Life is like excavating......

......you have to dig, dig, dig, until you find what you want!
Don't settle.
Don't dilute yourself with "justification" for what you do. That's simply a lie.
Don't be angry and unforgiving - it just takes a toll on you physically and mentally.
Don't think of problems as such. Make them "challenges".

Do show kindness to someone today.
Do remember we only have this very moment - live it fully.
Do remember happiness is a choice.
Do MOVE your body and feed it nutrition - it is the only place you have to live.

If you push away the negativity it will diminish.
If you get in the habit of positive thoughts and actions it will pull positive things toward you.

If you think no one really cares - think again! I do.
Do CREATE a wonderful day!

when the unexpected happens, just handle it!

You could have knocked me over with a feather when on my husband's one day off, he said, "You go to so much work making your tacos, let's invite dad and mom over for dinner."

First of all, last week he said, "I've had enough of them for a while". Secondly, the irony of it is to me, if I work sooooo hard to cook - then let's invite two people over so you have to cook more food, chop more side dishes, set a fancier table, and make sure the house is cleaned up (oh yes, and more dishes!).

Perhaps it was a compliment, and I am now ready for company in half an hour. He now is saying, "Hmmmmm. Kind of wished I hadn't asked them over!" :)

"Yeah", I thought, "Could have ran naked in the house!" Oh well.

When he brought up the idea I told him - "It's your day off-whatever you want to do is fine with me." I meant it. Marriage is a give and take partnership and he holds up his end of the bargain - so I am too. Anyway, life is fleeting and I do love my in-laws (now that they love me after being nasty to me 15 out of 20 years). That was their problem.

So whenever a problem or change in plans arise - take a breath and ACCEPT what it is.
There is another way - fight it and have a fight! But if it's reasonable, keep the peace with love and a positive response, and it will come back to you! I promise.

Now it's taco time.

Easy to get caught up in all the negativity!

BUT DON'T DO IT...... Life is just too short to waste a moment being a sour ball. We all have problems. I am no exception. If it's not a CASH problem, health problem, family problem, car problem, work problem, then its a neighbor problem, etc. etc. etc. So what is your choice when problems arrive? I tried being miserable. It sucked, so I gave it up. Even when I slip a bit and allow all the negativity that is presented in the media to affect me -
it's not for long. I can't stand feeling horrible and so I remember to practice thinking in positive terms and remembering what mama used to tell me. "This too shall pass. Life is about change. Just when you think you can't take any more, something changes."
Take a breath. Practice finding the GOOD in something. Remember, it's your life, don't let life steal it from you. Start now. Take a breath and when you exhale, let all the problems fly out your fingertips. Do it again. YOU WILL BE IN CHARGE OF YOUR LIFE AND YOUR RESPONSE TO LIFE, if you JUST PRACTICE being in charge!

Not pie in the sky. The truth. I face the challenge of aging and it could suck....not happening in my world. I am still glad just to be alive and kicking. Change your day by changing your thinking - NO MATTER what CHALLENGE you face.
YOU CAN DO IT!

A "mini break"

Stop for a moment and sit back in your chair. Take one of those deep breaths in through the nose, and exhale from the mouth. Do it a few times. Remember: when stress enters we slow our breathing down - almost stop when we are angry! As you breathe think "I am relaxing myself, slowing my heart rate, lowering my blood pressure, maintaining optimum oxygen so I can think better, and giving myself and the only place I have to live (my body) - a few moments of regeneration!"

Believe me - it will do all those things for you. After a few breaths, stretch your arms up in the air, blink your eyes several times, wiggle your toes and if you need to take a bathroom break - don't put it off! Do it now. The walk will do you good anyway and get that oxygen moving through the body again.

NO STRESS is worth your life! It will all work out somehow. Don't add to your problems by stressssssssssing out!

CREATE a wonderful day, and better yet, a great life for yourself. I really care!

How do I relieve stress during this busy time?

1. I remember to breathe! Breathing can calm you down, lower your heart rate, make you think more intelligently, and help any pain you might have to diminish. That is just a partial list of the good things that will happen to you when you remember to use your oxygen. It's a gift. Try holding your breath for 4 minutes and see how precious your oxygen is to your life!

2. Prioritize - Make sure that the tasks you are trying to accomplish don't cause you
to loose your temper with those people in your life you are trying to please! People first (LOVE), all the other stuff next.

3. Loosen the old thought that Christmas is about "presenting" a great dinner table,
buying the best gifts, or decorating the house with a million lights. It's not. It's about LOVE LOVE LOVE. For us Christians it is the time we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior. For non-Christians it can be a lovely time to celebrate family and the spirit of giving. Don't diminish one moment with frustration and anger. Take it easy...take a breath!

4. Don't forget to give yourself a hug once in a while. You work hard and you know it. Count small blessings we skip over each day. I was shopping and looked up and saw an awesome sight-so I took out my little camera and captured it (photo on the right). What a blessing to see such beauty!

Have a wonderful holiday season and DON'T spend it drinking too much. You loose your spirit when it is saturated with booze. Yes, I have a drink now and then - but I
am in charge; not the alcohol. Be safe. Be YOURSELF!

Quick thoughts

A collage of thoughts for you...busy time of year!


Turns out sitting up straight is actually bad for your back. Sitting at a 90 degree angle puts pressure on the lower back-enough to squeeze fluid from the disks that cushion vertebrae. Adjust the height of your chair so your hips are 3 to 4 inches higher than your knees. Recline slightly, with a small pillow behind your lower back, so you backbone is at a 135-degree angle to your thighs. These conclusions were found in Scotland as researches took MRI scans of 22 volunteers.

You can learn from your children, be led by them, keep young through their eyes, and get many blessings in return from loving and guiding them.


Water: First thing in the morning drink 12 oz. Your body loses fluid stores overnight, which can make your mind foggy. Star the day with H20 and it might keep you from seeking out coffee or tea -at least cut back or dilute. Drink 30 meals before meal to help you fill up a bit. German study- drink 50 oz. of cold water a day-can help you burn up extra 50 cals per day-5lbs. a year, without exercising. metabolism boost due to extra effort needed to raise the water’s temp to 98.6F.


Interesting -students who drink too much may be setting themselves up for heart problems.
AMA excessively - double levels of C-reactive protein, a biological marker for inflammation associated with higher chance of cardiovascular problems. (heavy drinking defined: 3 or more alcholic drinks at least 3 days week or at least 5 drinks two days of week. Moderate: 2-5 drinks at one time, one or two days week. CRP levels on heavy MORE THAN DOUBLED, placing them in zone associated with moderate risk of heart disease More studies on way-still, setting up a dangerous pattern. Not to mention “date rape drug”, blackouts, risky behavior-aids, pregnancy, drinking and drive, turn into big A holes!

Hope you are using your wits and not over eating throughout the holidays. Take a bite of everything but don't be a pig. It's your body - the only place you have to live! Whatever is on the plate is NOT TO DIE FOR!

Blessings and love!

Unexpected trauma II - the continuing story:)

I could have been upset when I was getting ready to serve dinner to my husband. One
of the baked potatoes decided to BLOW UP! Of course I had just cleaned the oven, and I
was very hungry.

I have no idea why it blew up. In all the years I've baked potatoes and there have been thousands (no lie), I've never had this happen!

So my stress management technique: Laugh. It actually was funnier than upsetting...I
opened the oven and there was my potato (of course it was mine, my hubby was starving)
all over the oven. :)

I reckoned that I wasn't supposed to have the potato as I always use too much butter and sour cream, and I am trying to loose a few pounds before the holidays. Dinner was still great, and I was not "over-stuffed", nor did I feel guilty.

So when something happens that could be unexpected trauma, but it's really not life altering, take it with a sense of humor. Laughter saves many a day!

USE IT - laughter is free and always cheers up those around you. Besides, it's fun.

Think about it.....

When was the last time you lit a candle in the day time? Have you played any warm and cozy music just for you? Pick a rhythm that makes you sway to it.

When was the last time you stood outside? Just stood. Quietly listening, looking, smelling all that is around you, for all these things are life and have a place in this world. Accept that and you will learn to love all things, because all things will change according to the light and love you share.

I took a picture of the moon before sun up this morning. There was a star way above it. I didn't really see just shadows from the tree branches. When I put it in photo shop I just changed a few things and now I can see the branches too.

Do something different today. Walk down the stairs instead of using the elevator.
One day I watched a group of Canadian geese flying in perfect formations. I watched them until they were gone. I was in the Costco parking lot. I heard them and just
looked up and paid attention to them. It was beautiful.

When I looked back down I realized there were four or five people standing near to me and we were all watching together.

It's your day. Take a breath and ENJOY!

Right now - do this for YOURSELF, please!

Since you are sitting down just push your chair back for a moment and press your shoulders down and back. Make that posture count for good oxygen intake. Now hold the abdominals in and take a few deep breaths. Breathe in through the nose, and out through the mouth.

Slowly again - in through the nose, and out through the mouth. Two or three more mindful breaths remembering we need oxygen to live and good breaths make our thinking
clearer. When you exhale you visualize all the negative thoughts you hold within fall down to the fingertips and dissipate.

Now turn your neck to the right and hold for a moment. Now back to center and then to the left and hold. Bring your head back to center and let the right side of your head fall towards the right shoulder. Hold a few moments. Now back to center and lay the left side of your head to the left shoulder. You'll feel the stretch on each side and this is good.

Roll your shoulders back in circles a few times, then roll them forward.

Blink your eyes quickly 10-20 times and close them. Rub your fingertips together until they feel warm and lay them on your eyes. Take in two more mindful inhalations and exhalations.

Open your eyes and SMILE! You have done something wonderful for yourself and it didn't take that long at all! Now resume whatever it was you were doing and remember someone out here on line REALLY CARES!

Be careful what you dwell upon in thought or vision

TRUE FACT the things we think about repeatedly, and the things our eyes behold really have an affect on us!

You know this innately. For instance, children watching violence does affect their
thought process. It will desensitize the horror of violence and make it more acceptable in their minds.

We create brain cells according to what we see and hear habitually....and the thinking does become altered accordingly.

An old Cherokee tale explains it quite beautifully:

An old Grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice...

"Let me tell you a story. I too, at times, have felt great hate for those who have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do. But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It's like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die."

"I have struggled with these feelings many times. It is as if there are two wolves inside me; one is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.

But...the other wolf... ah! The littlest thing will send him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all of the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger, for his anger will change nothing."

"Sometimes it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit."

The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?"

The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed."

So pay attention to what you FEED your mind and the minds of your family and those you share life with daily. We can help change the world if we work at it from within our own minds!

CREATE a beautiful day!

FAMILY visits can be Fun and not Stressful!

We recently had a family of five stay with us for almost three weeks. The guest room was used and the office was full of children on the floor. The small kitchen was always fragrant with something cooking, and the table squeezed us all in for meals. Every chair was used in the living room, and someone usually was patiently waiting for a shower or to use the toilet.

We had a ball! Would you like to know how? We were as polite to each other as we would have been to strangers. We picked up our own messes and helped share in the responsibility of cooking, cleaning and doing laundry. No one took advantage of anyone else, and when the children began to squabble - the parents / or grandparents attended to resolve the problem instead of ignoring because of adult conversation.

No one drank alcohol. Let me repeat that: NO ONE DRANK ALCOHOL! No I am not a prude and yes I do have a glass or wine or a drink once in a while. But this is what I've learned over the years:

If no one drinks while at a family gathering, misunderstandings WILL NOT happen. Children will not be left on their own. Arguments will NOT happen.

I've seen it so many times in "past" days. Keep in mind. Alcohol is a drug and if affects everyone differently. Most can handle a drink or two, but many simply cannot.
There is always (guaranteed) one who gets mad or upset or just plain drunk and stupid.

Don't take that chance with your family - or anyone else's for that matter. You will remember the gathering with love and joy. Keep in mind also - children LEARN what they see and hear - and they see and hear MUCH MORE than you will ever know....until perhaps it's too late.

Have fun. Stay away from alcohol at your next family visit and you will be part of the pleasure, not the problem!

Honest!

A quick post - CELL PHONES

Just a small stress management technique!

If yours is stolen or lost......do you have a hard copy with a list of all the numbers available?

Yes, I know you can get them from email, but would it not be simpler to have that hard copy?

My daughter's phone was stolen, so I know it can happen! Hold on to your "stuff", make hard copies of your numbers, and PRAY FOR PEACE!

I need to breathe!

After reading the newspaper, news on the web, magazines, and so forth, I need to take
a breath and relax myself!

So much waste, so much dwelling on horrible incidents and potential disasters.
So right now, and I hope you join me, I am going to take in a few deep, mindful breaths.

As I do so, I am going to visualize all the trauma, all that which I CANNOT do anything about, leaving with my exhalation. This is not to "deny" problems, but to attend to
my own well-being. For if I am to do ANYTHING about ANYTHING, I must empower myself
with positive thoughts and strong intellect.

In breathing my inhalation I think about drawing in fresh oxygen, getting it to my brain (which needs 50% more to think optimally), and regenerating my spirit and my body.

In breathing out I am letting negativity push out down my arms and through my fingertips, and I am releasing in order to think in more positive terms. That will enable me to "handle" what is happening in MY WORLD....and to touch, what I am able, in the world of others.

Another few minutes of mindful breathing and I am up from the computer and out to accomplish a few things, and enjoy the moments of my life. I hope you do the same.

Money that isn't there

When you are stretching to meet the demands financially, when you have unexpected expense, when you just can't figure out what you are going to do.......

Take a breath! Say a prayer. Take another breath.

You know, you can only do the best that you can. Circumstances change momentarily.
One moment I had a bit of money coming in....the next, I broke my tooth ($750.00),
have to pay a prepayment penalty ($2,800.00), have to pay back money ($400.00) the
state overpaid my hubby on unemployment last winter.....and so forth and so on!

That is lots of money for unexpected expense (THIS WEEK!). So you know what I did when I found out?

I took a breath! Said a prayer, maybe it was 20 prayers. Took another breath and thought, "Doing the best we can. It will all work out somehow. Not going to let money destroy our lives. Won't do it!"

I feel better. Truly. Try the techniques. PRACTICE them as we are creatures of habit and will get into the habit of thinking in positive terms.

Have a wonderful weekend no matter what! Love on somebody. Enjoy your life!
Your health will be better for it, your family will, and you will feel better about it all. HONEST.

Whatever you are doing right now............

TAKE A 60 SECOND BREAK TO REFRESH AND REGENERATE!
Sit back from the desk. Take a deep breath inhaling though the nose, and exhaling through the mouth. Do it again and think: "Whatever my challenge, I will approach it refreshed in one minute, knowing I will do the best I can."

Take another breath. This time as you exhale, visualize all the negative thoughts you may harbor, and all the past anger or disapointment you may feel - flying out your fingertips into oblivion.

Now stretch your arms up overhead, clasping your hands together, as you lean back in your chair slightly. Put your hands behind your head and gently lift the head elongating, the neck and holding the weight of your head in your hands. Release.

Wiggle your toes and fingers and take another breath! Point your toes away from you. Press the heels away from you. Do this several times.

Roll your wrists one direction, then the opposite direction. Now blink your eyes several times.

If you NEED to use the restroom DON'T HOLD IT AND WAIT! THAT IS TERRIBLE FOR YOUR BODY. GO NOW.

Other wise, one more mindful breath and smile (No particular reason - it just feels good.) You could do this maybe once an hour. That's only 8 times in 8 hours....only 8 minutes. You are worth it and you will be better for it!

I won't be posting for a couple of days, so in the meantime - ENJOY your work, enjoy your play, and PLEASE enjoy each moment of every day. Time is accelerating - make it precious time!

Tale of Two Wolves

The first exercise I teach, regardless if I am teaching high intensity aerobics, low-key exercise, relaxation, or even dance....is to EXERCISE THE MIND. These two short tales go hand
in hand with using our brains and finding magic can happen to each of us, if we just EXERCISE our powers and believe! CREATE a wonderful weekend! I care:) Thank you for sharing my sweet spiritual friend and sister - Lynn.


-Native American-

A grandfather was telling his grandson, "There is a conflict
inside of me and in every one of us. Two wolves live within me.

One wolf is jealous, angry, covetous, rude, disrespectful,
lazy, unkind, resentful. The other wolf is kind, loving,
grateful, compassionate, happy, helpful. They are battling
within each of us"

The grandson asks, "Which one will win?"
The grandfather thoughtfully answers, "The one you feed."
**************************************************************
Tale of unknown origin

A man who had been traveling a long way approaches the
gate to a small village. Sitting outside the gate is an
old, wrinkled woman.The man asks the woman "What kind of
people will I find here in this village?"

The woman answers "What kind of people did you find in
the last village you were in?" The man said, "They were
terrible people. Greedy, obnoxious, hateful, rude,
Thieves all of them. It was awful." "You will find the same
sort of people here then" she answered. And the man hung his
head, turned around and walked away.

Later that day another man who had also been traveling a
long way approaches the same gate to the same village
and sees the same old woman sitting outside the
gate. He asks, "What kind of people will I find in this
village?"

The woman in turns asks, "What kind of people did you
find in the last village you lived?" He said "They were
wonderful people! Kind, generous, thoughtful, helpful, loving
people. I hated having to leave."
The woman looked at the man and answered

"Then you will find the same sort of people here."
And the man happily walked through the gate into the
village.

Which wolf do you feed daily? What expectations of people
do you have?

How to handle UNEXPECTED expense!

SAME OLD TECHNIQUE (but always effective).
First TAKE A BREATH.

One thing I have learned in this life is that just when the bills are paid and you might have a few dollars extra - SOMETHING jumps in to grab those bills!

It is exhausting, discouraging, makes us angry, and unfair! BUT WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

Are you going to let money problems RUIN your life, your relationships, your family?
DON'T YOU DO IT! This too shall pass.

Whatever the problem a resolve will come if you maintain your cool. Remember, it's just one of those circumstances that happens and you STILL have the CHOICE of how to respond.

Here's an example: Yesterday I attended a workshop I could little afford. I am trying to create a business that is successful on the internet. They provided lunch, and just before the part I really wanted to hear, I bit down on a piece of uncooked rice and totally broke my tooth.

I had to excuse myself, go to the dentist, and was told "You need a crown. That will be $800.00 please!"

I took a breath. ALLOWED myself to be sad and discouraged for a few moments, and then took another breath. I arranged for payments, called my husband and told him I felt badly about the cost. He teased me for a minute and said, "Gosh you are expensive!" I responded by "But I'm worth it, huh?" He agreed. (Phew, got him fooled:).

Then I returned to the seminar. (Of course I didn't smile my normal big mouth smile...it looks terrible:). This morning I am so glad I picked a positive response.
You know life is going to hand you troubles year after year. That doesn't mean you have to CHOKE on them and ruin the MOMENTS of EACH DAY. All we have are these moments.

Happiness or another bill? I CHOOSE HAPPINESS....no matter what the cost!

Have a wonderful day. I care!

Is your neck tired and stiff?

I love input from those who are also in the field of making us healthier
and stronger! Here's one I think works beautifully!

Try this:
"Breathe and sigh often, as you rest your left palm on your right shoulder.
Pull down from your shoulder to your breastbone (sternum) as your
fingers sink into those muscles.

Repeat 3 times. Switch sides and repeat."

It works and it feels wonderful and is soooooo good for you!
Thanks Lynn, you sweet little angel!

No matter how stressful your day may appear....

REMEMBER: We only have the moment we are in right now! Can't change the past, only
can dream of the future, but what we have is HERE and NOW.

Use your moments with love and compassion. Be forgiving of others and take many of the tasks that seem so important - lightly, with confidence that you can only do so much, and with a sense of humor.

My love and prayers to those lost spirits in Minnesota, and those around the world....
and my love too, goes to families who must learn to go forth and survive.

CREATE your life from this moment forth!

Electronic devices and STRESS!

I read that the average American has at least 26 electronic devices between their home and place of employment, and they are literally DRIVING US CRAZY!

Yes, they are wonderful and helpful. But in all honesty, haven't you sometimes felt
like picking up your computer and throwing it? Haven't you cussed when the cell cut you off from an important conversation, or someone in traffic cut you off because they were busy using their hands to talk on their cell phone?

We all have endured STRESS caused by one of our electronic devices at one time or another. As wonderful as they are, we CANNOTallow an electronic "object" to control our emotions and our lives!

Here are a few tips to help when you feel like flushing one of these things down the toilet. (80% of respondents in a recent survey confessed to at least cursing out loud at a machine!)

1. Reboot and relax. Stop for a moment and drop your shoulders. I will guarantee under stress that they go up. When they do you limit circulation to the brain - and the brain needs 50% more oxygen to function optimally. So think, drop the shoulders, take a breath and remember you are restoring the flow of oxygen and blood so you can be calmer and think clearly.

2. When we stare at computers we deprive our eyes of tears. We blink less and our eyes become tired and dryer. When we age our eyes are dryer anyway, so this isn't good. Stop. Every 20 minutes or so look away from the screen for 20-30 seconds.
Blink your eyes a few times. You can even rub your fingers together until they are warm, close your eyes and place them on the lids. This will feel great and help to relax them.

3. Stop typing once in a while. Your hands take a beating. Shake them. Stretch them. Do a bit of self massage. Breathe into them. They work hard for you ALL day, not just at the computer!

4. TURN OFF THE CELL PHONE in the car! Cell phone use is the cause of many accidents. Cell phones are terrific for emergency use, or something that is critically important. But think. What did you do before adding this device to your life.

Probably no business while driving. No "emotions" caused by conversations. No
anger from other drivers because you aren't paying attention. Turn off the phone!
TAKE A MINI-VACATION........listen to your favorite music! Think, plan, just enjoy the drive if you can.

Okay, that's it for now. CREATE a beautiful day and remember: It's YOUR LIFE!
Save it, use it wisely, remember to laugh and smile. I care!