Tag Archives: Gratitude

The Importance of a Morning Routine!

Crown HeaderGood morning!

What is your morning routine? It is one of the questions that Oprah Winfrey asks on her Steep Your Soul interview series. It is something that I have been thinking about a lot, so I thought I would share with you my morning routine!

5:30 am

  • Get up
  • Drink a glass of water
  • Get dressed in my work out clothes
  • Get my sweetie up-and-at-em
  • Make the bed

6 am

  • Feed the dogs
  • Make our breakfast
  • Pack my sweetie’s lunch
  • Eat

6:30 am

  • See my sweetie off to work
  • Take my two four-legged girls for their morning walk
  • Load them into their stroller (yes, I am one of those “mommies”) 😉 and head out for about a brisk 45 minute walk; focusing on being grateful for what I have and envisioning my dream life, and how to get there

7:30 am

  • Get everyone back into the house
  • Stretch/yoga/pilates
  • Meditation

8 am

  • Go over my to-do list, that I had planned the night before, and get started with my day!

Now, that I see this Morning Routine written down in black and white, it seems pretty opulent, but in all honesty I am really enjoying it. I can feel myself falling into a morning of gratitude, and peace, which is something that I had been lacking lately, but have been sorely been needing!

Do you have a morning, routine?

What is it???

Please share in the comments section! 🙂

Here is to a PEACEFUL day! 🙂

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If you want to have a different life, you have to live differently!

 

 

Friday’s Bliss List!

HappyGood afternoon!

Friday is the day that I am trying to focus all of my energies on what has blessed me this week, and what generally just makes me happy when I think about!!

Here is this Friday’s Bliss List! 🙂

  1. My sweetie! I know he is on my list every week, but he works so very hard for us, and this week he did the dishes and took out all of the garbage without being asked on top of working crazy hours, like the wild man of Borneo!!!! WHAT A MAN!!! 😉
  2. My niece Megan! It was her birthday this Wednesday, and my sweetie and I are going to her birthday party this evening!! She is such a ray of sunshine in my life!! I AM SO THANKFUL FOR THIS LITTLE GIRL!!! 😉
  3. Girl friends, both old and new! It is such a great feeling to know that there are amazing women who’ve got my back, no matter what!! I LOVE MY GIRLS!!!
  4. My art studio! I am so thankful for a space to call my own, where I can make a creatively beautiful mess and leave it all until I can come back to it again to art some more!
  5. My two, four-legged girls, Faye and Sophie!! They are just so much fun to watch play every evening – especially on the rare occasion when they get to hang out in bed with my sweetie and I before bed!! They are filled with SOOOOO MUCH JOY!! 😉
  6. My 2014 planner. Is a planner a weird thing to have on a Bliss List??? Naw! I really am thankful for it. It is really helping me stay focused on what is important to me. With it’s help, I can see that where I am going is really possible!
  7. The movie soundtrack of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty! I am currently rocking that music in my car, and I have decided, that for now, it might be the soundtrack of my life!! I LOVE THIS MUSIC!!! 😉
  8. Our new doggie stroller! Yes, I know, I know, I AM one of THOSE WOMEN!!! But since we have gotten this doggie stroller, I have been able to get my booty out on my walks because I know I am not leaving my sweet Faye and Sophie at home for another hour a day, by themselves!! That’s not spoiled, is it??? 😉
  9. Goodwill! I am so thankful to have a place, close to home, that does good for others with the donations I have been giving them! It has given me an easy and safe way to donate our extras out of our home, as we have been working on simplifying our lives! 🙂
  10. Finally, I am so very thankful for the early hours of the morning, the ones where I can get up before anyone else, and just take time to be quiet, and take care of what’s going on in my head! I feel like I am able to seriously focus on creating a healthy relationship with myself. I think it is about time!! 🙂

My Focus for This Next Week:

  1. I am hoping that this next week brings me wisdom and clarity in what steps to take next, not only in my daily life, but in my dream life!
  2. I want to be brave and keep reaching out to my girl friends, I know that I need a lot of time alone to re-energize, but just the couple of times this week that I have made a concerted effort to hang out with my girl friends, and have really made my week really fun!
  3. I need to keep cleaning out the clutter! Cleaning out a condo that you have lived in for 7 years, is not as easy as I thought it would be, or as quick either, but through baby steps I have been making my way through it. I want to make sure to continue on to my path of “Live simply so others may simply live”!
  4. I need to get my booty moving more consistently! I am doing a good job taking those baby steps, I am so fond of – making sure my running shoes are close at hand, avoiding all elevators, parking farther away from the office. I can tell that it is time to add more!!
  5. and finally I want to focus on staying positive in my work life. My job is very stressful and we are going through change after change after change (isn’t that true everywhere??). I need to remain focused on what is positive there, and how it is helping me get to my financial goals so I will finally be able to step out and try something new!

I hope anyone reading this might be inspired to try out there own Friday Bliss List!! If you do, please feel free to share in the comments! I would love to hear from you! Oh, and if you haven’t had a chance to follow my blog, please do so by clicking on the follow button on the upper right-hand column of this page! 🙂

Hear is to a Friday of BLESSINGS! 🙂

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If you want to have a different life, you have to live differently!!

Bliss List Friday!

CrownGood afternoon!

I realize it has been a while since I have last posted, but mama has been soooo busy this past week! I had a HUGE test today, that I had been seriously cramming for!! Some of you may not know this, but it my normal day job, I am a computer programmer, which is almost the exact opposite of how my brain was naturally wired to function!! 😉 So, when I find out that I have to take a test to get certified in something for work, it really takes a LOT of hunkerin’ down and trying REALLY hard to get the information to stick into my poor brain!! 😉

Anyway, the test is done – WHEW!!! I am not exactly sure that I don’t have to take it again in a couple of weeks, but hopefully I’ve passed and that messy business is ALL DONE!!! 😉 That was me speaking in my best Paula Deen inspired southern drawl, honey!!! 😉

In honor of my test being done, and it now being my official start to my weekend! YEAH!!! I have decided that it is high time to get back to my Friday Bliss List posting!! I think it is so important to live a life of gratitude, especially when life can be a little bit hectic, so here is what I am thankful for this week!

My Friday Bliss List:

  1. I am sooooo thankful that my test is done!
  2. I am sooooo thankful that it is the weekend!
  3. I am sooooo thankful that I get to spend some time with my four-legged girls this evening, enjoying a quiet house!
  4. I am sooooo thankful that my sweetie has been helping us keep our bed made every day!! There is nothing better than heading to bed after a long day and realizing that your bed is already made, and just calling for you to come snuggle down, and get comfy!!
  5. I am sooooo thankful that I got to spend some time this week FaceTiming with my sissy, Alex!! She is sunshine personified!!! I am ONE LUCKY GIRL to be able to call her Sister!! 😉
  6. I am sooooo thankful for my girlfriends at the office! What would I EVER do without my peeps???
  7. I am sooooo thankful to have been able to spend a day playing at one of my favorite shops here in town, Aunt Bee’s House!! I will hopefully be able to share those pics with you tomorrow!!! 😉
  8. I am sooooo thankful that, because a change in his weekend work plans, my sweetie gets to stay in town this weekend, which means we are going to get some quality fun time playing together this Sunday – I CAN’T WAIT!!!
  9. I am sooooo thankful that I get to spend some time arting in my art studio this weekend, it has been MUCH TOO LONG!!!!
  10. I am sooooo thankful for my life!! Life is SERIOUSLY good! I know that I am blessed, and just knowing THAT helps me stay in gratitude!!

There you have it!! I hope that you all have your own Bliss List of  blessings that you can call on at a moments’ notice too!!

Here is to a FABULOUS evening!!  ;-)

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If you want to have a different life, you have to live differently!!

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Bliss List Friday!

 

CrownGood evening!

I am a big believer in living every moment of your life with an attitude of gratitude, which is why I LOVE Bliss List Friday!! That is the day that I take a moment to reflect over all of the awesome things, and little things, and all the things in between that make life BLISSFUL that have happened during my week!!!

This week there was a lot to be thankful for in my world, here are a list of 10 of those things!!

  1. I got to spend some quality time with my sister, Alice and her family – that was fun!
  2. For the first time in almost 20 years I got to buy clothes from a “normal” sized clothing store!! THAT WAS SUCH AN AWESOME FEELING!!!
  3. We have got our puppies trained to sleep on their own and not in our bed. I am convinced that WE ARE ALL getting a better night’s sleep!! YEAH!!
  4. Have I told you that I work with AWESOME co-workers?? Well, I do!! They make my job so worth being there!! 😉
  5. Once again, my sweetie has stepped up to the plate, and when I had overbooked my schedule he has come to the rescue by helping me out so that I can have some good rest! Thank you, Love!!
  6. I am so excited to be able to visit with 2 more of my sisters this week!! I just CANNOT wait!! One sister gets here tomorrow, and the other joins us on Thursday!!! 😉
  7. It has been so lovely and sunny here in good ol’ Oregon!! It finally feels like Spring has sprung!! 😉
  8. I have purchased myself some new jammies that are just so snuggly, and comfortable, and actually fit!! What a GREAT feeling!! Can you tell I am a snuggly kinda gal???
  9. I love my books! I have such a great variety of books, and on so many topics – they really do make me happy!!
  10. I am so thankful for the ability to go out of doors and just enjoy nature, and sunshine, and the cool breeze, listening to the birds, and especially all of the frogs during the evening!! WOW!! I may have to go take another evening walk this evening just to get back out into all of that loveliness again this evening!! 😉

I hope my little bliss list has inspired you to think about some of the things that you have to be thankful for about this evening!! 😉

Here is to a FABULOUS ARTSY evening!

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If you want to have a different life, you have to live differently!!

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Friday Bliss List!

CrownGood evening!

I am a big believer in living every moment of your life with an attitude of gratitude, which is why I LOVE Bliss List Friday!! That is the day that I take a moment to reflect over all of the awesome things, and little things, and all the things in between that make life BLISSFUL that have happened during my week!!!

Tonight is going to be a short and sweet post! It has been a very long week and my sweetie and I are heading out to go watch a play this evening with family!! 😉 Before I head out the door I want to make sure I share my Bliss List with you this evening! 😉

  1. I am so thankful that when I was just beat from a very long day with very little sleep, my sweetie surprised me by taking me out to dinner so that neither of us would have to cook.
  2. Earlier in the week I had the opportunity to listen to an interview between Jeanne Oliver and Melody Ross, and I was so blessed to hear Melody talk about how she is usually a wreck, is emotional, an empath so she takes a lot on emotionally, and has to isolate herself a lot! I had NEVER heard anyone say those things about themselves except me. Hearing her say it made me feel so “OK”, and I really REALLY NEEDED THAT!! 😉
  3. I am thankful that I have such a large amount of This Artsy Life hits and feedback this week – that is so encouraging! I know that I am heading in the right direction, I just need to stay persistent and focused on my purpose!! My dream career will happen!! 😉
  4. I am thankful that not only have a found a 6-week community art class to participate in, my day-job boss has agreed to let me work half days every Wednesday so that I may take this class!! YEAH!!! 😉
  5. I am thankful that even though I have been struggling creatively (I seem to be struggling to find my style again!), I have been putting it out there anyway!
  6. I get to go hang out with my sweetie, sis-in-law, and niece this evening to go watch a play!
  7. Have you ever smelled Bath and Body Works’ Warm Vanilla Sugar body cream?? It is DIVINE!!! 😉
  8. My sister’s family is coming up to visit for the week this Sunday, which I am very excited about! 😉
  9. I am so thankful to get to sleep with the warmest, fussiest, cuddliest red and white striped socks when my feet are freezing!! It sometimes really is the little things that bring the biggest bliss!! 😉
  10. And finally, this afternoon I stumbled upon a gentleman whose message really resonated with me, his name is Simon Sinek:

I hope you all have had a LOVELY week, filled with many Bliss List items of your own, and I KNOW that many more Bliss List items heading your way, just keep your eyes on the lookout for them!! 😉

Here is to a FABULOUSLY ARTSY evening! 😉

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If you want to have a different life, you have to live differently!!

Related articles

Bliss List Friday!

CrownGood morning!

I am a big believer in living every moment of your life with an attitude of gratitude, which is why I LOVE Bliss List Friday!! That is the day that I take a moment to reflect over all of the awesome things, and little things, and all the things in between that make life BLISSFUL that have happened during my week!!!

This week it is a little tricky to come up with a list because I have been sick at home for the past three days, but I am going to dig down deep and see what I can come up with! 🙂

My Bliss List:

  1. I am thankful to have a comfy bed, with scrumdiddlyumptious pillows, and an uber-comfy goose down feather comforter!
  2. I have been listening to the Right Brainer’s Business Summit every day this week, hosted by Jennifer Lee, the author of The Right Brain Business Plan – pure GENIOUS and SOOOOOO INSPIRING!
  3. Last night my niece and nephew spent the night (their mama is at an out of town conference), there was a moment after the kids fell asleep that my sweetie and I had a sweet moment where we just watched them sleep. They are growing so fast, and I am just so in love with their sweet little spirits!! I am one LUCKY AUNTIE!!!
  4. I am so thankful that I have a job that is flexible enough that it allows me to take some time to be sick and just heal! I realize not everyone has that in their lives!
  5. I have an AMAZING husband who does such a GREAT job taking care of me, even when I am whining, moping, and really don’t know what I want or need to feel better! He is such a trooper!!

I realize that this is a short post, but even after reading it to myself, I just feel so much better!!! Having gratitude for what you have instead of focusing on to what you don’t have, really does change your attitude if not your ENTIRE LIFE!!!

Is that too melodramatic???

Hmmmm…that’s ok, I’ve decided that sometimes melodramatic might not be a bad thing!!

With that…

Here is to a FABULOUS day (at home)!! 😉

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If you want to have a different life, you have to live differently!!

Bliss List Friday

Good morning!!

“We seldom think of what we have but always of what we lack.”
–Schopenhauer

This was one of the inspirational quotes that floated across my desk today, and I felt this was fitting seeing that today is Bliss List Friday!

I firmly believe that happiness is based on focusing your energies on all that you have and not on what you don’t have. That is my motivation for Bliss List Friday; I want to share with you all that I am thankful this week, those things that bring me ultimate bliss; a reminder to myself that life is good and I am blessed. In turn I hope that this weekly list inspires you to focus on all that is good in your life.

Here is my Bliss List, in no particular order:

  1. Singing at the top of my lungs in the car while driving myself to work!
  2. Having a FABULOUS husband who makes me feel loved every single day!
  3. Enjoying the warmth of my morning oatmeal in the middle of a sometimes hectic morning!
  4. My sissy, Alex! She one of my best cheerleader, and sometimes you just need someone by your side who believes in you more than you believe in yourself!
  5. Getting to have an Auntie Night with my niece, Megan! I just ADORE this little girl!!
  6. Having my own space to create and make a big mess while arting my evening away! I know I am such a lucky girl!
  7. Have a great book with which I can fall into reading! I am such a sucker for a rich story!!
  8. Being able to hear the stories of other artists, namely Marisa Ann Cummings, from Creative Thursdays!
  9. Dancing like a crazy person, when no one is watching!!!
  10. Getting that wild, zany, blasted art room completely organized from top-to-bottom! Aaaaaah!! My spirit really, REALLY needed that!!

What would have on your Bliss List? I would love to hear in the comments section!

Here is to a FABULOUS day!

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If you want to have a different life, you have to live differently!!

Friday’s Bliss List!

CrownGood morning!

Have you heard that it is FRIDAY????

Well, it is!

WHOO! HOO!!!!

Which means I am happy to share my Friday’s Bliss List with you. This is the list where I focus on all of the things that I am grateful for, the things that are currently making me happy!!!

My Friday’s Bliss List:

  1. I get to make a ton of Christmas cookies this weekend for my church!! Just thinking about it makes me feel like a kid again!! 😉
  2. I am loving my crocheting lunches with my girlfriend, Chris!!
  3. I am married to the world’s BEST MAN!! 😉
  4. My puppies are always sooooo happy to see me, no matter how my day has gone!!
  5. It is December – MY FAVORITE month of the year!!!
  6. My Christmas tree is sparklingly LOVELY!!
  7. I live in a GORGEOUS part of the US!!! I just love the Pacific Northwest!!
  8. I get to spend some quality time in my art studio tomorrow!! IT HAS BEEN TOO LONG MY OLD FRIENDS!!! 😉
  9. This Sunday is our first time at our church’s Jingle Jam – I am not exactly sure what that is yet, but I have it on good authority that it is going to be F-U-N!!! 😉
  10. God is so good, and we are so blessed, and are ABSOLUTELY FEELING IT!!! 😉

Now, that I have shared My Bliss with you, now it is your turn! Go to the comments section, and let me know what you are thankful for this Friday!! 😉 I can’t wait to read them!! 😉

Here is to a VERY THANKFUL Friday!! 😉

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If you want to have a different life, you have to live differently!

A Thursday Evening of Gratitude!

Good evening!

I have noticed a bit of theme going on with posts this week. Have you noticed it too??

It is happiness!

I have been spending a lot of time and energy on being thankful for the blessings I have and the blessings that I can see on the horizon, and it has caused me to change my perspective in my day to day dealings with people, work, stresses, challenges, and so forth. Looking at life through the looking glass of gratitude may be my key to life balance and happiness!

I really wanted to take the time to thank all of you, my readers, my friends. For stopping by and visiting, for leaving comments of encouragement or advice. I thank you for helping me realize how truly blessed I am, in being able to have this outlet to share myself, my stories, and my dreams with you! That is truly powerful, and for YOU I am truly THANKFUL!!!

So, I leave you, tonight, with this very short simple message of thanks…

THANK YOU!!!

Have a FABULOUS evening!! 😉

A Happy Monday!

Good evening!

I am very happy to report that today has been a very happy Monday! I managed to get myself up bright and early at 5:30 am to write my morning pages, which felt pretty darn good to get that habit started back up again. I know I will be up and at-em again tomorrow morning too!

I had a good day at work today, and even had the opportunity to laugh with my co-workers Chris, and Julie, which is ALWAYS so much fun!

This evening, after work, my sweetie surprised me by agreeing to meet me down at the grocery store so that I wouldn’t have to go grocery shopping by myself, and we made a game of it trying to get through the store under budget, and with a cart full of healthy food, which we did a mighty good job of doing! Thank you, honey!! 😉

After we drove home, the book I have been impatiently waiting finally arrived, and I was able to sit a spell and read some before dinner tonight, which my hubby made for us. One of his new specialties: tuna fish sandwiches with dices celery and pickles – which I have to tell you is might delicious!! You see, I thought I didn’t like tuna fish, and Jason convinced me a couple of weeks ago to try it again to make sure that I really didn’t like it, and sure enough – I had to fess up and admit that it was pretty yummy!! Thanks for that love! 😉

Anyway, I am going to try and list 5 things I am grateful for every evening here with you, and then I am going to try and make room for a 10 minute quiet meditation before bed, just to keep this happiness momentum going!! 😉

This evening I am happy for:

  1. My husband who I love more and more every day!
  2. My friends and coworkers at the office who help make a sometimes tedious job fun!
  3. Having a kitchen stocked with fresh and healthy food so Jason and I can make healthy eating choices!
  4. For Fay’s vet, who has given her medicine which is helping clear up her ear infection so she is her peppy self again!
  5. To live in a country where I can be truly free to do what I want, when I want, and how I want. What a blessing that is!!

Anyway, as I get ready to take myself up to bed!

Have a FABULOUS evening! 😉