Keep It Simple

"The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak." ~Hans Hofmann

Transformation

I had a chance this weekend to slow down and pause. I don't allow myself to do that enough. Generally I am like a steam locomotive going full speed ahead with life!! Only, I do run out of fuel here and there, that forces me to stop. 

Last week I realized I was out of coal and was brought to my knees. I was in excruciating pain over the weekend with my tooth. Instead of calling my amazing dentist's emergency number I pushed through and went straight in on Monday morning. Not very smart as you don't want to mess with infections and teeth. Needless to say, that pain is an experience I never want to have again. I don't do pain well. The verdict, I need a root canal. I get the second half done, next week. They want to make sure the infection is gone before they finish.

Prior to that speed bump, I was going full steam ahead with new eating plan that I was seeing result! I have been so excited about it I want to scream from the roof tops! This is the year of crucial changes and shifting of my perspective to better my mind, body and spirit. One downfall of mine is I like instant results. I admit it, I try to be patient, but know this about myself. When I can see results, I am more driven and motivated to keep going in the right direction.

For the last five and half years, I have been bearing down and working on rebuilding my character and spirit. Which both were pretty broken and depleted. My footwork was (and still is) vital for my growth and recovery in both of these areas. It has been worth every tear, every rough patch, every little miracle, and everything in between to get to where I am today. Truly a blessing to be happy with me today. To fill I am a much better person today with an open mind and heart towards others, no matter who you are. I am enough. To feel my spirit is light and joyful today. I still have some work to do, but feeling pretty happy today.

Not only has working to better my character helped my spirit, but also my mind. The way I think and see the world around me. It has a much more positive spin today, both internally and externally. I truly do love to learn new things. In fact, I am usually very hungry to learn new things!! However, I am finding out about myself that is has to be something I am interested in and passionate about, or I just don't stick with it long or doesn't hold my interest. I know I need to continue to push myself outside my comfort zone when learning, but I feel every minute of my life is precious and I don't want to waste a second on anything that isn't for me. I am sure that says a lot about me, I still have a lot to learn. **smile**

Now for the body transformation. Back to screaming from the roof tops! Despite a few days of "life happening" and only eating saltine crackers, I am back on track. A dear friend of mine started a new eating plan and started seeing results quickly! I had some speculations and a lot of questions. After those were answered, I wanted what I saw! I am almost done with my first 30 days and I am feeling like a million dollars! I am losing the pounds, which I need to do. But more importantly I am losing the inches!!! One of my favorite sayings when I workout is "Inches, Inches, Inches!!!!". It helps me get through those tough moments of a workout to get through to the other side! Finally, I feel more balanced, I am not shoving all the delicious toxins our society pushes into our faces! Oh don't get me wrong, I still love the smell and taste of all those goodies, but also know they run me down and are silently hurting me from the inside out. So I went cold turkey and gave up the soda, the sugars, etc and feel amazing! Now, my next cycle I have to break is the next step. Maintaining. This phase, I always have struggled and in my eyes, fail. I have to shift that perspective. It's a lifestyle change, which I am ready to do. It is the perfect time in my life to make the best choices for me and then run with it without looking back.

So the transformation continues, mind, body and spirit. I feel like I am blossoming, without the weight of the world on my shoulders. I am grateful for the courage to finally step out from under that weight I carried for so long. I am filled with gratitude today.

Someday is Today

Although a short week, it has been really busy! I have a long "to do" list I want to accomplish. I was feeling a little over whelmed with my long list, so I picked up my daily reader, Courage to Change to help put my mind in a better perspective. It was perfect, and I would like to share with you.

"Before coming to Al-Anon, I had built a lifetime of dreams and promises that were reserved for that one special day called, "Someday." Someday I'll begin --- or end -- that project. Someday I'll call that friend with whom I've lost touch. Someday I'll let them know how I feel. Someday I'll be happy. I'm going to take that trip, find that job, speak my mind. Someday. Just wait and see.

Wait -- just as I waited for the alcoholic to come in from a binge, and for inspiration to bring interesting friends and career opportunities to my doorstep, and for everybody else to change. But Al-Anon has helped me to see that today can be the Someday I've always wanted. There isn't enough time in these twenty-four hours to do everything I've ever hoped to do, but there is time to start making my dreams come true. By asking my Higher Power for guidance and by taking some small step in the direction of my choice, I will be able to accomplish more than I would ever have thought possible.

Today's Reminder
Today I will not wait for the blue moon, a rainy day, the 366th day of the year, or Someday to accomplish good things in my life.

'Each indecision brings its own delays and days are lost lamenting over lost days... What you can do or think can do, begin it. For boldness has Magic, Power, and Genius in it.' ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe"
It blows my mind all the time how powerful these readings can be and speak directly to me about what is going on right now in my life. I swear the text really starts out, Dear Simply Me!

This reading talks about taking small steps in the right direction, and I did that exact thing in the beginning. One baby step at a time, when I was ready. I am proud looking back, I always pushed myself to go outside my comfort zone to improve my character, to improve the choices I made, to improve the way I thought of the world around me and myself, to improve even when I failed. I could go on and on.

Today I have taken my life back. I am experiencing more often those days that are like a blue moon, one of a kind! I took steps today to start a game plan of making goals for myself. Both short term and long term. I get all giddy thinking about it!!  A little overwhelming, but have a good start to get some ideas on paper. Then I can start mapping out how I am going to financially make it all happen! I am excited about the future and looking forward to making my dreams a reality. Although it feels like I have taking large leaps in the last few months instead of baby steps, I still have days were I have to scale it back and just take a baby step. Also remembering to breath and do what I can.

I am accomplishing more than I ever thought was possible!

Heaven on Earth

I recently got back from a trip of a life time! I have a bucket list started of things I want to do. Well more accurately, it's places I want to visit and explore! For the last 10 or so years I have wanted to go to Jamaica. In fact, that is where I wanted to go for our honeymoon. Well, needless to say that honeymoon never happened. However, years later I saved up some money and set my mind to it to plan a trip to the Caribbean. My sister and I took a 7 day cruise to the western Caribbean where we visited Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Montego Bay, Jamaica. It was amazing from the moment we left to the moment we got back! We also had a taste of New Orleans were we ported out of, which we will need to go back since we didn't have enough time to explore! 

I loved the color of the water in the Caribbean, so clear and the variety of blues! It was breath taking! My recent under water camera purchase did an amazing job above and below water capture the scenery so I can continue to enjoy the view after the trip. Every always asks, "What was your favorite part of the trip?" I must say the horseback ride and swim in Jamaica was my favorite; however, there were so many wonderful aspects of the trip I could go on and on! We did make some wonderful friends on the ship and would love to plan another cruise or vacation with soon! We were all about the same age, loud, obnoxious, and inappropriate. HA! We were a perfect combination of personalities. Anyhow, I thought I would share some of the moments I captured on our trip with you. Enjoy!

Cozumel (Using a filter)

  

Cozumel (no filter)

Cozumel

Cozumel underwater

Cozumel port - from the ship leaving port

Cozumel 

There were several ships at port (using filter)

Cozumel (My sister and Me)

Grand Cayman

I love reflection photos... can you tell?

Coral in Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman

Jamaica

Jamaica

Jamaica (I am on the left and my sister on the right)

Swimming in the ocean I am third from the left

Jamaica (using a filter)

Jamaica off the aft of the ship (panoramic) 

Jamaica (looking off the aft) 

I'm ready to go back for more.... anyone want to go with me?!! I'm serious... :)

Power of the Mind

Think Positive

If you think you are beaten, 

you are.

If you think you should not,

you shouldn't.

Success begins with your 

own will...

it's all in your state

of mind.

Life's battles are not

always won.

By those who are stronger

or faster;

Sooner or later the person who wins

Is the person who thinks

he can!

I have this on a card I bought at one of the Al-Anon conventions. I am grateful for these little reminders I can pull out of my pocket or purse to set me back on track to tackle anything life has to toss at me. I was able to survive a huge hurdle today that has been on the horizon for sometime now. I allowed it to cause me some anxiety and stress; however, with tremendous support from friends and family, I was able to endure the task at hand. Although results are still to be determined, I have a sense of peace all will be well and will work out just the way they are suppose too. It always renews my faith in human beings to enter a difficult situation and be pleasantly surprised to have others that are down to earth, aim for the truth and facts, and honestly seem to care for the well being of others. That always warms my heart about others that have those traits. Feeling relieved today and grateful for the little miracles around me and the power of positive thinking can help me get through a difficult day or task. 

Quiet Airways...

Life is just zooming by over here! I've had a lot to share with you but zero energy to write and also needing to keep my sharing to a minimum for now. I'm accepting there are a few things that I normally do on a daily basis that I just have to set to the side for a little while. I'll pick them up again, but have to take care of myself first. I'm hoping to get settled back into a routine soon and then I'll be back full time! I am hoping to have sometime soon to also visit all your blogs. Wishing you a serene day today. Life is crazy busy but good! **wink**

Earlier yesterday morning we could see the missile they probably launched from White Sands, New Mexico. They do that about every year about this time of year. Always makes for a beautiful photo. Thanks to my Mom for sharing the photos.

I also work on another blog to help out the gal that owns the Bootcamp I go too. Check out my post today!

First Things First



This is a helpful slogan, but I'll be honest I don't use it enough. However, after reading about it today, I need too! When my life gets chaotic and situations occur that send me into a spiral of craziness, I can take a step back for a moment, take a deep breath, and remind myself "First Things First". The slogan can help me re-focus my thinking and prioritize before I react in a way I don't want to, to that chaotic situation. Taking that moment allows me to better prioritize so I can make a healthier decision of how I want to move forward to ensure I'm taking care of myself.

Another saying comes to mind when I think about this slogan. You can plan the day, but not the outcome. This is so true, there have been many times when I can easily plan every second of the day and set expectations in my head of exactly how the day is suppose to happen. I have many flash backs of days that I have done this and been deeply disappointed. It's not an easy accomplishment to NOT expect specific outcomes of others. I have no control of others, but I do have control of myself and my reactions to those around me. Expectations are premeditated resentments. Now I realize I have a choice, I can spiral into insanity and feel sorry for myself or I can take the opportunity to learn to love and appreciate who I am at this moment. Prior to Al-Anon, I didn't realize I had that choice. Today, I can use First Things First and remember I have the choice to practice an old habit or use this tool to further my growth.

An excellent quote regarding this slogan:

"Putting 'First Things First' in troubled times often means finding whatever way I can to set aside my burdens, even if just for a moment, to make time for myself."  Courage to Change

I will practice applying this helpful slogan in all my affairs, First Things First. 

What does it mean to you? 

It was a beautiful sunrise this morning and I wanted to share with you! 

One day at a time!