Shelby Stanton

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  Coffee Ring
The brown circle imprinted on a hardwood surface, marking the territory of a mug that once held the ground and brewed substance we call coffee. These pesky rings bring on a feeling of disdain as we find our furniture with a seemingly permanent mark, we forget what a blessing that coffee was. Focusing on this tiny detail and neglecting to recognize the completely unique moment that was shared over a simple beverage.
 
Sarah Burke was an inspiration to female athletes everywhere. As a positive role model and ambitious activist she lived everyday to it's maximum potential. Performing death-defying stunts, the young freestyle star focused on the big picture and was not the type to let coffee rings put a damper on her day. She will not be forgotten.
All of this sunshine is inspiring, a good friend of mine and I will be fierce competitors in two upcoming triathlons. Music Changing Lives is a fantastic organization that is hosting a triathlon in Redland, CA in February. Next we will be hitting the pavement in Pasadena for the annual Pasadena sprint triathlon. Southern California sun is something to be thankful for and I am, each day I am sure to add this blessing to my gratitude journal. Today I challenge you to focus on all of the good, and let go of the little coffee stains that keep us from fully appreciating everyday we are given on this earth. 

Under the weather

Unfortunately, not even sunny Southern California could keep me from catching a cold. Although I am not feeling quite like myself, I have learned a new way of dealing with being inhibited by an achy throat and a throbbing head that I would like to share. This is a meditation technique that can be applied in many aspects of our lives. Human nature causes us to avoid these unpleasant feelings we face in life such a "loss, restlessness, self-doubt, anger, loneliness."(Dass&Gorman) We shy away from all of these. However, by accepting pain and allowing uncomfortable sensations we can open our minds and hearts and let go of the tension within.
 
"Opening To Pain
Find a position you can remain comfortable and quiet.
Bring into your mind that painful or unpleasant feeling and thought.
Let your attention settle around this thought or sensation.
Allow yourself to be with discomfort.
Feel the way in which your mind or body tends to push against the unpleasantness to close it off.
Bur instead of pushing the painful thought or sensation away, stay with it.. gently but firmly.
Consider the possibility that the resistance to the pain may be more painful than the pain itself. Notice how the resistance closes your heart and fills your body with tension.
All grasping relinquished. Just the thought or sensation and the awareness of it.. together... moment to moment
Softening... opening...releasing...allowing...again and again... until there is just the thought... just sensation...
Soft... open... gentle...allowing... floating free..."

Dass & Gormon (How Can I Help?)-Adapted from Who Dies, Stephen Levine

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Gratitude
What is the key to happiness? What is the secret to a bright future? Gratitude.According to Harvard Health Publications, the small act of writing 5 things you are thankful for each day can make a big impact on daily productivity and a person's happiness. Here is a challenge, increase your happiness by waking up tomorrow morning and writing 5 things you are greatful for. This concept of positive psychology is all about focusing on what makes us happy, instead of fixating on what makes us sad or upset. This new approach is ground breaking. Lets spread the joy, to learn more about this new theory check out the video below!


"An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves."
1/3/11  
                                                              (James Vaughn)
   It's a time for hugs and squeals as friends reunite, a time for new goals and new horizons. Every year once a year we are given the gift of a fresh start. This year is a blank slate and each day is what we make it. My resolution is to maintain my blog (this time writing in first person) to keep friends and family back home up to date on what is happening on my side of the map. I intend to post only interesting and fun adventures to read about and I promise to be brief! My very wonderful and worldly cousin, Ryan wrote a fantastic blog about all of his incredible experiences and escapades in Australia and as an avid reader of his stories I hope to bring joy with the written word in a similar way he did.
   This week the Chapman Sailing team is gearing up for the Rosebowl Regatta, hosted by USC. We have had a pretty good season so far holding our own against schools much larger than us and more competitive, such as UCLA, USC, Long Beach, UCSD and many others. We have a crew of about 14 sailors and our Captian is film major, Taylor Forester.
 
    During the month of January, Chapman gives students the opportunity to participate in what we call interterm. Students can take up to 4 credits and the cost is included in tuition. The Philosophy of Helping is the class I have elected and after my first day I know this is going to be a fabulous month! Professor Jen Shubin is the instructor and she is absolutely fantastic. She conducts the course with all the professionalism of a good teacher, but makes her students feel at ease by allowing us to call her by her first name and using appropriate self-disco3lsure to allow us to get to know her. Her humor makes the three hours fly by and definitely helps the short attention span of a college student.
   Coming back to beautiful Chaptown and being reunited with friends like Austin and Westin, Mackenzie, Shaina and many others reminds me why I love this place. Thank you New Hampshire for providing a somewhat white Christmas, I will see you in May!


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El Salvador
Upon her return to El Salvador this year, Shelby was welcomed with hugs and smiling faces from the family she helped build a house for last year. She was thrilled to see all of the familiar faces and begin construction on the new houses. This year the Interact club built 7 houses and began the process of building an 8th. The El Salvador trip is run by the Rotary. Students from Keene High and Fall Mountain spend their February vacation in a tropical climate, building houses to make someone's life a little bit easier.
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Alpine Ski Season
This year the Keene High Alpine Girl's ski team placed second at states with four qualifiers for the Meet of Champions. Shelby is extremely proud of all her team mates and is very grateful for all of her fantastic coaches this season.



Keene High Pride
The Blackbirds are tearing up the score boards this fall, with an undefeated football team and an impeccable Varsity Soccer team! Not to mention cross-country runners as quick as lighting.  Needless to say, everyone is out and about, boasting their Blackbird pride!




Contra Dancing
Contra dancing is in full 'swing' this summer! There have been Kroka kids, Waldorf buses, Apple Hill musicians and so many phenomenal artists in the town hall of Nelson. It has been an absolute ball to blow off some steam and dance the night away. Thank you to all the delightful people who have made this summer the most magnificent summer yet!

Alpine Racing
Shelby just finished up the racing season. Her Alpine Ski Team won the state championships for New Hampshire! She can't wait to get back in the sunshine of LA, although she will most certainly miss hitting the slopes!




Quarter Finalist
When Shelby's off screen, she is always on the look out for scholarships. Her favorite site for scholarships is www.fastweb.com. She is in the quarter finals for an essay competition on travel biog right now. Shelby would really appriciate your vote! Vote for her essay right here!!

11/2/09

Chicken Salad Spot
Keep an eye out for Shelby in Willow Tree's latest commercial for their fabulous chicken salad. You can also check out the commercial right here!





Willow Tree Loves Shelby
       While the earth cools down, Shelby's schedule is heating up. She shot a fantastic commercial for the  delicious, Willow Tree Chicken Salad! Shelby had the pleasure of working with Kaitlyn Connor (recently featured on The Tyra Banks Show), here is a quick peek at their day on set!


Shelby Films For NSF & MIT
             This summer Shelby has begun filming a series of educational videos, as Liz, the quirky, yet spunky, little class nerd. She and her co-star Chey have had a blast on set in Boston and are enjoying the city life! The videos will be used in after-school programs nationwide.