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FRANNIEDID's Recent Blog Entries
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Tuesday, April 30, 2013
I haven't posted a blog in such a long time! Life has definitely been up and down. Just to update anyone who wants to know, my mom is doing okay. We found out in February that she had mets to her brain so she had to undergo 3 weeks of daily whole brain radiation therapy. It seems to have helped and now we are back to chemo. She is on her 4th line of chemo, we won't know if it is working for about a month when they will do another CT scan.
I have been doing a huge amount of stress eating, it seems like I just cannot stop. So, the last few days I have definitely been working to get back to my healthier habits. I do need to lose the extra pounds I gained, but I am much more concerned about getting healthy and staying that way. I finally went to my Dr. for a check up, it has been over 2 years. It just seemed like too much with mom and I didn't want to miss more work. But I needed to so I got blood work yesterday and will get a mammogram and bone density on Friday. I have to go see a dermatologist on Monday because of a suspicious spot on my back. I had a really bad burn as a teen ager (remember before sun screen!!) so I must have it looked at. I am really worried about it! So biopsy on Monday.
Well, that is all for now, I will try and remember to do this more often!
Thursday, November 08, 2012
I love this site and the email I got from the today was perfect for Sparkers! The main part of the post was 7 Ways to Make Next Year Better Now, I had to share this great email with all of you!
1. What are the lessons of the year?
This has been a year of "no podium finishes" for me. In 2011 I created End Malaria and the year before that Do More Great Work came out. But this year, there's no big thing to point to and go "Ta Da!" I miss that, so it's useful for me to chew on that a
bit - do I need the applause? What do I think of as success, truly? Am I shallower than I thought (and I already thought I was fairly shallow...).
At the same time, I know we've been working a lot more behind the scenes at Box of Crayons, building our Program Faculty and changing the way our teams work. Now it's all run by The VPoEE and my role has become much more focused. On my good days I enjoy the freedom that brings. On my bad days, I whine about my shrinking sandbox. So there's another lesson there for me about the "prizes and punishments" of saying No so you can say Yes.
Here's another lesson I'm still learning: the Smart-Ass Price. With some valued clients I made a quick quip in the quest to be funny and just hurt feelings. It's a pattern - always go for the easy laugh - and it's one I'd like to break. (I'm finding the daily EnneaThought a useful prompt on this.)
2. What might be the Great Work Project?
You probably already know where I stand on this one. Here it is in
three bullet points:
We want to do more Great Work - but the Good Work tends to
overwhelm us. There's always more Good Work to do.
Creating a Great Work Project creates the focus and courage and resilience to get Great Work done
Like I say, there's no need to commit to anything right away. I'm at the stage of thinking of some key themes for 2013. One of 2012's was "ship shape" and that's helped us get things tidied up and set up behind the scenes here.
I think one of 2013's will be "invitation to dance" (it was originally "engagement" but that's a bit ... tired). I'm already thinking of new, smart and funky ways to have people come and play with the content we're creating here.
Keep it light and loose as you reflect on this. Unless of course you already know, in which case stop waiting for 2013 and just start doing something!
3. What's my deep practice?
I've been reading a lot on habits and practice. Duhigg's The Power of Habit, Coyle's The Little Book of Talent, and Lemov's Practice Perfect.
One of the key things I've learned is the value of mindful, concentrated practice. Not just jumping through the hoops and hoping that distracted repetition somehow matters. But giving it your best shot and showing up fully to the work you're doing.
I've got a list of habits I'd like to start. Stretching - maybe 'hot yoga'. Meditation - maybe my friend Eric's Meditation Habit course. Maybe calling a friend more regularly. Maybe upping the game on my bike.
If there's one thing (and there's not just one thing) I've learned from Leo's Zen Habit's blog, it's pick one habit to transform at a time. Trying to do all of these at once will just result in overwhelm, disillusion and failure. I'm not sure where to go yet. I will before the year's end.
4. What relationship will I transform?
I wonder, if you collected all the final words from people on their death beds, how many would focus on the people in their lives. Say, versus the state of their in-box or some other quotidian worry.
My experience is that it is so, so easy to fall into patterns of ... disregard with those who matter. You go through the motions. Or you assume all's fine and well and good.
The quality of your relationships has a direct bearing on your quality of life and your happiness. If there was one person to start with, that you'd show up differently with in 2013, who would that be?
In 365+ some days ...
You'll be looking back on 2013, another year older, whether or not you do anything differently. So you may as well try something out.
Don't you agree?
Don't Take My Word For It
Smart people thinking out loud about habits and change .
Habit is necessary; it is the habit of having habits, of turning a trail into a rut, that must be incessantly fought against if one is to remain alive.
Edith Wharton, writer
If you do not change direction, you may end up where you were heading.
Lao Tzu, philosopher
Habits are safer than rules; you don't have to watch them. And you don't have to keep them either. They keep you.
Frank Crane, columnist
Change in all things is sweet.
Aristotle, philosopher
You're only as young as the last time you changed your mind.
Timothy Leary, psychologis
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Today is my 4th Sparkiversary! I have been using this site for 4 years now as of today and it has made a difference. I have gained weight back, I am still struggling with food cravings and a terrible sweet tooth, but I have also made some substantial changes. I walk almost everyday now, I eat a lot of fruits and veggies and drink way more water. My eating habits are much better, I still have work to do, this is a life long effort for me I think but I feel really positive about the changes I have been able to make. For those of you really struggling, this is possible, I think small changes are best and the easiest to maintain for the long haul. I think my biggest struggles tend to come on weekends and when I am visiting my mom. I also am still feeding a family, and they don't always like the healthier alternatives so I give in and do things the old way for a bit. I have tried eating something different but that really doesn't work for me.
I have to say that the most significant change, and the one with the largest impact has been portion size and not going back for seconds. The recommended portions really are enough, I was amazed to find that they are enough!!!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Okay, I totally reset all of my goals, I essentially reset my program. I need to lose the last 20 lbs and I felt a need to start fresh and get re-invigorated. Sometimes that is necessary, I felt like I was really getting complacent about what I was doing so I want to work harder. I am definitely healthier than I was 4 years ago, I do have much healthier habits but I am still battling some bad habits. My chocolate jones is as strong as ever! I have to admit that I don't intend to give it up, just get it under control and really it is so much better than it was when I started here. I am rapidly approaching my 4th year anniversary and I would really like this to be the year I reach my goal weight and learn to stay there.
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Member Comments About This Blog Post:
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Happy Sparaversary! I haven't reached my ultimate goal yet, but like you I have seen lots of positive changes in the choices I've made. We'll get there! Keep sparking! 
