Working Women - Thought for the Day

Do it NOW! - Paula Coelho

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

We have so much to be thankful for! Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!

Having a VICTIM MENTALITY could be RUINING YOUR LIFE

I CAN'T because....My MOM, DAD, SISTER, BROTHER, WIFE, HUSBAND, KIDS, DOG, and/or CAT did SOMETHING to me.  I'm sure EVERYONE has met someone (or unfortunately been guilty) of BLAMING and other NEGATIVE, DAMAGING self-talk at some point in their lives. 

Oftentimes, this sort of  NEGATIVE talk is ingrained - many are UNAWARE of this SELF-DEFEATING way of thinking and interacting with the world.  And that's OKAY.  SELF-AWARENESS and SELF-ESTEEM practices can help you IMPROVE and MOVE towards living a BETTER life.

In practicing SELF-AWARENESS, you must also look at what is at the root of the "VICTIM MENTALITY." Typically, this NEGATIVE pattern of thinking was developed and learned in early childhood and continues into adulthood.  It can also stem from low self-esteem, feelings of inadequacy, and a tendency to look to others to SUPPLY your emotional needs and other means of SURVIVAL.

Fear, self-doubt, and an inability to LET GO and MOVE FORWARD also play a role in those suffering from the "VICTIM MENTALITY."  The "me-oh-my" mentality allows you to WALLOW in SELF-PITY and NOT take FULL RESPONSIBILITY for OWN your life and actions.

RECOGNIZING this DESTRUCTIVE, SELF-SABOTAGING way of thinking is the first step to escaping VICTIMHOOD.   Once you have this AWARENESS, you can begin taking the STEPS towards living a more POSITIVE, INSPIRED life!  Because LIFE offers WAY TOO MUCH and is way too AMAZING to stay stuck in "VICTIMHOOD."  Leave VICTIMHOOD behind and start making the changes to LIVING your BESTEST LIFE today!

It's OKAY to WALK AWAY - Sonia Choquette

You TEACH people how to TREAT YOU!

At some point in life, everyone encounters that ONE INDIVIDUAL who will test your boundaries and "good-nature."  Some of these people are individuals who truly HATE themselves (remember misery loves company) and want to bring you down to their level of misery.  Whether you let them bring you DOWN is up to you.

As I grow older, one of the things I realize about relationships is that we often fall into the same, negative roles with people (male and female) because we don't VALUE ourselves.  If you don't LIKE YOU enough to set firm BOUNDARIES and STANDARDS about how OTHERS treat YOU, then why would you expect anyone else to RESPECT YOU??  Sometimes we play the ROLE of DOORMAT because of past examples and fear of REJECTION and BEING ALONE, but what is left of you when these PEOPLE no longer need to use you to wipe their feet? You are still the lonely, rejected person with BIG EMPTY HOLES to FILL in your life.

The key to changing this cycle is to start LOVING YOURSELF and TREATING YOURSELF with RESPECT and DIGNITY.  This could require some much needed alone time, which is important for self-care and improvement. Also know that it is okay to treat YOURSELF well, take time for YOU, and not give a DANG about what SOME lacking INDIVIDUAL thinks of YOU.  BECAUSE when you LOVE YOU and PRACTICE self-care, then the right people will COME into your LIFE and those DEADBEATS will QUICKLY DISAPPEAR.

Eve Carson Memorial 5K for Education 2013

On, Saturday, November 16th, I had the opportunity to participate and run with 500+ supporters in the 6^th Annual Eve Carson Memorial 5K.  Eve Carson is UNC’s beloved, former student body president whose life was tragically lost in March of 2008.  Eve Carson is a young lady who will always be remembered for her leadership abilities and service and commitment to the community.

This event was organized and held by the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and Pi Beta Phi Sorority.  Proceeds from the event went to support the scholarship, Pi Beta Phi Literacy Funds, and CEO 4 Teens.  This year’s event had more than 1,600 registrants and raised more than $56,000! Sponsors included Fleet Feet Sports of Chapel Hill, Nike, R&R Grill, Starbucks and many other supporters.  

The course began at the Bynum Circle on UNC’s campus and wound through the beautiful neighborhoods adjacent to UNC’s campus.  It was 64 degrees and overcast in Chapel Hill - perfect weather for a Saturday morning race.  If you know anything about Chapel Hill’s terrain, you will know that we faced and tackled some pretty tough hills.  After doing some serious mental exercises along the way, I was surprised to see my finishing time of 20:59.80 - I even placed 1^st in my age group!

It was great to see so many people come out and support such an amazing legacy and cause - I plan to be able to join and support the Eve Carson Memorial 5K for Education again in 2014 and do what I love the most!

Wine Drinking and it's Long-Term Effects

The TASTE of a glass of  red wine after a long, stressful, event filled day.  I am sure many true wine lovers can relate to the feelings of  HAPPINESS and RELAXATION a glass of wine can bring after an exhausting, task-filled day.  Some days, after I get  my family into bed, all I can think about is a grabbing a glass of VINO, a BUBBLE BATH, and a GREAT BOOK. 

What started a few years as a way for me to OCCASIONALLY DE-STRESS after a long day, quickly became a TERRIBLE, TIME consuming HABIT.  It started with the occasional drink on the weekends after taking care of my family, attending school, and working full-time.  This weekend only habit then became a one-a-day...then two...then grew to the point I could easily consume an entire bottle if I wasn't careful.

Oftentimes, I would make excuses about my habit, quoting the HEALTH BENEFITS of drinking red wine.  Studies have shown that when consumed in moderation, wine REAPS many benefits including longevity among wine drinkers, reduced heart attack risk, lower risk of heart disease and stroke, and other health benefits.  While these benefits DO occur with moderate consumption, over consumption can lead to changes in the brain, mental health impairment, obesity, stroke, heart disease, fertility issues, liver disease, and many other health issues.

In looking at the end of the year and what I want out of 2014, I am pledging to include MORE self-care and healthy practices in my life.  My running group is also planning to run a marathon in 2014 :) and I want to be in my BESTEST RUNNING SHAPE!  Instead of  reaching for a glass of wine at the end of the night, I will use that time to complete some MUCH needed tasks on my to do list and get ready for a FANTASTIC 2014!

10 single mom secrets

10 single mom secrets

This was a much needed read tonight - thanks for sharing!

Working Women Positive Thoughts for The Day....

I love this one!  As a transforming "people pleaser" I am learning to accept this reality about people.  Everyone is not going to like you even if you try to do everything RIGHT - you just CAN'T please everyone.  In trying to do so, you will give yourself an "UNNEEDED" (for lack of better words) headache trying to figure out WHAT went WRONG and WHY you COULDN'T make THEM HAPPY.  At the end of the day, the only people you have to please  is YOURSELF and GOD!  And your CHILDREN!  But that's a DIFFERENT topic!

To Be YOURSELF...Ralph Waldo Emerson

Reaching your GOALS in LIFE...

Life DOESN'T Make Sense,,,

Sometimes when LIFE doesn't make SENSE, you just HAVE to ACCEPT it for what IT IS and MOVE ON...

-stilllearning2b

LOOK fear in the FACE...

Be FEARLESS...

NEW YORK CITY MARATHON 2013!

New York City Marathon 2013

This was the first year I was able to attend the New York City Marathon and it was so exciting to be able to be a part of such a MEMORABLE and FUN-FILLED event!  According to reports, there were 50,000+ runners and millions of fans.  The crowds were pretty heavy and I was lucky enough to get near the finish line in Central Park and help CHEER the marathoners on to the end!

Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya, won the men’s race in 2:08:24. Not only is Mutai’s finishing time FASCINATING, but his pace of 4.54 min/mile is UNBELIEVABLE!  As a runner, I can’t even begin to fathom the amount of training that happens so that one can run at that pace!  This was also Mutai’s second New York City Marathon event and according to reports, he is the second man to repeat  the New York City Marathon since 1997-98.

Priscah Jeptoo of Kenya finished the women’s race at 2:25:07.  Buzunesh Deb, a Brooklyn native Ethiopian, completed the marathon for a second time, coming in behind Jeptoo at 2:25:55.  I really would like to know what happens during these LADIES training sessions!

Other interesting facts about the New York City Marathon

Adriana Nelson was the top USA woman, coming in 13^th place with a running time of 2:35:05.  Ryan Vail was the USA male, coming in 12^th place with a running time of 2:13:23.

Pamela Anderson, former “Baywatch”” actress, ran for charity and completed the race in 5:41:03.  She raised $76,000 for J/P Haitian Relief Organization, an organization dedicated to helping the impoverished Caribbean Island affected by the 2010 earthquake.

In 1977, Wesley Paul, who was 8 years old at the time, completed the marathon in 3:00:37.  Thankfully, marathon age requirements have since changed with participants now having to be at least 18 years of age.

Joy Johnson, the oldest women to complete the New York City Marathon, died at the age of 86, one day after completing the marathon.  After falling and hitting her head at mile 20, Johnson finished the race off in about 8 hrs.  Sunday marked the 25^th time Johnson finished the race.  Her family is happy she went doing what she loved.

I PLAN to get into marathon shape in 2014, join these AMAZING people, and do what I LOVE the MOST!

Happiness is an attitude...