Those who feel lovable, who love, and who experience belonging simply believe they are worthy of love and belonging. They don't have better or easier lives, they don't have fewer struggles with addiction and depression, and they haven't survived fewer traumas or bankruptcies or divorces, but in the midst of all the struggles, they have developed practices that enable them to hold on to the belief that they are worthy of love, belonging, and even joy.
why do you work out?
Lorna Jane is such a rad fitness apparel brand and I love how they encourage and promote a healthy and happy lifestyle. Their Move Nourish Believe blog is a go-to source for inspiration, workout tips and more. Once I saw they do their own Thursday Thankful, I was completely head over heels. The brand recently posted an article sharing twenty reasons to workout as decided by the Lorna Jane community. The illustrations were too adorable not to share and I was inspired to think about why I love working out too.
I love feeling stronger after working out. I love having that “me time” with my body where I can truly focus on how amazing we are as humans and be thankful for working legs and arms and more. I love that there are so many options: swimming and pilates and the elliptical at the gym and running through the park and hiking and playing soccer or tennis. I love finding that perfect balance in my life: relaxing and also being active, eating a huge delicious dinner and enjoying a big long yoga class. I love that I feel happier and more fulfilled after spending that hour or so sweating it out.
Why do you work out?
Where’s the Joy?
Today I’m inspired by this Huffington Post article by Laura Munson. I definitely recommend reading the full article, but here are a few of my favorite parts. The article was a refreshing reminder and crown polish that we need to seek the joy in our day-to-day lives, even when life seems uneventful or not so great. It’s not a one-time decision, but rather something we need to wake up every day and choose to pursue. Enjoy!
Our answers to “how are you” help influence the general pulse of the human heart and our society at large. I want to start saying, “Great” even on a crappy day. Because there is something great about even a crappy day and why not think about that! It just plain feels better. I want to feel better. I need to remind myself to see what’s “great” in my life and spread that around town. (And sure — at length because that’s the way I fly. Sorry, grocery line.) It’s almost a social responsibility, really. Community service. Spreading the joy.
I want to see the joy. And I want to find mine, even in the most mundane moments. And then I gave myself a challenge: think of five things you like about yourself. It was hard. It spun another half an hour or so of self-flagellation. Because every time I thought of something, I weed-whacked it. “You’re a good mother” quickly turned to “I haven’t taken my daughter to visit enough colleges yet and she’s going to be a senior this fall” and “you didn’t read enough with your son when he was little and now he watches too much TV.” Ugh. Five things you like about yourself, Laura. Finally, I got three and called it good. Three positive, thoughts about myself to stabilize and soak in, without whacking them. And interestingly, in order to do it, I had to think of myself from the perspective of the little girl I once was. She told me: You’re a good cook. You’re funny. You eat chocolate cake without apology.
We have to re-train ourselves back to that child in us who joyfully woke up to the possibility of the day. Who loved herself. Whose goal was to play. And be joyful in it. When you wake up tomorrow and see this blog post, take a moment and try it. Think of five things you like about yourself. Or maybe three. But please…at least one. And hold it close all day, saying it over and over to yourself. And when you’re in that grocery line, and someone asks you, “How are you,” think about that thing… and say, “I’m great.” Because you are.
Twentysomething Girl
I’m currently reading Twentysomething Girl by Melissa Fiorenza and Laura Serino. The lovely little book shares 1,001 ”quick tips and tricks to make your life easier.” It’s jam-packed with short and sweet pieces of advice for gals in their twenties – from beauty and fashion to travel and etiquette and everything in between. It’s a perfect morning coffee or airplane {which I’ll be doing today} read. The book is accented with adorable illustrations from Kristina Hultkrantz.
Here’s a few of my favorites from the book:
- Save the personal personal calls for your lunch hour. Outside. On your cell phone.
- Gotten love dear old grandma – except when she asks you for the gazillionth time when you’re getting married (or having a baby, and so on). Answer: “I’m so enjoying my career right now, but I’m excited for that chapter of my life, too, whenever it begins!”
- If you’re wondering if you’re too old [to wear] it, you probably are.
- Keep your coffee in the freezer – it’ll last three weeks longer than if you stick it in the pantry.
- Next time you spill nail polish on your wood floor or furniture, let it dry – then scape it off with a credit card or butter knife.
This is a perfect gift for any twentysomething lady in your life {or yourself, naturally}. You can buy the book here. Enjoy!
