Sometimes we just have to cry out for it. We all need a little love once in a while but rarely do we ask for it. This shot speaks so loudly to me about how I feel sometimes~ frustrated, tired, and in need of some serious TLC. What I love most about this image is how it acts as a reminder for when those times come… a reminder that all we need to do is surround ourselves with the people who love us. Those who will be there to kiss the tears away and tell us everything is going to be OK. If you are feeling like you need some love or just need to have a good cry~ go ahead! Cry out for what you need today and receive the love that is waiting for you.
I had to dig deep this past summer to accept that 40 was really just a number… but last weekend, somewhere between my early morning dive into the salty bay and my 14th mile around the sandy hook, I started to believe it!
I was honored to race along side my sisters, my lifelong girlfriend and hundreds of other women. It was truly a remarkable experience! As I approached the finish line of my first (and likely last) triathlon, in all of my glorious “forty-ness,” I saw my 7 year old daughter standing next to my 60-something year old mother, waving and cheering for me as I passed! It was in that moment, that I realized why my mom (a single mother of four daughters) made it mandatory for each of us to know all of the words to Helen Reddy’s “I am woman.”           (Which happens to be my Karaoke song of choice!)
I am strong (strong), I am invincible (invincible), I am woman! ~~~~
I have decided to think of forty as nothing more than “halftime.” A chance to head to the locker room to re-group and rest up before I burst onto the field and take the second half by storm. I plan to play out the rest of the game a bit more aggressively, taking a few shots at the end zone, even if it means tossing up a Hail Mary or two!
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I wrote the following verse a few years back, but today seems like the perfect day to share it! I hope that it inspires you to stand in your own spotlight~ where you belong!
You know the feeling~ it comes in that rare moment when you add just the right accessory to your outfit, take that final peek in the mirror, and know that you landed the knockout punch! That feeling that everything came together beautifully and you look and feel like a knockout!!!
I love that feeling! But man do I miss that feeling!! I haven’t felt that feeling in while!
My summer ponytail and comfy summer smock dresses have served their purpose! But lately I am feeling more like a washed up “has been” than like a champ! I think it’s about time that I get back in the ring!!
I am puttng the gloves back on and hitting the heavy bag hard! Time for some knockout digs and maybe even a new do! I’ve got to dig deep and fnd my inner Ali!! Its definitely time to get haute like a butterfly and bling-ed like a bee!
How about you? Do you want just a ring side seat or are you willing to take a shot at the title??
Peace out!
“If there were no schools to take the children away from home part of the time, the insane asylums would be filled with mothers.” — Edgar W. Howe
OK, after my last journal post about being grateful and filling myself up with what was great, it became apparent that living in gratitude meant filling my mind with great thoughts, filling my spirit with the greatness of God, and filling my body with great nutrition. Â Since the beginning of the year I have been working hard and making a diligent effort in all three areas and I am just beginning to realize that being grateful leads to being healthy! Who knew??!!Â
I begin each morning with 5-10 minutes of meditation before I even get out of bed, focussing on the great things in my life and quietly celebrating my family, my home, my friends and my business. Â I focus on what makes me happy and I avoid stressing over what is not so “perfect” so that I can do my best to truly rise and shine!! Â This in itself is great feat for me because I am definitely not a morning person and I used to get up cranky and tired, stumbling over all of the things on my “to do” list and freaking out about how I was going to “get it all done.”
Once I get the kids off to school, I spend 30 minutes filling my spirit with the teachings of Joyce Meyers Ministries. Â I either watch the television show or read one of her inspiring books, followed by a bible reading and prayerful reflection. Â Again, an absolutely awesome accomplishment for this doctrine challenged self proclaimed “recovering Irish Catholic.” Â If there are any Irish Catholics reading, you know exactly what I mean. Â We managed 12 years of Catholic school and never even cracked the bible!Â
But really, this is what I have been doing and damn if its not working!! LOL Â I am feeling so grateful and so filled with greatness that I have even started working on my health and nutrition. Â Now really… anyone from this area knows that winters are long and sweat pants are “in style” for at least another month and a half. Â January diets are usually a faint memory by now and sluggishness coupled with cabin fever is running rampant this time of year. Â But since I have been working on my gratitude~~ all of my regular inactivity has ended and I have been inspired to care as much for my body as I do for my mind and spirit. Â
I started “Weight Watching” and have stuck to the program like a champ. Â I lost 6 pounds and have replaced philly cheese steaks and fries with “hummus and carrots” on my lunch menu! Â WTH is going on here?? Â I know, I know!! Â That is exactly what I am thinking!!
And now for the kicker~~ I started running again, a have just registered for my first TRIATHLON scheduled for next September!! Â Holy Cow, what has become of me?? Â I actually have to pinch myself when I think about it. Â Can it be that I am actually entering my 40th year of life feeling healthier than ever before?? AMAZING!
What have you done today that makes you feel healthy?? Grab a carrot stick and think it over. Â It seems to all start with gratitude!Â
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GRATEFUL= FULL OF WHAT IS GREAT!Â
In order to become grateful, we need fill ourselves up with that which is GREAT!! Â And if we fill ourselves up with what is great, our life becomes even greater!Â
Look around and notice all that is great in your life and then celebrate it with more passion and enthusiasm than you thought possible! Â Make a conscious effort to “fill up” on the things that are GREAT in your life at the present moment, rather than focussing on what is not so great and wasting time trying to figure out how it got there. Â Instead of obsessing about your “bigger than last year” bootie, celebrate something that you love about your body. Â If you have GREATÂ arms, hug yourself with them! Â If you have a GREATÂ smile, share it with yourself in the mirror every chance that you get! Â The more you focus on what is great, the more grateful you become. Â
Get yourself excited this new year about all of the wonderful and bountiful blessing in your life and become filled to the brim with it all. Â Forget about making goals and lists of all of the things that you don’t have yet, and instead make a list of everything that you do have and celebrate it. Â Spend 2 minutes before your feet hit the floor each morning thinking about all that is great around you rather than stressing over all that is not quite as good as it should be. Â Focus on your GREAT kids and GREAT husband instead of the all of their laundry that you have to do when you get up. Â Or think about the GREAT opportunities that you have in this country to make some money instead of worrying about all of the debt that you accumulated this holiday. Â Think about your GREAT life and celebrate it and you will be surprised at how quickly you become grateful!! Â
I found this list of all of the quotes  from “THE SECRET” and find having it close by helps me to stay excited and passionate about being grateful.  I hope it helps you too!!   Happy New You!Â
Generally right around this time of year, people (me) can fall into the what some have deemed the “holiday funk.” Â With winter looming right around the corner and all of our relatives looming right around the dinner tables, the holiday funk can creep into our minds and make us forget about the true magic of the season.
A great friend sent me this fabulous card from Hallmark that has  redefined the meaning of funk  for me!!  I am reminded that my holiday blues can be avoided if I adjust my attitude, get back into a positive groove, and remember to do what I do best~~ bring the funk!!  Here are some ideas that you can use to adjust your attitude and help you to find your fab funk this week:
Tap into your inner James Brown and make a grand entrance to the Thanksgiving dinner table!  Slide into your seat with all the funk you can muster singing “I feel good!” as loud as you can (in your head of course!) “Wo! I feel good! nananananananah, I knew that I would.” Â
Once seated and pleasantries have been exchanged, channel the power of Kool and the Gang’s “Get down on it, come on and get down on it“ to help you get through the dry turkey, cold corn and paper plate feast with the inlaws.  “What you gonna do? Do you wanna get down?”
When you get asked some ridiculously uncomfortable question like “when you are going to have another baby?” or “do you think he is finally going to put a ring in your stocking?”~~ take a deep breathe before you answer and visualize DJKool belting out the lyrics of  ”Let me clear my throat!“ in front of a stadium of devoted fans!  “Here we go now, here we go now….ah,huh, ah huh…”
Put the swagger back in your step and the swing in your hips while you are bringing your funky back this holiday season!!  Don’t let yourself get into the normal holiday rut.  Break out of your funk and bring on your funky!!
Because like the cards says, anyone can bring the green beans amandine….
