What's Good??? 2.25.14

Happy Tuesday!!! Gratitude Practice is here!!! How will you take what you are grateful for through the rest of your day? This isn't just about writing it down and sending it back… put it out there! Let the world feel your appreciation! Let's make a difference.

This only takes a few moments to do but gives to you for much, much longer. So put down whatever you are doing and take a couple of minutes for yourself. Every Tuesday morning I am going to ask you to write down 5 things that you are grateful for and email them to me (keep for yourself as well). What are you feeling gratitude around? Here are mine for this week:

Creating Something New.
My Friends.
Purring.
Fit Bodies.
Breakthroughs.

There are no right or wrong answers. It is about what you are grateful for. It is proven that doing this once a week makes you happier, healthier, exercise more and less sensitive to perceived slights. You will sweat the small stuff less and focus on what really matters.

So… what are you waiting for???

I am not a party girl. Never was. In college I rowed. Rowing takes a LOT of time. Practice, for me, was in the afternoons at 4 so I didn’t have the early morning wake ups that many rowers experience (until I began coaching directly after graduating) but I worked 3 jobs so sleep wasn’t happening regardless. I have always been someone who enjoyed gatherings at my place of residence. I enjoy sober, intelligent, connected interaction. I also like to shoot the shit, but it just is more appealing when I am not talking over music and the effect of alcohol on the brain. I am someone who prefers quality over quantity, so when it comes to really hanging out, I want it small and purposeful.

I never feel pressured to do what I do not want to these days because I have been there and done that. When I was younger I would say yes to various invites because the person I was dating at the time really wanted me to go or because the host(s) wanted me to go. I would then proceed to either have a miserable time or an ok time… I would say there may have been one or two times that I went to a party that I wasn’t interested in going initially that ended up making me thankful for forcing myself to go. I came to realize that if I didn’t want to go I would be happier not going. I am a much better friend and lover when I am supporting myself in these, what others may consider, small ways. The trick to doing that for yourself is simple, in theory.

First you need to figure out what your motivation is, what you really want. In all honesty, that is the secret to everything. Then you have to recognize that there is no such thing as scarcity except in thought. If you turn down offers to hang out or to party there WILL be more. You aren’t going to run out of opportunities, contrary to popular belief. Finally, you have to be honest. If you do not feel like going somewhere, don’t. If you don’t want to spend time with people or in a place that doesn’t make you feel yummy, don’t. There is nothing better than taking care of yourself on all levels. At some point you will recognize that your responsibility is not to manage other people’s feelings. When you are lovingly honest with yourself and others, you allow honesty to flow in loving way back to you.

xo
a