Build A Team

November 30, 2010 By Tina Moore 1 Comment

I had a great meeting a while back with Damon Vignale, the producer, writer and director of “The Vetala”, a GEMINI and LEO award winning webseries that I was blessed to be a part of.

We were talking about my 40by40 website and he said to me,

“You have to build a team around you.”

I thought that was great advice and I’m actively doing as he suggested but that wisdom can also be applied to every day life…

Sometimes the very people we think should be supporting us unfortunately didn’t or couldn’t (emotionally) step up to the plate. For example, as a child, you don’t have as much control over whether your family is supportive, but as an adult you have the ability to create a different kind of family support. This choice applies to partners, lovers, friends, family, and anyone else of importance in your life. You can do something about it; you don’t have to settle for less than what you deserve.

You can build your own team and these are a few suggestions on where to begin:

  1. Surround yourself with people that support you both in words and in action.
  2. Limit or completely separate yourself from relationships that are draining, toxic or depleting your energy.
  3. Find those CHEERLEADERS! The people who genuinely are happy for your success, with not an ounce of jealousy, envy or negativity.
  4. Build and nurture relationships that teach you, inspire you and motivate you.
  5. LISTEN – to your gut, to what’s being said to you and how it’s being said, and what you are saying to yourself. You need to be your biggest support, so make sure you are feeding yourself with positive, healthy, good stuff. If you create that supportive inner world, you will create a supportive outer world.
  6. Accept help when offered…

Those are things that worked for me and they can also help you build your ‘life team’. I have been blessed to know some amazing people and here are a couple examples of people who have touched my life and are a part of my team:

Jody Kennett from Leapfit – She is my trainer and she is my friend. We laugh a lot but she also keeps me focused. She created a program that’s challenging but exactly what I need. She has sent me emails of such encouragement and support and she genuinely cheers me on.

Renee Shupe from Redhead Business Management – if it wasn’t for Renee, this blog would be a ‘blob’. Thank goodness when I spoke to her about the design she knew what to listen to, and thankfully, what to ignore otherwise this would have looked more like a site for industrial mining products than an inspirational website.

Dr. Benita Basra from Ocean Wellness – She is my chiropractor and quickly becoming my friend. I admire her values as a woman, mother, wife and professional. She has supported me when I’ve been at my most vulnerable…both physically and emotionally.

Carmen How - pretty much most of the photos that you see on this website are photos Carmen took. I love her talent, gentle nature and creative eye and I’m thrilled that she was able to capture through photos, what I am trying to express in words.

And then I am so blessed to have this amazing, COURAGEOUS, strong, LOVING and supportive group of WOMEN in my life. Some I have known for years and some are new friendships. They bring LAUGHTER, understanding, WISDOM and support into my life. I feel very blessed to know each of them.

I also have some pretty amazing men in my life too. Nice guys who care about me and they show me…

Remember it’s your team…you decide who is around you…who makes the cut and who doesn’t. Sometimes you have to get rid of a few players to make room for more valuable teammates. It may not be easy, but it is necessary.

BUILD A TEAM AROUND YOU was excellent advice and I encourage you to build upon your already existing team or begin creating a new one. Surround yourself with support, love, honesty, loyalty and laughter. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, inspire you, and motivate you.

And don’t forget to accept help when offered…it’s ok, sometimes you don’t have to do it all…

With a smile

Tina

THE Jog Blog – 7

November 25, 2010 By Tina Moore Leave a Comment

Tina’s Favorite Quote:

The winter darkness will not hide my light – no matter how cold and dark it may be!

Tina’s Wish List:

I want a treadmill more than high heel shoes. That means, I really want a treadmill.

Tina’s Confession:

I have been negligent in my training this week…I took time off due to snow, laziness and my hip and back bugging me…but if I’m truthful, mostly laziness. It’s cold, it’s snowy and I wanted to sleep in, so I did.

November 19, 2010 – CROSS TRAIN AND 6K JOG (Jog 10 min/walk 1 min)

It was crappy weather but really I was just being a wimp because once I got out there it wasn’t that bad. I had a 70 year old man give me a big smile and thumbs up as I passed him…those are the moments that keep you going.

November 20, 2010 – REST

November 21, 2010 – 11K ON SCHEDULE BUT I DID CROSS TRAINING INSTEAD

It’s snowing again and I am not prepared. I don’t have winter boots or Yak Trax (those gripper things for my runners) and I have to renew my license so I can’t drive until Monday. I will be missing my 11k jog today and I’m choked. I will cross train this morning and get my license tomorrow and then hopefully do the 11k on Tuesday. Arg. I’m frustrated that I can’t do it today.

I want a treadmill. Really bad. If I had a treadmill snow, sleet, rain, or any other disaster, natural or otherwise wouldn’t stop me from training.

November 22, 2010 – CROSS TRAIN

November 23, 2010 – 6K JOG WITH HILLS

As I was driving my car to get my license renewed I saw an elderly man, in his late 60’s early 70’s, jogging along the street and I was humbled. Really Tina? You can’t jog and he can? I was ashamed of myself. I’ve been procrastinating and the cold won’t kill me. Might not be pleasant, but I’ll survive it.

12:10 pm

Well, I ran 6k in minus 6 weather. In honesty, it was an incredibly beautiful morning. The sun was huge and a deep orange. If I wasn’t standing outside in the cold, you would think it was the summertime. It was stunning.

I won’t say the jog was easy. I won’t say it was excruciatingly difficult either. It was a run where my legs never really warmed up. I felt tight the entire jog even though I stretched. The air was cold but it wasn’t as bad as I was expecting. And that’s the key isn’t it? “What I was expecting”. I was expecting my face to freeze up, snot to run from my nose, and the wind to slice me in half. I expected my hands to be numb and my feet to fall off. Really, in my head, I was in the artic running from polar bears.

In truth, my hands were toasty warm and my toes were a little cold and starting to go numb but really the rest of my body was ok. I think the hardest part was the stiffness in my legs. I felt like I was the tin man with no oil in sight…

November 24, 2010 – SLEPT IN SO THIS IS A DAY OF REST

Well, here’s the truth. I have strayed from my training schedule a bit. I have not done my long run this week, which I was suppose to do on Sunday. There was snow, there was the issue that I didn’t have my license, my hip was bugging me, blah blah blah. Ok, legitimate I suppose but really,

“NO OPTION TO FAIL” means, “I really don’t give a sh** what you are telling yourself, get out there and run!”

Sigh, it’s true, no excuse is really worth a hill of beans when I’m jogging that marathon and trying to make my time.

4:45 pm

I just came back from Ocean Wellness and seeing my chiropractor, Benita. I am so blessed to have supportive, loving people in my life. It’s small things, big things, kindness, compassion and encouragement that keep me going.

I have been negligent in my training this week…I took today off due to snow, laziness and my hip and back bugging me…but if I’m truthful, mostly laziness. It’s cold, it’s snowy and I wanted to sleep in, so I did.

I tell you to keep myself ACCOUNTABLE and also to show you that I AM NOT A MACHINE. I AM NOT PERFECT. I falter all the time…some days worse than others…but, I recognize it, and move forward from it. I don’t allow it to keep me down.

NO OPTION TO FAIL

No option to fail this marathon. No option to fail my trainer, Jody from Leapfit, my friends and family who are doing this with me.

NO OPTION TO FAIL MYSELF.

“The Whistler”

November 23, 2010 By Tina Moore Leave a Comment

I have this lovely ritual that I do every time I go for a jog. I take my dog to the dog park along the ocean. As soon as she gets out of the car she runs along the shore with a big smile on her face, so happy and excited to be there.

We are the same that way.

The ocean is my peaceful place. My happy place. I love it there.

I wish I had words to describe how it makes me feel…

I guess, I feel the most connected when I’m there – connected to myself, to others, to nature, to energy, to spirit, God, emotion, and love. I feel centered, balanced and safe with whatever emotion I am feeling.

So, you have this loving, balanced, peaceful woman walking along the ocean with her happy dog and along comes “The Whistler”. He is a man with four dogs who whistles loudly and consistently as he walks along the shore.

I don’t know why I am so irritated by “The Whistler”…maybe it’s the nick nack paddywack songs he chooses or maybe it’s the pitch he whistles in or maybe it’s the fact it’s at the ocean which is my calm, peaceful zone and he’s whistling all over it!

SIGH….Whatever it is I do not think kind thoughts towards this man. No, my Zen moment is gone the minute I can hear, in the distance “nick nack paddy wack give a dog a bone, this old man came rolling home”.

He gets me every time. For about ten to fifteen minutes, my loving, peaceful thoughts and mood disappear and frustration and irritation are in its place. Gone is the connection to myself, and my ocean and there’s no love in sight…no this man connects me to another side…my grumpy side.

I think to myself,

“Would you please stop whistling! Please for the love of God STOP! Come oooonnn, put a cork in it! OMG, SHUT UP!!!”

He may have a paddywack sound track, but inside my head is the song from Sesame Street called “Mad”:

“When she’s walking down the street and people stomping on her feet it makes her mad, (very angry, very very angry)”

Clearly this man loves to whistle and the ocean is his whistle stop. He doesn’t know he’s irritating me, and he has every right to whistle there, so I either walk along the ocean pissed off singing Sesame Street songs to myself or I accept “The Whistler” for what he is and move on…

Sometimes in life, you have to accept that which you cannot change…

As much as I’d like to some days, I can’t change him and his whistle, but I can change how irritated it makes me…I can change the banging thoughts in my head that are ranting and raving and getting me no where. I will not allow “The Whistler” to take my peaceful place away from me. Whistle or no whistle, I can choose the calm, peaceful loving place inside; that is something I do have control over so that’s what I do…

Through his whistle, he gives me a gift. I may not have asked for the gift, and I may not always like the gift, but it is a gift all the same. The gift of PATIENCE, ACCEPTANCE and a quiet understanding of CONTROL and LETTING GO…

What people or situations in your life are gifts in disguise? Take a close look at what they are doing and how you are reacting…maybe there’s a lesson to be learned.

With a nicknack paddywacked smile,

Tina

PS. I have a new Ezine Article , and I’m also now on Twitter and LinkedIn! And don’t forget to find me on Facebook under “Tina Moore’s The 40by40″

THE Jog Blog – 6

November 18, 2010 By Tina Moore Leave a Comment

Tina Moore the40by40Tina’s Tear-Up Moment From A Text:

“…I’ve never met a person who cares about people the way you do…”

Tina’s Favorite Facebook Status:

“This happy moment is brought to you by one kickbutt crosstraining session (dancing included), one awesome lunch date and one coconut cupcake…mmm…”

Tina’s Current Obsession:

Honest to goodness at the farmer’s market I found organic chocolate hazelnut butter…it’s like heaven in a jar and it’s perfect for after my workouts…yum!

November 11, 2010 – 6K JOG WITH HILLS

I canceled today’s jog to join someone who needed me, for a hike. They canceled on me so I could have gone back to the jogging plan however my mind was already made up that I wasn’t going to do it…I could blame the other person but ultimately it was MY DECISION to change it in the first place and also my idea to not change it back.

I’m responsible for my training and whether I do it or not.

So, what did I do? I went for a good hike with my pup at a fast pace and by the time I got to the end, I was feeling my calves and I’d worked up a good sweat. It wasn’t a jog but it wasn’t a day off either.

November 12, 2010 – REST

November 13, 2010 – CROSS TRAINING

I knew I had to cross train today but I was procrastinating a little bit. Took the sheets off my bed, put them into the laundry, a little Facebook roaming, put away some dishes…oh, these are all things that need to be done, but they don’t get me any closer to strengthening my legs, arms and core and kicking butt in a marathon.

Once I started it was great. I put on music and that just adds an element of FUN to the workout. I start singing, swiveling my hips, and next thing you know I’m full out dancing my butt off. In cross training I allow the diversion. It is just too much FUN to pass up. I’m realizing how much I miss dancing…(Mental note to self: Next man in my life will DANCE)

I feel very grateful and happy right now. A happy, dancing, cross training I’m-loving-being-40 kind of woman who is appreciating her life with such depth and sincerity.

November 14, 2010 – 11K JOG (10 min jog/1 min walk)

It was a foggy, grey day but it didn’t rain and I was grateful for that. It was warm enough to run in my red Scotiabank ½ marathon t-shirt. I love wearing that shirt…I earned that shirt! I love seeing other people pass me with the same shirt on. I feel connected to them because it’s such an awesome accomplishment and I love that.

November 16, 2010 – 2-3 BLOCKS OF HILLS AT 6 REPS (I was suppose to do 3-4 reps but misread my training sheet

My status on Facebook was:

“The hills are alive with the sound of music…well not really, more like the sound of a ranting and raving woman that has to do hill training today”

And that was true. I did six laps around my hilly neighbourhood. I’m sure the neighbours thought I was nuts. The first three were ok, on the fourth one I actually stopped mid step, bent at my waist, put my hands on my knees and muttered the words,

“Ooh, I just can’t…”

Now up to this point, I have followed my training schedule religiously and if I waver at all from it, I consult my trainer, Jody from Leapfit. I have never wavered on running 10 minutes, walk one minute, or in distance or in cross training reps. If anything I will do the longer option (run 5 or 6k today, I choose the 6k). So today, when I stopped, mid hill and uttered those horrible words, the reaction inside my head and in my heart was this:

The voice of a small, panicked child…so scared. She said,

“Tina! You can’t quit!! You HAVE to keep going! Don’t quit on me, please don’t quit on me!!”

She was so scared. It caught me off guard. I said to myself,

“I won’t quit on you. I promise I will never do that to you again.”

I started to cry. That poor little kid…

So that took approximately ten seconds, and off I was jogging up the hill, stronger than before. I did 5 laps for her and one lap for the cute guy in the black truck. There’s the little girl in me…but there’s also the woman…

November 17, 2010 – CROSS TRAINING

I had to move some boxes and stuff today so I asked Jody if that could be considered cross training. She agreed. I’m glad because I ache today.

HAVE YOU COMMITTED TO MY CHALLENGE OF 3 DAYS PER WEEK OF FITNESS YET?

REMEMBER: IT’S YOUR GIFT TO YOURSELF.

PS. Check me out on Facebook “Tina Moore’s THE 40by40″

I Am My Dog…

November 16, 2010 By Tina Moore 4 Comments

Happy Dog!

“You are just like your dog…fearful, damaged from your past and you don’t trust anyone.”

Someone in my past used to say that to me all the time and it used to really bug me. How dare he compare me to my dog! But in his presence I would shrug it off, not having the energy to stick up for myself. I knew he was just trying to be mean, and he knew I had a soft spot for my dog…but maybe he was right, maybe I was just like my dog…

I started to observe her closely and this is what I discovered:

  • She is curious
  • She’s friendly and approachable with other dogs
  • She has the biggest heart and openly loves the people she trusts
  • She is cautious with her trust because she has been burned in the past
  • Once she trusts you she won’t forget you
  • She has exceptional instincts
  • She forgives
  • She’s loyal
  • She knows how to show affection
  • She appreciates my time and my love and she shows me
  • She likes cookies
  • Her eyes tell you everything…
  • She is facing some of her fears
  • She’s happiest when she’s exercising, meeting new dogs and cuddling on the couch
  • When she runs, she has the biggest smile on her face
  • She loves the ocean
  • She likes her quiet time
  • She’s very easy going unless there is chaos around her, then she can get stressed out
  • She’s not a big fan of the rain

So if I look at that list, and I am ‘just like my dog’ well, I’m ok with that! I think my dog is a pretty amazing little soul and I feel blessed that she is in my life. She has given me great JOY and truly makes me LAUGH out loud every single day.

There are far worse things I could be compared to… so when I think of that phrase I smile because I love my dog and she’s got a lot of great qualities. Although the original intention behind the comment was probably to put me down or lower my self esteem; I turned it around and I like it!

I hope today you are able to turn a negative into a POSITIVE.

With a smile

Tina and Munchie

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