Just Checking In...

I've been feeling R-E-A-L-L-Y guilty about the fact that I haven't blogged in many months but after reviewing my blog list, it looks like many others are on hiatus as well. I haven't forgotten about the blog, I'm just not sure what to do about it just yet because...

I am working on a human interest project related to friendships. I think the outcome will be exciting and I'm looking for different perspectives. If you have friends and a few minutes to spare, please complete my brief 8-question survey at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HGGGGRT6

Thanks a million!

~S

Summer is Almost Here - Get Ready!

For us on the mid-Atlantic coast, summer is pretty much knocking on the door.

Make sure your mental health is as robust as your summer plans. Read my new article for Parle magazine: http://bit.ly/parleonselfimage

Are you following me on Twitter? You should: @shemiahw

B is for Bikram

Over the past several weeks I have been working to put many elements of my life in order. A part of this is obtaining and maintaining mental and physical balance. This led me to the thought of returning to yoga, specifically bikram yoga.
The basic tenets of bikram yoga, also known as hot yoga or hot room yoga, is the practice of core yoga postures in an environment that is between 95 to 105 degrees for the duration of the yoga routine.
I did a basic Google search and found a studio that offers bikram yoga specifically. Classes are an hour and a half long and a total of 26 yoga poses are covered in a 105 degree environment. I was looking forward to it but it became quite an entertaining experience.

Like a good yoga student, I arrived 20 minutes early and was greeted by an instructor who we will refer to as "Vlad". No disrespect to my European brothers and sisters, the name just fits. He also had a very pronounced Russian accent so you can imagine where I'm going with this. Here is how our initial conversation went:

Vlad: So, have you done yoga before?
Me: (enthusiastically) Yes!
Vlad: No. No you haven't.
Me: Um, okay.
Vlad: Have you done bikram yoga before?
Me: Yes (a little less enthusiastic this time)
Vlad: Where?
Me: In Chicago, where I'm from originally. It's been a few years but ----
Vlad: No. No you haven't. Forget everything you think you know about yoga. Forget what you think you know about bikram. You have not done yoga or bikram yoga until you have done it here. Take your shoes off, get a mat and prepare yourself.

If he wasn't so intense, I would have cracked up, right then and right there. It felt so classic and could have easily been a scene from a really funny sitcom. Nonetheless, I "prepared myself" but I have to admit I wasn't prepared for what Vlad had to offer. It was as intense as he is, without a doubt. And more intense than any other bikram yoga class I've done before so I guess he was right about that.

Bikram yoga is a matter of preference. To be honest, when I'm doing it - I hate it. I'm uncomfortable, I'm hot, I'm drenched in sweat, I'm thirsty and I think I'm going to die. But, it's strange. When I'm done, I'm so glad I did it and look forward to going back. I guess life is interesting in that way. Well, I lived to tell the tale so I didn't die and yes, I will be returning soon.

~S

Time

Time and I have been having a love-hate relationship. Generally, I need more of it and it's nowhere to be found. I've been working on a number of exciting things which take up a lot of my time and the more I work, the more inspired I am. ALL GOOD THINGS!!

Thanks for hanging in there with me and soon enough everything will come together. Stay tuned!

~S

First Date Don'ts

Spring is here and so is your new love interest. Before you go on your first date, read my article on things you should avoid on your first date. http://bit.ly/parlefirstdonts

The Concept of Service

I have had the distinct pleasure of growing up and being surrounded by others who value the concept of giving back and sharing themselves with the world. I touched on this in my recent article "Hey Young World" for Parlé magazine.

This value blossomed for me as I found myself working for several non-profit organizations and now in the public sector. No job was or ever will be perfect but every now and then you get those soft reminders of why you are doing what you're doing. True to form, my schedule right now is tied up with practically everything imaginable and I am somehow trying to find a space to incorporate this element of service. I've thought about mentoring or assisting with fundraising or helping to plan events but the reality is, now is not the best time for me. And I'm okay with that.

Honestly, for a moment, I felt a bit disappointed; as if I wasn't fulfilling an unspoken promise. However, after some thought I realized I had to change my thinking. Service is not about a grand gesture and although it can be, it shouldn't be all about boosting your résumé either. Service is a simple action that we can take every day. It can be as simple as offering a smile or complimenting someone. I believe calling someone just because or sending an email because you are thinking of them, all count as service. Personal service from one person to another. No holds barred, no frills, just a basic offering of yourself to another person.

Personally, I am working on changing my thinking and being more positive because as Jamaal often reminds me, "it could be worse". In trying to strive for better and accomplish more, it can be very easy to forget what really matters. When things are going well for you, your ability to share that contentment with someone else shows your commitment to service. Someday you will need to borrow that same content to keep you motivated during a challenging time.

No one is perfect, myself included. For now I'm attempting to remain positive, stay motivated, value those who truly deserve it and enjoy life. Find some time in your day to exercise the concept of service. It helps you and recipient of your service and helps the days go by a little easier.

Happy Monday,
S

New Article!

Check out my new article for Parle Magazine on the roles and importance of mentoring. Visit http://bit.ly/parleonmentoring.

Stand By...

It's been a busy few weeks but I'll be back soon to tell you all about our recent trip to L.A!

Trying to get a read on things...

In March 2009, (almost two years ago) I blogged about making a conscious effort to read more. Well, life happened and I didn't quite stick to that goal. My best friend bought me "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" for Christmas. Not only did I start reading it right after the New Year, I finished it before January 31!

I tend to shy away from things that are "all the rage" but I have to say, not only did I love the book, I actually finished the book. This may have been due, in part, to the couple of days we didn't have electricity after 8 inches of snow, but that's not the point. The point is that I finished the book and look forward to reading more.

That's always how things happen. They don't always happen when you really want them to, they happen when they're supposed to. I am collecting book recommendations so if you have a good one, leave it as a comment or send me a message on Twitter (@shemiahw).

Happy Reading!
~S

New Article for Online Mag

To add to my ever-growing list of things I'm doing, I have also begun writing for the online magazine, Parle.

Check out my first piece: http://bit.ly/parlefindlove

Happy Monday!
~S

Life can be much simpler...

I recently had the distinct privilege of participating in before-bed story time with some friends and their children. In addition to just observing how dynamic the children are, I was struck by an interesting notion. Authors of self-help books sell millions of copies of their books to adults. In many cases, you will find that after buying and reading these books, chances are that you already had the answer to your question or knew what path of enlightenment you should take. But, for some reason, it's still comforting to hear it from someone else.

This particular children's book was giving the rundown on what to do when you face obstacles. For example, if someone is being unfair or mean to you, you don't have to return the favor and you're not required to play with them. Instead, you can find your own happiness and play by yourself with the toys you like and have a great time.

This example illustrates a simple notion that becomes lost in the adult world. Adults encounter obstacles practically everyday. And adults like to make things complicated sometimes. I admit that I am guilty of this. When faced with an obstacle, it would be so much simpler to just walk away and find an alternate solution or find others who are willing to play nicely. However, the good in me wants to work with the mean kids to find a resolution. Although, their goal is to keep things unresolved. Meanwhile, the human part of me wants to tell them where they can go with their issue and their unresolved resolution, and in not-so-nice terms.

As adults, we know that there are an infinite number of obstacles in the world. Yet I encourage you to take a page from this book (pun intended) and utilize some of those developmental principles in your adult life. Things don't have to be so complex all the time.

Colors are fun. Do what makes you happy. Treat yourself and others well. Find things that bring you inner and outer peace. And take turns on the swings.

~S

Back in the Game

After much consideration, I have decided to revive my blog. Primarily due to the fact that I still feel just as passionately about the same reasons I wanted to start it. And I miss it!

So much has been going on and I won't even attempt to try to recap it all. It's a new year (which is crazy), and I look forward to sharing all the new and exciting things with you.

Check back often for new content. If you would like to subscribe to the blog and receive each blog post in your email Inbox, tweet me (@shemiahw).

Happy 2011 Everyone!

~S

Back to Basics

Hello world! According to Blogger, my last blog post was March 10. That equates to a little over five months. It really feels like five weeks. It's been a wild and crazy spring and summer and as fall approaches, I'm realizing more that I need to take a break and get back to the things I love.

I think about my blog often and have difficulty with deciding what to blog about. So much happens in the course of a day, it can be a bit overwhelming. All of the writers I respect advise to "write no matter what". I've decided to keep myself accountable and help myself out a bit.

I'm getting back to basics - the alphabet. There are 26 letters in the alphabet. I am committing to beginning at the beginning - of the alphabet - and choosing a word that starts with a different letter of the alphabet each time. I will start with 'A' and end with 'Z'. That gives me four months to blog 26 times. That should be easy enough, right?

Stay tuned...

~S

Procrastination

Last weekend Jamaal and I took a yuppie field trip to Target. (Don't be offended, you know that's what yuppie couples do. Target, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, all the same. Embrace your yuppiness.)

After finishing our shopping trip, we ventured over to Barnes & Noble. In resisting the temptation for a grande mocha,I ventured over to the reduced books section. I noticed a book about procrastination and thought "I need that." I wondered around more and ended up in the original spot with the procrastination book.
Don't get me wrong. I get the things that are necessary completed fairly easily. However, I often find difficulty starting, nevertheless accomplishing, the things on my "Dream Big, Life's Too Short, Anything is Possible, To Do List". Who or what I'm waiting for, I don't know.

Since I was there, I read the book jacket and found it to be quite enlightening. The book basically asserts that while some view procrastination and workaholicism as two different things, the author believes they are actually two components that work together to form a cycle-procrastination (generally a lack of work) creates workaholicism (an overabundance of work). People either become addicted to the extremes or become conditioned to operating this way. Interesting thought and, describes my pattern perfectly. I walked around with the book but decided not to buy it because I would be recreating the pattern that the book is describing. I didn't need one more item on my neverending to do list.

But, it prompted a new perspective. I have decided to confront my procrastination head on and get some things crossed off my list.

Stay tuned...

P.S. Did you know that an & is not allowed in a tag in Blogger? So I can't use Barnes & Noble? Really?

Mother Bear

I now know what a Mother Bear who has lost her cub feels like-insane, helpless, super sad and mad as hell, all at the same time. Yesterday morning, I got up, got dressed, ate breakfast and Jamaal and I left together. He went to work while I was on my way to a four-day training course (more on that later). The sun was out and I only needed a light jacket-it was going to be a good day. Until I realized that I had left my Blackberry at home. I honestly felt faint and nauseous and like I was going to cry.

Now, I'm really not that into myself to presume that someone would have a nervous breakdown if I didn't respond to their email or call immediately however I have joined the constantly growing group of people who depend on technology to organize their lives and feel connected to the world.

I eventually pulled myself together and realized a larger problem. I only wear a watch 1-2 times per year-only when it matches my outfit. My BlackBerry has become my watch. Without it, I have absolutely no concept of what time is. This becomes a problem when you have to be places at certain times.

I made it to my training and made it through the day and bolted, literally bolted to the train to get home. And of course, during rush hour, everyone is on their phone, checking email, Twittering, and communicating all willy-nilly. I swear I could hear their keystrokes over the music I was listening to on my iPod. And yes, I did think they were mocking me.

When I finally got home, of course I hadn't missed any important calls and the most important email was from Gap, Inc. about spring fashion. I hope I've not become or that I'm not turning into one of "those people" but I'm not ashamed to admit that there is some comfort in having the ability to communicate with those you love (or those who you may not be a fan of) and interact with the world. Albeit from a small metal box that fits in the palm of your hand.

Let's Do It Right This Time

We learned a tragic yet invaluable lesson from Hurricane Katrina. A delayed response and limited resources made it very difficult for governmental agencies and relief workers to get to those who needed their help.

Let's do it right this time. Support a reputable organization like the American Red Cross who has hit the ground running with their fundraising efforts. Text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 or visit their website at www.redcross.org.

Check out these photos, courtesy of the Chicago Red Cross, at www.flickr.com/photos/chicagoredcross.

~S

Objectionable Content

Like any good guardian, when I started my blog I became very protective of it, taking time to think about topics, trying to keep it current, directing web traffic, etc.

Things were going well until one day, I logged in to find this menacing banner across the top that said "Objectionable Content". I tried to edit the page and remove it but there was nothing I could do about it. FYI-The "Objectionable Content" function allows you to flag blogs or websites that you come across that contain offensive or inappropriate images or content. It basically puts the web administrator on alert that there may be something shady that they should look into.

Of course, I took this quite personal and started to brainstorm ideas about who would do such a thing and possibly what I could have written that would have offended someone. After a couple of days, I laughed it off and kept it at the back of my mind until last week...

After posting my last blog entry, I decided to peruse some other blogs via the "Next Blog" function in Blogger. After looking away only briefly, I realized that my cursor was hovering over the "Flag" button. Mortified, I realized that as easy as it would have been for me to inadvertently hit the button, the same unfortunate thing could have happened to one of my readers!

So, I apologize to those who I secretly suspected of sabotaging my blog. Suspicion can sometimes run rampant! But then again, I guess I'm in the right field of work!

Happy Reading,
S

Getting in Shape - UFC Style

One of the most common questions that Jamaal and I have been asked over the last few months is, "So, what have you been up to since your move?"

After we moved, we wanted gym memberships to go along with our fresh start. Nothing too involved, something easy that fit along with our natural routines that we could utilize when we needed and stay generally healthy. So, the answer to this question is, "L.A. Boxing."

It couldn't be farther from "easy" or "not too involved" but we have nonetheless fallen in love with it. Imagine UFC training in a group for an hour and more sweat than you know what to do with, three to four times a week. We are focused more on Mixed Martial Arts and have gotten our yellow belts (No worries, we're nowhere near black belt status). Jamaal has also been training in Krav Maga. (Google it - it's kinda intense.)

It was a much needed change after a month or so of brunches, lunches, dinners, drinks and appetizers from our "impending move" celebrations with family and friends. Outside of dropping pounds and developing healthier, non-restrictive eating habits, it has become a part of our natural routine (it's still not easy though) and the people we have met along the way have become a part of our new DC network. We'll be on this road for a while and I'll keep you posted on our accomplishments.

Want to try it? You'll be happy to know that they have more than 70 locations nationwide (2 of which are in Chicago in the South Loop and Wrigleyville). If you have time, stop by and take a trial class and think of us while you're dying in the corner!

~S

Wow, it's 2010....

Can you believe it's been a whole year?! Exactly one year ago I started my blog and although I wasn't able to commit to it as much as I envisioned, I don't regret it. When I wasn't blogging, life was happening and it brought about some pretty cool things.

Jamaal and I have relocated and are adjusting to our new life fairly well. 2009 was full of many unexpected things that if you had asked me about them on January 1, 2009, I probably would have laughed in your face and kindly responded, "I don't think so."

So, now it's a whole new year with a whole new set of goals. I don't like to get too caught up in the New Year's resolution business because I generally feel that the only promise I'll make to myself is that if something didn't go well last year, either I won't do it again or I will make it a point to do it even better the next time. I am working on a general list of things I want and need to accomplish this year and I will share this list with you over time.

I do, however, aim to blog more and keep in touch. But I won't promise it will be everyday (I've learned, it's too much pressure!) - unless someone takes such a great interest in what I have to say and asks to sponsor my blog! LOL

Here's to a great 2009 and an even better 2010!

~S

P.S. - I'd love to hear about your resolutions, goals, etc. for the New Year - leave it in a comment!

High Class Problem

The news, two newspapers, going to work, people on the train, my morning coffee, meetings, the work day, things I'm writing, things I'm reading, things I want to be writing or reading, great lunches, more meetings, the bus, going home, TV shows, recipes, Jamaal, the gym, Mixed Martial Arts, family, friends, DC, Chicago, etc. etc. etc.



I have what some like to call a "high class problem." As I'm sure you've noticed, I haven't blogged in a really long time- not because I haven't thought about it. I think about it all the time. Not because I'm not inspired either-the merciless list above are all the things that inspire thoughts or feelings that I want to write about every day. Time is, unfortunately, an issue at the moment but l'm trying to work smarter not harder and squeeze in some mobile blogging in during the day!



Just to update-Jamaal and I are great! The move proved positive for the both of us. We're acclimating well to DC. It has a progressive charm to it - but it can't and won't ever replace Chicago.



I successfully cooked my first real Thanksgiving dinner, something I've never had to do by myself before. I had some great recipes and it was actually a lot of fun. I feel so grownup now!!!
This year has provided me with some challenges and some amazing new opportunities. I am eternally thankful for the friends and family that supported me through both. I hope you had a safe and happy Thanksgiving - time for Christmas!!

~S