Loneliness...

This weekend I had a little surprise visitor that I haven't had in quite some time...

We shall call him Loneliness!

Peace or Chaos ~ the Perspective is Yours.

The right perspective makes the impossible possible...

Perspective is always a hot topic for me. I am in a constant exercise of keeping the right perspective on my life and my goals. There was a period of time a couple of years ago where I was doing way too much. It was typical of me to get overwhelmed very easily and make life miserable for everyone around me. While it's clear to me now why, back then it was just a vicious cycle of stress that I couldn't get to the bottom of. I believed that I had to DO everything and always be perfect, or life was never going to be great. The problem was that nothing was working out, I was never happy and much of my life was falling apart. Since then, I have learned there is a paradoxical magic in learning to say no and balancing my work load, and believing that we're all capable of much more than we usually allow ourselves. 

How is that possible? What has to change to create more balance and peace in your life? Your perspective. Your view. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to say that it's an easy feat. But when you can alter your view and see the bigger picture rather than getting stuck inside of one seemingly stressful circumstance, then the level of stress that you have to experience becomes less. Sometimes I freak out, stress out, break down, cry for stupid reasons, but at the end of the day I can look in the mirror and know that I'm moving forward on my path. I can allow myself to ride the roller coaster of life and know that it isn't the end of the ride just because it gets bumpy. Now, I intentionally set up my life so that I can reach goals, follow my dreams, build a career, be a positive example for my kids and a loving, supportive partner to man. If I am actually going to fulfill on all of those things, then keeping the right perspective is key.

Stress really is ALL about perspective. The ONLY time you are ever incapable is when you SAY that are! You can be negatively impacted by a long list of things to do; you can be stopped in life because you don't like the way things are going. Or you can be thankful that you're the one to get the job(s) done; thankful that you have a life that is full and plentiful, and that you have the ability to reach great accomplishments; thankful that you have the power to change things that you don't like and that you really are the one in control of your destiny. It really is a choice - choose wisely!!

Thank you for reading!

Yours in balance :)

~Mimi

Affirmations for Finding True Joy~

Happy Monday, friends! 

I took some time today to look over these blog pages because I'm thinking about revamping some things as I finish up my nutrition certification. As I read over my previous posts, I reflected on how far I've come over the past year and realize just how thankful I am for my progress. It hasn't always been smooth sailing, and sometimes it feels like one step forward and two steps back, but the *not giving up* is the gold! 

I decided to slightly edit and re-share these insights with you because I know how valuable they were/are for me, and I hope they can shed some light for you as well... 

~ All of whatever lacks in my own experience of life and love is within me. It can't be found outside of myself. It can't be filled with someone else's presence or inanimate objects.

~ I must always seek and find ways to love myself. It is then that I remain fulfilled. In loving myself, I can then be loved.

~ Perspective is a jewel. Sometimes taking a step away from a situation, as well as spending time alone, is the key to seeing the answers we need.

~ Life is happening and passing. Now... And now... The extent to which I pay attention to the experience is up to me.

~ Being too busy and filling my time with overcompensations will always dull my joy. I can be fulfilled in any moment, if I choose.

~ I am perfect just the way I am. Really. (and so are YOU!) :)

Wherever you are in your journey - whether it be health related or anything else - remember that the inner journey is the one with the highest payoff. You can't be healed or fixed with external measures. You must first go within.

Yours in health and always love,
Mimi
xoxo

Got Inner Crazy? Get Inner Peace!!

Amidst the craziness of life it can be too easy to get caught up in the GO every day and let life pass you by. Trust me, I know. But lately, I have been taking extra steps to keep myself balanced and I thought I'd share some of the things that I do every day, so that you can maintain your inner peace, too.

*Make time for quality time every day ~ whether it's with yourself, your kids or your significant other.

*Do something out of routine at least once a week ~ go on a hike, take a new class (for me it has been yoga) ~ something that breaks up the normal routine, soothes your soul and makes you happy inside.

*Set an alarm ~ I have an alarm on my phone every day at 11:11. Whenever it goes on my kids and I stop and meditate for one minute. It may seem small, but sometimes that is the most peaceful minute I have all day, and it really is special.

*Find an app ~ my friend Danny-J of The Sweaty Betties told me about a really cool app that I installed yesterday and I absolutely LOVE it. Mine is called Lotus Bud and when you turn it on it chimes randomly throughout a designated time frame to remind you to take a moment to be mindful. That tiny little "gong" reminds me to take a moment and be present no matter where I am or what I'm doing. You'd be surprised what a difference that makes!

*Set a timer ~ if you're crazy-busy like me, then you can get completely sucked into your work without even noticing how much time has gone by; and sometimes this leads to less productivity. Designate a set amount of time for each task and set a timer each time you start something new. The trick is then to honor the timer you set, take a break and move on to the next task.

For me, all of these things create a state of mindfulness throughout the day which has increased my productivity, lowered my stress levels and raised my feeling of accomplishment as I'm able to do the things that are really important to me every day - with peace and ease.

I hope they do the same for you!