10 thoughts.

1 :: find a few minutes each day to completely unplug.

2 :: giving to others is the most powerful thing we can do for ourselves.

3 :: see physical fitness as a practice, not a goal.

4 :: make it a point to heed your need for solitude.

5 :: the secret to beautiful skin starts with what you put inside your body.

6 :: try doing even the menial tasks mindfully and with grace.

7 :: the quality of your connections with other people will carry you further than you think.

8 :: just because a no-frills home remedy is simple doesn't mean it won't work.

9 :: if you want to eat healthier, try giving yourself the benefit of better choices.

10 :: home isn't a place. it's a state of mind.


from the nov. 2009 issue of body + soul. 

happiness.

i'm a frequent visitor to the Real Simple website. they have a plethora of resources, advice, reviews, tips, etc. to make every life situation "real simple" - ha! i encourage you to browse through the site if you have a minute or two. (side note: i really would LOVE a job as a web editor for this publication. it's so up my alley.)

anyhow, i subscribe to their rss feed for daily thoughts, and similar to my affirmation cards, these thoughts provide me with little bits of inspiration, and often times motivation. today's thought is about happiness (see below).

so after reading this, i had a "ah ha" moment. and i realized that the key to my own happiness doesn't have to do with the actual events that occur in my life. obviously, i don't have a lot of control over those things. but my happiness has to do with how i approach each instance, whether it be good or bad. it's connected more to my emotional outlook life. now that's some food for thought for this rainy friday afternoon...

goddess of illumination.

this morning i picked this affirmation card: goddess of illumination. i am flexible and can adapt to the challenges of our modern age.


the card says:

"use this gift when information overload, constant change, and other aspects of the rapid pace of modern life threaten to overwhelm you. modern 'conveniences' have eliminated the cushion of time necessary to properly absorb and consider information and concepts. to achieve true knowledge and wisdom, you must take time each day for quiet reflection."

boy, my first day back to work was all about rapid pace. it was so busy, i barely had time to take my advil nevermind eat my lunch. i think i should have stay home one more day. my ribs and back have been used to the recline mode. so sitting up right in my office chair was not pleasant by any means.

i think i need to take time tonight for some "quiet reflection." no tv. no computer. no phone.

self-love.

most every morning, right as i wake, i turn to the table by my bed and grab my affirmation cards. a good friend gave them to me, and they help me start off my day with some perspective on life. today i chose the card for self-love. care for your body. self-love and self-acceptance are the ultimate acts of self-care. i wonder if this is a sign that i should go to the gym tonight. ha! i know i need to work on this whole self-acceptance thing. in time...