Summing Up Play and Leisure

We are approaching the end of July and it is time to wrap up the theme of "play" and "adventure".  We're all hearing buzz about football and back to school shopping. My colleagues and I are getting sprinkles of emails about what to expect the last week of August in terms of schedules and meetings.  This upcoming month is 30 days of Sunday nights.

However, this doesn't mean I will be giving up fun or adventure - I have 1 month of freedom left and I wouldn't want to loose a good balance :) I will hopefully be able to share my shenanigans with all of you!

Reflecting and digging deeper about the hobbies and things that make me the happiest has truly allowed me to realize how complete my life is.  Regardless of my current relationship status or future long over worked days, I am able to look back at memories of really fun times and also have the comfort in knowing that happy, exciting, fulfilling times are ahead.  I also can say that I have healthy outlets for coping strategies in my bag of tricks for the times that are lowest.

Actually knowing that there's an actual description of play and leisure activities - I feel like I have exceeded any expectations I may have ever imagined for myself.  Whether it has been bowling, horseback riding or singing karaoke or taking line dancing lessons.....I've really covered all basis.  And I'm only mid-way through this crazy life.

I do hope this past month I have inspired you to try something new and expand your horizons with things that are fulfilling to you.  Or at the very least participate in activities that relieve your stress and potentially even fill your soul.  My goal is to realize that stress management and being good to myself is a daily ongoing process in every component of my life.  Maybe some of you will begin to join me in this belief as I keep typing and you keep reading.

What will my next theme be for this next month? I have so many ideas and I am working on how I could blog about each of these topics for an entire month.  Sleep? Money Management? My experience with ADL's?  Time Management?   I will not be writing about my political views.....that's a guarantee!

Thanks for reading!

My Extended Leash.

2006

I love to travel to see and experience new things. If I took bucket lists seriously I'd say I want to travel to as many places as possible. Earlier this year I would have said "Yes, I do have a bucket list. And yes, traveling as much as possible is on that list." However, this year I was faced with decisions when it came to traveling and the limited funds I do have for this hobby. I could keep traveling to see close friends of mine to places I have already been or I could start traveling to new places and start taking tours on my own. I attempted to try and combine both of these hopes/passions and with lots of planning it worked out for the best. I made the right choice and decided to take a large trip with easy access to friends I have known a long time. For obvious reasons, nurturing old friendships feels good and comforting.

2006

During one of my deep conversations with someone special to me we had discussed the concept of
everyone having a leash of places they frequent and what they consider "home." Even people that travel more than I do have 1 or 2 spots that they consider their comfort zone.  Places where you can get around without needing to make plans before you get there. When you are there you can just enjoy the sights, sounds, smells, people and former memories while you are there.  That need to post pictures of the scenery on social media wears off.

While I was standing in La Jolla for the 3rd time in 10 years, I realized that this place was becoming a part of my very long extended leash. It is for sure one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.  I looked around and remembered where certain pictures were taken the first 2 times I was there.  I vividly remembered how new, different, beautiful, and magical this place felt in 2006.  I took pictures of every inch because digital cameras were new and I thought I would never be back.  Each time I have gone there I have shared it with a larger circle of friends and people that I really enjoy being around.

In between the conversations and walking around in July of 2016, I just had this realization there is

2008

no reason why my comfort zone has to remain in Michigan.  I had never really had those feelings before and it was kind of a liberating "ah-ha" moment. In fact, my comfort zone/leash is probably going to be where "my people" are. This realization feels very limitless. Whereas, the bucket list concept seems like a social media/new millennium concept where everybody "should be" doing certain things?  We're all sticking to a list then?  Is that a thing? My list looks so completely different than it did at 18 or 29 years.  And I was sensing negative feelings when I had to make revisions. How many list revisions do we all get? I may just hit the delete button and be more spontaneous! None of us truly know what is going to happen. Hopefully, when least expected, better things that what is on our bucket lists!

2016

2016

Deep Conversations...Feel So Good!

This is a tricky hobby/past time. One of my favorite things to do is talk and listen. I can carry on deep conversations with several different types of people. I'm an open, honest person and I have also been told I am a good listener and non-judgmental. If I could sit on a porch or beach and eat snacks and have meaningful conversations with good people the majority of the time, I would gladly do it!  I would sign up for these situations daily if I could!  For the most part, I feel like people and the lives they lead are just fascinating.  It can feel like an honor knowing that someone wants to share their stories with me and it also feels good to be heard.  It can make a friendship (regardless of how long you have known someone) feel more intimate.

However, even though I have a tendency to be a good listener and easily strike up deep conversations with everyone, I have to be careful of my emotions and tolerance for what I hear. I tend to hear about people's problems and negative secrets which can be an exhausting situation to be in.  So, it has been a learning experience for me to find a balance in listening to other people's experiences and not always taking it so personally.  I have learned that many times people want and need someone to listen to them so they are able to learn and grow as they hear themselves.  I know that I have definitely relied on people while I have "vented" about a situation.

So, yummy food and drink; pondering the meaning of life; outside; and somewhere peaceful and warm?!? I am for sure a person that can hold my own in these types of situations!

Flowers. Landscaping. Memories!

As I have entered mid-adulthood I have discovered that I really enjoy landscaping! I also really enjoy decorating the inside of my home as well but landscaping gives me the chance to be outside while designing and matching colors. I love matching colors whether it is clothes/outfits, home decor, puzzles, scrap booking/photography or even crocheting. The more color and potential for color schemes and matching, the better!

My dad has always been into plants and flowers. When I was little he became a member of the American Iris Society. He had award winning iris in the annual show for the society each year. When I was in middle school I actually created flower arrangements with a theme to have them judged in these shows. I also won awards/ribbons for doing this.  During the weekend of my graduation open house my dad had The State Journal come through and take pictures of his iris and backyard. At the end of the school year I would take a bouquet of iris to my teachers. I did this all the way through college. When I was 18 and my friends mentioned getting a tattoo I knew exactly what to get...a purple iris of course! The past couple of years friends from the San Diego and Phoenix area have texted me and said they saw purple iris while they were out and about and have thought of me.

When I was younger I knew I really liked being outside. What I didn't realize/understand is that I like to be active and move more than I liked laying around or sitting outside. I learned this the summer I
had to put in a lawn all by myself. I had more fun watering my yard and watching my grass grow than I did the summer before laying by the pool and reading.

When I decided I would have a house with a yard, my dad and I decided it would be best if we planted low maintenance perennials . I loved learning about different types of hostas and bushes but knew I wanted lots of color.  So then I began to learn about different types of lillies, peonies and daisies. I also wanted flowers that gave me the first sign of spring.  So I decided to add daffodils and tulips.  One of my favorite pictures that I have ever taken was of purple iris and orange poppies in one of my dad's flower beds. So, of course I had to recreate this flower bed in my own yard.  Together, my dad and I had planned out each flower bed.  For the main one in the front yard my dad and I even had a drawing. He had a hand in helping me pick out the plants, dirt, mulch and landscaping brick.
Let's not forget about rocks, bird feeders, patios and out door furniture. If I had more money I would definitely have a better yard than I already do!

It is my thought that some of the coolest people I have ever met were great landscapers (including my dad).  The second summer I lived in my house and was setting up flower beds I was reminded of the symbolism of white butterflies. Memories flooded of my late neighbor, Sue who died of cancer when I was 16. I remembered her beautiful yard and her landscaping.  I remembered her smile and laugh and positive nature.  So, last summer I dug a large square of the living grass I had planted 2 years earlier and bought a butterfly bush. I know one of the best neighbors I've ever had is smiling somewhere with appreciation! Her memory as is just one of the reasons as to why I am encouraged to have a beautiful yard!

Once again..........why just pick a hobby or past time because your peers are doing it or because
huffington post, facebook and pintrest strongly suggest it?!?  Dig a little deeper my friends.....what are some of the things that make you...you??  What makes your soul happy when nobody else is watching or giving you input?

Kim's History of Bike Riding! Just keep Pedaling...

Since this is the month of adventure and play/leisure activities, I am going to describe the hobbies that I enjoy the most and the reasons why.  Actually when I think about it I have some very special reasons as to why I enjoy these activities so much!

When I was 7 years old I was still riding a bike with one training wheel around the neighborhood.  I am certain my parents had tried to take both training wheels off to teach me how to ride a two wheeler.  I just wasn't getting it.  And I had no pride, I felt the most comfortable with one training wheel and so I continued to ride my bike that way all the time.  Maybe deep down my parents and I felt like this was a good as it gets.  I vaguely remember conversations about adult 3 wheel bikes. If there were conversations about these types of bikes, they didn't last long. 

It must have been the end of 2nd grade at school when my OT and PT collaborated and asked if my

parents could bring my bike into school.  Marge, Linda and I went outside to the school parking lot and one of them removed the final training wheel from my bike.  I don't remember how many sessions this took but I do remember it was spring time and both of my therapists ran on each side of me until I felt steady.  I remember they described going uphill as a time to pedal harder and going down hill was a time to easily coast and not pedal.  I remember being really nervous going over cracks and bumps and turning.  There came a point when I was really steady and able to stay upright while pedaling.  It did take me longer to "start" on my own.  Mid-way into that summer I remember my dad needing to hold my the back of my seat while I placed my feet on the pedals and started moving. To this day I need to have the pedal in a certain spot for my left foot to begin pedaling and moving.

My therapists gave me the gift to participate in play activities by taking the time to teach me how to ride a two wheel bike. They had an envision that maybe I could ride my bike around the neighborhood with other kids to expand my friendships. It became that and so much more. Not only did I ride my bike around the neighborhood with other kids, we went and got ice cream.  In high school I continued to ride my bike around my neighborhood and socialize which expanded into pet setting and baby sitting. In college bike riding was my outlet in between studying and tests. Actually during college I would take 2 or 3 bike rides a day - yes to avoid homework.  As I have grown older I have only learned that into mid-adulthood this is only helping my stress level, blood pressure and weight. More importantly it is a way for me to unwind, daydream and keep life and my thoughts in order.

It has also been a social outlet for me.  In fact, for 4 years my former Physical Therapist and I participated in a bike event called the Ability Tour through Peckham.  It has been really neat to say I rode about 16 miles each year with the PT that taught me how to ride a bike.

This post has again helped me realize and reconfirm how rich my life is. Most people take riding a bike for granted.  But while I have ridden in the bike events with Marge and while riding across the Golden Gate Bridge I thought of where I learned how to ride a bike. I thought about how much extra effort it was for me to do something that everyone else views as a normal part of life.

That's just how I roll and pedal along.  I take longer to "earn" the simplest things but then I rarely take those things for granted!

Whoever knew bike riding could bring up such profound thoughts...Just Keep Pedaling!

http://www.healthdigezt.com/pedal-your-way-to-fitness/ 

Yoga: Learning to Live in the Moment

I am going to mention this big bike ride for one more post...then I will move on :)

Learning to live in the moment is easier said than done!

I attempted to practice this philosophy while I was in San Francisco two weeks ago. You see, I decided to face a fear. I physically put myself in charge of getting across The Golden Gate Bridge, on a bike! Driving across would have been easier and walking across would have been harder. Like I said in the last post, right when I decided to do this I knew it was something I would be fearful of which in turn made me more vulnerable to anxiety.

Guess what? This is not living in the moment. I will admit I "let it go" much easier than I did as a younger adult. I only looked up the length of the bike ride versus the actual length of time on the bridge once before I left for vacation.  Other than that I said to myself "This is something I am going to do regardless of my fears."

This experience is actually similar to a tough yoga pose...chances are huge the worst case scenario is not liking that current moment in time but I would have to breath and face the discomfort. In fact, being away from home, traveling and navigating a large city is one huge lesson about living in the moment and being present. During this trip there were other moments I wanted to be present for: these moments included watching and interacting with an infant child that I love and care for, to catching flights on time, seeing new sites and trying different types of food with people I enjoy being around. I really didn't have time to create anxiety about something that was going to occur the last day of the trip.  Never once did anxiety occur about leaving an old t-shirt in a hotel room, or leaving my iPod charger in the airport/plane or the bus of the 5 hour tour I went on breaking down.  But these things still occurred. Good and bad things occur each moment that we are on this earth.  It is our job to experience each of these things moment to moment.  

A bike. Hills. A bridge. And Poor Depth Perception....Just keep Pedaling!

How are you all doing with your month - 6 weeks of adventure and enjoying play and leisure activities? I took a break from blogging to travel across the state/country to spend time with friends I have known over half my life and some family. I was able to see some new sites in parts of the country I had already been. The past couple of weeks have given me the chance to confirm that as things change the more I can appreciate the things that tend to stay the same.

And, of course I set up an adventure for myself with a little help from a friend!

I like to bike ride but to me, bike riding in a big city near a tourist trap has always seemed a bit overwhelming. In fact everything about tourist traps in big cities is overwhelming. I haven't been to New York City so therefore I am awarding San Francisco as the most overwhelming city I've ever visited. Fortunately, bike lanes were very well marked. The traffic, people and hills were an adrenaline rush for me.  The prettiest thing I remember was looking across the way after we had rode up a hill. The ocean, landscaping and city skyline were just fantastic.

Part of this journey was 1.7 miles going across the Golden Gate Bridge. Without hesitation I knew that this was going to be something that absolutely terrified me!

Currently, due to vision issues and lack of depth perception I'm unable to go down stairs if it's an open stair case. Due to a prism I requested in my glasses I'm sort of able to stand in one spot in the cheap seats at a sports stadium. Last week I described these concerns to the eye doctor and she confirmed that it sounds like I have poor depth perception.

But my motto is "Do one thing a day that scares you!" Would the San Francisco traffic and hills done

the trick? Yes! Probably!

But I wanted to push my boundaries...for myself! It's something I won't ever forget!

The ride across the bridge was 1.7 miles to get across and it felt longer! The hills to the bridge on the San Francisco side (south end) were 2-5 stories high (my estimate).  The wind and traffic on the bridge made the entire experience loud. The good news is there was a very large bike/walking lane with large railings on each side. I could see an opening at the bottom of the railing with ocean water underneath...I wasn't a fan. So, I decided to just look forward as much as possible and just keep peddling.  Going around each pillar was windy and had a few people standing to look at the sites. I walked my bike around but did not stop or look over the edge. Looking back at the experience now, this maybe the only regret I have.

After I passed the 2nd pillar I almost had tears in my eyes and my stomach was so nervous.  I told my friend just to keep on going.  Then, I do remember looking forward and seeing the second pillar ahead of me and that was very beautiful.  By the time we had gotten around the 2nd pillar, I began to smile!  I stood with my bike close to the pillar and had my friend take a picture of me. It is kind of hard to tell that I am on the Golden Gate Bridge but I wasn't in the mood to move.  By the time I had gotten off the bridge I had a smile on my face but still a very nervous stomach.  I explained to my friend that I seriously did not want to travel across the bridge again to get back to the bike shop. We rode a little under 3 miles a mainly down hill through Sausalito.  Then, with hundreds of other

tourists we returned back to San Francisco on a ferry boat.