Save the toothpaste!

YUCK! Keeping it real and sharing that some mornings just start sour, even before getting out of bed. Not really sure how that happens. That whole “wrong side of the bed” really makes me wonder. Can anyone relate??

Several years ago I noticed this pattern of “first morning ughs” and realized it did not serve me well ! Waking and feeling down set the tone before I even put my feet on the floor. You can be pretty sure that nothing after that had a fighting chance of going well. “Someone squeezed the toothpaste in the middle”? ARE YOU FREAKIN’ KIDDING ME?!?! You get the larger picture I mean here, right?

If you can relate, you may want to give this a try… Here’s a practice I adopted years ago to jumpstart a positive start to my morning. Now those of you who have attended my talks know what I am about to say….wait for it….

Before opening my eyes in the morning, I Smile! :) Yup I put a big ole smile on my face and say something like “today I will look for the good and embrace the positive!” Doing this allows time for the endorphins from my oh so silly smile, to give me a mini boost.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying this little tip is a “cure all” for the day. I’d bottle THAT real quick if it was. What I am saying is, each time we make a conscious effort for a positive thought/moment, we are sending an awesome message to our brain. Doing so allows ourselves a break from the “heavy”.

Throughout the day I may randomly close my eyes…good Lord not while driving… and repeat my morning practice. Another silly smile and another reminder that I’ve got this!

Come on give it a try:

1. Close your eyes

2. Put a big smile on your face…so big you feel it in your ears! Feel that flutter of “different”?!?

3. Say something like “I embrace noticing the positive and will strive for a joyful heart”

4. Open eyes

5. Repeat at least 5-6 time a day

Extra Credit: When in another person’s company, and conversation is proving to be very challenging and stressful…go ahead close your eyes and do the steps above! It relives you momentarily from the stress of the person in front of you and there’s a comical bonus. Imagine the look on their face when they wonder what the heck you are doing??? After all we’re going for levity in our hearts!

For doses of motivation, guidance and sometimes quirky, follow me on Instagram.

Just imagine if we all master this now, once we are mask free there’s going to be a whole lot of visible smiles and lighter hearts for so many reason!

Thanks so much for reading and please reach out of you’d like to chat.

Be Sure To Play....................

One of the key reminders I tell folks is the importance to play, be silly, dance and provide yourself lighthearted bliss. It is so easy to get caught up in the struggle, the race, the trying to figure out the new normal and by all means the news and political media. By allowing ourselves to break the momentum of all that is tiring, stressful and overwhelming - we free ourselves to be open and receptive to the positive around us.

It changes the filter, if you will, to how we receive our day to day challenges.

So today Dear Readers, in the hopes of inspiring you, I share my own treasures that I keep at the ready. The fact that I have a playtime box and am posting it, is the exact silly I refer to. Let go of the “what will others think??? ….and create some fun! Give your mind a break!

From Etch A Sketch, Crayola Crayons and Play-Doh to paddle ball, jacks, Spirograph and slinky, this girl enjoys some nostalgic throwback playtime to get out of a funk, as well as to maintain some levity during changing times!