Keep Calm And Carry On....Within Reason

Lately, I have really been struggling to keep it all together.   I am sure you can identify.   There is work, home, family life, friendships, studying and maintaining my faith, my sweet little blog and projects for my fashion line...it never stops.  

And I keep going.  

And going.

Part of me wants to just stop and BREATHE for a while. So I do sometimes.  

The old me would have never EVER taken a break but I have learned the hard way that there is no healthy substitute for a good night's rest if you are tired.

What is more important than your health?  A dear friend once said to me “It is kinda hard to achieve your dream when you are six feet under or lying on a hospital bed”.  It was a very sobering thought, one I never forgot.

Today just like any other day, my to do list is very long. I have made up my mind though that I will get it all done within reason.  If one or two things are left for tomorrow, so be it. Today, I will stay calm, carry on and just enjoy being ALIVE. 

Cherio!

The Simple Things

phillyburbs

A few days ago my sister mentioned to me that my brother-in-law loved peanut butter and banana sandwiches.  Huh? For some reason this intrigued me. I had never had it or even heard of this combo prior to this so immediately after our conversation I made one. It took me less than 2 minutes to make and I couldn't believe how much I enjoyed it.  It was so yummy!  

It kinda got me thinking about the simple things in life that we sometime overlook or take for granted.  How we may have all the ingredients, talents, possibilities right in front of us sometimes but somehow fail to enjoy or even realize what we have.  

Simple things like:

warm hugs,

               laughing until you snort

                                    The wind in your hair.

       The wag in your dog's tail when you come home from work

                                                                                      a good hair day

The sound of your hubby's key in the door....

                                             Watching a sunset

                       the feeling you get when you accomplish a goal....

                                                                                          breathing 

 the first bite of chocolate..........or any kind of pie

                    

                                               being pain free

I am convinced that the best things in life are free.  Enjoy them while you can.

Cherio!

Just B R E A T H E

Lately life has been coming at me hard and fast...and that is not necessarily a bad thing but it could be overwhelming at times.  I want a lot out of my life so I work hard, sometimes harder than I should perhaps but that's okay with me.  It's funny though how hard work may not seem to be paying off then wham!  Opportunities open up and you are swamped and even a little confused as to what direction to go in.  In times like that I am learning to B R E A T H E, and just take it all in before I make decisions...  

This weekend was really a blur of activity and decision making so I made myself slow down and create something, anything.  For me, creating is therapeutic, I think so much better/clearer when I am crafting...maybe because I am more relaxed and feeling zero pressure, who knows.  Whatever it is though, it works for me. 

 Here are two weekends worth of therapeutic crafting.  I hate to say it but "two birds with one stones comes to mind".  Have a fabulous day!

CHERIO!

Just Do It!

8 weeks ago, I set out on a journey along with three other inspired ladies to achieve our ultimate health and fitness goals by starting a support group.  And we did.  Every Saturday we email a report to each other on how the week transpired.  Whether we succeeded or failed during the week, we tell it all.

 If someone had a bad day and did succumb to junk food instead of a healthier choice, there is never condemnation.  The focus is always, "Learn from this and keep moving."  The love and support shared by the the ladies in this group never fails to touch my heart.   It really has been a tremendous blessing. 

In the sixth week after joining the group I began to notice a very unexpected dynamic happening within my own life.  I realized that I was naturally applying principals learned in my health and fitness journey to my everyday life............principals like, learn from your mistakes and move on, never give up and "challenge yourself " have become my daily mantras.  And it's not that I didn't know this before or hadn't tried to do this in the past.  Somehow now though, it's much easier to do, very effortless, like breathing.

I am learning that real power is not about feelings too.  Pressing on in spite of those feelings is where the real victory is.  And yes, I know there will be days ahead when I want to throw in the towel but I also know that "wanting to do something is not the same as doing it".  Sometimes  I want pie instead of whole wheat bread, ..........and sometimes, I really don't feel like exercising for 45 minutes .......but I do anyway.  It's all about staying focused and never giving up.  We all have the power to change our own lives.  Whether the goal is big or small, it is all achievable if you believe in yourself and keep working towards your goals.  So, let's just do it!

Cherio!