What to do when the lightbulb goes off

I'm not very good at saying explicitly how I feel. I just don't go around saying "Me hungry" or "Me mad." It sounds primitive to me...although that could have more to do with the lack of pronoun usage, but you get my point. For as long as I am alive, I will probably never look directly at someone and say, "I am really mad at you right now." I just can't do it...it makes my skin crawl even thinking about it.

With that said, cohabiting with other human beings requires at least a small degree of communication. I'm sure even my brother and his roommate grunt at each other from time (don't know where all these tarzan references are coming from...Freudian slips??). This is one of the biggest adjustments I have had since getting married. Growing up and being around the fam for so long, I developed my own way of communicating with them how I felt (thankfully, it evolved as I matured...I no longer throw pillows). And so, when I married my hubby I didn't realize that I might have to tweak this "coping" style, if you will, to his nature. For example, whenever I share something with my mom, she always asks additional questions about the subject matter. But, when I share same item with hubby, I usually get maybe two words. Different. Not bad. Different.

So I've had to monitor my thinking and sharing to his nature or demeanor. And sometimes I forget. Oh boy do I forget. This morning we had a conversation about something that I had meant to tell him, but I forgot to. And he was like "I can't read your mind." LIGHTBULB!

From now on, I'm going to try and do better about explicitly saying things. And not in a way that is mean or sarcastic either. It's going to be honest and real.

What's something that has made you say "LIGHTBULB" to recently?

Choices

When I was driving home from the grocery store this morning, I came up on the Department of Corrections clean up crew. Normally, I would just drive right past them (don't worry mom, I didn't stop and chat with them or anything), but a thought popped in my head.

What choices did these guys make?

Because they had to do something. Did they make a choice to hurt, steal, or lie? Or were they making a choice that they thought was right at the time?

Choices...they can MAKE or BREAK us. And sometimes our choices are so instant that we don't think long-term. We don't think about consequences or stuff that will occur because of our choices. We make choices because we want to feel like we have control over a situation.

Today, take a moment and reflect on the options you have. Pray about a decision. Don't make the mistake of a bad choice.

Lessons from a Legend, Part 3

This is the conclusion to the three part series, "Lessons from a Legend." Scroll down to read the other posts. Enjoy!

The third part to this series is called, "How to Deliver Bad News." If you've been following this series, you'll know that my inspiration came from Pat Summitt and her recent dementia diagnosis. I have been examining and reflecting on the things I have learned from Coach Summitt, even though I don't know her or have never played for her. But I have observed Summitt over the years and did a mental scroll back through what I have picked up on.

Today's delivering bad news post is quite obviously inspired by her recent announcement, whereas the previous posts were drawn from a lifetime of inspiration. Even though I hope to never have to deliver bad news to anyone, I'm sure it will happen eventually. Whether it be...

firing someone

telling someone that a loved one died

announcing an illness

One thing I learned from watching Summitt's announcement (click here to watch) is to be honest. Summitt gave information that was open and honest. She didn't sugarcoat her diagnosis. She gave the details that she knew and didn't try to hide anything. This is hard to remember sometimes when faced with the daunting task of delivering bad news. You might say, "We really wanted to keep you on with the company, but we just can't afford it" when you really should say, "I'm sorry, but your performance with this company is not up to our standards. We have given you opportunities to improve it, but it's just not up to par. Sorry, but we have to let you go."

Harsh. Mean. Truth.

Sometimes the truth hurts, but it may be what we really need to hear.

Are you speaking the truth, even when it hurts?

Lessons from a Legend, Part 2

This is the second part in the series, "Lessons from a Legend." Tomorrow, the final post of the series will be available.

Today's post is called "How to Be Classy." (Insert obvious Ron Burgundy joke here) If you tuned in yesterday, then you know that I am writing a series based on stuff I have learned from one of my heroes, Coach Pat Summitt. Yesterday, I focused on "How to Be Great" by setting high standards and setting achievable goals.

Not only is Coach Summitt a great coach, but she is a very classy lady. Just watch any post game interview (win or loss) and it becomes obvious that possess a great deal of class. There are many things that I could discuss in relation to this topic, but I want to focus on 2 specific areas in which I think Coach Summitt excels:

1. She invests in others. Before each new season, Summitt gives her players a personality test. This helps her to better know how to coach them and how they will respond to her coaching. For instance, if a player is an extreme introvert, it's not going to do the team any good if Summitt screams at her. That's not to say she won't reprimand them for a foolish turnover, but she will adjust the way she does so. Another way that she invests in others is in the fact that she cooks for her players and friends and other coaches at her house. She invests the time (not to mention how much money that has to cost...wait, that's not an issue for her!) it takes to cook all that stuff, but she knows that the benefits outweigh the work.

2. She is an excellent communicator. This goes back to the post game interviews...she makes her point in an efficient and effective manner. She is not "short" with the reporters who ask her why she made a certain play call. She explains her thought processes and keeps emotion out of the equation. This is a big deal...coaches are awful at not controlling their emotion in a post-loss interview (Saban, anyone??? Or what about that Oklahoma State coach, you know the "I'm a man" guy???). Communication is such a big deal in our society today. And I believe good communication is when all involved parties are clear about what was said. When you take emotion away, it is easy to keep a clear mind about what you need to communicate.

When I think about what I've learned from Coach Summitt, investing in others and being a good communicator are certainly areas where I need improvement. I've always felt like one of the best ways to invest in others is sharing a meal or cup of coffee with them. This is certainly one of the most fun ways to invest in others, but there are various other ways to do so. Phone calls, e-mails, prayers. Take technology away and pour into someone else's life. And the only way I know to become a better communicator is to practice. Not just talking, but listening as well.

Lessons from a Legend, Part 1

This is the first part of the "Lessons from a Legend" series. Tune in tomorrow for part two.

The moment has arrived for me to reveal the subject of this week's series. And, honestly, this took me (and the rest of the world) by surprise. I'm going to focus the posts this week on the one and only Coach Pat Summitt. Most of you are aware that yesterday, she announced to the world that she has early onset dementia.

I have watched Coach Summitt from the time I was able to watch TV. Anybody who knows me knows that I am a Lady Vol (and Summitt) fanatic. Now, I want you to understand one thing:

These posts are not about converting people to cheer for her or the team. These are simply observations and lessons that I have noted throughout my life of following her.

Ok, I just had to make that clear. Today's lesson is entitled, "How to Be Great."

Coach Summitt is the embodiment of great. 8 national championships. More wins than any other college basketball coach...MEN OR WOMEN.

In other words....great.

Summitt holds her players to high standards. They are required to sit within the first 2 rows of chairs in their respective academic classes. After a tough loss, they run something called "The Hill." (it's not called the hill because it's this incredibly flat stretch of land if you know what I mean) During one season, the team was even kept out of their own locker room. She felt they weren't performing to the standards, so they couldn't use their home locker room. High standards.

Summitt and her players always, always make goals. Before a season. Before a game. Before a practice. And the cool part is: she offers rewards and punishments (well that's not so cool...see the hill in previous paragraph) to help her players achieve these goals. Read this quote of hers for advice on setting goals: "Set a goal that stretches you, requires exceptional effort, but one that you can reach" (Success Magazine, 2009).

One of my lifetime goals has always been to learn from Pat Summitt...either as a player or as a coach. When I gave up basketball in high school, that first part became impossible. The coaching part is still possible, just very, very unlikely. What I didn't realize is that I've actually been learning from her all along...

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

I'm going to start something that I have never done...because I'm quite scared of doing it. It's a fear that strikes many in the public speaking or writing realm...not saying I belong with that crowd but you get my point (well you will in a minute).

I'm doing a series. That's right folks. This gal is tackling a week long series...notice how I started on Tuesday with an introduction, that means just 3 actual posts...that's called skillz, of the math variety.

Now, you are probably thinking to yourself: "Self, I wonder what this awesome series is going to be about? I wish the oh wise one would inform us." I'll tell you the title of the series, deal?

"Lessons from a Legend."

Visit the blog on Wednesday for Part One of the series "Lessons from a Legend."

The One Thing I Learned This Summer

That's right...I learned one thing. Ok, I'm sure I learned more...like how awesome my family is, etc. But this is the most important, and I don't want you to miss it. Ready???


Your failure is NOT personal.
You may think it is, but it's not. Whether you want to believe it or not, there are things you cannot control. And a lot of that is related to failure.

It's not personal that you didn't get that job and someone else did.

It's not personal that you can't have a kid and a teenage girl can.

It's not personal that your dad left you when you were a kid.

It's not personal.

Sometimes that's just the way the world works. And we're not in control of the world now, are we?

The Cost of Preoccupations

So many times, I catch myself not listening to someone talking to me. (Oh come on...you do it, too) It's not that I don't like said person. Or that they are boring me (ok sometimes it is). It's not them; it's me.

I'm preoccupied.

A thousand thoughts are flying through my mind. I try to push them out and focus on the conversation and person at hand, but it's hard. I had the outline of this blog written in my mind this morning...talk about being preoccupied...and then I stumbled upon this story in Esther in my devotional book.

"Haman left the palace that day happy, beaming. And then he saw Mordecai sitting at the King's Gate ignoring him, oblivious to him. Haman was furious with Mordecai. But he held himself in and went on home. He got his friends together with his wife Zeresh and started bragging about how much money he had, his many sons, all the times the king had honored him, and his promotion to the highest position in the government. 'On top of all that,' Haman continued, 'Queen Esther invited me to a private dinner she gave for the king, just the three of us. And she's invited me to another one tomorrow. But I can't enjoy any of it when I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the King's Gate."

-Esther 5:9-13 (The Message)

My initial thoughts were along the lines of who does this Haman guy think he is...he needs to chill out. I mean you can't go throwing parties every time somebody ignores you (we'd all be having lots of parties right?!). Talk about being maladjusted to society.

But, there is a lesson to be learned here. I think there are 2 important things to notice about Haman:

1. He buried his frustration. "But he held himself in and went on home" it says in the passage. He kept his mouth shut, but he buried his feelings. It's a catch-22 for Haman...say something hateful to Mordecai or push it down deep at the risk of exploding later. I can't tell you how many times I have done this in my life. I won't say anything because I'm afraid of hurting someone's feelings, but I bury it and poisons my life. It robs me of happiness. 
2. His idea of ignoring his feelings was to throw a party and brag about himself. He hides behind the fanfare and his accomplishments. He has his beautiful wife by his side (never seen a picture of her...just a guess here). He talks about his promotion to a better career. His kids. His "famous" friends and acquaintances. And how the Queen had invited him to dinner. He thinks he's really something.
   
   In the end, he's miserable. For Haman, preoccupation equals unhappiness. He says, "But I can't enjoy any of it when I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the King's Gate."  
   
   Don't let preoccupation become worry in your life. You're not fully present when you are preoccupied. You never know...you might miss one of the best conversations because you are preoccupied.
   
   Choose to be fully present today...

Don't let the storm drown you out

There's a great song by a group called Casting Crowns that we did at church Sunday. It couldn't have been better timing.

"I start the day, the war begins
Endless reminding of my sin
And time and time again
Your truth is drowned out by the storm I'm in"

It's crazy how from the get go of the morning, sin is there. And it keeps popping up throughout the day. It's there at lunch. It's there when you are working on a project. It's there when you drive home. It's there when you lie down at night.

Sin is trying to eat away at you...trying to tear you apart piece by piece...trying to ruin your life by reminding you of what you have done.

Good news: there is hope.

"He has taken our sins away from us as far as the east is from the west." -Psalm 103:12

Whenever you can't see the Truth because of sin blocking your vision, remember God has taken our sins away.

We are free...

New Stuff

Hey folks,

There are a couple of new things on the blog that I want to make you aware of:

1. Twitter button. If you click on the "follow me on twitter" button, you can...well...follow me on Twitter!
2. Follow me by e-mail. There is a blank box where you can input your email address to get updates that way instead of through Facebook or Twitter.
3. RSS feed. I have just recently discovered the joy that is a RSS feed...if you have a Gmail account, you can click on "Google Reader" and have all of the blogs that you follow there on one website. It is so convenient! There are other ways to receive RSS feeds, but this is the one that I am familiar with.
4. The bookshelf. I saw this on someone else's blog and thought it was so neat. It's just a fun thing for me to put up, but it has a picture of the books that I am currently reading (right now, one of them is a book I want to read...just don't have a copy of it yet.)

So that's about it...I really appreciate all of you people that are reading this blog. It means a lot to me that people care about what I write.

(In other news, I'm thinking of making a specific Facebook page for the blog...thoughts?????)

The Loss of Identity

There's an episode of Spongebob Squarepants (stick with me...there is a point to be made) where he loses his work badge that had his name on it. He freaks out (of course) because he thinks he lost his identity. Now, we as educated, sophisticated human beings know that simply losing a name tag does not mean that you lose your whole identity.

For us, it takes something much more catastrophic or climactic.

We ask ourselves: Who am I? What is my role in this world? What is my identity?

Today I am asking myself these questions. Why you might ask? Well, because I feel a little lost today. Everybody headed back to school...except me (by everybody, I mainly mean my mom and sister).

I'm not a student.

I'm not a teacher.

Who. Am. I.

This is a difficult question to wrestle with at the moment because it's not that I don't want to be either of those things. As far as being a student goes, we can't afford for me to go to grad school right now. (Plus I want classroom experience before I try for a principal position...kind of makes sense, right?!) And I'm not teacher because I don't have a stinking job.

So maybe my new identity is one of unknowing, which is very uncomfortable for me. This does not follow the plan I had set for myself all along. Point taken...it's not about MY plans after all.

Whatever You're Doing

Do you ever wonder at times what God is doing?

I often find myself thinking (I hesitate to say questioning here) about what God is up to in my life. I wonder about what story He is creating for me. I wonder how He is weaving together the miscellaneous strings that are in my life.

Right now, there is a lot of chaos and confusion in my life. I'm drifting, wandering, somewhat lost. That's where I am in my story right now. Trying to find my way.

There's a song by Sanctus Real called "Whatever You're Doing." It's about not knowing what God is up to in your life, but knowing that this mess of life is His and He is doing something with it.

"Whatever you're doing, inside of me

It feels like chaos, but somehow there's peace

Though it's hard to surrender to what I can't see

I'm giving in to something heavenly"

I believe that God knows what He's doing. Even when I can't see it or hear it or feel it. All I can see is chaos, but there's a bigger picture that is beyond my vision. My eyes are out of focus, and I can't see what He's up to.

But, I still trust Him...do you?

The importance of keeping track

One of the most recent topics that I have written about is related to goals. I talked about the importance of setting them. But I failed to mention something very important.

You need to find a way to keep track of your goals.

This is crucial, and I can't believe I forgot to comment on it. Keeping track of your goals is important for two reasons:

1. It helps you know where you are.

2. It helps you know what you need to tweak.

For example, one of my goals for August is to lose 5 lbs. When I weighed myself on Monday, I found out where I was. Which was far away. I also learned that I need to step up my game if I want to accomplish my goal. Which unfortunately means no chocolate pecan pie for me. (At least not every night!)

I always write mine down in my Moleskine notebook (you can find these at Target and Barnes & Noble), so that I can easily find them. My challenge to you is to find a method that works for you and implement it. You might find that you are more aware of where you are in accomplishing your goals and let you know what to tweak for future benefit.

Not if, but when

I’m a huge baseball fan. I’ve grown up playing it in the backyard with my brother and sister (mostly my brother). My mom likes to tell the story of how my dad sat me up when I was like 10 months old to watch the first ever night game at Wrigley Field. I bet that I have spent about 50% of my waking hours watching and keeping track of the Atlanta Braves. I love pulling for my team.

And right now, there’s a player for the Braves (Dan Uggla) who has a 31 game hitting streak. For those of you who are not baseball aficionados, this is an extremely long time. To play in 31 games and get at least one hit in each of those is very rare. He has the longest streak this season. One question that people are asking about this streak is:

When is it going to end?

Not if. Because there is no way Uggla can continue to get one hit in the remaining 50 something games. It. Is. Impossible. Thus, the question becomes about when it will end.

In life, there are many circumstances that can be answered by with an “if.”

If I get a job…

If we can have a baby…

If I go back to school…

I want to challenge you to change those “ifs” to “whens.” It can make all the difference in the world when you do.

Why You Should Never Give Up

This morning, I was reading in my Bible...I was in the book of John in chapter 5. It's the story of the sick man by the pool. Even in Bible times, pools were awesome...this one was particularly cool because it was a healing pool. This sick man waited all day every day for someone to stir the pool because right after that you get in and be healed. What a great pool!

(this is not the actual pool...do not be fooled by the awesomeness that is this pool)

Something important that can be grasped from this story is the idea of never giving up. There are 3 critical components to this story that make it worth taking a closer look:

1. The man desired change. He wanted to be healed. He wanted to get to the pool. He wasn't happy with his situation, and he wanted to try and fix it.

2. The man had tried many times, but someone else beat him to it. Someone was always quicker. His previous failures were interfering with his ability to achieve the present goal.

3. The man believed when told he was healed. Can you imagine what must be going through his head when Jesus told him to get up? "Yeah right, get up and walk. Like I haven't heard that one before." It's like when you are waiting on someone to unlock the door to a store, and this smart alleck comes up behind you and tries to open the door. Hello!! Obviously it's locked or you would've gone inside. Jerk. But the sick man decides to try it anyway with a sliver of hope running through his mind. And it worked. He picked up his mat and walked away. The door to the store was not locked after all. You could go in and not stand out in the cold.

There are many things in this life that we will find difficult. It may be finding a job, trying to have a baby, or stepping out into the world on your own. You will want to give up. You will want to turn around with your tail between your legs and run home.

DON'T.

The Power of a Dream

This afternoon I had a dream...no, I wasn't taking a nap (that was yesterday), but I was having a conversation with someone. This particular person told me that they had read my book review and thought that I was a good writer (not trying to toot my own horn here...there is a point to me telling you this). This person then proceeded to state five words that may potentially change my life:

"You should ______ ___ _______."

Ok, I can't tell you what this person suggested I do (nor am I going to tell you who this was, in case you noticed). Because if I tell you, then I might have to actually do it. I would be held accountable, and I'm not ready for that pressure just yet.

The point is (I know you're relieved I finally got here) that there was a dream planted in me this afternoon. I've become obsessed with it. I haven't been able to think about much else all day...it's incredible. I feel like a little kid. But dreams aren't merely ideas that float around in your head. You care about your dreams. They are personal. They mean something to you.

Dreams are powerful things. They challenge us to move, create, think. The power of a dream is that it calls you to action. I had always had this thought hanging around in the back, deep, dark depths in my mind. But when I heard it said out loud by someone else, it was as if something in my heart opened up. A dream was born. And it has a firm grasp on me right now.

What are dreaming about right now?

An "Untitled" Book Review

In exchange for writing a book review for this blog, I received a complimentary copy of the book.

            Blaine Hogan’s Untitled offers a refreshing look into the multidimensional world of creativity. Hogan works as a creative arts director for Willow Creek Community Church and has a background in theatre.

            Hogan begins the book with a metaphor of the blank page. “The blank page represents the murky space before the bubbling idea has enough form to be named…” Throughout the book, the underlying theme is that the creative process requires work. To go from a blank page to a story worth telling means that you have to be creating something. Hogan repeatedly states that execution is more important than simply having an idea, and execution is dirty work because sometimes you get rejected. At the same time, you can’t undersell your idea. That’s the cheap way out. You have to dig down and commit everything to your own ideas.  

            Hogan outlines the book in a way that allows the ideas to flow from point A to point B. There are no “chapters”; rather, there are “movements.” They all touch on important factors about creativity, like the necessity of having art come from your heart. The connection between art and God is a clear theme in this book. One with which I wholeheartedly agree. Hogan believes our expression or art reflects our relationship with God. Hogan states, “Our art…becomes our confession.” I think this is a beautiful statement. What better way to honor God than with something as precious as art.

             Untitled wraps up with the emphasis Hogan places on never giving up. He says that resistance is trying to destroy any creative ideas you may have. You have to face your inner critic and throw it away. Hogan includes a refreshing story about when he worked as a youth arts camp. He noticed the children were having trouble facing their inner critics. He told them to think of it as if it is there on their shoulders. Every morning, they would grab this critic and throw him out in the alleyway. Hogan suggests using a similar tactic when you start to hear your inner critic throwing some resistance your way.

            Untitled is an enjoyable, thoughtful, and unique treatise on Blaine Hogan’s ideas related to the creative process. It is wonderfully written and is full of humor and wit. Hogan weaves in personal anecdotes and stories to help clarify any ideas or notions that he presents. It is a thought-provoking piece that will challenge the way you think about creativity. 

Thoughtful Thursday

I'm addicted to reading whatever Don Miller writes. Seriously, he's that good. His words make me think, feel, laugh, cry, and wonder like nobody else's words do. They make me want to take action, do something, or create something beautiful.

Now this isn't a Don Miller praise session (although it may seem like it based on the first paragraph). But I do want to attempt to describe a concept that he writes about often. And that is the idea of “story.”

Story is what we do with our life.

Story is the ups and downs that occur in our life.

Story is how you react to those ups and downs.

You can have a good story or a bad story. It’s up to you.

What’s your story?

Morning Honey

Growing up, my mom made us watch a lot of old television shows. Andy Griffith, The Waltons, and Leave it to Beaver were on regular programming at our house. One of my favorite episodes of The Andy Griffith Show is when this married couple goes to Andy to seek counseling because they can't get along. And what does the wise sheriff suggest they do? Well talk nice to each other of course!

He instructs them to start their morning with a nice greeting. "Morning honey." "Morning dear." It takes the couple several mornings to get used to this, but it eventually changes the way they treat each other.

In the movie "Fireproof," the main character (Caleb...not my hubby, a different one) receives a book from his dad called The Love Dare. This book offers different challenges for each day during a 40 day period. Can you guess what the first dare is? You got it. Don't speak anything negative to your spouse. Sounds simple. But it's not.

Shouldn't I be nicest to my husband and close friends/family? Shouldn't they have priority over the random people we see at the grocery store/utility office/any place with customer service? I'm humiliated to say that I will be OVERLY nice and smiley (is that even a word?) to a clerk that I don't even know, and then turn around and snap at my hubby. For no reason at all. I speak to him worse than I do a stranger. And it's not just him...I do this to my family and friends as well. Ridiculous.

I'm tired of being hateful. I like to think that I'm a pretty nice person and easy to get along with (hold the ego down now). So today, I'm trying out that "speak nicely" part of the dare. I think it can change the way I treat the ones that I love.

Will you join me?

3 Requirements for Effective Goal Setting

I am such a list person. I have mentioned here before about how my hubby laughs at me for making so many lists. (crossing "write blog post" off the list now...)

Along with my love of lists comes a love of making goals. I like to make a goal so that I can accomplish them. Checking it off my list makes me feel like I did something. In the past, my goals have been all over the place as far as content goes. But I have recently learned more about making better goals. Here are three requirements for effective goal-setting:

1. Make it relevant- You don't want to set a goal to lose weight if you are already healthy. It just doesn't make sense to waste your mental or physical energy on such a task. You also wouldn't make a goal to become a professional football player if you have never touched a pigskin in your entire life. Be smart about what goals you want to make. Don't make a goal just for the sake of having a goal. Make it one that is relevant to your life.

2. Make it measurable- This is such an overlooked aspect of goal setting. How many people have you heard say "Oh, I want to lose some weight"? This is a big no, no. You need to have a measurable goal. Instead, you could rephrase that statement into "I want to lose 10 pounds." You know what you are trying to accomplish. You have something with which you can gauge your improvement.

3. Make it have a due date- This goes along with #2. Not only should you have a measurable goal, but you need to give yourself a "I need to have this done by _____" date. The people that say they want to lose some weight never do because the goal is not measurable and it does not have a due date. Due dates give you an end point. They give you the final destination of your goal. I can't overstate the importance of having a due date. They are THAT crucial.

I always like to make goals at the beginning of each month and have them due at the end of the month. For example, I want to have a consistent job by the end of the month. I want to lose 5 lbs this month. But I also have made other goals with a due date farther along, such as I want to read the Help by the movie release day. (note to self: look up when the movie comes out...could affect when I accomplish this goal)

Goals keep us focused. They keep us going down the right path to our accomplishments. They give us something to aim for.

I hope this helps you to make better goals for the month of August.
What are some of your goals?

How to Do Anything

I recently watched this TED video about a guy who decided he would different things for 30 days, a la Morgan Spurlock. (Here's the video).

The whole theme of the video is that you can do anything if you say "I'll try ________ for 30 days." How simple, yet effective. Think of something (doesn't have to be difficult, although it can be) that you've always wanted to do. Now do it for 30 days. That's it. You can quit on day 31 if you want to. But I have a feeling you might keep it up. For Matt Cutts, it was riding his bike to work and writing a novel. For you, it might be dieting and exercising. Or ____________. You fill in the blank.

And since it's August 1st...you'll have a nice, smooth ending point in August 30th.

It's just 30 days....

What are you doing??