Taste Life Blog

“It” started when we moved Brett’s stuff to his new apartment in Iowa. We were at a gas station and I had to use the ladies room. As I was getting out of the car Brett and Gary decided they wanted to eat. As an official “germaphobe” instead of “germing up” my entire purse I just took my little red wallet.

Somehow after I used the toilet my little red wallet that I had safely tucked under my arm pit not only ended up IN the toilet but with absolute horror I watched it OPEN up and credit cards and money started to float out on top of my urine. My heart pounded as I had to touch my own urine to save my credit cards. I think I actually quit breathing. What to do? Should I wash off my money and credit cards? Should I just try to dry them? Should I just cry? Luckily there was a fantastic dryer and I dried every single limp bill and tried to dry off my credit cards. Suddenly I thought I was missing a credit card and in my haste running back to the toilet in fear it was already flushed almost fell on my butt on the water that was spilled from before. An older woman came in and asked what I was doing? I replied, ”Just drying my money!” Like I do this every day for bathroom fun.

Gary had stood by the door and could hear the hand dryer and was trying to figure out what I was doing. We ordered our food and I grabbed some paper hot dog holders and we placed the contents of my wallet in them on the dashboard and with the hot sun they dried out. I thought about how I was in charge and how I had a choice…I could react or respond. React – uses much negative energy and it feels like we go two steps backwards. Respond – uses positive energy and it feels like we go two steps forward. Actually, I think I was side stepping a little bit of both responding and reacting.

Not being in charge continued. “This is a court order and you have to serve” were the words I heard in the first five minutes of my two week jury duty. I had to cancel all my clients, presentations and health fairs. Having a personal need to accomplish, I felt like a fish out of water just sitting in the jury assembly room. When the “green sign” was posted we could leave the room for 5 minutes but when the “red sign” was posted we had to listen for our name to be called for a potential jury. You would start to work on something and the red sign would be posted so you paid attention to see if you needed to gather up your stuff. Not in charge. After two days of this I was placed on the on call status. Every day at 12:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. I had to call to see if I needed to report to duty. I was excited as I was that I didn’t have to physically report but the emotional energy of not knowing what I was going to be doing the next day or afternoon was frustrating.

Wednesday evening I was relieved of jury duty and had two whole days to catch up with my life that had been on hold for a week and a half. I would be in charge again of my schedule, except my hard drive on my computer failed and no computer! Not in charge again.

What I am in charge of:

What I do. I am in charge of my health with the groceries I buy, the food I cook and eat. I can live healthfully ever after or not. I am in charge of my time. I keep Saturdays sacred and don’t plan anything unless it sounds extra delicious. Even my closest friends don’t realize that I say “NO” more than yes for most weekends. I am in charge of my energy. I am in charge of how I move my body or don’t! I am in charge of my body language.

What I think. I pick my adjective for who I want to be each day. It does not depend on others. I try not to take things personally. When someone says something amazing I think “They don’t have that tool in their tool box.” People over paper! Danielle invited me to go shopping two days in a row and I had three articles to write. I think family is number one!

Who I give my love to. I give my energy to people who appreciate, acknowledge and respect me. I give my love to people who are fun and positive to be around. I am not in charge of my parents, kids, Gary, neighbors, friends, or speaking and coaching colleagues. I am not in charge of the words that come out of their mouths or their body language. I am only in charge of my beliefs about those words that come out of their mouths.

You are in charge of you and your attitude. With coaching clients we joke about having a brain transplant while we sleep. No one comes during the night and says “You are in charge of the entire world tomorrow!”

Call to Action: Change your “in charge attitude” if it isn’t serving you. It doesn’t take long once you decide. Remember as soon as you decide, your life gets more delicious. You only have one life to live, just imagine if it was one you loved. Remember I am the “go to coach” if your wallet falls into the toilet. I am here to help you be in charge of “it!” With a smile in my heart I type, Chere

Has your wallet fallen into the toilet or something awful happened to you? Did you respond or react? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

I am not in charge of my children’s friend but I would hand pick each of them.