Friday, March 30, 2012

Bucket List???



If there is one thing that drives me crazy it is "catch phrases". oh you know the kind. The kind the media loves to use for advertising and being "hip". Seems like the latest one we have become inundated with is Bucket List.. Jot down things you fantasize about, things you'd like to see happen, with only your imagination stopping you!! We are constantly told we need to have a bucket list and then add things to it.

Well that is all fine and dandy but then what???? what's the point of a list if it just has words on it and it sits on a desk or in a drawer collecting dust. Perhaps the only time it gets utilized is when it gets moved around when you add another item to it..hmmmmmmm.

Now don't get me wrong: I am certainly a believer of goal setting, having something to work towards and getting it accomplished..Ever since I was a teenager, that is certainly has been my modus operandi. But bucket list? The emphasis seems to be adding things to this so called list. But what about doing them???? After all it is not about how many "cool" things you have done, but the process, the journey, going through the changes by research, focus, failure etc! The journey is equally if not more important than the final outcome..

But why a long list? Why not pick ONE thing and One thing at at time and GET IT DONE! I mean what's the use of a list if it is just that? Words on a paper? Why not a bucket formula? A bucket process? and then a bucket ACCOMPLISHMENT!...Let's face it ANYTHING is doable if you put your mind, heart, soul and body into it. It takes planning, it takes time, it takes work. If you want it bad enough you can do it. Then when it is done, find another.

Perhaps my outlook is too one sided. I mean I know I have many things I want to try but realistically I don't bother to focus on them until I'm done with the prioritized deed underway. I look at it as Why choose so many wishes and not actualize any or choose one and set off and conquer it! when it's done, find the next ...Who knows? By accomplishing the first one, it may snowball into a whole new set of possibilities!

I believe the real point is to appreciate life, dare to live it, not let it live you. Follow your heart, realize your dreams and find passion in your actions. As we have all experienced it is all gone in a heartbeat, so why regret not trying, not exploring, fearing the unknown???? Let's all live BUCKET LIVES!

On that note, I better scratch this one off my "mental" bucket list....Write blog post about pet peeves......

Monday, March 5, 2012

Man Bijt Hond


By coincidence, a month a go one of the gals who works at my gym told me she got a phone call from a Popular nightly Belgian television show that airs after the nightly news. They were looking to do a segment on a woman who has done bodybuilding. Unbeknownst to me, this is not so easy to find here. Of course the woman at the gym mentioned me as I am the only woman lifting intensely and regularly there. However, she warned them "But she is American, moved here a year and a half ago". They seemed interested to talk so she gave me their contacts.

First thing I wanted them to know was even though "Ik ben aan het Vlaams leren, maar ik ben nog niet klaar voor praten op de televisie!"...In other words, I am learning to speak Flemish but I'm not ready for a TV interview! After she explained the format they intended to use, it would not be a problem. This particular segment would be a photo journal with me narrating. They would use Dutch subtitles as well..She sent me some examples and I was impressed.

So I gave her a brief overview of my athletic and non athletic past. She was sure whe wanted to proceed and after clearing it with her superiors (about the American thing etc.) she got the red light.

We made an appointment to meet and in the meantime I searched high and low for photos documenting my journey.. Fortunately I have many. I also gave some thought to what I wanted to convey as my story is not so "normal".

The day arrived and a the young journalist and I looked through my photos as I gave her the history and she took a large stack and put them in her briefcase. Then we sat down, she turned on her microphone and I began to tell my story.. This lasted about an hour and she interjected with a question or 2. It seemed to go ok.

Now I was curious to see how all 51 years could be condensed into 4 minutes!! I even gave her the abbreviated version...

Nonetheless, It came out ok. The details may not all be there but the message is overall a good one..

So here is the link if you care to view!
http://www.woestijnvis.be/externevisie/video.php?src=B4341054FEAE3C1C43F1517056920418

May you all live your dreams and appreciate each moment!!