Day 9: Enjoy Life

So sorry this didn't get posted yesterday - technical difficulties!

In any case, we'll do our Day 9 and tomorrow we'll resume with 10 & 11 to catch up!

Day 9 involves enjoying life, which is something that we don't do very often! Enjoying life does something for us - it refills our cup. So often we are bogged down by all the stresses in life we don't get to enjoy the real life!

This picture was taken a while back - enjoying a boat ride with friends. It is so soothing to hear the wind and nothing else but your thoughts. Life gets ultra clear & difficult things become easy to solve.

But the truth is, we don't do this enough, 'American workers talk about vacations, plan for them, dream about them and then, never take them. In the United States 415 million vacation days will go unused. Given a five day work week, that
comes out to 1.6 million years of unused vacation.'

This is a horrible and serious statistic. When we are working 40+ hours at a job, we need to be able to breathe and enjoy life. The truth is we don't. Why? Because we don't have the money, the time (although, apparently we do), and the gumption to say no to those around us.

So today, I want you to breath deeply - go to that place of happiness, and enjoy life.
Here's a list of things you can do this summer to enjoy:

-Learn a craft or how to paint
-Take a ride in the park
-Visit a beach or ocean....listen to the sound of the waves
-Visit family
-Ride on a boat
-Say no to something that will change your life
-Love your family by doing something they will love
-Go to a movie
-Spend time walking the dog(s)
-add more below...

Whatever you do, take those days, and if you don't have them...find a way to enjoy some aspect- even if it's for a couple minutes a week(end).

With love always,
Lida








Source "We're Skipping Vacations in Lieu of Working More," Chicago
Tribune, July 6, 2004, section 5.
http://www.swlearning.com/management/hrm_news/benefits_0804_001.html

Day 8: Take a Risk, Take a Chance....

(and break away....) - I know you were singing it!
(and just so you can fulfill your desire..here it is!)



This topic has been on my heart lately. You see, there is something about risk that we all hate: the unknown. It's so easy to think what could have been...but to actually jump feet first...that's a scary thing.

The reality is - staying in the same place is the risky part. Sure you think it's safe...sure you feel like your 'steady' pay is enough, but in these times - no one is safe. I don't mean to say that I don't feel safe ... but the truth is everyone has the opportunity to move to a different place in life. I went from a 9-5 job...to working retail...and it was just that quick.

But I haven't felt safe. Or steady. Until now.

And my risk has NOT been living my dream. Waking up day in an day out with the same feelings....not pursuing something that I love with so much intent that it hurts. Not falling for something that I cannot live without but failing to take the steps I need to make things happen.

Are you there? Do you have something that is SO strong and you are SO passionate about but you don't want to jump? You are taking such a big risk not to.

But you say...wait, what about this and that? what about falling flat on my face? what about it not working out?

My question to you: are you passionate about what you are doing? Do you want to be the same person as you are today? What is driving you to wake up in the morning, working you to death, and helping put food on the table? Do you love it?

If you don't love what you are doing - take a risk, make a change - break away from 'popular' schools of thought that you have to have a "real" job...and do it.

I don't want to live another day without working my passion.
I can't not do it.
I love it to much.

You owe it to yourself & your family - get serious.make a plan.jump.and never look back.

Believing in your risks,
Lida

Day 7: (A day late....) Family is Important

Remember how I spoke about relationships? Well, they are equally important within families. Recently, I've been overwhelmed with some things going on in my family. Not knowing why things are happening is an extremely scary - not knowing what is going to happen is even more scary. I say this only to say that I know it'll be ok. As in all families we deal with things every day - we go through things every day and still find a way to make it through things. {please note that this is not to worry you - just to bring into light that it can happen at any time.}

In any case, during these rough times it's essential to keep your family close. They are all you have. In the end, it won't matter who you worked for, how many hours you logged at work, who you partied with, and what you spent your money on if you have no one. I have known many people who don't have their family - and honestly, I must say that they do not seem to have the type of backing they need. I don't know what I would do without the support of our families.

Bottom line - appreciate your family - because you never know what will happen. One of my friend's mom's just died recently, I am so very sad for her - I cannot even imagine. I remember when I was 12 and my mom was so sick, I thought she was not going to make it - and I was so scared. Living without those you love is so difficult - so as you struggle with unruly teens, digressing parents, and other various issues at hand - be grateful for what you have. I absolutely love my family more than ever.

hug those babies tight - give your family a call - repair relationships - love your family.

With love always,
Lida

Day 6: Remember your Relationships

Busy...busy...busy....does that describe your life? Ok ... so question(s) - what is it busy with? Is it busy with work? School? Extras? Business? Internet? ......

How are the relationships in your life? Yes, I said it - relationships.

Here's a quote that truly has meaning to me:

"Personal relationships are the fertile soil from which all advancement...all success... all achievement in real life grows." - Ben Stein

Have your personal relationships been on the back burner? Recently, I've spoken with different people who tell me about issues that they are having in their personal life. Whether they are dealing with being on the back burner or moving others to that position. I know it's super easy to get 'busy' and stop living life. But as a [pretty darn good] half of my marriage (just kidding...he's SO the better 1/2!) - it's essential that we take the time to really engage like a couple.
For a while it was like this:

K: So what are you up to tomorrow?
L: I'm going to Ikea with Mom & taking C*
K: What? Wow, that is some plan
L: Huh? Didn't I tell you Monday?
K: No, definitely not.
L: I was sure....
K: no...

Seem familiar? Scary isn't it? So my real question is .... do you really have those conversations with your spouse? Mom? Brother? Dad? Aunt? Uncle? Grandparent? In law? Best Friend?

Why haven't you - disclaimer: I am NOT at all an expert...this is my 30 day guide too!

(my bffs are like...whatever...she's not terrific!)

So what are you next steps? How do actually improve that relationship?
1. Admit - yes, this is usually number 1 - but it's SOO important!
2. Apologize - You've been lousy & you know it
3. Make time - schedule it if you have to - have weekly chats/date nights (you don't have to out of the house)
4. Know your priorities....what are they? What do they look like?
5. Choose to change

It's so eeasy to say yes - I'll change...and it never happens. "Be the change you wish to see in {your} world!" - Ghandi

Here's some favorite quotes I have on relationships:

‎"The fundamental glue that holds any relationship together is trust." - Brian Tracy
Does your partner trust that you'll put them before work? Do they understand when you have to work long hours (hint: give em a heads up...it'll help!)

"The value of a relationship is in direct proportion to the time that you invest in the relationship." - Brian Tracy
What value have you put on your relationship? At the end of time...who do you want by your side?

Note: Intimacy is not a relationship - we see this alllllll the time. People can be intimate & not have the relationship that they deserve. Please don't mix the two. The same with a ring - that doesn't mean a relationship is there.

Need a neat post to read? click here

With love (in your relationships!) always, Lida

P.S. Here's a cute heart session with Heather & Tony

Day 5: Keep your Promises

Photo Credit

I have a problem - many know it. I get too busy doing things and forget the promises that I keep. I don't mean to break them, I just do. And I have .. cue the guilt train.

My brother knows of some....Splashtown...other things...and these are promises that I fully intend to keep - this year. So I may be late, but at least I will complete the promises.

How about you? Is that guilt train pushing you along because you haven't spend enough time with your family, completed the things you promised for your friends, or haven't really committed to completing things that you've started.

don't give up hope. you can still keep those. late is better than never.

Ok, I promise this is speaking MAINLY to me. But in order to really improve you - you have to authentic...you have to be genuine...and you have to keep your promises.

Like I said, this post is dedicated to me - the over committed, over whelmed person who thinks she can do it all. But I can't - sometimes.

Nonetheless, I try - and I know you do to! So my first matter of business is to genuinely try to improve this. I have in the past couple of months err...maybe weeks have been working on this.

Here are a couple of tips:

1. Think about what you are promising
2. Keep the promise in front of you
3. Set a deadline ... or if it has a deadline write it down to complete ahead of time (crazy, I know)
4. Acknowledge your promise problem & accept it (guilt won't do anything...)
5. Ask the person you promised to remind you of your promise! (again, ahead of time

As an almost former promise breaker, I really believe that if you truly know what you are promising, become dedicated to prove that you are trustworthy...and do it...you'll feel so amazing!

Fear & guilt only come from broken promises.

So hop off that guilt train & join the promise wagon - I promise it's soooo worth it.

Promise you'll see me tomorrow!
Love always,
Lida

Here's to:

Day 4/30: Life is Short...Live it Up

Hey you...yeah you - with the Iphone in one hand while you check this blog with the other...yeah. You need a break. A technology break.

Oh wait....that's me...super glued to my technology. Are you?

Today was a hard day for me, it was one that I found out a couple of different things that really made me think about life.

Here's a picture that really makes this real for me...I took it in St. Francisville while visiting a friend:

If you can't read it, it says, "His Courage was Unbelievable...."

This stood out at me - of all the graves I'd seen that day (after taking pictures of a old church) - I was stunned...it took me by surprise...my thought was...what did he do? what difference did he make? He was only 20 - how did he do so much in 20 years? Why couldn't I have done 'unbelievable things' in 20 years?

This is definitely the theme of today - many things come and go. We can buy cars, houses, 'stuff', and it'll just get sold, damaged, or left behind. We can have a fancy phone, no phone....and it won't matter. We can have family or ignore our family...and in the end what will make it better?

Live your life to the fullest - because we don't know what's ahead. Sometimes that scares me - I know it scares everyone.

We can either be depressed....or we can LIVE.

Did you hear that? Live.

We spend so much time doing other things...worrying...watching others...not living....procrastinating....not living...having meaningless jobs...

That when we finally are at the end of our lives - we haven't lived.

Life isn't about the amount of friends you have on Facebook, the Tweets that are retweeted, or the Likes that you have -
It's about having meaningful relationships, having fun, growing, and encouraging others.

Live life today!
Love always,
Lida

Day 3/30: Know what your shooting for...

Many people have said it - many people know it - but the MOST important question that should follow is...do you know what you are shooting for?

Remember that chart that you were working on from yesterday? This is where you'll put those goals and then...put actions next (or under) them. You may know what you are shooting for...generically - but do you know what you are shooting for & does it have meaning? For example, one of my goals is to create an amazing family life - but do I know what that looks like? What does that mean to you? Does that include your extended family or does that just include your hubby?

Do you really know what you are shooting for? Because the opposite applies... if you don't know ... you'll never reach it.

The truth hurts. When you don't write down what you need to do for that day, does it get done? When you intend to get things done & they don't is it because you are just lazy? Sometimes....but mostly it's because you haven't written it down.

Specific [achievable] goals are like that too - and you have to map them out, take bite size pieces, and make sure they are truly what you want.

Many people do this differently - they have a 101 in 1001 days...or they stick post its to their mirrors until they achieve it...or they have a journal.
Either way, write them - map them...schedule them...achieve them.

I believe in you,
love always,
Lida