Category Archives: Challenge

Monday Gets Writer’s Block

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I think I have writer’s block today….Wikipedia defines it as “a condition, primarily associated with writing as a profession” (hmmmm…questionable though because this really isn’t my profession), “in which an author loses the ability to produce new work”.  It goes on to indicate “the degree this “disease” can escalate to “some ‘blocked’ writers have been unable to work for years and some have even abandoned their careers.”  Can you imagine just not been able to write anything that made half-way sense for YEARS??

It seems I’m in good company though….F. Scott Fitzgerald struggled with the affliction as did the amazing Charles M. Schulz.  Maybe I should just ‘go with this’ and just consider myself among the famous writers.  You know…kind of like a prestigious club member.

The scientific theory is that “under stress, a human brain will shift control from the cerebral cortex to the limbic system.  The limbic system is associated with the instinctual processes, such as fight or flight response.  Because the person is primarily thinking in instinctual (learned) behaviors, creative processes are hindered.”  Guess that makes sense.  Guess scientists don’t consider that a person is really tired….or maybe just lazy sometimes.

I think it’s funny how we have all the perfect words put together to say sometimes.  We rehearse them over and over before we’re ready to present them on our “chosen life stage”…..and then when the moment arrives….all those perfectly rehearsed words are just lost in space somewhere.  We all have this super brain that is capable to doing so much more than what we use it for in our daily lives….but most really don’t.  In fact, some people seem like they leave theirs at home sometimes.  My Dad use to say that some people just use that container where the brain is for a place to hang their hat!  I’m sure you’ve met a few people like that, huh?

Did you know that the statement we only use 10% of our brain is a myth?  If it were true, then surgeons could remove more than half our brain and nothing would be affected….not the case….something is ALWAYS affected…speech, walking, talking.  What is true, however,  is that most of us only reach the potential of 10% of our brain capacity.  That’s right….we all have the potential of becoming great inventors or scientist or even great writers or whatever we might want to pursue.  If we want to do that….we have to push ourselves…and our brain to work harder, longer, with more accuracy every single day.  I always bought into the myth of 10% brainpower, but now I’m thinking that I’ve just been wasting time.  Like now….in the same time that I’m “declaring” that I have writer’s block, I could have written the first few pages of a best-selling novel.  Right?!!

What masterpiece will you create today by using ALL YOUR brain?!!

You could be a famous painter or maybe you could discover a cure for some of the horrible diseases that one of your friends or family are suffering with right now.

A brand new symphony would be nice.  Or maybe a new Broadway play.

Whatever “masterpiece” you have in mind, don’t be afraid to, at least, TRY to start to create it. Everyone has SOMETHING that they have said at some point that they “wish” they could do.

How will you ever know if you can do something, if you don’t at least try to do it?!!

Start now….start today.  It’s Monday….a good day to begin.

Well, guess I better get busy.  I’ve got a masterpiece to produce.

Smiles,

Nancy

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Monday Gets A Brand-New Year

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Well, it’s 2013!  Wow!  Wonder what the year will bring for us all??!!  Health, wealth, adventure, problems, failure…..yes, they are all possibilities.  But, we do have choices…..and we can choose the path that will be the best for us.

My blogger friend JoyLevel recently posted how we tend to experience the energy (negative or positive) of the emotions we project.  Something to be said about putting a smile on your face even when times are tough!  My dog Tramp always makes me laugh during the day for something entertaining he might do.  Maybe he has learned that he will get a nice hug for his silly antics!  He projects positive energy….and I give it back.  Good trade!

Another fellow blogger Onthehomefrontandbeyond is searching for the “Bliss” in life.  It’s really funny to hear some of the places she “is finding it.”  I think we all need to realize that it’s the small things that really count and simple moments can be the most memorable.

My good friend, Matt Emerzian, spoke at the TedX conference in San Diego and he is always one to offer some inspiring words.  His main message is to let everyone know ‘You Matter‘, but he also reminds us too that “It’s Not All About Us”.  I think the people who experience the most joy in life are examples of this.  The things that they do “lift us” because we recognize that it is being offered in the most unselfish way.

Stutley Tales often reminds me that there are blessings from above and no matter what struggles we have, we can gain strength by looking to the heavens for guidance.  She is a nice example of that and I would love it if she lived in my neighborhood, so I could visit with her regularly.  Despite some very difficult struggles, she always finds the beauty in the most simple happenings.

Paleolithic MD has changed my health so drastically in the last year that I feel he has given me back 20 years of my life.  I am now convinced that living to be a 100 can definitely be on my bucket list.  If I had loads of money, I would make him my primary physician and fly to Louisiana for checkups.

I wonder what this year has in store for me?  Traveling perhaps?  New Job?  Checking off things on my Bucket List?   I started this Blog with a 52-week commitment.  I’m not sure what I will do past that goal line. This is Blog Post #43!!  My posts have had over 3400 views and been viewed by people in 63 countries!   I have amazed myself that I made it past the first Monday.  In the beginning, it was really difficult.  I really thought it was beyond my expertise level.   I would spend hours writing and then in one click delete most of it because it just wasn’t working for me….Just a bunch of words that went nowhere.  It was a real chore; and if I didn’t start working on it mid week, I knew I wouldn’t make the Monday deadline.  But, because I made the commitment to myself and others, I knew I had to continue….despite the sometimes thoughts that it was the craziest decision I had ever made!  Well, somewhere along the way, something changed.  Not only did it get easier, but I started looking forward to working on each Monday’s post.  It became more a part of me and the realization that I could make just one person’s day a little brighter by sending them smiles or saying those simple words….You Matter!….was so motivating…..AND became a special inspiration to me!!  I never thought in my attempt to motivate others….that I would be, in fact, the one that benefited from it too.

So….whatever it is you would like to accomplish this year….make the commitment!

It might be a bit tough at first, but I am sure along the way the same magical change will happen for you too.

Keep focusing on the fact that when you make positive changes for yourself….you also make a positive difference for others around you!

And no matter what is the end results,

Always remember……“You Matter”

Happy 2013

Hope it is a super, super year.

smileSmiles,  Nancy

Monday Gets Political—or Not

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There are so many things happening in our country that seem to tax one’s political side to the max.  The Presidential Election!  Wow!  There’s a lot to take into consideration.  It would be great if we had two really outstanding candidates; but unfortunately, it just seems we are voting for the lesser of two evils.  I know that just “raised the hair on the back of your neck” for some; but I just think everyone is trying to rationalize and stretch the positive points.

What happened to the truth in politics….or was that ever a possibility?   Why does everyone have to skirt the issues?  Why can’t they just ‘say it like it is’?!!

MONDAY GETS POLITICAL….or NOT

Don’t you think it would be wonderful to have someone stand up in front of the nation and say….”Hey, I’m not perfect and I don’t have all the answers, but I am going to try my very best to get the job done.  I’ve got a great team behind me and if I don’t know something, you can be assured my staff is going to work to find all the details to inform me about the issue so I can make the very best decision.”  And…then actually do that!!  Instead…they skirt the issues, lie when they feel it might slip by and rarely just say “I don’t know!”

There’s so much diversity in all areas in our country right now.  There are people who will fight to the end to honor and protect our country….and there are those who find it appropriate to picket a funeral of a family who have just lost a son or husband fighting for our nation.  There is complete destruction on the East Coast from Hurricane Sandy and then there are areas that seem almost immune to anything except blue skies and balmy breezes today.  Gas prices dropping by at least a dollar a gallon in California….and little gas available in New York/New Jersey.  But, everyone, no matter what their circumstances, is looking for some balance, some certainty, some kept promises…..some hope.  Wouldn’t it be great if tomorrow’s election provided that?!!

Some people that read this Blog aren’t from the United States.  I wonder what they think about all the debates that have gone on between the candidates.  I wonder if it seems very appropriate and common or rather sounds like a bunch of whining kids who are trying to get their way!!

I guess it could always be worse.  We could have no freedom, no choices, no right to vote.  We could be living in war zones and fearing for our lives every moment of the day.  I just think we sometimes take what we have for granted and some take advantage of the freedoms we are given.

So for this new reign of the elected officials of our country….whomever it might be….

I wish for some forward movement of resolving some of the issues of healthcare and national debt and unemployment and an overall struggling nation.

I wish for the citizens of this country to be able to feel they are being represented and supported by candidates who are sincere in their efforts and follow through on all their promises.

I wish the candidates that are elected are true to their word and can see the struggles of many and fight to make changes, so some of the suffering can end.

And….I wish for this Monday to indeed be the start of something new and exciting.  Wouldn’t it be nice to get back that American spirit and everyone be able to feel proud to be an American.  I think we have lost a little of that.

So remember to vote tomorrow

and choose your candidates wisely.

Let’s hope brighter days and good times are just around the corner.

Onward and Forward!

Smiles,  Nancy

Monday Gets Technically Overloaded

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Wherever you turn, the world of technology is continuing to challenge every individual.  It’s no longer about how many TVs you have in a household, but rather how many high-tech devices do you have…cell phone, ipad, computer, gps, security cameras, devices that allow you to turn your oven or your lights on while at work, curtains that open with a touch of a button…….and the list goes on.  They all come with earphones, remotes or some kind of Bluetooth peripheral and many with complex control centers that you need a team of tech people to program for you.  Plus, another crew that is constantly updating the software that is needed to run all these devices.  Then…..all these devices have to be “sync-ed” so you are “in the know” at all times wherever you are…home, work, in your car or on a flight to another state or country.

I, personally, am on overload!!!

Monday Gets Technically Overloaded

I think it’s great that we live in a country that allows us to have so many options and that many of these devices are affordable for the average.  It’s great that the technology strives  to try to make our lives easier and more connected….but are they really?!!  It’s getting harder and harder to remember the “days” before we had all these modern conveniences.  In fact, our ‘must have’ lifeline a/k/a the cell phone wasn’t readily available just 15 or 16 years ago.  Seems like without one was like living in the Dark Ages.

Sometimes though, I think we need to shut some of this stuff off and just “rough it”…..maybe it’s not necessary to text your friend who is across the room at a party.  Maybe you could walk around the block without texting or calling all your friends just to keep yourself entertained.  Or perhaps, you actually turn your phone completely off sometimes to enjoy a sunset or listen to some relaxing music.

With everything there has to be a balance and I think we’ve lost that a bit.  Yes, it’s nice to be so in touch with everyone, but how about ‘being in touch’ with the person that is sitting right in front of you!  Some days, I’m ready to say I just can’t take another technical challenge!!  I want it to be okay to say “I don’t know how to sync my phone to my ipad to my computer to my home to my office to my calendar, to my……”  I feel like I want that brainpower back to focus on more important things.

So that’s my frustration today.

I want to get back in balance.  I want to know that it is okay to be “out of touch” some days.

I want to listen to my friends while they’re talking….without interruptions.  And I want them to know that I am interested in what they have to say and what they are doing and feeling.  All with No distractions, no in/out texting, no bells and whistles of multiple tunes going off every few minutes.

I sure hope I can do that……it’s harder than it sounds.

I hope you find a little balance in the technical world today too.

I hope you discover new things about yourself, your friends and the world around you.

Today, I hope you are a bit old-fashioned and enjoy NOT being connected at all times.

Good Luck!

Smiles,

Nancy

Monday Gets A Parenthood Degree

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I recently went to a celebration for friends who were celebrating the amazing fact that they are going to be parents soon.  Their baby is due right after the first of 2013 and they had a get-together with friends to commemorate the soon to be happening.  It is so exciting and an amazing event for this couple.  They are two awesome individuals, who I think will, for certain, be super parents.

Hmmmm……What does that mean?  Super Parents.  There is no test or exam for this certification and no one has a manual to hand over to you.  The ‘homework’ takes years to complete and “success” is sometimes questionable.  Rewards are many…but the number of trials and tribulations far out weigh the number of bonus points gained.  You sometimes get thanks for your efforts….and sometimes not.  You find yourself constantly questioning your expertise and struggle to keep your head above water….and often, only one step ahead of a toddler’s IQ or a 13-year-old-going-on-21, who is certain they hold all the wisdom in the world.  And, so why do so many pursue this degree called Parenthood?  Let’s discuss….

 Monday Gets A Parenthood Degree

I still remember all the excitement and enthusiasm leading to the birth of my son.  So many things to do in order to be ready for the big day.  And, for nine months, you are always the star of the moment.   And then….that big day arrives and the reality sets in.  OMG!!  What the heck do I do now??!!  For me, the terror of knowing that I had to care for this tiny little prize….and not break it, consumed my thoughts constantly.  One wrong turn or move and I might harm this precious child.   I tell my son now that he was kind of my “lab guinea pig”.  He always laughs, but somehow I will never be able to convey to him what a novice parent I really was. All I know is that he’s a lucky boy to still be all in one piece!!   I would continuously read everything I possibly could to try to find the magic instructions to be the best parent possible.

Well, long story short……He did survive and so did I.  And, did I pass the test and get my Parenthood Degree?  Yes, I did….but some days it was questionable.  What I did learn along the way was there are really only a few rules to learn.  The only thing that matters is that you love your child with all your heart and tell them that you do every single day.  It’s really getting back to what I tell all of you….You Matter!  That really is all the child needs most of the time outside of the necessities of food, clothing and shelter.  If you truly feel that love in your heart and you are able to convey that to your child, then I really think everything else will fall into place.  For those that have experienced this love for a child, you know that overwhelming gush of starry-eyed elation that I am talking about, right?  For those of you who have not, I truly hope you have the experience one day. It is like none other!!  There are no words to describe the depth of love that I feel for my child.  Being his parent makes me complete and gives me a strength that could move mountains if needed.  It is a love that will not die or fade and it grows stronger every day.

So I am proud of my Parenthood Degree…..more than anything else I have accomplished in my life.  And, for my friends who are about to step into that precious “cap and gown” moment, I feel your joy and excitement.  My happiness for you is bubbling over.  But most of all, I am happy for this yet born child.  He will have two “super” parents who will love him more than he could ever imagine.  He will know from Day One that he is special and that he matters every single day.

So, do you have a Parenthood Degree?

Take the opportunity today to tell your own son or daughter how much you love them.  Tell them how proud you are to be their parent too.  They need to hear it.

Joining the ranks of Parenthood comes in all forms you know? If you don’t have children of your own, there are many kids of all ages who would love to know that someone cares about them…..to have someone to assure them that they’re going to be all right.  To hear those words “I love you” are priceless.

 So make today special for your child….or some child’s life who really needs to feel that comforting circle of love.

I guarantee you the special feeling that comes back to you will be filled with much joy.

  Oops!  I gotta go….my son just called and he’s on his way over.

I can’t wait to give him a big hug!

Boy!  Do I ever love my Parenthood career!!

You Matter.

Smiles, Nancy

Monday Gets on the Scale

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OK….I have a question.  If you have a driver’s license that lists your weight and height, are they accurate?  If not, are they off by 10%, 20%, Yikes! 30% or more???  If so, join the club.  Supposedly, most women lie about their weight and men lie about their height.  Not all states require the weight part, but I wonder why we have such an important document that we feel the need to avoid the truth?!!  Do you think that when other people look at our license that they check the weight or height and then snicker to themselves?  Obviously, it’s not important to DMV because I’ve never had to “weigh in” for them.  Have you?  Oh the horror, right?!!

What I find interesting about the weight part is that we know we need to lose weight, but feel the need to avoid dealing with it even when it comes to being a responsible and honest, license-carrying citizen.  I wonder if we had to weigh in at the DMV when we renewed our license if we would even avoid renewing it….kind of like we do when we need to go to the doctor.  How many of you have tried to make great effort to lose a pound or more the week or two before your doctor’s appointment?  I’m raising my hand because I’ve sure been there.  I even try to find the very lightest weight clothing sometimes….no heavy jeans or boots are on my body when I step on that scale!!  Let’s get honest…..

Monday Gets on the Scale

I went through years of professing my weight (the one of my choosing) to DMV or anyone else that asked, knowing that it was a huge exaggeration.  I knew I needed to lose weight and get healthy, but I continued to live in the fiction world.  Why did I wait so long to do anything about it??  I still can’t answer that question.   I guess we all have to “hit that wall” that makes us “look in the mirror” to make changes in our lives.  I am very thankful that I found info about the Paleo lifestyle this year.  I can say honestly that I am finally at the weight that I have proclaimed for years and less than I have weighed in at least 15 years or more.  What ‘clicked’ I wonder?  What makes us throw those bad habits out the window?

It is really intriguing to me to see someone seem to change, literally, overnight.  They do all the things that are wrong for them and then suddenly, one day, all the “lessons” they have been given miraculously make sense.  I wonder if it is something cosmic-like…..if all the stars are aligned in a certain manner and we “receive” information…that info suddenly will get absorbed??!!   Any scientist out there that can answer that question?  I have a bunch of other issues to work on too, so maybe I could start planning for that cosmic-alignment moment now.

What would you like to change about yourself?

How close are you to your DMV weight?

And, yes, what do you have on your “list” that you have not ever checked off?

I wonder what is going to have to happen in your life to get you to “look in the mirror” and see the reality.

Are you ready to change?

Well, whatever you would like to happen, be sure to stop saying:  “Oh, I could never give that up”, or “I just don’t have time” or even “I’ll work on that next year.”

How about changing your mantra to “I Matter” or “I care about myself” or even “I love myself”.  It is amazing to me to talk to people who are not able to say this to themselves…..AND they don’t know that others care about them either.

So today…..I’m saying it for you.  I’m going to tell you the truth because I care.

YOU MATTER…..YOU ARE A GOOD PERSON…..YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY BEING THE BEST PERSON YOU CAN BE!!

Did you hear me???!!

Are you ready to start?  Repeat after me….

I Matter.  I Matter.  I Matter.

Now, take the next step and make changes.  What do you see in the mirror?

Pretend the planets are in alignment and you can

do anything you want to do…..starting today…now!!

You can do it.

Smiles,

Nancy

Monday Gets A Bucket List

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I was recently posting on a fellow blogger’s post Y and Z ~~ or the end of another challenge http://onthehomefrontandbeyond.wordpress.com/   I was congratulating her on her initiative to challenge herself to writing a book.  I made the comment that I have always wanted to do that in my life…..Just one of those casual, off-hand comments that you sometimes make in friendly replies.  Her response:  “why not I ask with all seriousness.”

It kind of sparked something in me that made me realize that unless we continuously challenge ourselves in our lives, we never really grow much.  It IS very important to make that Bucket List, otherwise, we will never push ourselves to new heights and new adventures.  We often fall into a rut that keeps us on the same path and doing things that we not only have become comfortable in our own skins doing, but also in what others have grown accustomed to for us as well.  So today, I’m doing it….

Monday Gets A Bucket List

Should I start big???  I would love to try sky diving….but I did promise my son that I will wait until I am well into my 80s to attempt that…..I’ll put that near the end of my list.  I’ll definitely put the book writing on my list.  I would love to write a screenplay too.  Oh heck!  Why don’t I just plan to write an epic novel that turns into an epic screenplay while I’m at it!!  Think Big Bucket, right?  I think I would like to re-visit the South of France too.  I had a wonderful experience there a few years back and would love to return some day.  I have a really good friend who retired recently and decided she wanted to learn to paint….and she did!  I would love to know that every day of my life was filled with time to do some kind of art…painting, pottery or maybe photography.  The three P’s sound good to me.  And speaking of retiring, I think it would be great to have a little camper/RV type vehicle that would allow me to pack up minimal belongings and take off to travel the good ole USA with my ole dog, Tramp.

Home Sweet Home

Just stopping along the way to visit friends and seeing the beauty of this country. The national and state park services have part time/temporary jobs that you can do at various places.  They provide some housing and meals and give you a decent salary too.  Maybe just work a season and then move on to somewhere else.  I could combine the art with the experience too.  Okay….I’m ready to start packing!

So really, the bucket list is about dreams too.  And, if we believe that dreams come true, then  the next few years are already planned for me.  I’m looking forward to the adventure.

So what’s on your bucket list?  What kind of dream would you like to come true?  I know you’re probably sick of my list suggestions by now, but this is a really important one!

Sit down, close your eyes and dream big!!

Write your bucket list….and then commit to making it happen.

I NEVER thought I would be blogging…..but just a little challenge from others and it happened! And the best part is that I not only did I never envision myself sharing my writing with others, I NEVER thought I would love it so much.  Amazing what happens when we challenge ourselves a bit.

Well, I better get busy….Epics take a bit of work.

Chapter One…..

Smiles, Nancy

Monday Gets A New Hero

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There is a lady who lives in my neighborhood that really inspires me.  She is an older lady….maybe in her 70s who is one of the strongest, most determined ladies that I have ever seen.  I say “seen” because I have not officially “met” her and I’m not even certain she can speak English and I only know her from seeing her as I pass by.  She is afflicted with some type of peripheral neuropathy that prevents her from walking faster than baby steps with very stiff leg strides.  But yet, I see her every day out walking and carrying her bags of groceries or goods recently purchased.  I know from the bag labels that she has walked at least 4 or 5 long blocks to the retail stop….there and back.  Time and time again, I have asked if I could help her carry her load to her final destination.  And…each time, she waves me off with annoyance it seems that I have even suggested that she might need any assistance.

I find myself feeling helpless and annoyed all at the same time.  I want to help her make her day a little easier and let her know that someone cares about her….but she refuses to allow it!  But then, when I take my needs  and wants out of the equation, I realize how strong she really is and maybe I am the weak one.

Monday Gets A New Hero

My lady Hero is like a determined soldier who probably knows as long as she keeps doing these things for herself that she will continue to function.  Her determination is her strength and in many ways, she is stronger than I am.  What appears to be stubbornness and aloofness is really power and others should perhaps fear her capabilities.  I swear I think she could climb a mountain if she wanted to accomplish it.

We all get so comfortable in our high-tech conveniences that make our lives easier.  We think that it is giving us more power; but it is, in fact, making us weaker.  Everything has to be built bigger and faster and with more gadgets.  I miss my old-fashion Schwinn that didn’t come equipped with any kind of multiple gears to change.  A bell was, however,  a must because I thought I was going so fast that I needed to alert others that I was coming down the road!  Awww! the good ole days, right?

Today….think about what gives you strength and the ability to get things done.  It’s not that new iPhone or iPad or the new software or that car with all the fancy gadgets.   Maybe we need to realize that the really strong people in this world are the people like my lady friend…..not the ones that just spent 3 hours at the gym.  They survive because they are focused on their goals and don’t let anyone get in their way.  They are not afraid to go it alone and rely on their own strength to get them where they want to be…..even if it is baby steps at a time.   Just because someone could make things easier for them, doesn’t mean they will choose that option.  Their focus is to survive and they are doing a great job for sure!

Who’s your hero?  What gives you strength?

Do you expect others to always help you out?

Maybe try to get through today and do everything without asking a single person to help you out……You do it All!  Think you’ll feel good about yourself at the end of the day?  I sure hope so.

We all need to dig deep inside the core of our being to find the ability to push ourselves to be the very best we can be.  It’s there!  You just have to believe You Can Do It!!

So go climb that mountain.  I hope you make it to the top!

See you there.

Smiles,

Nancy

Monday Gets Taken Away by Calgon

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“Calgon Take Me Away”  is an old commercial slogan that has been “on the air” and repeated over and over since the early 1980s and it still rings true today for me!  I’m Ready for a little R&R!!  How about you?  I’m not sure just having a bathtub filled with bubbles is going to do it for me.  I’m just a bit tired today and need something special to happen.

I can’t imagine what it might be like for some of you who have several kids or maybe you’re juggling a couple of jobs AND a single parent. Add furry, four-legged pets to the equation and your chore list just doubled.  Having older parents who you care for can also add to a drain on your energy.  Maintaining a house you creates a constant list of things to do.  And just cooking three meals a day and other mundane daily chores can create multiple hours of things we need to day EVERY DAY!  No wonder we’re tired.  We need a break!

We push ourselves beyond a normal limit sometimes.  We don’t take time for ourselves to rest.  We keep saying we’re going to take a break, but fail to “put ourselves on the calendar” and schedule it.  We keep doing for others and neglect our own needs.  We say we’ll do it next week…next month…..and THEN Holy Cow!  It’s already next year!!  Yikes!  What happens to the time?!

Are you ready?  I’m giving you a “get out of jail free” card today.  Admit it….you need a break.  So today……

MONDAY GETS TAKEN AWAY BY CALGON

We have to take care of ourselves, if nothing else, so we can keep taking care of others.  We always seem to put ourselves last in line for nurturing and allowing ourselves to feel that “We Matter”.  It seems easy to do nice things for others, but we can’t seem to stop the process of being last on the list.  If we would start taking care of “Me”, then we could likely do a lot more for others.  Would that motivate you to take the time to be taken away by Calgon today?

Okay.  Here’s the fun part….if you could do anything you wanted to do today, what would it be?  Maybe stay in bed ALL day.  Or perhaps, read a book you started months ago.  What about having a super duper spa day?!!  Wow!  What an amazing thought!  Maybe just find a nice shady spot, bring a picnic lunch and stare into space for several hours would be a relaxing day for you.  I think I would like to go somewhere to look at the water.  I love the smell of the ocean breeze and the sound of the waves hitting the shoreline.  Maybe I’ll stop for a nice icy smoothie afterwards and then take a long afternoon nap.  That sure sounds like a relaxing day.

I don’t want to hold you up any longer…..you’ve got some planning to do.  If you can’t make today a Calgon kind of day, then at least take the time today to make plans for what you will do within the next week.

Make it something fun and just about you.

Remember to whisper to yourself throughout the day….

I Matter!  I Matter!  I Matter!

If we don’t take care of ourselves, then we limit

ourselves every day in what we can accomplish.

Make today a super, super day

Got to run…..the ocean breeze is calling my name.

Smiles,

Nancy

Monday Gets Thankful

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I woke up this morning and before I could completely get my eyes opened, I found myself feeling very thankful for a lot of things in my life.  I stretched my arms out and immediately felt my sweet old lab, Tramp.

My “view” this morning.

He is there for me always no matter what kind of day I am having….Blessing #1 of the day.  The longer I laid in bed, the longer my list of gratefulness grew!  The irony here is that I have been struggling a bit in my work-a-day world and feeling a bit defeated at times.  I felt like doors had been closing for me and I was in a “woe is me” state of mind (Hmmm..sounds like a song perhaps). But yet, this morning, I found myself counting my blessings.  So let me share with you a bit……

Monday Gets Thankful

 I have to wonder if just “changing my attitude” made the difference.  Last night, I had to “sit myself down” and give myself a good talking to about my attitude.  What I realized was how much energy I was wasting feeling defeated and how it really wasn’t helping my situation.  It sure isn’t a way to win friends or move you forward if all you do is complain about your situation and problems.  Although I have to say, that part of the reason for changing my attitude had to do with some of the extremely kind and caring messages and words that I received from my friends and family.  Many offers of kindness have been sent my way.  How lucky I am to have sweet angels all around me who are “holding me up” when I need the extra boost…..many Blessings for sure!!

I have the sweetest son in the whole world who always boost my spirit by believing in me and making me feel that I can accomplish whatever I set my mind to.  He always believes I can “win the race” with flying colors.

I Can Do It!!

He does have a way of bringing out the stubborn-ness in me to prove that I can do something!!   Although…when I mentioned that I would like to try skydiving recently, he was not too supportive!!?!! Blessing! Blessing! Blessing! Tenfold!

As you know from my post last week, I have taking great strides in improving my health by following a Paleo lifestyle.  This diet plan may not be for everyone, but it sure is working for me….2 more pounds lighter this week.  I just can’t imagine having adversities in my life and dealing with health issues that would add to the struggles right now….in that regard, another scoop of Blessings for me!  I wonder if Ben & Jerry have thought of creating a flavor called “Blessings”.  I doubt if I could stop with just one scoop.

So, before I “lay it on too thick”, here is what I really wanted to share.  Life is a struggle for everyone….no matter what their situation might be.  But what we need to do is just count our blessings and keep saying to ourselves….“I Matter”  If we just believe in ourselves, then we can accomplish great things.  What it really is all about is “Love”….loving ourselves….and we all know “Love can move Mountains!  Right?  I have a few friends out there who are struggling right along with me right now, so here is a personal wish for you…..I love you and I believe in you and “You Matter” to me…So go Move a Mountain!!

So, what mountain do you want to move today?!!

Life getting you down too and sending you a bunch of struggles to deal with that are feeling like burdens and too much to handle sometimes?!!

Count your Blessings, my dear friends and fellow bloggers.  That’s right….make that darn list and realize all the good things that you have to be thankful for today.  You might be surprised like I was to find out just how long your list might stretch.

I’d like to give you a little “kick start”….I’m letting you know that “YOU MATTER”.

Did you hear me?…..YOU MATTER!

Make your list, count your blessings, change your attitude and before the day ends…Make sure that you tell someone else YOU MATTER too!

By making a difference in someone else’s life, you will be surprised to find how much of a difference you can make in your own life too!

Have a great Monday! Be Thankful for the moment and the day!

You Matter!

Smiles,  Nancy