The Power of Joy

I had a fabulous Meditation tonight with my friend's Alysia, Janice (my pilates instructor) and Birkan, an awesome person and intuitive medium and Angel Therapy Practitioner® - led by Alysia. I drew the card The Power of Joy. Hmmmmm...I think the Universe is trying to affirm what I recently realized - To find the desired outcome follow the path of joy. That sounds really good to me about now - staying positive and filled with faith I can manifest all my desires into reality. Well, I probably need to lay off the See's candy too, don't you think? LOL! Also, during the meditation Birkan commented that we should not focus so much on how we will achieve something, but that we should have patience and perseverance, not limiting our creativity. This is a theme that seems to keep coming up for me in many ways - not to worry so much about the how, but to just keep on the path. Another thing that came to me during the meditation is that I will need to love myself more and be kinder to myself. Recently evidenced by how hard I have been on myself for eating some candy, pasta, sushi, and cheesecake. Love, love, love....love myself and love the world. That is what I am going to do from now on!

Derailed

I have been totally off track for the last week. I know it was Thanksgiving week, but it seems I gave myself license to not workout and to eat very, very badly - including half a box of See's candy. Argh! My step-daughter, Stacy, was visiting so we went out to eat almost every meal. Argh! We had a great time, but it really did a number of my number, if you know what I mean. I am pretty sure I gained eight pounds. I am getting back on track tomorrow with meals and exercise - boot camp in the morning and healthy meals for this girl tomorrow. I guess I don't quite know how to eat mindfully yet, or I wouldn't have gorged myself on Mexican food, sushi, pasta, and the list goes on and on. Tomorrow is another day. Someone asked me today if I met my fit by fifty goal and I had to say that I had NOT made it. But, I still have a whole year of being fifty to make my goal, don't I? And, I am going to do it. Yes. I am!

Thankfulness....

People with a strong sense of gratitude, love and appreciation don't necessarily have more than others; they simply recognize and see more beauty in their lives. Many studies suggest that people who count their blessings are generally happier and healthier than people who don't. If you ever feel as if anything in your life isn't "enough", try practicing an attitude of thankfulness. You might realize how good you have it after all.

And, I do know how good I have it and I am so grateful everyday for everyone I love in my life and all that I have!

I am thankful for my body that can move and exercise, and that my mind can learn and grow.
I am thankful for my awesome husband, Steve, and his unconditional love.
I am thankful for all amazing my stepdaughters and grandchildren.
I am thankful for my brother, and all of my family.
I am thankful for my always loving Cleopatra and Sam in my life.
I am thankful for my lovely home.
I am thankful for my beautiful yard and garden.
I am thankful to have all of my wonderful friends in my life.
I am thankful for all that I have learned on this journey and all that I still have to learn and beyond.
I am thankful for the love of my fabulous parents. I wish they were still here on this earth, but I know they are watching over me.
And, I could go on and on and on and on and on.....

I am truly blessed!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

Oh dear!

I am feeling like I need to maybe count calories again - feeling a bit out of control without my gowearfit band. Maybe I will have to put it back on and keep track of calories again. Maybe?

Loving the Rain

Today is a very rainy day in California - so I didn't go to boot camp with Marc - not sure if he even had it because it is really pouring here. Having a wonderful time with Stacy and Makayla hanging out - dinner later with the rest of the kids for my birthday and Monica's birthday too. Should be fun! Trying to practice mindful eating - had a healthy breakfast. But, now faced with clam dip - practicing tasting it and only having a few bits - so far so good. Later the menu includes roasted chicken, peas and famous Mormon Potatoes, and salad. The plan is to load up on the salad and chicken and have a small portion of potatoes. So, let's see how this mindful eating works today. I plan to enjoy for sure!

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. - Henry David Thoreau

Hmmmm....This is giving me ideas! I have been thinking about what I really want to do, not that I don't really like real estate and teaching, but that there may be another calling for me. Let me ponder this.

More Ah Ha's!

The Universe keeps showing me that being in gratitude and letting go of FEAR - False Evidence Appearing Real - is the key to my journey.  The subject came up again in a big way today in my Power of Focus Class at Keller Williams Realty taught by Wanda Peyton, who is a great motivational speaker and spiritual teacher. Today as I sat in the class almost every word spoken by Wanda and every person in the room seemed to be directly impactful for me. It was so awesome and yet so extraordinary - I really do believe we attract just the right people and places, and things into our lives when we are vibrationally in a good place and feeling happy. You know my favorite quote that I've quoted numerous times in this blog -"Whether you think you can or you think you can't - you are right." Well, today in class I turned around and looked at the back wall of the classroom, which I have been in probably a hundred times and there it was written in big bold words on the wall. I knew that the walls had motivational quotes on them, but never once had I noticed that particular one. It was crazy!  Then Wanda told us about a recent visit with her granddaughter, who has Spinal Bifida, and about all the challenges this young woman has overcome with a loving light presence. The story nearly brought me to tears (actually it did), as she spoke of all the hardships this woman has in her day-to-day life and I could only think of one word – gratitude! Gratitude for all that I have in my life, for my healthy body that is able to move and walk and run (well not really run yet, but jog!), and do anything it pleases, and for all the abundance and love I have in my life. She spoke of cutting cords to get rid of negative connections, something I had learned earlier from Birkan Tore in the Atlantean Healing Class that I took earlier this year. But, for some reason when Wanda described how she “cut the cord” to the woman who was responsible for a car accident that  killed her husband eight years ago, and how after cutting the cord to this woman she was able to live in light again something resonated deep inside my being. After today’s class, the people I met in Hawaii and a couple of CDs I have been listening to since I arrived home I think I have finally figured out how to release this weight forever and get all that I want. I know it sounds too easy to be true - but I am pretty sure what I need to do is have gratitude for all that I do have, live from a place of love not loss, keep in a state lightness and happiness, practice mindful eating, and move my body. I know that sounds too simple to be true, but I am pretty sure that is what will work. I’ll let you know as the weeks go on now that I have taken off my Gowearfit band, stopped reading books about weight loss, and stopped counting calories. Now the journey really begins!

"Here's the problem. Most people are thinking about what they don't want, and they're wondering why it shows up over and over again. "John Assaraf" Speaker and Author

Best Birthday Celebration Ever

More celebrating my turning fifty!! Last night my husband surprised me with a Limo ride to Hollywood with eight of our friends. I had no idea - I was completely floored when I went outside and saw the limo in the street and then when I got in the car there were my friends. It was a fabulous night with dinner at Angelini Osteria and a fun ride in the limo with the wine flowing thanks to my friend's John and Kimiko, who have a vineyard - John Alan Winery. Again, I am feeling so blessed and grateful for all I have in my life. On Friday I celebrated with several of my closest girlfriends at Morton's - another fabulous restaurant. I almost forgot that my blog is about losing weight and here all I am talking about is food and wine. LOL! Well, I just had to celebrate fifty with some of my favorite foods and people! I do think there may be a little more celebration next weekend when my step-daughter Stacy comes to town. Well, you only turn fifty once, right?

Acceptance and Gratitude

What does Acceptance mean? I used to think it meant you just took what you got and that it was sort of not the best word, but in looking at it more closely it actually means, according to the dictionary - "the fact or state of being accepted or acceptable." The reason I am writing about this is because I think that this is the key to releasing the rest of my weight. I now accept the state of my body as being acceptable just the way it is, not that I am not working toward releasing more weight, but that I am at peace with the way it is today and that I love myself, which means letting it go. Not letting it go by giving up, but letting it go by being happy with today and what is. A few weeks ago I was beginning to feel that I needed a break so I went into a maintenance stage until the end of the year - that was the plan at the time anyway. But, now after pondering and thinking for the last few weeks, I think the real solution is to just let it go and to let my fears go, and to stop focusing so much of my attention on me and my weight loss, diets, books, exercise, etc. Not to say I won't be exercising and be mindful of what I eat, but that is different than forcing the situation by mandating I eat this or that because some one said I should, or doing this or that exercise because someone told me it was the best one. Something happened to me over the last week or so. I'm not sure if was actually turning fifty. Or if it was the vacation to Hawaii and the people we met there. Or if it is the purpose of the journey I been on for the last ten months becoming clear. It is probably a little bit of each. But, I now have a sense of gratitude for my life and all the people in it that I have never had before it my entire life. I think this may just be the key to releasing the weight and to realizing all my dreams. Instead of focusing on what I don't want or have, it came to me that I need to be grateful for what I do have and not focus on what I don't have or want. Before we went to Hawaii and during the first few days of the trip I was filled with anxiety and fear - worried about the plane ride, worried about my pets at home, anxious about potentially going on a helicopter ride, scared of the dolphins, scared of the sail boat ride - I was a mess! For the weeks before the trip I had been in a state of anxiety too - about everything - almost seemingly irrational thinking. Well, it was irrational thinking, actually! Then over the last two weeks or so it just became clear for me through a series of events, conversations with different people, and ponderings, meditations and thoughts. My friend Michele told me a couple of weeks ago that she thinks that definition of depression is "incessant thinking about one's self." - which in thinking about it doesn't come from a place of gratitude. I realized on our trip that I was doing just that thinking incessantly about myself and my "problems" instead of being grateful for all that I have and all those I love in my life. So, I have let go of my anger, struggle, unforgiveness and lack of gratitude. And, I am living in a state of joy - joy for all the wonderful things I DO have in my life!! And, I am thinking about how I can give back with gratitude – maybe becoming a personal trainer that focuses on three aspects of weight release – what you eat (not a diet!), moving your body (not exercise!) and most importantly your thought processes and spirituality. Who knows maybe I can help a lot of people!

Happy Birthday to me......hahahahaha....no really it is finally that day!

Today is my birthday -  the big 50! And the last 315 days since I began this blog have been quite the journey. I have learned a lot - although I am not yet at my goal of a size eight. I have released 21 pounds though and I am going to maintain that weight release for awhile and then continue on my journey.  I think I might revise that to a size ten or twelve though! I think I have grown as a person by setting out on this journey to release weight. I have learned much about myself and others. I have done a lot of exercising and done many different types of exercise - Pilates, hiking, bootcamp, Zumba, IntenSATI, cycling, boxing, walking, dancing, swimming, Cardio Disco Jam and treading to name a few. Not to mention doing the Mud Run at Camp Pendleton (I still can't believe I made it to the finish line!), going to the Biggest Loser Resort for three weeks, and most recently swimming with the dolphins in Hawaii. I was able to check off many of my 101 goals this year - including  learning to ballroom dance, learning to meditate, going to The Ellen Show, taking a writing class, watching the sunset at the beach (did that a few times last week in Hawaii!), going to a musical (went to a couple thanks to Donna!), started my big garden to name a few. I can even pretty much tell you what weight training exercise to do for what muscle.I am actually thinking about getting my Personal Training Certificate now.  I've also learned a lot about gardening, grown many vegetables and fruits, tried many new healthy recipes, learned about Chakras, and Atlantean and Animal Healing, read at least 20 books (no lie!). It's quite odd to have a running, public display of the last ten or so months of your life in words on the internet! But someone had to do it!!! LOL!  I sure have had some ups and downs both on the releasing weight front and the living life front. A lot has happened in the since I  began writing this blog - which I WILL continue writing. This has been such an awesome experience for me and I can't wait to see what the next year in store for me and all of my friends and loved ones. I wish us all a year of unconditional love and manifesting all that we want in life! So, on this day - my birthday - I want to thank everyone for their support and love while I have been on this journey!!! :)

Swimming with Dolphins

Today was fabulous - I got to meet, pet (yes pet like a puppy), feed and swim with some dolphins today. It was awesome! This is something I have wanted to do for many years and is on my list of 101 things that I wanted to manifest in my life. So, it was super meaningful for me - thanks Steve! They are so gentle, yet strong. I have a couple of photos of me with one of the dolphins that I will post when I get home - forgot the connection cable to upload them.  It was an extraodinary experience!! I loved it.  We didn't end up going on the helicopter ride though - next visit to Hawaii - I think we will be back. Yesterday we drove to Hilo on the other side of the island and walked through a spectacular Botanical Garden that was right on the ocean in a very impressive cove - the walk was like going on a hike - the path was soooooo steep. It brought back memories of hiking in Utah!! LOL! We met some really nice ladies from Canada one night  that said some things that really made me think that I am so lucky to have Steve in my life and that we really do have a special relationship - I can't believe I am writing this here, but it really needs to be said. This trip has reconnected us in a way - this place really is magical. Now I have to get ready for our last evening here and a sunset cruise on a Catamaran - should be cool!!!

Dolphin day soon!!!!

Posting from paradise

I am having a very relaxing time. Yesterday we were supposed to go on a helicopter ride around the island to see the volcano and the waterfalls from the air, but our trip was cancelled due to weather - it was cloudy and a little rainy yesterday. So, we rescheduled for Tuesday - hoping for super sunny skies that day. Today it is a little windy, but sunny and beautiful - it truly is paradise here. We laid out at the pool today and took it easy after a night of Kareoke last night - where I learned I really, really, really can't sing. LOL! No really I can't at all - it was border line embarrasing. hahaha! Next we are going to catch the sunset and eat some dinner. No formal exercise here - I'm taking a break while I'm here. We did walk probably a couple of miles yesterday - we went to check out the Hilton Hotel down the way on foot! It is really cool - like a mini Disneyland with a monorail and a boat that takes you around the huge grounds.

Aloha from Hawaii

We are here in Hawaii and it is just gorgeous. The hotel is really nice and we have a great view of the ocean from our room. The lava rock on the island is an interesting contrast to the tall waving palm trees and azul blue ocean. Really cool! Yesterday we just got settled and had a little sushi for dinner...nummy - some of the best I have ever had. I'm sure we will be going back for more - perhaps on Saturday night when the restaurant has Kareoke (sp?) too! LOL! We sat out on the shore and looked at all the stars in the night sky last night at about midnight - it really is amazing how many stars you can see out here in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Absolutely astonishing - really makes you think - who or what is out there on all those planets in all those universes?

Today we took a dip in the pool, shopped around a craft boutique at the hotel and then went to Kona to walk around and shop a bit more and also drove to gorgeous bay - I can't remember the name of it. LOL! The names here are all so long and hard to pronounce! We have lots of fun planned this week. I'll fill you in on all the fun as we go along on our journey in paradise.

The Power of Focus

Yesterday I took the first of four classes on the book The Power of Focus - a great book. I have read it before, but the class is a great refresher to some great practical information. Some insights from the class.

·        Habits determine your future. - Isn't that the truth? In my case emotional eating is a habit, as are other things that lead me to the place I am today. But, I'm changing those habits slowly but surely.

·        You have control over your habits. - This is true - but it does take at least 21 days they say to change a habit. My personal opinion is it probably takes longer depending on how long you have had the habit. So, if you have had a habit for twenty years, I really don't think 21 days is going to do it. I would say more like 180 days - or perhaps even more time.

·        Focus on your strengths - discover your brilliance.  - What a concept. So many of us are doing things that my not be our best strength or our passion. I for one am going to focus more on things that bring me joy and happiness.

·        You teach people how to treat you. - This one struck me. I guess I we all need to teach people how to treat us how WE want to be treated, not how they want to be treated. Does that make sense?

·        A goal is the ongoing pursuit of a worthy objective until it is accomplished. - Ongoing pursuit being key in this tidbit of information. Like my weight release journey it is an ongoing pursuit and it is a worthy objective. So, I will keep going until I accomplish this goal.

·        If you are feeling complacent then you haven't said "YES" to life. - This one struck me too. Sometimes I have the tendency to sit on the sidelines so to speak and not jump in and do what I know I want to do.

Well, I am off to Hawaii bright and early tomorrow. I plan to post at least a few times while I am there, but I am really going to relax, regroup and unwind while I am there, so if I don't post much don't worry all is well. I am probably just mesmerized by the beauty of the island. Aloha!

Only two more days to Hawaii

I am counting down the days. I really need this time in paradise. I need to regroup and regenerate and re-prioritize things. I've been doing a little too much thinking lately and need to just start doing, but a nice relaxing time in Hawaii will be the thing to set me straight.