1. I suck at corn hole.
2. I must be decrepit and I think I need to ramp up my runs because I’m actually SORE from playing a “relaxing backyard bean bag toss game.”
Yes, you may laugh. In fact, when I revealed such soreness to a co-worker, she giggled and warned me, “You better not admit that or say that out loud to ANYONE! Haha! I have NEVER heard of that before. That is ridiculous.” Why yes, yes it is. So therefore, I will probably share it with the world! Come! Laugh at me! I find that if you can’t laugh at yourself and admit your biggest goofinesses (is that a word?) then you’re missing out. Find the funny in your life.
Now, I hear you, you’re probably thinking, “What is the point of this blog, Jules? To learn to laugh at yourself?” Good guess! But, no. Shush. I’m getting there. I think most people tend to think of the negative first. How many people do you know, or see, complaining on social media, or in person - about whatever may be going on in their life?
I overslept.
Today sucks!
I hate the Rain.
My car broke down.
My back hurts and I can’t move.
My job is annoying and so are the people, I hate this place.
Etc. Etc. Etc.
And, I admit I sometimes do exactly the same thing. I thought: Yikes. I suck at cornhole. And Ugh. I’m old. Guess going to the gym 5 days a week isn’t doing a damn thing.
BUT, my dear readers. Here’s where I’m going to give you a little lesson in perspective, and something we should maybe all try to do. Flip the words in your mind to speak positively, instead of negatively. It’s hard, for sure. But, you will feel SO. MUCH. BETTER about yourself and life in general. Watch this:
I remember doing lunge-like movements - as if I was throwing a bowling ball instead of tossing a bean bag. (Alcohol may have been involved. And I probably looked goofy. ) And I realized two things:
1. Cornhole was FUN. I suck at it, but DAMN that was the most fun I’ve had sucking at something. I laughed way too hard.
2. Holy cow, my legs are sore, but WHAT A FANTASTIC WORKOUT! WHO KNEW??? I may need to add a cornhole game to my backyard so I can get in some extra leg work and tone my sexy-ass legs even more. It’s a win-win!
See? Boom! PLOT TWIST! MAGIC JUST HAPPENED. The tone of my own thought is optimistic, playful, and happy. And guess what? Those words you say inside your head all day long really can affect your mood and your successes throughout your day (and frankly, your entire life.) Of course, it’s impossible to always be optimistic and to never complain. We all need to vent our frustrations and disappointments, and it’s good to express our emotions. But, we don’t need to let them occupy our minds every single day, all day long. That is an exhausting, miserable way to live, isn’t it? So, vent your frustrations, but also remember to speak kindly to yourself. The next time you’re grumpy or feel like complaining, try changing your attitude just slightly. Turn the words around in your mind and watch what begins to happen. I bet you’ll feel better.
Now, go amaze yourself and be great, eh? I’ve got some Ben-Gay to apply to my sexy-ass legs, and a corn-hole game to order from Amazon…