30 Days to Greatness, Day 2

I am on a mission to change my life forever. My goal is to develop the healthy habit of exercising daily. This is not about weight loss although I do expect to see positive changes in my body. For me, this is about strength, health, discipline, confidence, and accomplishment. Yesterday was my first day.

This morning I woke up stiff and sore. It wasn't unbearable but I definitely felt various parts of my body aching from yesterday's workout. The main parts I was feeling were my calves, upper arms, back, and shoulders. I have to admit this made me happy because it was proof I had done something. It also made me a little scared because I was going to do another workout today. Hubby recommended I take advil. I decided instead to have breakfast first. This is another way I am going about this differently. In the past, I would attempt working out by starting my day with a workout first thing. This is because I do prefer the morning but it was also because I was afraid I wouldn't do a workout if I didn't. Now I am letting myself have breakfast first. It gives me fuel and a sense of calm. This is a new day and a new me. There is no time or space for fearful thoughts. :)

After breakfast I decided to do the P90X stretch workout. This is an hour of yoga type moves with stretching and holding patterns that work your whole body. It turned out to be the perfect remedy for my stiffness. I especially liked the frog, circles, and morning stretch moves. It was fantastic to have body parts I didn't even know were stiff be opened up. I also would like to incorporate these into my life at random times. Afterward I felt a sense of calm, accomplishment, peace, and flexibility. No advil required.

I am finding that both these days I am a lot more hungry than usual. That has alarmed me a bit because mentally I feel more eating equals more calories and that turns into fat. However, I am making healthy choices and will be going to the market to stock up on items that will give me what I feel my body needs at this time, in a healthy way. Some things I am looking to get are:

Greek yogurt
Tuna
Kale
Berries
Chicken
Steel cut oats

As for what I have eaten today so far:

Egg, spinach, and onion scramable with 1 piece of whole wheat toast. - Pre workout
Fresh carrot celery apple juice. - Post workout
Quarter chicken meal from Zankou with basmati rice and tabbouleh sides. No pita.
Multiple glasses of water. (Right now my average is about 6 glasses a day.)

I'd like to mention that my girlfriend Jennifer reached out to me out of the blue to go on a hike. I was unable to at the time she was available but I was really happy to have gotten the invitation and thought it was a wonderful "coincidence" cause no sooner had I made space in my life for this goal and other things I have been desiring in my life are manifesting.  YAY!

Time outs, no corner necessary...

On my bed, trapper hat ON (what, I'm cold) books and mags at my side, an awesome brownie I am eating in stages like Charlie Bucket from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", and my Macbook. I am currently unwinding by perusing facebook, uploading a new picture to some of my sites, eating said brownie, and I will also flip though my mags, and maybe round things out with TV via Netflix. This is me having a time out. Earlier today, I enjoyed a day at a museum. I am not going in to full detail on this because I plan on writing separately about that in another post that will have offerings for you to enjoy if you live here in L.A. Anyway...time outs rock! They are not just for misbehaving toddlers, I find them crucial in maintaining my sanity. It's great to break the norm and reset. Recharge is more like it. Surely, this particular time out has me on my computer but I'm enjoying it in a different way than I usually do, so you see? If you are interested in a time out, there are no rules, just do whatever it is you feel would take you away from your daily routine and give you a chance to experience some of the following:

Relaxation - Joy - Peace - Inspiration - Solace - Empowerment - Relief- etc.. 

You get what I'm talking about right? 

Maybe you feel like you can't take the time, you don't have the space or money. Well, I can assure you that I have transformed my bathroom into a spa using nothing more than items I already had in stock under the sink or in the kitchen! I've taken time away utilizing my imagination and an iPhone app, freebies also include taking a long walk, writing, or even just laying down with nothing more on your mind than breathing in and out. If you would like me to go into further detail on any of these methods I will be more than happy to share them with you. If you have a suggestion, I would love to hear from you. Tell me, what do you do to time out? Does this help you? Are you new to this concept? What do you think? 

May the Om be with you... :)

29 Gifts in 29 Days. Can Everything Change In One Month?!?

Today is the day!!!!! I am bringing over my 29 Gifts blogs so you can see what I have been experiencing by being a part of this fantastic movement. For those of you that may be wondering what I'm talking about, please see my introductory blog here. Today is my 10th day in this challenge. There is a bit of catching up to do, and I was a little nervous about how to do it. I promise that the regular posts won't be nearly as long as these I just want to synchronize and since I am already 10 days deep, I will have a few posts reflecting a few days at a time. I'm thinking groups of 3. I'd like you to keep in mind there is nothing to buy and nothing to sign up for, I link to the book and to the 29 Gifts community so you have the option to get involved directly with them if you'd like. But whether you want to do it here, there, on your own, or not at all is up to you. My goal is simply to share this amazing experience and let you to decide for yourself. 


Because this blog, "Tee-riffic" is a place to house all of my blogs you can expect Tee-riffic blogs to have a normal title and 29 Gifts blogs to be titled 29 Gifts. Ok? And now, let's get started.. 


29 Gifts, Day 1May 25, 2011 at 10:11pm


Hello! I am so excited to be a part of this group and movement. I enjoyed Cami's book so much I read it all last night. I got to bed after 2 am but was happy to do so and super eager to put this idea into action as soon as I woke up today.


I woke up early and excited... even after having gone to bed late last night. The first thing that popped into my head was my intention for the day which was "Today, I give with purpose." Immediately my husband was front and center. I made an effort to give to him throughout the day. Early morning intimacy, a healthy lunch to enjoy outside, letting him know how proud I am of him and his current business accomplishments. I had signed up to volunteer for AIDS Project LA so I knew that opportunity was coming this evening but I also made a point to give with purpose to others throughout my day by providing greetings and smiles to those I came in contact with. I reached out to my daughter and one of my good friends as well.


As for what I got? Today has been sheer magic.


I felt great all day! Love seemed to be pouring in from all angles. On more than one occasion today my husband sincerely thanked me, & I felt closer to him. I also got home tonight to an unexpected invitation to a sushi dinner and news that some checks that had been of concern had arrived. Gifts for all.


Mbali, Cami, thank you for starting this and sharing it. To everyone in this community, thank you. Thanks so much for being here and providing a place for us to grow, learn, and share like this. I am truly honored to be a part. Cheers to our adventure. 


Many blessings :)


29 Gifts, Day 2May 26, 2011 at 9:52pm


Today was challenging. Last night's crazy dream and unrest had me wake up in a daze. Immediately I was attacked by negative thoughts... argh. It had a hold on me the first half of the day. After talking with my husband, I felt a little more relieved and I made it a point to have today's giftly intention in mind. Today I chose, "Today I give with love."


Amidst my tasks and the flow of the day it appeared I wasn't going to get much outside interaction. This troubled me a bit because lately being out is what I prefer and I DEFINITELY prefer giving in person. However, this is what I managed to do today. 


I gave love via the internet. Sharing kind words wherever I could. Nothing contrived just goodness I felt as I was cruising cyberspace. 


I also sent my girlfriend a gift via email. A blog I had read earlier that I felt might be the answer for her recent unrest. 


Then there was the last thing. Just like that saying. Saving the best for last....


After working from home all day hubby invites me to get out and while reluctant at first it dawned on me this would be the perfect opportunity to give a gift along with spending some time with him. So, while he stopped at the Baskin Robbins, I chose a woman that was after him and bought her ice cream cone for her. The surprise in the cashier's and the woman's eyes were enough to completely erase any madness I was in because of my rocky start today. In that moment the three of us were in on something special and there was wonder and joy just beaming from all of us. I can't even describe how amazing I feel even now writing about it. I have to say my eyes are watering a bit. 


As for what I got? Joy. Peace. And a sense of wonder that reminds me of Christmas Eve as a child. 


Thank God. Thank you. Thankful for giving.


29 Gifts, Day 3May 28, 2011 at 1:27am


12:24 am, it's been a glorious day. I would've posted sooner but I was off galavanting. Just got back from seeing "Arthur" starring Russell Brand. I really like him. He seems so genuine and the movie was so good! His accent makes me want to say things like rubbish, incinerate, and frolic. LOL, alas I digress. 


Today's intention? "I give with peace."


I had 2 giving experiences today. One of them was AMAZING and the other was quite weird. I suppose I'll start off with the weird to get it out of the way.


I was sitting reading a magazine at an outdoor mall, when suddenly a woman came up to me and asked me if I had any money to help her and her baby. She was holding something tightly wrapped in her arms but I could not see it's face, there was no sound or movement. She gestured like she was going to open the blanket while saying, "Can you spare something so I can feed my baby?" I don't know why but I found it off putting. Something about her seemed inauthentic. Still almost automatically, I reached in my bag and gave her a dollar. What was good about this for me was not thinking too much about it, judging it, or avoiding it. I was happy that my gifting happened quite automatically, it made me feel like something really could be shifting for me indeed. 


The amazing gift is one that fills me with so much joy and an enormous sense of purpose. A few weeks ago while out to eat lunch with my hubby I noticed a thrift store and decided to walk in to check it out. It was as if I had been summoned. I wasn't going there to look for a cool item, I wanted to see what they were doing because it boasted charitable works. Upon entering I met and spoke briefly with the owner and what has ensued has been simply divine. He had asked me for help. Board of Directors kind of help. I immediately felt a calling to the place and was intrigued by the proposition but was scared after having our first meeting at what type of time commitment this would mean and whether or not I was in over my head. Additionally I was worried about finances. Well, today I walked in for our 2nd meeting with the intention to give with peace. Just with that in my mind my energy felt completely different and as we spoke any doubts I had were completely erased. Even though I had l aready intended to help I feel as though today I really gave my commitment because my heart and mind were finally at peace with everything and I am no longer afraid or nervous. In addition I started giving my first of many gifts I'll give to them which is working on my first task of getting their website up and running!


The gifts I've received thus far have been tremendous. The way I feel, my energy level, a wonderful text message from the girlfriend I gifted yesterday, a wildly welcome call and visit from my daughter just to get a hug, and the feeling that I really can and will do "it". No matter what the "it" may be.... :)


Isn't it amazing how a positive perspective can change everything? I took this picture of my glass of water while working at my desk. I have a glass of water with me every day all the time yet I had never noticed this before. A rainbow, via my water glasses' reflection. Ain't life grand? <3

If you are still reading this, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart and congratulate you on your interest in this. In an effort not to overwhelm, I will be posting 3, 29 Gifts blogs at a time every weekday until Thursday June 9th which is when everything should be caught up and I will be on my 16th day. After that, you can expect daily posts chronicling this experience. Your readership already fills me up with humility and gratitude, your subscriptions send me over the moon. Either way, I thank you for spending some time with me. May you feel joyous and at peace always remembering how magnificent you are. Blessings. <3

29 Gifts in 29 Days

My darling friends, I have been up to something and I'm afraid to say I have kept it from you. My intention originally was to complete before sharing as it is important to me to always speak from experience but this is so unbelievable that I just cannot delay telling you about this any further.

On May 24, 2011 I read a book that has already changed my life. This book I came across by happenstance, hubby had invited me to a closing Borders and I went along not intending to buy because as much as I love to read I currently have approx 4 new books in the cue waiting for me. Then, I saw it and just like love at first sight I was not only attracted, I was committed. I not only bought the book, I was compelled to read it immediately and in a day I had consumed all of it. The very next day, on May 25th, I put those words into action and have been doing it ever since.

Today is my 7th day in this challenge. I have been blogging my experiences each day. On Friday, I will be posting those experiences here so that my personal blog will be up to date and you can follow along without having to worry about going to another site unless of course you want to. I am experiencing a magic and beauty that is life changing. A series of blessings that are undeniable. I am so humbled and I feel a sense of deep gratitude at the opportunity to let you in on this. If you have been reading my blog, you know how seriously I take the uplifting of myself and others. I have love for you and wish you all of the greatness I wish for myself.

With that said, let me introduce this amazing book to you 29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life

May we all realize the gift we are to each other, the gifts we have to give, and the gifts we are destined to receive.  With love, Tee