She Twerks Hard for the Money

She growled, she scowled, she yowled. She vibrated and gyrated. She rolled her eyes and swiveled her hips and smacked her lips and threw back her waist-length orange braid extensions and told us all to twerk under the surface of the pool. And in between she did a few Arsenio "whoop-whoops" and spanked her behind while she rode an imaginary horse to Bow Wow Wow's "I Want Candy" and at least two Red Hot Chile Pepper songs.

I'm talking about my new Aqua Zumba teacher. She's ten pounds of crazy in a five-pound can! She's got a tummy that must be holding a few boxes of Mallomars (which made the rest of us feel pretty normal) and a rather, um, macho physique. In fact, until she showed us how she wanted us to jump up in the water by holding herself up on the bars of the pool ladder, raising her knees, and positioning her feet 24 inches apart, I wasn't completely certain she was a girl. (I'm still wavering on that point.)

But I must say, this morning I was taken to school in the water! We churned it up. If that pool were filled with cream, we would have had butter at the end of the class. And then we added water weights! And my arms hurt afterward!

Yes, I like this teacher. She is a circus act in the best possible way, and a tough drill sergeant. This class is not for sissies - it's for people who can wear hair extensions like a weapon, and channel their inner horse.

Tomorrow, I'm going to see about getting some orange braids. Right after I get fitted for a saddle.

© 2014 A Bit of Brie/Anitabrie

My "Go-to" Wisdom

This squeaky-clean 2014 calls out for a do-over! It's a chance to be the person we wanted to start being on January 1 last year, without baggage...woo-hoo! Shed those regrets and put a fresh coat of excellence on your inner walls!

Most of the people I know have abandoned resolutions, and for good reason - they're not built for the long stretch; in fact, most resolutions seem to imply "I wish..." (I wish I were thinner, smarter, richer) instead of "I am." So I'm going to share just a few things I've incorporated in my life that help me find my way when my own GPS is shaky. Most of it is not my wisdom...I have had some bright friends and mentors along the way, and have picked these gems from conversations and advice. Some of the "authors" may not even know what an impact they've made on me!

From T.W., when I was adrift this summer after making big changes to my work and personal life, this simple thought: "Just be productive." I learned to keep busy no matter what, so if my creative juices weren't at full flow, or the incoming work was uneven, I did something to improve myself, my home, or someone else's life. It keeps me moving and gives me my "accomplishment fix."

From my own experience, this one: "Listen to what people say, but always watch what they do." It's taken me most of my life to get this one into my head, and I still slip up! What I'm really saying is that people may have strong intentions to undertake something, to finish something, to give you what you want...but they may not be able to fulfill it. So I'm able to avoid some frustration by watching what is unfolding, no matter what the conversation around it is. And I can frequently help the other person move in the direction they really want to go, without the tension that comes from divergent intentions.

From C.C., a benevolence reminder. I naturally lean toward indulgent generosity (it's a blessing and a curse!), but I liked this comment from C. when he way overtipped a car valet: "What's a little bit of money to us is a lot of money to someone else." I think of this when I have an opportunity to surprise someone with a crazy generous tip...and it's what made me start my own Christmas tradition a few years ago. Every year, I keep a $100 bill in my wallet until I come across someone - a stranger - who touched my heart in some fashion with their kindness and/or gracious service, whom I know it was meant for, and it's such a joy to give it away.

From K.N., who helped me so much right after 9/11, when the world was in pain and riddled with fear: "What can you do to feel safe and in control?" Fear comes in all forms, big and small, so I use this one a lot as well. We don't have influence over much of what's happening around us, but finding the spots where we do is pretty powerful.  

I'm closing with the go-to I go to at least once a day! K.N. also gave me my favorite question; one that always sets me straight: "What's the most important thing?" These five words, whether applied to my personal issues or business, always help me cut through the non-essentials and figure out what I need to be focusing on.

What's the most important thing today? Seize this year and make it your own, my friends. Be brave, try something new, love harder, learn an instrument or a language, wag more and bark less! I love seeing how amazing you are. Now go out and show everyone else.

© 2014 A Bit of Brie/Anitabrie