Feelin' It

As a general rule, I am quite happy when I rise in the mornings.  Every once in a while, I wake up feeling amazing!  That was yesterday for me.  There was an extra bounce to my step, my head was held a little higher, my reflection was even more adorable to admire as I prepared for my day.  I love days like that.

Sometimes when we feel sorrow and pain, we lose sight of the good that’s in front of us and it takes the unexpected to shed some light into our lives.  I’ve had a few days this last week where I wasn’t 100% on my game, and the unexpected compliment, or act of small kindness brought me back into the present.  I’m grateful for those moments, and for the people with whom I cross paths.

It was a gorgeous day in Anchorage, Alaska, today, and I hope that you had a chance to appreciate your surroundings, even if you found it different than the norm.  Change can appear difficult, but seek out the good and you’ll be surprised that you’ll actually find it.  Stay sexy. 

Highs and Lows

Happy Stay Sexy Thursday!  Highs and Lows post today.

Let's start with a low...my phone died tonight and it took awhile to get it charged enough to function again.  Missed out on returning an important phone call.  :(  Hope my friend forgives me...

High, an interaction at work today brought a huge smile to my face and brightened my day, and possibly the rest of the week.  As we strive to improve ourselves both spiritually and emotionally, let's not forget to appreciate those little moments that give us a boost when needed, and sometimes forget how nice it feels to be noticed for the little things we do.

High:  cake decorating class was super fun tonight and our cupcakes got out of hand.  It was dope!

Low:  the cupcakes did not survive the drive home.

Flower Training

Learning to make shells

I believe this was the pom pom flower?

Learning to make different leaf patterns

Some sort of flower?

Hawaiian Themed Cupcake

Experimenting and not sure how I felt about this one...

Attempting to use every skill taught in one class on one cupcake

We felt proud and accomplished

The combined effort

The Remnants :(

A Little Less Toxic

A new semester has started and a whole new schedule of work, school, and craziness has commenced.  I'm excited for my classes and in particular, my yoga class.  I was worried that it was going to be too weird, and all I want to do is become more limber.  So far, it has been wonderful.  Yesterday, the instructor shared some very interesting information.  Stress causes us to forget to take less and less deep, full breaths every hour of every day.  She reminded us to be conscious of breathing more fully and readily when feeling 'stressed.'  She challenged us to 'breathe deeply several times' when we feel we are becoming grumpy, irritable, in short, when we feel like we are becoming 'toxic.'

I really appreciated that challenge and reminder to take control of our faculties and be proactive in our lives as we face any number of life's challenges.  When feeling angry, take a few breaths to make sure that's how we really feel.  When attempting to do homework, or dealing with work issues, take a few breaths, and the solution will fall into place, or you will be clear headed enough to make wise decisions.  I'm making a goal to be less toxic in my day to day life.

A little less toxic, and a lot more breathing in life!  Stay Sexy!

I Don't Make Resolutions on New Year's Day

Happy New Year!  I realise it is customary to make ‘resolutions’ to kick off the New Year.  It’s not my style.  It has been my experience that many people make resolutions that are fleeting, so I don’t make them.   I believe in making goals, however, but I don’t need a day on the calendar to tell me it’s time to start making changes.  

I make goals year round.  I am constantly evaluating, re-evaluating, and recommitting myself to my goals.  The only way to truly be resolute in your effort to improve your status in life, or to achieve all that you set out to achieve is to do it, and then do it again.  I also believe this is what makes one successful.  The constant re-commitment to goals and aspirations keeps you more focused and fresh energy exerted in your effort. 

It is okay if your goal changes.  Relax.  Your time line may not be as you expected, because the Universe has its way of getting involved.  Don’t be afraid to go after something because you ‘planned’ for it to happen in a different time frame.  

In massage school many years ago, the question was posed:  Can you eat an entire elephant?  The answer is ‘Yes, absolutely.’  How?  One bite at a time.

If you must be resolute, do so by committing yourself to evaluate your goals on a monthly basis.  This monthly reminder will help you decide  a few things.  One, if you’re making all the effort you should be.  Two, is this the direction you want to go in, and if so, how can you recommit yourself to maintaining and improving.  If not, figure out what can you do to that will make you happy and reaching your goal(s).  Finally, three, make sure it is making you happy.

Be healthy, wealthy and wise.  And when I say ‘wealthy’ I am most certainly not talking about monetarily, though it wouldn’t hurt if you were.  Sexy starts with me from the inside out.  Keep it sexy, keep it real, and love every moment!

'Crooked Smile' J. Cole

As silly as it may be, I've really been caught up with a song on the radio by J. Cole called 'Crooked Smile.'  It took a few listens to really pay attention to the lyrics before I decided I liked this particular rap song, as it didn't initially appeal to my senses, but it eventually made it's way into the forefront of my mind.

The last few weeks have been hectic, as Finals week is nearly here and papers are due, presentations are happening for this class or the other.  The holiday season is upon us all at the same time and you're either excited to go 'home' as so many of my fellow classmates are, or you're feeling homesick and/or lonely.  Whichever category(ies) you may fall under life is moving right beneath us and our metaphorical plates are full.

I know for me, I have struggled with keeping a positive self-image and getting caught up in what other people are thinking of me, rather than how I see myself and the amazing person I see in the mirror everyday.  As I listened to the song 'Crooked Smile' on repeat, a few lines really stood out to me as I drove along.  It certainly has its merit.

We ain't picture perfect but we worth the picture still

Love yourself, girl, or nobody will

But it's clear that you can't face what's wrong; no need to fix

What God already put his paint brush on

all you see is what you lacking, not what you packing

 I've had a tough few weeks, but grateful to have friends to help remind you that you're awesome, despite your imperfections and that you are worthwhile.

In a Fishbowl

Have you ever considered the life of a pet gold fish?  Not I, at least not until recently.  But I fear I may be awful lonely in answering 'nay' to that question.  A gold fish swims around in their fishbowl and can be seen by every passing person.  They are trapped by their circumstances of being a pet, in a bowl, and on display for all to see.  They get their needs met as their owners feed them, and clean their water out regularly, at least one would hope, but to what end?

As men and women, we often find ourselves confined to a proverbial fishbowl like the pet gold fish; swimming in circles, not experiencing or testing new waters.  This sort of public self-consciousness invites fear, doubt, and anxiety into our minds, which in turn prevents us from moving forward on a new hobby, sport, or interest.  We have great concern for what we think people may or may not be thinking of us if we reach open and uncharted waters.  So we swim in circles.  Sometimes bumping into our own reflection in the glass, but completely unaware that it is our own image we are observing.

Unlike the pet gold fish, we have the means, the opportunity, the know-how to swim in the open seas, great lakes, rivers, and streams.  The reality, is that we confine ourselves to living in a fishbowl.  We're often afraid that doing something different, something grand, will only put us under more scrutiny, but we are most likely to be found wanting.  Are you living in a fishbowl?  Are you watching others around you experience life, while your needs are simply being met?

As I've considered this for myself, I have found that in many aspects of my life there is confidence, and self-assurance in what I do.  However, in others, I lack the will and drive to push myself outside of my comfort zone (fishbowl).  I think I'm going to start today by recommitting myself to lengthening my stride and pushing myself to grow.

Today, I will______________________________.


Happy Stay Sexy Thursday!

JJ

P.S.  In a conversation earlier today, there was a remark about how cheerful I had been a few weeks ago, despite some challenges I was experiencing.  I couldn't articulate this at the time, but when I came across this in some reading this evening, I realised this about sums it up. (J.T.)

And because of my faith—even in the seemingly worst of times—I recognize with peace and gratitude that in reality it is the best of times. - Richard C. Edgley

No Apologies, No Regrets - Kissinger

Accept everything about yourself - I mean everything, You are you and that is the beginning and the end - no apologies, no regrets.'
Henry A. Kissinger

The journey of Life allows us to become who we choose to be, and in the end, let's hope we have no regrets.  This doesn't mean we have to be infallible and always make good choices; for as the Garth Brooks song goes, "Failure isn't failure if a lesson from it's learned."  We can always learn from difficult experiences, whether the event that occurred was within our control or not.

Sometimes Difficult Truths. 

1.     Whether you know them or not, or get along with them, you are your parents' child.  You are genetically and/or emotionally linked to them. 

2.     You are perfectly designed to get the results you get.  If you are unhappy with the results you're getting, take a good look at your input factors and choose to make changes. 

3.     Your happiness, is your Choice.  Make choices that satisfy both mind and heart, for when they are in accordance with one another you will find greater happiness.

4.     The world will continue to turn, with or without you.  You're insignificant in that respect, but you are important and worth the effort.  Believe it, because it's true.

5.    People will make mistakes.  People will disappoint you.  But you will do the same.  Forgive others.  Forgive yourself.

Life happens.  We've all heard it before.  It doesn't make it easier, nor does it make it easier to accept difficult experiences and process those emotions.  It also doesn't give me comfort, generally, to hear someone tell me that I am not suffering alone.  However, I believe that there is always a life lesson to be learned from trials and triumphs.

Be confident.  Be smart.  Love, be loved, and believe in Love.  Sexy starts within the walls of your mind, it's felt in your Being, and comes oozing out of your figurative pores, so own it.

Sexy starts with me.

JJ