Take the time and lighten up...

Sometimes it's silly, sometimes its just plain dumb...but some things just make you laugh. We need to laugh and lighten up! If we stay in a serious mentality all the time or take life too seriously, it can suffocate us. Life creates enough obligations and decision making, isn't it nice just to laugh, relax, and enjoy!

Just like the song you hear on the radio out of the blue, that makes you smile, or the way a sarcastic comment will produce a burst of laughter among a group of friends. The song may have ridiculous lyrics to it but it makes you smile or dance like a crazy person. It is like a virus...it just infects you and it FEELS GOOD! Enjoy sarcastic comments that may not be appropriate...but it's funny! Go ahead, laugh without judging, enjoy the moment. We need to stimulate those endorphins...we need to relax and enjoy our lives.

We follow rules and structure constantly in our daily lives. Even as kids we have always heard "do this, don't do that"...its structure and it's good,but what I do know is that if you continue to take things so seriously all the time, it will darken what is inside of us.  So give yourself permission to watch that cartoon today, revive that stupid joke you heard once that was so ridiculous it made you laugh until you cried, or dance the silliest moves you've got!!! CUT LOOSE TODAY!!! YOU ARE WORTH IT!!!

Each Day Is What You Make It...

 Phoenix is a big area with many options for things to do. Everything from free to cheap is there to be had if you look for it. Sure, there are plenty of things to do like Spring Training Baseball games, NFL football games, concerts, weekend events, floating the Salt River, and a ton of nice places to eat. So, what do you do when you are on a budget, or you want to do a lot of things without taking a second mortgage out on your house? I have a friend who speaks fluent Groupon! She is a master!! This made made our outing affordable. She is willing to escape the normal routines of life and take an adventure. It is refreshing to have a friend like that who lives close.

I love baseball and always have since I played in grade school, my favorite position was center field and man....I had an ARM!! Today I was invited to take in a little league game. Here, it is the perfect time of year to venture out, support some of the teams in your local community, get some sunshine and fresh air and try something different!  These games are free...you may observe something as EXCITING as a GRAND SLAM home run accomplished by a 12 yr old. That beaming smile you see as it comes across their face, watching their posture change, PRICELESS. You see moments that will be memories for that ball player and his/her family for many years to come. It took me back thru some of my proud moments and my accomplishments and I knew what that kid felt. I was happy for him and his team mates.

 It's the things we have already experienced and the things we experience on a daily basis that create that. Think about it, two people out of an entire crowd and one moment has an impact on different levels for both. Pretty AMAZING! We just need to take the time to break out of our routines, try new places, put yourself in the moment everywhere you go. You never know what you will take from that experience.

Stepping out of the normal routine allowed me to witness a kids big accomplishment, hang out on a patio with some cool iced tea and great company. I took in an early dinner that was possible because of available resources and a good heart. It's out there to be had, just watch for it. LOVE YOUR LIFE and YOURSELF TODAY!!!

Shari's Thursday Adventure...

I love being out and about. You never know what you will see or who you will meet. While fear exists inside me, I am determined not to let it hold me prisoner. Being on a budget has taught me to be resourceful. If I look for it, it's usually there to be had. I don't believe in abusing things that are offered to us, but I do believe in using them for the purpose they are intended. I discovered that I get free transportation to and from my doctor's appointments, let's face it folks, gas is not cheap. I also believe that using public transportation contributes to our environment in a positive way, needless to say, I scheduled myself a cab which is provided to me by my insurance for no extra cost.
 I had finished with my appointment and instead of sitting inside the lobby to wait for my cab, I decided to sit outside.
I love to people watch. I'm not a stalker (unless you are Russell Wilson), but I enjoy watching how others interact. At first I saw a lady who would not smile at anyone and sat away from a little area by these beautiful cacti. I wondered what her story was or why she was so isolated.

Then I started my own study to pass the time. I decided to smile at each person that walked by me and see how many responses I could get. It was great, almost everyone smiled back! I make up my own scenarios in my head about each one and made myself giggle a couple times. It was entertaining. Then out of the doors comes a woman who is as friendly as I am, she talked pretty loud as she is hard of hearing but once we said hello, we had a great conversation about my portable oxygen and had just gotten the news from her doctor that she needed to think about having access to oxygen for times she struggles. I then found out she was the head of an immune deficiency organization. WOW! Talk about being at the right place at the right time. I won't bore you with the conversation, but let's just say, Ellen was put out there today for me to meet and take the next steps with my health issues. We exchanged information and she went about her way.

My cab driver was an interesting fellow, his message to me was repeated twice. "You know what to do, so just do it"! It was mentioned in our conversation at the beginning of our trip and after some good stories, he mentioned it again. It was like one of those movies from the 80's where the spiritual guide looks at the person and makes sure the message is planted, and then they disappear. Cy the cab driver originally out of New York, was that messenger for me today. It gives me goose bumps to think about it.

I know today that it pays to do something new and different, don't let fear stand in your way. You never know what you will encounter, or who you will see. Sometimes it's a big moment and sometimes they are just little things that can easily be missed, so WATCH for them. They are there and can contribute to your positive daily outlook.

Wishes and Dreams...

     I love to make wishes and dream. I love to envision me being a certain size, or having certain things.  I have wants and desires. There are things that make my body feel warm and cozy when I day dream of it coming true. It reminds me of a few of my different childhood toys. One of my favorite was the Magic 8 Ball. I would ask it questions, shake it around and let it reveal the answers to me. I remember a slumber party with friends from middle school and going to the cemetery to play Ouija. Funny it doesn't seem that long ago. My friends and I played M.A.S.H., it was a game created out of wishes, dreams, and an origami folded piece of paper.  We would be asked to answer 4 questions according to our wishes and dreams and by picking numbers or spelling words out, you would have your fortune told. It is all such a game of chance and often produced random results. It was still fun. It either fed the fire within us or left us wondering. It was one thing that we had that didn't squish my dreams, it fed them. I have always been a "LITTLE" bit of an optimist...(yeah right). HUGE OPTIMIST!!! Just in case anyone reading this doesn't know me yet, I thought I'd catch you up.

     The funny part is, the numbers changed, the boys names, how many kids we wanted to have, what type of job we thought we would obtain...it all.....CHANGED. It is really no different from today, as adults. We still have things that we dream about, and wish some things could be different.

 Looking for the confirmation or answer to knowing what is ahead? It can drive you mad. I find that pain has introduced major growing spurts internally for me. I know today why some things didn't work out 7 years ago. I didn't know it then, I just wanted what I wanted and did not understand why it wouldn't come. Today I know why that event turned out like it did and I'm glad. It turned out just like it was supposed to.

     Today I have certain things I am uncertain about. I had a little internal fear going on inside so, I found an app on my phone that was this Magic 8 Ball. I started shaking it and asking it questions just as I did as a young girl. I had to laugh. It reminded me that the answers were never the same. I can't remember what those wishes and dreams at that time in my life were, so if none of those things came true....I wouldn't know. My wishes and dreams changed and those answers were no longer important. You could have never told me back then that I wouldn't have a crush on that same guy forever, or that my career passion could change, or that life's happenings would change my entire life in an instant. I would never have listened. My positive reflection on this is that I am GLAD I had dreams and wishes, it kept me going every day. I continue to have hopes and dreams today, I just understand a little better when they change.

And you let it go......

I saw this picture for the first time the other day and I immediately saved it. Not really knowing why. You ever do that?  Do you ever now understand why something is happening to you and wonder why at the moment only to FIND OUT WHY days or months later?

I know I've been guilty of being a little vein at times, but this girl in the picture reminds me of myself. Sitting by the water, watching the ducks and just letting them go. Watching them and trying not to touch them. I think about this stage I am in at this point in my life. I'm not the feisty teenager anymore, or the "steam engine" single mother in her twenties. I'm not the woman in her thirty's who wasn't sure which road to take and had the strength and energy to try them all until one felt right.

The good part is....I know who I AM and what I AM WORTH today. I know what I want and the woman I have become. I love so much about the inside of me, that the affects from the medicine are making the outside seem less and less important each day. I NEVER GIVE UP!! That is a constant no matter what age I am or how old I grow to become. I am a good person and I love sharing my life with so many people. I am pretty LUCKY!  

Never let someone else steal your power or your joy. It is NOT your business how other people view you. It may sting, but in the proper perspective you can see and know the truth. Even if it hurts, you grow and become stronger. This is what builds character and not everyone has good character. Make sure the choices you make today are good and allow you to sleep well at night.

Things I Truly Enjoy...

1. Sunshine

2. A light breeze

3. Good company

4.An enthusiastic crowd of fans

5. The sound of the crack of a bat

6 The sound when the ball slaps the glove.

7. Footlong hotdogs

8. Peanuts

9. The excitement when a ball comes over the net and you think you just might catch it

10. Cold beverages

11. The sounds of food vendors yelling out

12. The light hum of the crowd talking together

13. Birds flying above dodging fly balls

14. The fact that I am me

All priceless things I had the opportunity to experince today.

What did you experience today?

Practiciing What We Preach...

Over my last blogs I have talked about positive aspects especially in negative situations, and doing the right thing in wrong situations. That is why I chose this picture today. While it is not right for me to let my little dog hang his head out the window while I drive...it's freeing to him. It is one of the little things in life that make his day. Give him this moment for 20 minutes a day and he is CONTENT.

I started thinking about my last blog JUST BE. I had not taken any time to experience that for myself. That was my day yesterday. Nothing forced and nothing planned. I just let things unfold and relaxed. It was as good for my insides as this ride is for Cosmo. After a well deserved rain storm here in the valley and sleeping past 8a.m. I woke up with a good feeling and a positive perspective.

Taking this little guy out for walks first thing in the morning is an excellent way for me to start my day. I get up, get moving, and get a chance to see things before the hustle and bustle of the day begins in the world. We have some routine to our mornings which I believe to be the TONE SETTER of the day. When I start the day off doing something positive for me, the rest just seems to be easier to deal with. That natural smile just appears and I feel it clear down to my toes.

Doing things that make me feel happy on a daily basis is what keeps my attitude in check. It keeps me going in the right direction for my health. Writing this blog on a consistent basis is a big joy right now. I love the way I get to connect with others. Getting out every morning with the dog and at the end of each day for our walks, contributes to my daily happiness. Little accomplishments that I can see and feel the results from are a big part of why I continue each day. I am responsible for MY HAPPINESS each day!  When I take time and focus on me, I am able to help others that compliment my life. It is then that I can contribute MY PART to each day. Even if MY PART is just to smile at the cashier at the checkout who was having a bad day, or let the person into a long line of traffic ahead of me that I myself had been sitting in for 10 minutes. It is MY PART, my contribution. My point is, if I don't feel right inside myself, I can't be that for anyone else.

What is YOUR part today? What do you like to do for YOURSELF? What makes YOU feel good? I wish everyone an AMAZING day and would love to have feedback about what you do to make YOURSELF HAPPY.