We often get bogged down in our day to day grind, and may never feel like we get a break, let alone have the opportunity to get away for a bit. Or perhaps we have the time, but find that we don't feel like we have the financial resources to be able to afford a vacation. Yet a break away from the daily grind, a break away from reality, may be what we really need. Not so long ago I had been feeling like I needed a break away from reality, but did not have the vision to see where I could possibly go, or how I could financially afford to get away. It was then that my sister asked me if I wanted to do a quick weekend trip to visit my niece at college. This was a road trip, and we would be staying at my nieces apartment, so the cost to get away would be minimal. I jumped on the opportunity! The weekend came, and my sister and I hit the road. During the time that we were on the road, my only sister, one of my best friends, were able to catch up with each other on life, and do some much needed bonding. We stopped at a popular burger joint along the way, and took in the sites on our journey. When we arrived at our destination we got to spend the enjoy weekend with my niece. I was able to get recharged, and enjoy my time away. I returned to work on Monday, and had received a last minute email about a conference that was coming up. The key note speaker was one of my favorite people, someone whom I look to as a mentor. I ran the conference past my boss, and asked her what the possibility was of my going to this conference. Much to my surprise, my boss said YES I could attend the conference...I was elated! Attending this conference had been on my dream list, and now I was actually going to be able to attend. Not only that, but the conference was being held in sunny Florida, which would be quite a change from Midwest which is not so sunny during the time that I was getting away. The conference time arrived, and I hopped on a plane to the gulf coast. The weekend was AMAZING; sun, fun, laughs, education, networking, etc. This little 4 day getaway was more than I could have ever dreamed of. Months later the thought of this conference still brings a smile to my face. I know this may sound crazy, but as I returned to work from my Florida conference, I had the opportunity to go to yet another conference the following weekend. This one was a bit closer to home, but I still had to do an overnight. I jumped on it! After all, any opportunity for a night away in a hotel feels like an opportunity to refresh. So after my three weekend in a row getaways I found myself feeling very refreshed and thankful for all of the opportunities that I had to get away. Just a month prior I did not even think it would be possible to get away at all, let alone three weekends in a row!
Today's exercise:
Today I encourage you to think about getting away, think about taking a break from reality. Whether it be a full blown vacation, or just a smiggin of time, think about what that might feel like. Think about the sun hitting your face, or enjoying a cup of hot cocoa next to a fire at a sky lodge. Think about visiting a friend, or a loved one that you have not seen in some time. Don't give any thought to the how's or why's, just allow yourself to enjoy the thoughts of getting away. Next step, start thinking about what's possible. Who can I go visit? What kind of deals are there right now on airfare, or other means of transportation? Start taking some baby steps towards making a get away happen. Then, pull the trigger and set the plans. Two nights away, or even just one will make a huge change in your world. Getting out of your town, getting away from the day to day, breathing the fresh air from a new location is often the medicine we need to recharge our personal batteries. Again, this does not have to be big, long, or expensive....JUST FUN! I can guarantee that taking a break is a great way to fuel the soul. When you return home everything will seem lighter, you will be happier, and you will enjoy a good nights sleep in your own bed! So...rev up those engines, and hit the road! Vrrrrrrrooooom! xo
Friday, December 22, 2017
Friday, April 12, 2013
on trying something new...
Do you ever feel like there you have wanted to accomplish or at least try a new activity or two in your life? Somehing that maybe has been on your mind for ages, but for whatever reason, you just have not had the guts to try it. Maybe it is not guts, maybe it is drive, desire, or motivation. Whatever the case, perhaps there is something on your 'back burner' that needs to be brought up front, and cooked at a medium temperature!
I had the experience recently, and I decided to dive in. For a long period of time I have wanted to try yoga. For years, and years, and years I have heard people talk about yoga, and the positive effects yoga can have a on persons life, mood, health, temperment, etc. When the recent catalogue of classes, from the local park district, arrived on my doorstep, I decided it was time for me to sign up for Yoga 101! The classes began two weeks ago, and while I am only attending one evening a week...I LOVE IT! There are about 6 or 8 people in the class, ranging in age from 16 to 76, male and female. I was nervous during the first class; could I do this, would I be able to keep up with the others, was I too tall? too large? not flexible enough??? As I eased into the class I decided to just do my best, my baseline best, get the most from the class, and take it from there. At the end of the first class, I reflected, and decided I did pretty well. While I was not able to complete all of the poses, I did most of them, and I did them pretty well. Don't get me wrong, I know I have a ways to go, but now I am off and running. The bending, stretching, and next morning pain feels great! I know I am going good things for my body, and ironically enough, I don't seem to notice the aches and pains that I had a few weeks ago. I am really excited about the class, and I am also proud of myself for diving in, and seeing if yoga is something I enjoy. I kid you not, yoga has been on my 'list of things to do' for years. In retrospect, I am not sure why I waited so long to try it. I guess if I had to guess it had something to do with fear, general fear of the unknown, but now that I have conquered that, what is next??? Perhaps running a marathon???? HA...ok, well maybe running a 5k!
Today's activity: try something new
Today I encourage you to try something new in your. What has been on your list, but avoided for years? What have you been dreaming about, but keep it at an arms length because maybe you fear that you cannot accomplish it? Is it an art class? An exercise class? A singing lesson? Your first journal entry? Whatever it is, there is not better time than the present to dive right in and try it out! Start small, and with anything in life, DO NOT HAVE ANY EXPECTATIONS! By keeping it real, and small, you are guaranteed to be pleasantly surprised when you find that you CAN do or accomplish the class, activity, or painting you have been dreaming about for years. A wise man once told me: "If you always do what you've always done, you are always going to get, what you've always gotten"! So there, try something new, and I am sure the return you get on your investment will be new as well! Enjoy!!!
I had the experience recently, and I decided to dive in. For a long period of time I have wanted to try yoga. For years, and years, and years I have heard people talk about yoga, and the positive effects yoga can have a on persons life, mood, health, temperment, etc. When the recent catalogue of classes, from the local park district, arrived on my doorstep, I decided it was time for me to sign up for Yoga 101! The classes began two weeks ago, and while I am only attending one evening a week...I LOVE IT! There are about 6 or 8 people in the class, ranging in age from 16 to 76, male and female. I was nervous during the first class; could I do this, would I be able to keep up with the others, was I too tall? too large? not flexible enough??? As I eased into the class I decided to just do my best, my baseline best, get the most from the class, and take it from there. At the end of the first class, I reflected, and decided I did pretty well. While I was not able to complete all of the poses, I did most of them, and I did them pretty well. Don't get me wrong, I know I have a ways to go, but now I am off and running. The bending, stretching, and next morning pain feels great! I know I am going good things for my body, and ironically enough, I don't seem to notice the aches and pains that I had a few weeks ago. I am really excited about the class, and I am also proud of myself for diving in, and seeing if yoga is something I enjoy. I kid you not, yoga has been on my 'list of things to do' for years. In retrospect, I am not sure why I waited so long to try it. I guess if I had to guess it had something to do with fear, general fear of the unknown, but now that I have conquered that, what is next??? Perhaps running a marathon???? HA...ok, well maybe running a 5k!
Today's activity: try something new
Today I encourage you to try something new in your. What has been on your list, but avoided for years? What have you been dreaming about, but keep it at an arms length because maybe you fear that you cannot accomplish it? Is it an art class? An exercise class? A singing lesson? Your first journal entry? Whatever it is, there is not better time than the present to dive right in and try it out! Start small, and with anything in life, DO NOT HAVE ANY EXPECTATIONS! By keeping it real, and small, you are guaranteed to be pleasantly surprised when you find that you CAN do or accomplish the class, activity, or painting you have been dreaming about for years. A wise man once told me: "If you always do what you've always done, you are always going to get, what you've always gotten"! So there, try something new, and I am sure the return you get on your investment will be new as well! Enjoy!!!
Monday, April 8, 2013
on never too late...
Since I have a birthday approaching in a few weeks, I began to think about where I am in my life. My goals, my accomplishments, my setbacks, my dreams, my reality. I began to think about where I am today, as opposed, to where I thought I would be in my life. Now remember I dont want to live with any regrets, so I often ponder on the 'where I am-where I want to be' concept! Ive never wanted to be one of those people who 'peak' in high school, or at too young of an age anyway. After all, if I were to hit my highest potential at age 20, and I lived to age 85, I have 65 years of status quo! Let me tell you...I AM NOT STATUS QUO! So, yet another year is approaching, another day to celebrate my life! While I love my birthday, I have to keep my future on my radar, so I can be sure that my ship is pointing in the right direction! This year I will almost be in my mid-forties...notice the word ALMOST! HA!!! Sometimes I feel I should be so much further ahead of where I am today, but most times I feel I am right where I need to be. Over the past few days, I have been researching people who peaked or hit major success after age 50, and let me tell you...there are many! It excites me to know that people like Colonel Sanders and Ray Kroc did not become food legends until after age 50! Other noteworthy fifty year olds include Grandma Moses, and Laura Ingalls Wilder. But the name stuck out to me the most was Ronald Reagan, who was not elected into his first government office until he hit age 55! This information EXCITES me! This tells me that if I keep on keeping on, I too may hit my peak age when I am a little bit older, and a little bit wiser! Sure, I can imagine it is great to popular in high school, or to be a rock-star twenty year old, but I am living by that age old saying: Good things come to those who wait!
Today's activity: have you hit your peak???
Today I encourage you to look at your life; your accomplishments verses your goals. Have you hit the goals you set for yourself, or are they just a few steps away? Perhaps you strayed away from a goal you had set for yourself, but now have the time or desire to re-engage in your project. Whatever the case may be, I encourage you to look at where you are, and where you want to be, or where you thought you would be at this age in your life. Some of the most famous, and most loved people did not become famous until they were well into their lives! IT IS NEVER TOO LATE to pick up where you left off, or set a new goal for that matter. Be excited, be re-energized, be willing to take the risk! Age is just a number, merely just a number. Shoot for the moon, cause let's face it...even if you fall short, you will still land among the stars! xo
Today's activity: have you hit your peak???
Today I encourage you to look at your life; your accomplishments verses your goals. Have you hit the goals you set for yourself, or are they just a few steps away? Perhaps you strayed away from a goal you had set for yourself, but now have the time or desire to re-engage in your project. Whatever the case may be, I encourage you to look at where you are, and where you want to be, or where you thought you would be at this age in your life. Some of the most famous, and most loved people did not become famous until they were well into their lives! IT IS NEVER TOO LATE to pick up where you left off, or set a new goal for that matter. Be excited, be re-energized, be willing to take the risk! Age is just a number, merely just a number. Shoot for the moon, cause let's face it...even if you fall short, you will still land among the stars! xo
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
on purpose & happiness...
I recently read an interesting article about how one's purpose is directly linked to one's happiness. As a person who continuously strives for inner, personal, true happiness, this concept get my wheels turning. Could this be true? Could our inner happiness be linked to our purpose and vise versa? After thinking this through I did find some validity to this concept. I began to think about my work, my job. While often times my job drives me crazy, I love it. The craziness of the day; people yelling, people screaming, people laughing, people crying. Spreading joy, spreading color, sharing a smile. Healing a soul, touching a heart...all wonderful things. I took some time off around the recent holidays. I very much enjoy my time off, but by the third or fourth day, I was pretty much bored. My home was clean, my ducks were in a row, and I was well over daytime television. My daughter was out and about, busy with her friends and life. My family and friends were all working. So, I muddled on through my time off, and returned to work after several days off. When I returned to work, the craziest thing happened...I felt ALIVE! I felt awake! I felt needed! I felt that...I had a purpose! I felt HAPPY!!! I was zipping around the buildings, and crossing things off of my list like there was no tomorrow! I was greeting people, smiling, and making friends like never before! At then end of the day, I felt like I had made a difference, even if it was just a small difference, I felt as though I did good work! I was happy, my purpose filled my voids, and made my heart sing! Who would have ever thought that we needed a purpose to feel good?!?! I mean, I really does make sense. If we do good work, no matter what it is. If we make people happy, if we spread joy, we are ultimately fueling our own inner happiness!
Today's activity: link your happiness to your purpose
Today I encourage you to think about your inner happiness, or lack of it. In addition, I encourage you to think about your purpose, or lack of it. How do the two of them tie together in your world? How does one feed off of another? Does your daily work make you happy? Or are you naturally happy, therefore, you want to do good work. Or, on the flip side, perhaps something is missing, and you are not happy, or not feeling a strong sense of purpose. Think about that too. Today is the perfect day to get your wheels turning. Make some changes if necessary. What fuels you? What makes you soar? If you are lacking or not living your purpose, think about why you are not, and how you can add some purpose into your life, therefore, creating a world of joy! Life is what we make of it, so live your BEST life today!
Purpose + happiness = :-)
Today's activity: link your happiness to your purpose
Today I encourage you to think about your inner happiness, or lack of it. In addition, I encourage you to think about your purpose, or lack of it. How do the two of them tie together in your world? How does one feed off of another? Does your daily work make you happy? Or are you naturally happy, therefore, you want to do good work. Or, on the flip side, perhaps something is missing, and you are not happy, or not feeling a strong sense of purpose. Think about that too. Today is the perfect day to get your wheels turning. Make some changes if necessary. What fuels you? What makes you soar? If you are lacking or not living your purpose, think about why you are not, and how you can add some purpose into your life, therefore, creating a world of joy! Life is what we make of it, so live your BEST life today!
Purpose + happiness = :-)
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
on Milton...
I sent this story to my staff earlier this week, and I just can't seem to get it off of my mind, therefore, I thought I would blog it. Here is it...my Thanksgiving wish to you:
This morning, like every morning, I gave money to my homeless friend, Milton. I see Milton every weekday, and sometimes we chat, (if the stop light is red!). I have been giving money and food to Milton for nearly a year, and he has become part of my morning routine. Today Milton asked me if I was doing any cooking for Thanksgiving. I told him that I would be cooking a few items. He then asked me where I was going for Thanksgiving. I told him my Aunt and Uncle were hosting dinner. After our brief conversation, Milton asked me if I could bring him leftovers. I told him I would be happy to, but that my first day back, after the holiday, would not be until Monday. He said..."That's ok sweetheart, I will take them on Monday. Please be sure to put LOTS of gravy on the food!" At that the light changed to green, and I was on my way, leaving Milton looking forward to leftovers.
As I drove away, I was almost brought to tears. The excitement on Milton's face about the possibility of having leftovers from a home cooked meal. I began to think about the upcoming holiday, and how I will be seated around a table with about 34 other family members. My family ranges in age from my 91 year old Granny to a 4 week old cousin. Year after year, holiday after birthday, we get together in a warm, or cool home. We celebrate with fook, drink, and often times gifts. We laugh, we love, we are a wonderful family. While I thank God for my family, and all of my blessings quite often, I know there is still a part of my that takes my blessings for granted. I think of Milton, who will not celebrate with family, and may have to wait until Monday to receive some Thanksgiving leftovers, and I am humbled. God has been wonderful to me...I am truly blessed!
Today's activity:
BE THANKFUL! xo
This morning, like every morning, I gave money to my homeless friend, Milton. I see Milton every weekday, and sometimes we chat, (if the stop light is red!). I have been giving money and food to Milton for nearly a year, and he has become part of my morning routine. Today Milton asked me if I was doing any cooking for Thanksgiving. I told him that I would be cooking a few items. He then asked me where I was going for Thanksgiving. I told him my Aunt and Uncle were hosting dinner. After our brief conversation, Milton asked me if I could bring him leftovers. I told him I would be happy to, but that my first day back, after the holiday, would not be until Monday. He said..."That's ok sweetheart, I will take them on Monday. Please be sure to put LOTS of gravy on the food!" At that the light changed to green, and I was on my way, leaving Milton looking forward to leftovers.
As I drove away, I was almost brought to tears. The excitement on Milton's face about the possibility of having leftovers from a home cooked meal. I began to think about the upcoming holiday, and how I will be seated around a table with about 34 other family members. My family ranges in age from my 91 year old Granny to a 4 week old cousin. Year after year, holiday after birthday, we get together in a warm, or cool home. We celebrate with fook, drink, and often times gifts. We laugh, we love, we are a wonderful family. While I thank God for my family, and all of my blessings quite often, I know there is still a part of my that takes my blessings for granted. I think of Milton, who will not celebrate with family, and may have to wait until Monday to receive some Thanksgiving leftovers, and I am humbled. God has been wonderful to me...I am truly blessed!
Today's activity:
BE THANKFUL! xo
Thursday, November 8, 2012
on favorite word...
Have you ever noticed that you have a favorite word? A word that you tend to use a lot? A word that may have special meaning for you? A word that makes you smile? As I am growing older and wiser, I have discovered a word that I use A LOT, a word that has special meaning for me, and a word that makes me smile... =-) . My favorite word is: LOVE. I know I blogged about love not too long ago, but today I blog about it a little differently. Today I write about love as my favorite word in my vocabulary. I simply love the word LOVE! I am sure that I use it far too often; I love life, I love Diet Coke, I love the sun, I love the moon, I love the color periwinkle, I love my daughter, I love tulips, I love to smile, and I love to make people smile, I love my home, I love my bed, I love art, and the list goes on and on and on. I have also realized that when I meet someone new, and I just go about my normal language/conversation, I use the word love when talking. When I use the word love in conversation, people, new friends, tend to look at me a little oddly. I think they do, because I use the word love so freely in my life, while often other people tend to be more guarded when using these beautiful four letter word. Don't get me wrong, I don't feel as if I misuse the word, I just tend to love a lot of things in life, and I am not shy about sharing my love! Just a couple of weeks ago it hit me that my favorite word in life IS love. After spending a car ride to work thinking about whether or not this was appropriate, I decided it was perfectly fine that my favorite word is love. I mean, after all, I DO LOVE LIFE, and I do love to share love, so why wouldn't my favorite word be love?!?!? Love tends to show up everywhere in my life. For example, the shape of love is a heart, and I often times run across hearts in my world. I might randomly find a heart shaped piece of confetti in my path. Or just the other day I found a piece of my daughters hair, stuck to the side of the shower, in the shape of a heart. I was TOTALLY blown away. I like to have fun with my favorite word, and I love to see how when I am open to it, love pops up in a lot of places within my life. Just today, a dear friend of mine gave me a necklace with the work LOVE stamped three times on it...gotta love, love, LOVE it!
Today's activity: what is YOUR word
Today I encourage you to think about your life, the conversations you have with people, and your vocabulary. Is there a word, or two that tend to show up a lot in your life? Is there a word that you tend to use more frequently than any other. Does this word make you smile, and feel happy? Hopefully it does, and hopefully you can define it as YOUR word. What is your word, and why do you think it fits you? Does this word, or a symbol of it, mysteriously make its way into your life when you least expect it, or when you are not looking? Don't be fooled, if there is a word that pops into your world, and you think it is just randomly making an appearance, trust me...IT IS NOT! On the contrary, this is the Universe's way of telling you that this special word is YOURS. You need to own it, make it yours, brand it, and LIVE IT! Open your eyes to your special word. Once you define what your word it, you will begin to see how it fits you, and how your word has always been there, waiting for you to embrace it. While this word may be just be letters to every other person in the world, this group of letters is YOU, so coin who you are...in just one word! xo
Today's activity: what is YOUR word
Today I encourage you to think about your life, the conversations you have with people, and your vocabulary. Is there a word, or two that tend to show up a lot in your life? Is there a word that you tend to use more frequently than any other. Does this word make you smile, and feel happy? Hopefully it does, and hopefully you can define it as YOUR word. What is your word, and why do you think it fits you? Does this word, or a symbol of it, mysteriously make its way into your life when you least expect it, or when you are not looking? Don't be fooled, if there is a word that pops into your world, and you think it is just randomly making an appearance, trust me...IT IS NOT! On the contrary, this is the Universe's way of telling you that this special word is YOURS. You need to own it, make it yours, brand it, and LIVE IT! Open your eyes to your special word. Once you define what your word it, you will begin to see how it fits you, and how your word has always been there, waiting for you to embrace it. While this word may be just be letters to every other person in the world, this group of letters is YOU, so coin who you are...in just one word! xo
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
on ghosts...
Greetings, and Happy Halloween! What more perfect day to write about ghosts than Halloween?!?!? I am not quite sure if I completely believe in ghosts, but I have to admit I am leaning more towards believing than not believing! I went on a ghost tour/hunt over the weekend and while I did not see any ghosts, I found the stories to be quite interesting. While on the tour we visited about five different sites of alleged ghosts sightings. The sites included everything from a school, to a schoolhouse, to a home, to a courthouse, to a jail, and then onto a couple of cemetaries. Many of the ghost stories were centered around children, and lovers.
In all cases the stories were not scary, but very interesting. Everything from pictures falling off of walls, to paint spilling, to footprints, and voices heard. I understand the concept of seeing or hearing a voice can be frightening, but I personally, do not think seeing a ghost is a frightening experience. On the contrary, I have heard ghost sightings to be very peaceful. In most cases, the ghost, was a person who was present in or on the property they haunt, and they just simply arent ready to leave! Now, I say all of this because I have never actually come in contact with a ghost, so who really knows how I would feel if I encountered a ghost on my path of life...I may go white as a ghost myself!
Today's activity: keep your eyes open...for a ghost!
Today on this very appropriate day of Halloween, I encourage you to be a ghost hunter, or at least think for a moment how you feel about ghosts. Does the thought of seeing a ghost startle you, or have you seen a ghost, and you are fine with it. If you have seen a ghost, do you know who this ghost person is? A loved one, or someone from your past? A stranger? If you have never seen a ghost but have thought about it, how do you feel? Does is scare you, or are you at peace with it? What if, on this Halloween night you had the opportunity to select the ghostly person you could have a conversation with...who would that person be, and what would you say to he/she? Would it be a friend, a loved one, or a public figure, or a superstar??? For fun, think about who might you have a ghostly encounter with, and how might the conversation go? Think about the questions you might ask, and the information you might be interested in knowing. After all, you really never know when you might run into a ghostly goblin in your real life haunted world...ghosts are out there, go find them....BOO!
In all cases the stories were not scary, but very interesting. Everything from pictures falling off of walls, to paint spilling, to footprints, and voices heard. I understand the concept of seeing or hearing a voice can be frightening, but I personally, do not think seeing a ghost is a frightening experience. On the contrary, I have heard ghost sightings to be very peaceful. In most cases, the ghost, was a person who was present in or on the property they haunt, and they just simply arent ready to leave! Now, I say all of this because I have never actually come in contact with a ghost, so who really knows how I would feel if I encountered a ghost on my path of life...I may go white as a ghost myself!
Today's activity: keep your eyes open...for a ghost!
Today on this very appropriate day of Halloween, I encourage you to be a ghost hunter, or at least think for a moment how you feel about ghosts. Does the thought of seeing a ghost startle you, or have you seen a ghost, and you are fine with it. If you have seen a ghost, do you know who this ghost person is? A loved one, or someone from your past? A stranger? If you have never seen a ghost but have thought about it, how do you feel? Does is scare you, or are you at peace with it? What if, on this Halloween night you had the opportunity to select the ghostly person you could have a conversation with...who would that person be, and what would you say to he/she? Would it be a friend, a loved one, or a public figure, or a superstar??? For fun, think about who might you have a ghostly encounter with, and how might the conversation go? Think about the questions you might ask, and the information you might be interested in knowing. After all, you really never know when you might run into a ghostly goblin in your real life haunted world...ghosts are out there, go find them....BOO!
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