Less Attitude, More Gratitude

Hello my dear readers!

Today I found myself beginning to throw a pity party despite my best efforts not to.  I woke up with prayer and positive vibes and what do you know? Before I even began the busiest part of my day, negativity started to creep in.  I shared some of these thoughts with a family member who listened briefly and then asked "What are you doing to better the situation?"  Don't you just love family members and friends who keep you in check? :-)  But it got me thinking on how easy it is to complain and complain while not trying as hard as we can be.  When it comes to the things I was complaining about, I have been trying and patience is half the battle.  However, if I look carefully, I haven't truly been devoting all of my resources and energy to making things better, so ultimately I could be doing a lot more.  There are many things in life that you can't control, require perseverance or are at times unfair.  However, what most motivational speakers and authors will tell you is that you must keep working harder.  It may seem like you have to work so much harder than others and maybe you do, maybe you don't.  In any event, you've got to work to enhance that which you can control!

So what can one do to better a situation?  Every case is different but I think my points below best refer to working towards a goal.

1) Go all in-  It sounds simple and it should be but believe me it's not so easy!  Whether it's the new gig you want, the healthy lifestyle/image you want, or whatever, you truly have to work hard.  I've been reading blogs and articles of people who've attained things that I dream of and the number one thing they had in common?  They were relentless in going for it.  For example, if you want to make a dream your lifestyle, you can't just wish for it or put some energy into it, you've go to go all in!  That may require some creativity but you just have to be willing to work hard and for a long period of time.  Nothing worthwhile comes in a day!

2) Be patient- Whoever said that patience is a virtue was not joking!  Doors close and they remain closed and sometimes it doesn't make sense for a long time, if at all.  Through it all, exercise trust that your good intentions will be rewarded and remain calm.  Brighter days will come!


3) Have gratitude-  Being thankful for what you do have while working towards what you want can be challenging.  However, I believe that appreciation spawns better energy and greater opportunities.  If you sulk and complain daily, you are not only putting out negative vibes but you're likely also stressing and affecting your health negatively. 

I hope this helps!  Remember, it's impossible not to complain or feel bad when things don't go right.  It's natural.  The point is don't stay there!

Happy30: You Better Work!

What's up world!  Happy Wednesday!  It's the middle of the week and I'm feeling amped.  In the past few posts, I've lamented how I've been off my fitness and nutrition game.  However, the lamenting is over because I'm back!  Even if you go off course, don't let moments of bad habits turn into a lifetime.  Just get back on course! 

To aid me in this effort, I needed to add something new.  How about a new challenge?  One of the ladies I follow on Instagram, the beautiful and positively awesome Thara Natalie, recently completed a 24-day abs and core challenge.  It comprises crunches, leg raises, and planks, all of which I can handle.  I'm on day 3 and it's going well.  In fact, I've been so tempted to do more than the quantities but I want to try this plan as is.  #GetTonedwithThara!  Today my schedule finally allowed me to get back to my cardio classes, so today's blend was Zumba.  Though I've been doing Zumba regularly for quite some time, every instructor is different and brings a different flavor.  Some take it more international, some go heavier on the salsa, others on the reggaeton and I love it all!  This instructor (this was my first time in her class) Either the way, my hips were shaking and my body glistening and we heard several times "you better work!"  Indeed, I did!  "And I'm feeling good...so good!"

Choreo routine set to "Work" by Ciara

Speaking of work... doing solid choreography is one of my ultimate dreams.  I love dance so much! Ciara is one of the top female dancers in the game today (check her official music video here) and this group definitely WORKED!

Get Up!

Hey guys! It’s been a busy time within this past week. I attended my first professional seminar for work. It was a really awesome experience. I’ve done some development things in my professional life but never directly related to a field that I’m working in. The seminar was classroom format, the duration was for 2 days and the location was off-site (though only a train ride away) and I’d say it was just the change of pace I needed to get me recharged and even more enthusiastic with this field. I actually enjoyed the academic vibe, furiously taking notes and just being a student again.  Sometimes, in addition to receiving knowledge and guidance, we just need that affirmation that we’re doing something right. Mentoring can come in many ways, from someone well-seasoned or from your peers. I had the pleasure of both. Experience gives way to wisdom and we’re all living and on a journey. Identify the positive and sincere people in your life and embrace them! Learn from them! I strongly encourage everyone to seek out development opportunities, both professionally and personally, even if you’re not quite where you’d like to be. We all have potential to be great and no matter what age, learning and gaining new skills is key to that. You’ve got to go for what you want and I believe you can do so with integrity! And with networking and support. “So get up, don’t sit back…”

Below is one of my favorite, up-tempo encouragement songs (it includes the lyric I quoted above). Listen closely. Enjoy!

 

 

Go forth and be inspired!

Saturday Night Vibes

So it's Saturday night and I'm not at a lounge or a club!  Now, if you know me, that's totally NOT a surprise.  Haha, you could say I'm more of the low-key, just chill type.  While that is my general vibe, it's also winter.  Somehow getting dolled up just seems easier when it's warmer.  Plus I just love daylight, so spring and summer tend to be the times when I'm game for more of the evening/night-ish life.  But I can't be the only one right?  I feel like social media is deceptive (well actually it's completely deceptive) because people only tend to post when they're shining or having a really great time.  At least that's my approach and those of my friends/followers/etc on these networks.  My guess is there are more people actually just relaxing and staying IN versus going out.  Just a hunch!  Now, I know many of my connects are married or parents now, so there isn't really that desire to party like before.  But what about the single peeps like me?  Am I the only one in relax mode?
 
Well, even if I am, it's fine by me.  Last year, I started reading "Life, Love, and a Dash of Sass" by Mandy Hale and it's been eye-opening.  Known as "The Single Woman", Hale's book is such a well-crafted message about self-love.  A lot of single-girl books tend to try to give you tips on how to get a new guy or even straight up male bash.  Not this book!  It's totally about loving and improving yourself and NOT worrying about finding the next guy/future boyfriend/husband, etc. and I dig that 100%.  As I mentioned, I am single and it's not a negative.  You need to love and appreciate your own company before anyone else will.  A guy doesn't define me anymore than a job or a car or any material possession would.  I'm all about that self-loving, happy and healthy life!  I strongly encourage all women to read it since getting over breakups (even if you initiated it) are tough.  There's light at the end of the tunnel and just like your story isn't defined by a relationship, that's not the end either.
 
So how am I feeling?  Great!  I've been working on that healthier me.  I've been eating better (no chocolate, pity party binges over here), working out (the best way to clear your head), taking up new interests (studying French almost daily now!) and most importantly, being more positive and loving the things that make me...ME!  Just because people don't see your bright qualities doesn't mean they don't exist.  Duh!  So, shine bright for you!  This is not about karma or making somebody regret what they lost by not cherishing you.  Their loss is YOUR gain for the future and as my girl Natasha Bedingfield so beautifully sings "the rest is still unwritten."  So chin up and if you're flying solo at home on this Saturday, rest assured, you're not the only one! 
 

Natasha Bedingfield- Single (from the album "Unwritten")

 
P.S.  If you're liking what you're reading or have any feedback, comments are welcome :-)

Cheers to size...HEALTHY!

I just read an article on Entertainment Weekly (my source for pop culture goodness) about a Tyra Banks apology regarding America's Next Top Model (ANTM), Cycle 15. My first thought was "This could be interesting. Is she apologizing for the fact that this show is still on?" I know that sounds mean but I honestly haven't enjoyed ANTM since Cycle 8 (Jaslene Gonzalez was the winner) with my favorite cycles being 2 (Mercedes rocked!), 3 (Eva the diva was fierce), and 6 (Sweet Danielle and hilarious Jade were great). I couldn't tell you anything about the last few seasons except that of the seasons I watched it has gotten progressively worse. But my disdain is another blog post.


Anyway, it turns out that a promo spot (commercial, if you will) was released showing Tyra Banks appearing to praise a model's very small waist. If you've ever seen the show or know anything about Tyra since her modeling days, than you know that she is all about curves, embracing your body, all the "beauty comes in all shapes and sizes" mantras you can think of. Now of course I agree with those ideas, just as beauty is not only found in one skin tone, hair color, or eye color, beauty is not only one body type.


What was interesting in the comments section was that a debate brewed between the reactions between very thin and overweight. There definitely is more of an overall campaign by the media to celebrate "regular-sized" and "full/plus-sized" women. I applaud the media for this since for so many decades, there was the "one size fits all" mentality that you needed to be the golden size 6 (or smaller) to wear the best fashions, be a model/actress, etc. Embrace your curves and even the extra pounds you have--a confident and positive self-image is what it's all about.


But while celebrating the larger than size 6 body, are we doing so at the cost of the naturally thin women? As sure as "fat" jokes are generally discouraged, how many times have we heard "she looks anorexic!" or "go eat something". Maybe these ladies are eating something and have a naturally fast metabolism or it's their genetic structure or they have a good balance of healthy eating and exercise. I believe we should celebrate ALL body types as long as they are healthy! High blood pressure, cholesterol, etc do not discriminate between a size 0 and a size 20. The key is healthy lifestyle! That will most certainly give way to a beautiful person, no matter what their size is.

Entertainment Weekly's article (and comments): http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/08/16/tyra-banks-top-model-apology/

The River Flows...Does Your Spirit?

Today, I went on a guided tour of a historic local river. As I floated by, the tranquility and beauty of wildlife creatures in their habitat was astounding. However, when I took my eyes off of the movement and existence of the herring on a marsh or the fish and turtles within the river, I suddenly became sad and angry. You see, the river is not a beautiful, clear blue as you normally think of rivers. Instead, it was a murky, brownish color. This is not the result of nature wrongdoing, it is the result of human abuse. As I sailed along the river, I saw fish and I also saw plastic bottles. What a disgusting mix and destruction of THEIR habitat.

This got me thinking. How many times do we left other humans or situations disrupt our habitat? We are who we are and our flaws make us unique. Unlike creatures of the land and sea, we can control what negativity we allow into our lives. Yes, we all have down days (I've had one which has prompted me to write this evening) where we self-deprecate but to let other people do it? That will not do! We can all take a lesson from natural wildlife to survive in the midst of ugly situations. We have more power and free will over our lives, so exercise it!

Do not let others steal your joy or your confidence. If somebody can't build you up, then they are tearing you down. Don't be afraid to cut people back because you DESERVE to have the best people in your corner. Remember: "When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves." -William Arthur Ward

Great website for positive thinking: http://www.livingwordsofwisdom.com/dont-let-anyone-steal-your.html