happiness is always there, take a moment to see it

I arrive home exhausted. The weight of the work day can been seen in my tired eyes.  Running from meeting to meeting I didn't get a chance to step outside and breathe in the fresh air.  I feel has if I have been put through the ringer, all my energy depleted. 

Darkness has set in and feel a pang of regret for not seeking out the light.  

Nothing grand happened today.  No monumental moment of fun.  It was an average workday where I felt buried in all that I needed to accomplish  But admits the piles of paper, the inbox filled with emails that need responding, and the countless number of meetings I know that there is still something to be grateful for.  Even if it is only one thing there is something that has filled my heart with happiness.  

Before heading off to bed I pause in front of my happiness jar and pull out one slip of paper. I take the time to reflect on my day and think about what moment I want to write down.  There was the text from a friend that arrived right when I needed it most.  There was the way he smiled when I tucked him in before I headed out the door.  The light of my salt lamp on my desk filing my heart with peace and calm.  The warmth of my heated seat on the cold morning drive.  The way the printer cooperated and did not jam as I was running to get something printed moments before the meeting.

What may have felt like an exhausting day was filled with ordinary moments of goodness.  It is these slivers of time that make up my days and if I do not slow down to appreciate them they will simply slip away.  

Moments of happiness do not need to be grand and extravagant.  It can be as simple as a smile from a stranger.  A warm bed in the morning.  A chance to begin again.  

Take the time seek out the happiness.  Cherish every bit of it and the love the heck out of your life.  For each moment is a new beginning.  An opportunity to choose the light over the darkness.  What moment made you happy today?

word of the year

Expand:

1. to increase or grow in extent, size, volume, scope
2. to spread out; unfold; develop
3. to express something more fully or in greater detail

Yes, this is my word for 2017!  

Expand

I have had the ritual of choosing a word of the year since 2009.  My previous words have been:

2016 - Daring Greatly & Gather
2015 - Connection
2014 – Build
2013 – All the Cards on the Table
2012 – Soar
2011 – Love
2010 – Connect
2009 - Wings

It has been incredible to see the way these words manifest themselves.  Usually not the way I thought they would but it turns to be exactly what my heart needed.  

I found my word for 2017 as I stood on the oceans edge.  The warmth of the sun greeting my face, the sound of the waves creating a sacred rhythm inside my heart as I took a deep breath in filling my lungs with the crisp salty airy.  The ocean is wide, deep, expansive.  It takes up the space it needs as it ebbs and flows.  In and out the waves roll with a fierce strong conviction.  The ocean understands it's place in this world and it shows up unapologetically each and every day.  Never is it frozen over or lazy.  The waves continuously roll in and out expanding their reach.  

Expansive, expanding, expand.  To spread out.  To develop.  To reach far and wide.  To allow myself to be seen.  To be heard.  To show up.  Arms wide open.  Heart ready to give and to receive.  Taking risk's.  Going the extra mile.  Reaching out a hand.  Asking for what I really want.  Asking for help when I need it.  Expanding my horizon's.  Being free.  Being strong.  Being fierce.  

Yes!  This is what I am looking to create in 2017.  I want to expand into the fuller, deeper version of myself. I want to show up in the world unapologetically.  Sharing my passions.  Inviting others in.  Doing what I love.  I want to expand!  

And so I am tucking this word deep into my pocket to carry with me for the entire year.  I am holding it close and also giving it space to breath.  I am not sure what doors will open.  What choices I will have to make.  What unknown moments will occur.  But I do know one thing.  I am ready to expand.  Ready to express myself for fully and in greater detail.  The time is now to begin accomplishing my dreams.  No reason to wait any longer and so I am off.  Taking the reins of 2017 and carving my own path.  

Do you choose a word for the year?  I would love to hear what it is.  Let me know in the comments and together let's celebrate the all the potential that this year holds.  

just me

With the NYC Marathon behind me I have been feeling a bit lost.  My motivation to wake up at 4:30 and head out the door to run was driven by my training schedule.  In my mind I knew I had to follow it in order to be strong enough to cross the finish line.  So each day {well, almost each day} I followed what it said.  It felt good to be regimented, not have to think about what to do, and work hard towards my goal.  

But now with no schedule to follow and no big goal in sight it is hard to find that motivation to get out the door.  I have been moving my body due to Yoga Teacher Training but I have yet to lace up my sneakers and run.  My body feels tired, heavy, unsure of what it's next step is.  I keep searching for that next big goal, that one next thing to keep pushing me forward. 

But what if that next thing is just me, my life, how I want to feel?

What if it doesn't have to be a bright shiny object in the distance but simply putting myself first and doing it for me?  What if I showed up because I knew it made me feel good?  What if I made myself a priority?

My lofty goal is ME!  Making myself happy, choosing what feels good, putting myself first.  We must take care of ourselves in order take care of others.  We must be tender, kind, and do what makes us feel good.  It doesn't require following a schedule or sticking to a strict regiment.  What matters is following my heart and doing it just because I want to.

And so that is what I am doing.  Listening in. Moving my body.  Holding myself accountable.  Following my heart.  And putting one foot in front of the other.  What matters is that I show up, and that is exactly what I will do, for me.  

putting yourself first

Are you ready?  
Today is the day you choose YOU
Yes, the day you put yourself first
Listen to what it is you need
And go ahead and do it
Right now
Add yourself to your own to do list
Yes, go ahead
I will wait
For far to long you have been putting others first
And that is great that you care so much
But you also  need time to fill your well and fuel your soul
Today is the day to take that time
To make yourself a priority
And not let anyone get in the way of that
Do you want ten minutes to write?
A chance to go for a run?
A moment to sit and meditate?
What is it?
What is your heart and soul asking for?
Listen deeply
Hear what it is saying
And then take action
Today is as good a day as any to begin
So begin today
Put yourself first
Take care of YOU
Nurture your soul
Give yourself space to breathe
Don't wait another minute longer
Begin today

what life will you live?

"You don't choose a life, you live one" ~ The Way

Because you have no idea what tomorrow is going to bring
Sure we make plans
We dream, we wish
But there is no guarantee that you will ever make it to where you want to go
Your road may come to an end sooner than you ever expected
There may be twist and turns you didn't plan for
You may get flipped completely upside down
And have no idea what to do next
This is why you have to live in the moment
Be right here
Take a deep breathe in and appreciate the beauty around you
It could all go away tomorrow
Life as you know it may change forever
It may feel like a stab to your heart
Or bring you down to your knees
And all you can do is get back up
Learn how to navigate this new normal
You cannot count on anything to last forever
Life ebb's and flows
You cannot hold on to anything to tightly
You must carve your own path
Be kind along the way
Appreciate the beauty
And savor the moment
Because this is your one wild and precious life
You are the one who is holding up the pen
You are the one who is writing the story
What will your  next line be?
What life will you live?

you are enough

Know that wherever you are standing
Right in this very moment
That you are exactly where you are meant to be

Right here
Right now

The dishes may be piled up
The laundry may still be waiting to be done
Your hair may not even be brushed

But that is okay
Because Y.O.U.
Exactly as you are
Are enough

When you are deep in the trenches
Or celebrating a milestone

When tears of sadness are pouring from your eyes
Or you are smiling wide

Through all the emotions of life
You are enough
Just as you are
In that moment

Never forget that

And if you ever need a gentle reminder
Just let me know
I will shout it from the rooftop
Or write it in the sky
Just to ensure you hear and see it

 ~ Do something today to celebrate you ~

{this post was written on this day in 2010.  I needed to hear these words this morning and thought that you might need them to}