Wednesday, September 17, 2014

I Yam What I Yam!

To most folks this simple statement evokes memories of a favorite childhood cartoon and nothing more. Popeye the Sailor was a beloved character from many years past and almost seems forgotten as we entered into the new millennium.
However, for this gal, Popeye stands for something so much more….

“I Yam what I Yam.” A simple statement, perhaps a bit corny to some, trite to others. To me, this simple statement helped mold me into the person I am today. You see, the movie “Popeye” starring the beloved late Robin Williams was released in 1980. This was the year I was entering 8th grade, and like most of us, had no idea who I was or what I wanted to be. Add to the fact that I was painfully shy and terribly insecure, and you have the perfect storm for low self esteem.

When this particular movie was released I was overwhelming compelled to go see it alone, which I did. Multiple times. I fell in love with it so much that I insisted my Mom & brother load up into our compact car and see it together when it was featured at our local drive in.

Popeye was a character I could totally relate to and identify with. He was an outsider, shunned because of his “squinky” eye, bulbous forearms and odd dialect (hence the origin of “squinky”, “apologiky”, and my all time favorite, “disgustipated”) Popeye was different from all the others, and in my eyes, stood out like a shining beacon.

Popeye stood for what was true and just, and he never comprised when it came to ethical matters. Nope, he was proud to declare “I yam what I yam” to the world and never gave a minutes consideration to what the crowd thought of him. It didn’t matter, because he was himself always and that is what gave him bliss in life.

Here’s a quick snippet of some of my favorite lines and the video from I Yam what I Yam:

http://youtu.be/F8TRoMSG-5I

What am I? Some kind of barnacles on the dinghy of life?
I ain't no doctors but I knows when I'm losin' me patiensk
What am I? Some kind of judge, or a lawyers?
Aw, maybe not; but I knows what laws suits me
So what am I? I ain't no physciscisk, but I knows what matters
What am I? I'm Popeye, the sailor

And I yam what I yam what I yam and I yam what I yam and that's all that I yam 

And I gots a lot of muskle and I only gots one eye
And I never hurts nobodys and I'll never tell a lie
Tops to me bottoms and me bottoms to me top
And that's the way it is 'till the day that I drop
What am I?
I yam what I yam!
I yam what I yam what I yam what I yam what I yam, I’m Popeye the sailor man!

Forgive the repitition, but you get the point…..

As I have grown into adulthood I have carried the lessons with me that the simple character of Popeye taught me so many years ago. No matter what challenges we may face, or obstacles may appear before us, NEVER forget who you ARE. Don’t be afraid to stand up for what you believe in, for the diversity in all of us is what makes this world a wonderful place to be.

And never, ever be afraid to declare to the world, “I yam what I yam!” 

Note: I will be forever grateful to Robin Williams for bringing a wonderful character to life on the big screen many years ago. His is a talent that will truly be missed. Rest in peace, Robin. 

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

How to Overcome Obstacles, by Sara Borgstede, Motivational Speaker and Writer

Today's post is authored by my guest blogger, Sara Borgstede.
Be sure to check out her website and podcasts at www.saraborgstede.com! 

How to Overcome Obstacles
When you are on a journey toward wellness of any type, you will come to obstacles in your path. Injury. Illness. Boredom. Work deadlines. Family crisis. Somewhere along the way, internal or external factors – often a combination of both, will block your way to your goal. Expect it to happen so that when it does you are not blindsided. Instead, meet these situations with the knowledge that troubles are part of the process.
Then follow these steps:
1.    Stay in your body and in the moment. My first open water race swimming experience, I panicked. Despite the fact that I had practiced swimming in open water, I freaked and had to be pulled out of the water in a boat. I swam off course and when I realized what had happened, this is where my mind started going. “Oh crap! I’m so far behind everyone else! I’m going to be last out of the water. Everyone is waiting for me. I’ll be swimming all by myself. I look like a total idiot out here.” My breathing increased, my heart rate sky rocketed, and suddenly I was in a full-blown panic attack.

Let’s look for a moment at where my thoughts were. My thoughts had flown out of my body and way out into the future. I was thinking about the swim finish line. I was thinking about the speed of the other swimmers. I was thinking about the thoughts of the lifeguards and coaches in the boats. None of my thoughts were about my body or my swim. I was totally outside of myself. The way to stay calm is to stay with your own body and in your own moment.

2.    Remind yourself, YOU are not your goal. You are a unique person with much to offer the world because you are alive. You are a mom, a dad, a teacher, a banker, whoever you are. None of that changes if you meet this goal or not. The people in your life who love you, will still love you. Those who respect and admire you will not lose respect for you if this goal is not accomplished. They will admire your determination for trying.

3.    This goal will change you for the better, whether you accomplish it or not. A couple years ago I was finishing the training season for the longest triathlon I had attempted, a Half Ironman, and race day was looming. I had spent the good part of a year training for this one day. I felt as if so much was riding on my performance at this race. I nervously asked my very wise coach, “What if I don’t finish this race?” She told me, “If you finish, you set a great example for your kids of determination and spirit. If you don’t finish, you will set a great example for them of handled disappointment with grace.” Allow this moment to shape you into becoming a better person, no matter the results.

The medal I received for the first triathlon I completed has this saying etched around the edge, “The person who starts the race is not the same person who finishes it.” It is not accomplishing you goal that changes you. It is the reaching toward it that molds you into a successful person. The times I’ve crossed the finish line have felt freakin’ fantastic! The times I haven’t felt horrible, yes – yet they were necessary for shaping me into who I am now.
Either way, you win.