Escape Adulthood

Kim's Random Musings

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31 Ways to Escape Adulthood This Halloween

I was reminded the other day by my dear friend Patty that Halloween is awesome because it's just plain fun. There's no stress or hoopla associated with gift giving, wrapping presents, or coordinating family visits. It's just silly and playful...a great way to annihilate Adultitis. So, don't let this opportunity for some childlike fun during the month of October pass you by. Here are 31 ideas to help you Escape Adulthood this Halloween. 1. Put a face on a pumpkin. Get creative! (If you do it at work, have everyone vote for the best one. The winner gets a free lunch!) 2. Dig out your old …

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They Pick Me Up

As Jason mentioned the other day, we recently worked with Enterprise to rent a car during our week of road trips while our car was in the shop. I am consistently impressed with this company, and it's not just the local branch in Madison, it's everywhere! The employees are friendly and sincere, and they go above and beyond to make you their number one priority. They do the little things like walk you to your car, offer you a bottle of water, turn the car on for you, and ask for feedback on their service. They do business the way it should be done, in service to their clients, with smiles on …

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Exploring Your Fear

If you had lived in the 1800's, would you have been an explorer? Jason and I watched a very cool IMAX movie about the Grand Canyon during our visit there last week. (Here are some pictures from our trip, by the way.) The movie gave a history of some of the canyon's explorers, including a certain Civil War veteran, John Wesley Powell. In 1869 he heroically lead a famous boat expedition through the gorge. He and his crew of nine men tackled the Colorado River in four small wooden boats. Yikes, Powell! What were you thinking? Powell, a one-armed Army Major, and his men were the first to …

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Eat at Chili’s on Monday

About every other year or so, while channel surfing, I happen upon Marlo Thomas talking about St. Jude Research Hospital. Like a Wisconsinite to cheese curds, I am inevitably drawn in for the next hour, and left sitting on my couch crying my eyes out. Am I the only one? …

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Don’t Quit

My friend and colleague Jill Fleming is a Registered Dietitian and wellness speaker who travels the world encouraging people to make "Love Your Body Choices." She recently shared an article for our soon-to-be-released Escape Adulthood magazine. (It's at the printer!) One of the tips in her article is . . . "Squeeze any muscle you wish to tone. Hold it until it starts to burn and then hold 5-seconds longer." Great tip! It also applies to following your dreams. In order to get to the next level in your goals you have to not only let it burn, you have to persist through the burn. Too many …

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No More Negativity

Continuing my “Beyond the Elementary" series (helping adults move out of childish behaviors, to live more childlike lives with less stress and more success), here's lesson #4... 4. No More Negativity Have you ever met a kid who makes a big deal out of nothing all of the time? This is the kid who gets a papercut and cries uncontrollably until the entire class has seen and heard about it. This is also the kid who interrupts a Dr. Seuss story to tattle on someone- again! There are many reasons why this child insists on being a "handful." Often it's a cry for help, a way to get attention, …

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Living Free

As I sit on my front porch this September 11th I can't help but be in a mood that is equal parts melancholy, nostalgic and inspired. Such a strange combination. Life changed as we know it six years ago. Not only were lives lost, but innocence was stolen. The fight against terror is overwhelming and persistent. We are all so blessed that there are courageous men and women willing to give their lives for our safety. Boy, do we take that for granted. What I find horrific as a sit and reflect is the number of people who were not victims of that awful day, but who are waiting for a tragedy …

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Own Your Feelings

As I mentioned last week, I am compiling a list of lessons to help adults move "Beyond the Elementary," in order to overcome stress and acheive success. Lesson #1 was "Smile and say hello." Now for lesson #2. 2. Own your feelings One of the social emotional development curricula I was required to use while teaching focused on "I feel" statements. The lessons required students to look at photos of people showing exaggerated emotions. After they identified the emotions I would model the language, such as "Tommy feels sad because his dog is lost." Eventually, after lots of practice …

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Beyond the Elementary, Lesson 1

When I spent my days with five-year-olds, I was one of the most patient people in the world. Seriously, it was a gift from above, and I don't claim to take any credit for it. Now if I would've taught for thirty-five years instead of five maybe my patience would've been a bit thinner, but regardless my ability to remain calm and contained amidst the chaos of rugrats was something that now enables me to look back fondly upon my years sitting on very short chairs and cleaning up spilled milk in the carpet everyday. So, I'm patient with kids, big deal in the grand scheme of things. It's the adults …

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Travolta Ditches Adultitis for Hairspray Role

The secret of success for the most serious (and respected) actors in the 'biz, is that they don't take themselves too seriously. Jason and I have been talking about this a lot lately. These remarkable actors get out of their own way by putting their pride on the shelf. They take big risks and let the character come alive, no matter how foolish or strange they may feel. This is the common denominator for the handful of actors I appreciate most. The poster boys for this are John Travolta, Johnny Depp, Robin Williams, and Tom Hanks. Ever notice how these guys also make the top of the list for …

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