Wow That’s Fantastic.


On the drive to my yoga studio, I pass a billboard advertising a local fitness center. I don’t ever look at it, but I do today.

The very affordable “$10 A Month?” message hardly registers, given the huge-front-and-center “WTF”. For me, the real eye candy is the fresh explanation for this particular acronym: “Wow That’s Fantastic.” As I smile, thinking to myself, It’s all in your perspective, I also wonder, Is the world ready for a new meaning of WTF?

Go travel the “WWW” for an answer. This billboard has been seen across the country for at least six months or more. There’s a Facebook page devoted to it, a YouTube video, television news stories plus a plethora of blog posts having this conversation. Apparently, this WTF gets people talking. Or is it Planet Fitness? I can’t tell.

It appears that a Florida-based agency called Anson-Stoner is responsible for the bold purple-and-yellow ad campaign –although they’re not taking credit publicly (i.e., on the website) for this, the most outrageous creative, which is not out of line with the rest of the messaging (see example to the left). It’s a pretty attention-grabbing campaign, Anson-Stoner.

But I digress.

It really is all in your perspective. “Give me a break, WTF has been around a lot longer than the abbreviation used for potty language,” comments Trevor Michael Rogers on Facebook. “WTF stands for World Taekwondo Federation where I come from.” There it is. On the Planet Fitness, it means “Wow That’s Fantastic” … and Janet Planet agrees.

  • Janet “Planet” Muniz is an award-winning professional writer known for informative articles, inspiring blog posts and effective video content. To hire her, contact her here.
Aside

I’ve looked everywhere.


It’s not in my purse or my wallet or my pocket; left in the car, upstairs or downstairs – in the garage.

I’ve spent hours Searching through papers, junk drawers, computer files- Googling for links, clicking through and back. Checking the cupboards, the kitty litter, the soap bubbles in the dish water. Calling my contacts, my voicemail, my mother. Consulting my horoscope, tarot cards and tea leaves. Retracing my steps, practicing asanas, asking the questions.

I’ve examined my heart, read my own words and hoped for a sign. Maybe it’s still in my dreams, because I woke up with neither a thought nor a smile.

I’ve looked everywhere, exhausted the possibilities –for today.

Tomorrow, I’ll look some more.

  • Janet Muniz is an award-winning professional writer known for informative articles, inspiring blog posts and effective video content. To hire her, contact her here.

Letting something go.


The dry air crackles. His voice rubs away like sandpaper. White light begins to pour into the room as if to rescue me, but I’m a goner already.

His beady eyes hold no shine as words blow through his mouth and hit me squarely. I start to feel small, smaller and alone –even though everyone is there; they all hear him.

I smell the burn as bile builds slowly in my mouth. I swallow. I seethe. I see the challenge hanging there.

And I let it drop to the floor.

Written during Creative Flow with Julie Peters, Maya Whole Health, Renton WA –February 2012

  • Janet Muniz is an award-winning professional writer known for informative profile articles, inspiring blog posts and effective video content. To hire her, contact her here.

Letter to my brain.


Brain, my friend,

I’m all around you. Why do you close your eyes?

We’re the ebb and the flow, simpatico

Our lives are intertwined, like the grape and the vine

When Body is in the Gap

you’re the Red Arrow and I’m the White Room.

Come on, hold my hand. You hum, I’ll sing.

~Your loving Heart

Written during Creative Flow with Julie PetersMaya Whole Health, Renton WA –February 2012

  • Janet Muniz is an award-winning professional writer known for informative profile articles, inspiring blog posts and effective video content. To hire her, contact her here.

Sway.


I’m watching the pines sway with the wind. I think it’s the blowing that causes their branches to glide through the air … but I actually catch those trees moving on their own. Yes, those pines are enjoying themselves. They’re stretching their limbs, curling around the wind, allowing their skirts to billow. Trunks bending beautifully side to side in slow motion; pine needles flicking up and down, devil may care.

It’s as if those pines are stealing a moment of bliss, one camouflaged by Heaven’s breath. Most days, a mere mortal doesn’t notice tree energy coming from within.

Those pines, towering around me, tall enough to see the bigger picture of a world beyond, are revealing their little secret in plain sight. From my window, I cannot hear the wind’s whisper, but I’m listening to those pines giggling.

  • Janet Muniz is an award-winning professional writer known for informative profile articles, inspiring blog posts and effective video content. To hire her, contact her.

I may not be …


… where I want to be right now, or well connected. Or satisfied and energized.
 
Clear-headed instead of confused … pretty instead of beautiful.
 
I may have doubts and hesitate; I may stride when a walk will do.
 
I could be too loud, too opinionated, too sensitive, too sentimental.
 
I wonder what took me so long; wish I handled it differently, or hope I dream another dream … if the opportunity comes my way.
 
I look into the hole of my heart too much, wondering if it ever will be filled. I hear the songs of my soul too often, spending mornings and evenings, time in the mists.
 
I suspend my disbelief; bury my convictions; excuse my aches and pain.
 
I’m surprised by my ingenuity and thank God for my humanity.
 
And when I love, I do so deeply … and madly.
Which makes all the rest alright.
 

Janet Muniz is an award-winning professional writer known for informative profile articles, inspiring blog posts and effective video content. To contact her, click here.

Valuable keenness.


I have been meditating on the words of Rumi all day:

“There is one thing in this world which you must never forget to do … human beings come to this world to do particular work. That work is the purpose, and each is specific to the person … Give your life to the one who already owns your breath and your moments … If you don’t … you will be wasting valuable keenness and foolishly ignoring your dignity and your purpose.”

I’ve been meditating on this … and forgiveness.

Janet Muniz is an award-winning professional writer known for informative profile articles, inspiring blog posts and effective video content. To contact her, click here.

Cradle will rock.


Photo by mikeyskatie

On a clear day like today, it’s so easy to see why folks are drawn to Seattle. Out beyond, like the world hidden by the mists of Avalon, you can finally look at the mighty Olympic Mountains to the west and the Cascades to the east, cradling the low lands with scallops all around, dusted in white and mystery. On one side, Mt. Rainer rises quietly at the horizon, so motionless … it’s usually your heart which takes a leap after you spot it.

The sun warms the air just enough to allow for a little heat in your belly, too -firing up the energy to reach that much further.

On a clear night like tonight, the full moon shines through the pines and the stars shimmer in a sky the color of elegance, illuminating a hint of what lies ahead … instead.

Photo by brianteutsch

Janet Muniz is an award-winning professional writer known for informative profile articles, inspiring blog posts and effective video content. To contact her, click here.