Cheryl L. Ilov's Blog, page 22
January 9, 2017
More Fit Tips for a Healthy New Year
1). Visualize success.
Imagine yourself achieving your goals. Close your eyes and see yourself as the fit and healthy person you want to be. If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. The practice of visualization is a powerful tool to help you accomplish your goals, and even go beyond what you thought was possible. Professional athletes and performing artists have used the power of visualization for years to improve their performance on the field and on the stage. They continue to practice it, because it works for them. Just imagine (so to speak), what it can do for you!
2). Stay positive.
Remember to give yourself positive messages. What we tell ourselves is what we believe, and what we believe is what we achieve. Our brain and our nervous system is always receiving and processing the messages it hears. Words are incredibly powerful; use them for the power of good. All of us fall on our face every now and then. Remember, there is no such thing as failure, just opportunities to learn and grow.
It is also important to surround yourself with positive people. Negative people can bring you down and even sabotage your efforts.
3). Recruit a friend.
Partner up with a friend with the same goals that you have. By doing so, you can help and encourage each other, as well as share your progress. You can also buoy each other up when the going gets tough. You can hold each other accountable in accomplishing your goals. Besides, it's a lot more fun to travel the path of health and fitness with someone else.
Wishing you all the best in health and fitness!
Forever Fit and Flexible: Feeling Fabulous at Fifty and BeyondCheryl L. Ilov
January 7, 2017
Memories, and Ghosts of Christmas Past
Memories are the best part of Christmas celebrations. And making those memories are even better. For most of us, Christmas has come and gone. But not for me, it hasn’t. My decorations are still up, along with my tree. My tree is the only one that lights up the neighborhood at night, and my neighbors are probably wondering why I haven’t given it up yet. However, I cling to my decorations as much as I cling to my memories, and the ghosts of Christmas past.
I was born into a family that was lucky enough to celebrate Christmas twice in two weeks. My mother’s parents were from Eastern Europe, and were Serbian Orthodox. That’s a tribe (so to speak) that celebrates Christmas on January 7th instead of December 25th. As a child, it was a little confusing, no matter how many times my mother explained to me and my sisters. But it didn’t matter. What did matter was that we got a bonus Christmas.
And that second Christmas was almost more magical than the first one. Santa Claus came on December 25th, but on January 7th, we got something better than Santa. We got a special holiday with our cousins. And our grandfather.
My grandfather was the one person who loved Orthodox Christmas even more than we kids did. To make it even more special, it was the birthday of his first grandchild, my oldest sister. And something she lorded over the rest of us for at least forty years. My grandfather would make a fuss over her, and then the rest of us, as he presided over the huge family meal.
Speaking of the family meal, every year the women outdid themselves, and I can only imagine the amount of work and preparation that went into it. But I can guess–they didn’t seem to enjoy the day quite as much as my grandfather did. Along with all of the food, there was always a single tall candle in the middle of the table that remained lit for the entire day. And next to it was a bottle of good whiskey.
The bottle sat there, untouched, next to the candle until the meal was finished and the trays of cookies were laid out. Then, with great ceremony, my grandfather would pour a shot of whiskey for each of the men. (He wasn’t discriminating–the women just didn’t drink shots of whiskey back then). That would signal the official end of the meal, but not the end of the celebration. The party went on forever!
When my grandfather was gone, my Uncle presided over the table for the next twenty-five years. After he passed, my Aunt took over. The tradition still continues to this day, in that house in Western Pennsylvania, with a few changes along the way. For one, the women have no problem imbibing in the traditional shot of whiskey.
Today, I will celebrate Christmas in my heart, and remember all of the wonderful lessons I learned from my grandfather. First, it’s important to stick with tradition. It’s also important to sing at the top of your lungs, no matter where you are or who is listening. Play practical jokes on people and laugh at them. Laugh even harder when the joke’s on you. A sense of humor keeps you young at heart. Also, never underestimate the value of a shot of good whiskey, especially when you’re sharing with friends and family. And speaking of family, that’s the most important lesson of all. Stay together, love each other, laugh, cry, fight with each other, and always remember that they have your back.
Today I will pour myself a shot of whiskey, raise a toast to my grandfather, and thank him for the memories, and the ghosts of Christmas past. What a gift he gave us, and what wonderful lessons of love he left for us. I would end by saying Merry Christmas, but I’ll stick with tradition….Hristos se Rodi!
The post Memories, and Ghosts of Christmas Past appeared first on Ilov Integrated Arts.
January 2, 2017
Fit Tips for a Healthy New Year
1). Set clear and specific goals.
Rather than making a general statement such as "I want to lose weight," set a more well-defined goal. For example, "I will lose 2-3 pounds over the next 6-8 weeks." This will allow you to focus on what you would like to accomplish within a set time frame, rather than a generalized statement of wanting to lose weight. Several years ago, when my weight was spiraling out of control, my goal was to stop gaining weight instead of losing it. I know--it was not a very lofty goal, but it was pretty specific and I knew I could probably accomplish it.
2). Set challenging but reasonable goals.
It’s important to challenge yourself, but you want to be careful not to go overboard and overwhelm yourself with unrealistic expectations. Set small, incremental goals that are reasonable to achieve, and pay attention to the journey instead of the end result. If you start by declaring you want to lose 20 pounds before swim suit season, it’s easy to get discouraged and throw in the towel before you even begin.
3). Write your goals down, and track your progress.
When you think about wanting to do something, it’s just an abstract idea floating around. However, once you write it down, the idea then has intention, purpose, and direction. Keep a written record of your progress, including when you have met your goals and when you have fallen short. Notice I did not say failed; there is no such thing as failure, just another opportunity to re-evaluate your approach and learn from what might not be working for you.
These are just a few tips to help you on your journey. Wishing you a very Happy, Healthy New Year!
Forever Fit and Flexible: Feeling Fabulous at Fifty and Beyond
New Year, Same You….Only Better
Here we are, at the beginning of another New Year. Anything is possible in a new year, including keeping our New Year’s Resolutions. It doesn’t matter what your plans are, but it does matter very much how you implement them. So, whether you would like to exercise more, lose weight, get in shape, eat healthier, improve your finances or your relationships, here are a few simple steps to keep in mind to help you accomplish your goals.
1). Set clear and specific goals.
Rather than making a general statement such as “I want to lose weight,” set a more well-defined goal. For example, “I will lose 2-3 pounds over the next 4-6 weeks. This will allow you to focus on what you would like to accomplish within a set time frame, rather than a generalized statement of wanting to lose weight.
2). Set challenging but reasonable goals.
It’s important to challenge yourself, but you want to be careful not to go overboard and overwhelm yourself with unrealistic expectations. Set small, incremental goals that are reasonable to achieve, and pay attention to the journey instead of the end result. If you start by declaring you want to lose 20 pounds before swim suit season, it’s easy to get discouraged and throw in the towel before you even begin.
3). Write your goals down, and track your progress.
When you think about wanting to do something, it’s just an abstract idea floating around. However, once you write it down, the idea then has intention, purpose, and direction. Keep a written record of your progress, including when you have met your goals and when you have fallen short. Notice I did not say failed; there is no such thing as failure, just another opportunity to re-evaluate your approach and learn from what might not be working for you.
4). Visualize success.
Imagine yourself achieving your goals. Even professional athletes and performing artists have used the power of visualization for years to improve their performance on the field and on the stage. They continue to practice it, because it works for them. Just imagine (so to speak), what it can do for you!
5). Stay positive.
Remember to give yourself positive messages. What we tell ourselves is what we believe, and what we believe is what we achieve. Words are incredibly powerful; use them for the power of good. All of us fall on our face every now and then. Remember, there is no such thing as failure, just opportunities to learn and grow.
These are just a few general guidelines to follow in your journey to a great new year. I am certain you can come up with a few creative and innovative tips of your own, so please share your thoughts and ideas; I would love to hear from you! In the meantime, may you enjoy a year ahead filled with peace, joy, love, laughter, and good health. I just know that 2017 is going to be a fabulous year, for all of us!
The post New Year, Same You….Only Better appeared first on Ilov Integrated Arts.
December 21, 2016
The Grinch That Couldn’t Steal Christmas
Everyone knows the story about the Grinch that stole Christmas. But I have a story about the Grinch that couldn’t steal Christmas, even though he tried. He couldn’t steal it because the faith of a child was so much stronger than he bargained for.
I was four years old, and I was sitting in church with my family. There were parts of the service that I really liked, even as a child. However, I never liked the sermon. Mostly because the priest had cold eyes, never smiled, and had a booming voice that he used to full capacity when he preached to us. And most of the time, the message wasn’t positive. There was a lot of talk about hell, purgatory, and the fate that awaited us terrible sinners.
I guess he believed in the God of vengeance rather than the God of love. When you have the bully pulpit, you can say what you want. But, it scared the crap out of me. I preferred the songs, the bells, the candles, and they way my grandparents would wink and grin at me and my sisters as they came back from communion.
On this particular Sunday morning, during the sermon I drifted off to my own pleasant day dreams to escape the threat of hellfire and damnation in my future. It was so close to Christmas that I could almost hear the bells from Santa’s sleigh. Just a few more days and that jolly old elf would slide his big old butt down the chimney of the stone fireplace that my father had masterfully built when he built the house we lived in.
However, my reverie was rudely interrupted by the booming voice from the front of the church. “There is no Santa Claus!” My head snapped up as I was brutally brought back to the present. I was so confused that I never heard the collective gasp from the adults in the church. The voice continued, “There is no Easter Bunny, or Tooth Fairy, either!” Geez, what a way to use the bully pulpit! But he certainly had my attention.
He continued to bellow that these characters were nothing by fairy tales. He said our parents told us these stories just to make us behave. I snuck a peek at my Mom and Dad, who were staring directly at the priest with looks that could freeze the hellfire that terrified me. I was pretty sure they didn’t need fairy tales to make us behave. And they looked very unhappy at this shocking news that Santa Claus was just a farce.
Suddenly, out of my confusion came the cold, hard truth. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I realized why the man with the cold eyes and booming voice never smiled. And I knew why he didn’t believe in Santa Claus–he had no faith. But, I had all the faith in the world, and I knew there was a Santa Claus just as sure I was sitting there watching the myriad of expressions on my mother’s pretty face. Apparently she knew it too.
Then I had another revelation–if he could be so wrong about Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy, I began to doubt his accuracy about hell, purgatory, and the God of vengeance. Satisfied, I sat back in the pew with my new-found knowledge and returned to my day dreams of Christmas and Santa Claus. But this time I also included the God of love in my musings. What a concept!
After mass ended, my mother bolted from the pew with about a dozen young mothers right behind her. They followed her into the rectory to have a chat with the priest. I guessed they wanted to explain to him that Santa Claus really did exist. Good luck with that. It appeared his mind was made up.
The truth is, I still believe in Santa Claus. And the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy. I believe in the magic of childhood. I also believe in the mystery and the reality of things that cannot be explained, but I know in my heart exist. Because I have faith. And nothing can ever change my mind.
And that’s my story about the original Grinch, and how he couldn’t steal Christmas from me. Because he underestimated the unshakable faith of a child. I will leave you with these parting words….”Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!”
The post The Grinch That Couldn’t Steal Christmas appeared first on Ilov Integrated Arts.
December 15, 2016
Who’s got the power? You’ve got the power….
I love going to a variety of power meetings and marketing classes. It’s a great way to meet people and learn interesting new ideas at the same time. Often, these get-togethers are pretty predictable while others are full of surprises.
I had one of those surprises a few weeks ago at a marketing class for women. It was a great class, full of terrific information. Just when I thought we were going to wrap things up, the facilitator invited us to participate in a little bit of visualization. The practice of visualization is very effective, and something I often use in my Feldenkrais classes. After all, if you can imagine it, you can become it. Or, what we believe is what we become.
She had us close our eyes and think of a woman we admired and respected–a woman who was strong and powerful. Then she recited a list of very public and high-profile women that we might want to choose from. She lost me right then, because I didn’t respect or admire any of the ones on her list. Besides, I thought she meant women that we knew personally, rather than those who were rich and famous, especially since several woman in my circle of friends fit that description perfectly.
Next, she instructed us to imagine we were one of those women, and that we had their power. Uh-oh. I didn’t like the sound of that. I didn’t want to pretend to be someone else, even just for a few minutes. And I certainly did not want (or need) somebody else’s power. I have enough of my own, thank you. And so did every woman in that room. But perhaps they didn’t know it yet.
I opened my eyes and took a sneak peek at the rest of the women in the room. They all had their eyes closed and had dreamy expressions on their faces as imagined they were one of those famous ladies. The speaker had us think about how these women would walk, talk, enter a room, the clothes she would wear, etcetera. She encouraged us to imagine ourselves walking, talking, and moving in the exact same way, so we could imitate them and have their power. Yikes!
It’s important for women to feel empowered. But, they have to find the source of their own power, deep within themselves, rather than trying to find it through somebody else. I thought about my Feldenkrais training and all of the many gifts I received and important lessons I learned from this remarkable method. The most valuable lesson was how to be true to myself as I discovered my own power along the way. It was an incredibly liberating (and powerful) experience.
All of us have an innate strength and power that most of us don’t even realize. We need find it for ourselves. Trying to find it by imitating someone else, or through hero worship results in sacrificing our own power and handing it over to them. We each need to be the woman that we admire and respect–our own true self. That’s pretty powerful in itself and a positive message that we can give ourselves. Remember, what we believe is what we become.
So, find your power, and let your light shine through. Yours is more powerful than anybody else’s, because it will come from your heart. And please don’t be afraid to share it with the world. We can all use a little more light in our lives.
The post Who’s got the power? You’ve got the power…. appeared first on Ilov Integrated Arts.
December 5, 2016
Quick Tips for Stress-Less Holidays
I love the holidays. It’s a magical time of year. However, along with the excitement and eager anticipation comes a significant amount of stress and anxiety. After all, no matter how carefully we plan our holiday festivities, sometimes they don’t always work out quite like we planned. The warm, cozy evenings with friends and family, the carefree winter days spent playing with the kids in the snow, out of town family coming to visit, and the fun-filled weekends at the shopping mall sound wonderful in theory. And then reality hits.
Let’s face it–the holidays can be an awful lot of work. Also, high expectations can lead to deep disappointments, especially when we invest so much of ourselves and our time making this the perfect holiday season for everyone else. Even worse is when you wake up on January 2nd feeling exhausted and depleted. You may even wonder how the holiday season passed by without even having the opportunity to fully enjoy it. And then you wistfully say to yourself, “Next year will be different.”
Yeah, I know. Been there and done that myself more times than I care to admit. But take heart–the key is to keep your stress levels under control, and here are three simple quick tips to help you make this year your best holiday ever.
1). Indulge yourself.
No, really, I’m serious. Put yourself at the top of your gift list and give yourself permission to indulge yourself. I don’t mean go out and buy yourself a Lexus or a fur coat. I mean spend at least 20-30 minutes every day to do something simple but pleasurable. Go for a walk to enjoy the lights in your neighborhood. Turn off the TV and relax with a cup of tea and a good book. Or, just get down on the floor and make yourself comfortable. Close your eyes, listen to the rhythm of your breathing, and let your body sink into the floor. You’ll be amazed how these simple activities will calm your nervous system, rejuvenate your senses, increase your energy, and give you a feeling of well-being.
2). Just say no.
This is the time of year that we get inundated with every type of invitation that is known to mankind. Don’t feel like you have to accept each invitation for every party, dinner, brunch, or countless performances of the Nutcracker. Just say no. If you are really looking forward to an event and want to attend, that sounds like a good investment of your time. If an event feels like an obligation that you have to attend, or if you’re dreading it, that’s a pretty clear sign to just say no and stay home.
Be selective and prioritize how you spend your time just as you as you budget how you spend your money for the holidays. Just like you don’t want to start the new year with credit cards over their limit, you don’t want to start the new year worn out and exhausted. It would be much more satisfying to have warm memories of happy holidays.
3). Step away from the phone.
Put your phone away, especially when you are shopping or doing errands. Not only does your phone distract you, trying to attend to your phone while you are doing other tasks really ratchets up your nervous system into high gear. That alone will increase your levels of stress and anxiety.
But even more important is that it presents a significant safety hazard. And I don’t mean that you might trip over an escalator or walk into a water fountain at the mall. Unfortunately, there is a dramatic increase in crime during the holiday season because people are overwhelmed, distracted, and often times careless. That is exactly what perpetrators are looking for. A distracted person makes an easy target. So please, please, please put your phone in your purse, pocket or backpack and focus on your surroundings instead of in your hand. You’ll be safer for it.
Here’s wishing you a very Merry Christmas, a safe and Happy New Year, Season’s Greetings and multiple blessings for whatever holiday you celebrate. Most of all, be healthy, and remember what really matters is to take care of yourself as well as the people closest to you. After all, your loved ones want you to enjoy the holidays, too.
The post Quick Tips for Stress-Less Holidays appeared first on Ilov Integrated Arts.
November 20, 2016
Tips to Keep Fit for Healthy Holidays
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, and it’s just a few days away. However, Thanksgiving can certainly wreak havoc on your attempts to stay fit and healthy. It’s also a preview of what’s to come. The over-indulgence (and self-indulgence) of the holidays is right around the corner. But don’t worry–it really is possible to enjoy the festivities of the season without completely sabotaging your health and fitness. Since Thanksgiving weekend kicks the holiday season into high gear, here are a few easy and and practical fit tips to help you stay on track.
Tips to keep moving.
As we say in the Feldenkrais community, movement is life! Having said that, it is crucial that you keep moving. If you are the one who is responsible for preparing the entire Thanksgiving feast, you can manage to burn off a few calories even while you’re cooking and cleaning. If you aren’t the head chef, you might have a bit more flexibility in your schedule for the day. However, please remember to include the person who is putting your special day together. Not only can they use a hand, they can also use a break. Here are a few suggestions to keep moving.
*Dance in the kitchen.
No, I’m not kidding. Even if you enjoy spending time in the kitchen, standing for long periods of time is exhausting. What’s worse is that you can end up with back pain, hip and leg pain, a stiff neck, and sore shoulders. The solution? Put on some music while you’re cooking, cleaning, and setting the table. Boogie around the kitchen and dining room as much as you can. You’ll burn some calories, and as an added bonus, the movement will gently lubricate your joints and keep your muscles from getting stiff. You might not think it matters, but trust me, it does. And your body will thank you in return. Even small amounts of movement each and every day has a cumulative effect. It can make a huge difference on your health and fitness during the holidays and the rest of the year as well.
*Walk it off.
Walking is fantastic exercise, and it’s also what I consider low maintenance. Which means, you don’t have to invest a lot of extra time to engage in a brisk walk to burn off some extra calories as well as excess stress at the same time. After all, it doesn’t matter if you are preparing a holiday meal for two people or twenty, it is still very stressful and a tremendous amount of work. Besides, if you’re expecting a guest or family member that doesn’t always behave during holiday get-togethers, that little endorphin burst will come in handy later in the day. Just in case you need it.
*Play around.
Gather your family and/or guests together for a game of flag football, leaf gathering extravaganza, or a brisk run around the obstacle course at a local park before dinner if the weather permits. Or, you can always play in the snow if Suzie Snowflake pays a visit to your area, or stay inside for a game of ping pong or Twister if the weather is really bad. Playing ninja games is always one of my personal favorites with all of that hiding, disappearing, and running up walls, so to speak. Just use your imagination and see what you can come up with that everyone can enjoy. You could also try and plan it for after dinner, but I personally prefer the opportunity to slip into a gentle tryptophan and chardonnay induced coma. Yes, indeed, we all have our traditions to uphold.
These are just a few examples to help you keep moving through the holidays. Use your imagination and see what other tips you can come up with and please do not hesitate to share them with me and my readers. Most of all, if you do over-indulge a bit, don’t beat yourself up over it. After all, Thanksgiving is a holiday, and a time to count our blessings and to be grateful for all of our gifts, both great and small. And I am sincerely grateful to each and every one of you for being part of my life. You give me blessings above and beyond that which you could ever know. Happy Thanksgiving!
The post Tips to Keep Fit for Healthy Holidays appeared first on Ilov Integrated Arts.
November 14, 2016
Diary of Seven Days of Positivity: Part II
My diary of seven days of positivity certainly started with a bang. It was so good that I didn’t think anything else could quite live up to that fabulous day. I was wrong, as I discovered over the next two days.
Dear Diary, Day Two:
The second day started off with another beautiful golden Colorado morning. It was Saturday, and I had the day off. After years of working Saturdays, I decided that I need to take weekends off. What a treat! Since I had the entire morning free, I baked banana bread from scratch. After all, is there any other kind? As the heavenly fragrance filled the kitchen, I got dinner ready in the crockpot. I do love my kitchen and love do to cook, when I have the time.
I also love going to pole class, and that was next on my agenda for my Saturday off. However, pole is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, and that’s saying a lot. But, one thing I’ve noticed about pole class–the energy is always positive and uplifting, and we all encourage each other and celebrate each others’ progress throughout the entire class. Maybe that’s the real reason why I love it so much. Honestly, I believe that pole dancers must be the happiest people on earth. I guess when you have the ability to defy gravity, it gives you a different perspective on life, especially when you’re hanging upside down.
My day ended with a fabulous finish with a long walk in the park with one of my dearest friends. Even though we’re close friends, we live so far apart that we rarely get to see each other. However, on this beautiful afternoon she just happened to be in my part of town, and we were able to enjoy some excellent girlfriend time. I drove home feeling warm and fuzzy, and it wasn’t just from hot flashes. This practice of positivity was pretty powerful and pervasive.
Dear Diary, Day Three:
The next day I had to do the grocery shopping, which is not my favorite thing. I have a fantasy that all the groceries I need for the week will magically appear in my kitchen. So far that hasn’t worked out for me, so off I went to the store. When I walked to my car after doing my shopping, I was approached by a man asking me for money. He said he was hungry. I told him I didn’t have any cash on me (which was true). He smiled and thanked me anyway. He started to walk away when I had a head smacking moment. “Wait a minute,” I called after him. “I have bananas. Do you like bananas?”
His smile got bigger as he turned back toward me. “Yes, I like bananas,” he replied. I handed him 3 bananas with a curtsy, and he graciously bowed in return. As he bowed, I remembered I had a sandwich in my bags as well, which I bought to share with my husband for lunch. I dug it out of my bag and handed it over to him with a flourish. He accepted it with a twinkle in his eye. He had such a kind and gentle spirit, and I smiled to myself the entire way home. I was grateful that groceries didn’t magically appear in my kitchen.
I could go on, and on, and on. Actually, Day Four was even better with an opportunity to laugh at myself. But you get the point. When it seems like you’re drowning in an ocean of bad news and negativity, it really isn’t that hard to turn it around. Just change your perspective a bit, and focus on what really matters. When you do that, life sure is a lot more fun, and the negative influences just fade into the background.
Please feel free to share your own positive experiences….my readers and I would love to hear from you! After all, we can all benefit from positive stories. Don’t you agree?
The post Diary of Seven Days of Positivity: Part II appeared first on Ilov Integrated Arts.
November 7, 2016
Life is Good: A Practice of Positivity
Life is good, and so are people. At least, most of them are, most of the time. But the past few weeks have been pretty brutal. As the election season went into overdrive, I was overwhelmed with the negativity associated with it. People just didn’t seem happy, and they weren’t being very nice to each other. As a matter of fact, some of them were downright nasty. The tsunami of negativity swirling around me threatened to sweep me away, never to be heard from again.
Everywhere I went, people were either trying to draw me into a political conversation, or making snide remarks about both candidates and what they stood for. My attempts to change the subject didn’t work. So, when someone pressed me for my “honest” and candid opinion, I gave it. I was rewarded with verbal attacks on me and my character. Once it even earned me a glass of wine thrown at my face. Fortunately, I was able to get out of the line of fire in time, thanks to my outstanding ninja skills. But it sure was a waste of good wine as well as a wake up call. Perhaps when someone asked me for my honest opinion, they honestly didn’t want it unless it mirrored theirs.
Time for a change.
It was time for me to come up with a new strategy. After all, one of the many things I learned in my Feldenkrais training is that there is always more than one option. Obviously my first two didn’t work, so I had to come up with another tactic, and I did. The next time someone tried to pull me into a political conversation, I simply nodded my head, kept my mouth shut, and tried to look intelligent as I followed their monologue. It appeared that I was intently following their conversation and carefully considering every word. But in reality I was mentally writing my grocery list for the following week. This technique worked so well that I progressed to creating a menu for the week, too. As a result, I came up with some fabulous new recipes to try.
As an additional distraction, I decided to make a practice of every positive encounter I experienced over the course of the next seven days. And what a revealing and uplifting practice it was! It reinforced my affirmation that life, indeed, is good. And so are people. At least most of them are, most of the time. Here is just a sample from the first day in my seven day diary of positivity.
Day One and a life well-lived.
I started the day with a fantastic session with two of my favorite clients. Awww, who am I kidding, all of my clients are special, and really terrific. After work I decided to treat myself to a manicure, and what a treat it was! I was fortunate to sit next to a delightful lady and had a wonderful conversation. She was 91 years young, and full of life, energy, and vitality. My kind of woman! She was a widow, and her husband had been a survivor of Pearl Harbor.
Once she started talking she just couldn’t stop. She shared many stories of her husband, her family, and their life together as well as his struggles from dealing with his experience in Pearl Harbor. It was fascinating, and the more stories she told me, the more questions I asked. to hear.
What impressed me the most was her attitude. Although she and her family experienced a lot of difficult times, she never lost her positive outlook and happy disposition. I know that happiness is a choice, and so is positivity. Once my new found friend’s nails were dry, she bade me farewell and hopped into her snappy little sports car to drive home. I still smile when I think of her, and the affirmation that life, indeed, is good. And so are people. Sometimes we just need a little reminder.
And to think, all of this positive energy flowed from just the first day, and there is still more yet to come. Until then, please share some of your positive stories with me and my readers. It’s always great to hear good news!
The post Life is Good: A Practice of Positivity appeared first on Ilov Integrated Arts.
