Happy New Year To You............

Its in the air...can you feel it???...September and all it's splendor, how it offers a sense of new......sense of rebirth...a sense of fresh start. It's that back to school, seasons are changing energy I'm feeling. I like to think of it as a time to jump into something new...New Years in September perhaps.

However, if you are not feeling it, no worries. When making changes, there is an element of "fake it 'til you make it", that works for me. Let me try and explain my non professional, it works for me, worth trying theory. Sometimes we have to convince our psyche, by our actions, that we truly want to accomplish something. For example... several months ago I made the decision I wanted to get healthier! I came up with a plan for eating healthier, making more time for mindful living and exercising...AT ALL!

However, starting with all good intentions and a plan that I thought felt right for me, I became stagnant on something like day 3. My dream and vision of wanting to build lung capacity and feel a bit toner...ok toned at all, frequently flashed in front of my eyes and I realized I had to tweak my plan and tame the pressure I put on myself to stay on track. I knew I wanted this but lost motivation so quickly. So I revised my plan. I told myself for 2 WEEKS ONLY I would make wise food choices, meditate more consistently and exercise. If no changes physically or mentally that was it..... I'd bail! During those two weeks I "faked it." with salads, protein and smaller servings. I dragged my sorry butt out of bed in the mornings and went downstairs to the treadmill. Telling myself this was going to make a difference (again "faking it" big time....while convinced this was all a form of self torture and a waste of time)

Winding down of week 2 it started to happen, I had more energy! clearer thoughts! and a bit easier breathing! Damn I was going to have to continue the faking for another two weeks....then it gradually started to happen, as I hit weeks seven and eight, the effort was less...the results were more....better breathing.....much clearer thinking. Fast forward to 6 months later now and my original plan has morphed into a way of Life for me. I've developed my own tricks for sticking with it. Not always easy mind you, but I realize first hand that I'm making a difference that I feel is worth the work. There is a piece of not letting myself down and that feels real good.

So here is the thing Dear Readers. Give it a try in this September New Year. Select something that you would like to accomplish, a house project, learn a language, volunteer for a non profit, healthier living choices, explore a hobby or interest. Whatever YOU want to add to your Life.You are driving the bus! List out the steps to get there. Adjust as you go, keeping it a match for you. "Fake it" with your actions as you try it on for size. If at two weeks it's an all over "hell no" and you can't find any rewards for the effort, even after you have dug really deep deep...let it go and move on to something else. Heck I joined a gym and declared my own three month trial and found it just wasn't for me. Now I make that part happen at home. 

You've got this!!

As always feel free to message me at mhplus2@msn.com if you need someone to bounce ideas around with or a cheerleader to keep you going.

                       The beauty is YOU can add things to your Life.....
                               to enhance and ultimately embrace!

Little Moments....Big Results........

"The little things? The little moments? They aren't little! " ` Jon Kabat-Zinn

There is such value and importance in what seems like the tiniest of things. For a second think of how great it feels when a stranger holds the door open for us, offers a random compliment, allows us to go ahead of them in the check out line, co workers greeting us with a smile, or finding a note of encouragement from a loved one. It all feels good!!

Each take only a moment...but they are conscious choices that tells others we care, that we believe in kindness....and that we are living outwardly and are aware that everyone is going through "something" and can use a bright spot in their day. They are not alone on their journey! It is this "pay it forward" energy that builds momentum.

It is my belief that we have a responsibility to others to be kind and empathetic. It is a choice I make daily. Responsibility then transitions into desire and before you know it, lives are being touched with both kindness and tenderness. 

Together we can spread so much kindness!!!

This is a cycle of Life that I believe in. This is.....my choice!

POST DISCLOSURE: I originally posted this entry a couple of years ago. It is a message that still feels powerful in my Life. Things are busy right now...in a fun way (I'll share with you soon) but I was feeling neglectful having not posted in a bit.  As always Dear Readers...Thanks for coming back for more.  

Peace~

House Cleaning...........

In the past few months I have written about quieting the static in my mind, recharging my emotional bank in order to live in a peaceful place or more accurately be equipped to handle what is thrown my way. For me the gentle balance works...most of the time, but by all means not all of the time. So periodically I refresh, evaluate and organize a bit.

A few weeks ago a patron at work asked "So what's new, Maria"?  I replied "I'm organizing areas of my home in an effort to quiet my mind."  She chuckled and said "let me know how it works out."

So here's the thing, it works out well....as I began tackling the nuisances that subconsciously gnawed at me daily, in an ever so tiny way, I began to get results. 

Here's just a few I mastered, when I began to feel a difference......

1. Sorted, untangled and passed along items in my jewelry box. I tell you no lie.....when I open it now each morning and night and see things neatly placed.....the angels do sing.

2. Sat down and "unsubscribed" to many many junk emails that invade my inbox and create an influx of visual clutter that makes me twitch. Three weeks in and there are definitely less arriving. Such joy (and I am no longer giving out my email to stores etc. Just say NO!)

3. Eliminated a handful of games off my Ipad that I originally downloaded for fun...because honestly I no longer need to check my accuracy of tossing crumpled up paper in the trashcan or slice fruit at rapid speeds. Too stressful for this blogging mama.

4. Plastic be gone. I'm a saver when it comes to (well many things actually) reusable containers. I anticipate a future need, realistic or not and want to be ready. However, each time I open that darn bottom kitchen cupboard and they all come tumbling out, I remind myself that I never really go back to them. Realizing now I had started the saving habit of containers some 20 years ago (though have tossed frequently through the years) when the boys were little. I wanted them to be able to toddle over and  "play" with something in the kitchen while I prepared a meal. As you can imagine they haven't toddled in the kitchen in some time now.  So they're gone!...the containers that is, not the boys...although they are pretty scarce these days.

5. Deleted all kinds of contacts in my email and phone lists that are no longer valid. It was nonsense how many had accumulated. Although, I must say I had 3 contacts that were friends who have passed away...and I held on to them, because I want the gentle reminder of their smiling faces, along with how valuable and fragile Life is.

It is a wonderful reminder each time you return to something that you have taken care of for yourself  and discover the previous static and self talk of  "really? are you going to leave it that way" is eliminated and replaced with kinder more gentle words. The static is less and the calm is more.

The point is this Dear Readers....take a look around and notice what gnaws at you repeatedly on a day to day basis and see what you can clean up, organize or down right get rid of. Make it happen for you! Make it feel new! We're talking things here folks....not people...that's a whole other post for a whole other day.

Conscious Effort With A Mustache...................

It doesn't just happen, it isn't always easy and it does require deliberate effort.....  Simple gestures have the power to enrich our lives and so very sweetly those around us.

Living more consciously towards others just feels damn good to me! Sometimes it takes reminders...and then as soon as I do I feel recharged, like gasoline in a car....OK maybe not quite to intense but I'm hoping you'll give it a try.

Last week I was in a doctor's waiting room and an elderly women walked by. I complimented her on her embroidered jeans. I was thinking it and I wanted to let her know. She turned with a smile and thanked me. Her husband who was waiting for her chimed in with "I have a pair at home too." The playful banter provided levity for all of us to enjoy....then and later also whenever I think back to it.

While out for very yummy frozen yogurt last weekend, all the outside tables were taken. Still space at them mind you, but occupied just the same. In a deliberate manner, I pretended to go sit down and said 'hey mind if we sit with you??" The two guys gave a hesitant stare, which quickly turned to a welcoming "sure." I explained I was just goofing but always thought it would be fun to live in the South, where I envisioned everyone knowing everyone and chatting around town.  One of the guys explained that he was actually from Texas, here teaching at Rhode Island School of Design. Conversation went in an artful direction for a bit and ended with smiles and well wishes all around. It was just fun!!

One last recap (which I am not sure if I have shared already..it still stays with me and I like to share it) While shopping recently a small boy, hand in hand with his Mom were walking towards me. He was wearing a playful cut out mustache. I commented how great it looked and I was so happy to have run into him while shopping because it made me happy! I thanked him for brightening my day! We high fived and went on our way.

As I walked away I heard him sweetly say to his Mom " I made her happy!!"

It warmed my heart more than I had imagined my commenting would.

Go ahead Dear Readers let out those happy thoughts you may be thinking while out on errands or at work....touch some lives with smiles, kind words and feel the vibe.

Hold On To The Gifts...............

Recently I went into Green River Silver Co. on Hope Street in Providence, to pick out a gift for myself! Translation: I was a kid in a candy store on a recent outing .... I was instructed by a special someone (whose name rhymes with Arc) that he wanted it to be a "just right gift", something to commemorate my turning 50. In the hopes that each time I would wear it, I would be reminded of this special time in my Life. A time of new chances and discoveries that I have been creating....those that have already taken place and those still to come.

It was fun! I gave the selection process the time and reverence such an importance task deserved...tee hee hee. My two sons were with me, and at 21 and 17 I would have thought they would have taken me up on my offer, to just pull up and I'll jump out. They insisted on coming in and being part of the experience. Second translation: they meandered around the store & offered positive feedback when I asked for it, they read my mind.

I knew the piece would be something simple and timeless, something that "looked like me" and something that would in fact remind me of this new time... living in the sometimes uncomfortable to accomplish something new, healthier choices, taking my own kind of chances and adding a dash or two of daring.

When I decided upon the sterling silver bracelet and earrings with a stone of my birth month, I knew I had found the right pieces. 

When checking out and presenting my gift certificate, I knew the next question  "do you need this gift wrapped?" "oh yes" I replied. I had bought enough gifts for others at this fine silver store to know about the whimsical tissue paper and star confetti Green River Silver places in each gift box.

I joyfully watched as the store clerk wrapped my gift with special touches. I was enjoying the whole experience..... I grinned to the boys with delight and said...."I feel a blog post coming on".

Life is about the experiences, special touches and most importantly being aware of them with a grateful heart.

As I looked at the bracelet and earrings this weekend, they held many meanings for me including the amazing year so far of firsts, defining the new 50 along with all the liberation and discoveries it brings, to thinking of my awesome sons who are at exciting times in their lives, to my very special husband who wanted everything to be just right with my milestone birthday celebrations and being certain I would be able to fall back onto those memories for years to come.

Find your special moments Dear Readers...it feels great....make them happen, make sure you notice them and make sure you hold on tight. There are so many out there....enough to last a Lifetime.

Pour A Glass.....................

Sometimes oj in stemmed glasses can calm the craze 

Well, in my last post I shared that the pile of dirty dishes, two appliances breaking down, along with schedules and Life feeling crazed and my quick reaction to not deal with it exactly well, confirmed to me (and others) that I needed to take time to recharge. (Now I’m not talking, I’m out of here for a vacation, or a day or two at a spa...though lovely that would be, is not realistic on a day to day routine) I committed to the following list, so I could rebound and have a bit more tolerance and less stress in my days.

Today I will:

~ Sit and listen to nothing, knowing that's the best time to hear the most

~ Not over analyze feelings of bewilderment, so they can slip on by

~ Make time & stretch out the knots, releasing the stress weighing me down

~ Be creative ~ Daydream~ Blow bubbles

~ Start the wheels in motion for a project

~ Be kind to myself

So I am pleased to report that taking the time and adding the practice to my days,  did in fact center me, and wouldn’t you know I was put to the test Thursday when the 2 ½ year old microwave stopped heating and smelled like smoke. No joke. Now granted I probably said “are you f’n kidding me", but it didn’t wreck me. Its all how we look at it.

Sharing that, in the hopes that you Dear Readers know the power and necessity of taking time for you to ease the everyday stressors that are all around us. Breaking down appliances are among the minor for sure, but they can still nag at us, similar to an annoying co-worker or a driver in front of us not going when the light changes green because they are texting. All irritants for sure.

How fortunate we are to possess the ability to ease the stressful times just a bit, when we add to each day recharging practices that serve as part of our own maintenance program, that can bring calmer moments to both ourselves and those we love…..let’s get ready…….just sayin’.

Do You Need A Band Aid???

When Life gets in the way and feelings of good are not at the surface, it's time to take out the first aid kit and get a handle on the situation and begin the triage process.

That's where I've been the past few weeks, caught up in "stuff"...hence the not posting to my blog. Not that things have been feeling negative, but more that I lost sight of my own thoughts, my "me" time that recharges and so importantly fell short in recognizing my many Blessings. The Blessings remain, but go unnoticed when we get caught up in our regular routine and forget to keep ourselves in good mental health.

So after the inner conversations of what the hell is wrong? and why am I feeling glass half empty, I started to realize its not about the sink full of dishes AGAIN or that the washing machine is on it's way out (after the dishwasher conked out 2 weeks ago) it was more about not being ready to handle those things because I let myself lose consciousness of how I choose to live my Life.

So the healing begins, the first aid kit is out and I put into motion the process of getting back on track. 

Today I will:

~ Sit and listen to nothing, knowing that's the best time to hear the most

~ Not over analyze feelings of bewilderment, so they can slip on by

~ Make time & stretch out the knots, releasing the stress weighing me down

~ Be creative ~ Daydream~ Blow bubbles

~ Start the wheels in motion for a project

~ Be kind to myself