Coaching Corner - Defining Family

I’ve been on Hilton Head Island now just shy of 2 years and to tell you the truth it gets tough being so far from home at times. If I want to visit with my Dad or Grandmother, it’s onlya 19-hour drive or 4-hour plane ride away to make it happen. Quite a haul and with a busy lifestyle, lots of races, I definitely don’t get enough opportunities to head up north. When I’m there though, I fully take advantage.

How do I manage? Straight out of college, no immediate family members in the vicinity, I must get homesick right? Well of course we all miss our families at times, but what really makes someone a member of your family?

According to the Merriam-Webster online Dictionary there are several definitions for family. A group of people who live under one roof, group of common ancestry; however the one I like the most reads as so: a group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation. 

So far from home I think it’s essential to establish a family. The biggest supports we have in our lives don’t just include the environments we set up or the structures we put in place, but the people we surround ourselves with on a daily basis.

Take a good hard look this holiday at the people in your life who’ve contributed to the person you are today. Give only your time to the individuals who’ve impacted you positively and focus not just on your immediate family, but the people outside of your relatives that you wouldn’t go a day without. 

For me, this holiday will be spent with my immediate family and for that I am without words, very grateful. On the Island, I am fortunate to have surrounded myself with a group of individuals who truly share the same passions for life as I do. Hilton Head Health Staff and Guests, CrossFit Hilton Head, and my roommates will always be considered family. Who do you consider family this season? Make sure they know how much you care. Tis’ the season!

Happy Holidays.

[caption id="attachment_7030" align="alignleft" width="420" caption="Jeff’s Team at the NH Marathon October 2, 2010"][/caption]

What H3 Means to Me

After having our staff Christmas party this past week, it got me thinking a little bit about my time here with Hilton Head Health.  Having been a part of this place for 7 years now, it’s more than just a job.  We will start from the obvious… (although, if you’ve been here they are probably all obvious):

1. It’s a source of income.  When asked if they like their job, many people say, “It’s a source of income.”  While this is of course necessary, it has little to do with why I’m still here today.


2. It’s a source of inspiration.  When I started as an intern, I was not only inspired by the staff and reputable program, but more so by the Guests of H3.  The motivation and determination demonstrated by our Guests, so many who may have not exercised in years, and the dedication  I witness as they come in each day and work their bodies so hard… it’s unbelievable.  Not only our Guests, but also staff members who take on challenges like running their first race or quitting smoking, are also inspiring to me to reach my personal goals.


3. It’s a source of knowledge.  As my life changes with growing family, new obstacles, and changes in routine, I have at my fingertips passionate and kind-hearted team members to give advice on maintaining a healthy lifestyle through every curve ball thrown at me.


4. It’s a source of opportunity.  Each role I’ve held while at H3 has provided growth and insight to what makes H3 work.  Every department is an essential nut or bolt to allow H3 to help people make lifestyle change—and it’s a privilege to learn and experience that chemistry, and play a part in keeping it going.


5. It’s where my friends are.  We often hear that work and play just don’t mesh, but it’s a different story at H3.  When you are surrounded by people who have the same belief system that you do, and a passion for sharing it and being the best you can be, it’s hard not to combine work and play0—especially, when work is so much fun!


6. H3’s my family.  Having moved here fromIndiana, H3 has become my family.  They are the ones who surround me when times get tough and who celebrate with me when exciting things happen—Guests and staff alike.  We’re all human beings and ups and downs are a natural part of life.  What a blessed opportunity to be in an environment where those things are not suppressed or tossed out the window as unimportant, but instead, shared, supported and matured from.

Thank you, H3, for 7 amazing years.  I always joke that you never know what will happen next around here, but I can promise you one thing, I will be sure not to miss it! 

What does H3 mean to you?  Please take a moment to share with us!

 

Spreading A Little Cheer

 



We all know the holidays are a busy time of year. There are deadlines to meet, crowds everywhere you go and between the holiday parties and staying up late to wrap or find that perfect gift, sleep seems to be the last thing on anyone’s mind. As part of the corporate wellness program here at Hilton Head Health, this month staff is taking on a Sleeping Challenge. We’re sleeping for 7-9 hours at least 5 days per week—seems pretty simple but for some this can be a challenging task.

Getting enough sleep is essential for proper body function both physically and mentally. In general, we need about 7-8 hours of sleep each night in order to feel not only more alert and focused throughout the day, but to continue to be our merry selves during the holidays. There’s a reason December is my favorite time of year even though I absolutely despise the cold. No matter how freezing it is outside, no cold can keep me from singing carols as I cook dinner or stop the twinkle in my eye as I drive through neighborhoods admiring Christmas decorations. December is a time of celebration and thanks but it’s hard to spread the cheer if you’re too tired to flash your co-worker a smile and a hello in the morning.

Getting enough sleep at night is just one way to help spread holiday cheer and here are a few others:

• You don’t have to spend hundreds or dollars on decorations to help put you in the holiday mood but a simple wreath on your office door or reindeer for your desk helps spread the Christmas spirit.


• Don’t underestimate the value of tradition. Whether you’ve just moved to a new city, are traveling for business or are just running a behind at home, take the time to continue with family holiday traditions. This simple act may seem meaningless to some but to you it can bring a sense of warmth and love.


• Planning a small get together helps everyone get in the mood. Don’t have time to cook and clean? Well, think outside the box. Go to the skating rink, pick out Christmas trees or catch a special showing of It’s a Wonderful Life at your local theater. Spending time with the people you care about can certainly turn a bad day into one full of cheer.

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

Over the weekend, like many families, we spent a lot of time preparing our house for Christmas.  Icicle lights glow outside with a grazing reindeer, garland along the banisters, beautiful bows of red and gold and green… but most important of all, the Christmas tree!  In years past, we’ve had a small 3ft. tree because we were concerned that Hala (now almost 3 years old) would get to it, knock it over or worse, eat it.  We knew this year she would “get it” a little more – the whole Christmas story – so we decided to have a big tree.

Early last week Hala said to me, “Mama, I want Chris-cross tree,” to which I giggled and responded, “Okay Hunny, on Friday you can come with me and Daddy and help pick out a Christmas tree.”  She said, “I want BIG one.”  Perfect, I thought, this was going to really be a fun year to see her helping and getting excited about all the preparation.  So, Friday night we went out to get the tree.  She walked around the lot and picked one out nice and tall and round.  Daddy paid and Hala watched from behind my leg as the friendly couple trimmed it up.  We got it set up in front of the window in the living room, and explained that we had to let the branches rest overnight before we decorate it with pretty lights and ornaments. 

On Saturday, we set out to buy lights and hooks for the tree.  (I had purchased ornaments and ribbon last year during the after Christmas sales, so that’s really all we needed.)  Now, keep in mind this was only December 3^rd – can you believe that 3 stores were all sold out of white lights AND ornament hooks!?  We finally came across some LED lights at Lowe’s, along with some hooks at the grocery store.  I thought, okay, now we are set to make our tree simply beautiful!  But wait, Juan also requested tinsel for the tree – “Every tree just has to have tinsel,” he said.  As we search isle by isle, I notice it on the bottom shelf - “here you go, Babe”, I said, as I picked up a box (containing 1,000 strands) and tossed it in the cart.  “Wait!” said Juan, “That’s not enough!  The more the better!”  He proceeded to pick up TEN more boxes (again, 1,000 strands each), and tossed them into the cart.  I’m looking at him, mouth drawn open.  Now, you have to know Juan – he is extremely difficult to read.  Surely he’s joking, I thought.  At 67 cents a box, surely this is just some silly joke, just play along.  “Yeah, okay, that’s your deal,” I respond.

When we get home, Hala goes upstairs for a nap, and Mama and Daddy string the lights so the tree is ready when Hala gets up.  She helps Mama get all the ornaments on the tree.  Red ones and green ones and bronze… Hala’s favorite seemed to be the Little Einstein’s rocket that Grandma got her last year.  She very consciously hung each ornament on the tree – usually on one of the bottom branches and typically 3-4 ornaments per branch (gotta love kids!)  Dinner wrapped up the evening with the plan for Daddy and Hala to hang the tinsel the next day.  When the time came, I was upstairs stringing garland, and told Hala to go downstairs and help Daddy string the tinsel.  When I came downstairs I could not believe my eyes.  They used, not one, not two…. But TEN boxes of tinsel on the tree!  You can’t even see the tree!  It looks completely silver.  I was shocked.  He really, really did it.  I can’t believe he really used TEN boxes, 10,000 strands of tinsel, on our 7 foot tree. 

Now, I honestly do miss the beautiful tree underneath all that tinsel.  But… it’s more important to me to have the whole family involved with the preparation and feeling like they are making the holiday special.  I just smile to myself and to Juan each time he mentions how beautiful our tree now looks.  Tinsel or no tinsel, the holiday will still come, and we will still build lasting memories, like this and more.  I’m not sure what small stuff you may run across this year… just remember it’s just that, small stuff.  Happy Holidays!

[caption id="attachment_6901" align="alignleft" width="420" caption="About 5-6 ornaments made it to this one branch."][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_6902" align="alignleft" width="420" caption="The tree-10,000 strands of tinsel and all!!"][/caption]