If you had to choose a superpower, what would it be? 

Isn't is fun to dream?  To think if we could choose a superpower, how awesome would that be?  Every time I am asked this question, it is an easy answer: time travel. Then I could back in time whenever I wanted to be part of the history I have learned about in school, see my favorite humans who have passed and maybe learn a little more about myself from past behaviors. But alas, superpowers are only something we can dream about unless we rethink the question. 

Which is why I vote. 

I feel it is one superpower I have been given to make an impact in the present and the future. There are women all over the world who still do not have the right to vote. I am not going to let them down by not voting.  Time travel is great but I cannot change what has happened the in the past. By voting, I can help facilitate change I believe in. If you do not vote, you cannot comment on leadership. If you do not think your one vote matters, it does. There is power in educating yourself and voting, in EVERY election. Not just the big one but the ones affecting your town/city, church, professional organization, county, and state. There is so much more to leadership than just the presidential race, which is why you need to vote in every election you can. 

This upcoming week is a big one in the United States, but there are other positions and things on the ballot that are affecting you. Take the time to vote for those too even if you have to do an internet search a candidate. Educate yourself and tap into your superpower. 

#embracethehellyeah

~AE

 

"Daylight Savings Time Again?" Weekly Wisdom

 

What are you going to do with your extra hour next Sunday?

Oh daylight savings time, you little minx you. It doesn't matter if I gain or lose and hour, it makes me a mess. I get the blues because there is less daylight, but I get to sleep sooner because it's dark. My wake up time is not 4 or 5 am, it is now 2 am because gangster kitty is a mess and her internal eating clock is off too. Once January rolls around, we almost have our shit together. Vicious cycle. Every. Single. Time. 

So what will I do with my extra hour this Sunday?  If you know me, time is a gift and the most valuable resource we have. We never get it back as it passes us by. As much as I complain about "falling back,"  I also realize I am being given an extra hour. What dollar amount would I put on it? None, because it is priceless. I am thrilled to get an hour more worth of sleep (maybe) and also excited to have a Sunday at home to start prepare for my winter hibernation routine - one where I do everything to not get depressed when I do not see daylight or it has snowed 17 inches for the 40th time this year. I use this extra hour to mentally prepare for another season in my life that requires a little patience and more self care. I know I will be a POS for a few weeks after DST but I also embrace this joyful gift of time. 

#embracethehellyeah

~AE

"Keep Smiling" Weekly Wisdom

 

How old were you when you lost your first tooth and did the tooth fairy come?

This past weekend, I was at a BBQ with some friends and one of their kiddos had just lost their first tooth and was getting ready to lose their 2nd. Dad was sharing how the first tooth got a $20 bill and he didn't realize how quickly this could all add up.  I would have fell over if I had gotten a $20 bill at 7 years old. 

I don't quite remember how old I was when I lost my first tooth, but I clearly remember when I lost my last. Fun fact for you all, I have held onto 4 baby teeth all the way until just recently. I knew I had them, but was reassured they were strong and I should hang onto them as long as I could. That all changed as the lovely decade of the big 4-0 approached and the first one bit the dust. Over the past couple years, I have slowly lost them one by one with my last one being pulled this week. AND I am still waiting for the tooth fairy to leave those $20's under my pillow. I'm looking at you Ruthie....

This whole process has made me realize how important it is to smile. Even when you don't feel like smiling. Just do it. First of all, it makes you feel happier, instantly. Secondly, no matter who you share your smile with, you are going to change the way they feel - even it is for a couple seconds. How can you lose?  A smile is priceless and it is free to do. I didn't realize how much I miss smiling when my mouth is numb or I am missing a tooth. It really changes my whole day when I feel those positive vibes across my mouth. 

Whatever you do today, choose to smile, all day and every day. You never know when you might not be able to share that special grin of those pearly whites with the world. 

#embracethehellyeah

~AE

"Just Put Some Hummus On It" Weekly Wisdom

 

If you had to choose one condiment to use for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Were you one of those kids that would eat anything as long as ketchup was involved?  I could honestly eat anything as long as I had a glass of milk to wash it down.  You could tell by the size of my glass of milk if I liked what was for dinner. Small glass, good eats. Large glass, probably a vegetable I was concerned about. Now as an adult, I have steered more toward condiments with hummus being at the top of my list. Everything is better with hummus.

If things could be as simple as adding ketchup, milk or hummus to make things in life seem a little more tolerable - I would be all for it. The curveballs that get thrown at us, deadlines causing us anxiety, a task we do not enjoy doing or a social gathering we would prefer no to attend, if only a simple condiment could make it all tolerable.  

When you are in a situation that you wish was not happening, how can you metaphorically "put hummus on it?"  What will make it easier for you to find some joy in the situation? Because there will always be things in life we need to put a little hummus or ketchup on - what will be your life condiment of choice? 

#embracethehellyeah

~AE