It’s November – Give Thanks!
Notes from GeNienne
I am certainly feeling the chill in the air lately! I hope you are all staying warm out there and taking care of yourselves! The end of November is nearing and it’s the BEST time of year to focus on gratitude and appreciation towards the things that are most important to us.
Take the time this month to be appreciative and SHOW your thanks. Do NOT focus on what is missing… focus on things of abundance and things we sometimes take for granted. Thank a man or woman in uniform when you see them in passing. Hug your mom, dad, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, child a little harder and a little longer the next time you see them. Above all else, give praise and thanks for your health and well being every day when you awake and every night as you lay to rest.
Lucky for me, I get to be an aunt to my AMAZING nieces and nephews! I am extremely thankful for their cheerful presence in my life and they always help to keep things in perspective for me.
I will ALWAYS be thankful for my career as an NFL and NBA cheerleader. The experience brought my dear friend Jamilla into my life. Read today’s featured article to see why a current NFL cheerleader is thankful for her experience.
I am SO thankful for all of YOU! You make me smile everyday with your determination and positive attitudes! Thank yourselves for all of the hard work you put towards your goals.
Thankful always,
Ge
Featured Article
Thankful for Professional Cheerleading
By Charo, Captain of the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders
While I sit here and sift through all of the incredible memories I have experienced as a Washington Redskins Cheerleader, not only do I feel remarkably lucky, but so full of graciousness. Making the team in 2010 took an exceptional amount of hard work and commitment on my part, but ultimately, it was one of the best things to have ever happened to me. Because Thanksgiving and the holidays are approaching, here are the top six reasons why I am thankful for this amazing chapter of my life:
⦁ My renewed awareness and appreciation for fitness – Being surrounded by my toned and hot teammates is more than reason enough to be mindful of my health, but NFL cheerleading definitely gives me a keener sense of varying body types, the understanding that they can all be beautiful, and the motivation and resources to be the healthiest me I can be. For that, I am thankful.
⦁ The honor to work with talented women in a leadership capacity – As a captain this year, I have learned so much about being a leader, but also about being a part of a team. The ability to discover what motivates people, earn respect rather than demand it, maintain transparency and open communication, and always display accountability are all relevant skills that I can continue to develop and transfer to any other position in my life. For that, I am thankful.
⦁ The unique travel opportunities – The Middle East, China, the Caribbean… and with my teammates! Going overseas to perform for our U.S. troops was life-changing; I never would have grasped the comprehensiveness of their service and sacrifice until I was able to witness it firsthand. And performing in the Chinese New Year Parade, shooting our swimsuit calendar in exotic locales every year – these are all once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that scream carpe diem. For that, I am thankful.
⦁ The ability to juggle commitments that give my life balance – Although sometimes it seems like a Charo clone would be necessary, the fact that my schedule is so busy gives my life an overwhelming sense of balanced productivity. I have learned to prioritize, lessen procrastination, and take needed breaks so that I can fully engage in my career, cheering, relationships, social events, and life tasks. This sharpened ability has also prompted me to appreciate the present moment that much more. For that, I am thankful.
⦁ A large-scale medium through which to share and practice my passion – Dancing has been a part of my soul for as long as I can remember. Cheering for the Redskins allows me to dance not only on game days in front of tens of thousands of fans, but twice a week at practice and at several other events throughout the area. Dancing is my outlet, my answer, my stress-reliever, my language – and I am doing it professionally. For that, I am thankful.
⦁ The passionate, hilarious, talented, and intelligent women on the sidelines with me – These women are muse-like inspiration to be strong, kind, and humble. Each and every woman with whom I’ve cheered has something unique to offer, but I am also lucky enough to call them my sisters. These women are a part of the reason I wake up and the reason I can honestly say that I absolutely love my life. Whether our WRC experiences are good, bad, crazy, or irrational, all that matters is that we are together. I adore them, I idolize them, I laugh with them and (try to) make them laugh. They are lifelong friends. And for that, I am thankful.