Posts Tagged ‘Life Lessons’

When we were in kindergarten we learned that “a” was for “apple,” but let’s get serious. This is the real world. An apple a day does not keep the doctor away, and giving one to a teacher will certainly not earn you an A. It is for this very reason that I’ve decided “A” is for “Attitude.” Because I truly believe that attitude goes a long way.

It is so easy to get wrapped up in our own lives, to bitch about the little things. Those moments at work, with our friends, in our relationships that drive us up a wall. It’s easy to forget that there are people who are having a harder time than we are.

I for one am completely guilty of not always putting the best attitude forward. Especially recently. I’ve found myself feeling sorry for myself, worrying about stupid fights, dumb moments, fussing over inconsequential matters.

I realized tonight I need to shed the negative Nancy attitude and put on a positive Polly. Because while Polly may have a crap name, she has a good attitude and people probably like to be around her.

Thank you to everyone who has supported negative Nancy Michelle, but she needs to peace out. From now on I am going to look at things in a glass half full kind of light. Because after all, A is for Attitude.

Why does it seem that we are always defined by another person? I am a mother, sister, girlfriend, daughter, friend. Or when we aren’t defining ourselves by our relationships we are using our professions to define ourselves. I am a PR girl, financial planner, an accountant, etc.

Why do we let the other people in our lives and our professions define who we are rather than define ourselves by our passions, our dreams, our inner selves? I gave it a long hard thought and I think I know the reason why.

Ever since I saw Eat, Pray Love, I’ve been trying to think of what my word would be. How would I define myself if it wasn’t through another person or by my career? I realized I couldn’t.

We are the sum of many parts, that’s why we don’t have one word that defines us. Julia Roberts might have found her word at the end of Eat, Pray, Love, but I honestly hope that I never find a word that defines me. Because if I let myself be defined by just one word, no more – no less, then how am I to grow and evolve as a person?

I think we define ourselves by the places we are at currently at in our lives, recognizing that those words will change, that as we grow – so will our perceptions of life and of ourselves. I like that feeling. I like knowing that there is always something out there, something to search for.

I might be a woman searching, but it’s not for one word. I am searching for the lifetime of words that will one day be the words that define my life.

- photo reminded me of the Arizona sunset I saw last night as I flew in -

Today I had the pleasure of meeting Kelly, who taught me something that I will never forget. 4 breaths in – four breaths out. This simple breathing trick – done with your eyes closed, one hand on your heart the other on your diaphragm, is designed to relax your body and reconnect it with your brain.

So often we are distracted by life. Our brains run at 1,000 miles per hour and we don’t often let them reconnect with our bodies. Instead we just keep going. We ignore the warning signs, the little moments where our bodies are trying to tell us to slow down, to pause, to take a moment to relax. Read the rest of this entry »