Girls Night Out Therapy

Never underestimate the power of a girls night out.

Getting a girls night out might sound to some like some frivolous night of hanging out, having some wine, and gossiping, but that isn't all of it.

Getting out and getting around other women to chat, swap stories, and support each other can go a long way in bringing a woman back to center and here's why;

• Other women understand body issues. From periods to menopause, you have to be a woman to know about these things.
• Facing problems. A lot of the things a woman faces at work and at home are shared by other women. 
• They appreciate the "war stories" of work and home life because they can identify with them.
• Women understand marriage and men better than men. (sorry guys, it's the secret knowledge shared by all women.)
• They are ready with advice with everything from daycare to pet care to skincare. Really? Where else can you get all that in the same place?
• They share a lot of the same dreams. The direction might be a little different but the road they need to get there is similar. 

So, call your girlfriends and set a date. A standing date to get out once a month. It just might save your soul. 

Life Choices vs Your Bliss

This card came from
Affirminators inspiration cards
found on Amazon.

I think there are certain times of your life when you look back and think about choices. Some are good, some make you wonder...what the heck was I thinking?

I remember my mother once asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up and I answered with total confidence; an artist. I was  probably in grammar school, maybe third or fourth grade. Her response? Artists don't make any money, pick something else.

There was a moment of confusion. How could I be anything other than what I wanted to be? Was it possible to just "pick something else?" I remember thinking, "but that's what I am."

So, I picked other things but never with enough gusto to fall in love with them. It was like a life on idle. March through it and come out on the other side realizing I'm bored, empty inside, and (as a dental assistant) a little grossed out by the blood and teeth stuff. I've drifted from job to job just trying to find that missing bliss and wondering what the heck was wrong with me.

My brother is a journalist. Newspapers were always his passion. I remember when we were younger there was always a newspaper spread out in front of him. He'd read every word and eventually went to college for journalism and is now an editor for a major newspaper. He found his bliss. He knew his bliss from an early age and, most importantly, it was an acceptable bliss. It made money. It supported a family.

I envy those who find their bliss early in life. A friend, a 1st grade teacher, once told me she never worked a day in her life, because she loved her job so much. Another acceptable bliss.

Don't get me wrong, I don't blame my mother. She grew up during the great depression and knew what poverty could do to a family, to a neighborhood, to a nation. She only wanted me to be able to get a viable job. The label of "starving artist" was all she knew.

Fast forward to 2016. Imagine what I could do with an art degree today? There are so many opportunities for graphic artists. So many ways to sell art in this digital age. The possibilities are endless, but are any of them with my grasp? Building an art career at my age is intimidating, but can I do enough to be happy? Self supporting? Would my type of art be sell-able?
So many questions... Between regular 9 to 5 job and other life stuff, how much time is there to create art that would be good enough to sell?

So, did you find your bliss?

Treadmills and Road Blocks

A long road trip & moving furniture equals back ache. Yikes!

For a week my back has been twisted muscles sending waves of pain every time I lifted, turned or bent over.  All just in time for the treadmill I bought last week and the plan I have for taking off some pounds. (30 or 40 of the little buggers)

Now I have to start. This week of heating pads and Icy Hot are wearing on me, frustrating me, and its time for a change. Ten minutes on the treadmill won't hurt, right? It might even help.

Sometimes I forget my age, I forge ahead and just do things. Get things done and never look back. Other times it weighs on me. It's like a slap down; "Oh no, you're getting older every day! Don't forget that!"

I'm watching Grace and Frankie. A Netflix original about two women who find out their husbands have been having an affair with each other. Now there two older women (Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin) need to figure out their new lives as they watch their husbands go off and marry each other.  Together Grace and Frankie show everything can be possible in spite of their ages. They are true to their personal styles and go forth and conquer.

I think this reminds me that I need to figure out that personal style thing. Somewhere between getting married young, raising kids, gaining weight, and working I lost that personal style thing. I dress in what fits and what's comfortable.

So, how does one find their personal style after all these years?

Rohn: How to Deal With the Negative Influences in Your Life

Found this interesting article on Success.com. Some of this stuff I wish I had read years ago.



Rohn: How to Deal With the Negative Influences in Your Life

Staying Inspired

One of the things I've discovered is staying inspired is work.

Motivation can come from the inside, but I believe to keep moving forward, it's a good idea to constantly see new forms of it.

Do you get the Darren Daily podcasts? Read inspiring, motivational/life coaching books by people like Ken Blanchard, Jim Rohn or Napolian Hill.  Not running a business? Don't think you can't learn something from a book about business and how it applies to life. Successful people who share what keeps them motivated can still inspire you in your daily life. I love Stephen King's book; On Writing. Yes, its about writing but in this book he tells the story of how he got to where he is today. His story about never giving up and doing what he loves is inspiring and can be applied to any walk of life.

Look up quotes of inspiration and hang them where you can read them everyday. A daily reminder to keep positive can go a long way in setting up your day.

Check out You Tube for inspiration. Type in the word; Motivation and see what pops up. Check out a few and if you find a speaker you like click that subscribe button so you get their latest updates. You don't have to commit to watching/listening to them all or even listening to the whole thing, but one might pick you up when you're loosing the will to push yourself.

Some kinds of motivation will click, some won't. Try them all and keep the best. Here's a few of my favorite quotes! What are yours?

That Elusive Animal; Exercise

I'm going to exercise, I plan to exercise, I know how to exercise....

So why do I spend my nights on the couch?

I had a treadmill and usually used it. I sold it for unknown reasons...
Now I miss my treadmill and I'm searching for a new one, but HOLY CRAP! they are expensive.  $500 for a decent one that looks like I could, might, someday run on it? (If I ever get up to the running thing)

Sports Authority is closing so last week I toddled on over to see if I could get a deal on a decent treadmill.
Yeah- No. They were still super expensive. I'm going again today to see if the prices are any lower.
I think when stores go out of business, they mark up prices before setting the discount. The sign says 70% off! However that doesn't apply to everything in the store. That 70% might be for a single dumbbell.  Do they really think we're that dumb?
Maybe? Because I'm going back today to see if there are any real deals.

So anyone out there exercising? Any motivational tips VERY WELCOME!

Couch vs Exercise & a Chihuahua

It's 3 a.m. and the Chihuahua woke me up.

I think she was either spooked by maybe some thunder rumbling in the area (I heard nothing) or she was hungry.

Now I'm wide awake and she's snoozing on the couch beside me. Oh, the things we do for our pups. She'll also get to sleep all day while I go to work. I think I'm going to have to take her for a nice long walk tonight to make sure she sleeps through the night.

I've walked two miles a day for the past few days. When I finish my legs feel like lead. I don't remember this from when I used to walk...age? I think no matter what happens after 50 we tend to blame it on age. Eyesight? Thinning hair? (Take the Hair, Skin, Nails vitamin in the pink box.) Sore joints?

Bah! I'm thinking it's not age that got us there, but inactivity. As we get wrapped up in life, exercise takes a back seat and that couch looks better and better. Then the couch becomes our habit and it's all down hill from there. So from now on my mantra is; Exercise before Couch. If the couch calls, I must earn the couch time with walking and weights.

Except at 3 a.m.

Good night ....again.