Sick as a Dog

Starting Second Semester

Playing Catch Up Already

Sick as a Dog

I apologize for my lack of posting recently. As I found myself starting second semester I discovered the unfortunate fact that I was sick as a dog. A trip to student health verified my suspicion that I had a double ear infection. I couldn't think of a less convenient time to be overcome by illness. It is the beginning of a new semester- new classes, new teachers, new start- and have been unable to attend a number of classes. My French course is already in full gear. There is one class I have yet to go to at all. And I am already overwhelmed and stressed because I am playing catch up so early into the new term. I am behind on readings in all my classes. I haven't completed a number of assignments already due in my French course and I have a quiz tomorrow that covers material I haven't even glanced at yet. I am frustrated and anxious. We aren't even two weeks into the semester...how is it possible that I feel so behind already? The next few days and the upcoming weekend will certainly be dedicated to catching up in all my classes. It is so important that I begin the semester strongly because it will set the tone for the remainder of the semester. Missing classes and fall behind on assignments is not ideal way to kick off second semester. I suppose I need to be fair to myself. It is not my fault that I became sick as a dog. My inability to attend classes and finish assignments is not reflective of my aptitude and dedication as a student. I know that once I am back to my regular, healthy self that I will be able to focus on my classes and my work in the manner that I have become accustomed to. But there is a great deal lying between me and my regular and healthy self. First and foremost I need to get well. Once I am feeling better I can concentrate on catching up and then move forward with the semester. I can't focus on new material being presented until I have caught up on what I have missed. 

Playing Catch Up Already

I am trying to remain calm in the midst of this catch up game that I find myself in; becoming overly stressed will on interfere with my ability to make up the work that lies in front of me. I am attempting to look forward rather than backward. I cannot help the fact that I became so sick so quickly. I can't rewind the past few days and undo the choices I have made. I decided to stay in bed and rest instead of pushing myself to go to classes. (I am conveniently forgetting the fact that I found myself unable to move let alone attend a class.) I went to bed early and slept late; consequently I did not have the time to pay attention to my workload that was quickly mounting as I lay sick in bed. However, my choices, to tend to my health needs, allowed me to get up today and make my way to my two classes. Yes, I am behind but I can't let this stop me from continuing onward. Now that I am feeling better it is up to me to concentrate on the tasks at hand, get up to speed in all my classes, and move forward. How am I going to help myself while attempting to do these three things- concentrate, catch up, and continue forward? I am going to focus on a calming affirmation that will enable me to stay relaxed as I strive to fulfill these three goals.

I am calm, relaxed, and in control.

It is key that I embody this affirmation in order to confidently move forward. Being calm and relaxed will allow me to see things clearly. The haze of stress interferes with our abilities to clearly recognize what needs to be done and prioritize tasks accordingly. 

Breathe in calm, breathe out stress-

If we can remain calm and relaxed in the midst of stressful situations then we have already one half the battle. A calm mind correlates to a clear mind; a mind that can organize unfinished tasks and complete them with focus and accuracy. Control is another crucial element when confronted with an anxiety provoking situation. When everything seems to be flying around chaotically, when life seems to be moving at an unbelievable speed, when work bombards us with unrelenting force, we need to compose ourselves and regain a degree of control. How do we obtain this control when everything seems chaotic and unmanageable? Well, honestly, it's difficult to say. The first thing to do is sit down, stop moving, and breathe. Let calmness wash over you and clear your mind. Then, with this new found clarity, look at the work and tasks that you need to complete. Once you know what you need to do then look at the amount of time you have to complete said tasks. Organize your work in conjunction with your available time. Plot out a plan or a schedule. Look at your plan and recognize that you can do this. You have the time to complete the work that needs to be done. You have control over this stressful situation; you can remedy the problem. It is easier to believe that you are in control and have the power to fix the issue (in my case catch up) when you can look at the dilemma clearly and concisely.

"[I] can remedy the problem."

As I am writing this I am breathing and letting go any stressful energy that I may have been holding onto. I am allowing myself to feel calm and relaxed. I am clearing my mind. I am preparing myself to face the mountain of work that accumulated while I was sick. I will begin to list my assignments and tasks with a calm and clear mind. I will tackle them with an air of relaxation and confidence. I will prioritize my work and schedule all assignments and tasks accordingly. As I begin to construct a plan I will feel more in control of the situation the I find myself in. I may be playing catch up already but that does not mean that I will be feeling behind and overwhelmed for the remainder of the semester. No, this has not been the best start to this semester; however, I have the ability to collect myself and move forward strongly. As I begin to make progress with my work I will be able to see that maybe I am not as far behind as I thought. I will chip away at my mountain of work; in time I will be back on course. I will move forward with the semester and in hindsight this period will appear as a blip on my radar. I need to put this situation into perspective rather than blow it out of proportion. I am only one week into a semester that spans 3 months. I guess I have to ask myself, how far behind could I actually be? The answer is obvious- probably not that much. If I approach this situation calmly and confidently then I am sure I will find that this issue is easily remedied with a few days of dedication, diligence, and focus.

Time for me to run and start catching up,

xo

Here We Go Again

Getting Back in the Swing of Things

Acclimating to Our Usual Environment and Routine

Here We Go Again

I am officially back on campus and it feels as if I have never left. I don't feel as if I had a break at all. It seems that it has taken me almost no time at all to acclimate to my usual environment and routine. The campus feels as comfortable and familiar as it did when I left it in December. The classroom environment has not changed. The faces of the professors and the material may be different but other then that it all seems very much the same. I am maneuvering from class to class like a pro (now that I have been on campus for almost 2 years.) I am writing down assignments, attempting to adjust my class schedule, texting friends, and balancing my Trenta coffee and a cigarette in my mouth all at once. I have reclaimed my identity as Rachel, the coffee drinking, cigarette smoking, always organized and dedicated Penn student. I can't believe less than 6 hours ago I was snuggle up in my bed at home in the suburbs. Although it seems that I have acclimated rather quickly I still don't fully feel that I am in back in the swing of things. I am adjusting to life on campus, following my routine, and attempting to live up to my standards as a college student; but doing so is taking a great deal of effort on my part. There is a hint of, what I call, that "Here We Go Again" attitude. I give off the appearance that I am taking it all in stride. But, deep down, I am still exhausted, still struggling with the death of my friend, still fighting off illness, and still trying to recuperate after a very eventful and not so relaxing break. 

This semester feels like stale bread-

I don't feel the excitement and enthusiasm that I would like to feel as I approach the dawn of this new semester. It feels stale, old, and monotonous. Its lacks the freshness, energy, and openness that I associate with new beginnings; instead it exudes an air of here we go again...My post from yesterday, All Good Things Must End, offered and affirmation and discussed a level of determination required in order to get back in the swing of things in the hopes of completing tasks and pursuing our goals. I have managed to muster up this determination. I am here on campus. I am going to classes, reaching out to friends, and organizing my life in order to create a strong foundation for the Spring semester. But my determination is not met with an equal level of passion. As I said yesterday, desire is crucial element in building an unyielding determination. My desire to finish my undergraduate remains present and continues to push me forward. But, I want more than just a desire to complete the semester and ultimately graduate. I wish I wanted to be here. 

I'm ready to complete my college experience-

I wish I wanted to be learning, socializing, and participating on campus. It seems that sometime during the last few weeks or so I have lost my enthusiasm for being a college student and perhaps for life itself. I find life to be exhausting and somewhat daunting. I am 23 and I am still attempting to complete my undergraduate degree- When is it going to end? When will I be finished? When will I be able to enter the real world and embark upon my "real life"? 

I'm sick of the game; I want "real life" !

Mentally and emotionally I am ready to graduate now; however, my academic record says otherwise. It seems that I am bound to be a college student for at least 2 more semesters and it is up to me to figure out how to eliminate my here we go again attitude and replace it with some excitement and enthusiasm. I need to open my mind and my heart in order to discover a way to make these next few semesters fun, enlightening, and beneficial. We only are given one undergraduate experience; although mine has been atypical and extended it is still up to me to make the most of it and savor the opportunity. I am going to introduce an affirmation for us to consider in the hopes that it will help us to infuse our lives with some passion and fun-

I am constantly energized by life's possibilities.

New courses, professors, and possibilities !

This affirmation just popped out to me this afternoon. By approaching this semester with a here we go again attitude I have forgotten that this new semester offers a host of possibilities. Although a great deal of things- campus, friends, classes, workload, routine- feel the same as always I have to admit that they are not identical to last semester. I have already brought bags full of new decor for my apartment in order to give it a mini face lift. Yes, my friends are the same, but there is always the chance to meet new people and build upon the friendships that I already have. My classes and professors are completely different from last semester. I have the opportunity to be excited by new material and discover interests in topics that I have yet to study. And I have the chance to make connections with these professors who do not yet know me as a person or a student. So although a lot is the same, a lot is different as well; these differences create possibilities that can both energize as well as excite me. Rather than looking at this semester as yet another semester as a college student I need to look at as new, and with newness comes potential. 

I want genuine enthusiasm-

I am already feeling inspired by this affirmation. It has allowed me to open my eyes and see what makes this semester unlike previous semesters. It has enabled me to realize opportunities for creating and strengthening relationships. It has helped me recognize that there is still a great deal of information out there for me to learn, grasp, and absorb. New classes open doors for new interests and passions. Perhaps my Communications class will introduce a concept I have yet to encounter. My more advanced French course will certainly strengthen my aptitude for speaking and understanding the language. And my schedule is not yet finalized; I may end up in a class that is completely unlike anything I have ever taken before. 

Getting back in the swing of things implies a certain energy (the verb "swing" seems to express a level of enthusiasm or an energetic vibe.) I don't simply want to become acclimated to my environment and routine; I want to metaphorically swing along. I want to bop from class to class, task to task, and friend to friend with a level of unbounded energy and happiness. I want to be passionate about returning to my usual environment and routine. Let us abandon our here we go again attitudes; efface it from your mind and memory. We may returning to our usual environments and routines but that doesn't mean they are the same as when we left them. Instead of looking at our return to the usual as typical and predictable, let us look at the possibilities that come with starting again. It doesn't matter what you are returning to- work, campus, home, school, office- every domain possess a level of novelty and potential. Sometimes we spend so much time focusing on the elements that are the same that we fail to recognize aspects that are different and open the door to possibility. Maybe there is a new employee at your office who you could begin a friendship with. Perhaps you are getting a new roommate at school. You could organize your folders and assignments in a new way in order to incorporate variation into your life. You could add something new to your routine- plan to meet a friend for lunch every Wednesday, start following a new television show, begin journaling, write your own blog! If a new possibility isn't handed to you upon your return take it upon yourself to create one. Just thinking about new possibilities and the potential that this fresh beginning holds can help energize and excite you. Don't just acclimate to your usual environment and routine; get into the swing of things! 

Think about the potential and infinite opportunities that could await you as return to your everyday life. It may seem the same as it was before. It may look and feel identical to how you left it. But, it is not; it is different. Approach this return to school, work, or home with an openness; be willing to see changes and potential. If we allow ourselves to recognize the possibilities that exist within our lives than we are able to become energetic, enthused, passionate, and excited. Let us acclimate to our usual environments and routines while also noticing possibilities to invoke or embrace change. Lets throw a way our here we go again attitudes and add a swing to our steps!

Look for the possibilities and passion will follow,
xo

Get Back in the Swing of Things

Swing, Swing, The All-American Rejects

All Good Things Must End

Farewell Winter Break

Back to the Same Old Grind

Farewell Winter Break

After 3 weeks of relaxation, sleeping in, and having next to no responsibilities I find myself saying farewell to Winter break and prepping myself to return back to school. Although 3 weeks have gone by I still do not feel prepared to go back to the same old grind. I am still exhausted from the stressful push that was necessary to get through the end of the Fall semester. I have yet to fully recover from holiday celebrations- my mind feels fuzzy from alcohol and hangovers; my body still feels bloated from an abundance of food indulgences. And I feel as if I was cheated out of the last week of my break. The death of my friend took a toll on me both emotionally as well as physically. I am still distraught and have yet to come to terms with the tragic event. I will be returning to school without finding the closure that I was hoping for. Plus, to top it all off, I was hit with an unrelenting sickness two days ago that prevented me from organizing my things and my mind before needing to return to school. This last week of break proved to be anything but peaceful and I am not ready to admit that all good things must end and say farewell to Winter break. 

But, whether I like it or not, classes begin again tomorrow and I am expected to be there, ready to throw myself into all that is school- class, assignments, social life, studying. I am quite concerned as to whether or not I will be able to handle all that is demanded of me during this upcoming Spring semester. I find myself longing for break to last just a bit longer. I want a little more time to get myself ready to return to the same old grind. How am I supposed to be a dedicated and competent student when my mind isn't fully healed? The emotional scars from the death of my friend are still fresh. My body image is horrendous due to all of my indulgences over break and it is resulting in a swarm of eating disordered thoughts. Not to mention that my clothes are still strewn all over my house. I haven't bought a single book for my courses yet. Nor have I organized my notebooks and folders for this semester. All in all I am completely unprepared and ill-equipped. What am I supposed to do? I want to start this semester strong because it will set the tone for the remainder of the semester. But, I don't feel that I am in a position that will allow me to do so. I can't magically extend my Winter break so I need to figure out an alternative that will allow me to feel prepared and capable as the Spring semester begins. 

As usual I am going to turn to a trusty affirmation that will potentially help me as well as you prepare ourselves for going back to the same old grind- school, work, early mornings, managing schedules, completing assignments, dealing with stress, etc.

I have the will, strength, and desire to continue working toward my goals.

I chose this affirmation for a couple reasons. First, it covers three elements that I find necessary in order to complete tasks to the best of my ability: will, strength, desire. Together these elements work together to build a steadfast determination that enables us to follow through with endeavors. Our will or resolve helps us stick to the task that needs to be done. Our strength allows us to complete it to the best of our ability no matter what obstacles may attempt to intercede. Our desire or want motivates us to continue forward. Not only do we need to fulfill this task, we want to complete it; this want drives us to keep going no matter what. It inspires us to perform at our optimum level. 

Determination: will, strength, desire-

Resolve, strength, and want create a determination that guides us toward achieving any task that is set before us; it enables us to make our dreams a reality. This dream or goal is the second reason that I chose this affirmation this afternoon. This affirmation reminds me that I am not just working toward completing this Spring semester but, I am in fact, attempting to achieve a much a larger goal- completing my undergraduate degree. This semester is just one more step in the process of fulfilling my ultimate goal. Embodying this affirmation will help me to not only be successful in beginning this semester but also guide me in the direction of my overall goal. I must tap into the three important elements- will, strength, desire- that create a foundation for an insoluble determination; a determination that will carry me through the Spring semester and beyond. Let us keep this affirmation and our larger goals in mind as we come to terms with the fact that all good things must end and return to our usual routines. Winter break and vacation are over. We have enjoyed its pleasures- Christmas, sleeping in, friends, family gatherings, relaxation. It is time for us to return to the real world- back to the same old grind.

Back to the Same Old Grind

Some of us may feel ready to say farewell winter break. Some of us may even be excited about the opportunity to return to work or school and be productive again. But some of us, like me, may feel that break is ending a tad too soon. We may be feeling unsteady and unprepared as we anticipate returning to the same old grind. This affirmation is crucial for those of us who are not ready to say farewell winter break and return to our normal routines. We can use this affirmation to tap into the powerful qualities that reside within us. We can use it to imagine the larger picture or bigger goal, realizing the importance of our determination when embarking upon smaller tasks; these smaller tasks often lead us toward our final goal. This affirmation and my ultimate goal- graduating college- will be at the forefront of my mind tomorrow when I attend my first class of the Spring semester. I have the determination to start this semester with an unrivaled fortitude because I long to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania within the next year. I must complete this semester in order to achieve my greater goal. I may feel unprepared at the moment but I am hoping that both this affirmation as well as time will work together in helping me find and utilize an unyielding determination that I know I possess. Yes, vacation is over and all good things must end, but that does not mean that what is to come does not hold great things of its own. 2013 is upon us. Spring semester is upon us (if you are a college student.) January has begun and February is knocking on our door. One good thing has ended but, who can say what good things are awaiting us in the future?

Say farewell winter break and hello to today,

xo

Goodbye to You, Michelle Branch

2013 Approaching

Ringing in the New Year

Reasons to Celebrate

New Year's Ball in Time Square

So the day has come; it's New Years Eve. The day when people drink to oblivion, make a list of resolutions that they probably won't keep or will simply forget in the next couple weeks, wear silly hats and sunglasses that bear the year, and can use the phrase "ball dropping" without smirking. But what is this day really about? As I said in my previous post, Magical Snowflakes, I am not a huge fan of New Year's resolutions. It is too difficult to make a single resolution that encompasses all of our wants. And when making a resolution it is impossible to know if a single year is enough time to complete it or if said resolution will still be important to us a few months from now. Lengthy lists that contain numerous resolutions pose problems of their own. How important can a resolution be if it is one of many? Is it feasible to successfully fulfill or complete 20+ resolutions in 365 days? 

No one's too old for silliness on New Year's-

When it comes to making resolutions it seems to me that we are going to fail ourselves in one way or another. Our resolution won't accurately reflect the totality of our deepest desires. Or we create a resolution that takes more than one year to complete, resulting in feelings of failure when we are unable to accomplish it in a year's span. Or we come up with a resolution that is so important to us right now but as the year goes on it becomes irrelevant or less of a priority. I just feel that making New Year's resolutions is a futile practice. Instead of making a list of things we would like to change in the upcoming year I think we should create a list of reasons to celebrate as we leave 2012 behind and ring in the New Year. 

Why have we made the New Year so important? Start any time !

I have been contemplating recently why the New Year is celebrated. Is it because we are happy to leave the past year behind? Are we excited for a fresh start and new opportunities? Are we thankful that we managed to make it through another year? Do we feel that it indicates a definitive starting point to make changes in our lives? I am not really sure why New Year's Eve is such a big deal. We have the ability to do all of these things at any point in our lives- wipe our slate clean, pursue new things, give thanks for our lives, decide to change our ways. 

"New Year's is a harmless annual institution, of no particular use to anybody save as a scapegoat for promiscuous drunks, and friendly calls and humbug resolutions."

- Mark Twain

As 2013 approaches I want to reflect on my life- past, present, and future- and truly be cognisant of what exactly it is that I am celebrating. So I am going to share a brief list with you that includes a number of my reasons to celebrate tonight and during the first few days of 2013.

• I am celebrating the New Year with my family instead of in a treatment facility
• I have finished the Fall Semester and I am looking forward to returning to school for my Spring semester
• I am happy with my weight and comfortable in my body
• I have used my voice over the past year and have been able to compromise with my team (regarding a number of issues) that has benefited my happiness and well-being
• I have a family that loves, supports, and has faith in me
• I have friends all over the world who I feel connected to although some of us are thousands of miles apart
• I was able to adopt my kitten, Milly. And she has saved me- emotionally, mentally, physically- in ways that I never could have anticipated
• I am alive!

Know the reasons your are celebrating-

This is just a brief portion of my list. (I could go on forever but I thought I would spare you.) I have reflected on my past, present, and future and recognized the many blessings that give me reason to celebrate tonight. 2013 is approaching and I have no plans to make any huge changes in my life. I am relatively happy where I am and with what I am doing at the moment. But, just because I don't have a list of resolutions doesn't mean that I don't have a sense of direction for the upcoming year. By forming a list of reasons to celebrate I have been able to recognize all that I have and wish to keep in the future. This list compels me to continue fighting, blogging, working, and doing what I am doing. No, I am not overhauling my life; but, I don't feel any need to do so. Why be pressured to make a change when you are perfectly content with the way things are? Instead, I am resolved to continue doing exactly what I have been doing, in the hopes of pursuing happiness in my life. My list of reasons provides me with factual evidence of what I have accomplished, what I am thankful for, and what I enjoy about my life. It inspires me to keep up the good work in the New Year. It encourages me by reminding me of all that I have done and thus, all I am capable of doing. And it gives me hope; 2012 has gifted me so many wonderful things and I don't see why 2013 would be any different.

As 2013 approaches and you prepare to ring in the New Year I encourage you to take a moment for yourself in order to make a list of all your reasons to celebrate. Don't ring in the New Year and cheer when the "ball drops" without knowing why you are celebrating. Allow this list to help you moving forward; let it inspire and encourage you. Look at all the things in your life that you are thankful for and hold on to them. As you ring in the New Year let your list of reasons guide you. Instead of embarking upon supposedly life changing resolutions you can make the decision to keep things just the way they are in order to maintain the many reasons that make up your list. The New Year is an important time for many of us. It marks a moment that allows us to reflect upon our past and think about our future in the year to come. If you recognize things in your life that you would like to change than by all means go for it! But, don't put undue pressure on yourself by creating a one year deadline. Some things just need a bit more time. I encourage you to focus on the positives this New Year's Eve, rather than the negatives or elements of your life that you are not satisfied with. 

I hope you are able to have fun, celebrate, and enjoy the festivities. By all means wear goofy New Year's garb, scream "the ball is dropping" at the top of your lungs, and drink until your body can take no more. But don't ring in the New Year without knowing exactly why you are celebrating. Maybe you are celebrating being with your family. Perhaps you are embarking on a new job. Maybe you are celebrating for a simple reason- going on vacation, finishing a semester, making a new friend. Or perhaps like me, you are celebrating that fact that you made it through another year and life feels pretty damn good! 

"Celebrate with a purpose."

"Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us."

- Hal Borland

Happy New Year to you all! Celebrate with a purpose. Begin 2013 with a sense of direction. And of course, be safe tonight, no matter what you are doing, as you are ringing in the New Year!

One year down and many more to go,

xo

New Year's Eve, 1 Day Til 2013

Auld Lang Syne, Mairi Campbell and Dave Francis

Fire Up Your Engines!

Motivation for this Monday Morning

A Morning Affirmation and Quotes

Fire Up Your Engines!

I pushed myself a little too hard this Thursday and Friday I suppose and subsequently crashed Saturday and Sunday. I hate losing days to sleep and laziness although I know I needed to recuperate after my late nights out and about. While I am feeling far better this morning I am still up not up to par and I need some motivation to fire up my engine this Monday morning. As I have mentioned before Mondays seems to get a bad reputation and today I understand why. I feel robbed of two of my weekend days which I usually use to clear my head, do things I enjoy, and mentally and physically prepare for the week ahead of me. I am feeling a bit off because I lost this time to sleep. My usual organization is not in place and my mind is still swimming with thoughts from the previous week and the weekend (the part of it I was awake for...) I don't feel refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to face the long day that I have ahead of me. I am making the assumption that I am not the only one who is not quite ready for the weekend to be over and thought I'd help us all out by supplying us with some much needed motivation for this Monday morning. Lets start off with a positive morning affirmation to get ourselves in the right frame of mind-

I accept each day as a new opportunity to outshine yesterday.

Well, seeing as I was asleep for the bulk of yesterday this affirmation should not be difficult for me to fulfill. But lets look at in a broader sense and for all intensive purposes pretend that I did not sleep my day away yesterday. 

Someone needs some motivation this morning-

We wake up each morning, occasionally a little groggy, look at our alarm clocks (usually with dismay), and roll out of bed knowing that we have a full day ahead of us. Many of us tend to throw on whatever is clean, rush to get coffee or chug some quickly at our kitchen table, shove a breakfast bar in our bags, and run out the door. We see this day as any other day. We give it no special attention or think for a moment that today can be special, different, better than the day before. Despite my tiredness and disgruntled feelings toward this Monday morning I did my best to challenge that same old routine that we often find ourselves trapped in. I woke up before my alarm (which seems to be a regular pattern for me recently.) I sat down at my kitchen table and enjoyed a calming and full breakfast. I took my time to enjoy a bowl of cereal, cut up an apple and dipped in a large helping of peanut butter (one of my all time favorite foods), and sipped some cold water while observing Milly enthusiastically play with some dirty socks that were lying on the floor. (She's too cute and funny sometimes- She has all the toys a kitten could possibly want and she chooses to roll around with my dirty socks..go figure!) After my leisurely breakfast I ventured downstairs for my morning cigarette and enjoyed the sounds of the city- cars driving, buses running, horns beeping, people chatting (at rather loud levels,) and every so often a bird chirping.

Awkward photo shoot but regardless- me "dressed up this morning" !

I went upstairs and got dressed for the day. I didn't throw on whatever was clean or was easiest to access. I chose to get dressed up this morning because being put together helps me to feel good. I put on a nice wool dress, printed grey tights, accessorized liberally (tons of jewelry, some cozy socks, a cuddly fringed scarf, a fun printed headband), and put on enough makeup so I didn't look as worn out as I feel. (The only downside to my getting dressed this morning was my inability to find a specific bracelet. I spent almost an hour looking for it, which really through me off, and was still unable to find it. I am hoping that it comes up when I am least expecting it as things like this tend to do.) But even without the oddly missing bracelet I was able to look in the mirror and say that I felt very good about myself. I was pleased with my morning. I made definitive decisions to make this morning special, to do things that would help me feel good, and to create a foundation that could make this day better than yesterday. We have the capability to set the tone for our day. Lets look at this morning, and this day as a whole, and believe that it has the possibility to outshine yesterday. It's a new and different day and it is full of opportunities that were not present yesterday. Before I say farewell to you I'd like to offer one last resource- a quote of course, to help us fire up our engines this morning-

"Carpe Diem"- Seize the day !

"Don't wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great. Weak men [or women] wait for opportunities; strong men [or women] make them."

- Orison Swett Marden

Today may not be remarkable and the opportunities it offers may not be extraordinary but regardless the new day is here and along with it comes an abundance of opportunities. As Marden says it is up to us to "seize common occasions" and make them special, make them matter, make them big. It is our strength that will allow us to make the most of these opportunities and subsequently make today outshine yesterday. Don't let any opportunity pass you by no matter how seemingly unimportant or insignificant it appears. What are you going to choose today? You have a multitude of options- Are you going to stay in bed all day as the world passes you by? Are you going to snooze your alarm so that you are forced to throw on the first items of clothes lying on your floor? Are you going to shove a breakfast bar in your bag and miss out on the funny, adorable things your pet or child is doing right in front of your eyes? Or are you going to live with intention- actively ready yourself for the day, create solid building blocks to work off off, seize the day and all the opportunities that come along with it- and make today better than yesterday? I know what choice I have made. I am embodying the morning affirmation this very moment and I am heeding Marden's wise words. I am motivated this Monday morning to make today outshine yesterday. Get out of bed! Casually eat a wholesome breakfast! Observe everything fantastic that surrounds you! Wear something that makes you feel special! Prepare yourself for today- it's time to fire up your engine- because this Monday will be special if you believe it to be so.

Remember every new day is full of potential- it's up to us to take advantage of it,

xo

And I will make today better than yesterday-

Happy Monday!

Time to Get Started

Adjusting Our Attitude

Time to get started !

It's here! The opportunity filled, new start giving Monday that we have been waiting for since last night. I am offering a continuance to my previous post, "Starting Off Strong," by wishing you all a Happy Monday! So now that we've built up or momentum for the week and mentally and physically prepared for today what is next? Well, it's time to make good on our statements and adjust our attitudes so that we can appreciate this Monday for all the positive things that it is and offers. As I mentioned before Mondays are frequently associated with feelings of dread, disappointment, or simply annoyance but it's time for Mondays to get a makeover and it's up to us! We can give Monday a makeover by changing our own attitudes and how we feel about the start of the week. As we begin our days lets try to focus on thinking in a different and more positive way. If we can embrace the start of the week, the promise it offers, and the ability we possess to make the most of it than we have the power to alter our attitudes about Monday and cast it a new, positive light. Wipe that sleep out of your eyes and get ready to read the affirmation I have chosen for this beautiful, new day-

My positive attitude is impregnable- all negative energy just bounces off me.

If you have been reading my posts for a while now than you know that I can't resist an affirmation that offers a visual. As soon as I read this affirmation I envision negative energy, materialized via bouncy balls, literally hitting an invisible force field of positivity that surrounds me. The positive attitudes we choose to take cannot be permeated by negativity coming from the world around us. No negative words, coffee spill, rain, long line at Starbucks, or challenging task can get in our way today. Likewise no one's poor mood about it being Monday can impact the positivity we feel about today and the week to come! It is time to get started this morning for our day and week to come. We have the ability to shift our attitudes from down and pessimistic to uplifting and excited! We have the power to make this new attitude steadfast and not allow any external factor take it from us. Look around you and be thankful that you awoke this morning and have a brand new day to do with as you please. I don't know about you but I am going to make the most of my Monday with my updated attitude that's focusing on possibility and hope!

Happy Monday!
xo

Starting Off Strong

Heading Into a New Week

Building Momentum for Monday

Today has been a little less productive than I would have hoped. The weekend proved to be exhausting and this Sunday was spent recuperating rather than completing the work I had planned to do today. Despite this slow and lazy Sunday I am feeling strong about the upcoming week and my ability to be productive in the near future. Tomorrow is Monday and it is time for us to build momentum and prepare for a productive, positive, fulfilling, and happy week to come. Lets use tonight as a period of relaxation, preparation, and meditation so we are able to start off strong tomorrow and carry this momentum into the remainder of the week. I have chosen an affirmation for us this evening to help us in our quest to begin this week on a positive note.

I am naturally motivated and have all the energy I need to build and maintain momentum.

Momentum-

This affirmation couldn't be better suited for my entry tonight. We have the energy within us to build momentum and maintain it throughout the course of our week. No obstacle or challenge will hinder us this week or detract from the strong momentum that we have created. Our personal motivation enables us to keep going and face every task that we are given this week. We will use tonight to create a strong and steadfast drive that is able to propel us forward and achieve all of our goals in the upcoming week. Mondays often have a negative connotation but I like to look at them as a fresh start, an opportunity to begin again, and full of possibilities for the week to come. Lets be optimistic about this Monday and put a positive spin on it. Our momentum enables us to seize the opportunities and possibilities that Monday offers. Tomorrow is a new beginning, the chance to start off strong, and an opportunity to have a fantastic week. Lets not associate Monday with back to work, back to school, back to the same, stressful routine. Instead we can associate it with all the positive and optimistic feelings that accompany a new week and a clean slate. I am going to use the remainder of tonight to organize my thoughts and work in preparation for the week. I am going to clear my mind and unwind in order to be well rested and strong for my day tomorrow. Join me in using this night to prepare yourself for the week to come. We can build a momentum that will stay with us throughout the entirety week and help us to be productive and successful in the when tackling all of our challenges and tasks. We have a great week to look forward to and tomorrow is only the beginning!

Rest well friends and prepare for the week to come,

xo

It's almost Monday and it's MORE than ok !

Back to Basics

In Pursuit of Happiness

A Brief Refresher

Every once in a while I like to write an entry that reaffirms the intent of my blog and my initial goal behind starting it. If you are an avid reader/follower you know that Happiness One Quote at a Time leads you through the course of my life, relates my situations to themes and quotes, and then attempts to connect it to a broader picture or more specifically the lives of others. However I feel that after a long string of entries my main point has a tendency to get lost or at least obscured. And as my life speeds up and I find myself busy with school, friends, and responsibilities I find that I forget my life quest: happiness. Today I want to recommit myself to the goal of this blog and at the same time recommit myself to my pursuit of happiness. How do I plan to achieve this re-commitment? I am taking some time this morning to slow down, reflect, carefully write this entry, and ponder what in life is important to me and brings me happiness. And of course I am going to introduce an affirmation and some quotes for us to think about. First I will share an affirmation for happiness with you-

Being happy is one of the top priorities in my life, and I practice this feeling each day.

I chose this affirmation for two reasons. Firstly it is true to my life because happiness is on of my "top priorities" even when I seem to have forgotten. This affirmation reminds me that the pursuit of happiness is important to me and is in fact one my main goals in life. Secondly, the latter part of this affirmation is a practice I would like to attempt to put into action. When we are thrust into the chaos of our every day lives we often forget to acknowledge the things that are important to us. Whether it's family, friends, charity, or in my case happiness it is important that we not forget what matters to us most and the best way to avoid this from happening is to acknowledge it every day. Consistently practicing the feeling of happiness can serve two purposes for me. 1) It will serve as a daily reminder that happiness is one of my "top priorities." 2) It will encourage and allow me to feel the simple  pleasure of happiness or joy for at least a moment every single day. I am going to attempt to embody this affirmation today and in the future because I believe it will help me stick to my goal both in life as well as in this blog.

Now I would like to offer a couple quotes that touch upon the themes of this entry: back to basics and the pursuit of happiness. The first is meant to connect to my recommitment to happiness both in life and in this blog by touching on the fulfillment of promises.

"Promise only what you can deliver.  Then deliver more than you promise."

Pinky promise?

- Author Unknown

 

When I set out writing this blog I made a promise both to you as well as myself. I promised that I would be committed to seeking happiness in my life and hopefully help others in pursuit of the same goal by sharing my personal journey. I have chosen to write this brief refresher as a means of ensuring that I have fulfilled my promise to you and to me. No matter what tangent I go off on my underlying purpose remains the same- to achieve happiness in my every day life and to guide others during their personal quests. I know that I have strayed from fulfilling my promise to myself. I have lost sight of my overriding goal. But I hope that I have fulfilled my promise to you and that my lengthy string of entries continue to help you in your pursuit of happiness. The next quote I have chosen is straight forward and more directly relates to the overriding theme of this entry and the blog as a whole-

"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed.  Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude."

- Denis Waitley

I am not going to bore you or bog this quote down with a lengthy interpretation or personal analysis. As the quote says happiness is an "experience" of living life in a particular way. I want us to read and experience this quote in our own personal and unique ways. The only thing I would like to touch on is the lack of materiality of happiness, that Waitley proposes, because I think it directly connects to today's affirmation and the practice of feeling happy. Happiness is not a new handbag, it is not a cup of coffee, it not a friend, it is a feeling, an experience. Because it is immaterial we have the ability to practice it, feel it, and allow it to fill us. Waitley say that the only way to achieve happiness is to live our lives lovingly, gracefully, and gratefully. I think this claim is a little too specific. However I do believe that happiness is found in the way we live our lives- kindly, positively, honestly, along with the elements that Waitley suggested and many others as well. Our actions and behaviors can instill a sense of happiness within us that cannot be produced by any physical possession or person. Lets combine the affirmation and Waitley's quote by practicing living every moment of our lives in a positive way. If the affirmation and quote fulfill their respective promises we should find happiness every day.

Remember your goals and continue your pursuits,

xo

Life is short so lets smile and be HAPPY !