30-Day Discipline Experiment – Day 30

Jul 30th, 2008

It’s always easier to talk about somebody else’s discipline.  That’s true for me too.  Now that I’ve got Toby (24 hours now and counting), I want to talk about his discipline   Actually, I just want to talk about him period.  Having him is better than having a shiny new car. 

Toby is a fabulous dog.  He needs a little more discipline, but who doesn’t?  He looks like a couch potato here, but don’t let him fool you.  He’s 50 pounds of pure buoyant energy.

We took another walk tonight–but this time I had the right training tools (collar and leash) so I could teach him to heel, turn, stop, come, etc.  It didn’t take very long before he was doing everything right along with me.  His performance wasn’t perfect, but it was amazingly improved from our walk yesterday when he tried to drag me along behind him.  Does he look like a sled dog to you?

He’s also learning the “house rules.”   Whether we’re talking about children, adults, or pets, having clear rules makes everybody’s life easier.  And the rules have to be enforced consistently–even if it is frustrating, hard, and doesn’t seem like it’s making any difference. 

It takes discipline to create discipline.  Can you tell I’m giving myself a pep talk here   Actually, I’m having a lot of fun working with Toby.  My German Shepherds were so easy to train that my training skills got rusty.  It’s been fun seeing that the training I received years ago still works and works well.  I’m becoming the Toby whisperer.  And he’s whispering back! 

Pssst!  The good news is, we both took a walk–now that’s discipline!

30-Day Discipline Experiment – Day 29

Jul 29th, 2008

I found a dog!  His name is Toby and he’s a real sweetie.  See for yourself……….

Here are two short youtube videos of him in the yard:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKVPs3PLiMc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2EMwPngLS4

So in a way, today’s post is about discipline….but not necessarily mine.  Toby learned how to walk on a leash tonight without ripping my arm off.  There’s work to be done!  But isn’t he sweet!  Sometimes discipline opportunities come in 50 pound packages with big brown eyes. 

Dogs help us be more disciplined about walking.  So if you have a dog, take a walk–they need the exercise too.

10 Things Employers Can Do for Caregiving Employees

Jul 29th, 2008

1. Recognize the burden of balancing work and caregiving responsibilities.
2. Adopt a corporate attitude of support for employees who are also caregivers.
3. Ask caregiving employees what they need to meet both of their responsibilities.
4. Educate supervisors about work management strategies for employees who have caregiving responsibilities.
5. Look into a variety of work arrangements to customize a work environment that supports caregiving responsibilities.
6. Review employee benefits package for additional benefits that will support caregiving employees.
7. Connect with community resources to provide information on available services.
8. Add caregiving resource information to your website, your intranet and your pay envelopes.
9. Consider subsidizing the cost of geriatric care management, in-home and adult day care services.
10. Include caregiver fairs with annual enrollment period to provide a wide range of information about available caregiving resources.

Source:
When Employees Become Caregivers, A Manager’s Workbook, available at www.aarp.org.  Published by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid in 2004.  Some information contained in the book may be out of date.

It's Time

Jul 28th, 2008

Jasmine died in October 2007 and it’s finally time to get another dog–and maybe even a cat!  It’s a big deal getting a pet–at least for me it is.  They are for life and unfortunately death. 

I love the idea of getting a dog or cat who has ended up in a shelter.  I love being able to provide a fabulous life and home for them after the twists and turns of their life.  BTW I can’t watch Disney films that show lost or abused pets trying to get back home.  Can’t do it.  I rented a Benji film (Benji off the Leash) the other day because I wanted to “try on” a Benji type of dog.  I could hardly watch parts of it–even though I knew it would turn out OK.  I think some of us are just extra sensitive about animals.

So I’m on the prowl.  I’ve been to the Topeka and Lawrence Humane Societies several times a week–hoping to find the one.  And now that I’m ready, I want to find him or her now

But the good news is that I’m ready and I know the perfect dog for me is on his or her way to me now.  And I’m ready to shop for the perfect bowls, perfect food, and perfect treats for my new little cutie pie.  I’ll share pictures when I find the one.

Anybody else out there looking for a dog or cat? 

30-Day Discipline Experiment – Day 28

Jul 28th, 2008

We’re entering the home stretch!

You know how you get psyched about a new healthy living plan and you get all of the foods and nutrients that go with it…and you schedule an appointment at the gym and you cook along for a little while and then your mood slips and you don’t have the “energy” to make another smoothie, or lift another barbell, or do another crunch?

I’ve experienced this too–it’s really frustrating isn’t it?  My massage therapist has experienced it too…At my recent visit she told me about a book that has been helping her maintain a steady “can-do” mood.  My ears perked up to be sure!

The book is called: The Mars and Venus Diet and Exercise Solution: Create the Brain Chemistry of Health, Happiness, and Lasting Romance

It’s the brain chemistry piece that I’m interested in exploring.  I’ve got the book and am flipping through it and trying a few things.  Are you familiar with the book and program?   Make your comments at the link below. 

Cheap and Healthy Lunch Ideas

Jul 28th, 2008

Catching a good lunch at work is a challenge for many people.  I found a great article at WebMD that discusses 10 workday lunches that will save you time, money, and calories.

Find out how you can save money and make these 10 great brown-bag lunches (including the shopping list!).

30-Day Discipline Experiment – Day 23

Jul 23rd, 2008

Man it feels like hump day–like this 30-day experiment has been going on for a long time!  The lesson here is that even health professionals get tired of wellness at times.  Sometimes we just wish that life was easier.  Better.  And that we could eat anything we want.  And eat as much as we want.  And lay on the couch and watch movies.  We think about this fantasy life where we don’t need to cut the grass, pay bills, and make dinner after a long day of work.

But then the next day comes and we feel invigorated again and ready to get back to the program.  At least that’s what we do if we don’t sink into guilt and self-abuse over being tired and moody occasionally.  The longer we stay in a place of guilt and negative self-talk, the harder it is to get back to a healthy, happy lifestyle.  I know because I’ve experimented with that too   So don’t let yourself slip too far down the pity path.  Give yourself a mini vacation from your goals and responsibilities, and get back at your healthy living plan as soon as you possibly can–hopefully the very next day.

If we accept our moodiness as a part of life–the ebbs and flows–then it’s no big deal when a day feels a little hard.  Because we know that the ebb will be finished soon and the flow is on its way. 

As for myself, I’ve done my little to-do list of tasks today and now am going to spend the rest of the evening reading my new book:  The Mars & Venus Diet & Exercise Solution:  Create the Brain Chemistry of Health, Happiness, and Lasting Romance.  (I’d buy it used!)

What do you do to get past hump day?

I Should Be Grateful

Jul 22nd, 2008

Mom is chipper – we think it’s because she’s not seeing the seriousness of hers and dad’s situation.  But as my sister and I discussed today, we really should be grateful.  What’s wrong with being cheerful and not seeing how bad (or potentially bad) everything is?  Is it really denial or is it refusal to give in to what appears to be true.  I’m sure you’ve learned as I have that things that appear to be true often aren’t true.  That’s a valuable lesson.

So today I’m grateful that my parents are positive about their lives.  I shudder to imagine if they were perpetually grousing about their aches and pains, fears about the unknown, and dread of facing another day.  In fact, now that I think about their perspective on life, I’m down right chipper! 

Is there anything you wish were different about your parents?  Imagine what they get that’s positive about being who they are.  Share your comments at the comment link below. 

30-Day Discipline Experiment – Day 22

Jul 22nd, 2008

Some people are really good at self-care and some people are not.  I’m about a A-/B+.  It’s my life’s work.

If you’re not familiar with the term, self-care is about how well you take care of yourself (and your family). 

Here are several elements of self-care:

• Getting enough sleep.
• Eating health enhancing foods.
• Getting enough exercise.
• Doing preventative self-checks.
• Getting age-appropriate preventive screening tests.
• Visiting a health care professional when you can’t solve a health problem on your own–when it’s too serious for self-care.
• Having positive self-talk.
• Minimizing or eliminating smoking and excessive drinking or other drug use.
• Taking care of your body and relaxing with a massage, pedicure, hot bath, etc.
• Taking time out just for you, just because.
• Balancing time alone and time with others.
• Balancing work and play.
• Having a positive self-image (or working towards it).
• Telling the truth (to yourself and to others).
• Acknowledging your innate gifts and talents.
• Being grateful for all that you are, all that you give, and all that you receive.
• Feeding your spirit.

How would you rate your self-care?  Tell us at the comment link below.

30-Day Discipline Experiment – Day 20

Jul 20th, 2008

Heading into the weekend I had a long list of to-dos many of which had been on my list awhile.  For me that’s a recipe to drag my feet.  Have you noticed that the longer things are on a list, the longer they stay on the list–unless you call upon your inner grit.

The best way for me to tackle a list of things I don’t want to do is to call a friend and do a “work day.” 

How a Work Day Works

Two or more people call at a specified time and say what they’ll work on during the next hour (or two if that’s the agreed time).  Knowing they’ll be calling their buddy in two hours gets the “get ‘er done” juices flowing.  You scramble around getting the things done that you said you were going to get done (or you do a completely different set of things!) and call your friend at the specified time to report on your progress. 

Sometimes I’m totally kickin’ it and sometimes I’m draggin’ it.  This weekend I was draggin’ it–partly because it’s hot in Kansas and that can be a de-motivator for me.

When I called my friend, she was all giddy with success.  She had buzzed through her long list of tasks and was continuing to work while we talked.   I wanted some of that pep!  Before the feeling passed, I quick hung up and got to work. 

I started buzzing too–that’s what happens when you decide to do what needs to be done.  It’s never as bad as it seems like it will be. Turns out I had a pretty successful work day, but I wasn’t satisfied because I hadn’t done any of the hot, icky, outside work and it needed to be done.

When I went to bed that evening I made a quick list of things to do on Sunday and went to sleep.  Making that list inspired me because when I got up I started right in on it hoping to beat the heat.  The high today was 103. 

Normally on Sunday morning I sleep in, get up and drink a couple of cups of coffee and slowly ease into the day.  But not today.  I had a list and a desire.  And some discipline.

A few things on the list didn’t get done because in the afternoon I took a hankering to visit the Lawrence Humane Society and look for a dog.  Then I drove to the Topeka Humane Society to continue the search.  I haven’t found one yet but I know I will.  Patience and timing.

Discipline and play work well together.