Limitless?

Regardless of what happened in 2015, it’s history. Time for a clean start. Reflect on what you  want in the new year and develop a plan to get it. Looking for higher grades? Be discipline by studying harder, and finding a tutor, or a study group. Want a raise? Put in the hours, get along with co-workers, and suggest cost-cutting ideas. Craving contentment? Live a balanced life with healthy eating, regular exercise, appropriate sleep, and add in time for family, friends, and spiritual rejuvenation. 

     

 It’s a new year. Try new foods, hobbies, classes, sports, and vacation spots. Expand your horizons and be open to fresh possibilities. Be daring. Maybe not this level of daring:

                                         https://youtu.be/vUK2BaRp29s

Pretty interesting! It’s fine to try new experiences, but what makes some people chose unusual paths? I often wonder what drives the skydivers, the cliff-jumpers, and the shark swimmers. We all draw mental lines in the sand that we won’t cross. When presented with a new experience, what factors make it a no-go for you?   

An Awesome Wave

I learned something last week. I attended a school basketball game and discovered that one person can make an awesome wave. No kidding. The key lies in the arms and the hands. When you move them gracefully, in slow motion, you get the perfect effect. When three more kids joined the line, that wave celebration was as good as a crowd wave of fifty-thousand spectators in a sports arena. A good wave feels like a warm hug or a big high-five. Most people enjoy giving or getting a compliment. If you compel people to pay tribute for a great feat, will it still be heartfelt? Take a look and a listen:

                                             http://youtu.be/W9j4Gi0lbR4

The best waves aren’t experiments, but contagious celebrations honoring someone who did well. In our media-driven culture where we criticize every outfit, haircut, and relationship, let’s triple the amount of compliments we give.  Who doesn’t enjoy a little praise? In your opinion, who deserves an awesome wave?

On Your Mark, Get Set, Cheese!

The family wanted to watch the Olympic trials. They complained and grumbled because I preferred to watch Secret Civilizations, a show about Mayan culture.  I squeezed the remote to get a better grip on it. Ambushed! Believe it or not, they actually cheered after they wrestled the remote from my sweaty hands.

My taste in TV shows doesn’t always please my family. You can’t deny that my choices inform and entertain, although we tend to disagree on the definition of “entertain.”  I usually bypass most TV sports, but since our family has two sports enthusiasts plus another child who sides with them—I’m outnumbered! I do plan to watch the actual Olympics and if I found a show about one of these events, maybe we would all watch it:           

The video’s number one sports event, the cheese roll, is outrageous! Someone created a “sport” where participants chase a wheel of cheese down a hill. What’s the prize—cheese? I’d willingly give up the remote if any one of these events showed up as a TV sports show.  What do you enjoy about watching or playing your favorite sport? 

Recognize Yourself

I’m not a rabid, um, avid sports fan.  I’m what you might call a casual observer. As I see it, fans fall into three categories. The first type of fan enjoys the game but doesn’t get too excited over a team win or loss. The second tier fan cares about the outcome and if their team loses, well, that makes for a disappointing day. The third type of fan dabbles on the scary side. They take the concept of “fan” to a whole different level.

You’ve seen and heard about them. This third type of fan gets so wrapped up in an event that they go over-the-top. These fans dedicate way too much time to their sport, assault members of an opposing team, bend street light poles in celebration of a win and tip over big things—like your car. How does someone make the leap from supportive observer to crazed participant? Perhaps this video hints at an answer:

If sports fandom means sharing in a communal experience, then why do certain people go to the extreme? Perhaps they want to stand out from the community, above the crowd and beyond normal. They desire recognition for something, anything, even if it’s only for outrageousness. Everyone wants a little recognition. What about you? For what do you want to be recognized?

 

The Other Boomerang Effect

Our scattered summer schedule dampens my work-out schedule. During winter, spring and fall, I visit the gym on a somewhat regular basis—at least twice a month (yes, monthly).  But not in the summertime, that’s when my work-out schedule consists of running up and down the stairs with laundry. Actually that doesn’t sound like a bad work-out, and frankly, it’s better than nothing.

Another thing that gets me through many non-existent gym days is the exercise l had in high school. Oh yes, that old physical exertion that built up my cardiovascular system then is saving me now. When my husband leaves for the gym, I explain that I’m still living off the benefits gained from track practice decades ago.  By the way, feel free to borrow this excuse, I’m sure there’s logic in there somewhere.

I might expand my exercise regimen, just in case my theory isn’t true. I could build up slowly with something like a boomerang. It’s a great invention. Stand still, throw it and the amazing thing comes right back to you. Does it get any better than that?  Apparently, it started out as a weapon in ancient civilizations and now it’s become a sport. Take a look at someone who takes boomeranging to another level:

Well, maybe I underestimated the complexities of handling a boomerang…

 Actually the idea of sending something out and having it return extends deep into our culture. We’ve heard the saying, “what goes around, comes around” which implies that our good behaviors will come back to benefit us and our bad behaviors will come back to harm us.  What’s the basis for this concept? Does it ring true in your life?