A Radiant Spirit

Is anyone familiar with the Turia Pitt story?  I wasn't until just a few days ago when someone shared a link on Facebook.  In September of 2011, Turia was running an ultramarathon in Australia when she became trapped in a bush fire.  She suffered burns on more than 60% of her body and even had to have fingers amputated.  The damage to her body was extensive and her recovery entailed countless operations and extensive therapy.  The doctor's have referred to her as a medical miracle as she now is able to live an active lifestyle as she had before... running, hiking, and biking.

I cannot image the physical pain that this young woman endured and probably still does.  What is even more unimaginable is the mental anguish that she endured as well.  What she accredits to her recovery both physical and mental... is her family and friends.  Their support helped willed her to use her positive energy to not give up.  Even more than that, she has used that positive attitude to be thankful for her life.  Instead of feeling pity for herself, she feels that she is lucky and blessed and doesn't want others to feel pity for her either.  Turia is now a motivational speaker and an activist.  

It is a story like this that captures a person's inner radiance.  And despite all of the scars, I can't help but to see a beautiful person on the outside when I see pictures of her.  She has inspired me to not feel pity for her, but the feel too that she is lucky for this new life that she has.  She has found a deeper purpose and has regained a quality of life too.  She also just got engaged!!! to someone who may have an even more radiant spirit than hers.

Turia's fiance is the same boyfriend that she had since before the fire, before the burns, before the change of Turia's physical appearance.  He was there through it all... the very worst and the deepest of the lows.  Turia says that he was her inspiration and he never stopped believing in her even when she couldn't believe in herself.  He is a very handsome man, but to be even more beautiful on the inside... she is a lucky lady.  They both are and I wish them all the best in health and happiness as they continue their lives together.  

To read more about Turia's story you can read it here on Australia's Women's Day or just Google Turia Pitt.  

Peter Lik's "Phantom"(above)  and "Ghost" (below)
I found these to be appropriate for this post, "A Radiant Spirit."

While the Cat's Away...

My son has been at day camp for the past two weeks, leaving me with the most free time that I've ever had since before his time!

Right now, I'm lying on a blanket in Central Park's Sheep Meadow enjoying a gorgeous summer day and soaking up the last couple of hours before my free time is over.

Last week, I was in my hometown and Ewan went to a rustic day camp out there (the same one that I worked at as a teenager).  I filled my days with some shopping, running, and other odd errands.  I visited with my grandmother who at 89 is starting to slow down.  I had lunch with my oldest and dearest friend, Jessica.  It's been a tough couple of years with her going back to school to obtain her doctorate degree along side raising two children and working at the local college.  So we've talked less and less over that time period.  However, whenever we do see (or talk) to one another, we can pick up from wherever we last left off.  The time and the distance though does make it tougher to catch up and we find that we've missed telling each other some rather significant details at times.  But I love her and it was just wonderful to spend some time together without the kids.  The best part though was going golfing for the very first time, with my dad!  The golf part was both horrendous and fun, but it was just cool spending the day with my dad, just the two of us!

This past week I was back in NYC where I have even less free time (unless I buy it with a babysitter).  So I appreciated it greatly, especially since my sister came back with us.  It was great to have a partner in crime in which to explore the city!  Monday we went to DUMBO, The Brooklyn Bridge, Grand Central, Bryant Park, The High Line, and a rooftop bar!  We put on alot of miles and went right back to it Tuesday having lunch near Lincoln Center and taking a stroll through Central Park.  I can't remember the last time I have spend such a significant amount of alone time with my sister, if ever.  It was fantastic and more needed than I think either of us realized.  <3

Wednesday morning I found myself at the park running after dropping off Ewan, which made the decision of what to do on this day rather obvious.  Mani-pedi, of course!  Wednesday, I relaxed at home.  I place I hadn't really been in 12 days.  It was fabulous, lol.

Thursday, I finally made my way up to The Bronx and visited the NY Botanical Garden.  I can't believe that I've lived here now for 8 years and had yet to go.  But I did, and now I am a member, lol.  It was nice to be on my own time and to move at my own pace.  I brought my camera and practiced all of the different techniques that I learned (and was beginning to forget) in my photography class this past winter.

And finally, today.  My last day.  I had a good go and it was refreshing to rejuvenating to take off my mom cap for a bit.  I am looking forward to this next week though and spending time again with Ewan.  Time moves so quickly, especially the summer time.  Before I know it, we will be back in the school day routine.

LOL... I really didn't intend on writing a rundown of everything I did for the past two weeks.  Oh well, my mind is enjoying taking a break as well.  I know that I am lucky to be a teacher and to have this time off in the summer as well as to have had this free time for the past two weeks.  We all need some "me" time.  How do you spend your free time (kid-free, husband-free, significant other-free)?  

10 Ways to Make Yourself Feel Happier and Healthier

I came across this article and thought that it was quite good.  You can read it in its entirety here.  However, I will summarize it by listing the 10 ways this article claims will make you feel happier and healthier.

1.  Keep Mornings Calm
On weekends and during summer vacation, I do a decent job of keeping the mornings calm.  On work/school days though, not so much.  It just takes me sooo long to get ready in the morning.  Even when I prepare everything the night before.  I'm just so slow, then I have to do a mad dash to leave on time.  So, this is an area that I would like to improve.  I wish I were a morning person.  I envy those that wake up and go for a run and have breakfast... all with a smile on their face.  So that is something that I am striving to get better at!

2.  Make Time to Move
This area I do quite well in.  If I am not be-bopping around the city with or without my son, I am working out, or... something.  I spend very little time in front of the t.v. (but a tad more on the computer ;))

3.  Eat Real Food
Clean eating... when I put my mind to it, I can do it!  It's just that my mind is not always in it.  I have room to improve here.

4.  Reach for Water
This seems so simple.  Yet, I find this one so difficult!  I can work out daily and follow a strict diet plan, however, drinking 1/2 of my body weight in ounces is the hardest part for me.  It's not even that I am choosing other drinks instead.  Most days, I don't drink a total of my body weight.  I know how important water is for you and how bad it is that I am not drinking.  This is the one that I want to improve on the most!

5.  Listen When Your Body Talks
I am not keen on rushing to the doctor's, but I do try to pay attention to how my body feels and accommodate it accordingly.  It's important to be in-tuned with your body.  You know yourself best!

6.  Love Those Vegetables
And I do!  With a clean eating plan, it is easy to eat the required amount of veggies for the day.  This is such a great time of year as well for getting fresh veggies!  My favorites come from my father's garden.  I'm so psyched because I finally have some outdoor space and have tomatoes and peppers growing, yay!

7.  Invest in Fitness and Health
Between workout programs, shakes, healthy foods and now... natural skin care products, I do!  I even been choosing to spend my money here rather than on clothing, crazy!

8.  Remember to be Grateful
There is little that want or wish for.  And there is no one else's life that I would trade for.  I believe that if I want something, get up and go get it.  I am happy with my life and therefore appreciate all of the many blessings that I have.  

9.  Slow Down to Smile
Sometimes difficult in the middle of all the hustle and bustle of a busy day, but... this ones seems to go hand in hand with being grateful.  We all do need to slow down, take a deep breath, be grateful, and smile!  Life is good.  :)

10.  Rest
I learned this best when I was taking care of my son on my own.  If it meant leaving the laundry until the next day, then I left it.  If it meant, leaving things for the weekend to tackle, I did.  I rested when I needed and didn't overexert myself unnecessarily.  What I do need to improve upon here is going to bed at an earlier time.  Ironically, I go to bed earlier when I am on vacation and don't have to wake early the next day than when I am working.  

This is how I fair in these 10 ways to help improve health and happiness.  My goals:  drink more water, be more consistent in clean eating, and wake up earlier!  What about you?

Mind, then Body

Sticking with the theme of cleanses, I thought that a post about food would be appropriate to follow yesterday's about clutter.  I don't know about you, but my Facebook wall has exploded with meal plans, recipes, and selfies of before and after shots to showcase what clean eating can do for you.

I am a naturally thin person.  I have never had to worry about what I ate, let alone diet.  However, about a year and a half ago I noticed my waistline growing.  I first noticed it right after the holidays, in January, and at first thought that perhaps I ate way more Christmas cookies than I realized.  But by the time March rolled around and I still felt heavy, I knew it wasn't the cookies, it was something more.  I was bloated.  My waistline varied greatly not only from day to day, but even hour by hour.  There were times my belly looked as big as it did when I was 5 months pregnant!  That wasn't okay!
So, I decided to do something about it.

I had the p90x home workout program and loved it!  I felt fantastic after completing it the year before and so I didn't hesitate to buy the newest version, p90x3 to help get myself back to me.  I even added on the Shakeology meal replacement to help with any digestive issues I was having.  Well... I wasn't that impressed with either and I didn't see the results that I did with the original or what everyone else seemed to have that also used this program.

Fast forward to May 2015.  I had ruled out lactose intolerance and a gluten allergy (on my own, why go to a Dr.?) but still felt bloated, not all of the time, but enough where I was not happy with how I looked.  So, I decided to try another Beachbody program, the 21 Day Fix Extreme.  The extreme program was the newest and I wanted the extreme over the original because of the lack of results I saw with the p90x3 program.  Along with this program came a meal plan, a portion controlled extreme plan which consisted of clean eating.  I figured for 21 days, why not?  I gave it my all.

The results?  First, I have to say that I love Autumn, the instructor and creator of the 21 Day Fix.  The workouts were new and fresh and I was sore for 2 weeks straight!  Loved them!  As far as the meal plan went, it wasn't as hard as I thought it might be.  It was doable.  I was never hungry and by the end of the 21 days, my waistline looked like I wanted it to!  I definitely got what I put into the 21 days... literally!  I filled my body with nutritious and healthy food and my body responded by looking healthy and I felt healthy too!  Mentally, that made me feel happy and proud and sexy!

I finished this program about 3 weeks ago and the bloating has not returned.  I wasn't a horrible eater to begin with, that is why it wasn't that difficult for me to do this,  but I am a snacker.  Cutting out those extra sugars made a world of difference though.  Now I just need to find and maintain a balance of healthy eating and enjoying my cake and eating it too every once in a while.

Physical clutter in our surroundings can wreak havoc on our lives in many ways, but our own personal clutter, as in what we put into our bodies can do the same.  Our colon, kidneys, liver, and skin... all work so hard to protect us.  If we help them,  just a bit, that can make a huge impact on how you feel physically, mentally, and emotionally.

For me, when I began my journey towards happiness, my first step, as I shared yesterday was to declutter.  It was far easier to declutter my apartment than my mind.  But after I decluttered my physical space, I worked on my mental health.  It wasn't until 2 years later that I felt I was in a healthy enough mental state to move on to the next goal.  That is when I started to workout with the first p90x program.  You need to have a healthy mind first, otherwise you can diet and workout from morning until night and you still won't be satisfied with your results.

It's not about numbers (the scale, your clothes, your waistline).  It's about being healthy... mind and body.  It's about you being the best version of yourself and loving yourself for who you are!

A Clutter Cleanse

Little did I know that a book that I had picked up from a neighbor's stoop 2 months ago may just be that little self-help book that I was looking for.

I started to read this yesterday and I am about halfway done and so far, I have to agree with all that I have read so far.  I know very little about Feng Shui, but I do know a little something about clutter and how it can effect one's life.

I am one who lives in a constant battle of trying to maintain a balance.  I hate clutter.  It makes me feel anxious and uneasy.  However, despite that hatred, I am horrible about picking up right away.   So what I end up doing is waiting until I hit a breaking point and go on a mass cleaning attack.  Sometimes this happens daily, sometimes it takes a bit longer and turns into a weekly thing.  However, every time, I vow to pick up right away rather than wasting more time with a mass attack.  But... you guessed it, I still dance the dance.  The good thing for me is that I am dealing more with things that I (we, as in my family) actually use.  It is our daily things that make a mess (like my 5 year old's toys!) and those things actually have a positive energy.  This is not to say that I am 100% clutter free, I am not.  But I do try and live a more simplistic life, in terms of materialistic things.

Does clutter represent what is going on inside of you?
I can't answer for anyone but myself.  The book says it does, and for me, I have to agree.  Four years ago after Dale died, I remember having piles and piles of paper around my apartment.  I can't even remember where it all came from now.  Some was mail, some was paperwork I had to fill out, including bills and such that were Dale's, the others were just old things of Dale's.  Besides that pile of papers, I had piles of clothes that would build up weekly since I would deal with all of that only once a week.  I told myself it was okay because I had more important things to focus my little energy on like my son and for me, just to survive each day.
Eventually I found that putting all of these papers and piles of clothes on Dale's side of the bed was the best place to keep them for so many reasons.  One, everything was in one place and it didn't make the rest of my apartment look embarrassingly awful.  Two, and more importantly, I didn't feel the emptiness of his absence in the bed.
Did my clutter represent what was going on inside of me?  Absolutely!

Will I loose memories or have regrets if I let go of my clutter/past?
I moved to NYC 8 years ago with Dale and our 2 dogs.  We had a fully furnished 2,000 sq. ft. home and moved into a 950 sq. ft. apartment.  Where did more than 1/2 of our belongings go?  Storage, and we paid a significant amount for that storage space each month.
Two months after Dale's passing, I had the daunting task of going through that 12 X 12 storage unit and getting rid of the majority of my life, or as it had become, my past life.  I took as much as I could back to my small apartment... mainly mementos and items of Dale's.  The rest?  I had a yard sale, and it was painful to watch people buy and try to bargain for your things for prices that stab you in the heart.  What didn't sell went to charities.  I found that option to be better overall.  After dropping them off, I didn't really know what happened to them, but the belief that it went to people who were truly in need (even if it never reached anyone), that belief made it less painful.
Two months later, I went through Dale's closet.  If I came across something that I was unsure of, I kept it, everything else, I donated.  This was not an easy task, I cried almost the entire time that I was doing it, but it needed to be done.
Do I feel as if I have lost my past or have regrets about letting go of all of those possessions?  No.

What if I need something later on?
If you can't go cold turkey, so to say, then take baby steps.  In 4 years, I went from a 12 X 12 storage unit to a 5 X 8 extra bedroom.  Now, I have a 4 X 6 attic space that I share with John.  My first summer task, is to go through that and get rid of even more!
Have I got rid of anything that I needed later on in life?  No.  There was a reason in the first place most of those items were put away... I didn't use them.  If you don't use something over the time span of a year or two, you are probably not going to use them again.  And if you are, you probably would want a newer version.  

I chose to share my experiences of decluttering around the death of my husband because I think tackling this task around such an extreme circumstance may be one of the hardest.  The clutter that I had definitely represented how messy I felt my life was after his death.  However,  within 6 months, I sorted out and got rid of our possessions from our old home and personal items of Dale's.  Did I want to do it?  No way!  But I could feel it weighing down on me.  It was a daunting task.  It was extremely difficult and emotional.  But once I did it, I felt relieved.  I felt lighter.  It helped to open the door so that I could move on with my life (when I was finally ready to).

My biggest concern was letting go of something of Dale's that I would regret or want for my son later on.  In this case, once something of Dale's was gone, it was gone.  There were no more memories to be made.  So, when in doubt, I kept it.  Over the years, I eventually let go of more things.  Now, I feel as if I have a good representation of him to share with my son when the time comes, and I have no regrets.

As for me, this process made me value materialistic possessions far less that what I had.  When I moved into my new apartment this past November, I took as few things as I could.  Was it difficult to get rid of some of the last few things from my past (like the sofa I got as a wedding present, the armoire I remember carrying into the apartment with Dale in the pouring rain)?  Without a doubt it was.  But sometime you need to let go of the past so that you can make room for the future and all that is awaiting you.  Memories, not possessions, are the treasures that you will take with you wherever you may go.  

To be your best and most wondrous and radiant self, you need to start from the inside.  For me, de-cluttering was the very first step that I took in the direction that led me to a happy present and a hopeful future.

I am now looking forward to the second half of this book and learning about Feng Shui!

(Perhaps not so ironically, the first chapter in The Happiness Project is all about organization.)

Summer Reads

My summer vacation officially began on Friday, yay!  And while I have plenty to do to keep myself busy, I do want to take the time and relax with a few good books.

I already plan on reading Gone Girl.  I saw the movie a few months ago and I really liked the twists and the psychology aspect of it.  It didn't go into it too deeply, so I want to read to the book to get to know the characters better.

Not so long ago, I wrote a post and used a quote by Audrey Hepburn.  That quote inspired me to learn more about her and I plan on reading her biography.  I actually looked last night, hoping to download it, the problem was that there were so many!!  Does anyone have any suggestions as to which book I should read about Audrey Hepburn!?!?

Lastly... I am at a loss.  I NEED YOUR HELP!  I am looking for an inspirational book.  Not necessarily a biography or a memoir, because I have to admit that I do like to read the self-help type of book too.  If you know of any book that inspires one to be their very best and to capture their inner and outer beauty, I'd love to read it.  Please comment any titles that you know of!  Thank you!!!

The Speed of Light

They say that time flies when you are having fun, but whoa... it's hard to believe that is has been 3 weeks since my last post!  This blog had gotten off to a semi-slow start to begin with and the last thing that I wanted was for it to come to a halt, but with today being my last Monday of work (YAY!) before summer vacation, I really won't have any reasons or excuses for long absences.

June has turned out to be a rather hectic month.  I'm always busy at work this time of year putting together slide shows and whatnot for the Pre-K, K, and 5th grade graduations.  I'm a technology teacher, so I am on the computer all day long anyways, however, putting together multiple slide shows really drives the eyes out of my head!  That is partially the reason why I haven't blogged in so long.  But, I am finally done with all of that too.  

What makes this year different is that my own son graduated kindergarten!  My son graduated kindergarten!?!?!!!!!  It's so crazy.  He's changed so much this year... all in positive ways!  I'm so proud of him for all of his hard work and for the little man he is becoming.  It's an exciting time!  It's also a heartfelt time.  As far as I have planned, he is my one and only.  I won't ever experience all of this again with a child and time seems to be passing so quickly with him.   

I was lying in bed with him tonight (out nightly ritual) and thinking about how he doesn't need me to lay with him anymore.  We both know he can go to sleep without any fuss without me, yet still we spend that quiet time together, even if it is just for a few minutes.  For a long time, that was my favorite time of the day.  But soon, that too will pass and we will have to find a new routine more fitting.  

Life passes before us with the speed of light.  It's hard to hold on to what inevitably needs to move on and change.  All that we can do to preserve those special moments is to enjoy them for as long as we possibly can before time catches up with us and passes.