HungryForLife

Clearning

March makes me think of spring cleaning; that month in between winter and spring when I’m antsy from being cooped up indoors (yes even here in Florida!) but the perfect weather days are still fleeting. So I find myself making room in my life for what comes next—it’s the perfect time to clean, clear, and learn: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Visit 31 Days of Clearning to read the definition and then Clearning Made Easy and don’t miss the Clearning Salon!

Stacy Brice is an amazing coach and communicator and I am thrilled to be able to participate in these free calls. If you don’t know Stacy give her a shout on Facebook or Twitter and come join the clearning!

 

Stacy wrote this on her blog about why she offers the 31 Days projects:

Yesterday, in a conversation with a beloved friend, she asked me why I do this thing every month--especially since it takes a lot of time, and I've not monetized it.

The only answer I have is, I love it. I love it and I believe in the power of what can happen when people commit to taking action in one specific direction for a certain amount of time. 

And what's worth more than that?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Absolute Yes! List

I’ve been participating in Stacy’s Self Care Salon and we are reading or re-reading Cheryl Richardson’s Take Time for Your Life. The timing was perfect for me as I have turned my life upside down as caretaker for my aging mom and my self care had become less than zero.

My first accomplishment was to create My Absolute Yes! List to prioritize where I spend my time and focus. The process is simple—if it’s not on the ‘yes’ list it’s a no. ;)

I also created a list of my top ten energy drains and procrastinations. I am happy to say this month I have completed almost ALL of them and feel lighter, open, and energized!

What’s on your YES list?

Mapping my way

Me and Mom made Vision Boards or Life Maps—we shared, connected, and thoroughly enjoyed our time together!

Mom's theme was joy and happiness:

I've been reading Take Time for Your Life as part of the Self Care Salon with Stacy Brice so self-care was my theme:

top portion

 center section

the end!

Cheryl Richardson suggests these steps:

Review your Life Map and ask yourself the following questions:

• What have I learned about myself from looking at my Life Map?
• Do I see any patterns?
• Does anything on my Life Map surprise me?
• If I knew that all of the images and this Life Map would come in to my life, would I be OK with that?
• Who do I need to become in order to fulfill the intentions on my Life Map?
• Based on my Life Map, what quality will I commit to developing this year?

Traveling lite

Prior to my weight loss journey I used to eat out often and to excess. Now I find that I’d rather cook, which is a revelation! When I do feel like a splurge I eat fried shrimp or lasagna—foods I don’t cook at home. Yes, I still eat my favs but not often and I don’t overeat when I do have them. I’ve learned that a little goes a long way; a few bites or tastes can often satisfy a craving.

Obviously fast food restaurants don’t work for my eating preferences: nutritious, fresh, organic whenever possible, and unprocessed. Subway is one of the few food chains that meet several of my priorities and I enjoy veggies on honey oat bread weekly.

I’m a homebody and work from home so my food is only a room away. When I go out either thrift shopping with mom or running errands where I end up at the Y for my workout the smartest habit I’ve created is that of taking food with me. I may think I won't get hungry while I'm out but I know I will. I have the perfect oversized insulated lunch bag and fill it with bottled water, yogurt, granola, fruit, crackers, cereal, and a Weight Watchers treat. Traveling with mom invariably takes longer than I anticipate so I pack her favorites as well and if I know we’ll be gone over lunchtime I make our lunch as well as snacks so we can stop and enjoy a picnic.

Planning ahead takes time and commitment. It was a pain in the butt at first. The big picture is it saves both my health and money and is an act of extreme self care to think of and take action to meet my needs and support myself in this way. These little acts of self care and kindness have a big impact!

I’d love to hear how you practice extreme self care around how you eat.

It happened to us

Today, after a week with a miserable cold, I returned to the world of feeling human. I stopped thinking only of myself and turned my attention to those in need. My first response to the devastation in Haiti was to ask myself how I can help. Then I allowed doubt to seep in and chose not to act, “What difference can I make?”

Today I lit candles and spoke out loud a prayer for the people of Haiti both living and dead. I asked the Universe for healing, an end to pain and suffering, for survivors to find the strength and faith to go on, for opportunity and possibility to be born from the ashes of tragedy. Those two flickering candles of hope represent the flame of my love for humanity and my unwavering belief in our connectedness. This disaster happened to us.

I found five worthy organizations on this blog: Chris Sacca and donated ten bucks to each one. Thanks Patti for pointing the way.

How I can make a difference? Inspire you dear reader to take the time to pray; to contribute: financially, volunteer your time to fundraise, join a local relief group and brainstorm how you can help.

I do make a difference. So do you.

Blessings.

The place God calls you to...

Last week I listened to another I Can Do It seminar and the speaker was one of my favorite Hay House authors, Christiane Northrup, M.D.  Last year I listened to one of her CD’s The Power of Joy and found her quite funny and wise. I was looking forward to another dose of her unique humor and I was delighted to find her just as hysterical when talking about either a woman’s G-spot or the need for vitamin D via twenty minute daily sun baths. Wise, wonderful, and witty—what's not to love?

I took away this thought provoking quote and another magically rewarding coloring experience:

"The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet." — Frederick Buechner (Wishful Thinking: A Seeker's ABC)

What's in a name?

Today is my baby’s birthday, she’s twenty-four. How did this little being that used to live inside of me become the amazing young woman I know today? I'm awed and honored. What a gift another soul gives you when you become a parent.

I reminisce and remember baby love on this day every year. It’s so easy for me to see that innocent free spirit of her childhood but I also see them hidden a little more each year as she becomes who she thinks she should be or who others expect her to be. I know it's a part of our human journey and have faith she'll stay true to herself.

This reminded me of my own inner child and how important it is to let her know she’s safe, loved, and still worthy of contributing to my life. Let your inner child shine! Today’s self care: experience unfettered joy, delight, and playfulness!

Before our bundle of love was born we had two girl names and two boy names picked out. We went with girl name number one and as soon as I saw her I knew it wasn’t a good fit, I didn’t know that about names before that moment. Does our name choose us? The first person in the delivery room to ask me her name said, “Oh my sister-in-law just named her baby that.” That isn’t what a brand new mom wants to hear—I wanted her name to original and unique. But I had chosen and said it out loud.

I had been moved from a midwives birth center to the hospital due to a prolonged labor and their rules were we had to stay five hours with a newborn. We were out of there on jello like legs the moment they’d let us go and gingerly motored our way home with our new treasure sound asleep in her little car seat.

The whole trip was surreal and then I said to my DH, who had endured every moment of labor with me: his hand in my vise like grip, “She doesn’t look like her name, I know it’s not right, are you okay with changing her name?” Smart hubby that he is he didn’t say he liked the first name better he said, “Anything for you.” And the next day he made the one hour trip back to Gainesville and endured the registrars withering gaze as he officially changed our daughter’s name to Brin Leah Allen.

Happy birthday Brin, you’ll always be our baby girl, thank you for blessing our lives with yours.

Excuses begone

Wednesday's self care: I had a sore throat and the sniffles so took it easy with work  tasks, although they seemed to take my mind off of how yucky I felt. I let my DH cook and wait on me. ;-)

Last night I was really tired but it was the first    I Can Do It Seminar with Wayne Dyer so I got out my Mandala coloring book and colored and listened for ninety minutes.

Here's what I took away from Wayne's conversation: What would my life look like if I couldn't use the excuse I've been using?

Miracle in progress

Today’s self care: counting my blessings, asking for prayers.

My sister-in-law and brother-in-law almost lost their youngest son in an auto accident about five years ago. He was driving alone and lost consciousness hit a tree with his truck and then went through a side window and hit a tree with his head. It was a close call. Zack is a fighter and he had his family—a large, stubborn, loving family to help him through his crisis.

He endured several dangerous surgeries, severe scarring on his face, lost vision in one eye and the other eye was damaged but saved. He rallied and was living life fully when…

Last week Zack had an accident on a four-wheeler and was hospitalized at Shands at the University of Florida for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). He’s in the ICU and once again it’s a close call; he’s been in an induced coma to protect him from the swelling on his brain. Today he opened his eyes responded with a thumbs up and winked at his Dad in response to questions. These are all miraculous signs! Go Zack! (Thanks to CaringBridge.org for their wonderful website that helps us all keep in touch.)

I forget how fragile we are, what a gossamer thread our lifeline is made of. Life can change in an instant and when it does we always return to love—to the people we love, the relationships that are essential to our happiness and well-being. Tragedy makes us live in the moment and puts our lives in perspective. Love is always present; we’re simply not always present to love.

I send you and your loved ones blessings of safety and well-being. I ask you to say a prayer, or send healing vibrations, or chat with the Universe on Zack’s behalf, and for the Jones family to have him back whole and happy—their miracle in progress. We love you Zack!

Because I'm worth it

Yesterday was all about productivity; I zipped out client tasks and ticked off one item after another on my action list. In the late afternoon mom and I worked on a project and after repeatedly attempting to communicate, followed by a bathroom episode, I felt like a wrung out towel.

By evening all I wanted was our snuggy couch and a book or movie to wind down with. My commitment to my self care is what got me on the treadmill when it was the last thing I wanted to do. That and Jeff set it up for me and kept me accountable. ;) I read a new novel while I walked, I felt more energized and forty-five minutes passed in a flash. Exercising when I don’t want to is a huge feat for me and I felt accomplished and true to my word to myself.

My highest level of self care is my health: maintaining my weight and fitness level. And when that little voice in my head starts in with, “Awwww I don’t need to exercise—the extra pounds are gone.” I tell it loudly, “Yes I do!” Exercise is a de-stressor for me, releases feel good endorphins, and keeps burning calories even after my workout. My mood lifts, I feel rejuvenated, plus I experience a mental clarity that sharpens my focus.

Once I’m moving it’s all good! Making that decision to move is the challenge. Not  physically but emotionally. This type of self-support goes against my role of being the caretaker of everyone else. My day was a testament to me fulfilling other’s needs and then wanting to bail on my own. So it’s more than just telling myself I can do it or to just do it, but that I’m worth it and it’s okay to be all about me and my wellbeing. Picture this: me doing the silky hair toss, and saying in a low sultry voice, “Because I’m worth it.” (Made ya smile!)

So, what are you worth?