Me social distancing 😁
Taking a walk with beloved teen and crazy dog. 💕
As always, I love outside. New to me: outside is not always kind to me… finding balance in all things.
#allergictooutside #asthma #balance #gratitude #lovesunshine #openandbrave
Tag: progress not perfection
Searching for Motivation and Meaning
I always start my day TRYING to focus on Gratitude. For I’m a firm believer that no matter how lost I feel, there is always SOMETHING to be grateful for.
I was looking at the gallery for my daily gratitude journal (I use the Five Minute Journal App), and realized how many quotes there were. Some weeks are more pictures, others quotes. This week has been heavy on the quotes.
What I see: I’m searching for inspiration. Things that make me laugh, think, find gratitude, or motivate me.
We’ve been in quarantine/social distancing mode since mid-March. It’s getting harder. I miss people. I miss interactions. I miss all the weird, funny, crazy that comes from BEING out in the world.
I don’t know how long it’s been for you. Maybe you’ve never been stuck at home because of your profession and long to be in my shoes. Maybe the social distancing experience is different for you because of your circumstances or personality.
Personally… I’m getting to the point of hysteria. I’m introverted, but I also like people. The first three weeks weren’t bad. I liked being cocooned at home with my family.
My daughter is thriving in this environment: she’s loving virtual schooling and has been successful at getting everything done. She’s happy to video chat with her friends and has little to no desire to go anywhere.
My husband is more stressed. He’s the one who works outside the home. He does the shopping and errands. He worries about me. I have asthma, so I’m higher risk for infection and he feels grateful that I work from home and prefers that I stay home.
Me: I’m wanting to be outside, on the rare nice day… but the allergies and asthma have forced me to stay in-doors. I miss seeing clients and caregivers. I miss interacting with the world.
In the meantime, I’m using my Art Journal as an outlet for expression and finding quotes to keep me inspired and motivated to keep moving forward.
The Five Minute Journal app by Intelligent Change has helped keep me positive and appreciate life more.
https://www.intelligentchange.com/pages/five-minute-journal-app
#gratitude #openandbrave
Patriotic Not Political
I want to be clear: I am not making a political statement.
I am working on a #100daychallenge2020 using Art Journaling as a self-care measure and expression. This project is a way of keeping consistency during this time of Social Distancing, stress/anxiety relief, letting my experience of Art Lab Classes continue through trying new things, and letting the Art take me where it wants to.
So, on Thursday, I took a piece of an old book (bought at a library book sale) and I made it into something new by seeing what words “spoke” to me. The funny thing about this day’s project is this: the page is taken from a gardening book about different types of flora and fauna from an English garden. Yet from this gardening page came a sense of patriotic pride I didn’t even know I was feeling.
The words that popped out too me were: exquisite, kingdom, It’s name is America, the great. From these words the art took me to a place of honoring the ideas and beliefs our country was founded on: land of the Brave, home of Freedom, land of opportunity (which can lead to success).
Though this is not a Right vs. Left point if view piece, found myself feeling afraid of how others would view and judge it. I was afraid that others would SEE it as a statement of one view or the other. This made me realize that I needed to put it out there. I needed to share my feelings about it… and let others do the same however they need and want to.
I believe these statements to be true of America:
- America IS Land of the Brave
- America IS Home of Freedom
- America IS the place where Successes ride on the tails of opportunities taken
Is America perfect? No. Are Americans the best people? Not always. Like any country, anywhere in the world, we have our flaws and our strengths, our great people/great minds, and our evil people/dirty minds.
I’m not casting aspersions on any other country. You may live in another country, and hopefully YOU are proud to be a citizen THERE. I hope that where-ever you live, you are proud to be a part of that country and community.
I’m not a proud of every American, I am proud to BE American. I’m grateful that I was born in a country founded on autonomy and freedom. Where we can be who we choose, and let others do the same. Where differences of opinion are allowed, if not necessarily accepted. A country where individuals have the freedom to take opportunities, or not. No one must stay where they start, nor does the government tell you who you are or what you must be.
Don’t miss understand, I am not saying everyone here lives their best life here. My own life has had its share of personal tragedy and setbacks, but I have a good life. I am not a millionaire. I’m not a captain of industry.
Even now… during quarantine and having sustained a severe second degree burn a week ago today that is driving me crazy, I am happy.
I have a good life:
- I have a husband who loves and supports me
- I have a daughter I love, who has far greater goals than I could ever have imagined for her or myself- and nothing stopping her from achieving them!
- I have a home
- I have a working car
- I have plenty of food and clothes for my comfort
- I have a job that challenges me
- I have interests that I participate in
When I look at this list, I realize how grateful I am to be where I am. I’m not Rich or powerful. Then again, those were never my goals.
My life goals were to have a home, have a family, have a job where I help people. I have these things. Do I have everything I want? Heck, No. That’s what goals are for. To keep me striving, learning, growing!
In closing, this journal piece represents to me: opportunity, freedom, and bravery. The things I am always striving for❤️.
#possibilities #openandbrave
Transformation Week
I way overslept and now I’m trying to get my day back on track
It will happen!
How do you rain-in your day when it’s gone off the rails?
#transformationweek #Hpxlife
Technically, Day 3 (video & worksheet post at 1pm PST)
I’m starting my day working on Day 2 exercises: Get Energy!
If you haven’t signed up yet, there’s still time!!! Go to TransformationWeek.com to get logged in! It’s FREE! #openandbrave
So yesterday was a bit crazy with catching up on my late start. However, I want to share how much I am learning and enjoying #transformationweek #hpxlife with Brendon Burchard and his wife, Denise!
Day 3 topic: self-discipline (an area I always can improve!)
Day 4 topic: productivity mind-set
I encourage anyone struggling with momentum, setting intentions, trying to figure out what you want… etc. to CHECK IT OUT! The worksheets really help get clarity.
Looking forward to Day 5!!!
**HPXLife with Brendon Burchard has just completed another Transformation Week! (June 2019) Check out Transformationweek.com for more upcoming dates. **
Looking Back on 2018
Originally posted December 2018
2018 has been a year of highs and lows for me. As this year comes close… as I’m thinking of the highs the following come to mind:
1. I was immersed in school, learning new, challenging information and skills.
2. I overcame my fear of science!
3. I made several amazing NEW friends.
4. I made High Honors every term.
5. I completed Medical Office Professional program.
6. Reinvested in an OLD friendship.
7. I transformed my perspective (work in-progress)
I am incredibly grateful for all of these wonderful experiences, and the friends and family who have supported me on this journey.
There were downs, of course, but these were either motivators for something good, or lessons I needed to learn.
Looking into 2019:
1. Continue Perspective transformation.
2. Work on continuity in my habits.
3. Self-care: gut health, strength of body and spirit, and better sleep.
4. Career: a meaningful job.
5. Financial freedom.
What are your highlights for 2018? No matter how tough it was, there were good things: bring the good stuff with you! Leave the rest in 2018.
What are your intentions for 2019? I like to think in terms of intentions rather than “Resolutions.”
WHY? Because intentions are on-going. Intentions are “progress not perfection.” Resolutions are pass/fail.
#goals #openandbrave
Possibilities
Working it DAILY ❤️
Just Keepin’ it REAL
This whole “quarantine” Social Distancing thing… Great intentions but making me feel a little LOONEY!!
Things I’ve been doing:
- Working a few VERY LONG DAYS
- Panicking over scheduling issues and hiring practices
- Calming down and coming up with solutions (Thank You, to my mentor and boss)
- Not sleeping great
- Having panic attack
- Calming down from panic attack
- Doing (very little) art*
- Doing Daily Gratitude*
- Catching up on shows (Outlander fans?)
- Watching fun, family friendly movies
- Taking walks, sitting outside*
- Texting with friends, and a few phone calls*
- Snuggling with pets*
- Snuggling with my hubby and daughter*
- Cleaning (probably should do more)
* I need to ADD more of THESE!
How are you?
What is your “go-to” feel better thing?
#keepingitreal #openandbrave
Wisdom from Picasso
If you don’t like what you see… change your perspective 😉
#openandbrave #possibilities
International Women’s Day
Having a daughter, this means so much. It reminds me to be my best self and a strong example of what it means to be a working woman, a mother, a sister, a daughter, a friend, an influence on the people and community around me.
- Live your truth in action
- Know what you believe and why
- Have a moral compass and live by it
- Be true to your core values, and know what they are
- Be responsible for your choices
- Only YOU know how to find your happiness… listen to your inner voice
- Trust your instincts
- Love yourself fully: embrace your strengths and acknowledge your weaknesses
Be true to YOU. You’re not in competition with anyone but yourself.
Blessings
#openandbrave
Purpose
It’s been a rough few days. Depression, anxiety, restless nights, challenging work situations to solve, and family members feeling stressed out… not sure what weighs more, but I’m tired and tired of sitting in this uncomfortable place.
#hangingon #feeling #openandbrave
Empowerment.Vitality.Evolution. 