Saving Lives

A few months ago, I volunteered to become our Club's CPR/First Aid representative.  I became a American Heart Association CPR/First Aid Instructor by taking an incredibly dry and tedious certification; which consisted of watching 7-8 hours of instructional videos and becoming current in CPR/FA myself.  I also participated in a live Instructor 8 hour Lecture/Course at another LTF location. 

I should back up a little bit.  I often refer to my dad as the safety police.  He's worked at a refinery for over 20 years, and being employed in a fairly dangerous atmosphere, they preach safety to their employees.  My dad always brought those lessons home to share with us.  "Your shoe is untied, that is not a safe behavior", "don't ever stand on a chair", and other small safety tips were often on the tip of his tongue, among other more significant pieces of advice.  So when the opportunity to become a CPR/FA Instructure presented itself, I thought, what a great opportunity, Dad would be so proud, and I could carry on his safety legacy.  Plus, we needed someone to take the reins and get our Team Members compliant with the CPR/FA requirements.

Recently, I started to feel overwhelmed with my responsibilities and commitments at work, to the point that I wanted to step back and reassess where I was spreading myself too thin.  I felt as though the CPR/FA instructing could be an area that I could dial back on, as it wasn't exactly a profitable commitment.  Team Members weren't signing up for the courses or the test outs, so often I would prep for a class, show up, wait 30 min and then leave.  To me, it was an evening set aside, wasted, that I could have been seeing clients, or doing something productive. 

I was just talking to a coworker about this, and said that I just wasn't passionate about it, it wasn't a beneficial commitment.  And I just didn't want to do it any more.  I was no longer interested.  I attempted to express that to my Training Center Represenative, who oversees all of the instructors, but I was encouraged to stay on board, at least until replacements were found.

Then tonight happened. 

After a session with a client, I went upstairs to get a protein shake.  I was lingering at the front desk, when a member came to the desk and said, "A woman just called 9-1-1 for her husband, they are down on the workout floor."  After informing my GM of the situation, I followed the member down to an elderly couple.  The husband sitting on a chest press machine, and his wife kneeling by his side, holding his hands.  She had just gotten off of the phone with 9-1-1 and responders were on their way.

Impressively, the wife calmly explained, she had come over to check on her husband, to see how long he was going to be, and she realized that something was wrong.  His eyes were glazed over, and he wasn't responding to her questions.  She expressed that he has a history of small seizures, and has been on medication to keep them at bay for some time now. 

When I first arrived, he was not very responsive, his jaw was trembling, the left side of his face was drooping, and he had some drool, that his loving wife was tending to.  A few minutes later, he started to come-to, and was starting to respond to some questions.  The paramedics arrived, and took over, asking questions, running tests, and assessing the situation.  As they manuvered him off of the workout floor via wheel chair and stretcher, he seemed to get a little worse, digressing to trembling and drooling a little more. 

The paramedic explained to him that, based on her small assessment, they would be treating him as though he was having a stroke.  So they were going to "go nice and fast" (as she said) to the hospital, and that he "would be a popular guy" when they got there.  (I love how she put that, in a positive light, careful not to alarm him or his wife.)  Needless to say, tonight my heart goes out to that couple, and I have found my inspiration and passion for being a CPR and First Aid Instructor.  All the videos and slideshows in the world can't instill in your the importance of being able to respond to an emergency situation.  Unfortunately, until you experience a situation like that first hand, its tough to sympathize and understand how powerful that knowledge truely is.

Also, thinking about educating people on this subject matter, now seems incredibly valuable.  What if that was my grandfather, or dad, or anyone who is close to me.  I would be SO incredibly thankful that there are people around that are able to respond appropriately in case of an emergency.  I think of the bulk of the team members who are delinquent on their CPR and First Aid, they work in the Child Care Center.  I can't imagine what I would do if anything happened to Dain, Ella, or Nolan; and I would hope that the people overseeing them are knowledgable in what to do in the case that something happen.

Knowledge is power.  And Spreading that knowledge is a lot more valuable to me after tonights events.  Check out AmericanHeartAssociation.org for more information on how to save lives.

Weekend Roundup

 Cooler weather, Jeans and Sweats, pumpkin flavored beverages, changing colors on the tree's, back to school fever, football galore, crockpot creations, and some special birthdays.  All reasons why I always completely embrace the conclusion of Summer.  Our summer schedule was so incredibly busy; all great wonderful things, but whoa. Enough.

The last two weekends, Pete and I have had the opportunity to pause, and say "its a weekend...and we are HOME...with no agenda."
That. Feels. Incredible.

Friday morning I had a chiropractic appointment in Eagan, so I decided to stop by the old Coffee Shop I worked at, say hello, and pick up some REAL coffee for the weekend.  Then I stopped by to say hello to my favorite new momma and growing baby boy - Colton.

After a day at work and a good workout Friday night.  I was able to come home and spend time with my friend/roommate/coworker/lifecoach, sitting on the kitchen floor, just chatting and catching up.  Time with her always leaves me feeling refreshed and blessed.  AND she lent me her dog for the night :)  I'm REALLY jones'ing for a dog lately.  Really bad.

This weekend was slightly different, in the sense that we had a lot going on, but it was all GREAT stuff.  Saturday morning we had Pete's family (including his visiting Aunt from SD, Kristie), and Maggie and Colton over for breakfast.

I then had to go into work for a few short hours, while Pete spent the day with his family, out and about.  I then met up with them back at Pete's parents house for an AMAZING dinner (Happy Birthday Angel dinner), and some chill family time.

 Sunday morning I headed out to help a friend for a few hours, and then headed to Woodbury to have a girls afternoon with my Mom and Sister.  And was Surprised by a third party, DAIN.  :)  I can't believe how big he is getting, and that he will be going to Kindergarden in a few weeks!   We had some lunch and did some (successful) shopping.  On my way home I stopped by Sam's Club to pick up our groceries for the week.  (A LOT of Broccoli).

Pete had spend Sunday with his family, as aunt Kristie departed back to South Dakota.  Once I arrived home, it wasn't long that Pete and his parent came to pick me up for an evening out with them.  We went and grabbed dinner (to go) and headed to "Theater In the Woods" in Eagan for a night of Blue Grass music, by Monroe Crossing.  It was a BEAUTIFUL night, and the music was phenomenal.  Would LOVE to go listen to them more.

Theater in the Woods.  AWESOME place.

So all in all, not exactly a quiet weekend by any means...but with fall in the air, it just has a different vibe to it.  A good one.  Not so hectic.  A welcomed peaceful pace.  I recently saw a quote that said, "You are the prettiest when you are happy."

Well, in that case...I was REALLY Pretty this weekend.

MacGyver snuggling Saturday night.  Love Puppy Cuddles.

Tex, Jen's Dog, Relaxing Saturday morning.

Peter and Tex, greeting our guests for Saturday Brunch.

Yea man, thats the Good stuff.

Baby/Man Child Colton :)

Surprised.

"Fake it 'til you make it."  The phrase often gets thrown around.  I myself have used it from time to time.  Internally, tonight, It kept popping into my head as I saw my reflection in the kitchen windows.  Actually, lately, when I intentionally or even inadvertently view my reflection,  I hear my subconscious echo this phrase.

But not in the sense that I'm coaching myself to do so.  Rather, that it has already been ingrained in my behavior; and more specifically my body image.  I'm still processing some of this train of thought, so bear with me.  

I am no where near my ideal physique.  Actually, I don't think I even have a body that I can claim to be in the same sentence as "physique".  But recently, since I've been hearing the subconscious mantra "fake it 'til you make it" repeat, it seems that I have finally eased the reins on my harsh and unrelenting negative body image.

Once upon a time, in the midst of my eating disorder and other self defeating behaviors,  I would literally cringe and cower at the sight of my reflection.  Mentally I would completely assault my entire being.  Physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.  

Although I still have my days or moments of disapproval, I seem to have strung together many more days of love, support, appreciation, and favour for what my body provides me with, and what I am capable of.

I felt the urge to blog this, as I saw my reflection tonight and was surprisingly accepting.  It is a new and welcomed feeling. I may not have always completely believed myself when I would think and feel accepting thoughts about my body, but it seems like I have successfully "fake'd it" into a consistent behavior.

I'll take it.