Follow Your Happiness

I just read this quote as I was looking up something for my real-life job, feeling a bit tense.  It had a very peaceful effect on me, so I wanted to share it with you ASAP!

“Give each day the chance to become the best one in your life” – Mark Twain

Sorry I haven’t updated in an eon – life just kinda’ runs sometimes and you gotta keep your feet under ya.  Sunday, however, was such a peaceful day – exactly what this old soul of mine needed. Chris invited me to a Crawfish Festival that the state of NJ was havin’ out West, so we drove out. I can’t say the food was the best, but it was great to get out and do something – and it never hurts when your company is so funny and simultaneously peace-inducing.

The high point… of the day was driving and walking and taking mad photos of High Point State Park in NJ. Chris tells me the wind up there (by the monument) is always perfect. I gotta say, I really did feel like Mother Nature was welcoming us with her grace and beauty, and inviting us to stay as long as we needed.

It was really fun, truly beautiful, and all around blissful.  My sis decided we ourselves need to be living happier, more active lives – following our own bliss too. How are you all doing on this front? As we throw suggestions your way, I’d love to have some thrown back at me :)

Life is not always good. I am sure that news is positively shocking to you, as you are checking out a website geared toward positive thinking and tips for optimism. My mother and I had a fantastic conversation today – the kind we haven’t had in years. I asked her to call me for something very serious (i.e. ‘not good’) regarding a family friend. One conversation lead to another, and we discussed my past-relationship and feelings.

It was so therapeutic to discuss these issues with her. She was always my confidant growing up – the person I confessed everything to. Her opinion always mattered most. We talked for a long time about high school sweethearts, first loves, and moving on. Despite the fact that nothing is ‘ever the same’ as your first love, sometimes it pays to get on with things and put things into perspective.

I know, for me, my first love will always be the person I measure all my expectations against. Even if that is not ‘fair,’ I’ve definitely lucked out. I now have a fiance that is 100% open, honest, and will discuss all my thoughts and feelings without any sort of defensiveness. I had to realize that I chose to move on for a reason.

We must be true to ourselves.

Talking with others in our lives can definitely be a good thing. Even acquaintances met on the internet can be a great help – as my sister has told me time and again. A long time ago, I worked for a company called HealthyPlace.com. Valerie once wrote a paper that discussed suicide. I found this paper incredibly helpful and informative and included it on a site I built for my company at the time. Many people over the years (I think it has been 8 long years now!) have emailed her with questions or just to tell her how helpful it has been.

The most amazing thing about this is that she wrote this paper as a way to help herself, never realizing the positive impact it would have on others out there. The point? You never know how you can help someone else unless you try – unless you have those doors opened to you. All you have to do is reach out… I encourage anyone out there to email or comment with questions or your own personal advice. We are all ears! :)

Are you considering beginning an exercise plan?  Have you previously worked out regularly and then gone on to lose the fervor you had when you began?  Are you only just now emerging from winter hibernation?  Well, if your objectives are to lose weight, to look better, feel better, improve overall health, or any of the myriad reasons to start or resume an exercise program, here are some important initial considerations.   Regarding specific exercises and routines, I plan to address these a little later.  I think it’s important to begin with some basic general concepts, namely:  medical clearance, defining your exercise goals, preventing early injuries, and staying motivated to keep the process going.  Just a few tidbits today about being physically able to begin a routine and setting fitness goals before starting: First and foremost, you must be certain that it is safe for you to begin a specific exercise program.  You should first consult your physician if you:

• Have heart disease, high blood pressure, or ANY other chronic medical conditions
• Have ever had chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness at rest
• Are over age 50 and have not exercised regularly
• Are pregnant
• Have been inactive for over a year

 Once you have been cleared to work out (if necessary), you need to ask yourself why you want to exercise.  The potential benefits include weight loss, increased stamina, less stress, “improved appearance,” superior immune function, enhanced mental function, new friends/contacts, and decreased heart disease/cancer/high blood pressure/cholesterol.  All you have to do is decide what you would like to pursue!  Having specific reasons for exercising is important because this makes our workouts more meaningful, an important mechanism for staying motivated and keeping things going.  When we have exercise goals, we develop a real sense of purpose behind our efforts, and we also gain an objective means to monitor our progress along the way, depending upon our specific goals.  Am I losing weight?  Do I feel more energized?  Is my blood pressure improving?   It’s not necessary to have an exhaustive list of goals, just a general idea of what you hope to accomplish with your exercise program.  But please remember: try to be realistic about your fitness goals so you don’t become discouraged early on should you fail to meet your goals right away.  The end result is a greater likelihood that you will stick to your plan and not burn out in six months or less.   Stay tuned for more on passing through that portal to physical fitness:  avoiding potentially disastrous musculoskeletal injuries early on and strategies for keeping the dream alive!  Happy Wellness Wednesday!

It’s true that I haven’t been around or updating lately. Justin proposed to me the weekend he and I were in San Antonio and I’ve been very wrapped up in other things since then, like spending time with my family here and with Justin, who subsequently came down with some sort of allergy-induced illness.

Yesterday I came across a very neat website with personal travel videos. I watched only a couple, but it’s definitely something I’ll revisit. The site is lonelyplanet.tv if you feel like taking it for a spin and whetting your appetite for places as yet unexplored or stirring up a bit of nostalgia.

It started off like most days with the phone waking me up. Then after my usual cup of tea and email I started wondering what I actually have to do today. After deciding that, yes, the laundry can wait as can the work that’s not really pressing as yet, I decided to have a total ‘me’ day. I started by making the very best bubble bath I’ve had in forever! I mean everything remotely related to bubble bathing was dumped in there. Then I got the book (eat, pray, love – yes, it’s lower case) that I’m reading right now and settled in. Do not carry phones into the bathroom when you decide to do this. I didn’t. I just settled in for a nice long wrinkle producing soak. It was mahvelous! After that my mind naturally went to “what do I want to eat”. My mind goes there a lot. Sausage, eggs, grits and pancakes came to mind. But, since I don’t live close to an IHOP, I decided on some nice scrambled eggs with cheese and a side of toast with Pohlner’s All Fruit. Good stuff. I also took the time to actually savor every bite. That’s very important in this day of me-ness. After refueling I checked the temperature (a must in these parts) and decided that it wasn’t too hot to enjoy some of the outdoors, so, I took aforementioned book and went outside into the nice breezy day. Since I’m in Texas with the fire ants and can’t actually sit in the grass, which I loved as a kid, I settled for a comfy lawn chair and got back to reading. I love reading. I always have. And that brings me about up to now. I started thinking about the site and decided to share my totally self-indulgent early part of the day. Anytime is a good time for a little ‘me’ time. So, go get some for yourself. Enjoy!

As mentioned in a previous post, I am in San Antonio with Justin for the weekend – visiting families and enjoying some of our favorite places, like the Riverwalk and Tomatillos on Broadway. Yummm! This morning, we crawled out of bed and headed to my grandmother’s house where she made biscuits and gravy for us. I love my Southern, country roots. It was great to spend the morning chattering with relatives (an aunt, a great uncle, my dad and Nanny) and eating delicious, home-cooked food. Sometimes the very best thing you can do for your well-being is go back home. :)

We’ve spent almost the entire day indoors, hiding from the heat which is already in the upper-90’s, uncommon in May – even for Texas. Catching up with family and just being together is so important and special. For us, it’s only been 6 months since we’ve been home, but that definitely feels too long. I encourage you all to pick up the phone or hop in the car if it’s possible, and visit with your family members. You, and they, will be grateful if you do.

Boy, was it hot today! I’m not sure what the temperature actually was since the weatherman said the high was 97 in San Antonio, but, a friend’s son told me on his way to San Marcos (where we were at the time) it was 102. What’s 5 degrees at that point? But, heat aside, it was a great day. We were there to cheer for aforementioned friend’s daughter as she graduated from college. It took her a little longer as she was busy for awhile following a happiness that didn’t include college for a couple of years. I never doubted that she’d make it though as she’s a great young lady (kid always to me). Since this friend and I both have twins and were in a club because of it, our kids grew up somewhat together. My friend and I shared a lot during those years with many phone calls at all hours for support (lots of hours on this) or passing along the good news (lots and lots of this). Thus, I’ve always felt a special closeness to her offspring as she has with mine. Extended families are wonderful however they come about. It gives you more occasions to be joyful and more things to celebrate.

Another awesomely wonderful thing to celebrate is that one of my daughters (Vanessa – yes), along with her boyfriend, Justin, will be in town visiting this weekend. YEA!! And, the puppies too, of course! They have just landed at the airport and I can’t wait.

Oh, and it’s supposed to be a little cooler for the rest of this weekend, so, we’ll be able to get out and about, if we so desire. So, everyone find someone to share some of this weekend with and enjoy whatever wonderful weather you are having, even if it’s rainy, as it seems it will be for Val! on her getaway to Boston. Go splash a puddle! :D

Pre-post-apologies for the brevity of this post, but I am following my happiness straight up to Boston for a weekend away. Granted, tomorrow will be rainy and cold, but I guess that’s just nature’s own desire comin’ out ;)

I dunno if I am way behind the times, but last night I was introduced to the awesomeness of this site: http://www.rhapsody.com/ and of course myself downloaded the program and all morning was serenaded by The Smiths. [http://www.rhapsody.com/thesmiths]    I don’t know exactly what the site is all about, but I do know you can listen to loads of your favorite music at your whim :) 

 Another fun thing (at least, I think!) is to learn something new. In that regard, I am linking you to a treasure I just stumbled upon this very morning!  http://www.expertvillage.com/video/51061_japanese-learn-welcome.htm
“Onaka ga suki mashita!”  Always my personal favorite (“I’m Hungry!”) http://www.expertvillage.com/video/51071_japanese-learn-hungry.htm

Have a great weekend, gang!
-Val!
Bussin’ it!

This morning I was in a weird zone – I was journaling again on the bus into the city, but this time felt a revelation. I was really feeling that the moments we have in life – those ellusive, transitory, purely good moments, are what we wade through everything else for – and they are wonderful.   A subway ride with someone you love.  Overhearing great conversation on a bus in the morning. Talking to someone and noticing their freckles. Feeling good.  So this morning – I just really wanted a hug. By the time I was done with my journaling and my bus ride and my conversation that involved a bit of freckle-staring, I exited the Port Authority and stepped out onto the streets of Manhattan, I decided the world was indeed hugging me!

So.. the poem of the day:

i thank You God for most this amazing
by: e.e. cummings

i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun’s birthday;this is the birth
day of life and love and wings:and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any–lifted from the no
of all nothing–human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

We are all so fortunate, in this. I extend my own hug out to you.
-Val!