A few words about Focus...

I started posting a gratitude on my Facebook status daily, and my commitment to myself is to do it for 100 days. I have gotten several comments from friends who are asking why I'm doing it and does it have some sort of meaning. I simply explain that whenever I'm stressed, or need to change my focus in my life, I return to consciously living in thankfulness. I focus on the things I have in my life and not what is missing. I immerse myself in gratitude. From the sun as it bounces off the windows of the buildings downtown, to succulent fruit I eat over the sink with the juices dripping off my elbows, to the challenges I have faced over the last year of my life. It is an unconditional, 100% money back if not satisfied cure for anything that ails me. Choosing 100 days was just a number.

I came home from work last night exhausted and frankly very angry about a decision that was made by another involving a patient. I sat with it on the drive home, came into my beautiful condo, took off my shoes and changed into some comfy clothes. Still feeling a little heated about work, I opened my refrigerator. I do this several times daily, just looking around to see if the food fairy stopped by to drop anything interesting in there that didn't happen to be there the last time I looked. I stooped down to see if there was something I might have missed in the back and spotted a small watermelon. As soon as I cut into it and had my first juicy bite, I sent up a thanks to the Universe for landing it in my hands. My anger was gone. I realized that while I didn't have the greatest day at work, my work day was over and now I was home enjoying the watermelon with the balcony doors open, savoring the rest of my evening.

I make a conscious decision to live in thankfulness, and when I get myself into a knot about something, I can always land back on my feet when I shift my focus back to the life I choose to live. It is like flipping a switch for me. My brain isn't wired to hold gratitude and anger simultaneously.

So the message for today is that I love my body more than losing my focus. I make choices that are good for me, and gratitude is a good choice. So is an ice cold watermelon on a hot summer evening.

I am grateful for you.

XO,
Karen

A few words about New Beginnings...

I had such a great day today. I spent the afternoon with a dear friend and her year old twin girls. They were so well behaved, sat in their little high chairs for the entire time we were at lunch. Everyone in the restaurant was captivated by them and stopped by the table to smile and ask something about them. It was amazing just to look at them, starting to put some things and thoughts together and it got me to thinking. They are just beginning their lives, full of possibilities and new experiences and I thought that could be just about anyone. You don't have to be a one year old to have a life filled with possibilities or new experiences. You just have to be willing to open your mind and your heart to the life that lies before you. Whether you are at the beginning of your life or nearing the end, there is always a new experience just waiting for you.

When the twins started to get a bit wiggly, their mother took one and I took the other in my arms and we continued our visit. Then mine, Kylie, started wiggling even more; she started straightening out, twisting and turning around, all the while trusting me not to drop her. What a wonderful feeling to hold a little life in my hands, knowing she could completely trust me and just knew I wouldn't let her go. And what an amazing feeling to have, that you could wiggle and squirm all you wanted fearlessly, and with complete trust that you're not going to fall. Then, she snuggled up to me and gave me a big kiss on my cheek...It was heaven, and reminded me that no matter how old you are, you always have a new experience waiting just for you. You just have to open your eyes...and your heart to let it in.

So, the message for today is I love my body more than thinking there are no new experiences waiting for me. There are so many I don't even know where to start. Each day is a new beginning, and perhaps it just takes a kiss on the cheek to bring you back to that place of innocence and trust.

I wish you a squirmy, wiggly day, safely held in the arms of the Universe,

XO,
Karen