How Not to End Up Chum on the Job after 40

Have you ever noticed how once you hit 40 (or it seems so to some), there are young vicious sharks swimming around your desk at work? They act like friends, but you just KNOW that they are circling and waiting to have you for lunch. I’d like to give you a few tips on how to keep the sharks at bay…

1. Never and I mean NEVER use the word “old” to describe yourself. Good grief, if you’re not 80 you’re not old to begin with and need slapped upside the head just for saying it. Saying that you’re getting old is like opening a wound and dripping blood in the water. Stop it!

2. Feeling squishy and slow among your 12 year old coworkers? Let me break it to you… Watching American Idol while eating chips and playing couch potato isn’t going to advance you career, only your waist. Get up off your butt and get active.

3. And if you “try” to get active and suddenly EVERYTHING hurts… Get over it! It will! I don’t know how many people give up after the first time they exercise simply because it hurts. Reality check, it’s going to hurt! Don’t overdo it, but come on don’t mosey through the neighborhood without breaking a sweat and call that enough. Sweat, baby, sweat!

4. When you do exercise, listen to something upbeat. Smooth jazz may keep you from getting violent on the drive home, but goodness it will do NOTHING for a workout. Think of it this way, if the music can cause your pulse to pick up just listening or watching the video, imagine what it can do for a workout.

5. Another “don’t” is the constant complaining about the younger workers… It makes you look like the curmudgeon of the office and like you should be saying something like “When I was a kid, we walked 10 miles to school, uphill, both ways.” I’m sure that they are difficult to converse with, but goodness, let’s not date ourselves.

6. Understand that you should be at the top of your game and you’re never too old to take classes and seek professional development. The only way to stay on top is to be a continuous student.

7. Be active in your community and make a difference in lives. There’s a much bigger world than just the only you live in. Look out for more than just you and your own. This not only makes you a role model to your fellow workers, but your kids, as well.

8. And finally… Learn to have fun and play as hard as you work. Stop making excuses, enjoy life. It will make work even better and you never know, you might just have something to talk about with your younger coworkers.

Follow these guidelines and not only will you stand a chance with the sharks, but you might just become a force to be reckoned with (instead of sleeping with the fishes).

“How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were?” ~ Satchel Paige

Fear, It’s Not Just for Kids Anymore…

Last night was a “scare fest” in our home and I have to admit that this time I met my match in movies. We watched “Paranormal Activity” and it scared the “begeebers” out of me! I slept, but not without having parts of the movie coming to mind when I awoke during the night.

For those that haven’t been on planet Earth for the past year or so, let me explain the movie a tad… A couple starts filming the events and nights, to investigate what’s making it difficult for them to sleep (giving all new meaning to “going ‘bump’ in the night”). It’s filmed just as if it were them doing all of the filming with a handheld camera.

When it comes to whether a person likes or hates the movie, there is no middle ground. You either believe in such possibilities and were terrified or you think it’s all bunk and that it’s the dumbest movie you’ve ever seen.

Some may have issues with how it’s filmed, but if you give it a chance (and believe in such things), you’ll be drawn in and find yourself watching as if you were looking for a REAL spirit. I kept reminding myself that it was a movie and still found myself looking hard to see what was happening next.

I admit it; I’m a ghost hunting geek, with an addiction to investigating equipment, reading stories of hauntings, and everything to do with The Myrtles Plantation (highly recognized for its ghosts). So, this movie freaked me out in a big way.

These movies make us feel like a kid, again… Clenching a pillow and holding our breath, knowing “something” is about to happen. Leaving enough to the imagination for it to run wild and drag us along for the ride. Remember watching movies in the dark and being afraid to put your feet on the floor because of what “might” grab you??? Oh wait, that was just last night and if you watched it… YOU KNOW WHY!

Never stop doing these silly little things, like watching horror movies, just to see how scared you get. It’s great way to feel alive and especially fun sharing these moments with your older kids (make sure the movies are age appropriate). They get an added kick out of seeing their OLD parents just as scared as they are. Oh yes and this October 22nd Paranormal Activity 2 comes out… Brace yourself!

For those interested:

Site and Trailers: http://www.paranormalactivity-movie.com/

The Myrtles Plantation: http://www.myrtlesplantation.com/

“Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.” ~Chili Davis

Ants, Bees, and Cockroaches… Not What You Think.

Now before I get started I’m going to apologize because I know that some are going to be offended and that’s not what this is about… Each category has its advantages or some will see that there are advantages. There is no “right” or “wrong” group, I’m just making an observation.

When I refer to ants, bees, and cockroaches, it’s in reference to types of working individuals. How they look at their jobs and how they react to work situations. Again, there’s not really a wrong type of thinking, but realizing that your type can change may make a difference in how you look at your job.

Let me begin with the ants… They are often wearing a suit and following the money. There are advantages in the sense that it’s often highly respected positions (or so it was before Bernie made his appearance) and living the highlife. It works well until the bottom falls out. Remember the scene in “Bug’s Life” where the ants are marching in a line and a leaf/twig falls in front of the ant and he freaks out because he has no idea of where to go because his path is blocked??? When the bubble burst these individuals absolutely lost it. All their plans were planned according to following the money and now the money was gone, as were the opportunities.

Another downside to the “ant” mentality is the long-term health issues from the stress. These are some of the most stressful jobs out there and that doesn’t even touch the fact that they often miss a great deal of family time just trying to keep up with the job. Even those that live for the fast paced life need to go the extra mile to care for their health.

Then we have those dependable bees… Busting their butts and never afraid of the work, but often not getting the credit that they deserve (with that Queen Bee taking all the credit). The plus to being one of these rough and tumble workers is that they can almost always find a job.

The downside to being a bee is that recognition is rare and to earn a solid living takes a boatload of hours and work. The likelihood of becoming a young millionaire is slim, as is the likelihood of early retirement, but some can live with that and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Now our last little group, of which I’m proud to be a part of… The plucky cockroach. Yes, I AM a cockroach and I’m proud of it! Does that make you squirm? Nah, don’t be, I’m okay with it and soon you’ll see why… They can drop a nuclear bomb on us and we’ll still charge forward and likely even do it with a smile (which has been known to annoy many).

We cockroaches will create our own jobs when there are none and try to help others find what makes them happy, too. Some live on less and some live with more, but regardless we live with a smile. We march to the beat of a VERY different drummer and many, if not most are fairly certain we’re out of our minds, but again, we’re fine with that.

Cockroaches don’t think of retirement because we love what we do and isn’t that what really matters? Isn’t that what we all should do?

If you aren’t happy or satisfied with your job, shouldn’t you look at options? Nothing is forever and situations change. Maybe you can’t follow your heart right now, but you CAN start planning for when you can. Having a plan is a huge part of the battle. Creating a plan also gives you hope, gives you something to look forward to, and THAT is important.

So today, think about where you want to be personally and professionally in the next year, five years or even ten years… Sit down and write down what you want to do and start researching your possibilities. There’s unlimited information online, dive in and look around. See where your future begins and stop just doing a job, start having a career that you love…

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” – George Eliot

Airplanes, Obesity & the Opinions of Idiots…

First of all, those that know me know I’m not big on cursing and swearing over issues. It’s a poor use of the English language and there’s so many better ways of expressing oneself. That being said, there are those rare moments when I get pushed across a line on some issues and THAT has happened this week… I’m sorry in advance…

As much as I like Kevin Smith for movies like Catch and Release (Yeah, I liked it… Get over it) and Jersey Girl, I’m not a follower of celebrities. Sorry Kevin (like he’d even read this… Hahaha), but this piece isn’t about you; it’s about the fools that have been writing and giving opinions on you and obesity when they have never personally dealt with it. Those of you that have been doing this… Shut up! Shut the HELL up! You have no right to an opinion on the matter!

As someone that has run the gamut with their weight, from obese to a splurge and purge fanatic, I can tell you that dealing with weight issues isn’t easy for everyone. Some of us can gain weight by simply looking at a doughnut and we will ALWAYS struggle with the numbers on the scales. We need to run twice as far to make a difference and we know all too well what it’s like to starve ourselves to make ourselves “look” like we think (and clearly some of you think) we should look like.

It’s all too easy for someone that has never had an issue with their weight to go off and give cruel, know it all comments on the matter (welcome to Jr. High all over again) and bash on everyone that isn’t built like a toothpick. These are the same people that discriminate against those with a weight issue because they aren’t built like “Barbie or Ken” and oh yes, we ALL KNOW you do it! You need to remember that karma is a bitch and going to bite you on the butt one day, to the rest of the world’s joy.

I’ve stopped following a few blogs and people over this issue and know I’m not alone in this matter. You all may be loud, but there are far more like me that care and are going to put our foot down. Remember what your mom should have clearly said more often… If you can’t say anything nice about a particular individual, don’t say anything at all. The rest of us are watching, reading, and care.


“Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.” ~Thomas à Kempis, Imitation of Christ, c.1420

What Have You Done Good For You Lately???

With Valentine’s Day we think of what we can do to show others that we love them, but we equally need to show ourselves a little “love.” This is the only body you’ve got and you need to at least attempt to care for it, for the long run.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m a world class ice cream junkie that rambled on about Cherry Cordial and cracked up my surgeon all the way to surgery once the old “happy juice” was added to my I.V. and won’t likely ever live down some of what I said, but I digress… One cannot live by ice cream alone.

We need to be aware of labels, ingredients, and what our bodies do/don’t need. Just being aware of how certain ingredients affect the body can cause you to think twice about taking them in. Some of us have an issue with sodium and processed foods, while others may need to consider how dairy works with their bodies. Everyone is different and we all need to eat healthy, but we all have areas that are more critical than others and we need to try to avoid those that clearly do more harm than good.

Besides eating and being aware of what you’re eating, you also need to make exercise a priority. If you get enough exercise, most other areas of your health will fall into place naturally. For me, it’s running and boxing, but you may have different preferences. Some like hiking, biking, or going out on ATVs… It doesn’t matter as long as you get up and get out there.

These long winter days make it more difficult to get out and do the activities we love and need, but spring is coming and soon we’ll be back out there kicking up our heels. Don’t use winter as an excuse to sit on your duff, watching American Idol and munching junk food. Get up and get moving, whether it’s just going for a walk or playing with the kids in the snow. Your body will thank you.

Beyond this you need to know when to rest and when to play. Life isn’t all about work. Find time for play, to rest and renew, even if you literally need to schedule it. It can make the world look like a much brighter place and you need that for sanity’s sake. Even adults need to play, schedule it…. Doctor’s orders (okay, I’m not a doctor, but I still order it!).

While all of this is just the beginning of taking care of that body you were given, it’s a good start. I intend to hang around for at least a hundred years wreaking havoc and hopefully, with a little moderation and fun, I’ll pull it off… Join me!

“Fresh air impoverishes the doctor.” ~ Danish Proverb

The Sweet Science is a Girl’s Best Friend…

Pierce Egan was the first to define boxing as the sweet science and although I know that he never expected the ladies to stand tall in the ring, we are coming of our own and showing ourselves as forces to be reckoned with (in life, work, and even the ring).

Growing up we’ve always been told how to behave like a young lady, not to fight, use the finest manners, and to seek out that “Prince Charming,” but reality is just a tad different these days… A woman has no limits in her capabilities and boxing is an amazing area that can build unlimited confidence and fitness.

Just the process of wrapping your hands creates a sensation of taking charge and becoming a warrior (feels just as good as that awesome new bubble gum pink lip gloss that makes you feel magical). Followed by plugging into your iPod and taking on the speed bag; it’s a stress reducer like no other and about as empowering as it gets. Not to mention the hand, eye coordination factor. Believe me; it’s far more difficult than it looks, but an absolute blast (does wonders for the old chicken wings, too)!

Can’t help, but believe that I stand a little taller when I finish with the speed bag and smiling from ear to ear. No matter how angry, after one of these workouts you come away refreshed and feeling in control.

If you’ve never tried boxing as part of your workout, open your mind to it… You may very well fall in love. Finish a workout like that; you’ll see that you are unflappable and unstoppable.

“I love boxing. There's something fierce about using your body's force that way.” -Sophia Bush

A New Year’s Revolution

No, that’s not a typo… I don’t do resolutions and believe that we need to go big or go home. Losing weight and getting organized sound nice, but are not enough… Running a 5k, been there, done that. We need to go MUCH larger! It’s going to need to be just crazy enough to work! For me it’s going to be 10 races in 2010 and increasing from 5k to 10k in length. With my knee it will be a challenge, but doable.

The most important part and what will be the most fun and important part… Each event will be supporting a cause close to my heart. Everyone is welcome to join me for each event as a participant or just to watch. I’d love to plan gatherings after each event, as well, if enough are interested. We can all make a difference and have a great time, as well.

Where are you going with your goals for 2010? Aiming high, setting new ones frequently and taking necessary steps to get there? Most don’t realize that WE are often the only real hurdle to reaching our dreams. Once we think it’s out of the question, it is. So kick it into gear and dream BIG!

This is just the first small portion of my New Year’s Revolution and I’m going to take you along for the ride…. Buckle up; it’s going to be an amazing ride and an amazing year!

Let’s all create a New Year’s Revolution and make changes in our lives and others. Changing lives and making a difference in the world will in turn, change your life.