I Know...and You Should Know Too!!

Today's been pretty laid back. I cooked and we ate leftovers. There were plenty of vegetables on my plate and plenty of green tea in my cup. I updated my budget sheet, mapped out my finances for the rest of the month and even put another load of laundry away. But...confession time: I never did complete my task of getting that dining room tabled cleaned off. I did a lot of it yesterday, but did not finish. I was too tired last night and today I just couldn't get motivated to do it. I am cooking again tonight, so hopefully I can get up enough energy to get it done.

Even though the last couple of days were driven by motivation, I have not been able to keep up the momentum today. I have a couple of projects to finish and I just can't bring myself to do them right now. I don't usually beat myself up because I always get the things done that I need to get done, but I sure would like to do it now!! At least I have my trusty "to do" list, because that keeps me on task. I just need to work on making it my "ta da" list instead!!

I was thinking earlier about what I wanted to say in today's blog, then I realized it's Thursday. Then I thought this is the perfect opportunity to focus on another side of healthy living: HIV testing. If you live in my hometown, then you (should) know that there are walk in hours for FREE HIV testing at the Aids Resource Center. I called in to verify because I was basing this information on some old information I obtained a while back. I'm glad I called because they moved the center!! If you have questions or you want to take advantage next Thursday, check them out: AIDS RESOURCE CENTER

Edited to preach...

If you are a mature adult, young or old, then taking care of your health and the health of your loved ones SHOULD be a priority!! This is ALL aspects of health, not just the ones we hear and agonize about (ie losing weight). I have heard so many excuses advocating the idea of NOT getting tested:

- People are scared. Well don't you want to know? Put your mind at ease. It would be scarier to have something, not know and pass it around. That is also very selfish to put others at risk.

- Negative stigma. This reason is plain stupid and quite frankly VERY immature. There is nothing wrong with you looking out for your own health. If you're adult enough to do adult things (drink, have sex, use drugs, pay to play), then you are adult enough to protect yourself and others. If someone has the nerve to make you feel uncomfortable about getting tested, then PLEASE DON'T MESS WITH THEM!! Oh, and encourage THEM to get to a center!!

I don't care WHAT reason people come up with to not know their status, because ALL of them are BS!!
Although I lacked motivation today, this is something that I decided to move on and and quickly. The staff was knowledgeable, friendly and makes you feel really comfortable!! Shout out to the SUPER cool Jared at ARC Ohio!! Listen, you don't have to wait until you think the worst or until December for World Aids Day. You can get tested anytime you like.

NO BLOOD!!

It's SAFE and CONFIDENTIAL!!

It only takes 20 minutes!!

It's FREE!!

There are no excuses...KNOW YOUR STATUS!!

Day 10: A Change in Plans

After an awesomely productive day yesterday, my day's plan was supposed to be spent out in the country watching and brushing horses, but unfortunately, it didn't work out this time...oh well, c'est la vie!! Maybe we'll try again next week...

Anyway, I was still motivated (after a little encouraging self talk) to get up and get moving this morning. It felt so good to get back in the gym. Today, it was one hour of Cardio Mix, which includes a half hour of floor aerobics and another half hour of Zumba. I LOVE the Zumba part and usually get a gust of excited second wind when that part of the class starts!!

So, needless to say, I have had a great deal of water today. I enjoyed some of the sweetest strawberries I've ever had too. In fact, I was so motivated when I got home that I began preparation for tonight's dinner - my own veggie fried rice. I added spinach to the rice while cooking then refrigerated it to use for later (the recipe calls for cold rice). I cannot wait!! This might just be a great meatless Wednesday after all!! I try to go meatless every Wednesday, but I rarely make it. We'll see about today...

Also, I was glad to have been able to sit and chat with a new friend I met in my writing class. She's 70 years old (and does not look it at all) and has the best stories about life: what she's done and where she's been. I had my favorite green tea (goodness, I have been to the coffee shop alot lately) and she had a tea latte, although she's an avid coffee drinker. Our chat was so colorful; filled with laughter and even a couple of tears. We plan to get together on a regular basis. I will be helping her work with the computer and her household appliances and she's advising me on how to do some gardening in my backyard.

I wish I had gotten a pic with us both...next time for sure. I did however document my post workout water break!! LOL Enjoy your day!!

Committment Today: Clean up my dining room and clear off the table. It's my clutter magnet!! I INTEND to complete that task TODAY!! Until next time...

Day 9: Diary of a Domestic Diva: Another Challenge Coming…

It was get my “Domestic Diva” on Day!! Things have been so busy, my house has been the object of neglect instead of affection. I had to change that today. I know you hardworking people can relate. Sometimes you just need to stay at home and take care of business!! In the spirit of all challenges I’ve been doing, this domestic day has inspired me to do yet another one!! Can you believe that? Is the even possible? Yes, and I think it will be a great supplement to this month.

I won’t take on another 30 day challenge to do these things, but I do look forward to sharing my progress within this challenge and in my normal blogging. I know many of you also have a list…what kind of list? The list of things you WANT to do around the house, but you never get around to doing them because of all the normal hustle and bustle and quite frankly, “you don’t have the time”.

Before the summer ends (which is into September, thank goodness), it is my intention to complete most, if not all, of these projects. I know I can get some folks to take on this project with me, so grab a pen and write down all the “unfinished business” regarding your home or car. Here’s the beginning of mine:

• Hang artwork in my voiceover room (beautiful painting by my artist cousin)
• Assemble brand new jewelry box I received for Christmas (sigh…I know)
• Clean out the storage spaces in my basement
• Find and install a credenza for a vacant space in my dining room
• Recycle bag of old clothes at Salvation Army for roofing material
• Clean light covers in the kitchen
• Whole house dusting
• Re-caulk the bathroom
• Get rid of all the weeds in my yard
• Clean main floor carpet

So, that’s my short list and I’m sure I’ll find more as time goes on. This is the list I’m working on from now until mid September. My accomplishments for today include: four loads of laundry (sorted, washed, dried AND put away), dropped of bag of donations and recycled plastic bags at Goodwill, hung up clothes laying around, took out recycling, did my follow ups and other computer work, cooked and wrote this blog.

On the other challenge note, most of my exercise has been in the form of walking and housework (steps mostly). My veggie and water game was up yesterday and today as well. I’m adding vegetables to every dish I can throw them in!! Today is no different: large salad for lunch, with a turkey wrap with spinach and tomatoes. Then for dinner we’re having steamed veggies and I snuck some spinach in the mac & cheese (I guess it’s not sneaking if the cheese is green.) LOL

It's time for me to take a load off...have a cookie with me!! Enjoy your evening!!

Day 8: Affirm This!!

I'm glad to share today's blog with you, as I just left a very inspiring and powerful EFT tapping session!! What is EFT you ask? It's Emotional Freedom Techniques and it's a healing system and practice that is used for emotional, mental and physical health. The practice of tapping helps to balance ourselves, removing the emotional blocks that come upon us daily. Feel free to do some research. You will not regret it!!

I was first introduced to the Tapping Technique at Elizabeth's_House here in Toledo. There I met Cindy Baker, an Energy Psychology Practitioner, who gave a detailed background of EFT and taught the tapping practice. Want to know more, check out her website at http://www.tapptoledo.com/

Our group started off by tapping to release weight, but it has since evolved into tapping on any blocks that we found came up in our daily lives over the course of 30 days. This is an awesome group of women with awesome stories about how tapping has worked in our lives. From the first time, I was hooked and I was happy to share it with anyone who would listen. I've even shared with an online Sister of mine and she reported back AWESOME results!! That's exactly what we experience in our sessions: results!! The group is growing and every time we tap, something shifts. Healing is there!!

Many of you who know me, know that I'm all about affirmations!! Well, practicing this technique takes affirmations to a much higher level. If you want to see a shift in your emotional, mental or physical life, if you want to break old habits and start new positive ones, or if you just want to live a much more positive and exciting life, start saying and doing affirmations. Learn some tapping techniques and pick up my book recommendation: You Can Heal Your Life by Louise L. Hay.

I literally carry that book with me every where I go. (If you see me, go ahead and ask me...the book is in my purse). She created what she refers to as THE LIST. In this list, she identifies a problem area in your body, the probable cause, then an affirmation for you to use for your problem, helping you to creating a new thought pattern. For instance if you are having:

Problem: Colon Issues
Probable Cause: Fear of letting. Holding on to the past.
Affirmation: I easily release that which I no longer need. The past if over, and I am free.

Whatever you're feeling is addressed in this book. Make sure to pick it up!! I know this was a long one today. Can you tell I'm excited? I am indeed and I am convinced that this works and I want the world to know about it!!

So let's get started (or continue for those affirmation pros). Say it with me...

"I am healthy, whole and complete and I deeply and completely love and accept myself ."

Go and be great, for all is well!!

Day 7: Searching for the Right One

I am really appreciating all that are reading and commenting on my blog!! I really am enjoying these 30 days and I love sharing it with others!! So soon as I figure out how to respond to my blog, I will!! I read all the comments!!

Oh, I neglected to mention before that I have another challenge. It's not really a challenge, but the process could be challenging. I'm looking for a new church home. I decided to visit a new church every Sunday for all of August (actually I started at the end of July). I'm not just picking names out of a hat, I'm waiting to be led to them. I will get the unction to go there, then I'll go. I think this is another way that God is getting me back out in the community, as I have been a bit of a hermit for the last few months.

The last church that I was active in, was a non-denominational church and I have to say, in terms of teaching and life lessons, they set the bar pretty high. It's difficult to sit in a church and not get anything because my old body was light years ahead. I'm confident I'll find the right one though. Anyway, church today was...nice. The people were friendly enough, but it just wasn't home. I already have the next one picked out. I was on a date this evening and, although he didn't know it, he confirmed it for me...he also didn't even know I was doing this. So bizarre...

So, today, has been a great day. Plenty of water and had my new favorite green tea. Umm...I won't talk about the veggie game today...not any at all...I didn't really eat much today. I did do a fair amount of walking though after church. I'm satisfied and I'll make up for the veggie mishap tomorrow!!

Day 6: Just a Little Reminder...

This is just a check in. Here I'm drinking Chinese Flower Green Tea with cherry syrup. I really enjoyed it!!

Besides crunching numbers with my Sorors, I really don't have much to share...except MANNERS go a long way!! Say it with me: "Please", "Thank You" and "Excuse Me!!" I was at the coffee shop yesterday and being the people watcher that I am, I was reminded that people do not always use them. This actually gave me an idea about something, but I'll have to share it at a later date. Hopefully, it will be developed enough to share during this month's challenge.

That's all for now, sorry it's late. Stay tuned for today's blog...it's coming later on.

Day 5: The Bigger Picture: Preparation

The message I received today: You have to look at the big picture and start preparing.

Someone told me recently that I’ve outgrown this place…I’ve thought about it, but them speaking it to me, confirmed it for me.

Too many times I’ve noticed that I care…oftentimes too much. I look at people and groups and in general I see mediocrity. I’m not happy with ever just being the status quo. My true friend spoke this time me, and even though we don’t always hear what we want, I’ve realized that she’s right on. Those that live that way are content with living that way and we cannot count on them to do anything different. Sadly, this is truer than I ever imagined.

I know that I’ve personally tried to raise morale with progressive thoughts, but those who are not forward thinking are not going to grasp those concepts. It could be they don’t care or they don’t know. My personal thought…they don’t care to know. That’s okay…it’s fine. THAT’S OKAY!!

My job is not to change anyone’s thoughts or perceptions, but I will challenge them. My focus is to be all that I AM and move forward and upward in my life. The choices we make are for a purpose and it is up to us individually to determine and decide what that purpose is.

My challenge to both me and you: Look at the bigger picture. How does your life and what you’re doing right now fit in with your greater purpose? See the big picture and start preparing. Prepare your mind, your body, your heart for the next thing, for the best is yet to come. Let your focus be on what’s ahead of you and not what was, wasn’t or could have been.

Always let your light shine bright and do what’s right for you, no matter what others are doing. Don’t waste any more time worrying or getting upset because others don’t “get it”. I know we’d all like to take everyone along with us on our journeys, but the fact of the matter is, we’re just going to have to leave some folks behind. Know when you’ve outgrown something and PREPARE to move on. The time will come for us to pick up and go.

If you’re operating in a box, that’s too small for you, then bust out!! Get yourself in order and clear out some space!! I'm dusting and cleaning out my corners and challenge you to do the same!! Get ready, get prepared!! The world is waiting on you!!

Focused: Day 4

Today is a pretty quiet one...I found enough time to get cute, as I seem to be more productive that way, but it's been all work today!! Endless research, brainstorming and thinking, writing plans and arranging things to be set in motion.

Yesterday was a good reminder of where I need to be and after chatting with a friend, I know I'm on my way. I'm up for the challenge of wading through the nonsense of life and coming out smelling like a rose.

This was just a quick check in. Above is my focused look.

Oh, and wait, I'm getting in my water in too!!
<-----------------------------This is WATER!!

<-------------- This too!!









I'm on it!!

Reflection: Day 3

So, I’m having issues with my internet access at home. I’m very observant, so I have come to realize that this tends to happen when I need to be quiet and still. So, I took this opportunity to do some housework (my exercise today), cook (ensuring healthy eating with lots of veggies) and meditation.

Sometimes meditating makes me sleepy, so you can guess I had a pretty good nap today. Along with this, I had some good reflection time. I like when I get to do this, which isn’t often unfortunately. It allows me to quiet everything around me and that’s a task because there is always something going on in my life. I ignored the phone and just sat to think.

Today was about focus. We always have something to do, but without focus, I find that sometimes I do things in a very haphazard way. In some seasons, I’m okay with that, but right now, it’s not the best thing. I realized today that everything I do, in this particular season of my life, needs to be purposeful. It needs to mean something to me and be related to where I want to go next.

This prompted me to write some goals and make some decisions. I can no longer be concerned with what others think or say about my decisions. I’m doing it because it’s what I need to do, to be where I need to go. I listed my personal, professional and relationship goals down on paper. Now it’s time for me to take the advice I give others, a lesson I learned from author Henriette_Anne_Klauser. Since I wrote it down, it’s time to make it happen.

If you’re feeling lost or like your life is going every which way, take the time to relax, silence your thoughts (and others) and reflect. If you are seeking something, you are sure to find it. We already have it in us. It’s time to pull it out…Namaste.

 

Cute and Free: Checking In - Day 2

Well, it's Day 2 of THE CHALLENGES...at least I'm getting the blog in. Today has been such a whirlwind!!

Walking was abundant, today, but I slacked a bit on the water. Also, I didn't get in the veggie intake I desired, but lettuce and a few tomatoes made it to the palate.

On to some good stuff though. Today was a good day!! I spent some time with my parents and had a great meeting with my Sorority sisters. Throwing around ideas, along with an AWESOME writing class I had yesterday, is really putting me in a creative and positive mood!! The bonus, I looked cute today!! I was comfy in my maxi and wore my very own handcrafted jewelry. See for yourself!!



See told you!! Anyway, I'm signing off, but headed to get my water in...(my Soror just reminded me that she hasn't seen me drinking any during our meeting.) Time to get it in!! CHEERS!!