Thursday, January 01, 2009

Healthy Spirit ~ 5 Things A Day


I was tagged by Laurel Neustadter to list five things I do every day to keep my spirit happy and healthy. Funny thing is I haven't been doing enough! I've fallen off the wagon of self-care and my resolution is to get back on. Here's what I try to do every day.


1) I wake up with gratitude and carry it through the day even if I have challenges ahead. I believe each day is a gift and each obstacle is a learning tool.


2) I like being the only one awake when I have my coffee. I sit and check email and get caught up on my blogs. Even the dog is still under the covers! I love the quiet and solitude of that hour or so.


3) One of the best ways for me to connect with my spirit is to be outdoors. Usually I try to go for a long walk sometime in the morning. It's best if I go without the dog so I get some momentum and make it exercise. Emma likes to stop and sniff every 2 feet, so either I take her out first or my husband walks her.

Another thing that restores me is just being at the ocean. It's right down the street from me and I can hear the waves from my house. When I sit there I can often feel my troubles slip away.


4) I try to help others every day. It's the nature of my job anyway, but even if it wasn't I'd be doing things for people and animals. I'm working on finding a balance so I don't always feel so depleted.


5) Finally, the last thing I'll list is that I'm trying to be kinder to myself. I used to play "old tapes" that told me I'm not good enough, but now when I disappoint myself I just say "do better tomorrow." So now that it's tomorrow, I'm ready to do better in every way! I'm hoping 2009 is the year I meet my health goals. If I can do it then I know everything else will fall into place.


I'm tagging a few friends for this one...hmmmm, let's see. Okay, here they are!








And ladies, only if you want to!! XX

13 comments:

  1. This is a great list. I got this tag a few days ago and I also put being kind to myself on it.

    My solitude hours are in the middle of the night...I can't wake up early enough to enjoy the early morning. I'm too nocturnal LOL!

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  2. Happy New Year Dear Friend!

    This is terrific. Such self-love rolls through your "rituals". I can totally relate (no wonder we connect) to your 5 things. The last one is something I'm practicing and find rewarding when I can remember not to run the old tape over and over.

    I just LOL (w/joy) when I read your wish for me hold as much happiness in my heart that I can fit. Perfect image.

    May your year find healthy practices for yourself...as much, if not more than you give others :)

    With peace & love ~M

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  3. oooh yes i will do this later this evening....

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  4. Doing better at not "playing those tapes" is a very good one. I hope 2009 gives you plenty of time to practice all 5 of your "things".

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  5. Gee I'm glad you wrote this list and picked me because your list is my list! Really! I try to do these same things and especially love my early walk and coffee alone.

    Thanks Lolo.

    Have a wonderful 2009.

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  6. If I were to make such a list it would read very much like yours sans the dog and the ocean. How fortuante you are to live in Pacific Grove! Is that near Monterey? we are in the same state at least!

    Happy New Year!!!!

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  7. Happy New Year Laurel - looks like you're off to a great start!! I love to have my coffee in the quiet early hours too. And we ALL have 'those' tapes that need to be tossed out for good!

    All the best to you for 2009 my dear!

    Laura
    xo

    (P.S. I'm having an art print giveaway. I see that I just missed yours - darn it!)

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  8. Congrats and Happy New Year 2009

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  9. I also like being alone in the early morning quiet. It is my favorite time of day. Your list reminds me of a few things I should do daily.

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  10. I have things I want to work on this year, but my only resolution was to keep a gratitude journal every day and just see what happens-no expectations of how my "life will change" from the practice.

    Isn't it odd how the New Year finds many of us depleted?

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  11. Inspiring post!
    How cool you live so close to the ocean! That you can hear the waves!
    I live near the water and love the water too. I´m rather near the water then in the middle of a forest.....
    I could think of 5 things but to stick to doing them every day is difficult for me. Maybe I should write them down.
    Hope you meet your health goals! I must change my eating habits........

    take care!
    >M<

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  12. you are one healthy and wise girl, lolo, whether you know it or not. i am refreshed by my regular visits to your sweet blog!

    :)

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  13. Thanks for sharing Lolo. You are so positive and the positive virus has been passed down to friends here like me too:) Ha...Ha..

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