Find Your Joy Friday

Do you ever feel like you are just getting through the day, the week, the year?  Do you feel like you are always busy but not accomplishing anything?  If you answered yes to either of those, it's time for a change!!

It's time to find your passion and pursue it like your life depends on it!!  Sometimes people get so caught up in making a living that they stop truly living!!

If you know what you are passionate about, are you pursing it?  If not, today is the day to start.  We find our purpose in our passion.

If you are confused about what you even like to do or what you are passionate about, then take some time to just sit and relax.  Ask yourself the following questions, or better yet, journal about them.  When was the last time I felt super alive and happy?  What was I doing? What did I love as a kid?  What did I want to do with my life when I was a kid?  Am I doing it?  Do I still want to do it or something similar?  What books do I like to read?  What makes me passionate?  What do I love to do?   Give yourself time and just write - don't censor what comes up, just write and write.  Ask yourself the question over and over and see what other things come up.  When you determine what makes you happy and where your passion lies, take one step in that direction.

Life is meant to be enjoyed!!!  Here's to a meaningful, happy, abundant life!!  You deserve it simply because you exist!!

Never give up on your dreams!!

Happiness

"There can be no happiness where there is fear, apprehension, or dread." ~ Florence Scovel Shinn

It seems like an obvious statement but how can we expect to be happy when we are afraid of the future or afraid to go after what we really want?  Where does all this fear come from?  It comes from past conditioning but the past has no power over us unless we give it power.  The only power we have is in the present moment.  We can't change the past, the future hasn't arrived yet, so the only time we have is right now!!  Let's drop the fear, apprehension, and dread and allow faith and happiness to take over.  We'll feel so much better and we'll actually take more focused action on our goals when we are in that state of happiness.

Join me today and allow happiness to take over :)  It is a choice and it is an inside job which means our happiness in independent of our circumstances and those around us.  We can choose happiness now.  Who's with me??

Follow Your Dreams

Are you living a life you love?  

Are you passionately pursuing your dreams?  

Have you given up on your dreams?  

If your life isn't everything you want it to be, now is the time to turn it around!!
Don't wait another minute.  Write down your dreams - visualize them as if they have already come true and start taking steps in that direction!!  You deserve to have a life that makes your heart sing!!  You deserve to be happy!!  Follow your dreams and know that you can do anything you put your mind to.  You don't have to know how it will happen.  You just have to be open to the possibility of it and it will begin to fall into place.  Make sure you are clear about what you want and expect it.  You will find the right steps to take.  You will reach your goal and the sooner start, the sooner you'll get there!!

Please let me know what your dream is and what steps you will take today to move in that direction!!

Beliefs

"When we expand our thinking and beliefs, our love flows freely.  When we contract, we shut ourselves off." ~ Louise Hay

One thing that I have found on my journey of self-improvement is that sometimes I have limiting beliefs that I'm not even aware of.  In fact, they are so well buried that if you asked me if I believed that I would give an emphatic, "NO!!"  It's really interesting when we allow ourselves to delve deep into our inner workings.  The things that come up as astounding.  I saw this quote in Louise's book, The Power is Within You, and it reminded me how important it is to be open.  Open to the possibility that that we are holding ourselves back through undiscovered, buried beliefs.  Open to the possibility that we can really have everything we want.  Open to the possibility that what we want may come to us in a way that is different that what we are expecting.  For example, if I want a certain type of _________ (fill in the blank), I may get something different that actually has all the qualities of that certain something or someone but isn't what I thought it would be.  We have to be open to doing more inner work and loving ourselves no matter what comes up.  We have to be open to allowing all the good and abundance we desire into our lives.  It is all ours for the asking if we are open to it and willing to change our limiting beliefs and behaviors when prompted.

Also in the book, Louise gives some affirmations that she uses.  I'm going to list them here and start using them myself starting today.  Remember to be patient - when you plant a seed, it take time to grow.  If you nurture it, it will grow but won't be full grown in 5 minutes.  The same is generally true of affirmations - they may not completely manifest in the next 5 minutes but with love and nurturing - they will manifest.  And so it is!!

Affirmations from  The Power is Within You by Louise Hay.

• Everything I need to know is revealed to me.
• Everything I need comes to me in the perfect time-space sequence.
• Life is a joy and filled with love.
• I am loving and lovable and loved.
• I am healthy and filled with energy.
• I prosper wherever I turn.
• I am willing to change and to grow.
• All is well in my world.

May we all remember, that our thoughts create our reality. May we believe in ourselves every day. And may we love one another and ourselves and always strive to serve while we allow all good things to come to us.

Please feel free to share your reactions in your successes. Namaste.

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. ~ C.S. Lewis

You are also never too old to go after your dreams.  Is there something that you really want?  Is there something you thought you couldn't do?  A dream that was squashed by naysayers when you were growing up?  What's a step you can take today to move in the direction of your dreams?

Just take one small step and feel the power of positive movement!!  Let me know how it goes!!

Choose Love Today!!

Choose Love Today!!  Often people feel justified in their anger or revenge.  The problem is that when we hold on to those negative feelings, we hurt ourselves as well as others.  The act of forgiveness is paramount to good health and happiness.  Forgiveness does not mean condoning bad behavior nor does it mean ignoring and allowing it but it means letting go of the anger and hatred that come with focusing on that rather than solutions.  Martin Luther King was adamant about our responsibility to address injustice but he was also adamant about doing it with love and focusing on what we want and solutions rather than the problem and want we don't want.

Think about this today in all areas of your life.  What are you holding onto that you need to let go of?  Often times it is actually not forgiving ourselves.  The reality is not forgiving keeps us stuck and to move forward and accomplish everything we dream of, we need to forgive ourselves and others for all perceived wrongs.

The Time Is Now

I did it!!  I completed my first timed 10K today!!  I did a 10K today in 1:28:39 :)  I know to avid runners that may not be a super fast time but I am very excited.  I completed it. I wouldn't get swept at Disney :)  and that's really what is most important to me. 

One of the things I think about is how important it is to be happy with our own progress and where we are right now.  We can't start somewhere that we aren't :)  I know I'm not alone in thinking that it would be so much easier to run if I weighed less and in the past that has prevented me from starting.  How silly is that?  how human is that?  We all do it in certain circumstances.  We compare ourselves to others and how well they do something but you know what - they didn't start there.  And we have to start where we are.  If I'm in Boston and want to go to LA, I can't start in Phoenix.  I need to start where I am.  The same goes for any of our goals.  It doesn't matter where we are, we can get to our destination if we accept where we are and take action to get where we want to go.  

If walking is all you can do - do it!!  You don't need to be able to run. If you want to run, you'll get there.  If you choose to keep walking, that's fine, too.  There is no need to compare to others - we never come out exactly equal because no two people are exactly alike with all the same experiences and reactions.  It's just the way it is!!

So if you don't have a regular exercise routine, will you get out there today and start moving? Remember to listen to your body and do what you can do.  Tomorrow you'll be able to do a little more and the next day, even more than that.  

Please let me know how it goes.  Smile, be happy, and focus on all you have and have accomplished and more will come!!  Patience :)

Dream Big

What would you do if you knew that you couldn't fail?  What do you really dream of having, being, or doing?  Not just what you think is doable or attainable but what do you really want - what is your big dream?  Do you have a big dream?

Today, I want to suggest that we all create a vision of what our ideal life would look like.  What do you really want and why?  This is not something you need to share, especially in the beginning if it seems too big.  But eventually you absolutely want to share your BIG dreams with someone and anyone who may be able to help you attain it and who will be supportive.

Don't let anyone tell you that your dream is not attainable because we can really do anything if we believe in ourselves, we take steps in the right direction, and we keep at it until we get there.  It's important to listen to feedback along the way to make sure you are headed in the right direction and it's important to re-evaluate from time to time to make sure your goals and dreams haven't changed.  By that I do NOT mean give up on them but sometimes our passions shift and what was once important to us is no longer very important.  Spend your energy pursuing the big dreams that really make you happy and your life will be spend in joy!!

Believe In Yourself

How often do we look for the answers to life's challenges outside of ourselves?  I believe that is one of the reasons that I read so many self-help books - to find the answers I've been looking for.  But the truth is all the answers we need are inside us.  We have them, we just need to quiet our minds and listen.  I remember the first time you could ask God, Source, the Universe for help or answers through prayers but to hear the answers you must meditate or quiet your mind.  It makes so much sense.

What is all comes down to is believing in ourselves and our power.  We all have it.  The only difference is that some of us accept it and allow it and others of us don't believe enough in ourselves to even try to truly listen for the answers.  I challenge each one of us to allow our power to shine through.  Our power is our light and it is a good thing.  People who use "power" to control or hurt others are not really using their power - that's a lack of self-esteem and true self-confidence.  We don't need to be afraid of our power, we need to own it and allow it to flow freely through us every day.  It will inevitably benefit us and everyone around us.  Believe in yourself.  I do.  You can do anything you put your mind to.  You are an amazing person who can have the life you dream of and you can make a positive difference in the world every day!!  

Make today amazing!!  Believe in yourself.  Go share your light and your power with the world and see how things begin to change for the better every day!!

January Challenge

Happy New Year!!

As the new year begins many people make resolutions for change.  The problem is that resolutions are notorious for not being kept.  I believe that is because we think of them the wrong way.

I gave up making resolutions but I do make goals both short and long term every year!  One of the important aspects of goals is to known and articulate why you are making them.  To say you want to lose weight is great but to say how much weight, by when, and why give it much more power.  Why do you want to lose weight?  Do you really want to or is it something you think you should do?  Have you given any thought to why you want to?  How will you feel if you do and how will you feel if you don't?  Is there a difference?  The deeper you can go into the reasons you want to do something, the better.  If the reasons are really important to you and you keep those in mind you are more likely to actually follow through on what is need to achieve your goal.

I have created a challenge for myself.  I believe in planning to make a change for 30 days.  We can do anything for 30 days.  If it feels good, we can continue it and if not - release it.  It's done.

I invite you to join me in this challenge at whatever level feels good to you. I will report back at the end of the month to let you know how I did and I'd love to hear how you did, too!

Every day in January I'm planning to do the following:

1. Meditate
2. Run or Walk (3 miles minimum each day)
3. Nature - get out in nature and enjoy the world around me
4. Mirror Exercise - before going to bed every night I will look at myself in the mirror and compliment myself on my achievements for the day (big or small) and tell myself "I Love You!" ***
5. Goals - review them morning and night
6. Inspiration - read inspiring books at least 5 minutes
7.Sit-Ups - Do at least 30
8. Push-Ups - Do at least 15
9. Fruits/Veggies - each at least 5 servings

*** The mirror exercise sounds "weird" to people at first but people who have done it have had wonderful results.  Often people may not even know that they have low self-esteem or harbor some inner anger or guilt that is actually holding them back.  In doing the mirror exercise, we allow ourselves to have unconditional love from ourselves which is the most empowering gift we can give ourselves. We deserve it.

Please share your thoughts, comments, and results with me.

Run Your Race

I am so excited that my friend Mayra's book, Run Your Race, is finally available on Amazon. This book is about making your impossibles possible.  It tells her story (and other's stories) about how running a marathon seemed impossible for them and yet they set a goal and completed at least one marathon.  After they proved to themselves they could do that, things change because they know nothing is impossible.  This is the book that has inspired me to complete a marathon and to take on all the other things I want that seemed "impossible".  It's on Amazon so check it out.  You can watch the trailer here:  http://youtu.be/RQ9rv7tUWDc

Running In The Rain

Okay, today I really felt like I was starting my training. When I left the house to start my run it was only 29°

and there was some snow and slush on the ground.  But I did it. I got out there and I just started running. I know part of it is because I want to support my son in his goal to have 5000 miles logged into Saucony's Run4Good app during the month of December 2013. It's for a wonderful cause and I'm very excited to meet that goal, although I can't do it just myself. But in addition to that am very excited to really start to take care of myself and to lose the extra weight and to train for the marathon that I'm planning to run in 2015. I'm still feeling very excited and motivated from my friend Mayra's book which will be available on Amazon on December 12, 2013. I'm also excited by the challenge that I signed up for to run 14 races in the year 2014. And I'm excited to put to use all the information I've gained through all my certificate programs but haven't applied. Now is the time! I'm going to include all of you on my journey. For the first time in my life I'm going to acknowledge out loud that I don't always practice what I teach.  I'm going to acknowledge that I'm obese. It's kind of a funny thing, because it's not as if people can't notice that but I never wanted to admit it. Granted I think I also have so many kind friends who tell me I don't look 80 pounds overweight.  Perhaps they are just thinking I only look 75 pounds overweight ;). Actually I am fortunate to have the extra weight evenly distributed so I have been able to deny the problem all these years!  But now is the time to recognize it and change it.  I also hope to help others who struggle with their weight.  For those who need to learn about basic nutrition and lifestyle choices, I've got that down.  I'm also got the emotional "reasons" down to help recognize those and most importantly I'm learning to release everything that holds me back and help others do the same!  We are all in this together and I love you!  Please let me know how I can support you in your journey.