If You Can’t Say Something Nice…

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Today’s Challenge: If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.

 

 

 

 

Remember this old saying? I still love and try to follow the wonderful advice.

During times when I’m not feeling good about myself or I’m not happy in my life, it is harder to follow today’s challenge.

In person, this rule is easy–I never want to intentionally say something hurtful to other people. But I’ve noticed that sometimes I make comments about people on TV, usually reporters–the news is about all I watch these days. “I think she has extensions.” or “His nose is crooked.” I mean really, who the hell do I think I am? Probably jealous! 🙂

And occasionally I’ll make a comment about somebody I’ve talked to over the phone–mainly just to vent my own frustrations.  And in truth, it is probably lack of control… these people are not doing things the way I think things should be done! LOL

I don’t like put downs or negativity, especially when it comes from me. I don’t like how it feels in my body. I don’t like how I feel when I make a negative comment about somebody out loud.

It is so true that like attracts like. When I’m feeling good and happy about the direction of my life, everybody around me is awesome, beautiful, capable, smart, talented, brave…. and I’m blessed. But when I’m not thrilled in my life or having a bad week, I’m just not so sure the people around me are all that great either! LOL

So I’m going to try to count my blessings everyday, focus only on the good qualities of the people around me, and stick to today’s challenge for the rest of my life. 🙂

Realize that Sometimes it’s Just Not a Good Idea…

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Today’s Challenge: Realize that sometimes it’s just not a good idea to talk.

 

 

 

 

Monday I had a full day of stressful work, and I didn’t even get to the halfway mark when my man came home. He came in all chipper and said, “I gave you the whole day to work. You must be all caught up now. You have to feel great!” Of course that’s not how I was feeling at all. I was disappointed in myself for not achieving my goal, I was fighting a headache, and I was stressed. He asked me about my day and as I started to tell him, I could feel my tension building. I was becoming angry for no real reason, and I felt like I was angry at him. But then suddenly my gut told me to stop talking. “… Honey, I really don’t want to talk about work tonight.” And he said, “I don’t either.” We quickly merged into talking about other things, holding hands, and enjoying the rest of the night. It’s funny how I could have been a big crab-ass that night, but by me just listening to my gut, and deciding not to share my day, I had a wonderful night with my man. 🙂

Don’t Always Trust…

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Today’s Challenge: Don’t always trust nature or time to figure things out.

Most of the time we have to step in and take control of our destiny.

 

 

 

Shorty and MarekAbout Marek, (possibly) our new German Shepherd and Shorty, our Pug… Back Home But Missing the German Shepherd The German Shepherd is almost 3 and still wants to play. Our Pug is almost 9 and doesn’t want to play… or at least not as rough as an 85 pound young dog.

Most of my dog-loving, dog-owning family and friends keep telling me to “leave them alone, let them play. They’ll figure it out.” But because my Pug has been attacked in the past, I’m over protective. I don’t want Shorty to EVER get attacked again. So, yes, I was a little annoyed that people were so annoyed with me over my constant watch over both of the dogs. After a few days of all of us being together, we (the humans) started to believe what others were telling us “leave them alone, let them play. They’ll figure it out” and so we did. The playing got rougher and Shorty started to go after Marek to put him in his place. I didn’t like what was happening at all… it felt like the tension was escalating. I felt like I wasn’t protecting my baby from the bully.

My man is good friends with an amazing professional dog trainer, so we took Marek to his place so we could do some work with him. We spent a couple of hours, and I asked a lot of questions. He told me that we shouldn’t let Marek touch Shorty. “You don’t let dogs figure it out, we figure it out for them. We make the rules, they don’t.” He also told us that Marek was trying to show dominance over Shorty and that was not good. Just as I had suspected, Marek was being a bully.

We quickly put an end to the “playing.” Marek can’t put his paw on her back or try to nibble on her feet. Marek is not allowed to touch Shorty.

Oh, what a difference! I feel good about this! Shorty is protected. Marek is learning boundaries. And we now live in a much happier home… together. 🙂

Research the President Who Was in Office…

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Today’s Challenge: Research the President who was in office the year you were born.

 

 

 

 

I was curious this weekend so I did a little research on the President who was in office the year I was born and what was happening in the world at that time. Not only did I learn something new, I exercised my brain a little over the weekend. 🙂

Don’t Drink and Drive, and…

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Today’s Challenge: Don’t drink and drive, and discourage others from drinking and driving.

 

 

 

 

Years ago, when I was in my early twenties, I made the mistake of drinking and driving. I had been at a party with friends when I realized I had forgotten something at home. I was about a mile from my apartment so I made the dumb mistake of getting in my car after drinking a couple of beers. Feeling invincible, I raced home. It wasn’t until I was in my apartment parking lot that I realized a cop was parked behind me with his red and blue lights flashing. Then my life flashed in front of me–I thought I had just ruined my life. I was scared. Not so cocky anymore. I admitted to the cop that I had been drinking, and so I had to do the sobriety and breath test. I’m pretty sure I passed both, but I assured him I’d never drink and drive again and I would stay home the rest of the night–I wouldn’t go back to the party. He never did tell me if I passed or failed, but he did lecture me the way a father might. That night I stayed home feeling blessed for the important lesson, and I vowed that I would never again drink and drive. All these years later, I have kept that promise. 🙂

Get Rid of the Clutter…

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Today’s Challenge: Get rid of the clutter around you that weighs you down.

 

 

 

 

 

I just did this… I filed some old paid bills, cleaned out a couple of closets, and organized my desk. Feeling good my friends! 🙂

Take a Moment to…

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Today’s Challenge: Take a moment to go outside and take 10 deep breaths of fresh air.

When Somebody Tells You How They Feel…

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Today’s Challenge: When somebody tells you how they feel, acknowledge their feelings, apologize if you should, and then try a little harder to help them feel better. Most people share because they want to be closer, not because they want to create more distance.

Weight Gain and My Yearly Physical

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my weighin 10-13-14

I have a physical every year, and for the last four years my doctor has told me, “You’ve gained another pound. I want you to stop doing that.” Because I’m getting older, she would like me to maintain my weight. She said that as I age, the weight will be harder to get off, so it’s best to not gain anymore.

A couple of months before my physical this year, I knew I had gain a few pounds–All my clothes were tighter. What can I say, I had become a little less active and spent most of my time in front of my computer writing (I almost typed eating! LOL), so I hired a personal trainer. I figured I’d shape up before my appointment, so I could avoid the lecture about gaining another pound.

I loved working out with a strict trainer, I felt great, and I even started looking a little better.

In my doctor’s office, at weigh in, I wasn’t too nervous. I had taken my healthy lifestyle to the next level, and even if I had gained that extra yearly pound, I knew I’d lose it before long. So when she didn’t mention my weight… feeling confident, I bravely asked her. “How’s my weight this year? I know you don’t like me gaining that extra pound.”

“Well, let me take a look at your weight last year.” She checked the computer screen. “You’ve gained five pounds.”

“What?!” I started laughing. “Oh, dear! It’s happening.”

She asked, “Have you changed your diet? You still exercise, right?”

“My diet hasn’t changed, and yes I still exercise.” I answered, but I knew exactly what had happened. Too much time sitting at my computer over the last year.

And the truth is, I always watch what I eat, but sometimes I don’t feel like eating healthy. Sometimes I want to eat junk food or eat too much. I like having choices.

I love to workout but sometimes my workouts are a little hit and miss. Sometimes I don’t feel like working out, so I skip it once in a while. I love making these decisions.

I’m going to take off this five pounds over the next month or so for two reasons. I don’t want to buy new (bigger) pants–I like the clothes I have.

And, I want to stay healthy. 🙂

 

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