Breakaway

"If you don't like something, change it.  If you can't change it, change your attitude." -Maya Angelou

As I continue to grow and get older in life, I’ve been feeling this feeling that I just want to do more.  I’m realizing more of my passions- world travel, fitness, and writing but I want to do more than fulfill my own life’s pleasure.  I have many talents (and this is not a statement out of conceit- rather confidence in and thankfulness for the abilities God has given) and I want to use those to help and uplift others in a more direct way.  But even when you have a vision, the opportunity is not always there.  What if you want to live a life of simplicity but the complexities of life won't let you?  What do you do during those times?  Well for me, it’s prayer for not only the opportunity to come but also the wisdom to recognize it and make smart decisions.  It’s also patience and optimism even when I feel like I want to give up.  Believe me, it’s not easy, as I’m currently going through this phase in a couple areas of my life now. As I type.  But what helps me is to think about what complaining does versus what being hopeful does.  Complaining brings about stress which leads to a host of health issues and a general negative outlook.  Being hopeful, on the other hand, allows you to go through life appreciating the good things that ARE happening and feeling a bit more inspired.

So to follow Ms. Angelou’s wise words, today I choose a positive attitude even in the moments where I feel like walking away and giving up on certain situations.  Despite the fact that I can't instantly change the aspects that are frustrating.  Every day may not be perfect but every moment that we are alive and able to is.  Remember that! :-)

As a pick me up, I continually jam out to Pharrell’s “Happy” video.  If you're a regular reader, I hope you're not tired of it :-)  Here’s one of my favorite global versions of this amazing song from one of my favorite cities: PARIS! Smile

Spring + Happiness Day

Hello!  It's been awhile since my last post because I was away.  Where, you ask?  Why only Barcelona and the French Riviera!  More on that in future postings.  For now, I want to focus on today- March 20.  A truly epic day.  First (and foremost), it is the Vernal Equinox also known as spring.  Whether you love springtime or were just turned off by winter, today was a welcome change for everyone!  In my city, it was sunny and mild, a nice touch to the changing of the seasons.  I know there's a cold blast with snow in the forecast but I refuse to think about it.  Must. only. focus. on. sunshine.  I'm just excited that days have begun getting longer, brighter colors, flowers in bloom and no longer needing heavy wool overcoats.

The second reason March 20 was so awesome was that it was International Happiness Day #happyday 2014!  Now I was already excited because of the nice weather for spring's introduction and the fact that the NCAA March Madness tournament got underway.  But a dedicated day to happiness?  Awesome!  Besides jamming to Pharrell's "Happy" on repeat (I swear that should be a global theme song), I decided to reflect on the great opportunities I've had recently as well as the dreams of the future.  I feel happy when I workout or dance, when I travel, and when I can have good times with family and friends.  A simple list but the best things in life don't have a price tag.  The key is to just enjoy what you have.  Aspirations and goals are great but you've gotta just release, breathe and embrace.  Sure those things won't pay the bills but they sure will improve your quality of life :-)

Do you like spring?  What are your favorite activities during this season?  What makes you feel happy?

The Cinderella Story

I am writing this on a snowy, icy morning that has left almost all school districts and governments closed. It's March 3rd, winter, it's time for you to gracefully bow out and allow spring to make her proper entry.  At this point, everyone around here is generally over it!  Log on to Twitter for all the many hashtags (#SNOverit is one of my favorites).  Anyway, knowing that I didn't have to wake up as early for work commute allowed me to watch the 86th Academy Awards (#Oscars2014).  Normally, I don't watch the show, just certain categories because it's typically boring.  With Ellen DeGeneres hosting and knowing that Pharrell would sing my favorite song "Happy", I just had to watch!  Overall, I thought the show was good, albeit long, with lots of wonderful fashion  and heartfelt acceptance speeches.

Gorgeous in Prada!  Lovely Lupita, our Cinderella!

On the subject of heartfelt speeches, what about Lupita Nyong'o?!  Our Academy Award winner for Best Actress is a Supporting Role for her performance in "12 Years a Slave."  She is just class personified.  And while the majority of people show her love (which I love!), I'm sure she has the usual detractors who think her rise is all "hype".  Well, as you can already tell, I totally disagree! People often think that a Cinderella story is a fairy tale but if you recall, Cinderella went through a lot of turmoil before that chance encounter which transformed her life into a fairytale.  So even though stories have a wonderful ending, there's often a struggle to get to that point.  When I look at my own life, I know that if I were to reach a very high point, the peak if you will, it will NOT be without the struggle.  Rejection, failed attempts, loss of self-esteem at times, you name it!  But all of those hard times will make it that much sweeter.  Lupita's story is so inspiring to me as a whole and I love that she's remained humble, sincere, and graceful.  Her story doesn't end with the Academy Award and all of acclaim, that's just an affirmation of all the work and struggles she faced.  Her talent, perseverance, and pursuit of her dream led to this moment.  So let her shine!  For it is well-deserved!  To quote Lupita's speech "No matter where you are from, your dreams are valid."  That's right!  Circumstance doesn't have to determine your ultimate outcome.  Keep aspiring!

The dapper Mr. McConaughey!

My other favorite heartfelt speech came from Mr. Matthew McConaughey, winner of the Best Actor award for his performance in "Dallas Buyers Club".  Now Matthew was Matthew and it was totally awesome to see.  My highlight from his speech was when he named his 3 things to strive for:

• Something to look up to
• Something to come home to
• Something to chase after

What a great approach!  Everyone should have someone/thing that they draw inspiration from while on a quest.  You also need support, so family, love, and friendship will keep you grounded during the highs and lows.  That's what you should come home to.  Something to chase after, attainable goals and then more attainable goals!  You're not weak to lay roots down.  In fact, that makes you stronger and able to soar higher! I'll definitely be adopting this approach as I live life, go on new adventures, welcome new people and opportunities to my life.    All in all, an inspiring night.  Thank you, Academy!

MARCHing onward

Today is March 1st!  On the one hand, I want to marvel at how fast time flies.  On the other hand, with the way this winter has been, I'm SO glad to see March arrive.  It means we are that much closer to springtime! Sunshine and warmer temperatures.  Yay!  Thus far, 2014 has been off to a pretty good start.  I've been able to get a solid handle on my fitness and wellness journey.  It hasn't been perfect but what in life is? It was taking that initial step and then the additional steps that will ultimately help me reach my overall goal.  The biggest change has been my outlook.  Outlook and attitude really do play a large part in how things go.  Kind of like the whole glass half-full versus half-empty.  Like I posted on Instagram recently, I just want to go on adventures, be around good people, and set, achieve, and create new goals.  Yes, I hope for career advancement and to start a family but for now, I just want to travel and experience the world, smile joyfully, live happily, and just enjoy the moment.  Plans are great but life proves that you have to be flexible as nothing is certain (and that's not always a negative). So begins the march onward and upward!  Wherever you are, join me on this optimistic ride.  Glass is half-full and can always be replenished :-)

P.S.  Only 3 months until summer. So if you're through with winter, press on.  With the summer also brings the FIFA World Cup.  Yes!!!  Where are all my football (soccer) lovers?  I've been counting down since 2010 :)

Who doesn't LOVE this song?!  One of the coolest songs I've heard in a long time. 

My theme song for sure! "Clap along if you know that happiness is the truth!"

A little bit of Mambo...

OK, I know I haven’t recently been speaking much about my fitness journey lately.  Not because I’ve not been working out but because I modified my routine due to my schedule and recovering from a mild injury.  It’s been great!  The cool thing about working out is that you don’t necessarily need the studio or gym experience.  That environment definitely helps but you can do it your own.  Thanks to the training I did in January,   I now know how to plank and squat jump properly.  LOL  Anyway, what prompted this post today is that I got to reconnect with of my favorite Zumba instructors today during my lunch hour.  It was awesome to be back in the mix of dancing full out (this location is by the far the most visually beautiful studio in DC that I’ve seen!).  My instructor (and others) even noticed my fitness progress.  Summer, here I come.  World, here I come.  Watch me work :-)  The whole point of this is no matter where you are in a journey, whether it’s achieving fitness goals like I’m doing or other aspirations, it’s okay to give yourself props.  Don’t get so focused and caught on the end goal that you don’t take note of the progress you are making.  In fact, it’s that progress that’s going to keep you motivated.   Not to mention, when you see that fat disappearing and muscle definition appearing or those clothes fitting differently, you are going to feel amazing--physically and mentally.  Goals are meant to be met and exceeded.  In the meantime, embrace the journey!

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!

It Was a Good Day

This evening when driving after getting off from work, I decided to switch on the radio.  Normally, I listen to my own tunes or constantly flip stations until I can find a snippet of something tolerable.  Lately, that's been the Adult Contemporary R&B stations that play everything from classic Luther Vandross to today's Kem or Chrisette Michele.  Anyway, I landed on my trusty R&B station and the host had rapper/actor/businessman/cool cat Ice Cube as a guest.  Normally, I don't like to hear a lot of talking but Ice Cube's segment was cool and pretty brief.  Music began to play.  I realized the beat was a vintage R&B track, it was definitely hip-hop.  When I realized what song it was, I realized one lyric summed up my Friday:

"Today was a Good Day"

As I bobbed my head to Cube's verses and reminiscing on how 90s music was the best, I began to reflect on my day.  Work actually was a really cool day.  It was a rainy Friday outside by my co-workers and I just really enjoyed each other's company.  Conversations and jokes flowed, work was done (team work makes the dream work), it was simply laid back.   I felt good about successfully setting up a video conference meeting and offering sound feedback and defending my position in group discussion.  These may sound minor and they were minor...minor victories!  It's good to sometimes just find the good in your day.  Of course I have dreams, aspirations, etc but sometimes you just have to be in the present and appreciate the opportunity to smile and feel joy.  Was the day perfect?  Nope!  But today was, in fact, a good day and I'll take that any day.

Until next post... much love.   For this weekend, wishing you all simply a good day :-)