The Little Frog's Guide to Self-Care

My reclaiming my childlike sense of wonder was tough for me last week. First, it was too cold to ride the trike when I had time. Second, I didn't get the why's books that I ordered. I'm not sure where I ordered them from, or where the money came from, so I will have to do more research.

What I did do was some entertaining at our training. I talked about laughter yoga and shared how it is like yoga. Then later as we were having technical difficulties, I shared 3 exercises that my mother used to do with Jack LaLaine when I was a child.

1. A balance exercise - stand on one leg for as long as you can. Stand by a chair, just in case you tip. Now switch legs. My mother would be standing at the kitchen sink, washing dishes on one leg, and then the other.

She stood there looking like a pink flamingo. She would say, "When you get old, you lose your balance and when you fall, you break. Practice balance exercises."

2. Boob (or pecks for men) exercise was the next one that I remember - hold your arms up even with your shoulders and push your hands together. Do about 16. If those muscles aren't used to working, you will be sore. (when I do this exercise with boys, some will make farting noises.)

Mom said, "If you don't do an exercise for your boobs, they will sag when you get older, and you will have to roll them up to put them in your bra. And we have all seen men with boobs!" My brothers were watching too.

Then she would go add that, "Men get boobs if they smoke pot, and they lose their hair too!" (fyi... Two out of four brothers that has come true for, and they were the pot smokers).

3. Wrinkles exercise - hands straight out in front of you. Open and close your hands as you are making the ugliest faces you can in similar fashion to your hand movements.

This was my favorite exercise to watch, as my mom made the funniest faces, and I would laugh and laugh. Then after we do this exercise I tell them, I get to laugh at all of you, like I laughed at my mother's faces when I was young. My favorite group exercise!

Infinite potential and possibility mean I can always learn more adapt to what is and creating new future. There is more to discover and achieve.

Potential:

• You can always learn new skills, deepen understanding, and evolve.

• Every experience, lesson, or challenge opens new horizons.

• Growth never stops after achieving a goal — it continues with each new challenge

Possibility:

• Exploring new directions without fear of being “stuck” in one path.

• Recognizing that every decision can lead to multiple future scenarios.

• Embracing uncertainty as a source of creative opportunity

Combined Potential and Possibility

• Keep expanding your abilities and awareness.

• Stay open to new paths and experiences.

• Believe that your journey and the world’s future are not bound by fixed limits

Collins dictionary and Skool

Wow! Breaking that down for this week shall be tough. I will look for the best version of me. Yesterday was tough as there was no sun, no full moon, and it was dark. Rainy, and dark all day. Not my best days.

Today, my goal will be to edit for two hours on my book that needs to be finished by December 2026. On November 9, 2026, I am hoping to share a reading from my book at an event that I was invited to present at for Indigenous Peoples month.

No fixed limits. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't. What is the worst that could happen? I won't get another art grant from that funding source? I would have to pay the money back? No one will read the book? So many possibilities. On the other hand it could be a best seller. That makes me smile. Not a bad thing.

New paths and new experiences. The hubby and I went to a theatre performance last night for date night. The man kept our attention for two hours, telling stories about his people, playing a few songs on his hand drum and playing a few love songs on his flute.

My husband prefers country western performances, so he wasn't really interested in the plans for our evening, but it was my choice. He said afterwards that he enjoyed it and would do something similar again.

Just not tonight, as there is another performance for Indigenous Peoples Day tonight. And he probably will not attend my event as he has a meeting to chair. I've gotten used to his not attending my events.

Years ago, I figured this one out. He would just make me nervous I tell myself and believe that. He is more of an entertainer than I am. And if I really wanted him to come, I know that he would be there.

Wish me luck on my infinite potential and possibilities this week. And if you care to write about yours, please do!