You are Beautiful!

Don't you know that you are beautiful?

Listen to this fun song, that anthems a phrase we should all be singing, as women, everyday.  

We are beautiful!

Get a free download right HERE!
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It's totally worth it.

P.s. I couldn't be more proud of my BEAUTIFUL sister. 

She rocked this happy song.

If you like it, share it.

Cheers!

Forts.

I surprised Mr. O this weekend with dinner, a fort, and his favorite movie.  

We had a blast.  

Spontaneity is good.

Surprises are fun.

Forts make me feel like a kid again.

Happy May!

A Battle Won

My birthday is coming soon... and, without divulging my age, just know that I am not as old as my husband. :) hehe, love you, honey.  

You may be asking, why are you thinking about your birthday already, it's a month and a half away?!  The answer is... I don't know.  I think it's because I didn't realize how old I was turning until Mr. O abruptly reminded me two days ago. I was shocked.  

Why is it that as we get older we actually forget how old we are??  

That is so funny to me.  

Well, as I battled those oh, so common feelings of inadequacy and self doubt, and "what do I have to show for  myself?" I realized, I have got to change my attitude fast (I do not like that kind of negativity luring in my head).  Life has been wonderful to me and when the time comes I need to embrace this new year of my life with grace and optimism.  

photo from Sherri Koop

So, as I thought about it, you know what I came up with?  Gratitude.  I decided, if there is one thing that can save me from an army of negative thoughts, it is gratitude!  And guess what?  

I feel great.

Folks, gratitude is the seed of optimism.  Why? Because it changes our perspective.  And that is just what I needed the other day--a change of perspective.  

Be grateful.
And be happy.

xoxo

Operation: Optimism { Week 6 }

Week 6:  Exercise!

The power of positive thinking is not just a pretty phrase that sounds good...

Our thoughts actually physically change our brains.  The science behind it is called neuroplasticity--our brain changes according to the thoughts we think and the stuff we watch and listen to.

A great way we can learn to control our thoughts and change them to be more positive is through EXERCISE.

Exercise teaches your brain that behavior matters.  It helps you decrease stress and drown out everything around you, so you're left with a clear mind and the ability to really focus on your goals.

Exercise also creates these, "tah-da" moments when you finish a challenging workout.  You are filled with endorphins and positive thoughts as you feel that pride of finishing such a task; you look at yourself in the mirror and your filled with more positive thoughts about yourself and ultimately about everything else; when we are happy with ourselves it is easier to find the good in everything and everyone else.

After a challenging workout, fill your mind with positive energy.  Doing this will make you happier, healthier, and more successful because it will lead to the habit of optimism.

So, let's exercise.  I have a goal to add more exercise to my everyday life, outside of my morning workout (that's supposed to be every morning :).  I spend a lot of time sitting during the day, at my computer working, at the table reading, watching my new favorite show at night: The Cosby Show (haha, nerdy? Probably.  But, it brings Don and I to tears we are laughing so hard--and it's filled with positive relationships and scenarios so it feeds our minds good, happy things--refer to Operation: Optimism {Week 4})...Therefore, I need more movement during the day--park farther away in the parking lot, go for afternoon walks, take a few more trips up and down the stairs...

For that same reason, Mr. O and I are working on creating hobbies out of what is normally dreaded exercise.  We have a Tandem Bike and we love it.  Now that it is sunny, we ride a lot and doing that cardio workout in the late afternoons makes us happier and more positive. And, honestly, it adds quality to our relationship.  I'm trying to convince the Mister to let us work towards a tandem race...but for now, a leisure ride through the hills is quite enough. :)  

Have a great day! 

xo

Oh Happy Day

My little niece is getting MARRIED! That makes me sound old.  But, I come from a big family and I am the youngest, so, I'm merely a handful of years older than the second generation of Nelsons...it's a lot of fun.  

I'm so so so excited for Lauren!   She and my rockin' sister (her mom) were in town for a quick weekend to help another amazing sister, Paula, make her wedding dress.  Paula creates magic with fabric and a sewing machine.  You can see it all, play by play, right here!

The dress is absolutely poetic.   

So while these beautiful women were in town we made the best of it and found some time to throw Lulu a shower.  It is always 'food for the soul' to get together with your girlies.  

 

That last picture is three generations of strong, compassionate woman--my mother, sister and niece.  Beautiful.

Congrats Lu!  Thanks for spending the weekend with us--can't wait for the big day!