BXcwEKyT21wTfT3Atji9PukxZ_ciBHTjkVt3hv9s9fzLNKnjyT/s1600/IMG_2498_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkNkCJHITgUwacqs4e9allTnZtKwCn6uxoCZ6Pc8m_F9bMhudMXgfU-6xjgHnA2uapgiohNudh1m9OZ82-a5jvneb47BXcwEKyT21wTfT3Atji9PukxZ_ciBHTjkVt3hv9s9fzLNKnjyT/s320/IMG_2498_0001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>Happy Valentine's Day!</strong></span> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The perfect day to write a love note!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who are you going to write your love letter to this year?</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me? I wrote one to myself.</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wait! Before you roll your eyes and think about how hokey it is to write a love letter to yourself, hear me out!</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought the same thing - but then I did it. Yes, it felt hokey. But it also felt incredibly empowering! And it was a fabulous way to appreciate my past, recognize and embrace the present and envision the future.</span></div><div></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Really, you should try it!</strong></span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is what I wrote <span style="font-size: x-small;">(ekk! I'm scared to share)</span></span></div><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></em><br />
<div></div><div><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">February 14, 2011</span></em></div><div></div><div><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear Kim-</span></em></div><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></em><br />
<div><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m not always sure if you know how wonderful you are. You are! Please remember that you are loved.</span></em></div><div></div><div><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know that right now you are struggling to find your place. Please let that be ok. Give yourself time and room to grow into your best self and you will become more comfortable. You don’t always have to have the answers. The answers will come, when it is time. Sit with the unknown and be ok. And, remember right now, your place is right as it should be. Yes there are times, like currently, when you feel “out of sorts” – just know that those moments are primed for growth. Allow the feelings in and you will get to the other side, happier and healthier.</span></em></div><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></em><br />
<div><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the mean time, continue to step outside of your comfort zone. Continue to try on new roles. Continue to learn and grow. You know you have something special going on. Over the past year, you have really taken the time on yourself! You are so open to learning and growing. It is astonishing how honest you can be with yourself and others. You are not afraid to share shameful and tough moments – and, please, begin to believe that it DOES make a difference in other peoples’ lives. You know you have gifts to share. Share them. </span></em></div><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></em><br />
<div><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, about friendships: Yes, you have been hurt, disappointed, and blindsided by friends. But that does not mean that you should avoid new friendships. Let your guard down – if only a little – and let people in. Having friendships is so valuable. Being alone is no fun. Let go of that pain. Forgive. </span></em></div><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></em><br />
<div><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As far as your body – don’t give up. Most importantly, continue to come from a place of love; for that will take you further than you know. You have habits that have been in place for over twenty years. Know that two steps forward will also include a step backwards. Mistakes will be made. It’s ok. Persist. </span></em></div><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></em><br />
<div><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With regard to the Kim of the future: Keep that vision of yourself, years from now, on the beach feeling so complete, confident and uber comfortable in your own skin, fresh and available. Envisioning her will help you become! One day you will look in the mirror and recognize her – she’s in there. You already have glimpses of her. She is you! Believe.</span></em></div><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></em><br />
<div><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With regard to the Kim of the past: Think about where you have been and how much you have grown. </span></em></div><ul><li><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You are so much more comfortable in your own skin than just a year ago.</span></em></li>
<li><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You are embracing your authentic self and (mostly) have no apologies for be you. </span></em></li>
<li><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You (along with Jeff) have created your wonderful family – filled with love, laughter, and confidence. </span></em></li>
<li><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your boys are happy, healthy, and add joy to the world. And you have a significant role in that!</span></em></li>
<li><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You continually strive to improve and grow. And, you do!</span></em></li>
<li><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You were once afraid of physically pushing yourself, and now, you have successfully completed a Triathlon and ran/walked 10 miles.</span></em></li>
<li><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fear used to stop you – now you can step into the fear and try new things. </span></em></li>
</ul><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Truly, it is staggering.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></em><br />
<div><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please, Celebrate Yourself!</span></em></div><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With love,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kim</span></em><br />
<br />
<div><img align="right" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /> </div><br />
<div></div>Kim Dettmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05453295550061861969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298748447859899781.post-36730284232698411812011-02-13T17:12:00.001-05:002011-02-14T09:09:17.032-05:00Jury's Out on the Plethora of Joy-Inducing Activities<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I am back on board with my joy-inducing activities. But the jury is still out if this experiment is working. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During the first week of February, I would have said unequivocally that joy was added to my life. By simply having the intention of adding joy to my life, made me happier and "lighter". And the activities were an added bonus!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But throughout this past week, I am not so sure. When the activities did not feel joyful, I felt discouraged and the lack of joy felt magnified. Then, as I "fell off the joy-inducing activity wagon" and life happened, I wondered if this experiment was all just a waste of time.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I don't know how I will feel at the end of the month. We'll just have to wait and see. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Until then, here is my joy-inducing activity update:</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-F6hf6WNaKNM-lvTALqh4VA4wBcUdUa4TnjEPVBIQVnUqs_RDz7oBGW5bsFbQjOj_MWJhgrnRF-YkhKbYIpZrzmwWBna-TAThDscHqfFHuVLWBmyL-xP_i93wZlEjxVA42Qq24bXdYUK/s1600/IMG_2477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-F6hf6WNaKNM-lvTALqh4VA4wBcUdUa4TnjEPVBIQVnUqs_RDz7oBGW5bsFbQjOj_MWJhgrnRF-YkhKbYIpZrzmwWBna-TAThDscHqfFHuVLWBmyL-xP_i93wZlEjxVA42Qq24bXdYUK/s400/IMG_2477.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friday brought a clean house and a clean closet. And I am not so sure that I felt joy - but it did feel good to have it done!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-F6hf6WNaKNM-lvTALqh4VA4wBcUdUa4TnjEPVBIQVnUqs_RDz7oBGW5bsFbQjOj_MWJhgrnRF-YkhKbYIpZrzmwWBna-TAThDscHqfFHuVLWBmyL-xP_i93wZlEjxVA42Qq24bXdYUK/s1600/IMG_2477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGUh8eK-AH4wRAzEbXmj31HhEDGjyhx22mP-qyQmI2A1-nYCbV3kKnIqlq3cuSgoSTP9vjKlDItxmZXD1C-m8ST6QKCZexc5xcjIuodm8n7qtN1Rfozt5pc3pv-vYS4dzdHJ4ze4hXY6j/s1600/IMG_2464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGUh8eK-AH4wRAzEbXmj31HhEDGjyhx22mP-qyQmI2A1-nYCbV3kKnIqlq3cuSgoSTP9vjKlDItxmZXD1C-m8ST6QKCZexc5xcjIuodm8n7qtN1Rfozt5pc3pv-vYS4dzdHJ4ze4hXY6j/s400/IMG_2464.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday it was Flowers on the Kitchen table that made me smile. And, gives me hope that, perhaps, spring will arrive soon?!!?</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGUh8eK-AH4wRAzEbXmj31HhEDGjyhx22mP-qyQmI2A1-nYCbV3kKnIqlq3cuSgoSTP9vjKlDItxmZXD1C-m8ST6QKCZexc5xcjIuodm8n7qtN1Rfozt5pc3pv-vYS4dzdHJ4ze4hXY6j/s1600/IMG_2464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HAZba-nymfB4v0Qf7nZfF_XpzDsPk3VNa2LSF_OgCY8_TwlWGGzlUBqq_NU3Jdrf4s3Ccjky8EqzkBTTZ92rjLcSSHRShMTCWXEfgK7wbbRYW7m75Ty1kQTwm9mE69HMWNcjd6UZ_k0C/s1600/IMG_2476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HAZba-nymfB4v0Qf7nZfF_XpzDsPk3VNa2LSF_OgCY8_TwlWGGzlUBqq_NU3Jdrf4s3Ccjky8EqzkBTTZ92rjLcSSHRShMTCWXEfgK7wbbRYW7m75Ty1kQTwm9mE69HMWNcjd6UZ_k0C/s400/IMG_2476.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And today is a wonderful mani and pedi. While enjoyed it, it would have been more fun if I would have planned ahead and invited a friend or two. </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HAZba-nymfB4v0Qf7nZfF_XpzDsPk3VNa2LSF_OgCY8_TwlWGGzlUBqq_NU3Jdrf4s3Ccjky8EqzkBTTZ92rjLcSSHRShMTCWXEfgK7wbbRYW7m75Ty1kQTwm9mE69HMWNcjd6UZ_k0C/s1600/IMG_2476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am looking forward to tomorrow and the beginning of a new week and more fun, joy-inducing activities!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img align="right" border="0" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></div>Kim Dettmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05453295550061861969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298748447859899781.post-27337800771313848132011-02-11T12:58:00.000-05:002011-02-11T12:58:43.878-05:00Finding 3 Days Lacking Joy-Inducing Activities.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Confession time...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZS_OY0VdJFdjT-h2BfC1WmpnqiKfo85hbSOhJa9BcpOQxACKD57G3ZMA4DgcpIbg1Ee3YLBIhUrmRDZqEkrH3BkvLCpGux0Uljk23UYDdvXF9Q_pVWX-cYjHZGgfvHbQTzvwT5bp1Byp/s1600/confession.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZS_OY0VdJFdjT-h2BfC1WmpnqiKfo85hbSOhJa9BcpOQxACKD57G3ZMA4DgcpIbg1Ee3YLBIhUrmRDZqEkrH3BkvLCpGux0Uljk23UYDdvXF9Q_pVWX-cYjHZGgfvHbQTzvwT5bp1Byp/s1600/confession.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Forgive me father, for I have sinned...</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>I have been remiss in my monthly commitment to myself. </em></span><br />
<br />
It all started on Tuesday, when my joy-inducing activity of Making a Craft, was, well...less than joy-inducing.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And then life happened...an unusually busy Wednesday, with a doctor's appointment that was disappointing, and then I woke up with a head cold on Thursday that left me foggy and unmotivated, and today, I am still feeling the blahs and, of course, beating up on myself for my 3 days of no joy-inducing activities.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I tried really hard to put a spin on it and find the positive - but every spin I thought of was simply a lie. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The truth is that I stopped. And, the BLAHS moved in and the JOY moved out. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As an all-or-nothing type of person, typically I would simply throw the towel in and quit my Month of Joy. I would of accepted defeat and been done. But I am fighting that urge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So I am starting again.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Left on my list of Joy-Inducing activities are:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>Go to a Movie, Paint, Play, Fresh Flowers, Get a Mani and a Pedi, Write a Letter to a Friend, Laugh Out Loud, Write a Poem, Make Goop with the Boys, Clean out a Closet, Add More Color to My World, Write a Love Note, Make S'Mores, Make a Snowman, Do Something Crazy, Have a Date Night, Write a Story, Sing</em>. And, I have a <em>Dance do-over</em> in order.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Today, I will Clean out a Closet. Hell, I'll clean the whole house.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So I'm off to find Joy in a vacuum. Wish me luck.</span><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img align="right" border="0" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div>Kim Dettmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05453295550061861969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298748447859899781.post-32099195380536055332011-02-07T18:37:00.000-05:002011-02-07T18:37:53.167-05:00Day 7 - Finding Joy is Like a Walk in the Park.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today is <span style="color: #b45f06;"><strong>Day </strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong>7</strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">And it was a walk in the park and dabbling in Photography that added nuggets of Joy to my day. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Here in Cleveland, Ohio we covered with S.N.O.W - but it is not that pretty just fallen snow, it is the mucky, yucky brown with the occassional yellow spotted snow. Furthermore, today was a very gray day and I am not exactly sure why I choose to take on "walk through the park" on such a gloomy day - but I am glad I did! And, I am especially glad that at the last minute, I decided to grab my camera.</span></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Once I got into the park, the mucky, yucky stuff that is all around town, was no where to be seen. Instead I saw...</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89c3c61AncZ0p1bnALPqHwmUG1egYJKs2k2wjxju5oXDSW5JkniTCxB9k0hk-ui_cLpe0eC7rd6_cNhJppStz3SsBQYAS1JrcjKN1JdwsM7thPQpP_i4sSbmJr-UsLu0OqsCo6T9zOdNt/s1600/IMG_2417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89c3c61AncZ0p1bnALPqHwmUG1egYJKs2k2wjxju5oXDSW5JkniTCxB9k0hk-ui_cLpe0eC7rd6_cNhJppStz3SsBQYAS1JrcjKN1JdwsM7thPQpP_i4sSbmJr-UsLu0OqsCo6T9zOdNt/s400/IMG_2417.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wwAqltXsaMUsUBJWxvN65NYaY7gLQiy3EefBhbxpFgMjCA8xU8kSf2bEv93xMb_oGDGG84BFQqPfuPWXr7cDlGqZB9WC6-nkaTkFhwjtZ9W-G3w4GDtT9k2JLixV6Jw7ln_6OT74MZ8U/s1600/IMG_2410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wwAqltXsaMUsUBJWxvN65NYaY7gLQiy3EefBhbxpFgMjCA8xU8kSf2bEv93xMb_oGDGG84BFQqPfuPWXr7cDlGqZB9WC6-nkaTkFhwjtZ9W-G3w4GDtT9k2JLixV6Jw7ln_6OT74MZ8U/s400/IMG_2410.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRT5hp4bzxGa6k2Er5K1V7Jz3kfeBzDOVUB2QUsj2LCH3xYw7WlQKmWc4h1mfRwid0dH3gpmSzOEnv82GrPXa1E5QfjgQv2ZFFYjEwlTijOM8LDsx21WWBkDpioP3Sd6tsw57KofFcusz7/s1600/IMG_2421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRT5hp4bzxGa6k2Er5K1V7Jz3kfeBzDOVUB2QUsj2LCH3xYw7WlQKmWc4h1mfRwid0dH3gpmSzOEnv82GrPXa1E5QfjgQv2ZFFYjEwlTijOM8LDsx21WWBkDpioP3Sd6tsw57KofFcusz7/s400/IMG_2421.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEAOvfyLSv-XdY2pUNoGief8V080uCXy-deg6t4J9ZRX1Xrd8xPGqiqIcFyYQ2r0myYqrZWmtKL91JrwLs_5tPyUaMfdOojNBomQr86nG0H_VZ4TlWasegRZBRgPu7_JAhyphenhypheng8Zzv6UKoR/s400/IMG_2437.jpg" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was pleasantly surprised by the beauty and the <span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><strong>color</strong></span>. The orange, yellows, and browns were a vibrant contrast to the snow. I didn't expect to get many good shots, but I end up with quite a few that I really like. Yeah!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A simple walk in the park <span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><strong>+</strong></span> my camera <strong><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">=</span></strong> <span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>JOY</strong></span>!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img align="right" border="0" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div>Kim Dettmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05453295550061861969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298748447859899781.post-70145587326695003862011-02-07T10:39:00.000-05:002011-02-07T10:39:10.776-05:00Day 6 - Finding Super Bowl Joy.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Super Bowl Sunday was <strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Day <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">6</span></span></strong>. <span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And, instead of following my list - I found joy elsewhere.</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy712MRaSKWcDguw6SXRhecvAlwJ8LjeZjP1yrbLEUiW0XWOdA-E0uE0IE0sBYH17RZ_yCqpAHrU1ZVwjtxquWeqhmiiZik16pmV4CWKKlZxg1Jf7abHsmhcv-q2pGxG2rHB_VM_-VhmE6/s1600/Super-Bowl-2011-Official-Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><img border="0" h5="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy712MRaSKWcDguw6SXRhecvAlwJ8LjeZjP1yrbLEUiW0XWOdA-E0uE0IE0sBYH17RZ_yCqpAHrU1ZVwjtxquWeqhmiiZik16pmV4CWKKlZxg1Jf7abHsmhcv-q2pGxG2rHB_VM_-VhmE6/s200/Super-Bowl-2011-Official-Logo.png" width="155" /></strong></span></a></div><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't think anyone who knows me would define me as a sports fan. It's not that I am not familiar with sports and team games. And, have, at various times in my life, followed teams regularly. When I was in high school and college on fall Sundays the Cleveland Browns was my team to watch. A few years later, when the Browns were hijacked, leaving Cleveland football-less, I was living in Wisconsin, so I adopted the Packers as my team. I have also been know to enjoy attending Indians games - or even better, minor-league baseball games. But in the more recent years, I have not been much of a sports fan. Other things seemed to be a priority.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But this year I decided that I wanted to watch the Super Bowl - I figured if for nothing else, the commercials would be fun. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I made some yummy turkey chili. Started a fire in the fireplace. Got my big floor pillows out and was set to watch the game. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">The fun began as soon as the game started. My boys (ages almost 5 and 6) started asking questions about the game. I had so much fun explaining the 4 downs, <span style="background-color: white;">end zones, touchdowns, and punting. And, they took it all in with exuberant curiosity...wondering about why they are called the "Packers" and what a "Steeler" is? Some of their questions and comments were so innocently sweet and adorable funny that my husband and I often glanced at each other, in amusement, and smiled. It was a blast to hear them talk about teams "huddling up" and to see them excitedly cheering on the "Green Bays". </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Later, after the boys had gone to bed, I laid by the fire and savored the warmth, while my husband read a magazine. It felt so cozy and incredibly peaceful. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I headed to bed, I noticed the smell of the fire on my PJ's. It brought back many memories of bonfires, campfires, and winter days snuggled up at home. For us, the day was not extraordinary. It was not filled with awards or huge accomplishments. It was not about football or who would win the game. It was a simply an moment filled with family and love.</span> </span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>A perfectly, JOYFUL, ordinary moment!</strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img align="right" border="0" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Kim Dettmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05453295550061861969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298748447859899781.post-57097110900477049892011-02-06T12:43:00.003-05:002011-02-06T12:47:07.045-05:00Day 5 - Making the "Not Fun" more FUN!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday was <span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>Day </strong></span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong>5</strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">.</span></span></span> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It was a day that I was dreading! I had agreed to "Tackle the Tower" - climb 38 floors, 646 steps - to the top of the Tower at Erieview in Downtown Cleveland with my sister and husband. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I really wanted to bail. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial;">But I couldn't. So instead, I tried to make it FUN!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHZGgVuUHxefvwEyQDc3h9FclK96nd5GAxEU5YFW7vLdTsyaG5kVYk99FfgVg7c2oHBTwWalrjEmFZ-EWfoM62n0jRnLQXomyCmk36c72KO-Ojzg0-MIhyphenhyphenAvMQ4NkqZbwWqIIwjgQR8Pm/s1600/image+2011-2-3+0001_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHZGgVuUHxefvwEyQDc3h9FclK96nd5GAxEU5YFW7vLdTsyaG5kVYk99FfgVg7c2oHBTwWalrjEmFZ-EWfoM62n0jRnLQXomyCmk36c72KO-Ojzg0-MIhyphenhyphenAvMQ4NkqZbwWqIIwjgQR8Pm/s320/image+2011-2-3+0001_0001.jpg" width="215" /></a><br />
<ul><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I took the pressure off. My goal was to simply finish and did not feel compelled to beat my previous times. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I took my MP3 player and listened to some great tunes while I climbed.</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Knowing that challenges like this are often more mental than physical, I decided to focus on staying calm.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I recognized that the anxiousness that I was feeling at the start was just part of the experience and instead of wishing it away, I made room for it.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At each water stop, I made a point of smiling and saying "Thank You" to the volunteers.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When other folks were ready to pass me, I smiled and let them go by.</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I finished I felt great! I didn't beat a previous time - not by a long shot. But I didn't care.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>I did it! And, I even enjoyed it!</strong></span> </span><br />
<br />
<div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AND, more importantly, I experienced something that I have NEVER experienced before in all of my various races...<em><span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>I never once compared my body to the other racers. I never felt like a fraud or that I didn't belong. And, I never felt bad about myself or my body for not being and looking healthier and "better".</strong></span></em> And to that I have to say - WOW!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That is HUGE for me! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yep...<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><strong>Day 5 was a SUCCESS!</strong></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img align="right" border="0" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div>Kim Dettmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05453295550061861969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298748447859899781.post-27699754051454684232011-02-06T10:58:00.000-05:002011-02-06T10:58:08.755-05:00Day 4 - Finding Joy in Sledding<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Day</strong></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong> 4</strong><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><strong> </strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">was filled with joy-inducing sledding!</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was perfect - the temperature was a balmy 32 degree, the hill was covered with perfectly packed snow and the boys were THRILLED! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I am typically a side-liner. You know the type...<em>"no, no - go ahead. I'll just watch you sled!"</em> But not this time! Nope, I took on the hill. And I have to say, the first time down, as my heart flew out of my body, the sled and hill had full control, and the fear, fast and furiously, crept in I wondered, <em>"Why in the Hell did I think this would be joy-inducing?"</em> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">But as I got the end of the hill - My face broke into a huge smile and I felt a big ol' <em>"WooHooie!"</em> erupt from my insides. </span><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBC2olYSVPqek97WmTusZStPqbn6a3tBegs4Qp0xR7sni0SMKAuOc7BlsDRc-I36iLtL4EQxT1ojSXXTttLAVa-Ruz6wGP1BIK898T5gANVc9VIKTKdlXP4aGFtsZj86RF80uJaGBsqxg/s1600/++++++++++.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBC2olYSVPqek97WmTusZStPqbn6a3tBegs4Qp0xR7sni0SMKAuOc7BlsDRc-I36iLtL4EQxT1ojSXXTttLAVa-Ruz6wGP1BIK898T5gANVc9VIKTKdlXP4aGFtsZj86RF80uJaGBsqxg/s640/++++++++++.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back up the hill for another Joy-inducing (and the occasional tear-inducing) plunge!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0QQ19xD7vQxL1mhOzEjUR7Wht9feA-YJt1z7hHSdTV-8hd_UPD5xtSMyJu7rt_-xfyjOTXM5olaLwwaGCv516HjXfspp2kHCMZDJXY9W2pWVoGtDhhyphenhyphenzY9RXA5AC_wXU2g4vta4QriEt/s1600/++++++++++_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0QQ19xD7vQxL1mhOzEjUR7Wht9feA-YJt1z7hHSdTV-8hd_UPD5xtSMyJu7rt_-xfyjOTXM5olaLwwaGCv516HjXfspp2kHCMZDJXY9W2pWVoGtDhhyphenhyphenzY9RXA5AC_wXU2g4vta4QriEt/s400/++++++++++_0002.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHcNjWuAYcZzmQCcIsjlqD-OtHdODW2Imsa_jkOTaU269AKlZb8U2JLQZqnfPZn2hywzW4eoZp1hAzOOyWCpG1QJSo49_QK8DOoHRvjYcwvlFiEHT4uHs5hbYpP9tP27B_EMbZpXmy-wx/s1600/++++++++++_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHcNjWuAYcZzmQCcIsjlqD-OtHdODW2Imsa_jkOTaU269AKlZb8U2JLQZqnfPZn2hywzW4eoZp1hAzOOyWCpG1QJSo49_QK8DOoHRvjYcwvlFiEHT4uHs5hbYpP9tP27B_EMbZpXmy-wx/s400/++++++++++_0004.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Their smiles could not be contained!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3diMjCJ67MHUYqDoOr5ZzXpVYkmai6hYBh4TD2WfFBzKlB86yJckrRtNb1e1q5fCWhEus9hHCH_q6YMcvTCJFTR9wgMWMQBVxP8Lzg0Er7dkavI8-_tKfoBBsNZY_PS-tZNkU4zCsrMQ/s1600/++++++++++_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3diMjCJ67MHUYqDoOr5ZzXpVYkmai6hYBh4TD2WfFBzKlB86yJckrRtNb1e1q5fCWhEus9hHCH_q6YMcvTCJFTR9wgMWMQBVxP8Lzg0Er7dkavI8-_tKfoBBsNZY_PS-tZNkU4zCsrMQ/s640/++++++++++_0001.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDT2mwnDt2x7TajpwIIaAZSxfd9bxRLkk8Me66-xgQL9j1otCaXtZcqKDaPTRscWipzFEFF0RWLu9WuGm9g7uDRmyEmtw-XMD0Cgb9z46VsOv65PAExPR2MX7uzgn3aAczXujQjOixDxNa/s1600/sledbackwards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDT2mwnDt2x7TajpwIIaAZSxfd9bxRLkk8Me66-xgQL9j1otCaXtZcqKDaPTRscWipzFEFF0RWLu9WuGm9g7uDRmyEmtw-XMD0Cgb9z46VsOv65PAExPR2MX7uzgn3aAczXujQjOixDxNa/s640/sledbackwards.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yep, </span><strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">JOY!<span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> And the boys felt it too!!!!</span></div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img align="right" border="0" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></div></strong></div>Kim Dettmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05453295550061861969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298748447859899781.post-21178948665211362072011-02-04T20:52:00.004-05:002011-02-04T21:00:17.733-05:00Day 3 - Searching for Joy in Dance.<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73Ss0H2NYO_onTeOaYlEHPjXsY8V9X61ZOBbF1E-mifF8THNbd0eOPsZFrIdkx8MJ9tOQOTctIfJKkmLkKFNflPHAiKNm7nwa_hgI4On7ZFe59Gy0gcYuMUW_3SdBj616WGuiIIG_2q0q/s1600/life-is-a-verb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73Ss0H2NYO_onTeOaYlEHPjXsY8V9X61ZOBbF1E-mifF8THNbd0eOPsZFrIdkx8MJ9tOQOTctIfJKkmLkKFNflPHAiKNm7nwa_hgI4On7ZFe59Gy0gcYuMUW_3SdBj616WGuiIIG_2q0q/s320/life-is-a-verb.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Yesterday was <strong><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">DAY</span></strong> <span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong>3</strong></span>. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And yesterday, a few books that I had ordered from Amazon had arrived, and I decided to start reading <em>Life Is A Verb</em>, by Patti Digh. Throughout the book, Ms. Digh provides activities for the reader. Ironically, the first activity was about <span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>exploring joy through dance</strong></span>. So, I figured it was clearly a sign from the universe - Dancing would be my joy-inducing activity. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">First, it is important to know that<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> I am not a dancer</strong></span>. I have never really liked going out to clubs, not even in college, when all my friends were "doing it". Dancing has just never been my thing - in fact we didn't even have any dancing at our wedding. So dancing definitely takes me <span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>out of my element</strong></span>. With this being said, there have been times when I have turned on some tunes and <strong><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">be-bopped</span></strong> around my house and even, dare I say, "<strong><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">got my groove on!</span></strong>" So, while dancing is not my thing, it is not a completely far-fetched activity.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So I tuned on my tunes, from my new playlist. <span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Grabbed my four year old son</strong></span> and we began to dance. He had a blast wiggling, jumping, spinning, and shaking. His giggles (and wiggles) <span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>should have been contagious</strong></span>. But they<span style="background-color: white;"> weren't. I was completely <span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>in my head</strong></span> - and was self-conscious about EVERYTHING!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><span style="background-color: white;"> About my dancing...</span> <br />
About my body...<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="background-color: white;"> About my crabby mood that wasn't lifting...</span></div> About an anticipated message I hadn't received yet...<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> About the presentation I was scheduled to do that night...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> And ESPECIALLY <strong><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">about the Joy that was NOT happening</span></strong>...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And so, <span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>my joy-inducing activity ended up inducing the exact opposite</strong></span>.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I became melancholy and sad and began to wonder, if <span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>perhaps, I do not know how to let joy into my life</strong></span>. It felt incredibly defeating. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
Fortunately, this happened in the morning, and in the afternoon I had lots of stuff to do. So I went about my day and slowly the melancholy lifted. Then, after successfully completing my presentation last night, I realized that I had been nervous (all day) and felt incredibly vulnerable about sharing my story. That, compounded by my anxiousness regarding the above mentioned message, foiled my joy. <span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong> I was not open to receiving joy</strong></span> - other emotions were in the way.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I recognize that joy can not occur simply because I do a joy inducing activity. And, I know that my heart has to be open to it. And, I understand that sometimes my heart is closed and, rightly, focused on other matters.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I can NOT force joy</span></strong>.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Which may lead someone to wonder whether or not my joy-inducing activity experiment is worth doing. I, in fact, wondered the same thing. But tonight, when my son unexpectedly turned on the twinkle lights while I was sitting at my desk, and I<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong> immediately felt a twinge of JOY</strong></span><em><span style="color: #38761d;"> (and saw a glimmer of happy in his eyes)</span></em> I had my answer.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So, I am thinking that a <strong><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Dance-Do-Over</span></strong> is in order!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><img align="right" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></div>Kim Dettmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05453295550061861969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298748447859899781.post-55427512781978601362011-02-03T17:17:00.000-05:002011-02-03T17:17:24.636-05:00Day 2 - Finding Joy in a PlaylistYesterday, I found a little bit of joy in a playlist... <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrImFUiQEEcmQnqh6ZvlCyQIrh0KfKbB2PMtMEMkQ83G7E3v7FPYmC8uDFuC_pPdk9lWg4CklHeM9xq7TB8tGUYEJ_KA18fYgIEz395kTVGs7CASgGx8P0uF0gB1utv4a0SgZ92eP07NV/s1600/image+2011-2-3+0003_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrImFUiQEEcmQnqh6ZvlCyQIrh0KfKbB2PMtMEMkQ83G7E3v7FPYmC8uDFuC_pPdk9lWg4CklHeM9xq7TB8tGUYEJ_KA18fYgIEz395kTVGs7CASgGx8P0uF0gB1utv4a0SgZ92eP07NV/s320/image+2011-2-3+0003_0001.jpg" width="183" /></a>My playlist includes:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><em>I Gotta Feeling</em> by The Black Eyed Peas<br />
<em>Rhythm Of Love</em> by Plain White T's<br />
<em>King of Anything</em> by Sara Bareilles<br />
<em>Raise Your Glass</em> by P!nk<br />
<em>Party In The USA</em> by Miley Cyrus<br />
<em>Hey, Soul Sister</em> by Train<br />
<em>TiK ToK</em> by Ke$ha<br />
<em>Suddenly I See</em> by KT Tunstall<br />
<em>Dynamite</em> by Taio Cruz<br />
<em>The Climb</em> by Miley Cyrus<br />
<em>Firework</em> by Katy Perry<br />
<em>We R Who We R</em> by Ke$ha<br />
<em>Glitter In The Air</em> by P!nk<br />
<br />
It was fun to pick out some new music and kept some oldies that I have used before!<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>What songs would be on your playlist?</strong></span></div><br />
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<img align="right" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /><br />
<blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></blockquote>Kim Dettmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05453295550061861969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298748447859899781.post-62775476476998750132011-02-01T17:28:00.001-05:002011-02-01T17:28:35.830-05:00Day 1 - Finding Joy in Twinkle Lights<div class="separator" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRmPFD-awp9i30pBZVCQkrvwLYwIe9B_E-7OVbJG-X-tZ7AaPZf-DV1XmGFgTCN9NoPSliu7Z4ty9QkkrTKoY5SRqXcG0ZYEM5oZ2Etfso626GPopIvhlg2TS8ceOLFXZxQQPBQF2-Cla/s200/IMG_2386.jpg" width="133" /></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Today, I added <span style="background-color: white; color: orange; font-size: large;"><strong>Twinkle Lights</strong></span> to my office,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(idea shamelessly lifted from </span><a href="http://www.ordinarycourage.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #a64d79; font-size: x-small;">www.ordinarycourage.com</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and you know what...</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">They make me <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><strong>smile</strong></span>.</span></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Yeah! A nugget of</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong>joy</strong></span> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">added to my world!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">And a BONUS...</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><strong>A snow day with my boys</strong></span><span style="color: black;"> added even more joy...</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgak973Wnaf8BYjEVpMZRKM6iw1hGjesjHO2orNMvwO_zWwCiqXNDNL-AepDpZG2syHW0NtDxIJ3jEXdj8FvZMHDQU1WZHjQImmHDJiu0N4gyrDjos0DgqyhwITQ4RBQgnPc_3VjCR0rmr4/s1600/IMG_2295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgak973Wnaf8BYjEVpMZRKM6iw1hGjesjHO2orNMvwO_zWwCiqXNDNL-AepDpZG2syHW0NtDxIJ3jEXdj8FvZMHDQU1WZHjQImmHDJiu0N4gyrDjos0DgqyhwITQ4RBQgnPc_3VjCR0rmr4/s640/IMG_2295.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9C8l3wfHvxMmmJzrcSHPL4YS5WV4z6juhq_jKkKUCrzvTeXyOlMaU89W5B00up3ykNEGdO60Ve5xGCE2oorxD3qybrKQv3QDpBzwpx3gMJuF5o41Mv9E2yjXsOmF7dZLeMhyg151dwE1/s1600/IMG_2306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9C8l3wfHvxMmmJzrcSHPL4YS5WV4z6juhq_jKkKUCrzvTeXyOlMaU89W5B00up3ykNEGdO60Ve5xGCE2oorxD3qybrKQv3QDpBzwpx3gMJuF5o41Mv9E2yjXsOmF7dZLeMhyg151dwE1/s400/IMG_2306.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I officially deem</span> <strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">Day 1 a success</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;">!</span></strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left"><img align="right" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></div>Kim Dettmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05453295550061861969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298748447859899781.post-35417564418095112922011-01-31T17:11:00.002-05:002011-01-31T17:15:17.784-05:0028 Joy-Inducing Activities!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tomorrow is the February 1st! And I am ready for 28 days of Joy! I have made my list of 28 joy-inducing activities - even a chart to keep track of my progress. I think that this will be fun!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhqF40n8Tf2qQULP7eZ67bAMG94slZGOubVyqaSc2DeqkYlJ35HP2nWWQAVCJtgo5DCZ26Ro06Ewhgvw2l08cRhEjYbqJsNf24UyvtVcn94ENIQ3HhwUywFgaOSgWZoEJ-Zp1B90kAQj4/s640/image+2011-1-31+0001.jpg" width="514" /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: right;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">What would you do to add a little more</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong><span style="color: purple;">joy</span> </strong></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in your life?</span></span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<img align="right" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /><br />
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</div>Kim Dettmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05453295550061861969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298748447859899781.post-6572602946479985772011-01-29T13:15:00.001-05:002011-01-29T13:17:32.602-05:00In Search of JOY in Ordinary Moments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqQ3XtMy6S_UN9tNcfeJjh_9Ycs9H18o7CSnbHNuhVCF9aXxZfIPb6CAGW0tDZIKoFHS4km-CK3MU0VFPW1lHsCzkZba2sP-aNH_lATLJ1VQvESgpP36ypGi2SoXrEXQcotQnd2zmJi8o/s1600/P1080221_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqQ3XtMy6S_UN9tNcfeJjh_9Ycs9H18o7CSnbHNuhVCF9aXxZfIPb6CAGW0tDZIKoFHS4km-CK3MU0VFPW1lHsCzkZba2sP-aNH_lATLJ1VQvESgpP36ypGi2SoXrEXQcotQnd2zmJi8o/s400/P1080221_0001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have decided that during the month of February I am going to focus on adding more joy to my life. Basically, I am going to have a list of simple things that I can do (one each day) to add nuggets of joy to my life. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I have done some research on joy and found this quote that I love and reminded me about the ordinary moments that are filled with joy...</div><blockquote jquery1296320793408="119"><div jquery1296320793408="121"><span class="goog_qs-tidbit goog_qs-tidbit-0"><em><span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>I think the beauty of twinkle lights is a perfect metaphor for joy.</strong></span></em></span></div></blockquote><blockquote jquery1296320793408="119"><div jquery1296320793408="121" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em><span style="color: #38761d;"><strong><span class="goog_qs-tidbit goog_qs-tidbit-0">Joy is not a constant. It comes to us in moments – often ordinary</span> moments. Sometimes we miss out on the bursts of joy because we’re too busy chasing down the extraordinary moments. Other times we’re so afraid of the dark that we don’t dare let ourselves enjoy the light.</strong></span></em></div></blockquote><blockquote jquery1296320793408="119"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em><span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>A joyful life is not a floodlight of joy. That would eventually become unbearable.</strong></span></em></div></blockquote><blockquote jquery1296320793408="119"><em><span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>I believe a joyful life is made up of joyful moments gracefully strung together by trust, gratitude, and inspiration.</strong></span></em></blockquote><blockquote jquery1296320793408="119"><em><span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>~ Brene Brown </strong></span></em></blockquote>I am looking build a list of 28 things to do (one for each day) to add joy to my life. Some that I already have on my list are:<br />
<ul jquery1296320793408="125"><li>Hang twinkle lights</li>
<li>Get fresh flowers for my kitchen table</li>
<li>Get outside and walk through the park (even though February is stinking brrrr here)</li>
<li>Go sledding with the kids</li>
</ul>Also, I plan to begin a gratitude journal and write 3-5 items I am grateful for each night, and I am giving up alcohol (since it is a depressant, thus not joy-inducing) for the month.<br />
<br />
So I am curious...<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><strong>what are some ordinary moments/things that bring you joy?</strong></span></div><br />
Perhaps you can help me add to my list.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">Thanks!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img align="right" border="0" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></div>Kim Dettmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05453295550061861969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298748447859899781.post-31103722762171370072011-01-27T14:19:00.002-05:002011-01-27T14:23:11.638-05:00Middle of the Road<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Extremes and I don't really get along. In most every situation, I have almost always place myself somewhere in the middle. Not too left, or too right. Not too crazy, or too boring. Not too smart, or too dumb. Not too successful, but not unsuccessful. I could go on...</span></span> <br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Clearly, at some point in my life, I began to believe that the middle of the road is safe.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">And, it is, isn't it?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstkRdWdkT_PWnwDnOulk_q_ZVNIYBa3LVsYqUVySGOQLaYRBI8UCaOnpZaQtomYO-qmTuVc1cwPoMd_UvkuPsMISrb7DdxAnhjiMqlRlMzC5etCZ5IJHKOBsTA4LKofGf8pce41ZhRnCV/s1600/DeadPossum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstkRdWdkT_PWnwDnOulk_q_ZVNIYBa3LVsYqUVySGOQLaYRBI8UCaOnpZaQtomYO-qmTuVc1cwPoMd_UvkuPsMISrb7DdxAnhjiMqlRlMzC5etCZ5IJHKOBsTA4LKofGf8pce41ZhRnCV/s320/DeadPossum.jpg" width="233" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I am not sure I fully believe that anymore.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">While I am not interested in extremist or radical behaviors. And, I do find some wonderful benefits to being a "middle of the road" person. I wonder if I have lived this concept, <em>well</em>, too extreme?!!? <span style="font-size: x-small;">(oh, the irony!)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Typically, I have wanted to "understand all sides", but then, I don't always know how to <em>own</em> my own opinions, thoughts, and convictions. Also, I generally don't feel too strongly about much, but then, I have missed out on feeling too excited about anything. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">And, I suppose, by doing this I have been saved from some heartache and disappointment.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">...and that's good, RIGHT?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or is it...<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong>?</strong></span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am suspicious that by avoiding heartache and disapointment, I have also inadvertenly<strong> denied myself more joy and happiness. </strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Because, in the end, <strong>heartache and and joy go hand in hand</strong>...don't they?</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img align="right" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></div>Kim Dettmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05453295550061861969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298748447859899781.post-90038810035566232082011-01-25T10:03:00.000-05:002011-01-25T10:03:53.848-05:00Reflections of MotherhoodThis video is too good not to share! I found it while tooling around on one of my newest favorite blogs <a href="http://www.ordinarycourage.com/my-blog/2010/8/31/reflections-of-motherhood.html">Ordinary Courage</a> by Brene Brown.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/taDqKWWPDAY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think I would tell myself... "There MANY right ways to mother. Don't compare...TRUST the mom in you!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">What would you tell your pre-child self?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<img align="right" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></div>Kim Dettmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05453295550061861969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298748447859899781.post-22867977392202025132011-01-24T18:03:00.000-05:002011-01-24T18:03:45.993-05:00Three Word Day<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Welcome to my first edition of my THREE WORD DAY. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Three Word Day is a self-reflection activity. By picking three words that best sum up my day I more easily target in on the most important aspects of my day. And, hopefully I can see that my day is a "baby step" toward my ultimate dream.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pdajQtPrVv8jzHrGQ8M7wdyQNPPWJ3QSmMC6utpcwAGwSYLe6Poy69UE-5Mx53bmUve4gsREU3QnHjKwDoKGio7UPneyCnqS9CYaMOJ5LDTyUd0HFzkHSanob2zDCQsUM0AYOLydFSe4/s1600/img_1295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pdajQtPrVv8jzHrGQ8M7wdyQNPPWJ3QSmMC6utpcwAGwSYLe6Poy69UE-5Mx53bmUve4gsREU3QnHjKwDoKGio7UPneyCnqS9CYaMOJ5LDTyUd0HFzkHSanob2zDCQsUM0AYOLydFSe4/s320/img_1295.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>Productive</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5oPJx8nWIjQYFJKjKARA0ocXHcbyO1AUllCPOVfSU6HJHthGyb1Z68xBT0MOFzftUn90UcXPr2fX-wQmeK_qvQ4Fo_hkn8TIPI8CwkC8IgaVMe5SKLtQsKAHFWKnlQYb7Dc29dV-TvHAM/s1600/img_1273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5oPJx8nWIjQYFJKjKARA0ocXHcbyO1AUllCPOVfSU6HJHthGyb1Z68xBT0MOFzftUn90UcXPr2fX-wQmeK_qvQ4Fo_hkn8TIPI8CwkC8IgaVMe5SKLtQsKAHFWKnlQYb7Dc29dV-TvHAM/s320/img_1273.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>Laughter</strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wBFbAeTQS9QJAVPdDbFGb4FTY9yQrb_zcUYgIyDkdQfk9ni6nvHkWTo4O1WD2SGrB7ZOVC8DB5p9TlNjPIgbu1C172KtYjXOO19VKE66O3BmlSlj2cOz0BIIDIsRtwU1SNwGWobaD5Pl/s1600/img_1255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wBFbAeTQS9QJAVPdDbFGb4FTY9yQrb_zcUYgIyDkdQfk9ni6nvHkWTo4O1WD2SGrB7ZOVC8DB5p9TlNjPIgbu1C172KtYjXOO19VKE66O3BmlSlj2cOz0BIIDIsRtwU1SNwGWobaD5Pl/s320/img_1255.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>Connections</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">What are your THREE WORDS today?</span></span><img align="right" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Kim Dettmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05453295550061861969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298748447859899781.post-46634001681133477872011-01-20T16:54:00.003-05:002011-01-22T10:06:56.468-05:00Me in the Mirror<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On January 1, 2011 when I was seriously considering taking on the love of my body as my #1 goal for 2011, I did something that I typically don't do. In fact, I can not remember the last time that I have actually done this. I sure that for some people, doing this is not a big deal and perhaps strange that, for me, this was incredibly hard. And, honestly, I feel extremely vulnerable, to even share this with you. But, in the spirit of my quest...here goes... </span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbDuPLSkb2JfEyMpSYTPlJvVxm8_nC7L1WmRbbp0snnbLSYZfOZoMco3YDBUpYyjMaZKDi-nfiUO9VAgs06dOM7QorDdWf3qxEiDiDygQ8qZNS0TBCf3_WP7bqZi6ZqjxPXPCFmI3HUv_/s1600/canstock3229506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbDuPLSkb2JfEyMpSYTPlJvVxm8_nC7L1WmRbbp0snnbLSYZfOZoMco3YDBUpYyjMaZKDi-nfiUO9VAgs06dOM7QorDdWf3qxEiDiDygQ8qZNS0TBCf3_WP7bqZi6ZqjxPXPCFmI3HUv_/s1600/canstock3229506.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My big step toward loving myself, especially my body, was standing in front of a full length mirror in my birthday suit. Yep, Buck naked. Egads! </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, instead of looking at myself with my usual disgust, I consciously forced myself to <span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>find beauty</strong></span>.</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This body, MY body, has carried 2 children and birthed them. And, has safely completed a sprint triathlon and 5Ks, and trained for a half marathon and was able to ran/walked ten miles. It has never broken a bone or been severely injured. In fact, my body is strong and kind to me. So, I saw the curves, rolls, and excess layers and decided to embrace them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And while it was a big step<span style="font-size: small;"> - it is hard to maintain that appreciation.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Today while strutting my stuff in a Zumba class, I noticed how much I avoided looking at myself in the mirror. So, I forced myself to look, and tried to appreciate. At times, I laughed at how silly I looked. Other times I saw my body move and witnessed muscles in action and felt good. Occasionally, I saw extra fat, and felt forgiveness...but still there were moments that <span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>I felt shame.</strong></span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Shame that I am the largest one in the Zumba class. Shame for occasionally doing "low impact" when I "should" be able to always do the "harder" exercising. Shame that I am not the thin, active, spirited person that I envision in my head. Shame of the round belly, and double chin. Shame that I have gotten to this place - the heaviest (excluding pregnancy) that I have ever been. Shame that I have high blood pressure - because I have not cared for my body. Shame and sadness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">And I don't want to feel shameful anymore. But I know there is not a magic pill to make it all go away.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, I write. I share with you my experience about my shame...because <em><strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">"Shame hates it when we reach out and tell our story. It hates having words wrapped around it - it can't survive being shared."</span></strong> <a href="http://www.brenebrown.com/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">~Brene Brown</span></a></em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And, I remind myself, that loving myself, especially my body, is a journey... and my mirror packed and ready to come along!</span><br />
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</span><br />
<img align="right" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" />Kim Dettmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05453295550061861969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298748447859899781.post-5180392220040498342011-01-18T13:40:00.002-05:002011-01-18T14:39:55.099-05:00Defining Love - your thoughts?<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Lm9m84ef-LfgJ5aSdAa8NbQ0AGBLaSXudXwANig1xKIOD1rBwlCWk0COzHBsqZyI8A5ykBhKAMTjaPbCjjPOe-XMwbdI9184gn2JcN_8xqFuCXHQWydHFdABRFQouEEmgTaguBtpdGrB/s1600/ImperfectionFIN200c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Lm9m84ef-LfgJ5aSdAa8NbQ0AGBLaSXudXwANig1xKIOD1rBwlCWk0COzHBsqZyI8A5ykBhKAMTjaPbCjjPOe-XMwbdI9184gn2JcN_8xqFuCXHQWydHFdABRFQouEEmgTaguBtpdGrB/s200/ImperfectionFIN200c.jpg" width="133" /></a>I read this wonderful book <em><a href="http://www.brenebrown.com/books/"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The Gifts of Imperfections</span></a></em> by Brene Brown. The book is amazing - encouraging, thought-provoking, honest, and challenging. I have never before read a book that invoked so much emotion - at times I was hopeful and happy and other times I felt incredibly angry and frustrated.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">But overall, I was inspired. I AM INSPIRED!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">I have already gone back multiple times to reread parts to better understand myself.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">One statement she made, as a part of her definition of love, has really stuck with me...perhaps because I SO want to believe it to be true, and in the same breath, I am <em>petrified </em>that it IS true. The quote is:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">"Love is not something we give or get; it is something that we nurture and grow, a connection that can only be cultivated between two people when it exists within each one of them - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><strong>we can only love others as much as we love ourselves.</strong></span>"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">~Brene Brown</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>So, I am uber <span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">curious</span>, what do you think?</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>Can we love others, only as much as we love ourselves?</strong></span></div><br />
<img align="right" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /><br />
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</div>Kim Dettmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05453295550061861969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298748447859899781.post-37893065390086422692011-01-17T09:48:00.002-05:002011-01-17T10:37:32.039-05:00From Loathing to Loving - a beginning.You know those moment...those Aha Moments, when words mixed with strong feelings intertwined with a guttural knowing of TRUTH, invade your entire being?<br />
<br />
That is what happened to me one fall day 2011 while I was taking a bath. I had been reading the book <em><a href="http://www.geneenroth.com/women_food_and_god.php"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Women, God, and Food</span></a></em> and was thinking about my weight, health, and my body. Just prior to the Aha Moment, I had been lamenting about all my past lose-weight-eat-better failures and felt completely depleted and hopeless. <br />
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Then, something clicked in my head, and <em>that wonderful moment</em> arrived and I realized...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666;">That every time I have EVER tried to loose weight</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-size: large;">I started from a place of <span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>LOATHING</strong></span></span> my body</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(I would see my reflection in a store window and feel disgust, or I would step on the scale with dread and that LOATHING of my body - and thus a significant part of who I am - would <em>temporarily</em> motivated me, yet ultimately fail me.)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666;">and I wondered, </span><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-size: large;">what if, I started in space of <span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>LOVING</strong></span> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">myself and my body</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong>?</strong></span></span></div><br />
I knew, in that moment, the incredible <span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>power</strong></span> and possible <span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>profound impact </strong><span style="color: black;">of those words</span></span>. I felt <span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>empowered</strong></span>... <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">and a millisecond later I felt discombobulated and bewildered. </div><br />
I didn't know <em>how</em> to start in a space of LOVING my body. It was a complete change in my thought process and I felt lost. Yet, I knew that I needed to <em><span style="color: #e06666;">find my way</span></em> to that place.<br />
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<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><strong>And this year, that is my journey.</strong></span> </div><br />
<img align="right" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4445524843_e49f95a181_o.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" />Kim Dettmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05453295550061861969noreply@blogger.com