Monday, August 6, 2012

In Session: Internal Power

I'm gonna try and get a little series started on here called "In Session".
As a Counselor in Training, I'm constantly learning about new ways to help my clients (and myself!) become the best versions of themselves. Although I can't share what happens in my sessions, I can share some of the powerful tools I'm adding to my mental health toolbox.

Today's post will be short, but in the future, I'm planning to cover some major stumbling blocks, strategies, and "aha!" moments that can help move people to new and wonderful changes.

Sometimes we just need a little something to latch onto. If life isn't going all, mashed potatoes and gravy, it can be imperative to have something as simple as, a little sunshine, a fab song on the radio or some kudos at work. Yet, the universe doesn't always listen to our cries for help and desperate pleas; "I promise to have a good day, be nice to everyone, not roll my eyes or curse out the idiots on the freeway, if you make something good happen today!!!"

Here are some words to remember:
Everything you need, is already within you.

Don't be shocked at how elementary that statement is. I swear counselors get paid for more than just saying Yoda type things like that.

But, think about it.

Everything you need, is already within you.

Are you angry?
You already have tools to change your attitude.

Did someone hurt your feelings?
You have the power to work on the relationship

Do you hate your job?
You have the resources to decide if you need to talk to your boss, or get the heck out (!)

Money, a boyfriend, losing 10 pounds, getting recognition from someone, a new house- there are all pretty cool, but they won't make you happy all by themselves. Life gets in the way somewhere between a raise and kicking butt in spinning class. And when it does, you have everything you need to deal, fix and get better.

Session Over. This one's on the house. 

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Be careful where you put that.

The weekend is almost over and I can't even be too sad about it because of how much relaxing I did. I was basically the queen of relaxing. I don't think I've slept this much since the days of college and, "I have studying to do, but napping sounds better!" And "class is in 25 minutes? I guess that means I have time for a 23 minute nap."

In between all the sleeping I did, some grad school friends and I went here for lunch. Seriously yum. I had a salad that sat atop a deliciously chewy, crunchy, heavenly pizza crust. Sounds like a pretty smart salad; If I was a salad, I would want to cuddle with a pizza crust.

I also managed to find time to finally try out some free samples I scored from Sephora last week. I scored this and this and this. All of which were delightful. Especially when you apply them to their intended areas.

I can follow directions, I swear. Yet somehow, I managed to land myself in a Sephora sample mishap. I blame my over excitement for (FREE!) products and the Olympics, for constantly being on tv and distracting me from common sense.

In any case, I took my "Kate Somerville exfoliator sample" into the shower, let the warm water run all of me, which sent me into a bliss that can only be achieved when your shower has no limit because you have nothing of consequence waiting for you once you emerge from said euphoria.

I opened the little pot of "exfoliator" and felt imediately suprised by it's smooth, clay like texture. It also seemed remarkabley similar to peanut butter. (This is the part in a movie when the audience is yelling, "WHAT are you doing?! Go back down the stairs!")
I didn't have any stairs to climb back down so settled on, "Hmmm, this must not be an exfoliator like the annoying make-up artist said. A face mask perhaps?" I dug my index finger into the sample and did not think twice about the ample amount of "clay" I put on my face. I rubbed it in gently, like I was giving myself a facial. "Weird. The water makes it all hard and thick. Maybe it needs to sit on my face for a minute?" 15 seconds later..."this is kinda burning my face, definitely cannot rub this off...why is this not coming off?! Why is there expensive face glue on my skin?!"
I hurridley screamed for the bf to "help, can you come here for a sec?!" To which he promptly put down his Pokemon game (that is something I shall save for another post) and quickly retrieved my normal/trustworthy exfoliator, which worked like sandpaper on my tortured face. My relaxing shower had turned stressful, so I quickly got out, anxious to investigate what I'd rubbed into my already sensitive skin.

As I read the little baggie and saw, Eye shadow primer, I wondered how realistic it was that I got it all off my face when it's only job is to outlast water, sweat, tears and idiots who apply it all over their faces like war paint.

I decided not to wear any make up that day, I think my face was grateful. I wore some today. It sure lasted all day long. 

Thursday, August 2, 2012

The Olympics is cooler than football

If there was a gold medal for watching the Olympics, I might win. I'd at least get a silver medal. I've always preferred the Summer Olympics, mostly because there are more truly awesome sports to watch that I don't get to see any other time of the year. I love the winter ice skating, but ice skating competitions grace the television far more often that gymnastics, diving, swimming and water polo.
This Olympics, I watched the opening ceremonies, and was among the few people who didn't ask what the heck England was thinking. It was clear they were not going to be able to do what Bejing dad, as they have far less people, and even less power to require citizens to participate/kill them if they refuse. The symbolism of the whole London ceremonies was really incredible, and if the Brits have taught me nothing else in their movies, music and literature, they have taught me to appreciate symbolism. Plus, I am obsessed with Harry Potter; a Harry Pothead, if you will. A Voldemort recreation and J.K., in the flesh, made an appearance, so I couldn't have been much happier. Although, I did utter, "Where is HARRY POTTER???!!!", at least a dozen times.
Since the opening ceremonies, I've recorded every evening of coverage, and much of the day coverage to watch while the work babies snooze. I haven't checked any of the spoilers online, so I can capture those feelings of excitement, anxiety and joy, when I watch the events late at night. And most definitely, I am tickled that a few alum from my little college are in the Olympics and kicking butt!
The other night, as I was glued to the tv, the boyfriend mentioned that some sports writer couldn't believe that his wife complained about sports all the time, and when the Olympics came on, she followed the Olympics as hard as the paparazzi follows Alec Baldwin. I paused whatever event I was watching (I didn't want to miss anything!) and laughed at the irony. I also realized that the bf was on some level asking me why I'm the same way.
There have already been dozens of football season commercials and let's just say I am less than thrilled about it's imminent approach. Do we really need THAT much football??? We get Saturday college, Sunday aaaalllll day, Monday nights and some "surprise" Thursdays. I don't know if you're aware, but that's over half the week. Thank goodness my lest semester of school will be underway and I will potentially have one billion pages of reading to keep me from noticing that men in tight pants crashing into each other is constantly monopolizing my tv.
But seriously, why is that a problem for me?
I don't do nearly as much complaining during basketball season (more exciting), but I'm still tired of it come April. Then there's soccer. Don't get me started on how hard I find it to watch that. I went to a famous soccer school and I think, I might have gone to one game: one. It's usually in a different language, the field is so large and the camera so far away that I can barely see anyone and comment on things like, he's got good hair or hmm, good thing he plays soccer and isn't a model or ooooh, there uniforms are fab! These are truly the important aspects of sports, p.s. Baseball isn't a huge issue because the bf isn't after the American pasttime's heart, like he is football's. Still, I have no desire to turn on a baseball game every day. But the Olympics...bring it on.
I've pondered this intriguing debacle for a few days and here's what I've deduced.
1. The Olympics only comes every four years and stays for about 3 weeks. Think about that. All other sports come every year, for several months. That would be like if you has a mother in law that you only sorta liked and she came to visit every year for 2+ months at a time, OR she came every four years for 3 weeks- she's your bff now, huh?
2. The Olympic news writers have a way of toying with my emotions- highlighting athletes who've had more struggles than Ke$ha's career, thus making me feel for the person and wanting him or her to win, regardless of the country. Plus, they show moms and dads who've spent the past 15-20 years sacrificing money, time and sanity, just to help their kids win that shiny piece of gold.
3. Have you watched gymnastics?! It's about the coolest thing ever. I'm so fascinated by these tiny women, who age out of their dream by 20 and have spent years doing flips on a thin piece of beam, flying from one bar to a next and doing the craziest amount of perfection on the vault. It's just cool. Plus, there's the moment in 1996. That's why I love the Olympics. That, and Kerri Strugg's sweet hairdo.
4. The excitement of watching the Olympics take place in a new city each time is fun. And also troubling, because my "where I wanna go" list keeps getting longer and longer.
5. Diving. It's almost as cool as the gymnastics. Especially if you're me and just jumping in a pool seems scary. My stomach would leap out of my face if I had to be an Olympic diver.
6. I thoroughly enjoy the announcers. They are super into whatever event they're commentating and some of their reactions are down right hilarious. Speaking of reactions, did you catch a glimpse of Aly Raisman's parents? They have got to win a medal for "Most Supportive".
7. The reality tv worthy conversations that take place in my house during the Olympics. "Did you see that swimmer's shoulders? She's gotta be a man, right?"
"Did someone really name their kid after a tree?"
"Let's start training for the Olympics right now! What are we not too tall, old or imcompetent to do?" "How many girls do you think Ryan Lochte slept with?" "16" "No, I meant at this Olympics." "16."
8. Misty May Trainer and Kerry Walsh: BAMFS. (Regardless of Austria killing their perfect record)
9. This one is not necessarily why I love the Olmpics but it had to make the list for highest entertainment value: Ryan Seacrest. Ryan Seacrest was hired for some of the Olympic coverage. Seriously. I'm not sure why we needed him. Did the head honchos sit around and say, "there is only one man who knows the Olympics well enough to interview people. That's Ryan." or, did Ryan approach NBC and say, "Hey, I've got about 3 days off and I need something to do. Can I help cover the Olympics and then pay some of them to say Keeping Up with the Kardashians is their favorite show?"
10. The men and women are fun to watch. I think about 234 people watch the WNBA. Very few professional female sports get the attention their male counterparts do. But, the Olympics manages to transcend average issues for sports fans and gets millions of people to appreciate both genders and their incredible athletic skills.
11. Unlike other sports. the Olympics is not boring. They're constantly showing a new event, which means I know the yawn inducing cycling will be over soon rather than later. Put the Ritalin away, people. The Olympics knows how to keep your attention.
12. The Olympics is not football. <------- best reason of all.

Unfortunately, basketball is in the Olympics. For real?! First of all, what about basketball makes it a summer sport? The NBA season ends right when summer begins and it's played indoors, even in the Olympics. All the athletes wear shorts and tank tops, does that make it summer-y?
The USA basketball team is basically the usual NBA egos, all smooshed together into one team. As if all these superstars don't get enough attention, we send them to London to win gold medals. Well, I see enough of Kobe Bryant all year long and watching basketball players from other countries ask for his autograph, is just more than I can handle.

Are you watching the Olympics this year, what's your favorite event?

My sisters and I used to pretend we were gymnats, while we were supposed to be doing dishes. We'd do some leap in the air, spin in a circle, and pretend to do a soumersalt-pike-twist before jumping, and sticking our "landing" and winning gold for our team. Then we'd hear mom say, "I dont hear the water running..." and we were back to reality. Still, it's fun to pretend.

Did you ever have a silly dream of being an Olympian?