Good Morning and Welcome to Friday....and 15 more sleeps 'til Christmas 😊
As the pups found out, sometimes we have to do things that we may think silly or unnecessary......but we go ahead and do them, for the people we love and care about.
In my previous career in healthcare and clinical research leadership, my everyday uniform was the quintessential little black dress, of which I had way too many....all black, but with slightly different variations in cut and style (as I would frequently remind JB when he would say - you wear the same dress every day!!!!), and a myriad of cardigans and scarfs that I would coordinate with.
Loved my little black dresses...Note the straight hair - I used to spend ages getting my hair to stay straight.....unlike now, I love my naturally wild and wavy hair 😊
When I had worked as a cardiac physiologist in hospital and clinic, I would have to wear either my scrubs, a white lab coat, or white tunic and colored pants. And yes, I'm old enough to remember when our uniform was a white dress-like uniform with a burgundy belt that denoted the cardiology department. Not exactly the most appropriate attire when you were part of the CRASH team, and often had to run at full speed through the hospital when a patient had a cardiac arrest!!!
Apologies, I digressed.... My point was, that I never had to think about what I was going to wear to work - my uniform or scrubs would be freshly laundered and ready for me to put on every single day. After so many years of this, when I moved out of direct patient care, I suddenly had to think about the dreaded "what to wear". It would take me so much time agonizing over what I would look presentable in, and what was appropriate for that day's meetings....
That’s when I found that the "little black dress" would work for any occasion, I didn't have to worry about what I looked like, and I could change it up with different cardigans, throws and scarfs.....Yes!!!!!! I had found my new "uniform".
So, taking the Einstein approach (Albert Einstein was known for owning several variations of the same gray suit so that he wouldn't have to waste time and brainpower deciding on which outfit to wear every morning), I've always been pretty consistent with what I wear, even when home, JB will often ask why I have so many clothes, when I generally only ever wear the same favorites all the time.
But, through the years…. anytime we had a themed day at work – PJs and pancake day, ugly sweater day, throwback day, alma mater day etc.…..in fact I would often be the one suggesting such silliness, I would be all in. I’ve always worked in a rather serious profession, whether it was in a clinical, business or research position, but it never ceased to amaze me the difference that can be made when we lightened the mood for a few hours.
Dressing up as one of Santa’s elves (which was super easy for me, as I’m only 5ft tall!!) on Christmas Day to deliver smiles to patients that were too sick to be home over Christmas, was so much fun. Later in my career, when one of the departments that reported in through me, would have their "PJ and Pancake" morning in the winter…I loved to be one of the first in the line – what could be better than freshly made pancakes, and the excuse to wear my PJs in my office all day :o).
Another silly moment for me, was dressing up in a long black velvet evening gown and climbing into a dunk tank for staff to throw balls at a target to “dunk” their bosses for a cardiac charity. Fortunately, the weather was conducive and being plunged into the water was refreshingly pleasant.
Sometimes it’s good to let people see your “other” side, the one that we often keep suppressed, particularly in work environments. As human beings we are truly multifaceted, with diverse personalities and perspectives, but often we only show our “serious", "adult” self, and often miss opportunities to make life a little lighter for those around us.
Even Einstein "sillied" it up sometimes...
So this Holiday season, why not try to lighten the mood around you…..Whether it be wearing a silly Rudolph the Reindeer sweater around your home (yes, I have one of those too), dressing up your dog or cat (Bailey, Bodie and Pumpkin just love this😁), taking a polar plunge (I'm actually considering doing this one with our kids), planning a scavenger hunt, giving your kids/parents/friends a completely impromptu hug….I have quite a long list for anyone who needs ideas.
You may just make someone’s day - and the most wonderful added bonus…. you’ll feel lighter and happier too 💗
Until next time...
Take care, Stay safe and why not think about something you can do to "lighten" the mood of those around you.
Love and Hugs,
Pam
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