one of my favorite books

my journey

accepting yourself

I love this article! It was just what I needed...

 How to Accept Yourself When You Feel Like a Loser

I was always scrawny kid.
Instead of blossoming into a supermodel body, I felt more like a teenage boy.
Flat chested. Skinny legs. Weird shaped nose. Frizzy hair.
A really hot guy told me in junior high I looked like a guy with a girl’s face. Nice.
When all the girls in my class started showing off their cute butts in their Jordache and Gloria Vanderbilt jeans (Am I aging myself?), I looked like Kermit the Frog with a crap in my pants.
Yeah, life wasn’t easy.
I never had body image issues the way a lot of girls do. Even though I got made fun of, I was comfortable with my scrawny teenage body and knew that, one day, I’d grow into myself.
Pretty much everyone (especially women) has something about themselves they wish they could change. If we’re not careful, those dislikes can turn into full-blown self-loathing.
It’s not always easy to accept yourself when you see or feel aspects of your personality or physical image that you do not like. But rejecting yourself isn’t the answer either.
When I get all down on myself, feel fat, slow, out of shape, or hear the ranting of the sometimes crazy person inside of me, there are three little things I tell myself that I believe may serve you to post on your bathroom mirror or computer screen.

1. You Are One of a Kind

Every single one of us is unique. We all have special gifts. You may have a head for math, an inquisitive mind, a talent for singing in tune or playing a musical instrument. Maybe you’re the quickest runner around or have the best splits in the pool. Perhaps you’ve been born with the grace of a dancer or the patience of a saint.
Whatever it is, you are one of a kind.
You’ve got something to offer than no one else has. And if you don’t see this, no one else will.

2. Love What You Got

You were born with what you’ve got. And sure, you can clean up your diet, get on the treadmill, and shop in the self-help section of the bookstore, but the bottom line is that you can’t change the hardware.
Get that negativity out of your head and never feel envy toward someone who has the job you want, the relationship you think is better than yours, the nicer house, the longer legs, the bigger boobs, or the killer abs. It’s an epic waste of time.
Even if you don’t feel all that special, you are.
It doesn’t matter what someone else has. All that matters is what gifts you have been brought into the world with and what you plan to do with them.
You can either choose to spend your time obsessing about what you wish you had, or you can accept what you were given and work within the perimeters of it.
You gotta love yourself for who you are. Period. If you don’t, no one else will be able to love or accept you either.

3. Write Yourself a Love Letter

It’s so easy to focus on the negative.
In fact, I bet many of you, whether you know it or not, actually thrive on the negative.
Next time you are having a hard time, are feeling down in the dumps, or not accepting of yourself, write yourself a love letter. Include everything you love about yourself and the world you’re living in.
Dear Me,
I love you because you are so compassionate. You care deeply about everyone around you. You take such good care of your body and your family. You find time to exercise almost every day, even though your life is busy and chaotic. You have a thriving career. You are a fabulous mentor to many entrepreneurs and health coaches worldwide. Oh, and you have a really cute puppy and awesome kids. 
Love, Me
Then, take your words and turn them into post-it notes and colorful cards and place those words around you. Notice how those few words make your feel.
Spending time hating yourself can only be a hindrance. It won’t help you grow. It will only make you more miserable.
If you want to feel good, you have to train yourself to feel good.
A love letter is the perfect reminder of how incredible you are.
I have just shared my three little things I do to accept myself when I’m not feeling so accepting. 

You are still a good person

This summer, I got a chance to meet up with my former roommate Cindy. I still remember that day back in July 1996 when we met like it was yesterday. She's one of the sweetest people around and it was so much fun to reconnect with her. Back in the day whenever something would go wrong or we would make a mistake she would say,

"It's okay! You are still a good person!"

We would laugh and then that phrase became our apartment motto. It's such a simple statement but there's some profound truth there. I had some not so good days this week and I had to tell myself that everything is going to be okay and you're still a good person.

So thank you Cindy!

When I saw this on her car, I think it quite possibly made my summer :)

give it your all

99 lessons

I read this today on Positively Positive and it's full of "A-ha" moments!

  

 99 Lessons for Living a Life You Won't Regret  By Bassam Tarazi

1. No adult ever mentally feels grown up.
2. You will always doubt yourself, get used to it.
3. Permission has already been granted to you. You just have to take it.
4. The timing will never be as perfect as you want it to be.
5. You won’t know what you’re doing when you start doing what you think you want to do.
6. So choose to make every decision the right decision, even if something doesn’t go your way.
7. Because success is a mindset.
8. But success is also dangerous. The more you have, the less support people think you need.

9. There’s no such thing as making it, only making it further than where you were yesterday.

10. Starting a business means you’ll have less free time, not more. A lot less.
11. If you can’t figure out how to market yourself in this world, you’ll always be paddling upstream.
12. Everything is selling. But now we’re selling ideas and opinions, not only gadgets.
13. Older does not equal smarter.
14. Not everyone has experience, but everyone can have initiative.
15. The best skill to have is one that is rare and useful.
16. If you knew how much work it would take to get your dream job, most of you would run for the hills.
17. And anyway, it’s only a “dream” job until you get it. Then it’s reality. And reality has its ups and downs.
18. You choose what kind of mood you want to be in when you wake up.
19. Don’t hang up the phone angry with your mother.
20. Foster the relationship with your siblings. You’ll live with them a lot longer than any other family member.
21. A strong handshake and solid eye contact will change your life for the better.
22. Image is everything, at first. Don’t pretend that it’s not. Being well dressed and decently groomed is a form of politeness.
23. There are no re-deals in life. The faster you accept that, the sooner you can excel at playing whatever hand you have.
24. So often, what we say inspires us also makes us feel inferior and paralyzed. The trick is to find the inspiration that stirs action. Otherwise, it’s not inspiration; it’s comparison.
25. Aspirations are wants based heavily on outside factors. Goals are wants based solely on your efforts.
26. For all those instances you think you just can’t do it, maybe you just should do it.
27. You live up to your own expectations.
28. Ignorance is bliss, but it’s not allowed to vote. If you don’t want to be informed, don’t complain.
29. Speaking of complaining, it’s easier than succeeding. Be careful what you whine about.
30. Owning memories beats owning “things” every time.
31. Except maybe if that thing reminds you of that memory every time you look at it.
32. Don’t be afraid to be broke. Be afraid to stay broke.
33. Helping others is noble, but be sure to take care of yourself too. It’s not selfish if it’s growth.
34. Embrace the suck. Your story is in the grit beneath your fingernails.
35. Because in the end, it’ll be the stories you tell and the people you tell them to.
36. Great days = (luck) x (a bunch of average days). Let the great days take care of themselves.
37. Stress = reality not matching your expectations. It’s harder to change reality than your expectations.
38. Fear is a choice, not a mathematical constant.
39. We often don’t want to accomplish our goals; we just want to be liked by our friends.
40. Independence isn’t free. The more you have of it, the more you’re paralyzed by it.
41. We do care what people think.
42. Don’t change the world, change the moment.
43. Don’t strive to be the best. Strive to be your best. “The best” is insanity.
44. Death by research is no way to die. Start already.
45. In five years, you’ll be wrong. Start already.
46. Successful people finish shit. Finish already.
47. Don’t go the extra mile until you go the last mile. Finish already.
48. If you can put yourself in the shoes of an outsider, you win.
49. Passions are your selfish desires. Purpose creates value for other people. Do something for other people and figure out how to tie your passions into it.
50. Because how you treat people is more important than what you do.

51. In fact, don’t treat others how you want to be treated, treat others how THEY want to be treated.

52. While you’re at it, you’ll need to figure out how to pay your vulnerability tax.
53. Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you. If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’ll always be that dumb.
54. Exercise. No seriously, get off your ass.
55. But if you’re only going to the gym because your friend is going, it’s not going to work for you.
56. You are not right just because you speak. Give people a choice and a chance.
57. Follow up or die.
58. Know when to let go.
59. Keep your digital self fed, but don’t let him/her rule the show.
60. Create more.
61. Tweet less.
62. Craft first, community second.
63. It’s not who you know. It’s who you know once you know what you need to know.
64. Emotions are contagious. You are in control of what you are spreading and what you are susceptible to.
65. Stop apologizing for not knowing. Everyone was a rookie once.
66. All that evil needs to flourish is for good people to see nothing—and get paid for it.
67. What makes people happier is other people.
68. Have longer dinners with friends.
69. Happiness isn’t reached; it’s tended to.
70. Take that trip you’ve been thinking about. (See #4)
71. If you only have a backpack, board the plane last. No sense in standing in line or sitting on a cramped plane for longer than you have to.
72. Perspective is one simple thing that can make you more likable.
73. If tuk tuk drivers speak English too well, don’t trust them.
74. Partying is worth it while you’re in it, tragic when you miss it, regrettable the morning after, epic the day after that.
75. Party your ass off every now and then, but wake up sober on Saturday more often than not.
76. There is no such thing as “the one.” You don’t have time to meet all the candidates.
77. Marriage and commitment is not about riding off into the sunset together; it’s about jumping in a foxhole together.
78. Ladies, you hold all the cards. Own that.
79. Guys, less gawking at ladies, more hellos.
80. No one is thinking of creative ways to give you money.
81. A service business is convincing someone you know more than them about something they value and getting them to pay you for that knowledge.
82. Know the answer to “What are you working on, and how can I help?”
83. When it comes to a potential new customer, nothing is nothing until it’s something.
84. No one’s going to steal your idea.
85. You’re not stuck in traffic. You ARE traffic.
86. When you give someone change, don’t put the coins on top of the bills. This drives people crazy.
87. You have to enjoy the process somehow.
88. Sadly, we spend most of our time worrying about what the people who don’t ever think about us think about us.
89. Do something you hate. It’ll make you appreciate the things you love more.
90. Build something you can point at.
91. Efficiency runs businesses; inefficiency starts them.
92. You don’t make money from a blog; you make money from a business.
93. Piss someone off. You can’t market to everyone.
94. You can’t outmuscle being tired. Go to sleep.

95. You can’t outlogic your goals. You have to understand emotion.

96. Having no social awareness will be catastrophic for your career.
97. Rinse the sponge out after you use it. People don’t like smelling mold on their hands.
98. Have a hobby that entails you actually learning something new.
99. The world owes you nothing. It gave you life. Let’s consider that “paid in full.”

inner voice

remember

to do list

Be the ONE

I loved this post today from Positively Positive :)

Stop Comparing Yourself to Others…(BE the ONE)
Stop comparing yourself to others.
There are seven-billion people on this planet and only ONE you.

YOU have ZERO competition in being yourself.

Gandhi is taken.
Buddha’s been done.
Bruce Lee has already had his fun.
Your true SELF is brighter than the sun.
You being YOU will make you the only One.
You are one of a kind—a unique, amazing, divine creation born to express your gifts with the world.
Your mere presence on this planet makes a difference, and who you ARE is the gift.
Yet we sometimes forget this. Thinking we should be something other than we are. That we must be…
…more successful
…more knowledgeable
…more skinny
…more nice
…more enlightened
…more like Gandhi or Mother Theresa.
The list can be exhausting and endless.

When, in fact, the very things that make you YOU are the very things that make YOU YOU. And what makes You uniquely YOU is the very thing that makes you special.

Comparing yourself to others is futile, for there is really no comparison. It only ends up killing your creativity and aliveness, leaving you feeling terrible. We often think everyone else is living the dream life and that we might be failing or falling behind. This is far from reality.
The goal in life is not to be successful by someone else’s standard but by your own authentic heart’s measure. Everyone has a different destiny and life path. You never really can know what is for others. To look at someone from the outside is not a true representation of what they are really going through at their level of fulfillment.
So today, let go of looking over there at someone else and comparing yourself to them.
You are not them.
You are not meant to be them.
You are you.
…and you were meant to be YOU!
The more you honor your uniqueness and the perfection of your life’s journey, the more you see your true self. The more you see your true self, the more beauty you will find within yourself to celebrate.
To succeed at being somebody that you are not (but think you need to be) is still a failure. But to love who you are and courageously be that fully is a life well lived.
The easiest thing is, in fact, to be who you are, but we forget.
I invite you to BE the ONE and love yourself deeply.
So, give yourself a gift today.
Stop comparing yourself to others.
Set yourself free.
Love. Now.

to-do list today and everyday

TIME in 2013

My focus for 2013 is time. Being a mom is challenging. I catch myself saying, 'I wish I had just a few more hours in the day.' I need to get selective about how I spend my time, that's the plan.

Wish me luck :) 

Blogging and scrapbooking make me happy so they will stay :)

love this!

overjoyed applause

I subscribe to Zen Habits and this was the post for today. Just what I needed :)

The Only Way to Respond to Life

Post written by Leo Babauta.

I went for a run along the beach at sunset yesterday, foam kissing my bare feet, smooth sand caressing my soles, and the sky exploding with color.
I paused for breath, mostly because the sky, and the Pacific, had borrowed my breath from me.
I stopped and applauded.
This is the only response that life deserves: overjoyed applause.
This morning, wherever you are, whatever life has given you, take a moment to really appreciate this gift, and applaud. I mean, actually applaud.
Then give back to life, something, anything, to show your gratitude for this miracle you’ve been given. Do anything: be kind to someone, create something, be gentle with your children, do something where your body feels full of life.
We often not only take life for granted, but complain about it. Life isn’t perfect, work is boring, people are too rude, drivers are idiots, no one gets me, I have too many things to do. But goodness, look around you! What a wonder life is! If only we would take the time to see it, to really appreciate it, and to applaud.
This moment is a ridiculously generous miracle. Give it up, folks, for life.

deeper roots

This quote is the theme of this week...

Tuesday=epic fail

I had a day that slapped me around and made me want to crawl into the fetal position and cry...

Do you ever have days like that?!

Just trying to figure things out...

I have 1 choice...

re-group and try again tomorrow :)

Believe in yourself

just breathe

something I need to remind myself to do every day :)

gotta love Tony Robbins

another life lesson

An opportunity was presented to me a couple of weeks ago. It was promising and I felt really good about it. A couple of days ago I found out that this opportunity was given to someone else. I felt as if someone kicked me in the stomach...I felt really good about this, why didn't it work out??

I found this article on Positively Positive and it was just what I needed. Maybe reading this could help you too :)

 {Trust Your Process}