Author: C

The constant desire to want more….

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So much of our life we are wanting more. Whether it is to lose 10lbs, be single, not be single, marry, divorce, kids, no kids, kids to grow up so that you have some freedom again, kids to not grow up because it is going too fast, new job, more money, more vacations, less or more from a partner, etc. And we look at facebook and instagram and read about celebrities and wish for something we don’t have. We play the lottery in hopes it will make our life better. We are envious of someone else’s life in some way and we are always planning ahead on what else we want to achieve. If we move it will be better, if we make more money it will be better, if I buy that dress or go on that vacation it will relieve my stress, etc. We all do it. It is human nature. So as I was writing and journaling this week, I came across two quotes. Both I thought were so powerful and so …

Perspective

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With so much going in the world ….it is still hard to keep perspective sometime. You forgot how lucky you are by having some of the basics- a job, your health, a family, your life, a safe home to go back to,  etc. Most of us usually have most of the basics. Yet we get so caught up in all the day to day stress. I worked a long intense day. I was really excited to get home to eat and work out. I have gained a few pounds lately and needed to get my act together and I was on a mission today. As soon as I got in the car, I hit traffic. I am very lucky to currently have a 25minute commute. Well tonight….lasted over 90minutes. Once I was rerouted several times due to blocked roads I was ready to scream with road rage. I thought it was usual DC blocked roads due to a political car brigade. However, when I finally saw what was going on, it was a 10 car …

Listen….Pause this Summer and Listen

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Photo note: Picture I took on Cape Cod a few summers back. Stop and pause this summer. Soak in the sunshine and summer breezes and listen. Listen to yourself and your loved ones on long summer beach walks and lazy summer strolls or bike rides. Truly listen. So many times we don’t stop and listen to people or ourselves enough. So many people have experiences that we can learn from- both good and bad. And while everyone has an opinion and not all are valuable, you can learn from listening to them, yourself (probably the most important) and observing. Pay attention. Pick your head up and let life be a teacher. We are students every day. Often times we don’t pause long enough to learn what life is telling us. We are too busy running, staring at our phones, or thinking to really just observe and learn.…… What is life telling you?   Do we take time to ask our loved ones- ourselves, friends, people we respect, and our partners– what they have learned in …

Overcommitting

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There are times in my life where I just get so excited to catch up with friends, go to activities, and check things off my list that I over schedule myself. This is one of those times. I have been traveling for 4 weeks straight. And one more to go after this weekend. And I’m exhausted. Caught a cold, sleeping and digestion is all out of whack, and I’m just tired.   And while the activities I’m doing are awesome! Great work travel (as much as it can be with it being work), exciting work projects, vacations, ticking off big errands or home projects, trip to see the Cavs play in game 6!, and visits to see family…..I realize I need more down time. I overcommitted which makes me irritable and stressed and I’m still trying to finalize my plans for August vacations. I became so focused on checking off my list and the next fun activity that I lost myself a bit!   I am sure mothers deal with this all the time. Between …

Refuel your body….so you can refuel your mind and soul

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I woke up feeling down, a little sorry for myself, and just cranky. And I sulked for a hour or two. And for a bit I enjoyed sulking and being lazy. And that was totally okay. Then I was like…. It is sunny outside and I just need to get my day going. So I went to the gym and had a really hard workout lasting over a hour. I listened to some great music and just escaped my mind and exhausted my body. By the end, I was dancing to the music and had a huge smile on my face. Note: I still had a lazy Saturday afternoon afterwards but with a very different mindset. Sometimes it is as simple as a good physical workout to change your entire mood. And puts things in perspective. Refuel that body with a work out!  

Chapters in Life

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I loved this quote when I saw it “Do not judge my story by the chapter you walked in on.” Most days we judge a person within seconds of meeting someone. And that judgment sticks. Yet, we don’t take the time to understand who that person is beyond that moment. To understand the whole book. There is a woman who works the front desk at the condo building I live in. I see her every Saturday, she is quiet and comes across a little awkward. And I always just said hello but never talked to her. Today I walked in and asked her how her day was? First time I have ever actually asked her a question. And she had the most interesting response. She basically went on to say her son had gotten hurt this morning and she was thankful that he didn’t break his back after an ER visit. And she went on to talk about living in the moment and how your attitude and behavior makes it a good or bad day. Not …

Refuel your Body with Water Aerobics…. (Yes, I said water aerobics)…..

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Why don’t we play more as adults? It frees us to laugh, be silly,and ultimately relief some stress.  And are there some good ways to play while still getting a healthy work out? I would love some ideas.  I recently rediscovered one from my Grandma K’s bag of workout tricks. It was limited albeit but this was a good one. Water Aerobics. It is hysterical and so fun! You can dance freely under water like no one is watching (because they can’t see you). My prediction is it is the new workout wave. I love it. The older women that stereotypically do it found a hidden gem workout. If you actually work hard, it can be a good work out, plus the instructor is usually a character and the music is super fun. I laughed the entire time and got a work out in. I mean, what is not to love. And you are in the water so no one can actually see what you look like in a bathing suit or your flailing limbs …

It takes energy, generosity, gratitude and discipline to be lighthearted…

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I am doing a 5year happiness project. Each day for 5 years you write what you are thankful for each day. Just a sense of gratitude each day, as a way to remind yourself of all the reasons to be grateful. It is actually quite powerful and yet so simple. It heals and helps reduce stress. And helps keep things in perspective.  There is a good quote by Buddha “Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one which gets burned.” So instead of focusing on anger, resentment, envy, or jealousy….I am trying to focus on gratitude. And mindfulness and mediation. Some days are easier said than done. So this project each day of writing just one sentence is really helping me keep things in check.  As part of this process I am also trying to focus on treating myself like a good friend. Listen, be kind and forgive yourself and others through the process of gratitude. I am finding being more lighthearted is …

Hiking….Good for your soul

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I have found that hiking is one of the best forms of meditation and relaxation. It allows you to breath in the fresh air, listen to nature, feel the spirits and wind around you, and just enjoy the little things during the quiet moments of a walk outside. I love it. My goal is to continue to hike more. Hope you enjoy a hike sometime soon. It is good for the soul.

Competition: Who are we competing with?

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Competition. It is a word that has always been in my life because I was an active athletic girl (and now woman) who loved to compete. I loved competing in sports against myself, my peers, and rivals. Now as an adult, I realized there is still a lot of competition occurring unconsciously all around us. And definitely not just in the sports arena. I know you may think this is obvious.  But I think a question we often don’t ask ourselves individually is…who are we competing against in our daily life? Our coworkers? Ourselves? Our sister? Our brother? Friends? Lover? Other family? And why are we competing? Is it all materialistic? Is it for attention? Is it to feel a certain emotion?  I realized that I was competing more than I realized beyond athletic endeavors. And it was definitely not a conscious thing. And so I have challenged myself to be present, realize why I am competing and with whom? And then ask the question, is this necessary or do I need to change my …