Thought of the Day

Like Sand Through the Hourglass, So Are the Days of Our Lives

Monday, October 3, 2011 by Kris | Leave a comment

After a very wicked storm the other day a beautiful rainbow caught my attention while I was bustling around the kitchen.  A rainbow is one of those things that demands reverence, and for a split second I found myself respecting nature, pausing to enjoy it’s massive majesty, and taking the time to consume it with my eyes.  And then, as if to get the cobwebs out of my mind, I shook my head and snapped out of my awe to get back to the “must do’s” of the day.

My little rainbow experience got me thinking about the fragility of life and all those things that we don’t take the time to do.  Especially with others.

We’re so stinking busy that if the phone rings, or we hear a rap on the door, or voices coming down the hall, we cringe about the time it might take to interact. We spend our days trying to be effective and efficient but we miss opportunities to connect with others.  It is usually only after we hear sad or bad news about someone that we say “…gosh, I never knew he was that sick…..or they were having problems……or that happened to their child….or she was struggling that way”.  If we’re honest with ourselves, we push people away all the time, we just don‘t think of it in that way.

The question I pose to you today is, what connections or rainbows have you been missing? What have you not been taking the time (if only a second) to just stop and enjoy?

Food for Thought

Tuesday, September 6, 2011 by Kris | Leave a comment

Do you agree with this statement:  It may be alright to be content with what you have, never with what you are.

We should approach life as a learning experience. We can continuously learn and improve ourselves. If we stop leading dynamic lives, we will become bored and goal setting may take back burner to your routine. As you do the small things consistently, your foundation becomes stronger and it’s a lot easier to keep balance in the rest of your life.

Accomplishing Your Goals and Staying Motivated

Monday, August 29, 2011 by Kris | Leave a comment

Benjamin Franklin said  Energy and persistence conquer all things.

Consistency is an action that is often overlooked by society. You probably don’t hear people telling you to be consistent in order to accomplish your goals. This quote reminds us that persistence and energy can conquer anything. On days when you don’t feel like doing anything, think about staying consistent.

Consistency with energy is a powerful tool for completing any task, especially your goals…so use it whenever you get a chance.   (sparkpeople.com)

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Motivation!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011 by Kris | Leave a comment

People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.  Zig Ziglar

Trying to Lose Weight or Just Stay Fit? You’ve Got to Try This!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011 by Kris | Leave a comment

Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Do you need a break-through with your current weight?

I encourage you to join a 90 Day Challenge with me! I have something very exciting that I want to share with you.  I’ve searched high and low for some really good weight loss products and I believe I found it. And the best thing about these weight loss shakes is that there also for people who are fit and in shape already too.

Here’s the site – when you get a few minutes, check it out at http://thinkingthinlifestyle.bodybyvi.com/

If you want to supplement a meal (or two for quicker weight loss) you need to try these delicious shakes.  I won’t get in to all the flavors that I like but it’s a very simple plan if you want to lose some pounds.  If you have any questions let me know at thinkingthinlifestyle@gmail.com

 

Did You Know….

Monday, August 8, 2011 by Kris | 1 Comment

Over the past 40 years, American women have increased their daily calorie intake by an average of 199 calories, while men have added 179.

During that same time period, the obesity rate has more than doubled.

Is it Mentalpause or Stress – You Tell Me!

Thursday, August 4, 2011 by Kris | 1 Comment

Let me start by saying I know plenty of young females in their 20’s who forget a child’s dentist appointment, or cupcakes for a school party, or even that they have something cooking in the oven.  And it’s only the burning smell that reminds them they forgot to take dinner out on time. In fact, it makes me feel better – more normal – when I hear of the “younger generation” struggling with their forgetfulness.

But it’s not so funny when you reach a certain age…ahem, let’s say your 40’s or 50’s and you start forgetting or misplacing things. In fact ladies, what is typically the first thing that enters your mind?  Perhaps the dreaded words like “menopause,” or even “half-heimers”.  Come on, we’ve all used the terms to excuse our lack of…..full attention to details!

We do tend to be more forgiving of the younger female who experiences mental-blocks from time to time, but we think something is down-right wrong when us more, let’s just say “experienced gals” slip up every now and then.

But I would dare to argue that our age has nothing to do with it.  Well, in most cases anyways. The stresses and commitments in our lives force us to keep the plates spinning so that it doesn’t matter what age you are, sometimes the plates are going to fall. Or for reasons that no one can explain, get misplaced.

Now I know that peri-menopause and menopause can bring on some interesting physical, mental and emotional symptoms – that goes without saying – but I want to give you permission to cut yourself some slack today and realize that it could just be the stresses in your life that are causing you to be more forgetful.

So pause, take a breathier – in what ever way that means to you – and attack things one stressor at a time.

But getting things off of your plate will help you to think more clearly and feel more in charge of your busy, busy life.

I think Will Rogers said it best:

“Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save.”

Go on, read it again. It’s so very true, isn’t it!  May you find some peace today!

Drink Up – Stay Hydrated

Wednesday, July 20, 2011 by Kris | Leave a comment

Okay, so here’s the deal. I hate to talk negative about the Summer season, as it comes and goes so quickly but it’s HOT out there right now and I just want to remind you of something.

We all know the benefits of drinking water to keep our system flushed out, and to give us a feeling of full.  But do me a favor….in this season of heat, please sip on water throughout the day – yes, even if you‘re inside in the central air.

Be aware of how quickly the hot weather can really zap your energy levels and you can easily get dehydrated.  It’s probably the only time you should be extra cautious about exercising outdoors – it’s one of those rare moments where you don’t have to feel guilty.  I KNOW what you’re thinking, trust me.

Also, try to stay away from alcohol or caffeinated drinks. Just drink good old-fashion water!

In this oppressive heat, sometimes it takes our desire to eat away – amazing how that happens isn’t it!. But do not neglect the liquid. Drink up please!  And stay safe out there until this weather system passes.

Success in the Face of Discouragement

Wednesday, July 13, 2011 by Kris | Leave a comment

I talked with several people in this last week who have just been experiencing frustration and discouragement lately – myself included. And all of us for a number of different reasons!  While searching for something else, I came across a specific quote in the midst of looking up a totally different topic, and so I thought this was meant for me to see.  It came at the right moment and it literally lifted me up. I hope it does the same for those of you who have been struggling lately, and believe that “success” is for you to have.

“Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.”  – Dale Carnegie

Life is Good In Spite of…..

Monday, July 11, 2011 by Kris | Leave a comment

I think one of the hardest things to do is to be persistent in the face of frustration or set-backs. And those frustrations and set-backs can come in many forms relating to a job situation, relationship woes, or personal goals.

As you know I love and recommend a good read called “Succeed – How We Can Reach Our Goals” (by Heidi Halvorson) and in it is suggested that persistence is a mind-set that helps you deal more effectively with a steady stream of challenges and obstacles.  Persistence is about a belief system that we have of ourselves and our abilities, and about what it takes to succeed.

Our personal belief system will literally make or break us sometimes.

But I got thinking about that, and sometimes even when we believe in ourselves – others don’t. So that in spite of our persistence, things don’t always work in our favor. We don’t get the job that we coveted, or the relationship falls apart, or we don’t lose the weight we keep hanging on to.

What are you suppose to do then? Give up?

Giving up is not personally in my DNA. Something tends to rise up within me and I keep going back and attacking the goal time and time again.  Does it get draining? Absolutely. But I like to think I have stamina and the right attitude that allows me to keep at it.  If I didn’t get something I wanted, or I lost a very important thing, I know that I’m going to be persistent in attacking the end goal in a different way because, I guess like John Wayne….I’ve got grit!

Now get this…..(according to Chapter 12), did you know that people who are persistent in the face of difficulty are far more likely to be successful than those who are less gritty?  That’s encouraging.

What do you do if you feel like you don’t have grittiness?

Well, for one thing you can increase your grittiness by choosing the right goals – I know it seems ridiculous to suggest that you can have wrong goals, but you have to know your belief system and why you choose your particular goal so that in the long run it is easier to attain and you feel the success that often alludes you.

So I leave you with this.  It is not that you lack the necessary ability to reach your goal, it’s how you look at the goal. And in the long run it takes good ol’ effort, planning and persistence to succeed – and it will do wonders for your grit.

This will be the last time I suggest it, but if you’re looking for a way to jumpstart your personal goals, you need to settle in and read this book.  It’s good.