Dreams come from a place of PASSION! … follow them!
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
Motivational Monday … Dreams
Motivational Monday … Attract
If you spend your time chasing butterflies, they’ll fly away. But if you spend
time making a beautiful garden, the butterflies will come.
Don’t chase, attract!
Motivational Monday … Joy
Never underestimate the importance of having a person/people in your life who can always make you smile. That is true JOY!
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails
The Power of Flowers
This was supposed to go out Wednesday, but I had some technical issues on the blog. You may have gotten that wonky test post🤦♀️ … better late than never ….
I’m a somewhat recent listener, and fan, of the Mel Robbin’s podcast. A few days ago the topic was flowers and the science-backed research on how flowers make you happier. I was all in! I love flowers … who doesn’t? Anywhoooo, she referenced THIS Harvard study and THIS study at Rutgers which both sing the praises of having fresh flowers within your home and/or workplace. I’ll give you the Cliffs Notes version of all the reasons why you should have fresh flowers in your environment.
According to the studies, flowers can …
- boost your mood
- boost your mental well-being
- strengthen feelings of compassion towards others
- decrease anxiety and worry
- boost your energy
Who wouldn’t want to enjoy all of those benefits? … and in such an easy way! Sure, you could go to a florist and buy a big bouquet and spend a ton of money …. OR … you could go to Trader Joe’s (or your local supermarket) and get a simple bouquet of 10 stems of daffodils for $2.00 or splurge on peonies for $10.00. Break up that bouquet and put a few stems in your bedroom, so it’s one of the first things you see when you wake up, and scatter the rest in small jars or vases around the house.
Think of a time that you received flowers … a birthday, an illness, after the death of a family member, Mother’s/Father’s Day, moving to a new home. How did they make you feel? I would venture to guess you felt seen, loved, appreciated. Just knowing someone thought of you is a gift in and of itself, but the lasting gift of the flowers that you get to enjoy for days on end just re-iterates that feeling every time you see them. The gift that keeps on giving!
The study goes on to say that giving flowers is also a gift that impacts you positively. It’s a gift that makes you feel more emotionally connected to the person you’re giving them to. They are an extension of how much that person means to you. What a beautiful sentiment.
I know there are some that think they are a waste of money and “they just die!,” but these two studies prove otherwise. Sure, they do die, but if you change the water, cut the stems and basically just care for them a bit, they can last a bit longer. Isn’t it worth it to have a little joy in your life, whether it lasts two days or two weeks. It’s a small price for a big impact.
… and there’s no need to wait for someone to give you flowers! You deserve things of beauty. Give them to yourself and enjoy all the positive feelings & emotions that envelope you every time you look at those flowers. … Or if nothing else, stop and smell the flowers on a walk around your neighborhood!
As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The Earth Laughs in Flowers!”
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
Mindful Monday … HOPE
Just because it’s not happening when you expect it to, doesn’t mean it will never happen. Hope … and manifest it!
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
Wandering Wednesday … 72 hours in San Francisco
It had been over 3 years since I’d visited my best friend, Mary Kay, and her wife, Laura, in SF. I was overdue for a visit and wanted to have some fun new adventures. We packed a lot into 72 hours! MK planned ahead and made a reservation a month in advance at Chez Panisse, Alice Waters iconic restaurant. I can’t believe I’d never been.We dined at the cozy cafe upstairs and it was soooo good! The ambience upstairs is more relaxed, but just as quaint as, the stuffier, downstairs restaurant (not to mention less expensive.)
Friday: ferry ride to and from the city; exploring the De Young Museum’s two exhibits: Fashioning San Francisco & The photographs of Irving Penn; a ride in a driverless Waymo car; an Irish coffee at The Buena Vista Cafe; and a lovely dinner at the little French bistro, Cote Ouest. Here’s our day in pictures …
Oscar de la Renta, Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, to name a few. No surprise that I loved the last two funky, fun pieces by Japanese artist/designers Junya Watanabe and Kei Ninomiya.
Saturday: A day on Treasure Island (where I’d never been before) … checking out the crafts fair, picnicking while watching sailboats go by and a glass of wine with an awesome view of the city.
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
Motivational Monday … 10 years
“Ten years from now, make sure you can say that you chose your life,
you didn’t settle for it.” … Mandy Hale
and
The best time to plant a tree was ten years ago.
The second best time is now.
(that’ll put a visual on how far you’ve come!)
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
Memorial Monday
“Our nation owes a debt to its fallen heroes, that we can never repay.” … Barack Obama
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
Motivational Monday … I Get To!
Gratitude changes everything:
Instead of saying “I have to …,” start your day with “I get to …,”
I get to exercise.
I get to see my friends and family.
I get to eat delicious food.
I get to tell someone I love them.
I get to work and earn money.
I get to experience new things.
I get to make someone’s day better.
Try it! It’s all about perspective.
Why not do a Random Act of Kindness today to celebrate all the things you “get to” do!
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
Motivational Monday … the ripple effect
You think you’re just a drop in the ocean …
but look at the ripple effect one drop can make!
You’re amazing!
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!