[Week 13: April 26th – May 2nd ]
* For those of you who are NEW to this blog, or NEW to ‘Doing Things Differently™’ you can find out HOW and WHY “DTD” began simply by clicking HERE. *
‘Once Upon A Time’ A Girl Named Meleah wanted to improve the ‘Quality Of Her Life’ so she started ‘Doing Things Differently™’. And then she noticed the ‘Little Changes’ she made every day had a huge impact on her life. And even though Meleah had a few ‘Setbacks’ she kept on forging ‘Ahead’.
After completing ‘The First Four Weeks’ of ‘Doing Things Differently™’ Meleah stepped up her game by taking things to the ‘Next Level’. She momentarily took a break to ‘Visit With An Old Friend’ but she continued ‘Doing Things Differently™’ even after things became slightly ‘Boring.’
Meleah completed ‘The Second Four Weeks’ of ‘Doing Things Differently™’ but she felt like things were too ‘Mundane’. So, she started ‘Doing Things Differently™’ with a little more ‘Intensity’. And then she got ‘Injured’. As such, sadly, she was forced to take ‘Time Off’ from DTD.
ONWARD!
After several tests, and a week riddled with anxiety, Meleah finally received ‘Medical Clearance’ from her Doctor’s to ‘Resume’ her new lifestyle. As such, Meleah can finally start ‘Doing Things Differently’ – again! And she can’t wait! In fact, she’s putting on her ‘Outfit’ and heading ‘Outside’ right now!
But, before she races ‘Out The Door’ Meleah would like to take this time to ‘Thank The Internet’ especially all of YOU for reminding her that even while she was unable to physically go ‘Outside’ or put on her ‘Outfit’ she was still VERY MUCH ‘Doing Things Differently’ by maintaining her ‘Positive Energy’ and ‘Optimistic Outlook’.
In fact, Meleah needs to bring ‘Special Attention’ to ‘One Person’ in particular. Because the author of the blog Redhead Ranting, named Jennifer, truly lifted Meleah’s spirits just when she was feeling the most depressed.
Meleah was ‘Absolutely Surprised’ to find THIS BLOG POST written by Jennifer. Meleah read every single word, even though she was blinded with tears in her eyes. And by the tears in her eyes, she really means the salty streaks of gratitude that were running down her cheeks. Meleah *LOVES* Jennifer with her whole heart too! And Meleah cannot thank Jennifer enough for her heartfelt words.
Some of you have told Meleah she’s been a ‘Source Of Inspiration’ to them, and she ‘Blushes’ every single time she hears that. Because it’s ALL OF YOU who have been INSPIRING HER to ‘Keep It Up’! And she cannot even find the words to ‘Properly Express’ her ‘Deep Gratitude’. But please know that she’s never felt so lucky in her whole life to have such an ‘Amazing Network’ of ‘Totally Super Awesome People’ to share this experience with.
Oh, Snap!
One more thing.
Meleah isn’t exactly sure [now that she is practically ‘Starting Over’] if she will be ‘Doing Things Differently’ OR, if she will be ‘Doing Things The Same’ yet? Because after that two week break – she kind of feels like she’s back to ‘Square One’.
So, here is what she would like to propose.
Meleah thinks she should ‘Re-Start’ ‘Doing Things Differently’ at ‘Day One’ by ‘Doing Things Differently’ for THIRTY DAYS IN A ROW. NO MATTER WHAT. And at the conclusion of those ‘Thirty Days’ she will begin the ‘Self-Inflicted-Life-Altering-Challenge’ of ‘Doing Things The Same’.
Yes?
OR…
Can Meleah say that she is continuing ‘Doing Things Differently’ at ‘Day Sixty-One’ [because that’s where she left off BEFORE she was injured.]
Of course after the same ‘Thirty Days’ IN A ROW [NO MATTER WHAT] she will have reached ‘Day-Ninety’. [And, Meleah really thinks that after 90 days of doing ANYTHING, things totally become the same.] And she can’t even wait to start her ‘Self-Inflicted-Life-Altering-Challenge’ of ‘Doing Things The Same’.
So. Basically, this is what Meleah needs to know.
Is she back to ‘Day One’? Or. Is she starting ‘Day Sixty-One’?
[Seriously people, I need to know the answer to that question. I am inviting everyone – to open up on the comments of this blog post and let me know what you think! Whether you comment regularly – or whether you have never left a comment!]
On another note, but on the same topic…
Meleah would sincerely like to ‘Thank’ everyone who has already joined ‘The Doing Things Differently™ Facebook Group Page’. We are at 247 members and growing! * Wooot! *
However, Meleah is always looking to welcome any ‘New Members’. So please keep on spreading the word! Feel free to ‘Invite People’ to join by clicking HERE!
Meleah would also like to take this time to ‘Encourage’ every member to write a POST on the ‘Group Wall’ with regards to just how THEY are DTD in their lives. This way everyone can share ideas. It’s been wonderful to see all of the support everyone has been getting and giving. And, she encourages people to comment on each other’s posts. [Even if you are not ‘Facebook Friends’.] She’s fairly certain the interaction between members will serve as that extra boost of inspiration!
Lastly, Meleah REALLY needs to Thank all of the DTD Members who helped her ‘Live Vicariously’ last week while she was recuperating!
Oh, and please don’t forget to ‘follow the rules’ when posting on ‘The Doing Things Differently™ Facebook Group Page’. And by ‘Rules’ she means all ‘Two Of Them’.
1.) You MUST post on the ‘Doing Things Differently™ Group Wall’ as if you are speaking in the 3rd person.
** [However that rule DOES NOT APPLY when COMMENTING on other people’s wall posts!] ***
2.) You should try to incorporate the use of the initials D.T.D. when sharing/posting on the ‘Doing Things Differently™ Group Wall’. But you don’t really have to.
Remember: Dream Big, But Start Small!
Thank you so much everyone.
And most importantly, ‘HAVE FUN’ while ‘Doing Things Differently™’!!
you are where you want to be..you will go where that path takes you
indeed
=)))))))))))) Glad your back momma!! Go easy at first!! Dont be goin all crazy and trying to do the same level you were before or you'll end up on the disabled list again! Start off easy. K? Promise??
And I'm all for day 61. I dunno why, I just like it. A lot of work went into getting there and just cause you had an injury doesnt mean your gonna be starting off from the very beginning again.
Can you share what the “bumps” are/were on your leg ? Cause if its all groty I don't wanna know you !! ;>) (U know im kiddling)
61 for me…. and yes, start out a wee bit slower till you are sure ur good to go. Listen to your body !
I am sofa king happy to be back to normal! But I promise I wont totally OVER DO IT! And, I think I prefer saying DAY 61 too! I really did a lot of work to get there!
I don't really want to talk about my medical issues, because I don't even want to think about it! But I'm glad to be back on my game, and I promise I will listen to my body! Thanks Chuck!
In regards to DTD, Lisa thinks Meleah can avoid boredom by choosing tiny little simple things to change each day. Maybe she can do a quick breathing exercise just as she wakes up in the morning. Or maybe have tea instead of coffee. Or wear mismatched socks. Or brush her teeth for 30 seconds longer. Maybe she could read a children's book to herself before she goes to bed at night. Or have her son read one TO her. There are a million zillion padillion tiny little things that Meleah could add to her DDTD (Daily Doing Things Differenty) and the little changes will begin to surprise and delight her.
Meleah thinks Lisa is BRILLIANT!
So, what was the verdict with the legs?
My doctor said I can exercise – but we still have to discuss the results IN PERSON [so I am scheduling another appointment for Wednesday] and he did mention that I might have to go for some more tests.
Shiny! I am elated that you are back on your feet!
Was worried that you were slacking off there, but I am glad you took the advice of all your internet mommas and saw the doc. I'd like to know what the doc said, but understand if you don't want to discuss/rehash it. You already share too much with the rest of the world. The bottom line is that you are ok and you can get back to DTD. I would not restart the clock/count on DTD. Instead, make it DTD2 – week 1. Kind of like phase II of your training. I am just glad you are ok and can get back to your mission. Any time you can dedicate to improving yourself is time well spent.
Take it slow & easy at the start, but keep up the pace. Remember, that every journey begins with one step…
Thank you for understanding and for your kick ass show of support for me always. You rock.
New shoes?
Im going shopping first thing in the morning for my new sneakers!
Glad to hear you've been cleared to get back into the swing of things. I say you stick with your count. Enough “time off”, on to DTD – Day Ninety, just ease back into it.
Thank you!!
shawn thinks lisa AND meleah are brilliant and shawn is very very grateful to have met two such amazing and brilliant women via this crazy blogging world…really….xoxoxo
BRAVA!!!! So glad to see you back, girl! And I'm sooooooo happy to hear that your doctor said it was okay for you to resume your new lifestyle. YIPEEEEEEEEEEE!
First, I want to say what a wondeful post Jen wrote. What a sweetheart she is!
Second, I think you should simply start again where you left off – “Day Sixty-One.” I mean, two weeks is nothing to be away from DTD. And besides, if you really think about it you WERE doing things differently. Different from doing things differently, so that's different.
So, as Tim Gunn says on Project Runway….”Carry on!”
X
Don't skimp. Get a good pair.
Your feet/legs are all you have to stand on.
Meleah feels The Same Way!!
xoxoxoxox
Im getting the Asics you recommended!
OMG!~ I love Tim Gunn! And YOU!
Your support is so important to me so thank you.
I think I will pick up at Day 61!!
Because you're right – I really was still DTD, just differently!
And, yeah, Jen totally ROCKS!
YAY! So relieved to hear you are feeling better! I vote for Day 61, because it doesn't seem right to “lose” 2 months because of an injury. Especially when you worked so hard. Whatever you decide, just remember to take care of you!
I am glad you are feeling better and have gotten the go ahead for exercise. I think you are definitely on day 61. The 2 week hiatus was medically induced. It isn't like you chose to sit around and eat bonbons for 2 weeks.
Hey !! I recommended Asics too …. ;>)
I'm glad you're feeling better and I vote for 61! Onward and upward!
Thanks Nicky!
Day 61 sounds right to me too!
That's true! Thank you for your vote!
That's because your awesome
You rock Marty!
I'm so glad you like it and thank you for jumping in and replying to everyone. I enjoyed putting on my 'outfit' and going outside that I did it on Sunday too!!!!
And I learned something new ???-§A3???
I think you should be at day 61 and no start at the beginning! Are you going to tell us what the mysterious lumps were?
*not*
Meleah was worried she may have been too overzealous replying to everyone, but she could help herself! Also, Meleah LOVES that Jennifer enjoyed DTD on Sunday. And, Meleah is CRAZY jealous of your symbol making skillz!
Im not 100% sure. The tests /ultrasound was inconclusive, so I have to back this Wednesday for a follow up.
And Im totally starting at Day 61!!
You will let us know, won't you? It's a very weird thing, and I am intrigued.
It was hard but Shawn told Jennifer just how to do it and with a little
practice, okay a lot of practice, Jennifer was able to do it. I LOVE that
you overzealously replied to the comments!
Hey Meleah. But weren't you DTD even when you had a two week break from some of your DTD activities? I mean you did bowl for the first time ever and you golfed an awful lot, you also got back to writing. Not only that but you maintained a positive attitude and outlook which is also DTD. So I think it was actually an opportunity for you to see that DTD has actually sank into your heart, which is where the real change takes place. So in my eyes it wasn't a break from DTD, it was just an opportunity to see how far you've come.
Yes. Once I am 100% sure what is ACTUALLY going on, I will let you know!
xoxoox
Meleah LOVES Shawn. Shawn has taught Meleah A LOT, over the MANY years we've
known each other. But Meleah has a MAC and therefore her computer doesn't
listen to the same commands!
Hooray for being overzealous!
You are absolutely correct.
And, DTD is NOT just a physical change for me anymore!
Thank you for recognizing it and pointing that out!
Glad you are back! Sounds like you're getting consistent feedback to start at 61!!
xoxox!
Meleah, as soon as school's out about a week from now, or maybe sooner if I give up and quit, I'm going to go back and read all of your DTD posts so that I can understand what they're all about. I'm intrigued. I just wanted to let you know that so you wouldn't think I'm ignoring you or the DTD movement. Not that you noticed that I'm ignoring you, of course, because I'm pretty much a stranger in town–a tall, dark, handsome stranger with rough edges but a heart of gold, if you don't me saying so–but I have self-inflated ego issues so I always think everybody's thinking of me when, in fact, they're usually watching television or bowling or something.
Back soon….
Seriously?
Meleah thinks YOU are fucking hysterical.
And, she is psyched about you reading how DTD began.
Even if you never participate.
PS;
Meleah would also like to make things EASIER for you, by telling you that you can just go HERE: http://mommamiameaculpa.com/?p=4212 to find out WHY and HOW DTD all got started, and she promises it wont take very long to read.
Oh, and…. Mike J @ Too Many Mornings, that is the ONLY blog post you will really need to read to get 'All Caught Up'. Because Meleah would NEVER want to waste ANYONE'S valuable time. Especially since she is unemployed and even with all this 'Free Time' she STILL finds it difficult to keep up with reading blogs.
However, Meleah no longer feels guilty for NOT ALWAYS being able to visit EVERYONE'S blog EVERY DAY- because as you once eloquently stated, “'Lazy IS? As Lazy does'.”
So “thanks” for THAT!
I vote that you pick up where you left off because I don't think in your mind you will have even skipped a beat. Plus after thirty days and the rest of your life after that you will be doing things the same anyway. I mean, it's not like you're missing out on some brand new car if you don't start all the way over, is there? No. So what you do is act like you fell off a horse. You pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get back on that horse and ride on, sister.
MWAH! You are awesome.
Glad you got the clean bill of health.
I hate doctors because they make me worry. And also because they pretend they know everything. I love it when a doctor says to me, “Let me get another opinion.” that's happened twice.
I vote for day 61 too.
Thank YOU! That's exactly what I am going to do!