S-T-R-E-T-C-H

July 19, 2012 By Tina Moore Leave a Comment

This week I went to my amazing chiropractor, Benita, at Ocean Wellness, and she gave me a little (gentle) talking to…

My left hip and lower back have given me a lot of pain over the last month and a half. I can manage this pain but brace yourself, here comes my excuse for not monitoring it properly…

…I’ve been extremely busy with some projects I am passionate about, and if I’m completely honest with you my regular routine hasn’t been a priority.

Jogging injuries are like life lessons. Initially you get a gentle whisper in the ear, then a small tap on the shoulder and if you really don’t listen, it’s the brick to the head. You get all the warnings, it’s a question of whether you are listening or ignoring the signs.

Right now my injury is at the “tap on the shoulder” stage and Benita helped me realize I better start paying attention or I will end up with the brick to the head sooner than later.

So what do I need to do?

I NEED TO STRETCH.

If I have one fault with running, it’s not spending the time to stretch. I stretch a little before (enough to warm my muscles but not enough to pull them) and I definitely stretch afterwards…what I’m negligent at is stretching in between my run days.

This is my dog…SHE STRETCHES EVERY DAY. In the morning when she wakes up, she stretches. When she’s been sitting on the couch or on the floor for a little while, she’ll get up and stretch. It’s natural for her to stretch every day, as it should be for us.

If you are running, cycling or any other form of exercise, don’t underestimate the value of stretching. Taking a yoga class in between workout days is an excellent choice but if you aren’t able to get to a yoga class, make sure you still spend some time each day to stretch…

S – T – R – E – T – C – H

Your body will thank you for it and it will help you avoid injury. Trust me, I say this to myself when I say it to you.

I hope you get outside this weekend. Summer is the time to enjoy some fresh air, amazing fresh fruits and vegetables and time with family and friends.

See you on Tuesday!

With a smile,

Tina

 

How Badly Do You Want It?

July 17, 2012 By Tina Moore Leave a Comment

I heard some incredible stories this weekend.

The more I hear, the more I realize no one has a straight line to success. We all have twists and turns in our relationships, personal growth, physical body, career or finances. We have all been hurt and experienced some sort of loss in our lifetime. The differences amongst us are perhaps, how we deal with those twists and turns and whether we let them define our life NOW.

I’ve certainly had my fair share of bumps and bruises. In my 20’s I read very powerful, enlightening books and went to counselling all of which may have steered me in the right direction but I unfortunately didn’t have the emotional maturity or inner strength to put it into ACTION.

Today my life is different because I understand mySELF better and listen to my INSTINCT.

This weekend, the message I heard was loud and clear regarding my current goals:

HOW BADLY DO YOU WANT IT?

It’s an excellent question, a life defining question.

So, I turn that question to you…

HOW BADLY DO YOU WANT IT?

How badly do you want to lose weight, run a marathon, get out of debt, change your relationship or have the freedom to go on a holiday, spend time with your kids or be able to finish reading a book?

HOW BADLY DO YOU WANT TO __________________ (INSERT YOUR GOAL)?

The next very important question is:

WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO DO TO GET IT?

Are you really willing to cut out all processed, fast food AND limit portions AND exercise regularly in order to lose weight?

Are you really willing to cut expenses and get an additional job in order to get out of debt?

Are you really willing to go to a counsellor in order to change your relationship?

HOW IMPORTANT ARE YOUR GOALS, RELATIONSHIPS AND QUALITY OF LIFE?

HOW BADLY DO YOU WANT IT?

I think it’s the kind of question that makes you think about your CHOICES and subsequent ACTIONS on a daily basis.

Everything becomes crystal clear because you begin to challenge yourself:

“I just ate a box of crackers while watching a movie; is that really conducive to my goal of losing weight and getting healthy?”

“Is being ‘right’ in this argument really worth the draining, negative energy and division it creates in my relationship?”

“If I purchase this lovely, finely sculptured pair of high heeled shoes is that really part of the get-out-of-debt plan?” (Admittedly, this one kills me but I do abide by my plan).

WE DEFINE OUR LIFE.

WE DECIDE HOW TO THINK AND ACT IN THE WAY OF OUR DREAMS AND GOALS.

We also decide if we are going to give up on our goals.

Obviously there are some life altering exceptions but I think most of us have the ability to follow through…unfortunately we may allow fear, other people’s opinions or negativity to stop us and that is OUR CHOICE.

So, are the CHOICES you make today in line with your greater goal for yourSELF? Your family? Your relationship?

I BELIEVE IN YOU.

ALLOW YOUR LIGHT TO SHINE.

GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO CREATE A LIFESTYLE THAT YOU DREAM, DESIRE AND DESERVE.

With a smile,

Tina

PS. I don’t make any money from this website, so by passing on my book, “The Decision” it helps me while you can help others. Thanks for sharing!

Unconditional Love

July 12, 2012 By Tina Moore Leave a Comment

Today is a special day.

It’s the birthday of someone who profoundly impacted my life when I was a child.

Her name is Mrs. Kathleen Lawton (Williams). She was my first singing teacher when I was just 8 years old. She taught me much more than singing. She taught me all about UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.

From my experience, I think it’s rare to receive pure unconditional love without any expectations, so I consider myself very blessed.

My singing lessons used to last for hours.

We would begin by first sitting and talking in her small living room. She would tell me wonderful stories as we ate something sweet, usually cookies, off a beautiful china plate. We drank “Chocolata” from china tea cups or sometimes we had juice in crystal glasses. It was lovely.

She was a short, round woman and hugging her was like hugging a soft, sweet marshmallow. I LOVED getting hugs from Mrs. Lawton. I felt safe when I was in her arms. I felt loved in the deepest, kindest and most compassionate way.

In order to support the family, my mom had to work a lot so Mrs. Lawton was a mother, grandmother, teacher, mentor and friend to me. She was FEMININE, STRONG, FUNNY and had an enormous capacity to LOVE. Her house was my safe sanctuary where I could be myself and I wouldn’t be judged, criticized or shamed into being anyone else.

It was a relief to just be me and know I’d be accepted.

She passed away when I was in my early 20’s. I was devastated. At that time she was the one person I knew on this earth that loved me to the moon and back and now she was gone. My heart was shattered and my grief was profound.

Today, she is my guiding light. When it comes to teaching I do my best to give to my students what Mrs. Lawton gave to me. Unconditional love…I don’t know if I come close, but I try.

I use her as an example of DIGNITY, GRACE, STRENGTH, KINDNESS and LOVE.

When people die, their body disappears and you no longer get to make new memories with them…but they never leave your heart. Of course you miss them but don’t underestimate the POWER and DEPTH of LOVE…it’s 20 years later and I can look at a photo and immediately feel her arms around me giving me the biggest hug. In a flash, I can be sitting beside her at the piano, singing “Do Lord” at the top of our lungs. (She loved that song). She guides me. She loves me. She is right beside me.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MRS. LAWTON. I MISS YOU.

I LOVE YOU AND WILL CONTINUE TO LIVE MY LIFE IN A WAY THAT HONOURS YOURS.

With love and gratitude,

Tina

 

Just To Love…

July 10, 2012 By Tina Moore Leave a Comment

Ever had one of those weekends where you laughed, cried, felt fear and anxiety, love and gratitude and wanted to hug a fireman? It was a weekend full of emotions.

I traveled up to Kamloops, BC to sing at a friend’s funeral. She was such a lovely lady…very vibrant, graceful and fun. She was 85 years old when she passed away but years ago, she’d asked me if I would sing Ave Maria at her funeral. I promised and I was honoured to keep that promise to her and her family.

There was deep sadness for the loss of a loving mother, grandmother, friend and wife. From a performing perspective, singing with the energy of loss and sadness in front of you is very difficult but from a friend perspective, the promise I made to her kept me strong and able to fulfill her wish. I left feeling the family’s deep loss for the woman they loved; the core of the family.

So, how could I leave a funeral and the next day, post a Facebook status that said:

“I feel really, really, really happy and feeling the love…” ?

  • LOVE is what I saw, felt and experienced at the funeral.

  • LOVE is what I saw, felt and experienced when I was blessed to see former students, dear friends and family.

  • LOVE stays within the heart, flows through others and lasts past your lifetime.

  • LOVE is the most powerful, life changing energy in the world.

I was feeling incredible LOVE and GRATITUDE and then I had some car trouble. For some reason when my car gets ‘sick’, I panic. My anxiety begins to creep up and I get emotional. I love giving to others but I’m not always great at receiving…so I get emotional when I receive help. On this particular day, I was emotional for those reasons and then I happened to pass a fire hall with one of my friends.

“SHANNON!!!! FIRE TRUCK!”

She immediately did a legal U-turn and we pulled into the Valleyview Fire Department. Their beautiful, shiny red truck was outside with the proud Canadian flags. I wanted a picture. What I wasn’t expecting was the incredibly KIND firemen who came outside to greet us.

They were so kind and generous giving us information on their gear…letting us try it on…and take photos! The weight those guys carry is incredible! The jacket and hat almost pushed me into the ground…add the tank and tools and it’s around 80+ pounds!

So, what is the link between a friend’s funeral, faulty car and firemen?

Well, I want you to know that you can always find some FUN despite anxiety and fear.

You can always find LOVE and GRATITUDE, KINDNESS and BLESSINGS despite sadness and tears.

With an OPEN HEART, you may be surprised at how COLOURFUL, GENEROUS and KIND people are in the world.

As Nat King Cole sang in Nature Boy (one of my favorite songs):

The greatest thing you’ll ever learn…is just to love…and be loved in return.

I have such a HAPPY, GRATEFUL HEART towards my friends and family for sharing their LOVE and KINDNESS and helping me out in need.

Thanks Valleyview Fire Department for indulging me in my silliness. You brought a smile to my face and gave me a great story…I’d love to return the favour.

With a smile and gratitude,

Tina

 

THE Jog Blog – 71

July 5, 2012 By Tina Moore Leave a Comment

Hills. Some people don’t like running up hills. I certainly can relate as I couldn’t imagine running in general, never mind up a hill when I first started. Today, I actually like running up hills and in fact, I’ll often bump up my speed when I go up a hill (depending on the size of the incline of course).

Here are the reasons why I like to run up hills:

  • It’s a CHALLENGE.
  • It strengthens my body, making it more POWERFUL, healthier and toned.
  • It gets rid of negative emotions because I process anger, fear or sadness through a physical outlet.
  • I like the view from the top. Sometimes I’ll look behind me and see where I’ve been but most times I look forward and enjoy the view.
  • I like saying, “I did it! I conquered that hill and I was not defeated.”
  • It’s an ACHIEVEMENT I used to think was impossible.
  • It makes me feel GOOD about mySELF.
  • It builds SELF ESTEEM and nurtures my SELF WORTH.
  • I get to enjoy the FUN part of running down hill. I find routes where the way up is steeper than the way down so it’s easier on my knees.

I think running up hills is a beautiful metaphor for life:

You run up hills one step at a time.

You reach a goal one task at a time.

You mend a heart one day at a time…sometimes one hour or one second at a time depending on the depth of pain.

You lose weight one pound at a time.

You build a life, one choice at a time.

Life is about putting one foot in front of the other despite the challenges; you move forward.

Have a great weekend. See you here on Tuesday!

With a smile,

Tina

 

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