We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far. -- Swami Vivekananda

Here I go again! Well, it's true! I BElieve it is anyway! Keep your thoughts good and good will come to you. I try to find the best in everything. Of course I am not perfect at this yet. I am still in training so to speak. But, I am certainly getting better at it. Here is a list of things that I have incorporated in my life (more and more anyway) to help me keep thinking positive thoughts:

Gratitude Journal - Every morning I jot down (well not every morning, but I try to do it as often as possible) the things in my life I am grateful for. Especially, if I am having a not so great day - then I will remember that I have a lot of blessings in my life!

Affirmations - When I wake up I start telling myself it is going to be a wonderful day, and telling myself all the wonderful things that are in-store for me. Again, especially a good thing to do if you wake up and for a moment think "Oh no I don't want to go to the gym and then to work." I switch my thoughts to be positive - "I will have a great workout at the gym this morning, and then I will feel wonderful - full of life and energy  - all day long! And, I will get a lot accomplished today!"

Meditation - Taking the time to do this daily, or as often as possible really helps keep my thoughts positive and uplifted. Plus, it really helps me be more calm and focused. There are some great mediation CD's out there.

Love - Love everyone and everything. Send love out into the world. You can't help but get some back! I know it sounds a little cliche, but I BElieve it works. I sure have a better day when I send love to everyone then when I am in a bad mood and send bad vibes. You know the kind of day that starts out bad and gets worse. When that happens, stop and take deep breath and change your thoughts to love.

Deep Breathing - I find that this brings my attention back the right now, and back to my body, so I can more easily get back to thinking good thoughts.

Exercise - Get those endorphins going for good thoughts. In my many years of exercising, I finally figured out (after trying all sorts of things) that I just need to do it. I know I will enjoy it once I get started and then I will feel great afterwards!

Eat Real Whole Food - This so key too. I know what I eat affects my mood and the way I feel. A pizza seems like a tasty and good idea when you are eating it, but later the "carb" hangover isn't worth it. Not to say I don't have the pizza anyway sometimes, but I do pay the "carb" hangover price later, which doesn't make it so easy to think those positive thoughts. 

I'll post more in-depth on each of these in my next few posts!

Life is a Journey! Not a Destination.

So often we seem to think that life is a destination. For example, I have on more than one occasion in the past  said that I am going to do this or that when I get to my ideal weight, when I get a new job, when I get married, when I move, oh and my favorite next week or on Monday - whatever the "destination" might be.  My husband, for example, always says he will go on vacation, go to dinner, play golf,  learn to play the Saxophone I bought him for his birthday last year - whatever the activity may be - when he retires. He is TOO busy now  - or so he says  - to do any of these things. I keep telling him that life is a journey and the destination is not retirement. And, that in not doing things he enjoys NOW that he is not getting to his destination because the only destination there is is NOW.  I have learned over the last few years on my "weight release journey" that life is just that a journey - with highs and lows, laughter and tears. So many people think that when they get to a certain point in their life, their life will be just they way the want it to be - in other words "perfect."  But, I have learned that enjoying every day to it's fullest is the goal - the destination so to speak. I know I have written about this before and the reason I probably keep feeling compelled to keep writing about it is that I need to remind myself that life is a journey, not a destination. And, that I need to take time each and every day (I probably should say each and every minute!) to be right where I am observing, participating, being, enjoying this life right NOW - not my life tomorrow or next year or next week. So, today I made an effort to enjoy my day.  It was a pretty busy day - leading a conference call in the morning, then recapping for the participants, numerous phone calls about real estate, marketing, etc., studying for my Holistic Health Coaching Certification for a hour or so, preparing to teach my Small Business Management Class, and then picking up my granddaughter from school. I really worked on being present in all the moments of this day. And, I found I was more alert and creative on the conference call, digested more of my study material, and I think I have a great class planned for tonight, plus I had a great time with Makayla. I was even able to take in the beauty of the flowers in my yard because when we arrived at my house she wanted to see if there were any birds nests in the yard. I might have just told her to go look herself, but instead I went with her and really enjoyed the beauty of the flowers, plants, beautiful blue sky and perfect weather. Then I came into my office and decided to write about it here. Now I am off to teach my class - at which I plan to be completely present and observant. What I great day I have had on this journey called life! How was this day in the journey of your life?

Sugar Sucks!

I attended a conference for my holistic health coaching school The Institute of Integrative Nutrition over the weekend in Long Beach. And, it was the most AWESOME experience ever! Great speakers, wonderful energy and 4000 like-minded people made for a uplifting and informative weekend.

My biggest take away from the conference was that Sugar Sucks! Sad to say, but true. Thanks to lectures by Julia Ross , John Robbins, Mark Sisson, Paul Pitchford and David Wolf
I am now convinced that sugar REALLY is the devil. One of the lectures actually revealed that sugar used to be a controlled substance under lock and key, and that sugar is four times more addictive than cocaine. WOW! That is crazy! Isn't it?

I am pretty sure that I am a sugar addict! Argh! I am going to be working on that for sure! And, according to many sugar is not just sugar that we know as cane sugar, or beet sugar or even the extra evil high fructose corn syrup, but also the refined carbs like my beloved pasta (Which turns to sugar in your mouth. Again, crazy!) and even whole wheat pasta. Anyone that knows me knows I love my pasta. Well, now I am really sure that I must cut way back on my consumption of pasta. Plus, wheat in the U.S. is way more glutenous than in other places around the world.

So, the moral here is read those labels and don't buy products with added sugar (of any kind) in them. Better than that the moral is eat REAL FOOD - vegetables - there are hundreds of different types - try a new one a week, fruit - again there are hundreds of varieties, and healthy fats - avocado, coconut or olive oil, and eat a very moderate amount of protein - mostly fish or eggs, followed by chicken and turkey and a very little beef (if you do eat it at all). Of course, we all need a little treat every now and then. But, the key here is have that treat only on occasion.