"Thank You"

It is really amazing how powerful the words, "Thank you." are.  These two little words, 8 letters in all, 9 if you include the space can be.  These words can change a person's perception on life, their attitude, their emotions, and possibly even their outlook.  When I say thank you and REALLY mean it, a physical change occurs in my body.  The endorphins release, I smile, a body of warmth encapsulates me, and I feel really really good inside.  I am writing about thank you because as a reader of my blog I wanted to thank you for reading it.

Periodically I check to see how many people have viewed my blog, today I am at 270.  WOW.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think my blog would be viewed 270 times.   I didn't think I would get more than 10 maybe 20...I have only so many friends and family, that would read my blog.  I am extremely grateful and thankful to all that have taken a little time out of their busy day to read what I write.  Writing for me has always been and always will be very personal.  You put yourself out there to be judged and scrutinized and hope that the message your are sending is received in the way that it was meant to be.  My blogs are my outlet to inspire.  Inspire the readers into reflecting on their life, living to their fullest potential and being grateful for all that they have.  So today I want to "Thank You, thank you for reading my blogs and as a result you inspire me to write more.

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it."

~ William Ward

21 Day Accomplishment

I did it.  I successfully walked 2+ miles everyday.  I cannot begin to state what a wonderful conscious feeling of accomplishment.  There were times when I thought man would I like to stay in bed but everytime I did that I said to myself..."What is my conscious choice that I am making?"  I got up and walked.  When we travelled I had to get up even earlier but I fit it in.  Walking has made so many differences in my life.  It has helped me appreciate all that I have, it has given me the opportunity to reconnect spiritually, and it has helped to heal my soul.  Keeping a sticker chart tracking my progress and having my family cheer me on made a huge difference.  When we left early from Canada to come back to the states I got up at 5:30 did what I needed to do and made sure all that Rob had to do was get the kids in the car.  He picked me up 45 minutes later on the road. The girls said that I get 4 stickers for this walk. During a brief period of walking on the road that early morning it started snowing, then sleeting, and the wind was howling from the north ...burrrrrrr cold, and I thought what am I doing.  I stopped looked around at the land, looked up at the sky as the sun was just beginning to rise, listened to  the early morning bird chatter and knew exactly why I was out here.

To appreciate and be thankful for everything that I have, my family, and all of the wonderful experiences I was able to enjoy while on vacation.  My daily walk of gratitude.  I was able to see the sun rise and set that day...and everyday I get to experience that is a GREAT day.

So after walking a straight 21 days how do I feel?  Have I created a habit?  Do I crave walking?  Am I still making it a part of my daily life?

I feel great!  Yes I created a habit.  I do crave it (I walked today in 6" of snow), and I will continue to make it a part of my daily life....I have to my soul needs it.

"If you take responsibility for yourself you will develop a hunger to accomplish your dreams."

Les Brown

"5 Days and Counting"

For 5 days (one day off on Sunday) I have set my alarm, got up at 6:30, put my tennis shoes on and went for my walk.  Today my Rhodesian, Kilty, joined me.  She is my new walk buddy.  It was exhilarating, refreshing and spiritually uplifting.  I felt great.  The air was cool and brisk.  The sky was filled with soft reds, yellows, and hues of purple.  The birds were singing good morning and I just walked, took deep breathes, and thanked God for this beautiful morning.   I am really enjoying starting my day this way.

In my walking I have come to some conclusions.  First exercise shouldn't be something you dread, you should enjoy it and look forward to it.  I believe if you don't then you are doing the wrong exercise.  There are so many ways to fit exercise into your life you just have to try them all out and see which ones you enjoy.  If you dread doing something, or feel it is a chore then you won't stick with it.  If it makes you feel good after doing it, then it WILL become a habit.  Eventually I will put running back into my exercise program but for now I am just enjoying the walking.  The greatest gift I have given myself in the past 5 days is me-time.  This gifts keeps giving back to me 100 times.  My morning mood is calmer, happier and overall just better.  I feel peaceful and relaxed.   My family is enjoying this zen like morning mommy.

To keep me on track and focused for the next 21 days, I created an exercise chart.  My children are really getting a kick out of it.  They check it after school to make sure Mommy put her sticker on.  I borrowed some stickers from my 8 year old's 1,000 motivational sticker book.  She didn't mind.  I took only the smiley faces but she said I could take 2 a week of the word stickers "Great Job, Super Star, A++, etc..." for my chart.  I thanked her.  Maybe my goal setting and chart keeping will show my children that tracking your progress with stickers isn't just for kids, moms and dads like superstar stickers, smiley faces and star stickers too.

"Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try."

Anonymous

"21 Days"

Did you know that if you live to 82, that you will have lived 29,950- days (including leap years) , 718,000-hours and 43,128,000-minutes.  Did you know that 21 days is only .7% of your life.  It isn't even 1%.  They say that it takes 21 days to create a habit.  Think of all the endless possibilities that can happen when you adopt a new positive habit for 21 days.

Floss your teeth for 21 days=  better health, lower your chances of gum disease
Exercise everyday for 21 days= lower blood pressure, feel healthier.  The key is to try and do it the same time everyday
Stop complaining for 21 days= more positive outlook (see complaint free world)
De-clutter a room for 21 days= a clutter free house (check out Flylady.net)
No t.v. for 21 days= more quality time spent doing other things, games with your family, reading
No gossiping for 21 days= better energy
No sugar for 21 days= Elimination of extreme energy highs/lows
No fast food for 21 days.= overall better feeling
Eat healthier for 21 days= More energy.  Your body will start to crave the healthy foods vs. junk food.
Get up a half our earlier for 21 days= maximize your day and begin it by focusing in on you and taking care of you.
Get 7/8 hours of sleep everyday for 21 days= eat less, more focused, less irritability

I didn't really think about the so called "habit feeling" until I reflected on some of my daily habits.  I read religiously every night.  I may only read 5 or maybe 20 minutes but I read EVERY night.  I started to think about how I felt when I didn't read, I missed it.  It is so much a part of my day, it is a daily ritual and when I don't I read my day doesn't feel complete.  My 21 day goals now are to floss daily...so far I am up to 5 days (my dentist will be ecstatic), walking 2 miles 1st thing in the morning 6:00 am. wake-up call.  I have successfully done it 3 days in a row missed one (today), no gossiping (I had to start over), and starting Monday tracking everyday what I spend and where I want to spend my money.

There is an unlimited amount of things that you can do in 21 days...pick one, chart your progress with a 21 day progress chart that is visual and you can see it everyday, wear a bracelet or piece of jewelry to remind yourself of your goal, celebrate when you have completed the 21 days.  Push yourself and go for the gold a 30 day habit.   Make sure that if you mess up, forgive yourself and begin again....

Good luck and post all your successes.  I would love to hear about them.

"There's no thrill in easy sailing when the skies are clear and blue, there's no joy in merely doing things which any one can do.  But there is some sweet satisfaction that is mighty sweet to take, when you reach a destination that you thought you'd  never make."

Spirella

My Forever Dog...A tribute to Porter

My favorite season!!

I promise to protect you.

Just hangin' in the yard, lovin' life
I love being with my family.

   

The best of friends

Underneath Mommy's desk ="Heaven"

                                Smack dab in the center just
                                where I belong.




                                                                                            My buddy.

I can sleep anywhere

3 Peas in a pod

 Will you share that egg with me?

  Ok Robby we'll play "Ride em' Porter"

           "I love you buddy"

I don't like the first day of school.                                                          

 

I'm happiest surrounded by my family.

Mommy I'm tired.

 

Friends for life.

 

                                                               

A daddy's love...unconditional.

 

Our last walk together....my best friend and I.....

I am going to really miss this girl...she loves to cuddle.

                                      Me + Couch - getting in trouble= heaven

  My journey is coming to an end.

"Porter please don't go"

I love you....I love you...I love you!!!!!!!

Someday....we will be together again I promise!

21 Days Free From Gossip

Recently I began taking a course called Building Your Personal Foundation.  I am in the process of changing my life, behaviors, thoughts, reactions etc. for the better.  I do have a lot of work cut out for me.  Currently we are learning about raising our own personal standards and  living in integrity.

My goal for the next 21 days is to stop gossiping good/bad about anyone.  If the person is not present and able to hear what I have to say about them then it is off limits.   I am on day 2.  The first day was fairly easy, I didn't talk with many people so the opportunities were few.  Day 2, a little harder.  I have spoken with friends and family and have consciously decided not to gossip.  It isn't as hard as I thought it would be.  You just have to think twice about what you are going to say.   I can honestly say that I feel a little lighter and free from negative energy.  My thoughts seem to be more positive and my focus is more on me than on someone else.  It feels nice.

Tomorrow will be day 3.  I hope that it keeps getting better and better.  Eventually I hope the only gossip I will be participating is in reading People when I visit my hair dresser.  Until then I am going to keep my thoughts of others close to my heart and continue focusing my energies on improving my life.  I challenge all of those who read my blog, which by the way I am eternally grateful for, a 21 day gossip free good/bad challenge.  Post your successes as I would love to read about them.

"We become what we think about."

Earl Nightingale

Saying Goodbye

Saying goodbye is never easy especially if it means forever.  Recently I was given heart wrenching news...our family dog,Porter, of 13 years was diagnosed with a cancerous mass in his spleen and most likely has liver cancer.  For the last 13 years Porter and I  have both been pretty inseparable.  Where ever I go, he goes, when ever I am upset, he understands and comes and comforts me, I leave he has to come, he truly is my shadow.  I don't think I have ever really gotten mad at him for doing something wrong.  The only thing I can say that has made me mad was when he would wonder off while we were on a walk.

Porter is a yellow lab mix with the most beautiful heart.  In all the encounters with other dogs, he has only growled and showed aggression twice.  All he ever wants is to be in the middle of everything surrounded by people.  When we play a game, he has to sit in my lap.  When I have friends over, he is quietly laying underneath the table, when we have a bonfire he is right there enjoying it too, and when we all would go sledding he would run up and down the hill following us.   I could not ask for a more loving, gentle, amazing gift.

You see Porter was homeless, abandoned near Porter Square in Boston.  My mom was dying and Rob wanted to get me a puppy to try and help me cope.   I had her requirements down to a  T.  She was going to be a girl, pure bred yellow (almost white) lab puppy named Grimmy.  A friend knew Rob was looking and called us after they found Porter.  No one ever claimed him so they wanted to know if we would be interested.  My first thought was no because I knew what I wanted and he wasn't it...pure bred, girl, almost white, puppy lab.  We went and met him.  I knew.  He was to be our first dog.  We needed each other.    Little did I know how much.  It didn't take long for both Porter and I to become the best of friends.  Always looking to one another for unconditional love and attention.

He has taught me so many lessons.  Sometimes the greatest gifts are the ones you don't look for.  Being a mutt, a little bit of this, a little bit of that makes for the most beautiful animal.  Love should always be given and given unconditionally.  Embrace today, roll down the windows, stick your head out and smell life.

Initially I thought he wasn't' exactly what I was looking for how wrong was I.  There isn't any amount of money or breed lineage that could produce a dog so perfect for me than Porter.  Reflecting back on all the years and memories I am eternally grateful that he came into my life.  It will not be the same when he is gone.  I have no idea how many more days I have with my dog but I do know that I will shower him will all the love and attention I can until I can no longer.   The present is just that a present.

"Dogs are miracles with paws." 

Attributed to Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy

"Dogs' lives are too short.  Their only fault, really."

Agnes Sligh Turnbull

 

"Do you need more than hard work to be successful?"

Currently I am reading the book "The Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell.  It is truly a fascinating book.  Malcolm Gladwell writes about success and how sometimes it isn't just drive that will make one person successful but also when and where they were born.  He has studied famous athletes, top business professional such as Bill Gates and theorized on the components of their success.

Some of the most interesting facts I have read are the 10,000 hours, the months that most professional athletes are born, and the trouble with geniuses.  Gladwell uses hard facts and statistics to collaborate his theories.  It is really a great read.  I don't want to divulge too much because one I am not done reading it and two some things are better for you to discover on your own.

I  recently finished the book "Beer School" by Steve Hindy and Tom Potter.  This is a book about two guys who love beer and decided to open a brewery in Brooklyn, NY.  They are the founders of the Brooklyn Brewery.  This is an interesting read about the beginnings of a brewery.  They talk openly and honestly about all of the trials and tribulations including dealing with organized crime and even a robbery at gun point. They conclude the book with a great chapter "Tom wants to know if you have what it takes."  This chapter asks several questions one can ask themselves before they embark on the entrepreneurial venture such as, "Have you ever achieved anything?"and  "Dreams vs. Reality".

 I will  continue to read about the fascinating lives of successful entrepreneurs and write about what it is that I am reading in the hopes to illicit the same curiosity. 

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover"  

Mark Twain, author

The Art of the Apology

Recently I was listening to NPR and they had this wonderful discussion about the lost art of the apology.  The woman, "Ask Amy" is a columnist in Chicago and recently wrote an Op Ed on Apologies.  One of her comments that I found so true was "If you think you should apologize, than you should."  It really can't be any clearer than that.  Your subconscious is trying to tell you something, you screwed up so to make it right, apologize.

The discussion went on to talk about the proper way to apologize.  First you must show contrition and truly be sincere.  After you apologize to the individual ask them if they will forgive you.  I recently had to ask my daughter for forgiveness.  Not only was I  very  sorry for what I had done, but  the results of my in-actions caused much heartache.  Her little hamster, Hershey, was rolling around in her plastic ball very content except for the dog that kept bothering her.  I was suppose to be watching her to make sure she was safe, I wasn't.  The lid came off and the worst thing that could of happened, happened.  The dog got to her and killed her.  She didn't die immediately so I was able to see first hand how my irresponsibility left a wake of despair and tragedy.  The next morning was horrific.  My daughter anxiously looked for her little buddy and when I had to tell her my heart broke and shattered.  She was devastated.  I apologized and apologized and asked for her forgiveness. 

I took responsibility for my actions, I didn't offer any excuses I asked her to forgive me and she did.  I am so very grateful that she has.  We are still mending our hearts but I have pledged to do what ever I can do to make it right.  From this terrible event I feel we both have grown.   My children know mommy can make some pretty terrible mistakes, I will always apologize, and I will always ask my children for forgiveness when I have wronged them.

Is there anyone you need to apologize to and ask for their forgiveness?

"The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and for deeds left undone."

  ~Harriet Beecher Stowe, Little Foxes, 1865

 

Preparation + Dedication = SUCCESS

Recently I have begun the yearly ritual of helping my children with their homework.  Sitting down with them, explaining what the teacher is asking for,  and answering questions that luckily are only on a 2nd and 3rd grade levels.  I fear the day, which is right around the corner, that the answers won't come so easily.  I am teaching them about what it means to be prepared.  It will mean the difference between 80% right on their spelling test vs. 100% right.   I will encourage them to strive for the 100%.

So much of success in life is about being prepared.  When we fail we should ask ourselves had I been more prepared would I of succeeded? Did I really dedicate a sufficient amount of time to preparation?  If I were to do it over, what would I have done it  differently?  Do I need assistance and if so from whom?  Was I well organized?

After a little one on one with yourself,  think of a strategy for your  mission of attack.  You can win this war, just prepare yourself for the battle and go for it.

Here are some steps that might help you be better prepared.
1. Have a very clear vision of your goal.
2.  Determine what steps need to occur to reach that goal with 100% accuracy.
3. Think of any and all obstacles that you might incur and devise a strategy to overcoming them.
4. Devote more time than you think you might need to being prepared.
5. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
6. Give yourself homework assignments with specific due dates.  Hold yourself accountable.  Team up with another individual to keep you on target.
7. Research.  Knowledge is power.
8. Be open to learning different techniques and philosophies.
9. Seek out a mentor.
10. If you want to be the best at something find out who are the leaders in that area and emulate them.  This immediately brought to mind Michael Phelps.  If I want to be as good as a swimmer as him I should expect to be swimming 6 hours a day, 6 days a week without fail.  That may or may not make me as good but I would definitely be prepared.

When you are 110% prepared, your rate of success increases 10 fold as well as your self esteem.

"Success always comes when preparation meets opportunity"

Henry Hartman