Wordy Wednesday: What's your Resolve?

I recently came across this image and it's corresponding blog (and here's an enlarged version of the image... and while you're there, check out the coffee!!) and realized that here we are, at the beginning of the 2nd quarter of 2012, 3 months away from January 1... do you even remember what your "Resolutions" were? (No cheating and going back to look at your "new year, new you" post to remind yourself, either! ;) So many times we 'resolve' to make major changes in our lives, usually as a result of over indulging and feeling like poo, only to put that 'resolve' on the back burner once the wine/food stupor has worn off, real life kicks back in, and our pristine calendar starts filling up.

Remember: Keep it simple, keep it small, keep it sustainable.

And never forget that each day is a _new_ day, and opportunity to do better than yesterday, and even in the midst of a crisis, YOU have the power to stop and change course.

Have a kick butt day!

Wordless Wednesday: Post holiday edition

Happy almost 2010!

Worldess Wednesday: Christmas Edition

You knew I couldn't resist... and after all the seriousness and heartfelt sharing of the last entry, I had to lighten things up...

With helpers...


And gathering around the tree...


Whether you celebrate by singing modern carols...


Or you prefer the more traditional songs...


Watching Christmas specials on TV...


Or just hanging around the cozy fireplace...


I wish you all a happy, healthy, peace-filled season... and prosperous new year!


Happy Christmas!

Words of Wisdom Wednesday: Gifts of Holidays Future

This is just a quickie-ish drive by post to share some thoughts that have been niggling around my brain lately...

Here we are... a week out from Hanukkah, a couple of days from Christmas and a week from the start of a new calendar year and a new decade. (ok, technically 2011 is the start of the new decade but work with me. ;)

This time of year is always one of reflection for me - I've seen a lot of the "2009 in review" and "Loose 10 pound in the first 10 days of 2010" stories popping up already and it always puts one in an interesting frame of mind.

For many, many years I was one to look at the next 8-9 days with resignation. There was no reason to "start" doing anything because I was too busy, there were parties to go to, food to be eaten, drinks to be imbibed. I would push that twinge of regret aside of being in the exact same place I was the previous year weight wise, financially, emotionally. Well, if I was lucky, I was in the same place. Some years I felt like I'd taken many steps back from where I was, other times a few steps forward. But on average... the same place.

I would invariably make the quiet (or not so quiet) resolution that NEXT year will be different! NEXT year I will wear that slinky size 8 dress to the New Years party. I will have more money than month. I will have a sparkling clean home that looks like it lept off the page of a magazine. I will stop making excuses and I will make it happen.

Thing is, despite all my resolutions, I had very little resolve to get them done.

Then something happened. I got *it*.

There was no big fanfare.

No shouting from the mountain top, "Enough is enough!"

It was quiet and uneventful. It was like that little seed that had been planted over the course of a few years that started to grow. That seed that said, "Something is more than nothing. Baby steps build unshakable habits. Stop talking and start doing. YOU can do it. YOU are worth it!"

I shut up and started doing something. Some days a little bit, some days a lot, but every day I did _something_.

It didn't pay off immediately. In fact, it didn't seem to pay off for a long time.

One day I took stock of what I *was* doing and was amazed. What I did each day pushed me to the next, which propelled me to the next, which was like a slingshot to where I am now.

I was looking forward, not staying stuck in the past.

I got an email today from Jonathan Roche (you can get your own daily dose of awesome here) - my fave trainer and all around awesome guy, that really drove all this home:

"Today's actions will dictate the quality and number of holiday celebrations later in life"

"This is scary, but true. If you make your health a top priority then you will probably set yourself up to live to an old age (and not be hurting) and enjoy many fun holiday celebrations with your family.

"Do you want to be a great-grandparent sitting on Christmas day (or earlier in the season at your family Hanukkah gathering) and be able to get down on the floor with your great grandkids as they open gifts and play?

"Most people don't think about how today's actions (and today's lifestyle) plays such an important role in your future (the length and quality). We are too busy rushing through our days ("I am too busy to exercise today." "I forgot to eat.", etc.) that we don't realize our health is slipping away.

"You and your family deserve for you to be around for many years to come and celebrate many more special holidays. Keep this in mind during this holiday season as I want you to be insanely focused on making yourself and your health one of your top priorities in 2010 and beyond!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Here's the thing... it's up to you to decide if you're ready to strengthen your resolve to overcome the excuses and take the baby steps to build a rock solid foundation (aka if you're ready to take on the process of change), or if you are happy staying where you at? Either way, do what's right for you.

No matter what you decide is right for you right now, allow me to plant a small seed of hope in your heart: Don't make any resolutions this year.

Give yourself a gift instead.

Word-ish Wednesday: Thanksgiving Edition

Tomorrow, we here in the colonies celebrate the end to the tyranny and oppression from the evil Brits, the manifest destiny that allowed us to take over a land uninhabited by anyone (except the natives that lived here)... ::hears whisper:: what? Huh. Really? Ok, my bad...

Tomorrow, we here in the lovely U S of A have our annual celebration where we shift our focus from the troubles and strife that plague everyday life, to give thanks and express gratitude.

We celebrate it in many ways, but most of all it is a time to be shared with friends and family that we love...



And are reminded to be grateful that we only get together a few times a year.

We celebrate with food,



because what better way to be thankful for the abundance around you than a slice of pie, served with a side of guilt?



One of my favorite ways to start the day is by watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.



I may not watch all of it, but I love the corny commentary, watching the crowds, the amazing balloons, the bad lip syncing, and hearing the stories of the bands that get chosen from around the country to march in this event. Sometimes I even make it to the end to see Santa closing out the show and opening up the shopping season!



But before the turkey is carved, and you're moments away from gnawing your arm off from hunger, take a moment to say thanks for all that you have, the love and abundance that surround you every day.



Take note of those thoughts. Say thank you for the smallest things and mean it. Bring the joy of the season to every day.

Then bring on the turkey coma!



Have a very happy Thanksgiving!

Wordless Wednesday: Great Pumpkin Edition

In honor of the upcoming 5K, figured I'd make it a theme!




(a photo from a previous year - Yay, get to pretend I'm running away from creepy children of the corn ;)




(What I will be thinking of during the last leg of the race - running on a beach... not of the guy... Unless he's my hubby, then that's a different story. ;)

Wordless Wednesday: Birthday Addition

YAY! I made it to 40... feels... well, kinda like 39. LOL! Looking forward to a nice low key day... and if that actually happens, well, I'll be thrilled! LOL!

Wordless Wednesday - Wordy edition

I know I've abstained lately from my usual musings on Wednesdays in lieu of sharing amusing, inspiring or through provoking images.

A picture is, after all, worth a 1,000 words.

Thing is, there has been a lot going through my brain since yesterday, although it really started about a year-ish ago.

That's when I decided it was time to figure ME out... what made ME tick, how to make my body respond the way *I* wanted it to, to enlist the help of my inner princesses to make my dream a reality.

I finally *got* the whole goal setting thing. I *got* that you need to build a big dream. I *got* the how AND the why of affirmations.



Essentially, I went from being in the process to the process being in me.

Then I told people about it.

Then I freaked. The "what if's" sprang out of the shadows like gnats, nibbling at my self confidence, threatening to erode the foundation I was so carefully laying for my life.

What if I fail?! What if I don't meet my goals? What if I just made a total fool of myself? What if I lose interest? yadda yadda yadda.

BUT (yes, there's a "but", though this is a good "but") I kept going. I kept doing it anyway, and ever so slowly, the only thing that was left was, "What if I succeed?"



Well, guess what? I have succeeded beyond my wildest expectations and I'm continuing to grow and see success in ways I couldn't even imagine.

Then yesterday happened.

You see, since putting my goal and intentions out there about the 5K and about my fundraising goal, something weird happened.

Some little mental "what if" gnats appeared again... followed by a few Fear Flies.

All of a sudden I went from looking at the upcoming event as a fun way to enjoy my current level of fitness, to OMG must take it serious!

I went for a 2 mile walk/run after work. It's been part of my routine for a couple of weeks because I decided it was time to kick things up a notch to move me towards one of my goals a little quicker. It wasn't something I *had* to do, it was something I wanted to do. For me.

But those darn Flies started buzzing, telling that I had to "train" not just do, I had to increase my speed, what was I thinking, I needed to do this or that. They followed me for the entire 2 miles. Then the gnats started in with the 'what if you can't do it? what if you come in last?'

When I got home I was about ready to send out an email to everyone saying 'Changed my mind, nothing to see here, move along.'

Instead, *I* got an email... several actually... saying donations had been made.



In less than 24 hours, I am just a few dollars short of my initial goal of $400. The first day!

And I was cc'd on emails that folks had forwarded my message around to others.

So I got out my mental fly swatter to rid myself of those pesky Fear Files.

I put up my mental pest strip to ward off the gnats...

I reminded myself that this WAs fun, that I was doing it for me, and because of the amazing love and support I've received in such a short amount of time, it was time to stop limiting myself and dream BIG!

I increased my financial goal from $400, to $4,000! Heck, I'm confident I'll have to raise that number again.

I'm also confident that, no matter my time for this run, no matter what my placement when I cross that finish line, it will be FUN, and it WILL be a personal best!



Thank you all for helping me SOAR!

PS Help me make my goal: www.firstgiving.com/stephanieflagghanley Thanks!

Worldess Wednesday: A Special M. Knight Shamalan Edition

There just happened to be all of these the past couple of weeks. Had to compile them... :)

Wordless Wednesday: Super Silly Edition

(this one makes me think of my hubby... in a peach orchard... he's _all_ about the peach pie! ;)

Wordless Wednesday - Hero Edition

After the blog deluge yesterday, figured I'd give everyone's brain a break... Enjoy.







And these two just for my hubby...

Another (Mostly) Wordless Wednesday

And in response to this article: