choices

My day starts with waking up to the sun, gratefully. Within minutes, the path begins to split into exponential directions, ideas, options... By the time my work day begins, it all comes down to "choices". But, I guess we all have choices the minute we wake up (e.g. sleep in?).
These days, I am on a mission to choose gluten free living; everything I put in my mouth becomes a choice.  Knowing how I feel after a choice (albeit good or bad), the choices become necessary for ultimate happiness (aka good health).  Basically, it's taking the path of least effort for me.

Success

Restarting my mindful fitness blog this year took me back to the "word" I chose for my new year: SUCCESS.  I thought that rather than choosing words that suggest, I would choose a word that just targets my goals. With that in mind, this word has become my mantra. When in doubt, I try to think of how I can "succeed". When in fear: "how can I successfully move through it".
Yes, it's a big word, and big goals to strive for, but it's a new year...

"I give myself permission to..."

My new revelation, in my yoga practice and personal life, is the ability to give myself "permission" to do what I need to to accomplish a feat. Even just saying, "I give myself permission to..." can empower any of my tasks and challenging undertakings. All I have to say is "give it a try" because it can only help.

three deep breaths

I once read that three deep breaths can quell a fire, impulsive act, addictive behavior. Try it. When a negative thought or behavior is about to come up - take three, slow, deep breaths. Then, think about it. It's not a big deal anymore, is it. Now, try this same technique to create a positive thought or behavior. The power of the breath, or in yoga "Prana - life force", can be strengthening, inspiring, healing, grounding. Very powerful! And we all have it inside of ourselves. We just need to cultivate it, and ENJOY IT!!!

two weeks make a habit

Scientists have shown that daily, repetitive behavior done two weeks in a row create a habit. Now, that could be negative as well as positive behavior. Try experimenting, over the next two weeks, erasing a negative behavior and replacing it with a positive behavior (e.g. sugary desserts replaced by getting up early to stretch, walk, do yoga, etc. OR, better yet, waking up and starting Mondays and each day of the week with a list of things to be grateful for rather than listing why we should dread the work week!). We could really be on to something big!!!

can do

New Year is a time of resolutions and changing old habits into fresh new ideas...I would like to turn my new year's resolutions into mantras of things I CAN DO. Instead of listing goals that are maybe unobtainable or near to impossible I want to know that I CAN DO positive things through the new year. Rather than being stressed about my "new year's resolution list" I remind myself that "I CAN" choose something today that will make me feel happy and healthy. So my daily decisions are all about the POSITIVES, the "I cans", the "I wills", because at the end of the day, that is all that counts, right?

bliss in the dunes

Taking ONE HOUR in the middle of a busy day to "reboot" the mind and body can be easily done: walking, biking, meditating, dog walking, and there's always yoga!
Try a flash mob YOGA at the beach!!! After a dreary few weeks of erratic "winter weather" came a 77 degree day.  Don't think about it, or rather, don't try to talk yourself out of it. Just do it!! Seize the moment and enjoy! It will shift your day!!