Happiness

Exercise It???

Have you heard of Will Jelbert and his book called The Happiness Animal? Healthy body = healthy eating and healthy exercise. Healthy happiness = healthy exercise. “How we exercise our spirit determines the strength of our happiness.” 

In The Happiness Animal, you are introduced to the five muscles that can be exercised to make your “Happiness Animal” stronger. “What if you could exercise your happiness like you exercise your body?” Why not give it a go!

1. Tolerance
2. Kindness
3. Honesty
4. Awareness
5. Courage

Talk about a revelation that just resonates with me! 

I did not know I was working a happiness muscle in being curious. I am a questioner. Searching for answers. Seeking out and striving to learn, grow and experience!

I think we all question and ask ourselves.

• Who Am I?
• What Is My Purpose?
• What Do I Want To Do?

I think we also tune into our emotions, feelings and thoughts.

Do you tune into your emotions, feelings and thoughts?

• It is important to accept, own and respect your emotions and feelings.
• It matters to have a voice and express yourself, especially sharing your thoughts, talents, stories, etc.
• It is okay to be humble and vulnerable.
• It is good to have humility.

We all need our tribe along with that sense of belonging and being part of a community. That rawness and realness in people who truly are connecting to their emotions, stories and reality. That empowerment to be who you really are from the inside out. That force and energy within you that powers you and has you in control. That strength of acceptance and humanness! 

(Photos by RSheridan)

Here’s to Exercising, Especially Our Happiness and Healthiness. Love to Hear Your Thoughts, Please Share.

Embracing Failure

With Grace & Humility

I am a confident being, however; I still struggle with failure, especially those embarrassing moments of failure! I do not know if I have the grace and humility to be willing to make a fool of myself to become great at times. I have had plenty of practice – ha! 

• How do you embrace failures, especially the embarassing ones?
• How do you find the courage to overcome and move on?
• How do you care, especially about yourself in those failures?

Is it confidence that keeps you going in those moments! It is a lesson in humility and being humble. How seriously do you take the situation as well as yourself in the situation!

When I do an embarassing fail I try to take a comedic approach to it all and laugh at myself! That is where the humility comes into play. However, I still take a punch to my confident self! It can be a humbling experience at times.

It is courage that powers you through! It is a lesson in how you handle the situation. Do you have control or not? Do you have something to prove or not? Do you embrace it, accept it and keep moving forward? So far it is a survivable event and tomorrow is a new day to start again!

I know when I have failed I try to learn from the experience and try really hard to never repeat it again! I know I have gained new skills. I know I have strengthened my weaknesses. I know I have gained a valuable life lesson and experience!

It is strength and resilience that helps you handle everything life throws at you! To cope and to forgive. To grow and discover your strong. It makes you into the person you are today, especially the belief and trust you have in yourself. 

It is mind over matter! Listening to your mind and overthinking things. Making assumptions and thinking people are judging you. Taking it personally. The mind can play tricks on you!

Instead listen to your heart and come from a place of love to help you through those tough situations! In learning to help yourself you can help others. Being patient and embracing life lessons. Learning to forgive yourself by valuing, believing and trusting in yourself.

Ask Yourself . . .

• Are you on the path you need to be on?
• Do you need to make a decision to change direction?
• Do you need to make a choice or choices for the better in doing what works best for you?

Remember you are in charge and need to be the Captain! Do what matters to you. Do more of what you love to do. Do for YOU!

(Photos by RSheridan)

Love to Hear How You Handle, Please Share!

Making Time

To Put Your Dreams Into Action

• Make time to get curious and explore.
• Make time to break out of your comfort zone.
• Make time to find your motivation and discover your passions.
• Make time to dream, imagine and vision.

Journeying . . .

Ask Yourself . . .

1. What do you really enjoy?
2. What is important to you?

Take the time to define your passions and really go after what you want! It may require being open . . . to the possibilities . . . to change . . . to the opportunties, etc. Communicate, interact and connect with your whole being to define and determine what you want, need, crave, etc.! Really tap into your power and tune into your energy. Develop a healthy and happy relationship in what you want!

Take the Time For YOU!

Dreaming . . . Loving . . . Living . . .

Ask Yourself . . .

1. What is not showing up for you when you ask for it?
2. Why?
3. What can you do to change that?

There are times you get what you ask for, but it comes in a different form. There are times you do not get what you ask for, but it is exactly what you needed though. There are times you have to think outside the box and get creative to get what you ask for. There are times you need to have a Plan B to your Plan A.

You ask and create your successes, milestones and experiences! 

Make the Time for YOU!

Relaxing & Resting

Ask Yourself . . .

• What do you envision?
• What can you do to obtain and achieve that vision?
• What skills and tools will you need to use?

In knowing who you truly are you can reach outside of yourself! To stretch yourself and your comfort zone. To expand yourself to go after “IT”. You are the only one that can do that for you!

To be open to learning to gain those skills! To gain the knowledge to develop. To gain the experience to grow. Find a mentor to guide you and a buddy to journey along with you!

Remember to check in with yourself! What is your reason for going after “IT”. That vision gives you inspiration and motivation. That vision gives you a mood and energy boost! 

Narrow down the details and get specific in what you want and need!  

Focusing In . . .

Ask Yourself . . .

• What is stopping you from going after “IT”?
• Why?
• How do you clear it out?

There are usually two clear blocks; fear and limits! Before you run and hide or even flee just stop and pause. You cannot just ignore or wish away what is blocking you. You have to deal with it and deal with it head on! 

You have to tune into and tap into the inner you! What do you believe and value? What matters and is important to you? Do you trust in yourself and have the confidence to go after what you need, want or crave?

You need to use your power to your advantage and do what is best for you! Really tap into your fears as well as your feelings. Really ask yourself the tough questions to get to the bottom of things for yourself and your whole being. That will help in releasing, letting go and clearing it out! 

Going for “IT” (Photos by RSheridan)

Find Your Inspiration and Motivation To Drive YOU! Find Your Practice To Be Disciplined In Going After What YOU Want! Find Your Progress In Practicing Small Steps Every Day! Love To Hear Your Thoughts, Please Share!

Keeping it Real

With Yourself

I love Jude Temple’s approach to living more authentically, especially your “Authentic Self”! 

1. Be a good zookeeper.
2. Listen to your body.
3. Shut the “should” up.
4. Try not trying.
5. Tell the truth.
6. Gather your tribe.

One BIG World Out There!

#1 – Be A Good Zookeeper

Love This!

“Be a good zookeeper. It’s easier to connect with your Authentic Self when your physical self is content.

Our bodies are essentially animals, so be a good zookeeper to your animal. Feed it food it enjoys, keep it well-hydrated,

and offer it regular access to its preferred environment. A happy body creates a strong link to your Authentic Self.” ~Jude Temple

Hello! YOU!!!

#2 – Listen To Your Body

Your body will take you down if you do not listen to it! 

Ask yourself “How do you feel?”!

• How do you communicate, interact and connect with your whole being?
• How does your body feel when it experiences joy and excitment as well as happiness and contentment?
• How does your body feel when it feels passionate and has a sense of purpose?
• How does your body feel when you are open to the possibilities and expanding yourself to the opportunities?
• How does listening to your body instead of your mind make you feel?

Cultivating . . . Listening . . . Growing . . .

#3 – Shut the “should” up

The words could, should and would need to be replaced with the words can, do and will! Along with the shoulds is the gottas and have tos. Instead start coming from a place of love and following your heart! 

Give yourself permission without the guilt in doing what you are passionate about, especially in what you love! Get curious and explore. Play, laugh and have fun; find your inner BIG kid! Do what brings you joy and happiness.

Loving, Believing, Hoping . . .

#4 – Try Not Trying

Give yourself a break! 

• Less overthinking.
• Being more in the present.
• Creating space by setting boundaries to value and respect yourself.
• Practicing to progress, grow and gain experiences.
• Going within yourself to find YOU!
• Listening to your inner being.
• Leading with your heart instead of your head.
• Making time for yourself.
• Focusing on your breathing.
• Taking time to relax and rest.

Time Out!

#5 – Tell The Truth

Telling the truth is not always easy, especially when it comes to the willingness to tell the truth to yourself! It can be tricky in finding that balance. The emotions, feelings and thoughts that the truth evokes in yourself and your whole being. It is important to express yourself and it it matters to have a voice, especially in being in control to make decisions and choices for YOU!

“Think of your Authentic Self as the you-est version of you.

She is your innate tendencies, your natural qualities, and your hard-wired personal preferences.

She is the part of you that likes salty over sweet, prefers an evening at home over a night out barhopping, and would choose Ryan Gosling over Ryan Reynolds any day of the week.

Your Authentic Self is the part of you that loves what she loves, wants what she wants, and knows precisely how to get there (if you let her).” ~Jude Temple

Baby steps can be key in getting started in telling the truth to yourself! You learn to pay attention and become more aware. You develop and experience personal growth on so many levels. You start to value, respect, believe, and trust in yourself; that is a HUGE step!

Telling . . . Gathering . . . Living . . . (Photos by RSheridan)

#6 – Gather Your Tribe

Be around the people who get you and value who you truly are! The communication, the interaction and the connection.Be around the people that love and support you! Love yourself and love your greatest someones. Gaining life experiences and making lifelong memories! 

Remember – You Make Yourself and Your Whole Being Happy! Embrace Your Authentic Self. Make Time For the Relationship With Yourself. Love to Hear Your Thoughts, Please Share.

All In The Details

The Benefits of Mindfulness

• Do you find that you are not 100% there when you have a task at hand?
• Do you find yourself doing the task 50/50?
• Do you think about “having more time”?
• Do you find yourself just responding and reacting?

What are you thinking about? What is on your mind and taking over your brain?

Coming or Going???

In being distracted you miss information and it slows you down! You are working harder not smarter. You are wasting precious energy and time. You start doubting yourself and your abilities!

• Are we focusing and retaining the information?
• Are we really listening or just hearing what we want to hear?
• Are we present and aware?
• Are we paying attention to all the possibilities and opportunities?

This creates miscommunication and misunderstanding at times! We need to really listen and learn from within ourselves as well as from others around us. Not reacting and taking it personal! We need to communicate, interact and connect more fully with ourselves and others. That mindful attention and awareness! 

Are You Paying Attention? Are You Listening?

Practicing can . . .

• Improve your memory and focus.
• Tune you into your emotions, thoughts and feelings.
• Reduce stress as well as anxiety and tension.
• Give you a sense of awareness.
• Help you communicate, interact and connect better.

The piece I struggle with in practicing mindfulness is in changing my mindset! The ego and the attitude. The expectations and the judgments. The preconceptions and the prejudices. How do you practice and integrate an open mindset where you see the good and the positive?

That type of clarity makes us more productive! To cope and handle it. That type of of calmness and balance makes us more progressive! To self monitor and to deal with it in a good and positive manner.

(Photos by RSheridan)

What Are You Discovering Today? Please Share, Love to Hear!

You Got This

Go For It!

Love this!

“My advice is to not overthink it. You already know what you want and how to get there. Trust yourself. You got this.”~Sadie Lincoln

 

(Photos by RSheridan)

What Are You Going For Today? Please Share, Love to Hear!

The Greatest Embrace

You Can Give To Yourself

To accept who you are and where you are!

• Carving your own path.
• Creating your own story.
• Experiencing personal growth.
• Journeying along.
• Gaining life experiences.

The acceptance you give yourself helps you experience personal growth! It helps you change, transition and transform! 

I really did not understand the meaning behind releasing and letting go until I was in my 40’s! That was way to much baggage and clutter to be carrying around. What took me so long! In letting go you take back control and are in charge. You take the actions to create what you are seeking! 

Self love, self care, self kindness, and self compassion are the best tools to carry with you! 

Carving . . .

Creating . . .

Growing . . .

Journeying . . .

Exploring . . . (Photos by RSheridan)

What Do You Give To You? Love to Hear, Please Share!

Being Lost

Can Be Okay

I wish someone would have told me in my 20’s that being lost and not having “it” figured out can be okay!

My 20’s were a major personal growth period for me. I did a good amount of starting and stopping and switching directions. When you are lost you are wandering and exploring. When you are lost you are getting curious and trying to figure it out. When you are lost you are finding out who you are and where you are!

You are . . .

• Gaining and losing friendships and relationships.
• Working and at times paycheck to paycheck.
• Attending college and forming a career.
• Looking for stability and security.
• Finding your place in the bigger world and making something of your life.

You try to keep up with the adjustments and changes! There are shifts and transitions. You get curious, explore and find the things that work best for you!

There are times I think to myself is “abc” or “xyz” going to click! When will it start? Will it happen or not? Sometimes it feels like a 500 piece puzzle with one piece missing!

You take it one piece at a time!

• What are you interested in?
• What do you like or even love that lights you up and makes you happy?
• Where do you want to spend your time and energy?
• Are you intellectual or creative or a mixed bag?
• What really drives you and gives you fulfillment?

Here are great reminders for everybody at any age!

• Ask questions.
• Accept the compliments, the constructive feedback and the successes.
• Ask for help.
• Accept the help when it is offered.

(Photos by RSheridan)

What Do You Wish You Knew In Your 20’s? Love to Hear, Please Share!

Flowing

How To Practice Going With the Flow

Letting Go . . .

The two hardest aspects of going with the flow for me are letting go of control and letting in the unexpected!

Why is it so hard to let go of control? I know some of it has to do with human nature. That surrender and then release. Let alone just let go and go with the flow more! 

Really try to not just FREAK OUT! Especially when life throws you a curve ball!

Do we hold on to things? Physically, mentally, emotionally. All that stuff we think we need and cannot do with out. All that stuff we think we need to be attached to. You have to know when to let go, especially if something is not working for your or serving your best interests! 

Letting In . . .

I really try to take away the practicing and the learning with letting in the unexpected! Being curious instead of anxious. Tuning into your surroundings and what is taking place around you. Being in the present moment and focusing in on the task at hand. Knowing when to pause or even stop to reflect instead of just reacting!

Listening to your inner voice and letting your heart and intuition guide you!

Embracing change is not an easy process! However, the little changes slowly turn into major changes and life transitions.

Being . . .

The greatest lesson I have learned is allowing people, things, situations, etc. just to be at times! Sometimes trying to control just backfires. I feel so much better about myself and my whole being is happier and healthier! 

I use to think in terms of what is right and the need for perfection. Letting go of the ego and the attitude. Now I think in terms of how to be a kinder and more patient being! Embracing a little humbleness and humility.

Stop the limiting beliefs, the blame game, the pity party, the self defeating self talk, complaining, excuses, etc., etc., etc. You limit your personal growth and gaining life experiences.

You CAN DO! Especially when you come from a place of love and from the heart instead of letting your mind take control over you. Being in the present moment helps too. You cannot live in the past or long for the future. Living your life is about journeying along and being open to the possibilities and opportunities that you are presented while on your path!

(Photos by RSheridan)

How Do You Practice Flowing? Love to Hear, Please Share Your Thoughts!

Letting Your Purpose

Be Your Guide

What does a purposeful like look like to you?

For me it is two fold! To me it means knowing and being able to fulfill my purpose in life. AND To me it means being surrounded by my greatest someone(s) who support me and love me in fulfilling my purpose.

• Empowering myself to go after what I want, need and crave.
• Following my passion(s) to guide me in fulfilling my purpose in life.
• Learning, experiencing growth and gaining experiences.
• Counting my blessings.
• Creating a life that I love!

“Your purpose is found through the challenges.”

One BIG World Out There Just Waiting For You . . .

What does a healthy life look like to you?

• Work/life balance.
• Being my own advocate in my health, wellness and fitness.
• Loving myself and my whole being!
• Making time/space to do more of what I love to do.
• Trying NEW! things.

I get excited and light up when I do what I love to do! I am passionate and energetic. It is stimulating and freeing. I feel purposeful and alive! 

I enjoy talking to people who are truly passionate in something they do! I want to surround myself with that passion, excitement and energy. I want to be better and do better. I fall in love with the life I am living all over again!

I have learned that I do not have to do everything at once! I know what my priority is and focus in on it. I do not feel so scatter brained and doing everything half arse! 

Paying Attention To Your Surroundings . . .

I make time as well as space for myself and my whole being! Especially in doing more of what I love to do. I need to be an active being that nurtures and nourishes my body well and spends quality time with my greatest someone(s)! I crave that communication, interaction and connection with myself and others. That is what matters the most to me!

That connection with the true you as well as following your heart, being guided by your intuition and tuning into your spiritual sense! Believing in yourself to go after what you crave and desire. Making your dreams come to fruition. You can do anything if you put your whole being into it!

Cultivating . . . Growing . . . Experiencing (Photos by RSheridan)

Just Start Practicing . . . Love to Hear Your Thoughts, Please Share!