No Edits...

Are you a perfectionist?  Or are you an occasional perfectionist wanting to bake the perfect cake or plan the perfect party, etc?  I think we all have certain perfectionist tendencies for something in our lives...big or small...and some take it too far to be perfect in everything they do.  Obviously that's not realistic or attainable and will keep you frustrated and disappointed throughout your life.

When I was a teenager (in middle school and high school), I definitely held onto some perfectionist tendencies that drove me crazy and never allowed me to be fully happy.  That's the one regret I have about high school is that out of all the amazing and fun things I was able to do and participate in I didn't enjoy it to it's fullest.  Yes, I had fun and enjoyed certain experiences, but I think I was always worried about something else that prevented me from fully enjoying the experience.  Worrying, analyzing, predicting, preparing...all those mind games an ever-changing teenager goes through.  

But, as I've gotten older I've let those perfectionist tendencies go...for the most part...and just try to live more mindfully in the present moment.  It doesn't always happen, but I definitely am more aware and make a more concerted effort in that manner.  But yes, there are still some things I just have to try and make perfect.  It's just part of who I am.  I just don't hold on as tight as I used to which means it doesn't stress me out as much and I don't think about it afterwards as much either.  I can let things go more quickly.

As I was driving around town yesterday, I thought about the 4 poems I wrote that I included at the end of my book, Corn-fed with Rice on the Side.  I wrote those 4 poems one right after the other as the words just flowed out of my heart onto the page.  And, after all the edits I made to the whole book itself I never ever edited those 4 poems.  They were perfect as is...just as I had originally written them.  No edits needed.  Wow.  That rarely happens especially when writing.  But, I knew they were straight from my heart, true and pure and I really, really liked them as I had originally written them.  My one moment of perfect writing.

After one of my friends read the book, she told me she was going to make copies of the poems and post on her daughter's bathroom mirrors because they were so encouraging.  I was honored by the feedback and glad that I could hopefully inspire someone else.  It was definitely satisfying to hear and why I wanted to share them with everyone...to inspire, to encourage others and to provide hope.  We could all use more of that these days!

So, if you haven't read my book (or my poems), get your copy today at www.kimfenneman.com!  I think you'll really enjoy the poems (and the book)!

Wishing you blessings of hope, inspiration and action!!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day (for those in the States)!!  I hope all the mothers out there are being pampered and/or treated well on this very special day!  Mothers come in all different forms, some of which may be somewhat non-traditional, but anyone who provides loving guidance, support and love to a child growing up is a mother in my book!  And, it does take a village, so all of your friend's moms that helped support you along the way should be recognized for their contribution to your life.  

Mothers are common, but rare...the feats of heroism, strength, courage, determination, etc. exceed all expectations.  They are simply just special human beings.  They sacrifice a lot, they put everyone else's needs above their own and they do it all in the name of love.

So, to all the mothers out there...Happy Mother's Day!  And a special "thank you" to my mom for everything she does for our family!!  Blessings to all the mother's out there...may your week ahead be blessed with joy and happiness!!

Tailored to your DNA

This week one of our local news stations ran a story about getting tailored diet and exercise information based on your DNA.  Obviously, we all know about testing our DNA for health-related reasons and/or for our ancestry, but testing and using our DNA to tell us how to work out or what to eat is a new and insightful way to tackle our diet and exercise goals.  The testing may not be particularly new (they say it's been around for 10 years), but it's a lot more relevant in how we live our lives and all the diet gimmicks out there now.  We've always been conscious of our health, diets and exercise over the years, but DNA testing that is unique to each and every person is exciting and innovative.  Obviously, any diet and exercise plans should be reviewed by your primary care physician, but it's definitely a new tool in our arsenal towards healthy living.

How many of you have gotten your DNA tested to learn more about your genetics?  Most adoptees do DNA tests to find out what medical predispositions they are exposed to and also to know what mix of cultures may be in their genes.  It's definitely an interesting and informative process that I took last year.  If you've always wondered or have internally struggled with "who you are" then a DNA test will give you some concrete facts that might help calm your anxiety or nerves about the issue.  I've never really had any of those issues or conflicts growing up.  I've really just been satisfied with who I am, where I came from and trying to figure out where I'm going in life.  It's never been a pressing issue for me and I'm grateful for that, but I know a lot of you struggle with it.  So, hopefully DNA testing can help in some small way.

But, this recent news story pushed those DNA results a step further to help with diet and exercise recommendations based on your personal and unique DNA.  I love that!  I think it's a logical and "about time" new solution or option for people.  I looked back on my own DNA results that I did last year today and reviewed some of the health-related reports.  My results only showed some broad diet and exercise results, like that I might be lactose intolerant.  But, I'm definitely interested in getting more finite results that might help in my every day diet and exercise plans.

We are ALL unique and special in our own ways...based on our DNA...and the more we know about ourselves the more informed decisions we can make in the future.  So, why not find out?!  Yes, it might be scary in some aspects, but I would rather be prepared for the future than be blindsided.  I want to fight the good fight and know I did all I could do to live a joyful life.  But, I know plenty of people who would rather ignore it and not find out until it happens.  So, either way...just enjoy your life!!

Blessings to you as you continue to grow and learn more about yourself each and every day...no matter what the process!!

Counting Sheep

The last few nights I haven't been sleeping well.  Normally, I can fall asleep within 15-20 minutes and occasionally (meaning once every 2 months or so) there will be one night I can't fall asleep right away and I lay awake for an hour or more.  But lately it's taken me more than an hour to fall asleep and I'm simply exhausted.  It definitely makes it much harder to work out (and do cardio) in the mornings!

In late February I had to go on a week-long work trip to California and leading up to that trip my body was on auto-pilot.  I could fall asleep as soon as I went to bed, I would wake up a few minutes before my alarm went off and I was on a good stretch of eating really clean.  And then the time zone difference threw a total wrench into my system.  The first 3 nights in California my body time clock was completely off!  I couldn't sleep or I'd wake up at 3 or 4 am.  And of course, by the time it was time to come back home my body time clock was just adjusting to the 2 hour time difference.  Every since then I haven't been able to sleep well or get back in synch with my body time clock...even though I'm back on my normal schedule.  It's definitely been frustrating!

Do you have trouble sleeping?  I know a lot of people have insomnia.  How do you clear your head at night?  What helps you fall asleep?  And no, I don't count sheep.  I just try to clear my head of ANY thoughts!  Obviously it hasn't been working very well.  I'm hoping my body will figure it out soon and I can start getting some much needed deep sleep...consistently!

Hoping you have a blessed week ahead filled with restful sleep!! 

May Flowers

April showers bring May flowers, right?  That's the saying anyways...but, as I sit here waiting for more spring storms to roll through our area I'm hoping they're not severe or contain hail as possibly predicted.  However, yesterday I did buy a beautiful blue hydrangea plant.  The color was stunning so I couldn't pass it by!  I've already had several of my irises around my house bloom over the past several weeks, as well as, my peonies.  Although I have mentioned a few times throughout my spring posts that it's not my most favorite season of the year, I do love all the flowers blooming!

Flowers are just a bright and cheerful reminder that life is good!  They're simple, yet beautiful, some fragrant and they always put a smile on my face.  One of my grandmothers had a flower garden on the side of her house with so many different flowers.  She didn't do it every year, but when she did I remember walking through it admiring all the colorful flowers.  There was also a flower, called a blue bell, I think that grew in Iowa that doesn't grow down here in Texas that I miss.  It is such a fun and pretty flower...somewhat like the bluebonnet here in Texas, but not quite the same.  I miss finding those flowers near the creek by our house.

Flowers can evoke special memories just like a song can.  I think of my grandmother (the one with the flower garden) when I think about irises.  She always had them growing at her house.  And, I've got some irises from her flower garden that my dad brought me and ironically they're all white.  We didn't know what color they were going to be when we planted them, but for them all to be white is amazing and really special.  I'm definitely taking them with me if I ever move.  

My favorite flower is the peony!  I just love them!  I think they're so beautiful and full when they bloom.  Roses are always lovely, calla lilies are unique and the list goes on and on.  What's your favorite flower?  What flower brings special memories to mind?

Wishing you many blessings full of beautifully bloomed flowers throughout May and beyond!!

Hamster Wheel

Do you ever feel like no matter what you do or how hard you try you're just running in place?  You've "wasted" all this time, seemingly worked hard for something and you're literally in the exact same place!  Ugh!  I definitely feel like that...more than I should!  I'm stuck.  Or am I?  

Last year was really rough for me...all the way around...so, I'm glad it's in the past and I know there's a reason I went through it.  And yes, I can say I'm a different person than I was last year, I know more about myself...my strengths and all my weaknesses...and I know I can survive and persevere.  It may not be fun or easy, but that's how we grow...how we become unstuck!

Even though in some aspects of my life I feel like I'm in the same place I know I'm not.  I know I have a better perspective over my life and what I want.  Now it's just about showing up every day, living life to the fullest...because life is TOO short...and making things happen!  Change is good...as long as it pushes you towards your greatness!  And I know I have greatness in me!  We ALL do!  We just have to be comfortable embracing that fact and go for it!  Go for it all!!  The best lesson to learn early in life is accepting change and being able to adapt to it without stressing over it.  Change happens every day and will happen continuously throughout our lives, so the sooner we accept it's going to happen and appreciate it vs. feeling discouraged by it the better our lives will be overall.

So, how do I get unstuck?!  Keep moving forward.  Keep trying.  Never give up.  Keep learning.  Keep God by your side, always!  I'm going to keep going and be faithful in the routine of each new day.  And, I'm going to be grateful for trying to do better...be better each and every day!!

Wishing you many blessings in this first week of May and that you become unstuck in whatever is holding you back in your life!!

Planning Your Summer Vacation?

Are you planning your summer vacation yet?  What are your "requirements" when planning your summer vacation?  Are you looking for total relaxation, adventure, educational, and/or a combination of all of the above?  Or do you just want your toes in the sand at the beach or your hiking boots on climbing new heights or indulging in a new culture overseas?  What's your pleasure?  Does it change every year or are you traditional in your vacation planning?  What gets you excited about planning your summer vacation?

When I was younger, my parents would fly my older brother and I to Ocean City, MD.  That was usually the one and only time we'd ever fly anywhere.  I vaguely remember getting little tiny toy airplanes and other little toys on the plane from the airline no less!  And, I remember my dad would just drive up to any hotel that we thought looked good, go in to see if there were any rooms available and then if he came out with a smile on his face and keys in his hand we knew we had a room for the night...or for the rest of our vacation.  We would spend a day at the beach building sand castles and picking up sea shells, and I remember having bags of sea shells in our attic at home after collecting so many shells over the years.  My dad and brother would go out fishing one day while my mom and I would shop along the boardwalk.  My dad caught a blue marlin one year, had it stuffed and it hung in our kitchen.  It was a beautiful fish!  We had a lot of great memories during all of those beach summer vacations!

Our days of going to the same place every year (or almost every year) ended after we moved to Texas.  It was just one of those shifts in how we did a lot of things differently after we moved.  We went to a lot of different places more for educational reasons, but also to just explore.  My parents always liked to explore...whether close to home or not.  Plus, we had the twins now so every place we went we were driving.  A lot of fun and long road trips!

So whatever summer vacation plans you may be making, I hope they bring you joy, relaxation, adventure and a ton of fond memories!  That's what it's all about!  Blessings to you and your family for a happy and safe final week of April!!