Time.
It's something that we all worry we don't have enough of.
I do it all the time, as an anxious person. Most days I find myself with a to do list that seems like it has more to do on it, then time I have in the day. Time is a precious resource. We must value every minute, every second that we are given.
While reading "You Are A Badass" by Jen Sincero, I came across this paragraph related to my topic. It's located on page 157 in the book. "We are so unbelievably blessed to have all the things we have, all the opportunities and ideas and people and tasks and interests and experiences and responsibilities- choosing to freak out about it all, rather than enjoying the living of our lives, is like throwing pearls before swine. Such a waste of a glorious gift."
We have to learn to slow down. Take a deep breath. You will get done what you can't, and the rest will get done when there is time for it. Don't get too busy with your to-do list to actually enjoy these activities. A blog I follow called +Fierce Forward introduced me a great mind shift in the whole time debacle. The creator- Ashley- say to change the to-do list to an I Get to list. Instead of thinking of all the things you have to do, start thinking of all the things you get to do.
You get to do the laundry, you get to cook food for yourself and possibly your loved ones. You get to exercise, which will then leaving you feeling strong and accomplished.
Just like the concept of never enough time, there is lack of appreciating the small things in this life.
Moving out of the city, and now living in a small town in the middle of the woods has helped me change this. There is just not a rush here. Rarely do you encounter someone who is in a hurry. By not being surrounded by it constantly, I have learned to become more relaxed myself. I have also really learned to appreciate the little things. We have cattle in the pasture behind us right now, and it truly makes my day to look out the back window and see one. I get excited every time. Or when I pass them on the way out, and get to see my favorite one. Yes..I do have a favorite cow! Or when I get home late at night and the stars are just breathtakingly beautiful. Away from the city lights, you can truly marvel at the beautiful sky above us.
I guess I kind of have two different points to this. SLOW DOWN! Enjoy life, and don't always be in a rush. Change your perspective of have to's to get to's. And finally, and most important enjoy the small things.
From the famous Nickelback song: "If Today was Your Last Day"
"My best friend gave me the best advice. He said each day's a gift and not a given right. Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind, and try to take the path less traveled by that first step you take is the longest stride.
If today was your last day.
And tomorrow was too late.
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past.
Donate every dime you have.
If today was your last day?"
Monday, January 26, 2015
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Gratitude
Gratitude. A topic that has been coming up more and more frequently in my life.
As a reuslt, I have resolved as one of my resolutions to start writing down daily gratitude lists. I will admit I have had trouble making it a habit. I do my best to think of 3 things each night that I am thankful for from that day. I have had to come up with some more generic items a few times, but mostly I can find unique things each day that I am thankful for.
I am reading the book "You are a Badass" by Jen Sincero. One of the chapters - Chapter 14 - is devoted to solely to Gratitude. On p.113 she quotes " When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears."- Anthony Robbins
If you stop and think about that, it really is a great quote. By showing gratitude we release our fears and allow for abdunace in our life. The book is a great read if you haven't heard of it- I highly reccomend it! She frequently talks about the energy that your putting out into the world. If you are putting out good energy- for example by practicing gratitude- then you will get positive things sent back to you.
If you want positive out of life, you have to put positive out there. Attitude is very important to how your life goes. If you have a bad attitude, you will attract bad things (or negative energy). Sincero goes on to quote on p. 115 " You cut yourself off from the supply of awesomeness when you are not in a state of gratitude." Then goes on to say later on that same page, "Having gratitude goes way beyond just having good manners, however. Manners are a form of custom, gratitude is a state of being.
Focusing on all that you have, instead of all that you don't have is a great way to shift your mindset. Once you shift that mindset, you really will notice a shift in your life. It doesn't take huge changes. Small changes make a big difference too.
I am going to continue working on my 3 daily items that I am thankful. If you would like to join me that would be awesome!
I will use yesterday's example:
I was thankful for a nice breakfast out with my boyfriend and his friend.
I was thankful for our little roadtrip out in the woods exploring a new property.
I was also thankful for a nice homemade meal (by me! ;-) lol) with the same 2.
A peaceful Saturday just has a great way of winding down the previous week, and setting you up for success in the next week.
I vow to continue trying to stick to this until it is a habit.
It takes 21 days to make a habit. So let's see if I can make a pattern and create 21 days in a row! I am at like 6 right now I think. Though, I did have to make up one day that I had missed, if I am being honest.
I will for sure be checking in on this topic later.
If you took the time to read this, thank you! :-)
*Amber*
As a reuslt, I have resolved as one of my resolutions to start writing down daily gratitude lists. I will admit I have had trouble making it a habit. I do my best to think of 3 things each night that I am thankful for from that day. I have had to come up with some more generic items a few times, but mostly I can find unique things each day that I am thankful for.
I am reading the book "You are a Badass" by Jen Sincero. One of the chapters - Chapter 14 - is devoted to solely to Gratitude. On p.113 she quotes " When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears."- Anthony Robbins
If you stop and think about that, it really is a great quote. By showing gratitude we release our fears and allow for abdunace in our life. The book is a great read if you haven't heard of it- I highly reccomend it! She frequently talks about the energy that your putting out into the world. If you are putting out good energy- for example by practicing gratitude- then you will get positive things sent back to you.
If you want positive out of life, you have to put positive out there. Attitude is very important to how your life goes. If you have a bad attitude, you will attract bad things (or negative energy). Sincero goes on to quote on p. 115 " You cut yourself off from the supply of awesomeness when you are not in a state of gratitude." Then goes on to say later on that same page, "Having gratitude goes way beyond just having good manners, however. Manners are a form of custom, gratitude is a state of being.
Focusing on all that you have, instead of all that you don't have is a great way to shift your mindset. Once you shift that mindset, you really will notice a shift in your life. It doesn't take huge changes. Small changes make a big difference too.
I am going to continue working on my 3 daily items that I am thankful. If you would like to join me that would be awesome!
I will use yesterday's example:
I was thankful for a nice breakfast out with my boyfriend and his friend.
I was thankful for our little roadtrip out in the woods exploring a new property.
I was also thankful for a nice homemade meal (by me! ;-) lol) with the same 2.
A peaceful Saturday just has a great way of winding down the previous week, and setting you up for success in the next week.
I vow to continue trying to stick to this until it is a habit.
It takes 21 days to make a habit. So let's see if I can make a pattern and create 21 days in a row! I am at like 6 right now I think. Though, I did have to make up one day that I had missed, if I am being honest.
I will for sure be checking in on this topic later.
If you took the time to read this, thank you! :-)
*Amber*
Friday, January 9, 2015
2015 is my year- Goals will be accomplished.
Goals are one of the most important key factors to success.
In the past I don't have a great track record for sticking to all of my goals.
This year that is going to be different.
I have set weekly, monthly, and even yearly goals.
I am planning on making this one of the best years yet.
I am already well on my way to doing that too! My goals so far this month have been crush. There is only 1 I have faltered with.
I'll start with some January goals.
Daily goals:
*128 ounces water (gallon a day)
*sleep 8 hours
*sweat
*stretch
*6-8 servings of fruits and vegetables.
Weekly goals:
=1 yoga session
=2 weights sessions
=Food log
=No soda
=7 days of challenges and yoga challenges
Monthly goals:
!stick to my goals (had to do it!)
!make the time to get it done
!journal 1 x a week
!cut out soda agian
!excitement assignment
!24 workout days
!gallon a day- @least 80% of time
!yoga 1 x week
!weights 2x week
!31 days of miles
I have stuck to my goals so far, all but one. I have had a soda twice. However, it has not been 4 days since I had one, and I plan on continuing to make that number keep growing!!
It has made me super excited to finally meet my goals. The excitment comes from the sense of accomplishment. That is why I find goals to be so extremely important. They give you something to shoot for, and when they're accomplished they give you excitement. This is a cycle you want to create!!
Make sure when setting goals they are SMART .
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Relavent
Time-bound
So go set yourself some goals!
In the past I don't have a great track record for sticking to all of my goals.
This year that is going to be different.
I have set weekly, monthly, and even yearly goals.
I am planning on making this one of the best years yet.
I am already well on my way to doing that too! My goals so far this month have been crush. There is only 1 I have faltered with.
I'll start with some January goals.
Daily goals:
*128 ounces water (gallon a day)
*sleep 8 hours
*sweat
*stretch
*6-8 servings of fruits and vegetables.
Weekly goals:
=1 yoga session
=2 weights sessions
=Food log
=No soda
=7 days of challenges and yoga challenges
Monthly goals:
!stick to my goals (had to do it!)
!make the time to get it done
!journal 1 x a week
!cut out soda agian
!excitement assignment
!24 workout days
!gallon a day- @least 80% of time
!yoga 1 x week
!weights 2x week
!31 days of miles
I have stuck to my goals so far, all but one. I have had a soda twice. However, it has not been 4 days since I had one, and I plan on continuing to make that number keep growing!!
It has made me super excited to finally meet my goals. The excitment comes from the sense of accomplishment. That is why I find goals to be so extremely important. They give you something to shoot for, and when they're accomplished they give you excitement. This is a cycle you want to create!!
Make sure when setting goals they are SMART .
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Relavent
Time-bound
So go set yourself some goals!
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Reflection and Accomplishments
This week I have finally gotten on track to meeting goals that I have laid out. I went big and set lots of goals, and I have been doing a great job of meeting them. I have been flexible when necessary, and I have not met all of them. But the ones I haven't met - say drinking soda for example- I have started over on. It's ok to not be perfect, it's ok to have to start over. What's important is not giving up!
What I have accomplished this week:
-Daily challenges
-Mile a day starting January 1
-Focusing on steps again and meeting a few 10,000 step days
-Meal plan and grocery list
You have to have the desire and determination to succeed no matter what. I have the desire to achieve results, and I will make this year my year!
2015 is game time for me. I plan on accomplishing huge things.
With that said I have to reflect on all that I accomplished in 2014.
ACE cert
half marathon
loss of grandma
Jason's ordeal
Leaving full time job
Taking part time job with no benefits
Moving
Finding happiness
You can't ever forget how far you have come. You can't belittle any accomplishment, no matter how small.
All you can do is keep moving forward. Put one foot in front of the other and do the best you can!
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