Lessons from Belle

THE LULU CHRONICLES

For the past two weeks, Belle, the exercise ball, has been my exercise weapon of choice. I took her and her trusty hand weights to Door County with me on my writer’s retreat. And this week, we’ve met almost every morning in my office. With determination we worked through our routine. What I’ve discovered is that not only is Belle a big blue rubbery ball who puts me through the paces, but Belle is also my Mr. Miyagi (remember the original Karate Kid movie? “Wax on. Wax off.”) So I give you Lessons from Belle:

#1: A firm foundation is a must. Bare feet make a horrible stabilizer. You must wear shoes or once you’ve rolled down onto your back, you’re never going to get enough traction to get back up. Trust me. I know this for fact and it ain’t pretty. Being firmly planted is not only a BelleRule it also makes good sense in life, no? But firmly planted in what? That is the question.

#2: Balance is the key. In order to achieve balance BelleRule says you must keep adjusting. Belle is never stable. She’s round, remember? So I must adjust myself constantly to stay in the game. Likewise, life is never stable. We must have the ability to adjust to the rolling wave of what’s thrown at us. How? See BelleRule #1

#3 Stay alert. The minute you take your eye off the ball, so to speak, you’re going to roll off. What I mean is, sometimes I close my eyes while I’m balancing on my back lifting the hand weights over head. I try to shut out what I’m doing, sort of wanting to coast through the exercise. The minute I do, my reflexes relax and Belle, the round ball, sees an opening and bucks me off. Life will do that to us too, if we aren’t diligent. We won’t see it coming, we won’t be prepared and before we know it, we’re laying on the floor wondering what happened. Engage in your life. No coasting. Also, see BelleRule #1.

Oh, there’s more, Belle isn’t done with me yet. But be thinking about your life’s foundation. What stablizes you? What helps you keep balanced. What prepares you for the roll? We’ll see you back here on Tuesday.

deb

I did!

PHOTO: Rusty & Murphy

THE LULU CHRONICLES

This morning I was up at 6:30, hopped on Belle, the ball and did my weight routine, and then pedaled on Rusty, the stationary bike. But, I must share with you something exciting. When I usually hop on Rusty, I can’t just start pedaling normal. The Fake Knee doesn’t allow that. I first must pedal backwards half way until I’ve coaxed the knee into a full rotation. Once I do that for a bit, then I start pedaling forward half way until I once again coax the Fake Knee into a full rotation. This is what I have to do before I jump on LuLu too. First Rusty to limber up the knee, then on to LuLu. However, this morning, for the first time in two years or more, I was able to pedal a full forward rotation right from the start! This is a big deal for me.

What this tells me is that my time spent with LuLu is slowly, but surely making me a healthier gal. And it most definitely is helping me to keep and gain flexibility with my knee. I’m ecstatic!

I have lots to go in the weight-losing department, but today, I rejoiced in a victory I didn’t see coming. So, I must ask you, what little victories have you been surprised with lately? Think about them and give them their due. Nothing is too small or insignificant. If it was a goal and you reached it, then it matters. We are sometimes to quick to put ourselves down or make light of an accomplishment. And, granted, manners and decorum call for modest restraint at times. But not at all times.

So pat yourself on the back for a job well done, and then keep moving forward. This morning as I made a couple of full rotations, I swear I heard the theme song from Rocky playing in the distance somewhere, or maybe it was just in my own heart.

I think I can, I think I can… I know I can… I did! And, so can you.

deb

God is no fool

THE LULU CHRONICLES

A long time ago, I discovered a little book that I have continually read for many years. Every time I pick it up, I discover something new. Unfortunately it’s out of print making me cherish the one copy I own all the more.

God is no fool was written by Lois Cheney back in the early 60s. It is the only book she ever wrote. One day, maybe ten years ago, I tracked Ms. Cheney down somewhere in Kentucky. As with Harper Lee with To Kill A Mockingbird and Margaret Mitchell with Gone with the Wind, I wanted to know why there was never another book. Ms. Cheney was cordial and spoke to me with the graciousness of one who had better things to do, but made time for a fan overstepping her bounds.

When I asked why she never wrote another book, she simply said, “I said all I wanted to say.” Well, done, Ms. Cheney.

Since I’m am on my own writing retreat this week and making sport of wrestling with just the right words, I wanted to honor Ms. Cheney by posting one of my favorite vignettes from God is no fool. Enjoy. I’ll see you next week.

Thirty-eight

One day, Just one day.

If I could present to my God, Just one day Of pure intention Of faithful purpose Of loving heart Of prayerful actions.

Just one day, Of total commitment Of untarnished speech Of unselfish acts Of total concentration.

Just one day, Lacking weakness Lacking jealousy Lacking self-absorption Lacking foolishness.

Just one day, One day

If I could present to my God, Just one day.

Vows. Vowels. And, lots of water

THE LULU CHRONICLES

LuLu-ism #44: When you can’t be with the one you love—pack chocolate. But make sure it’s dark chocolate because it’s good for you and promotes a healthy whatever, not like that bad milk chocolate.

It’s full-fledged winter up here in the North Country. We’ve had temps in the minuses the last few days. So, I’m afraid my sweet LuLu is going to be garage-bound for a few months now. It’s hard to believe that we biked only a little over a week ago in forty degree weather.

But do not fear. I am continuing on with my quest to healthy up my heart and other parts of me, even if LuLu can no longer venture outside. As I write this, I am in Door County on my annual Writing Retreat. But, I am not here alone, no sir. Belle, the exercise ball, and her accompanying hand weights have joined me on this little trip. The plan is to exercise every morning before I start my writing day. And, to keep me honest, I now have a couple of accountability partners whom I must check in with every day via email. More about those ladies in another post. So you see, I may be LuLu-less at the moment, but her spirit keeps me moving on.

Ever been to Door County in the ‘thumb’ of Wisconsin? It’s a God-kissed place hugging to the shores of Lake Michigan. The minute I pass into the first little village of the county, stress starts dropping off of me like sailors abandoning ship, and I’m left with this quiet glide toward shore. I have some dear friends who have generously loaned me their digs for the week. It’s a lovely little place bordering some large pines and cedars and only a block from a marina that frames some pretty spectacular sunsets.

I’ve come with the blessings of my sweet hubs with an admonishment to “Write, dear wife. Write until the words can come no more; write until the last vowel trickles from your fingers onto your keyboard like the emptying of a great ocean that gushes and flows into rivers, then lakes, then streams and finally spurts to the a small cup. Write, dear wife, and make us rich!” Well, that’s not exactly what he said, but he did send me off with a kiss and said he hoped I got a lot done.

So, I’ll write. I’ll exercise a bit. And, yes, Adrienne, I will drink my water… lots and lots of water.

How about you? How are your vows to yourself for the New Year coming? It’s only the end of January. We got a lot of year to go.

Later, dear friends,

deb

No Whine Zone

THE LULU CHRONICLES

LuLu-ism # 43: Real heroes are few and far between. Cherish them.

Sorry about posting a little late this morning. I’m puny as is half of Wisconsin right now. Don’t know about you but there’s an evil little bug going round up here causing havoc with our respiratory systems, tummies and just about anything else it can get a-hold of. I’ve dragged myself around the house for two days now with rubbery legs and aching bones. Hear me whine!

But, let me tell you about someone who isn’t whining but has every right to… my hubs. He’s not here right now because he’s at the hospital getting his daily radiation treatment. About a year ago he had his first radiation treatment and came through with flying colors until a nasty infection set up housekeeping at the radiated site. Two more stays in the hospital and a few more months of recup and he was good to ago. Until his three month PET scan revealed another cancerous site behind his knee. Yet another surgery. Minor, but surgery just the same. Then right before Thanksgiving, a PET revealed another ‘suspicious’ site behind the same knee. This time instead of surgery he opted for radiation. And, here we are. We’re almost two years into what Gary calls his Medical Mystery Tour. Those who have kept up with us know my sweet man was diagnosed with a rare form of atypical Melanoma in March 2010. A tumor the size of Cancun had staked claim to his ankle and then sent cancer on up to some lymph nodes in his groin area. It’s been a battle, but one that my hubs has braved as ferociously as the young shepherd boy did when facing Goliath. And, he’s done it all without whining.

The man is my hero. The man is the love of my life. He is teaching me how to live like a warrior. I keep breaking a nail on the shield he is training me to fight with and then whining about it, but another thing he is, is patient. That’s a good thing for me. Pray for him today if you get a chance. God knows his name well. He knows all giant-slayers intimately and this one He’s been quite partial to.

Later,

deb

Disappointment

THE LULU CHRONICLES

Disappointment. How do you handle it? As most of you know I’m from Wisconsin. On Sunday the Green Bay Packers lost their play-off bid with a heartbreaking game. We had high hopes. We’d won the Super Bowl last year. We had a 15-1 season. We were world championship bound. And then Sunday happened. Arrrg.

Disappointment hurts, but without it, we’d all turn into spoiled folks with skin so thin that a broken fingernail would send us into a depression that even chocolate fudge couldn’t reach.

Disappointment helps us put life in perspective and it gives us a practice ground to strengthen our character and to discover what truly matters. I mean really, what if everything always went our way? I’m thinking we’d turn into big, fat babies crying every time someone took our candy away.

I have a husband who is still fighting cancer. I have a dad who is losing himself to Alzheimer’s. I simply cannot afford to invest too much emotional energy into something that simply doesn’t matter, no matter how disappointing it is. Yeah, I wanted the Packers to kick major butt on Sunday. I was cheering. I was waving my Title Towel. Our little group was high-five-ing all over the place. Our mascot, Vince, the Packer Pig, was sitting in front of the TV projecting his mojo over the game. But when the buzzard sounded all that really happened was a game lost. Not a life. Not a reputation. Not a marriage. Not anything important. As bummed as I was, it was great practice to see how quickly I could adjust, to reset the mind, haul in the perspective and normalize.

Disappointment hurts, but rarely is it fatal. Use it to your advantage. Allow it to seed new hope for what comes next.

Later,

deb

Wonder

THE LULU CHRONICLES

Yesterday, LuLu and I took a ride down the road with Murphy Dog perched in the basket. I hadn’t given the little dog a bike ride in awhile but since he kept running circles around LuLu and me while we were still in the garage, he was just too cute to leave behind.

The minute we turned out of the driveway onto the lane, Murph got comfy and allowed the breeze to pin his ears back. He was King of the Road. He kept sniffing the air and wagging his tail and looking back at me as if to say, “Isn’t this the best! See that tree over there? I’ve never seen anything like it. And lookie there, brown grass! So cool! And, is that a buffalo I smell? I’m in heaven!” Talk about a joy ride. The pup was full of wonder.

I envied him. When was the last time I felt that kind of wonder? You know the “twinkle-twinkle-little-star-how-I-wonder-what-you-are kind of wonder. I had a dear friend named Gail. Gail was about fifteen years older than me but in ‘wonder years’ she was a perpetual ten-year-old. Everything gave her joy. Everything was meant to be savored. Her curiosity remained child-like her whole life. A budding flower in spring took her breath away. And, I loved to watch her eat because it was like her tongue and taste buds had a little party with every bite. Nothing was wasted on her. Cranberry pudding with warm butter sauce gave her excited shivers. Our last meal together before she died was at a Mexican restaurant. She was very ill but insisted we go out to lunch. She ordered cheesecake for dessert and practically licked the plate when she was done. In fact, she did run her finger along the edge and scooped up the last bit of chocolate sauce and made a great show of licking her fingers. She taught me many great things.

Yesterday, Murphy was acting like Gail. Every brown blade of grass, every whiff of something unseen, every tweet from a bird made his tail wag. If his little feet weren’t prancing in place, he was making excited, high-pitched grunts. He was in awe, and it was just a regular Wednesday.

Can I add another resolution to my list? Why not? It’s my blog, right? I am going to try my hardest to find something in everyday that makes me want to lick my fingers and prance a little with glee. I’m going to try and dust off my ‘wonder-meter’ and allow my breath to be taken away.

Are you game? I’ll look forward to hearing from you.

deb