Arminda Lindsay

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Baby Steps

September 4, 2015 By Arminda

When the big picture looms too large and we do nothing because the overwhelm gets us — what do you do?

When you feel stuck and unable to move forward — what’s the reason why? and what’s the workaround?

Filed Under: Ask Arminda Videos Tagged With: choices, goals, incremental growth, intentions, long-term goals, short-term goals

Smiling is My Favorite!

July 13, 2015 By Arminda

SmilingIsMyFavorite

If every smile is a direct achievement, then I’m well on my way to a lifetime achievement award because just like Buddy the Elf, “smiling is my favorite!”

Take time today to notice your face. Be consciously aware of what you’re emoting to yourself and to those around you.

When something pulls the corners of your mouth down and/or furrows your brow, borrow the advice from one of my favorite childhood songs: “If you chance to meet a frown, do not let it stay! Quickly turn it upside down and smile that frown away!”

The song reminds us that “No one likes a frowny face; change it for a smile. Make the world a better place by smiling all the while.”

Make your world a better place.

Smile.

Achieve that.

Filed Under: Blog, Happiness, Weekly Wisdom, Writing Tagged With: achievement, Buddy the Elf, choices, happiness, intentions, smiling

Mile Marker 1.64

January 21, 2015 By Arminda 4 Comments

milemarker

I love to run. No, not the I have to run a marathon to feel like I’m a runner kind of run. (And my hat is off to those who are that kind of a runner; I just don’t happen to include myself in your number.) I just like what happens to me mentally when I run, so when I don’t (or can’t) run for a while, I really miss the brainy benefits, plus I feel loads better physically, too :).

I haven’t been running in a while. A very long while.

It’s been 18+ months of inexplicable and frustrating hip pain and intensive work with both my physical therapist and my rolfer and I’m easing back into an exercise routine that works for me.

So last night stepping on that treadmill for the first time in a really long time felt a bit nostalgic and I smiled while warming up and searching my iPod for exactly the right audio program (which is always choosing between Steve Chandler and Steve Chandler: my amazing coach) to accompany what would surely be an easy run.

The Voices In My Head

Until I actually started to run and the smile quickly left my face. This wasn’t easy at all! Everything in me was screaming to stop the treadmill and get off! And the voices in my head were extremely chatty:

What was I thinking?

Maybe I shouldn’t be running at all.

I’m not ready for this.

What if I undo all the efforts to put me back together again? Who are you, Humpty Dumpty, all of a sudden?

What if walking will always be the better choice for me?

I’m probably never going to be the same again, so why bother?

All the while I ran, unwavering in my determination to last the next five minutes, and then five minutes more. I just kept running, quieting the naysayers inside my own head and started telling myself a different story:

You’re fine.

It’s just been a while.

You’ll get used to it again.

Building muscle takes time.

Keep running. You love this!

Pay attention to Steve, not your burning legs.

And then it happened: nothing was screaming or burning or dying or demanding a full stop. Quite the opposite: I wanted more.

Energy surged through my entire body, pulling me forward, wanting more. And I leaned into my run, ready now to go the distance.

Mile 1.64

I’m no expert on physical fitness training, but I’m pretty sure that what happened to me at mile 1.64 is not uncommon. So not uncommon, in fact, that we ALL experience this same phenomenon in our lives, whether on or off the running track.

Whenever I start something new it’s hard because I don’t understand how to do it. I don’t know what comes next. My learning curve is steep and if I look around me at other people doing what I want to do I’m discouraged because they’re so much better than me and it’s an oppressive weight thinking about everything I need to learn before I will be capable of running a marathon. And if I’m not careful, I quit long before I reach mile marker 1.64.

When I counter the negative story I’m playing on repeat with a new story — equally made up as the negative one — and tell myself I’m fine, stay the course, remember to breathe, and keep showing up (be consistent in my efforts), I arrive at mile marker 1.64 delighted with the surge of energy that infuses my entire being.

Run Into Your Ready

I run into my ready. I don’t start with it.

Starting is the hard part. We’re never ready for anything. How could we be? Don’t be fooled by your made up story about motivation, either!

Readiness takes time, so just start your project, open the business, share your idea, write the story, create the blueprint, design the website, register the LLC, commit yourself!!! And before you realize it, you’ll be ready to go your distance around mile marker 1.64.

What is it you want to accomplish, or create, or achieve, or learn, or share?

Grab a bottle of coconut water and lace up your runners. You’ll be ready to go after you get started. I promise.

Choose you. Choose happy.

 

Filed Under: Blog, Coaching, Happiness, Writing Tagged With: goals, intentions, learning curve, motivation, perserverance, readiness, running, Steve Chandler

My Last Day of 2012

January 2, 2013 By Arminda 2 Comments

I couldn’t have enjoyed my last day of 2012 more. I was on a personal retreat from the rest of the planet with no cell phone, no internet, and nobody else around for miles. I invested three nights and two days in myself, and accomplished a LOT.

  1. I worked on my memoir for the majority of the day, and am now thousands of words closer to a complete first draft (my editor will be so pleased)
  2. I finished reading the final 2/3 of Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
  3. I pondered and thoughtfully wrote out my intentions for 2013
  4. I savored two steaming bowls of borscht
  5. I breathed deeply
  6. I reflected on all that has happened in 2012 and how I’ve grown from every experience
  7. I watched Sleepless in Seattle

During the movie’s New Year’s Eve scene I happened to glance at the clock, and realized I was crossing into my own new year at exactly the same time as Tom Hanks’ character is shaking his son, Jonah, awake to see the ball drop. Coincidence? Absolutely.

Becky: Men never get this movie.

Here were a few of my observations as I watched this fabulous movie all over again.

  1. Nora Ephron knew how to make movie magic.
  2. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan are dynamic together. And separately.
  3. There were a LOT of sweat pants worn during this movie by a vast number of characters.
  4. Rosie O’Donnell is hilarious and I want her to come to dinner at my house.
  5. I’m so glad technology has advanced beyond 1993.
  6. As cool as it is to cut off apple peels in one long strip, does everyone now know you should eat them instead?
  7. Is it true that it’s easier for a woman to get killed by a terrorist than married after the age of 40?
  8. I need to watch some all Cary Grant movies again.
  9. Taking risks doesn’t mean you’re stupid or crazy or desperate; it means you believe in yourself.

As a tribute to my commitments for 2013, this post stands as sentinel: I’ll be writing much more frequently, and hope you’ll keep me accountable. I spent a sleepless night, myself, after the movie ended; I was too excited for 2013 to get going. It’s going to be a fantastic year and I’m delighted to share portions of the journey together with you.

What goals, intentions or commitments have you made to yourself for the new year? Did you write them down?

Filed Under: Blog, Happiness, Writing Tagged With: 2012, 2013, commitments, goals, intentions, Meg Ryan, New Year, New Year's Eve, Nora Ephron, Rosie O'Donnell, Sleepless in Seattle, sweat pants, technology, Tom Hanks, writing

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