#MicroBlogMonday - 40 Bags Challenge

For today's #MicroBlogMonday I'll tell you a bit about my next challenge. Some people climb mountains and others run marathons. Me? I'm going to get rid of 40 bags in 40 days. The challenge starts February 10th and runs until March 26th with Sundays off.

I've got a Facebook group going of ladies (and 1 brave guy!) who are doing this with me. The Wednesday start will be here before I know it! First order of business the 'drawer of shame' or as others may know it the junk drawer. I've got a poll going in the group to see what they plan on tackling first.
There's even a tracking sheet. Wish us luck & if you'd like to join me let me know and I can add you to the facebook group.

#MicroblogMonday - My Favorite Quote and Character from Last NightsEpisode of Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey's final huzza.

M'Lord and M'Lady how can this series be ending this season? I am savoring every moment of it.

Favorite quote from last nights episode: "What are we all doing? Trying to get through life as best we can." - Baxter

Favorite character from last nights episode: Sybil. Her kind deeds that her family knew nothing of continue to open their minds & touch hearts.

The feelings of the characters are palpable. I won't say much more so I do not spoil the experience for anyone who has not yet watched. Suffice to say I gasped, shed a tear and was left in excited anticipation for the next episode. This show is a masterpiece indeed.

'Til next #MicrobogMonday, Wendy

How a Monk Named Andy Helps Me Get Out of My Head

Having been in sales for the past 17 years I have spent a bit of time in classes, trainings, seminars and presentations geared toward being productive and focused.
When taking on a new project, career, class or when learning a new skill it is critically important to have the right mindset.

Today I want to focus specifically on the advice I have heard from super successful and productive people on staying the course and developing a strong resolve and mindset.

2 pieces of advice I hear over and over from successful, focused people is the importance of exercise and meditation when it comes to building strong resolve and having a positive mindset.

Apparently meditation not only reduces stress but it changes your brain, according to a study by Harvard neuroscientists. You can read about it here, very interesting! www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life
I believe it. Sometimes you just need to get out of your head, even just for 10 minutes.

Have you started a new career? Taken on a project that requires mental toughness and a 'don't give up' mindset? Trying to stick to those pesky resolutions? Give meditation a try.

This is not a commercial for this app, rather it is me sharing a great tool I was turned on to because I love it.
All you need is 10 minutes a day for 10 days. The app is called Headspace. You can see what it's all about here www.headspace.com
A kind voiced monk named Andy takes you through simple meditations that, at least for me, really do get you out of the noise and clammer that can go on in all of our heads.

If you end up giving meditation a try let me know how it goes. I love learning from all of you!

My best, Wendy

Health week - January Challenges for a Happier Life

This week has been named "Health Week". As such I will be making all of the appointments that I have been putting off. For no reason. Basically just my poor time management. OK that's not true, that's me being tough on myself. Whatever the case may be I cannot put off these annoying appointments any longer. I actually made a commitment to myself to get these scheduled back in December and well, here we are.

Health week  to do's -
Squish appointment
Skin check appointment
Dentist regular check up (appointment set)

The difficulty with these tasks comes from the little things that need to happen before the actual tasks are done. For example for my yearly squish of the girls to check for the dreaded C word I need to find the contact info for the place I have been going for the last 8 years. Yes that's right last 8 years. You would think I would have that on hand but with the age of the smart phone upon us that contact info was lost 2 smart (or not so smart) devices ago. It has not been 2 years since my last squish. Just 2 phones ago.

As for the dentist appointment that has been put off because I really was not loving the office I had been going to even though it is super conveniently located. I bit the bullet yesterday and made the call to get an appointment at a much better office, at least I hope it is.

The skin check is an appointment that also has been put off a bit but in cleaning out my wallet yesterday I found the business card for the dermatologist my Dr referred me to. That contact info has been the thing standing in the way of that appointment.

It's Wednesday. It's a short week with the Monday holiday. I know I will be happier without these necessary appointments lurking around undone. Challenges for a happier life - take care of tasks that weigh on my mind. Get sh%$ done.

Thanks for reading. How do you handle getting in all the appointments that you and those you care for need in a given year? Do you have things you should be dealing with when it comes to your health and the care and keeping of you that you've been putting off? C'mon make me feel better and tell me I'm not alone in this.
I have resolved to do a better job with getting those regular appointments scheduled and taken care of in 2016. The next challenge will be actually getting to said appointments.

My best, Wendy

#MicroblogMonday Museum of Fine Arts Boston

What to do on a rare Monday off? Take a ride in to Boston (which I've been wanting to do for a year) and visit the Museum of Fine Arts. Fun, different and interesting.

Gorgeous colors

Gorgeous day

Gorgeous girl

Balance

We are halfway through the month of January. How's everyone doing with resolutions and the challenges that were set out at the start of the year? It's hard to believe that we are already halfway through January.

For me my challenges have been well - challenging. That said the concept of balance has come to the forefront of my thinking. The highs and lows of life, mostly the lows and the blows, can knock you off balance.

Each day trying to find that place of balance is a test but a test that is worth taking. When things are good it is the time to work at the things in your life you wish to work at because it can help give you strength during the challenging times. Does that make sense?

Shifting and adjusting instead of giving up is the way to persevere. Did anything pop up this week to take you off of your game or your plan? I know things did for me and I am shifting and adjusting but not giving up. A very small example is the dreaded spin class that I am going to make myself take. I say that with my tongue in my cheek because taking a spin class is something I've been wanting to do for a while.
My schedule got thrown off this week by a few unexpected things that came up (as they always do right?) and that spin class did not fit in the mix. But I am going. There is a class tomorrow morning at 7 am and unless something really extraordinary or out of the blue happens (struck by lightning type of event) I won't have much excuse, if any to not go.

Have a great weekend!

My best, Wendy

Back to Work People, No Winner Yet

Easing in to things while developing good habits is for me the way to go. As everyone seemed to be rushing back to the gym I knew I needed to take the week to get back in the work/school routine.
The added pressure of getting to the gym would have been too much, I know that much about myself. That said, now it's time.

There was no Powerball winner so my question about whether it would be good luck or bad is a mute one for now. My challenge for this week for finding balance is to get some exercise squeezed in three times. A balanced life includes physical activity.

I will do a tried and true class at the Y that I know I love, yoga. Stepping out of my comfort zone I am going to try a class I have never tried, spinning. It is said that when it comes to fitness once you find what you love to do you will make time for it and it won't be hard to stick with it. Will spin be something I love?



"The worst enemy to creativity is self doubt." -Sylvia Plath

Although I've used my treadmill far more in the last 3 months than I have the whole time I have owned the contraption it is getting boring. The Sylvia Plath quote spoke to me in a couple of ways. Getting creative with my exercize is a must and trying something in spite of my self doubt fits the bill when it comes to challenging myself.

Are you a spinner? Do you love it?
To be quite truthful I have been afraid to try a spin class. My feeling has always been that it will be too hard. Seeing those spinners sweating thier a** off for an hour is just plain intimidating.

I'm not the type that will worry about it all week, which is good. I'm just too busy for that. Wish me luck! I'll be sure to let you know how it goes here. Are you stepping out of your comfort zone and challenging yourself in the new year? I'd love to hear about it if you are. Let's cheer each other on.

Best, Wendy