Listen to Your Self

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about needing a change. I’m not at a major milestone time of my life and nothing has recently changed, but I’m feeling compelled to figure out something new for myself.

I know we all go through different times in our life when it seems as if we’re destined to make decisions about our life, our work, our goals, etc. This happens while deciding what you want to do as a career choice, where you want to live, how you want to live, what to study, etc. But have you done this just randomly? Have you ever just had this nagging feeling that you need to do something different, to change something in your life? Do you pay attention to it?

We all have a built-in intuition about what’s best for ourselves. We might not always hear it and we sometimes just ignore it, but it’s there. We inherently know what we should be doing but we may not have the money, the time, or the circumstances to accommodate it. Sometimes we can make small changes to quiet that voice for a while.

Every now and then, though, we’re afforded an opportunity to make a REAL change in our life. Most of us spend our lives doing what we have to do and what we’re supposed to do. We go to school, we work, we raise families and take care of the hundreds of things that need doing. What do we do for ourselves though? What is it that makes you YOU? What inspires you? What makes you happy? What is it that touches your heart and speaks to your soul? Give yourself some time to think about all the feelings that come up when you ask yourself these questions.

I think it’s important to listen to that voice when it speaks to you. Make whatever changes you can to honor that voice, whether it’s a tiny little change in your daily routine or a monumental life choice; it doesn’t matter! Listen to your Voice. Listen to your Self.

It’s Sunday – Do THIS Today!

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We can look at Sunday two different ways. It’s either the end of the weekend and you’re already planning your upcoming week or you’re still enjoying your weekend and haven’t yet thought about the week ahead. Either way, think about doing THIS sometime today.

Real quick, think about something that makes you happy. Don’t think about whether or not you can do it; don’t think about the logistics of it. Just real quick…what makes you happy? Continue reading “It’s Sunday – Do THIS Today!”

What IS Comfort Food, Anyway?

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comfort food

Who doesn’t love comfort food?  Comfort food is simply the food (or foods) that make you feel better when you think about them; it comforts you.  They are particularly handy to make when you’re stressed, sad, or anxious because it makes you feel better.  If you’re happy, they make you even happier!  It makes me nostalgic.

I said something about comfort food one day when my kids were younger and they didn’t believe there was such a thing.  They insisted that I made it up.  I had to prove that the phrase “comfort food” was a real thing and that other people knew about it too.  They’re convinced that we make things up to tell them; I’m not sure why.  It’s something to do with me telling them about the eyes in the back of my head when they were little. Continue reading “What IS Comfort Food, Anyway?”

New Year’s Revelations

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New Year’s Revelations

I’m going a different way this New Year’s.  I’m not making resolutions on the 1st to be done by the 7th.  I’m taking the first week or two after the New Year’s parties are over before I decide on anything.  We’re all so busy from Halloween through New Years with preparation, celebrations, food, and fun.  Who’s wasting good time thinking about what you want to do differently?  I just want to relax, have fun, and not think about much more than that.  That’s what the holidays are for.

What I’m doing now that things are about to calm down is taking the time to really think.  I’m thinking about this past year, maybe the last few years (okay, maybe the last 11 or 12 years).  I’m thinking about the things that have happened to me, the things that make me happy and the things that make me not-so-happy.  I’m going to think about my part in each of these; what could or should I have learned from each of these things that have happened?  Am I making the same mistake over and over?  Am I missing the bigger point by focusing on each and every detail?  What have I found that has made me happier?  What else can I do that would bring me even more happiness?   The answers to these are my revelations.

When I think I’m ready, I’m going to take each of those revelations and decide how I’m going to achieve each one.  That’s going to be my New Year’s resolution, but it’s going to be a well thought out goal rather than a usual or expected resolution that may not have much impact on my life.   Your own resolutions, based on your revelations, are going to last a whole lot longer because they mean a lot more to your life.   I’m sure we all want to be a healthy weight, be in at least the minimum state of fitness, quit smoking, etc.  These are all good resolutions, but not particularly personal or beneficial depending on where you’re at in your life.  Sometimes our souls and hearts know what’s better for us than our minds do.  Let yourself look back, think about your life, your happy and sad experiences.  Where do you want to go from here?  Who do you want to share your life with?  Who makes you feel good and who doesn’t?  What are the things that make you smile?  Which ones do the opposite?  Take the time, take ownership of your life, and make your resolutions based on what you deserve.  Make a plan to achieve a life full of happy!

I’m curious; do you make New Year’s resolutions?  How do YOU decide what your resolutions will be?  How do you hold yourself accountable to meet your goals?   I’d love to hear from you!

I wish you all the very best of health and happiness in 2017!

 

Holidays and Great Expectations

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xmas tree

Hmmm, do these two things ever go together?  I think they can, but I don’t think it’s necessarily the best way to go into a holiday.  We all do the best that we can through this holiday season but, when we set unrealistic expectations of either ourselves or others, it’s a setup for failure.  We all joke about that family get-together that includes the crazy uncle, the forgetful aunt, or the parents that are disappointed in us.  Unfortunately, this happens more often than less.  Most of us are versions of that family.  We may have disagreements and things can be awkward or irritating.  The picture-perfect family gathered around a fireplace and singing Christmas carols is extremely rare and, when we try to force this into our lives in an effort to make our holiday idyllic, we’re likely to be disappointed.   We don’t have to be, though!  Don’t try to be something that you’re not.  Do more of what makes you (and your family) happy and don’t worry about how it “should be”.

I don’t think we should try to meet expectations that aren’t realistic for ourselves.  We should each do what’s best for our OWN families and friends.  It’s what makes us happy, what brings us together, how we feel about each other that’s important.  It’s not the dinner, the gifts, the presentation or decorations.  It’s the joy that we are looking for.  Bearing in mind that none of us are perfect, it’s reasonable to assume that nobody else that shows up is perfect either.  Does that mean that your holiday gathering won’t be perfect?  Nope.  The perfection comes in the love, the heartfelt good wishes and acceptance that we have for each other.  Of course we’re all stressed out, tired from the running and trying to get everything done and, for a lot of us, work pressures, health, or weather problems on top of it.  We’re going to be a bit on edge, easily irritated and may not be in the best frame of mind in the exact moment we need to be.  Let’s try to be patient with each other.  There are things that matter (like caring, forgiveness, love) and things that don’t (irritation, intolerance, rudeness).  We have a choice on how we want to let these things affect us, not just on the holiday itself, but every other day as well.  Sometimes we need to overlook those things that aren’t perfect.  If the food is overcooked, you don’t approve of somebody’s clothing or the life choices a family member makes, it’s okay.  If everybody is there to share their day with each other, that’s what counts.  The rest will all make good stories in the years to come.  We should choose to look for the things that make us happy and not get upset about things that aren’t important.  THAT’S what it means to enjoy the holiday.  I hope yours is all that you wish for!