Self care

Happiness, Life lessons, Self care

Hobbies

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The importance of fun for fun’s sake

If anyone should read this, it’s me. I’ve always been a “work first, play later” type of person but I don’t recommend it. You need to fill yourself up each day with something you enjoy or things get old fast.

Having a hobby, or several, is a way to fill your day with a little bit of sunshine. Finding the time for it can be a challenge but if you make it priority, you’ll make it happen.

Ways to put fun time into your day:

  • Wake up a bit earlier and fit 15 minutes of your hobby in the morning – birdwatching, anyone?
  • Take a real lunch break and spend half of it doing something you enjoy
  • End your work day with a treat: your favorite thing to do
  • After dinner, sprint over to your workspace – or wherever you play – to get some hobby time in

Letting the work go

Depending on your age, you may or may not believe me, but life is short. Be sure you spend your days wisely. Have fun!

Image courtesy of EpicTop10.com.

Life lessons, Self care

Fun with food

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Taking the drudgery out of cooking

There are times when I simply cannot imagine cooking – I’m either too tired, too busy, or too out of ideas. When that happens, we order out. That said, I do like to make different dishes every now and then. It’s fun to see what you can create.

How to get inspired:

  • Cookbooks from the library or bookstore.
  • Pinterest – there are lots of good ideas online. Select easy or more challenging dishes depending upon your stamina – and bravery – that day.
  • Old family recipes – this is my favorite route and I cook a lot of the dishes my Mom made. I love that I’m passing these down to my kids.

Tackling it one dish at a time

Cooking can be fun if you turn up the music, focus on the task, and keep in mind that you’ll be rewarded with a nice meal at the end.

P.S. Happy Easter and Earth Day! I hope you get to spend some time outdoors enjoying our beautiful planet.

Photo courtesy of Rene Schwietzke.

Happiness, Life lessons, Self care

Happiness is finding a furry friend

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Our pets bring us peace

Cats, dogs, birds, hamsters, snakes, pigs, chickens – you name it – can bring happiness into your life. Studies have shown that pets:

  • reduce our blood pressure,
  • increase dopamine, and
  • give us a sense of purpose

They greet us when we arrive, keep us company when we’re down, and fill the house with buzz. I have two cats and a dog and I love the hustle and bustle they add to our lives. It’s comforting to have a buddy who doesn’t question your craziness – who loves you as you are.

How to find your new best friend

If you don’t have a pet, and would like one, stop by your local shelter. The Denver Dumb Friends League is one great option but there are many other great places too.

Do your research in advance to learn what type of animal your best suited for and then start your journey. You won’t regret it. Bow wow and meow!

Photo courtesy of Living in Monrovia (Maji and Theo).

Happiness, Life lessons, Self care, Travel

Get outta Dodge!

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Why you need to take a trip

I’ve traveled to many wonderful places so I always see the value of finding myself in a new environment. I often ask my friends – where’s your favorite place to visit? Pulling yourself out of your typical, day-to-day life to a new surrounding is exciting and fun.

Advantages to getting away:

  • Time to unplug – put away your computer, email, and other work “stuff” and focus on where you are.
  • Bask in nature – whether you’re at the beach, in the mountains, or stowing away on a boat, soak up the wonder of the outdoors.
  • Make new memories – take the opportunity to do things you’ve never done before.

Time to get moving

There you have it. Book that flight, rail pass or bus ticket – or jump in your car – and head away from home for some fun R&R. Enjoy your new adventures!

Photo courtesy of Victor Camilo.

Happiness, Life lessons, Self care

Creating the best you

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Being creative can bring so much joy to your world. Spending a few minutes nurturing your right brain can help focus your mind and calm your brain and body.

Doing something fun and creative also fills you up to be your best self for others. So take time today to:

  • write
  • take photos
  • cook
  • draw
  • paint
  • sew
  • build a model car
  • make a gift
  • revive an old artifact
  • create a new tradition
  • play an instrument
  • decorate
  • and more!

Whatever makes sense for you – enjoy and have fun!

P.S. It’s right around the corner – Happy April Fool’s Day!

Photo courtesy of Hammad Khan.

Happiness, Life lessons, Self care

Don’t live in the past

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The older I get, the more I realize that you must live for today. As a people pleaser, I’ve spent much of my life regretting, re-living, revising how things went. It’s a terrible way to spend your day because you are literally “spending” that time and you’ll never get it back.

Many of us have experienced horrible things or wonderful things and we either want to redo them to get it right or do them again because they were so lovely. But you cannot go back. I’m in it now with growing older. I think back to my younger days, especially how I looked, and long for them. But here’s the deal: I will never be 25 again. However, I can be my best self today. And honestly, I’m so happy now that there really is no reason to “go back.”

Don’t forget to move your clocks ahead tomorrow (Sunday, March 13) and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Photo courtesy of Andrew Malone.

Happiness, Life lessons, Self care

A benevolent world

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There are 2 ways to see the world around you:

  • Good with nice people who want the best for you
  • Difficult with mean people who want to make you miserable, cheat, or treat you poorly

As we start our day, I really believe that the way we expect it to unfold has a direct effect on how it does. “It’s gonna be a great day!” is a much better way to begin than “Ugh. Another day of work and misery.” Granted, few of us are at either extreme but it might be worth a try changing how you view the world around you. And if we all did, what a lovely place it could be.

Happy almost Valentine’s Day!

Image courtesy of Sue Thompson.

Happiness, Self care

Exercise – and pull yourself outta that funk

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When I was young, I was not an athlete. I had no coordination and couldn’t catch a ball to save my life. So I never understood why gym class was a required course. What was I “learning”?

Fast forward to today and I get it. Exercise is the key to managing stress and staying in shape. And those two things make life better, help you live longer, and keep your spirits up. Between the jump in endorphins and your reflection in the mirror, there really is no negative.

I’m still not an athlete (please don’t throw balls at me because they’ll most likely hit me in the head) but I love my daily walks and yoga – they keep me sane. So try something – volleyball, golf, swimming, rock climbing, whatever – and if that doesn’t rock your boat, try something else until you find what does. Pretty soon, you’ll be looking forward to it.

You may not get an “A” in gym class anymore but you’ll get an “A” in living. And that’s a grade worth sharing.

Happiness, Life lessons, Self care

What gifts do you have?

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We all have those negative voices in our head that can bring us down. “Why did I do that?” “What am I doing and does it even matter?” “Why does life have to be so hard sometimes?”

These are the days that we have to remember all of the gifts we have. There’s nothing like gratitude to help us see just how fortunate we are and how precious life can be. From having a place to live to hearing a bird singing in a tree, the list can be long. Some things I can think of are spending time with family and friends, being able to go for a nice walk in the park, and living in one of the best states in the country (I never get tired of sunshine and mountains).

Today, as you’re taking a shower, getting ready for the day, or grabbing your cup of coffee or tea, think about the gifts that you have. And remember, you are unique and special – you are a gift to others too.

Photo courtesy of Asenat29.

Happiness, Self care

Are you a Superhero?

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Now that The Walt Disney Company owns Marvel Entertainment, there’s a myriad of movies featuring superheroes. From Batman to Wonder Woman, superheroes are becoming a big draw in theatres. According to Stephen McFeely, as reported in, “Why Superhero Movies Are Popular Right Now, According to Superhero Writers,” superhero movies are “taking over that same black hat, white hat myth-making surface” much like westerns did back in the 1950’s.

Why are we so enamored with superheroes?

I think it’s twofold:

  1. They would risk anything to save us when we’re scared or in danger.
  2. We aspire to be like them.

These “super” men and women have the guts to tackle the things we fear: bad guy, scary place, the unknown. But superheroes aren’t only in the movies. They’re the man who saves a child from despair, the firefighter who risks her life to save the pet in the burning house, the generous philanthropist, the kind soul who sees suffering and offers support.

We read and hear so much “bad” news that the good news gets buried. Focus on the good around you and it will increase. Become a part of that good, and it increases many times over.

I like to think we’re all superheroes in training. What color cape would you like?

Photo courtesy of Twanda Baker.