Magic May - Love note to curvy running sisters

Remember to be kind to yourself!!!  You are perfect the way you are - that doesn't mean you may not change and grow but NEVER underestimate how wonderful and important and perfect you are!!!

I love you!! Have a magical day and a magical May!!

Magical May

I'd like to invite you to join me this month for a magical month.  We will focus on how to live a magical life by changing our focus, adding new happiness habits, and releasing some old habits that no longer serve us.  I am committing to posting at least four times per week but hope to post every day and perhaps multiple times in a day as things come up for me.

First I want to focus on something that often robs us of joy... comparison!!  Comparing ourselves to others is completely useless.  As the saying goes, it's like comparing apples to oranges.  We are never exactly the same as another person nor would we really, truly want to be.  Think of how boring that would be if everyone was the same.  And that would imply that we all change in the same ways and at the same time which just isn't feasible.  So why do we do it?  It's human nature but that doesn't mean we have to keep doing it.  It may come up for us but we can choose to let it go.  We can look at others to see how we aspire to be ourselves but not in a comparison type of way rather think of it as window shopping.  I like that and want that for myself.  I don't like that.  I choose to be slender and fit.  I choose to be financially free.  I choose happiness and joy.  I choose to be my authentic self.  I choose to surround myself with loving, kind people.  I choose to have solid, close relationships.

As a health coach and runner, I often see people reaching for what they see as "perfection" immediately.  The key is to make small improvements daily, weekly, or even monthly in your own habits without comparing to "perfection" (which there really is no such thing but...).  One reason for this is to avoid overwhelm and discouragement.  If someone focuses on the fact they have 100 pounds to lose - it may seem overwhelming.  If they instead focus on the fact that they already lost 30 pounds, they can see progress.  Focusing on progress is empowering and uplifting rather than overwhelming and discouraging.

Also, I often see runners saying I ONLY did a 5K!  That's a huge accomplishment that not everyone can do.  IF and only IF you personally want to do a 10K, half marathon, marathon, or longer, build up to it.  You do NOT need to do longer distances to consider yourself a runner.  Don't compare and don't compare times either.  Whether you do a 5 minute mile or a 25 minute mile, just do the best you can.  Again, IF it is important to you to improve your time or distance do it because you want to not because someone else does it.

So today - look at one habit you would like to change and make a small change today!!  You can do it.  Let me know what you pick and give yourself a pat on the back.

Everything will work out magically this month!

The Power of Positivity

It is easy forget how powerful our thoughts. But our thoughts lead to our behaviors which lead to actions and consequently influence our outcomes.  Today, try to assume the world is out to do you good!  Assume that everything will work out for your highest good.  Put a smile on your face, knowing that miracles are happening right now in your life!!  If something happens you don't want, know that something else is happening that you do want.  Just keep that knowing, that faith, and watch the miracles unfold right before your eyes!!!

Please feel free to share your experiences (past and present) in the comments.  Have an amazing day!!  I know miracles are happening right now!!

Positive affirmations

Love

Just a reminder that all things are possible with love!  Yes, love brings peace inside ourselves and throughout the world! Spread love and watch the ripple.  

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!!

Begin Each Day With A Grateful Heart

 It really is that simple!  If we start each day with a grateful heart and focus on all that we have to be grateful for, the day will be much better.    It is easy to wake up and think about all the things we "have" to do and all the "problems" we need to fix in our lives but that puts us in problem mode rather than solution mode.

For the next week, wake up and immediately focus on gratitude.  Be thankful that you woke up.  Be thankful for the fact you have somewhere to sleep.  Be thankful for friends and family.  Be thankful for the clothes you have. Be thankful for an indoor bathroom with running water.  Be thankful for the ability to think. Be thankful food you have to eat.  There is so much to be grateful for and we often take it for granted because we are focused on the things we want and don't have.  It's easy to switch the focus.  Try it for a week and let me know what changes you see in your life.  We always get more of what we focus on!!  Let's make it something we actually want :)

Have a magical, grateful day!!