Always in style: Happiness looks good on you

After a recent acupuncture and cosmetic facial rejuvenation session, my practitioner regarded me and said, “Happiness looks good on you.” It didn’t matter that I wore my grungiest romper or that my messy bun hung askew, or that my mascara had long since washed away by the time my appointment rolled around. Nor did it hinge on my bi-monthly facial treatments (although if you ask me about my healthy glow, I’m happy to hook you up). The happiness she referred to—the byproduct of a grateful heart—is a mindful choice that I slip into daily as part of my morning ritual (usually as I savor my first cup of freshly brewed magic). At times, however, the sparkle dims: I might be tired, frustrated or cranky. But once I accept that happiness is not grounded on the external, I empower my inner beauty to radiate outward. Happiness is that one-size-fits-all, must-have accessory that never goes out of style and looks good year-round.

How does happiness look on you?

 

Leave it to chance: when the choice is no longer ours to make

 

Since I began blogging in 2010, of all the topics I’ve covered in my posts, the vast majority revolve around a common theme: choice. Obviously, there are circumstances beyond our control—our best friend moves away, our spouse severs ties, we lose our job or we become ill. But, we still have a choice (see “It starts with a choice”): how we react to XYZ. If someone insists they don’t have a choice, then what they really mean is they lack determination, resolve, backbone. Free will. Bottom line: Even when we choose not to make a choice, it’s still a choice. When I went back to school as a non-traditional student to pursue my bachelor’s degree, I chose to embark on a new career path. Nearly a decade later, I feel, at times, that my age is a stumbling block to future growth, change. Yet the biggest obstacle is that one day the choice will no longer be mine to make.

What choice do you leave to chance?

Photo courtesy of marin at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

If you don’t like where your life is headed: live like you’ve already arrived

 

Although we manifest the fruition of our thoughts—whether negative or positive (see “Dress for success”)—and we control the “more” we wish to attract into our lives (see “Be the change”), we must take this a step further and believe it before we see it. This means to shed our former way of thinking/doing/speaking and live like we already possess what we want. Remember: the words we speak—self-fulfilling little prophecies—set us up for change and either failure or success. One day I awakened and realized I didn’t like the direction my life was headed. I desired something tangible to fill the gap between real time and Someday. The answer? I began to speak life into my circumstances. And then I took action to align my surroundings with my vision. It isn’t always easy. Sometimes it means I have to be the bigger person. Become vulnerable. Take risks. Because it’s the difference between surviving or thriving.

What do you need to believe before you see it?

Photo courtesy of FrameAngel at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Try it on for size: encountering contentment

For years I’ve struggled with a fast-track mentality: I need to get this done now, go here then, achieve that by the time I’m X years old and the list goes on. I write about what feels like a race against the clock in “Doing life in the fast lane” and how while the first 50 years took their own sweet time, now the necessity to apply imaginary brakes in order to slow time… grips me with a palpable intensity. “There’s just not enough time,” becomes a familiar refrain. Yet I sense a shift, an infinitesimal settling, deep down, where my soul works out my purpose day in and day out—the feeling that maybe it’s okay if I sink back into my days, my hours, each moment. Go with it rather than fight against it, the ebb of time and its cyclical flow. A contentedness washes over me, as if I’m trying on this new season and it finally fits.

Are you a “fast-tracker” or go-with-the-flow type?

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33 Strings for Your Soul: debut CD shines

A long-time friend of mine is the mother of two lovely, intelligent young ladies. Sophia and Olivia are homeschooled, and I am ever in awe of their myriad interests and engaging conversations; outgoing personalities; zest for life and the selfless, humble kindheartedness they extend toward others—whether their fellow human-being or those of the four-legged variety. Sophia’s love for music and sharing it with others began when she was a child and, according to her website (which she developed, earning her a blue ribbon at the Minnesota State Fair), she “is passionate about sharing her musical skills and bringing the power of music to others.” I am incredibly proud of Sophia and her debut CD—a relaxing and peaceful blend of harp melodies which would benefit such places as nursing homes, animal shelters and daycares. From the thoughtful content on the CD jacket, to the compositions she performs, to the recording of each piece, Sophia is the consummate professional. Her talent will bless you.

For more info: https://www.sophianienaber.com/.

Photo courtesy of patrisyu at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Back it up: a hard lesson to learn

 

In my post from earlier this year, “Attaching labels to the dreams we chase,” I mention a weekend-long (remote) writing workshop I attended, and the subsequent “book of sorts” I penned. During those three days, I bled sweat and tears, my emotions raw and, at times, forcing me into a fetal position on my nearby bed. I swore, I wanted to quit and I cried. A lot. Yet, I persevered and completed the workshop along with a semblance of a story I hoped I’d return to one day to rework, rewrite, revise. More than six months later, that day came and went with nothing to show for it. Despite the three copies I had saved of my work, my book had vanished. All 50,000 words I’d poured out through my fingertips. Although I had backed it up, there were other avenues I could’ve taken to better protect it. But perhaps it’s simply not the story for me to tell at this time.

How do you protect important files?

Photo courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Make a difference: be the good

 

This past week proved fraught with disappointments and discontent. On Friday, I woke up feeling sad, out of sorts. Most of my disquiet revolves around the unrest in our world—the tropical storms ravaging the Southeastern U.S. and the fires burning through the Northwest, the recent earthquake in Mexico, the political turmoil on the forefront of our nation. If I don’t pitch my tent in these valleys, I’m able to rally. But I can so easily get sucked into social media and news reports under the guise I need to remain informed, yet I end up more unsettled. I don’t want to live with my head in the sand, but I also think it can be easier to become uber-focused on all the negativity and everything that’s wrong in the world. Rather than glorify enmity and division, however, let’s consider how we might make a positive difference to those in need—whether near or far. Because there’s still good: be the good.

How will you make a difference?

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Walk the talk: conditioning your mind, body for success

 

This past Sunday, I woke up conflicted: workout, yoga or hike? My response: When in doubt, hike it out. The moderate-to-difficult trail proved to be exactly what I needed as endurance training for an upcoming trek of mine categorized as “hard.” And, it afforded me three hours of solitude in which I mentally sketched out revisions for a book I wrote earlier this year, as well as prefaced my next work of fiction. The time I spent strategizing in the mountains served as an effective tool to condition myself for this approaching season jam-packed with writing commitments—including two back-to-back online workshops, as well as NaNoWriMo (national novel writing month)—carrying me well into the new year. Because whether it’s a hike, or a writing workshop, training and planning go hand in hand. If I’m willing to condition and equip myself on the trail, then I should do the same for my vocational aspirations. In other words: walk—or hike—the talk.

How do you “train” for success?

If you could do it all over again: would you?

Every positive change in your life
begins with a clear, unequivocal decision
that you are going to either do something
or stop doing something. ~ Anonymous

If life afforded a “do-over” button or an instant replay, and you could relive the last X number of days from a specific set point (determined by you), would you? This idea stems from a novel I’m reading: Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. A Sci-Fi suspense thriller, the premise begs the question of a multiverse—an infinite realm of being or potential being of which the universe is regarded as a part or instance. If presented with the opportunity, I would do it all over again: I would live more—and worry less—a lot sooner. It seems a shame that it oftentimes takes age to precede wisdom (or at least that’s the plan). But the good news is that every moment offers us the chance to make a positive change. Almost like a do-over.

Would you do it all over again?

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Anger slays: discovering a balm for calm

In a recent USA Today article, Ken Fisher offers 11 ways to protect your money and sanity as you age. His final tip is worth adopting regardless of age, income, social status, vocation or education level: “Remember that anger slays.” He references a psychologist buddy of his who taught him to live his actions as if he’d live forever and his emotions as if he knew he’d be dead in 30 days. This brought a huge peace of mind to Fisher and every time he’d anger, he’d ask himself if he’d waste time over “this” if he knew he had only 30 days to live. He never did. Of course, my husband told me about this article after I had become disproportionately angry over something so small in the larger scheme of things (isn’t that usually the case?). Anger does slay: relationships, progress, health, peace of mind. Ask yourself: will whatever it is matter if my days are numbered? Because they are.

What is your balm for calm?

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