This sign is hung in the guest room of our lake house beckoning people to look within. I mean if you can’t be happy at the lake, where can you be happy? Alright, well it is Clearlake, California where the water is green on hot summer days because it is a natural lake which comes with the territory. Yes, there are bugs and bats and everything else that comes with outdoor life right?! Can I get an Amen?!
Thank You!
So, don’t bring your favorite suit unless you love chartreuse. Wear sun screen and a hat. Use insect spray if you must but the bats control the bugs and mostly they want nothing to do with you either, so relax.
We all know the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Albert Einstein got that right and yet all of these years later we continue on this merry ground.
So in the case of the sign:
Are you happy? If yes, A) Go jump in the lake, enjoy the algea bath or Kayak. You can either tie up and Jump in where the water is clear …well almost, Or just Kayak. B) Take a hike: There are so many beautiful mountains and trails. C) Go fishing off the pier. D) Go to Green Lake which is about 40 minutes from there and the water is actually clear. Who named these lakes anyway? Strange! E) Play bags outside Or bocce ball. F) Go skiing or wake surfing or boarding. G) Go wine tasting; outdoor distance tasting is open. H) Read a book or watch a movie.
If this isn’t a full line up of activities, I don’t know what Is!
2) Or as in the case of the sign, If you’re not happy, changesomething. LEAVE. You don’t do us any favors by sticking around and we’d rather not hear your commentary or complaints at a place we love. Green blood courses through our veins. HA HA! Look, there are plenty of beautiful freezing lakes so pack it up and go elsewhere. You won’t offend us, PROMISE!
In general in life, we are about as happy as we make our mind up to be. I actually like to change the word from happy to satisfied since the word happy conjures up an image in our minds of something outside of ourselves. No guys, everyday isn’t Disneyland damn it and seeing through rose colored glasses. Let’s face it, these days, it’s looking at the same 4 walls and making the most of each day to find moments that fill our souls. Being satisfied is where true happiness stems from and creates internal gratification.
We often look to others to make us happy and fill a void inside and when we don’t find that is working we either get angry, sad or lonely. Then we blame the outside world for our unhappiness. So, it’s our job everyday to look inside and follow our intuition and messages to create internal satisfaction. Yep, that’s right happiness is an inside job. Imagine that. Well you can blame others and get into entanglements and fuss and fight but it’s so much energy and high drama, why bother, unless you love soap opera’s. I’ve always said, I didn’t need to watch any since growing up was a constant drama. Try not to let everyday triggers get to you when a loved one spouts off. That’s their problem; really it is, so don’t take everything so personally. Easier said than done, do I ever know.
So what would make you truly happy?
For me it’s generally:
Starting my day in meditation
Stretching, Yoga and Qigong or Tai Chi (or all if I have time).
A hug from my humans and furry friends
Seeing all of you on our blogs with my cup of coffee in hand.
Checking emails
Seeing clients/friends
Writing
Hiking with my dogs
Gardening
Strength training or dancing
Drumming or strumming a few songs
Swimming
Having dinner and catching up with my family at the end of the day
Maybe a movie or reading a book
Just remember everyday is a new opportunity and you have the right to change your mind and attitude. Jump off the insanity wheel, change things up if you need to but don’t expect a different result if you do the same thing.
Be well and have a great rest of the week and weekend and see you next week.
Please remember to like (if you do of course), comment and share. Your support is greatly appreciated so thank you for taking time to read my writings.
Thank you so much Rishika for this nomination. I am truly honored and very grateful that you have nominated me. Rishika Kakar’s blog has wonderful musings and offers inspiration throught her words and poetry. Check out her blog below.
I am also very appreciative of all of you talented bloggers who have taken the time to read my blog and for your support. I am humbled by the incredible writers and learn something everyday from you. This is such a supportive environment and I truly feel that I have made some incredible Word Press friends. On a side note, the hardest part of receiveing an award is choosing someone that hasn’t already been given a lot of awards and wading through the so many that are all so deserving!
Rules:
Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link to their blog
Answer the 11 questions given to you
Nominate 11 bloggers
Ask your nominees 11 questions
Notify your nominees once you have uploaded your post
Here are the answers to the questions I was asked:
What is your favourite book? I LOVE The Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Milman. It is very old but the insights are timeless with a great story.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Traveling again to my bucket list places… and annual trip to Hawaii. I imagaine having more time for gardening, hiking, yoga and music.
What did you want to be as a child and what did you end up becoming/want to be now? I wanted to be a dancer and I did dance in S.F. in a dance comedy show for 2 years. Since the pandemic I’m a Zooming Blogger more than anything. 🤣 I’m a Life Coach, Personal Trainer, teach Yoga, Qigong, and boot camp, CraniaoSacral Therapist and body worker. I love my career and I love writing which I see doing more of.
Do you believe in fate and the Universe? Absoluely! Fate, stars and the Unniverse are our guiding light!
What is the first thing you think of when you wake up? Snuggling my cats and dogs as long as I can before I hit the ground running.
What drives you to push through everyday? Knowing at the end of the day, I can relax with my husband, kids and dogs and cats.
What does success mean to you? Making a diffence in the lives of those I’m in connetion with: my family, work and friendship. Having time to commune in nature and feeling satisfied.
Your greatest regret? Regrets; I’ve had a few but I only look back to see how far I’ve come. I think Steve Job’s said that. I used to think if I had specialized in one area of my career it would have been better but since the Pandemic, I’m so grateful I have so many arenas I can move into.
What is your favourite ice cream flavor? Always chocolate or vanilla ice cream in a Hot Fudge Sunday.
Are you happy? I’m as happy as I make my mind up to be, which is prertty much a daily occurrance. And there are days I just weep.
What is your favourite TV show? The Good Doctor
Once again, thank you so much, Rishika!
A huge shoutout to all of you for supporting me throughout!
Upon hearing of John Lewis’s death, I had vivid memories of 2 of my children who went on a trip called Soujour To The Past, in Little Rock Arkansas.
Meeting these icons of the past was an awakening of their soul and spirit and opened their eyes to the injustices that occurred, igniting a thirst of learning in them.
My son Garrett on the left &Minniejean Brown Trixey (middle) member of the Little Rock Nine
My son wasn’t much of a student and although smart, school did not fit his unique and creative learning style until he went on this trip. It was truly a journey of the past and into his own soul as well. I can still remember the excitement when he came home with a twinkle in his eyes.
He had never worked this hard in his life writing, listening to the talks and learning about the history and devouring books. He took so many notes and he was over spilling with this new found knowledge. He was so proud of himself for doing all of the work and it showed him that when he is passionate about something, he has the capacity to immerse himself head first. It was such a joy to witness. I remember listening intently to his blow by blow accounts of the week. He was so inspired and mesmerized hearing John Lewis’s words first hand shared in a talk he gave to the classroom. He captured their hearts and their minds; they were riveted to his every word.
Jeff Steinberg and my son Garret 2004
My daughter on the other hand, found joy in learning in the classroom. She embraced the message of John Lewis and his colleagues and took his message to heart to stand up and speak out for equality and justice no matter what and not back down. Although quiet and a deep thinker, her actions and strength of character do not go unnoticed. The memory ingrained in her heart from the experience is loud and clear by her equality and caring of all people everywhere that she exhibits daily.
I am forever grateful to this Legend of Love John Lewis and his commitment to his mission.
John Lewis
He continued in his last days to speak truth and stand up to bigotry and hatred and be the voice of equality for everyone everywhere.
His message is simple “We will make bridges to bring us together, not walls that separate and divide.”
Thank you John Lewis our Legend and Hero! We are indebted to you and will keep your voice in our hearts and speak the truth without fear because of your courage and bravery.
We are forever chaged and Blessed for walking the earth with us and helping us on our journey.
Morning light, shine so bright, takes my breath away Your rays cast prisms, reflecting color of hope I covet this moment I have captured in my heart because of you
Too powerful for words, too scared to share for soon you will disappear ~ your light has enveloped me I empty myself in silence and will give them words when I can finally speak
No matter how dark the night, you rise and ignite our spirit infusing us with vision and light Where we can begin anew and start over each and every day.
No matter what your evening sky has held of rumble and thunder You wake up fresh and cleanse us of our pain and sorrow So we can pass on your lessons, to Let Go and Let God
You take my breath away, as I witness this moment to moment shift Blossoming, becoming, opening cracks in the sky Joy and beauty with in me and I am grateful
Thank you for reminding us to Be Bright, Be Bold and Stay Strong To illuminate our souls greatest longing to love and be loved and forgive We all come from the same seed of light, so let your heart shine in this truth
A schedule gives you structure to your day with a time frame so you use the valuable moments you have to do what’s necessary so you don’t fritter your time away.
You don’t let little things get in the way that eat your day up and then suddenly notice you’ve spent your whole day on one project.
It also gives you little interruptions so you can break away from tedious tasks that might be taxing.
Sometimes when we get so focused we forget about our basic needs like eating or drinking and hold our bladder way too long (that’s more of a woman thing). Let’s face it, men can just “whip it out” and do going wherever they want. Not to be crass but am I right or am I right?! Don’t try this in a foreign country though or you might get arrested.
This week I was so focused, I ignored my body signals and just kept working. I started feeling irritated by the phones ringing, the dogs barking, texts, emails, phone calls etc. It was one thing after the next and I kept trying to ignore all of these annoyances and focus on the task at hand, which is one of the hazards of working from home. There was a bee and a fly that kept after me and I took to swatting these guys for about 10 minutes. My dogs kept barking for attention and the cats were meowing for food at which point I noticed I was at my breaking point, and had ignored the signals my body was trying to give me. If you have kids or have baby sat, you can relate to this. It starts with a quiet question and then slowly escalates, until they scream and go into a full on tantrum.
I Finally stopped, took a deep breath and asked “what do you want from me”?
The answer? “Hey girl, don’t you think you need a break”?
Oh man, were they right and of course I thanked them profusely after my rant while running to the bathroom and nearly notmaking it, I kid you not. I was also starving. Yes, our body needs food and water for sustenance throughout the day, imagine that. lol. Yes, I know I’m a trainer and know better but I’m human too.
There are times we have to keep our nose to the grindstone but you can’t bank sleep and time without repercussions; so remember that.
Set your timer for every 45 minutes to an hour and take mini breaks or annoyances will only get louder until you do and you will be a lot more productive as well.
As soon as you start noticing these little nuisances:
Get up
Stretch
Do a few exercises
Have some water or food
Sing, drum, dance or play music
Take a mini break.
Spoken like a coach that sometimes needs a coach. 🤣
JUST DO IT!
If we learn nothing else from the pandemic, might we remember to take really good care of ourselves and listen to the signals our bodies are giving us or we can easily run out of gas much like our car on the freeway. It’s vital to our existence.
Besides, the pandemic will end and you’ll find yourself asking why you didn’t take time out to enjoy it and wonder what the rush was all about.
So, create a schedule with some “me time”, set a timer and thank those little annoyances that are in actuality your friend reminding you that you are important and need some TLC too. I’ve got my flute and timer ready for my day tomorrow so I can heed my bodies warning signals as I move through my day.
Have a great day and feel free to read on if you want to break this down for yourself.
P.S. I love Pooja’s blog posts. She has breakdowns of her schedule with some fun facts. She is great writer with invaluable tips on life in general and navigating Word Press. Here is the article.
Otherwise, take good care and please like (if you do of course) and or comment and share.
With a grateful heart,
❤️🙏Cindy
What’s your idea schedule?
What is your typical schedule?
What is the schedule you want or are working on?
The first step is to be honest here and write them both out so you can see how things actually are verses how they are in your mind. I work with people all of the time and help them to prioritize what they actually want to do and need to do to create the schedule of their dreams. It’s also important to realize where you are so you can make changes and create new habits which take a minimum of 21 days so “they” say. I find it takes more time than that with a cheerleader in your camp but the book Change Your Habits, Change Your Life in 21 Days: 21 day Challenge has some great Tid Bits. The main this is to be at choice and have a schedule that serves and feeds you instead of drains you. Making focused time windows (blocks as some call it) and adherence to them is critical for your sanity and not over scheduling yourself, so you have some built in breathing time in your day.
If anyone is interested in seeing my schedule let me know and I will make a blog post about it in the future.
It was such a sweet surprise this morning to wake up to receiving this nomination award. I am so honored to receive this especially comimg from such an amazing writer Muralikrish of Vivid Impressions! THANK YOU so much Murali! I am truly humbled and appreciative. Check out his writing, as it is inspirational with great food for thought and incredible stories here https://vividimpressions.in I look forward to his posts and starting my day with his uplifting insights.
Rules
This award is introduced by Rising Star from “It’s all about inspiration”, Therefore make sure to provide a link back to his ideal inspiration blog (see below).
• Thank the person who have nominated you and provide a link back to his/her blog. in my case it is https://vividimpressions.in
• Answer their questions.
• Nominate up to 9 otherbloggers and ask them 5 new questions.
• Notify the nominees through their blog by visiting and commenting on their blog.
• List the rules and display the “Ideal Inspiration Blogger Award” logo.
• Provide the link to the Award creator, as Rising Star from https://idealinspiration.blog (It’s all about Inspiration).
My Answers to the 5 questions from Mualikrish are:
1. What are the 3 things you want to learn?
Great question and a hard one to answer because I learn something new everyday and that’s what I love about writing. It is a catalyst for learning.
I would have to say patience with my husband. After 41 years of marriage and dating 7 years before that (I know right!!!!) I truly need to embrace our differences and learn not to react so quickly. I’m 16 a leap year baby so younger than I appear. I’ll never be 29 or always be 29, let’s just say.
Next, If I’m to be completely honest; to STOP texting in the car which has been easy since I don’t go many places these days; Thanks Covid. PROMISE I won’t!
To have fun, dance, play my ukelai and flute in classes when I teach, read more novels for fun instead of self help and fitness books. Oops, sorry that would be 5.
2. What inspired you to write?
I’ve always had a diary as long as I can remember which was a place I could go for solitue and reflection. I love the the feel of a pen and paper in my hand. I started a monthly newsletter for my business probably 15 years ago mostly as a way to share tips and write since I love it!
3. One quote that motivates you always?
“Love yourself, Trust your choices and Everything is Possible” ~ Dr. Cherie Carter Scott Mother of Life Coaching http://www.drcherie.com. As a side note she is who I got certified to coach in 1979 and is one of my amazing mentors.
4. What do you want to convey through your blog?
No matter who you are or what your situation, you can acheive what you want. Desire + Commitment = Results is something I have always aspired to and use everyday in my life. Also, be kind to yourself and have fun! Life is not a dress rehearsal. Keep a grateful ❤️!
5. What do you want to learn from 2020?
To trust that ‘every little thing is gonna be alright’, like the song says because it will!
After 4 months of Sheltering in Place with my 2 and sometimes 3 children and visits with my elderly parents, I’ve witnessed slouching more than ever before. I’m constantly walking by and running my finger up their spine or poking them between the shoulder blades saying “sit up tall” telling them the ramifications of hunching. I can still hear my father’s words in my head “pull your shoulders back”. He didn’t give a hella beans about proper body mechanics, only how I appeared in public.
Sorry “kids”, mind you they’re 29, 31, 33 and 35. So here I am doing the same thing my Dad did to me only for a different reason. Besides, it’s payback time so I get to return the favor to my parents as well..hee hee. Actually, I know too much being in the field of health and wellness all of my life and seeing the ramifications of “being a slouch”.
My mother wanted me to run for Miss Daly City in 1974 which I wasn’t too keen on but went along with just the same. Heck, I could win 1,000 dollars to McDonald’s department store and what 17 year old girl doesn’t like to shop?!!
Where in the hell is Daly City you ask and who cares? Sorry if I’m offending anyone that lives there and loves it. My 94 year old Father in Law still does. Sorry, Dad. Actually he too choose the sun and is renting his out for a pretty penny.
“Top of the hill Daly City” as the saying goes is about 20 min south of San Francisco in California; The fog bank fo the world. We used to go to Searsville Lake during the summer and swim. (Click link for fun facts) https://news.stanford.edu/searsville/faqs.html
I remember driving through Millbrae which was the first time I saw sun. I kid you not. My husband, who I met in high school can attest to that. Our goal in life was to live at least that far south of Daly City. Thankfully, we are now 40 minutes south of there.
Millbrae and Burlingame were only 15 minutes from Daly City. As a side note, there was a song made about Daly City written by Malvina Reynolds in 1962 called Little Boxes on the Hillside. She got her inspiration when driving through the town one day. The lyrics just about sums up good ole Daly City; Little boxes on the hillside, Little boxes on the hillside and they’re all made out of ticky tacky and they all look just the same. It became a hit for her friend Pete Seeger in 1963 when he released his cover album.
That was our neighborhood until I moved out to go to college after I took the title of Miss Daly City. Who hoo…. LOL! That was enough for me and I quickly abandoned that train.
I’ll never forget the dreaded bathing suit competition and wearing the highest pair of heels I could walk in and standing as tall as I could with one knee bent in front when I stood in front of the judges, to appear slimmer than I was. With short thick legs my mother taught me this trick early on. Good Posture did however get ingrained in me which I value now more than ever as I’m getting older and gravity takes it’s toll.
can you guess which one is me?
I’m sure many of you have been experiencing less than optimal posture during COVID-19. Most of us are sitting more than usual at the computer, working from the bed or sofa, watching more T.V., and exercising hand to mouth activity as we watch our expanding waistlines right before our eyes. Most of us are noticing more slouching as well. I’m a stickler for correct posture as my family and clients will attest to since I’m always on their case.
I take great pride in my posture being good so you can imagine how shocked I was when just a few days ago, one of my daughters asked me why I was waddling. She proceeded to tell me I looked like an old lady when I walked lately and I was in good shape and this was not alright. Out of the mouth of babes.
I was aghast and that was the wake up call I needed to head the call. So I’m now practicing my beauty pageant walking with a book on my head pulling in my abs and standing erect. I guess that title came in handy after all.
I did a body assessment of what was creating it and I noticed my hip bothered me when I tried to walk properly. So the improper posture was a compensation my body was making to protect me.
About 15 years ago, I had severe pain in my hip from running and walking so many miles and when I cut my mileage down, the pain dissipated. I was able to compensate by changing my gate unconsciously of course to make up for the imbalance but I can’t get away with this anymore. Clients and friends often say “are you limping” and I shrug it off. Hell, if I’m not in pain pain, I just ignored it and I thought they were just jealous of my good posture. Ha ha!
In evaluating my body mechanics I could see one leg was shorter than the other which is most likely what’s throwing my hip and knee off. And then I looked down and saw the dreaded bunion that I inherited from my grandmother that was passed down to my mom and my aunts (thanks mom) .. always the mothers fault right?!! lol.
So, that puts strain on my gate as well. Plus, even though I’m in good shape, I’m aging and it takes a lot more mindfulness every time I move to lift through my abdominals, pull my shoulder blades together and open my chest. Let’s face it gravity works in one direction. 🤨
I’ll let you know how the lift in my right shoe does to help my posture. Sometimes it can be as easy of a fix as that, fingers crossed.
If you need a WHY to get your shoulders back keep reading.
Posture is Vital Physically, Emotionally and Spiritually
Your body is like a building starting from the base of you feet up. Imagine if the foundation of a building wasn’t solid, eventually that building would not sustain itself optimally with the risk of issues or falling down. Look at good ole Daly City: Actually they’re still standing so that’s a plus.
The same is true of our bodies. If we continue to slouch we will eventually have a whole mirage of issues in our bodies, so stand tall and feel the shift in your body, attitude and spirit.
BENIFITS OF CORRECT POSTURE
Less Neck and shoulder pain: When we hunch our shoulders forward we shorten our chest muscles (pectoral) shortening them and lengthening our back muscles creating tension and pain.
Reduced Headaches: Blood can flow optimally through the neck to the head and not impinge the neck muscles (occiput). Forward head creates a lot of tension and overworks the muscles as our head weighs between 7-12 lbs
Less back pain: Our hips can either thrust forward or backwards creating compression on our hips, shorten our psoas (a muscle that wraps around our hip and through connecting to our lower lumbar vertebrae creating pain.
Less wear and tear and deteriorating of your joints: If you constantly are putting more pressure on one part of your body you will throw everything else out of wack and wear out your joints, cartilage, stress ligaments and tendons and impinge disks and facet joints thus create pain.
LESS TMJ: (Temporal Mandibular Joint pain) can be released by keeping your head in alignment with your spine so your jaw (mandible) can let go.
Better Digestion: When you are uplifted through your spine, your organs aren’t compressed and can move freely.
More lung capacity: There is more space created in your diaphram when your sit upright allowing the lungs to expand and get more oxygen.
Higher Self Confidence: Because you are open and receptive and studies people respond to people with upright posture which helps your self esteem. Things flow better as well.
Boost in Seratonin: When blood flow is flowing freely the centers of your brain get a natural boost we are all looking for.
Chakra Balancing creating connection: There are 7 main Chakra Centers in the body from the top of our head down to our pelvis and when these are open and aligned in these energy centers we can access universal wisdom and can access optimum peace a joy.
EXERCISES TO HELP YOUR POSTURE
Stand with shoulders, hips and knees in alignment with soft knees first of all.
I spared you from my ugly bunion
Shoulder blade Retraction
Head Retraction
-Bridges To Srengthen Lower Back
Great Exercises and Stretches for Good Core
I do love healthline and these great helpful hints and exercises below
So, don’t be a slouch, listen to your children and stand tall being proud of who you are and who you are becoming. Please let me know how you do with these reminders or perhaps new insights.
If you liked this please let me know, share with others or leave a reply. It is greatly appreciated.
Surround yourself with people who make you think, grow, laugh, and love, And you are your best self around.
Forget the bad, and focus on the good Even when you have to squint to find it because it’s so painful to see. Love the people who treat you right, pray for the ones who don’t.
Life is too short to waste in furry and fight Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is essential for living.
Stand tall and feel the sun on your face full of grace. This day won’t come again So choose how you want to show up regardless of circumstances.
