The Sound of Music

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Susan Ekins

“Music acts like a magic key, to which the most tightly closed heart opens.” ― Maria von Trapp

What is it about music that can affect us so strongly? My husband and I recently enjoyed the musical Singin’ in the Rain. The song by that title was intended to be uplifting for the audience, as the main character sang and danced in rain that poured all over the stage. I was probably the only person in the audience who cried throughout that piece. I remembered the many times I’d seen my Mom watching Gene Kelly in that role on television. Mom passed away earlier this year.

My Mom loved watching old musicals for pleasure, and her favorite was The Sound of Music. I love this and other musicals too, and I have an extra motive—I find them inspiring. The song “The Sound of Music” is on my MP3 player because it is so uplifting: “I go to the hills when my heart is lonely/ I know I will hear what I heard before/ My heart will be blessed with the sound of music/ And I’ll sing once more.”

© Copyright Stephen McKay and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

© Copyright Stephen McKay and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

My MP3 player has only songs that I find uplifting or inspirational. From The Sound of Music, I also recorded the Mother Abbess singing, “Climb ev’ry mountain/ Ford ev’ry stream/ Follow ev’ry rainbow/ Till you find your dream.”

Whenever I hear “The Impossible Dream” sung by Placido Domingo. I listen to it two or three times. “This is my quest, to follow that star/ No matter how hopeless, no matter how far/ To fight for the right, without question or pause/ To be willing to march into Hell, for a Heavenly cause.”

As I take timid steps toward being a writer, I love to join Frank Sinatra in singing “My Way”: “For what is a man, what has he got?/ If not himself, then he has naught/ To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels/ The record shows I took the blows and did it my way!/ Yes, it was my way.”

When I dream about making it big, what could be better than singing along with Frankie, “These little town blues, are melting away/ And I’m gonna make a brand new start of it – in old New York/ And if I can make it there, I’m gonna make it anywhere/ It’s up to you – New York, New York.”

© Copyright Robin Webster and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

© Copyright Robin Webster and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Oldies are great for inspiration, but more contemporary songs are also inspiring. How about Whitney Houston singing “Whatever You Imagine”: “Whatever you imagine/ Can one day come to be/ There are dreams to awaken,/ Roads to be taken./ Follow them and they will set you free.”

I often bring my MP3 player on my walks or runs, although I keep the volume low so I can hear what’s going on around me. Sometimes I’m tired and want to stop running, and an inspiring piece like the theme song for Rocky comes on. Other songs that inspire me are “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?”, “Imagine”, “I Hope You Dance,” and “Reach for the Light.” Such music gives me the strength to keep going and distracts me from minor discomfort. It also gets me in a rhythm as I move forward.

When I listen to songs, my walks or runs do double duty as a way to care for my mind as well as my body. The sound of music gives me inspiration as well as pleasure.

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What music or songs inspire you? Any particular lyrics? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Posted in Inspiration, Music, positive-thinking | Tagged , , | 18 Comments

Guest Post: “5 Inspiring Things to Do Today”

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Susan Ekins

I am grateful to David of 5thingstodotoday for publishing my post, “Be a Leader in Your Own Life – 5 Inspiring Things To Do Today”.

Please check it out here:

One of my 5 suggestions was to go out, find some beauty, and take a picture. This is a picture of a retention pond near my home.

Thank you for your interest!

Susan

Posted in Inspiration, Proactive | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Dealing with the Doldrums

Posted on October 12, 2012 by Susan Ekins

“Growth is an erratic forward movement: two steps forward, one step back. Remember that and be very gentle with yourself.” – Julia Cameron

Do you ever struggle with a bad mood? We often hear about positive thinking, but when we’re having a bad day, sometimes we can’t just flip a switch and think positive. So how can we improve a bad mood?

Recently, I berated myself for not living up to my own expectations. After a job loss and my mother’s death six months ago, I’ve been lethargic and have not accomplished all that I wanted to. This is frustrating. I looked at myself as if talking with a friend, and asked, “What do I need right now?”

I’d been cooped up in the house and had been spending much time on the computer. I decided I needed to be outside and see something different. I grabbed my journal and drove to one of my favorite places, an arboretum where I am a member.

There, I walked around a small lake. Ducks splashed in the water and birds chirped. A light breeze touched my face and I heard the rustling of leaves. I sat on a bench in a quiet spot and reflected that the scene before me was God’s beautiful painting of a lake surrounded by trees. It was cool, so I bought a hot chocolate and drove around the arboretum with my windows cracked open. I paused at the prettiest spots, told God my problems, and asked Him for help.

I realized that I have the lifestyle I’ve always wanted—the life of a writer. I do social media, I network, and I have a flexible schedule. All I’m missing is the actual writing! However, I perceived that this is my fallow period. When the soil in a field has been depleted, farmers may let it lie fallow for a time before it is replanted. I had been depleted by intense emotions about my job loss and the death of my Mom. Apparently I need a fallow time before I can fully embrace my new lifestyle as a writer. I left the arboretum feeling grateful for this time of rest and renewal.

What are your ways to cope on a bad day? When our kids were young, my friend Lori suggested, “Make everyone smile for five minutes including you. At my house, even though we’re all ‘smiling’ through gritted teeth, this improves our mood and our day.”

Of course, for serious depression or mood swings, please seek professional help. But for occasional doldrums, how do you take care of yourself? When you’re feeling moody, what do you need? Please share your ideas below.

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Posted in Bad days, faith, Gratitude, Inspiration, Job loss, Nature, Renewal, self-care | Tagged , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Beautiful Blogger Award

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Susan Ekins

I am grateful that Women Making Strides has received the Beautiful Blogger Award after being nominated by Shirley Sorbello. This award honors sites that inspire. Thank you, Shirley! As a new blogger, I am encouraged when people like you appreciate my writing and blog posts.

Shirley has a beautiful blog at A Writer’s Journey, which shares her experiences of becoming a writer later in life. I can relate! She focuses, as I do, on the body, mind and spirit. Shirley loves Italy, chocolate, and travel in general and encourages her readers to follow their bliss. Sounds good, right? I encourage you to check out her blog.

I’m pleased to nominate the following for the Beautiful Blogger Award because they inspire me:

Please leave a comment so I know you received notification of the award. If you’d like to accept the Beautiful Blogger Award, the requirements are:

  • Copy the Beautiful Blogger Award logo and place it in  your post.
  • Thank the person who nominated you and create a link back to their blog.
  • Nominate 7 other bloggers for their own Beautiful Blogger Award.
Posted in Awards, Gratitude | Tagged , | 8 Comments

Accepting Challenges With Faith: Julie Stroud

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Susan Ekins

“2007 and 2008 were the most challenging years of my life. I began 2007 by trying to figure out what was wrong with my husband Steve. He was deteriorating before my eyes. In March, we received his diagnosis—multiple myeloma, which is plasma cancer.” This cancer type is treatable but not curable.

When this occurred, Julie was 38, and their three sons were 3, 7, and 9 years old. Julie was a Sales Director for a home décor company. “I was really busy raising the kids. I had my part-time work, and my income was very useful. We jumped right in with cancer treatment. It was shocking. I felt like the four walls were closing in on me. I couldn’t function for many weeks.”

“In Fall of 2007, when Steve was recuperating from cancer treatment, my Mother’s breast cancer spun out of control. She’d had it for six years and was in her eighties. At one point, I said to Steve, ‘I can’t handle both your illness and my Mom’s at this moment. You can drive, she can’t. Can I focus on my Mom right now?’ I was at my limit.”

“I spent nine months caring for my Mom as she got progressively worse. We put all our energy into saving my husband and helping my Mom die gracefully.  It was twenty months of life and death.” Julie’s mother died in July 2008.

Of living with health issues, Julie says, “We’ve had to work it into how our family functions. My husband accepts his illness and all the doctor’s appointments. To fight it does nothing good for you whatsoever. We get frustrated sometimes, but it’s all in God’s hands. Everyone has a cross to bear. This is our opportunity to grow into the image of Jesus Christ. So I thank God. For us to fight it, that only makes the learning process more difficult.  This is what God has allotted to our life.”

“When you go through something like this, you can get bitter or better. I wasn’t willing to be bitter. I said, ‘Lord, what are you teaching me by this?’ I’m a better person, and my rough edges have been smoothed over.”

Julie’s challenges have given her a sense of urgency. After having been in direct sales for 17 years, in May, 2011, Julie decided to do what she’s always wanted to do and began taking classes to be a life coach. She coaches and trains women in direct sales, writers, speakers, and ministry leaders through her business, Aspire Coaching & Education. “I’ve always wanted to be a public speaker, and my business gives me that opportunity. I am interested in helping people to be their very best selves. My calling is to come alongside a person and walk with them and make a difference one on one. I love what I do.”

“My life hasn’t turned out the way I expected. My whole life has been taking care of people—my husband, my Mom, and my three sons.” But coaching has given her a new perspective on parenting. “I want to help my sons be the best they can be, too. God has given me a huge privilege, to help mold their lives.”

Obviously, her faith is important to Julie. Church is a key part of her life, and Sundays are her day to regroup and refresh.

Julie takes care of herself by drinking a healthy smoothie with greens and fruit every day. She takes supplements and eats mostly natural foods. Julie uses an elliptical machine two times a week and works out with weights. She also walks with a friend once a week, except in the winter when she adds another trip to the gym instead. “Walking is more than exercise. It is being in nature and getting fresh air. It’s delightful.”

Julie admits, “I can be slightly OCD in doing the same things in the same order in some areas of my life.” She laughs heartily. “I obsess about doing things the right way, but I’m working on this. When we step out and do something bold or new, that’s when magic happens.”

“I think the whole point of life is to be your highest and best. We need to take 100% responsibility for our lives, but you can’t do that alone. Our highest relationships are with ourselves and with our God.”

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Julie’s Favorite Quotes

  • “Worry about nothing, pray about everything.” – Phil 4:6
  • “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Phil 4:13
  • “With God, nothing is impossible.” – Luke 1:37

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What are your favorite quotes? Please share in the comments below. 

Posted in Challenges, Christian, faith, God, Healthy living, Inspiration, Parenting, positive-thinking, Proactive, self-care | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

One Lovely Blog Award

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Susan Ekins

Many thanks to Sharla Shults, Catnip of Life, for the One Lovely Blog Award, which has been given to Women Making Strides. Catnip of Life is another lovely blog that captures the best moments in life in both words and photographs.

Women Making Strides can now pay the award forward. Before announcing my nominees for the One Lovely Blog award, the rules require that I post seven random facts about myself.

1)      My husband Ken and I are Community Coordinators for Worldwide Marriage Encounter.

2)      My daughter Katie teaches English in South Korea. My son Jim and daughter Mel are in college.

3)      Our dog Dexter is loveable, and visitors to our home often want to take him home.

4)      I enjoy doing Social Media!

5)      There are typically 20 books and magazines on or near my nightstand waiting to be read.

6)      I start my day with prayer or reading spiritual books.

7)      I walk or run a minimum of 15 minutes every day.

It was difficult to narrow down, but I am pleased to nominate the following inspiring blogs for the One Lovely Blog Award.

Aspiring Women

The Bold Life

CreateWriteNow

Creativity or Crazy

Gratitudes from the Heart

J. Ricci Energy

Kickback Moments

Life on the Cutoff

Losing a Person and Finding Myself

Proactive Life Blog

Think Outside the Box

Thought Changer

The Warm Milk Journal

Writer’s Patchwork Blog

Women’s Writing Circle

Please leave a comment so I know you received notification of the award.

For the nominees, the rules for the award are to:  

1)      Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.

2)      Give 7 random facts about yourself.

3)      Nominate 15 blogs that you admire for the One Lovely Blog Award

Posted in Awards | Tagged | 14 Comments

Entering the Race

Posted on August 7, 2012 by Susan Ekins

“My doctor told me I would never walk again. My mother told me I would. I believed my mother.”   – Wilma Rudolph, first American woman runner to win three gold medals at a single Olympics

In July, I hesitantly entered a 5K race in Batavia to benefit Suicide Prevention Services. My daughter Mel’s boyfriend was co-founder of the event, and our entire family entered. Mel assured me I could walk. I have been walking short distances every day and had just added a little running, so I planned to walk most of the race and run when I could.

The race was on a hot and humid evening, and I waited anxiously for the start. “What is the route?” “What if I get lost?” “What if I’m the last to finish?”

I lined up with the runners, staying near the back so I wouldn’t block anyone. The starting gun fired, and off we went. The route went through a park and along the Fox River.  Volunteers showed us where to go at every crossroad. Quotes were written in chalk along the asphalt path: “Life is worth fighting for.” “Hope is real and change is possible.” “Stay strong because you’re worth it.” “Don’t Give Up.” I was uplifted and thought the sayings are good advice not only for the race, but for my life.

Mel and her friend Morgan had decided to walk, so I passed them early on. I shouted, “I can’t believe I passed you, Mel!” Mel was on the track team in high school and is very fast when she wants to be. Before long, the two of them zipped past me.

As I ran, I passed a woman. Then I walked, and she passed me. When she slowed, I moved ahead. Meanwhile, I passed Mel and Morgan again—they had gone back to walking. They decided to run the rest of the race and passed me easily.

I invited the woman who I was “neck and neck” with to run together. Jackie told me the race was in memory of a young man she knew who had taken his own life in high school. That put a new perspective on what we were doing by being in the race and what was important. Jackie and I motivated each other to run as much as we could, and we crossed the finish line together.

My race time was 43 minutes, 29 seconds. I hadn’t burned up any pavement, but I felt good.

After the race, my son Jim came up to me and said, “Mom, you placed third in your age group!” Jim and my husband Ken also placed third in their age groups, and my daughter Katie placed fourth.

Granted, my age group had only six participants. Nonetheless, when my name was announced, I was proud to go up to the stage and collect my 3rd Place ribbon.

Today, my husband asked if I want to enter another 5K race in September to benefit PADS DuPage. This time, I didn’t hesitate. I simply said, “Yes!”

Do you have a favorite inspirational quote? Have you had an uplifting experience recently? Please respond in the comments below.  

 

Posted in Inspiration, Motivation, Running, Women | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Eyes of Faith

Posted on July 20, 2012 by Susan Ekins

“A positive attitude is something everyone can work on, and everyone can learn how to employ it.” – Joan Lunden

In March, I lost my job on the very day that my Mom’s health took a turn for the worse. She passed away two weeks later. A friend asked why I’m not bitter about this. Why aren’t I feeling sorry for myself?

The truth is that I did have moments when I felt sorry for myself. I had been very dedicated to my job at a nonprofit organization. Although I worked more than 30 hours a week, management decided that my position needed to be full-time. I was unable to work more hours, and I was terminated. After my Mom died, I was in shock for a couple months. Two big life changes had occurred, and I had difficulty making the transition.

However, I see God’s hand at work in what happened. Losing my job enabled me to be with my Mom for her last 15 days at the hospital and hospice. This was a gift to both of us. She could not breathe well, and she was scared. It was comforting for her to have a family member with her, and being with her throughout her illness helped me talk to the doctors knowledgably and to honor her wishes about her care.

The way things happened also enabled me to leave my job with no regrets. If I were still employed, I would have been terribly conflicted about leaving work to care for my Mom. I could not have stayed most nights with her as I did. Knowing that I was able to be there for my Mom made me see that God’s timing is perfect.

I had choices in how to view my two life changes:

  • “Poor me, I got terminated” versus “Lucky me, I had the opportunity to share my Mom’s dying moments. And now I have the time to explore my dream job of being a writer.”
  • “My Mom passed away. That’s heartbreaking and unfair.” versus “I am sad but it was her time, she was ready, and she was released from her pain.”

By looking at these situations through the eyes of faith and gratitude, I see that God was looking out for me.

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Have you faced a difficult situation? Do you have a choice of how to think about it? Please share your thoughts in the Comments below.

If you haven’t done so already, I hope you’ll subscribe to the Woman Making Strides blog.

Posted in Attitude, caregiving, faith, Gratitude, Job loss, positive-thinking, Stress | Tagged , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Reaching for More

Posted on July 4, 2012 by Susan Ekins

“The triumph can’t be had without the struggle.”     – Wilma Rudolph, Olympic runner

Chicago skyline from Navy Pier – photo by Katie Ekins

My family and I went into Chicago for a weekend recently and I was inspired to improve my fitness. Even though I’ve been walking 15 minutes or more every day for the past month, I want to do more.

My husband Ken and our three young-adult children are slim and fit. They walk long distances and can run with ease. My new walking habit enabled me to keep up with them in the city, although I brought up the rear. On Sunday, we walked 1½ miles to the United Center to see Cirque du Soleil. We were still a few blocks away when the winds picked up, the temperature dropped, and the sky became black. My daughter said she’d heard it might hail.

The only sensible thing to do was to break into a run, which was okay with everyone else. I reluctantly agreed to a slow jog. After one block, I was sweating, out of breath, and needing to walk. Luckily, the winds slowed. We went back to walking and got to the show just before the storm hit the United Center.

The Cirque du Soleil performers were strong and muscular and did amazing feats with their bodies. A young woman balanced upside down on one arm on a trapeze bar, one of her many tricks.

Cirque du Soleil photo by Tom Raftery. Find on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/traftery/6346598693/

Watching them inspired me to be more fit. I won’t ever be a trapeze artist or an Olympic athlete, but I want to walk with ease and even to run short distances. I want to sightsee and travel without fatigue. I’ve decided to add some running to my walking habit.

St. Francis of Assisi said, “It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.” It’s time to get out of my chair and get moving. I hope you’ll join me.

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What struggles do you face with fitness? What inspires you to reach for more? Please share your thoughts in the Comments below. Remember to subscribe to the Woman Making Strides blog.

Posted in Inspiration, Motivation | Tagged , | 12 Comments

Take A Step Forward

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Susan Ekins

“If you want to live a meaningful life that also makes a difference in the lives of others, you need to make a difference in your own life first.”

– Cheryl Richardson

I’m not the best example for self-care. After my running group disbanded several years ago, I stopped running. Then a bout of plantar fasciitis made it painful to walk, and I quit exercising altogether. I gained weight and became stressed. Sleepless nights made me irritable and lethargic during the day, so I didn’t want to exercise. I was caught in an unhealthy cycle.

A Woman Making Strides understands that challenges happen to everyone and takes steps to deal with them. The physical, psychological, and spiritual areas of our lives intertwine, and a step forward in one area helps us move forward in another.

In the situation above, a step forward for my mind might have been to think proactively. I could have run by myself or found a new running group. I might have swam or biked rather than use my sore heel as an excuse. A step forward mentally could have moved me forward physically.

Recently I lost my job, and my mother passed away two weeks later. During the first couple months, I felt like I was in shock. I’m still sad about losing my Mom, and I am out of shape again. But just as one downward step can lead to another, one upward step has momentum, too. I am taking steps to care for myself in each area:

  • Body – Walking 15 minutes a day lifts my mood and eases tension. A website holds me accountable. Each day, I must select “Yes I walked today” or “No I didn’t”.
  • Mind – I work with a life coach for support through my slump. She helps me clarify my goals and be proactive.
  • Spirit – I start my day by reading the Bible, specifically passages about the Holy Spirit such as Acts 1-3 and John 14-17.

Sunset-in-the-nature-near-Bergharen-Netherlands-a24489026 by Eus Nieuwenhuizen

These steps help me deal with my recent losses. Moving forward could also include eating healthy meals, reaching out to a counselor, or seeking spiritual guidance.

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What would you like to be different in your life? Will your next step be for the body, mind or spirit? Please share your thoughts in the Comments below.

Posted in Body, mind, spirit, Cheryl Richardson, Healthy living, self-care, Weight, wellness, Women | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments