Tuesday, December 30, 2008

A Mental Diet?

I received a voicemail yesterday from one of my dearest friends, Eric, back in Kansas City. He had mentioned to me last week a video I needed to see and then he brought up something really interesting and suggested I blog about it: the need for a Mental Diet.

If we are what we eat, we are definitely what we think. Being an athlete, I can attest to the need for a good diet if I want my body to perform at its best. I love food-the good and the bad-but ultimately know that it is a good diet that builds the very core of me--my cells--and fuels my body. So, now we consider that the same goes for our mental state. What we take in and process, our thoughts and attitude, has an infinitely profound affect on the course of our life. Prosperity, relationships, health, and the general path we take is all a product of our thoughts!

While this could be a conversation that envelopes into an entire book, I will merely touch on a few things:
1. The choices you make and attitude you have everyday will affect your future in a positive or negative way.
2. Absorb information that leads you in the direction you want for your life, blocking out that which leads you to nowhere.
3. Try to look at your thoughts objectively and separate yourself from impulse. Take your time to look at a big decision from multiple perspectives.
4. Force out negative thoughts. It could be a thought of disappointment, failure, condemnation, or ill-will. Think about why you're really having that negative thought, again, by being objective about the situation.
I received some valuable advice from this same person long, long ago- we cannot control other people, we can only control ourselves and our reactions to what other people do. You choose your attitude. The choice of being happy, fit and successful is yours alone. Thank you, Eric Williams, for being an amazing force in my life for so many years!

THE VIDEO: What an amazing display of the wild! Worth the 8 minutes.
Called "Battle at Kruger"... Lions vs. Water Buffalo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU8DDYz68kM

On the personal level:
Yeah, I had a bad date this weekend...it has turned out to be a comical event and a phrase has even been coined from it. I came home and posted a negative remark on my facebook. The response has been overwhelming! I've gotten some really funny emails, messages and comments resulting from a horribly negative statement. I pondered with a friend why I got so much feedback and her response was that it was because people could identify with the negative so much more than the positive. Wow! This is a strong remember why I write about being positive...no one is perfect, however it does everyone good to look at the bright side. My bright side is I never have to see the Soul Bag again! Have a fabulous day!

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Freedom

"To love someone deeply gives you strength." -Lao Tzu

Find the means to love yourself. Find the means to take good care of yourself, both inside and out. This gives you the ability to find and give love to others.

If you knew that tomorrow was going to be your last day, what would you say to those important to you and what loose ends would you tie up? Why are you waiting for such an event to occur? Consider the freedom that will exact in your heart when you express what's on your mind to those that matter most...and maybe there's a little spilt milk in your past that could easily be cleaned with a heart to heart.

On the personal level:
The trip to S. Padre was a success, both by means of relaxation and reflection w/ a little fun thrown in. Temps in the low 80's kept me on the beach in the bathing suit most of the time and on Christmas night I had the fortune of falling asleep on the beach! Being that it took 4 hours, 45 min (even w/ a missed turn) to get there makes me want to make it a regular getaway.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Hey Dreamer

Do you hold your dreams to a high esteem? Your goals and dreams aren't going to present themselves to you out of thin air! It's time to develop your "dream plan"...like a business plan, but for your dreams! Make out a step by step process of how you are going to accomplish your goals, hang it in a visible place, and each and every week check on your progress and how you are doing. Realize what holds you back from your dreams, be completely honest about those setbacks as denial can hold you back, and work to overcome the obstacles one by one.
I love using visualization in my goal planning. I find that if I think about what I'll feel like, look like, live like, perform like once I get to my goal it makes me much more determined in staying the course. Harness your inner desires and power to realize a better place for yourself!

On the personal level:
I leave early in the a.m. to spend Christmas on South Padre Island. I'm looking forward to sun and sand...ahhh relaxation. If only I didn't have laundry and a house to clean first! I'm hoping to curl up to a good book as well...I read "Living in Faith" on Sunday, which was much needed and it really motivated me into living as I know I want to live. It stressed over and over the importance of giving without expecting anything in return and that's where we find true richness and prosperity in life. Amen.

Merry Christmas to you and yours and to all a beautiful life!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Who Are You?

Imagine yourself walking down the street and someone you don't know stops and asks you, "Who are you?". What would you say? Many people let their life circumstances--their job, possessions, relationships, family--dictate their identity. If you had all of your possessions and everyone you know taken away from you, who would you be then? All that's left is the real you. What do you base your self worth on? How much positive self worth do these things provide? Make a list of who you think you truly are and use this information to help you develop healthier relationships.

The above is from a website called first30days.com. Within those words are some powerful questions that we can all use to make our lives a little better.

On the personal level:
This weekend brought me to a life changing event that I am struggling with and will forever be with me. I experienced the tragic death of a young woman, only 26, one whose life was taken so fast and with no warning. It's not easy to experience such a tragic event and so I've spent the day looking inward and reading. Some things to think about: Most of us live our lives by accident rather than intention. Our lives, wants, needs, standards, and dreams are dictated by external factors. We become so consumed by daily living that we forget what we are living for. I encourage all of you and myself to evaluate what really matters in your life. Write it down. Seek to connect with the things that are truly important in your life. Never give up. And don't let the fear of achieving your dreams hold you back.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Holiday Cheer

Tis the season for overindulgence, gluttony, excess, debt, and...cheer. Yes, there's some cheer in the pile of holiday rubble bubble. Let's cheer to spending a little time with people that care for us and those we care about. After that, what do you think is really important about this time of year?

Why is the gifting part of Christmas such a focus? I think overindulging in gifts, parties and drinking/eating is a way to mask an underlying need to feel that we haven't done enough emotionally for the people in our lives. I realize that is a big statement and some may disagree, but I think you should just ponder the thought and be honest about how hard you worked to be good to the people around you this year. And, so, I take this time to ask myself if I am happy with my "emotional giving" for the year. I hope to give the gift of a hug, an ear, a laugh, support, and good advice for the upcoming year!

And on the personal level:
I never thought I'd say at 31 that I could kick the crap outta the 24 year old me. I remember the punk in the gym with a very fit "looking" body with the 25 inch waist!! Yeah, it looked like an athlete's body, but today I am truly feeling as though I have a body that can perform. There's still a long way to go, but I can see a beautiful journey ahead. I have the discovery of Crossfit and boxing to thank...I am getting addicted to this Crossfit stuff!

Tonight it's all about seeing Christmas lights...ahhh, tis the season!