Transform Your Life

"Something we were withholding made us weak,

until we found it was ourselves."

~ Robert Frost ~

Today's Assignment:

See what you are willing to give yourself to. 

It doesn't have to be something big.

Wholeheartedness is a process and a habit.

the brief guide to life

I read, that the following quote of only 5 words make up the shortest guide to life...

"Smile, breathe & go slowly"

Thích Nhất Hạnh

(buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet & peace activist)

If you need something a little more comprehensive, try the brief guide to life...

less TV, more reading

less shopping, more outdoors

less clutter, more space

less rush, more slowness

less consuming, more creating

less junk, more real food

less busywork, more impact

less driving, more walking

less noise, more solitude

less focus on the future, more on the present

less work, more play

less worry, more smiles

breathe

Easy peasy lemon squeezy???

An Argument for Self-Love

Another WONDERFUL re-post from Already Pretty.

 Enjoy! I sure did!

So many women default to self-loathing. Or, at the very least, self-neutrality. Pride is a sin, after all, and it’s more socially acceptable to trash-talk your own body than it is to praise it. Our society has conflated humility with self-deprecation, which makes open acknowledgment of your own beauty, power, and worth absolutely taboo.

But there are so many reasons to cultivate self-love, so many reasons to let go of loathing. I talk a lot about how to love yourself here, but today let’s talk about why.

Hating yourself and loathing your body sucks up energy. LOTS of energy. If you can diminish or eradicate those circular thought patterns, you’ll liberate that energy for other tasks, goals, and ruminations. I promise you’ll be amazed at how invigorated you feel once you’ve cast off that incessant fretting.

Happiness is important, but serenity is vital. And it can feel impossible to achieve when you’re busily judging yourself. Because even when the more immediate worries clear out, self-loathing is still there, whirring busily in the background and keeping you agitated. Make it stop, and serenity is within reach. Learn to love yourself, and happiness follows close behind.

Acceptance of your own beauty opens you up to a more diverse beauty ideal. Once you acknowledge that yes, indeed, you are a gorgeous, luminous creature, other equally gorgeous and luminous creatures appear all around you. Seeing beauty in others begins with recognizing it within yourself.

Self-loathing often goes hand-in-hand with self-deprecation, which puts other people at a distance. It’s not your job to make everyone in the world comfortable with you, of course. But the more comfortable you are with yourself, the easier you are to talk to, relate to, love.

When you’re trapped by your own self-hatred, it can make simple tasks seem impossible. It can fool you into believing that you’re not capable or strong, or that you couldn’t possibly put forth the effort required to meet your goals. Yes, hating your body affects your confidence in other areas of life and diminishes your overall self-worth. Letting go of that negativity allows you to reclaim the power to act and achieve. When you love yourself, you value yourself, and you act accordingly.

People love you. They do, and they always will. But in the end, you must be your own champion. The only person who can truly teach the world about your marvelous, sensual, graceful, unique, lovely, and undeniably beautiful self is YOU. When you believe you’re beautiful, the world believes right along with you.

Loving yourself is hard. It’s work. It’s never-ending and there are a thousand forces working against your success. But believe me when I say it is worth the effort. You are worth the effort. Put that effort forth and you will be dazzled by the world of opportunity that unfolds before you.

I don't even think I know any Jones'

Do not overrate what you have received,

nor envy others.

He who envies others,

does not obtain peace of mind.

~Buddha~

I came upon this quote, and it really struck a chord with me. 

My hubby & I have really been "struggling" with us, as a family,  and us as a society as of late, in regards to material objects, and how it relates to personal happiness & personal well-being etc.  I have to interrupt my own story here with hubby's version of the quote...

You can't live your life in someone else's pocket.

Ok, not really the same but I think I know what he was getting at...

I'm not proud to admit it, but I definitely overrate what I have received. Daily. I'm fairly sure that we all do.  And I am also fairly certain that at some point or another, we all envy others.  It's human nature and part of our society & every day life in this day and age.  Gotta have more than the Jones'.  Must have that new car, that new jacket, the newest tech toy, the hippest gym membership, the spa days, the best this, that and the other...you KNOW what I am talking about. 

Now, like I said, this is our society.  I think it's a somewhat healthy part of human nature to want things.  It fosters drive & creativity, teaches discipline and manners.  But when the want is never satisfactory and the things are never enough...what next?  I bet you want that peace of mind.  Heck, it's down right tiring trying to keep up with the Jones' ! I know that I want that peace of mind.  Not just for myself, but my family too!

It's a time honoured phrase you hear out of your mother's mouth, your friend's mouth, your spouse's mouth...be happy with what you have.  And that is easier said than done.  I say it to the boys all the time...and can't even take my own advice! That may well be a lifestyle shift.  A shift of focus. 

So this is my new personal challenge,  no more overrating, no more other people's pockets, no more Jones'

Ok, ok, we all know I can't just say that and do it.  Can you? 

I'm not saying I won't buy that new jacket, or want to go to the spa...I'm just saying...baby steps....peace of mind.

Welcome!

Here it is! My NEW blog!

Some of you knew I was on Rocketgirl hiatus, some of you may have had an inkling that I was revamping...Why do I need a revamping you ask? Well, when I started blogging, it was blind & unknowing...totally fun. I STILL find it totally fun, but I want to blog about different things. 

I will definitely still keep posting to The Amazing Adventures of Rocketgirl ... which I LOVE, cuz it IS fun...a fun little blog about nothing & everything all at once.

I wanted to start a new blog though, to reflect the many changes going on & about to be going on...in my life.  This blog is going to be more focused on wellness, health, perspective, peace, balance, love , personal fulfillment and my journey in attempting to attain it all (don't worry, there will be some fun thrown in there too!).

I think it can be done.  An ambitious task? You bet! But I am up for the challenge.  Did that all seem a little vague & confusing? Don't worry, it won't be for long!