During the week at 3PM, I get a break from whatever I am working on to watch Ellen. Since I want to feel like I’m being productive it’s become a great chance to squeeze in a second run, bike or strength training session for the day!
Unfortunately not all of the treadmills in our little gym have working TV’s, so this requires me to get down there early and pace around behind whomever is on one of the working treadmills until they get freaked out or annoyed enough to leave. This is not a fail proof strategy, so I have also resorted to pretending I have turrets {ok not really, but maybe, no just kidding}.
Inspired by her show daily I realized that Ellen DeGeneres has taught me at LEAST 11 valuable life lessons {in honor of her 11th season} and in case you haven’t picked up on them in your own time watching her, here they are: 
11. Be Kind to One Another – Her infamous ending line to every show is one of the best messages!
10. Love who you love – No one will agree with every choice you make in life, but once you’ve found the person who makes you smile every day just knowing they are in your life…well don’t let go no matter their gender, race, size, height, poor wardrobe choices.
9. Eat more plants – A Vegan since 2008, Ellen loves her veggies and often has on great people like Jessica Alba to talk about what we put on our skin! Not only that, but she has the one thing I have told my mom I wanted since I first moved out on my own…a personal chef!! Ok I said that when I lived at home too as she doesn’t cook.
8. Talent is meant to be shared – Whether you can touch your nose with your tongue, tell people what the fox says, know everything about the solar system before even learning to tie your shoes or are a world famous musician…be open to sharing your talents. The world needs what you do because it’s fascinating and often free entertainment for most of us.
7. It’s not the size of the gift – Sometimes she gives studded G Strings and sometimes she gives TV’s. All are received with smiles and lots of love. Because the truth is that the saying “ it’s the thought that counts” is total baloney. People love getting stuff! Particularly stuff that shows you put some effort in to it.
6. Funny doesn’t require profanity or bullying – A lot of comedians have earned their stripes from picking at the audience or themselves {hey I love Jim Gaffigan}, but the truth is you can still bring a lot of joy to others through jokes that don’t put anyone down.
5. Scare people – This used to be one of my favorite tricks as a kid…hide…wait for mom…lunge. She really never found it terribly funny and now I can understand why, it would make me insane. But it really was pretty funny.
4. Own your history – Don’t hide those 80’s hair photos or be ashamed of your high water pants, love it! Once you have fully embraced it then you have no embarrassing secrets for people to find out.
3. Go to Australia – Maybe this wasn’t one of her life lessons, but I’m pretty sure all of last season convinced me that the couple of posts I’ve written on what I’d do in Australia are just my way of saying to the Universe “Hey I’m ready to go whenever and Ellen thinks it’s a good idea for me to go.”
2. Give people things with your name or photo – My dad must agree with this philosophy because last year when I decided to go problogger he made me shirts with RunToTheFinish and a great big picture of me. To say I adore him doesn’t do it justice.
1. Play games and dance daily to inject more fun into your life and those around you!
Someday I’ll get to see her in person, but for now I’ll settle for a daily laugh.
Are you an Ellen fan? Favorite part of the show? {I think clumbsy thumbsy is David’s favorite}
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Gratitude Journal
Oct 24
I am grateful for a moment each day of guaranteed laughter no matter what else is happening. Absolutely the best medicine!
All photos via the EllenTV.com photo galleries, please don’t sue me.
No NYC race countdown here
