Category: healthy weight loss

This is a lesson learned blog post. I believe that we can learn from each other and grow from what we share.

And for as long as our lives are, we can keep growing strong like these trees. 🪾

In my life’s journey, I have learned that you and I have everything inside us to be happy today and forever… in contentment and empowerment.

Both very powerful internal happiness tools.

But it took me years to discover that secret.

It’s a secret until it’s visible.

It was in me (and in all of us), but I didn’t know how to make it visible.

Until unfolded, I found it’s a life secret meant to stay invisible to the human eye.

Because it’s in the choice to flip the mind script with thoughts that can be turned down. And that changes feelings and moods. And the new lens is how we get back our happiness from disappointments.

I practiced this, this past weekend…

When I headed to the same mountain I’d be visiting for the past 3 weekends in a row to do some fall hiking. 🍁

On this third trip, as I pulled up to the mountain park entrance, I noticed a few cars in front of me and a line forming quickly behind me. Each car was being stopped one-by-one, by one of two forest rangers.

I thought the rangers were going to provide information or maybe ask for identification for whatever reason.

When it was my turn to pull up, I learned it was neither of those reasons.

The forest ranger asked me, “were you coming today to hike?” And she proceeded to tell me that wouldn’t be happening due to unforseeable work vehicles in the park.

When I asked if they’d re-open today, she said, “possibly around 2:30.” That was a solid 2 plus hours later and didn’t sound like a guarantee.

I asked if I could use the restroom before leaving, but I was denied and redirected to the local country store.

So like everyone else ahead of me, I drove to the cute country store less than a mile down the road. On my beeline trip to the restroom, I heard someone’s male voice mumble, “we drove an hour and a half to come out.”

In that moment, I knew exactly what I was going to do after my visit to the Ladies Room.

I had a choice.

it was in the slight thought pause.

I immediately thought there were plenty of of other trails available to visit in the state, and the day hours weren’t going to wait.

I had a vehicle full of gas and ready-to-hike legs, so I wasn’t stuck.

But staying stuck with my initial idea and plan would have been tragic for that day. And that’s where many minds stay.

Time waits for no one…

If we sit around, a day goes by, a year passes, and a decade grows. When you’re older, that’s nothing.

When we’re younger, time doesn’t pass fast enough.

And in life’s journey, while closures happen sometimes and endings disappoint no matter what, there’s a better way to look at it.

(Because sour moods won’t change anything.)

And you can snap into a happy place quickly when you change your scenery on the outside and in your mind.

So in the 2 hours that came to pass, I could still be waiting (worrying?) at a country store.

…But that wasn’t my story.

I hopped back in my car and re-routed to go to another mountain.

Yup, I technically visited two mountains in one day. And I got out and did a new hiking trail. ⛰️⛰️

Sounds impressive? The truth is… it was easier than the alternative.

I knew I wouldn’t sit around waiting for what may or may not happen.

That’s a good lesson for life.

Keep going.

Let go of what could be (but wasn’t).

And I stopped off and looked at flower fields along my new unplanned scenic route. I remembered to stop and smell the flowers (a slow down lesson learned before). 🌺

I also found a new hiking trail that I mapped out thanks to modern maps.

When I was growing up, those were paper maps; and to this day, I don’t know how we ever found our destinations. 😮

But that’s how life for all of us has improved today… and so we have even more options to benefit us than in the past.

So staying stuck doesn’t have to be an option.

Being and feeling content always can be.

And the more content, the better.

There are no downsides.

Like, I was enjoying my new hike and I temporarily forgot all about the country store and drive up to the first mountain earlier that day. 🍂

That’s how happy can be.

And my suggest to anyone else who crosses setbacks (that’s all of us 🙋🏻‍♀️):

Choose another adventure.

Let go of the old one.

Get unstuck.

Ohhh, and I know you may have made the same decision I did at the country store… you would’ve drove off in that situation too if you were alone (or with an agreeable partner), but maybe not with so-and-so company or a group in tow dead set on the original mission and sticking around waiting. Or not with little ones where it’s harder to just hop and go.

Believe me, I get it because in my childhood I felt so stuck most the time. In my case I was tagging along on weekend adult errands that I was so bored with, and fed up with as a child looking for childrens’ adventures. Nothing was in my control. I was stuck.

So because of those early-on sour mood lessons, that’s why one of my happiest places today is at the grocery store. Because those adult trips foraging food (aka sweets) that I chose were empowering and happy moments.

I use those lessons to help me today.

And you can do the same with your today teaching lessons and past lessons learned situations to help you noodle out of your thoughts no matter what you’re facing with life-in-play situations.

Make it easy for and on yourself.

And whatever your country store decision would have been, I’m suggesting you would have been happy anywhere else where you could choose.

And let go of the past (that ego energy clings onto).

ANYTHING is better than sitting around disappointed energy all around you.

…Including yours.

Get fresh new air.

It’s still free and abundant.

And getting out of stuck, you could Google new ideas like what farms are nearby (or ask the country store people). Take a clearing head field trip.

Because out in the country there are always produce farms (the same ones that provide strawberries and apples at farmers markets 🍓).

And animal farms.

You probably even passed a few cows and horses on your drive up.

Whatever it is you come up with when you’re stuck, pick a new adventure.

And if you were like me, untethered that free day… drive ’til you can drive no more.

Empower your day, hike another trail and make it your best day ever despite the start.

Don’t waste beautiful days and nature’s perfectly balanced leaf and bark weather changing all around you in this moment.

The season won’t wait.

And neither should you.

Ready for your next adventure? 

What if your destiny on the planet we live on isn’t the one you’re seeking and have been led toward? By no fault of your own.

What if you and I are actually here to learn more about our core being, and who we really are when the masks are off.

And the person we show up as to our friends and co-workers, is temporarily the placeholder today.

Until ding-ding-ding a revelation bell goes off?

…Well, that was my life experience in a nutshell.

This for me (like many other people), took many relationships and situations before I realized I was doing life all wrong.

I was living according to the desires and aspirations of the culture I’m in and from. That’s what most of us do.

And in America, we have choices and aspirational options.

Looking back, I lived like most my peers and people I grew up with that went to college, graduated from business school, and then entered the corporate ranks.

In management roles, I looked good on paper.

And initially I took a sideway bend off the beaten path in hotel catering where I knew no one else who joined that field.

That was my first adult work start after cutting the college cord.

Those early years, I often felt alone and at odds from my peers that were just work miles away, but whom I rarely saw.

I was in my work bubble and they were in their life and work routines.

When my friends were at happy hours and hanging out, I was working in a nearby hotel whose doors never closed to the public.

And behind closed doors, I had all kinds of work and growing pain life problems that socializing couldn’t solve.

I was finding a new grown up identity.

…That I learned only Destiny calling could help me with.

I believe Destiny first showed up then in those seasons.

Destiny to me is the place where you turn to when you don’t know where else to go and no one can help you.

Then several years later, with a little internal digging for answers, I felt like I had it together… at least on the outside.

I found a 9-5  professional office gig that put my college degree to work and started to chip away at the college debt I amassed.

Finally, I had made it to a “real job” like my peers. 🎉

I was able to relax more with some much needed work-life balance and even owned my first home that a few years earlier I thought would never happen.

In my off-work hours I felt like I could tap into my spiritual-me sides that I had put aside in my early adult years.

I also made new grown-up friendships.

Those were still external growth pursuits, but I was headed in a healthier personal growth direction.

But Personal-me still needed to change and heal.

That I didn’t know yet. You don’t know what ya don’t know.

But I still had time on my side being young learning life’s ropes.

Ummm… until I came head-on with my Authentic Self when the life rug was pulled out from under me.

Only when I lost a job, and then a second and third from economy layoffs, did I catch on.

I was devastated and humbled to my core.

Now what?

I took one step in front of the other to progress.

Years later, I chose to go on a sabbatical in-between jobs and moved away from everyone I knew.

I was already “off-course” so I had nothing to lose.

It was the opposite of busy seasons I was used to, and what the culture I lived in revered.

My life wasn’t the way I had imagined life would go. At all.

Life wasn’t supposed to be quiet around me, especially since I grew up in a busy culture.

And that’s how I felt Destiny came nudging at my door, again.

Without cultural judgments to satisfy, I could find myself getting closer to understanding core reasons for being in this life and getting to know my deeper lifeline (where our source is not earthly).

In those seasons without busy distractions, I was able to pause, reflect, and find authentic answers.

But then seasons turned into years of contentment.

And in those years, I found yoga and hiking.

I became more patient and calm.

Hiking solo is a quiet activity that’s a good metaphor for what I was going through in life. It’s also a challenging pursuit.

And one that I got good at.

Hiking taught me to stretch beyond comfort and also to calm down… just like every season and job in life that stretched and stressed me so I could learn better ways to adapt.

But hiking is a choice.

Tough life situations are not.

Hiking new mountains taught me that discomfort means thriving and getting closer to my destiny. Like reaching a summit climb. ⛰️

And that I get to go through the tough moments to build grit and character traits so that I can enjoy the top summit.

That was a flip from what I grew up believing, where I lived anxious often in survival mode in my home. Not good for Vata bodies who are born naturally more anxious.

The mountain summit is like Destiny because I know that’s where I’ll end up.

And that’s where all of us will end up in our personal destinies.

The difference is we can recognize that as a gift and enjoy the process on the way up if we are looking!

And you can also look at every uncomfortable situation in your life as helping you stretch and edge a wee bit closer to your summit, and your higher deeper self-identity… the one that you didn’t know to seek earlier on.

That’s your true calling destiny.

How you find that and get there is never easy.

But it’s totally worth the journey you’re here for.

Remember the motto, it’s about the journey and not the destination.

The steps you take in the moment help you grow.

And then from that framework, you can appreciate that you’re always being re-routed. It’s another way of making positive change that otherwise wouldn’t happen.

Avoiding the detours isn’t the name of the game to win (that I used to think).

And in life, when you lean into tough situations benefitting you even when they don’t look that way initially and you wouldn’t haven’t chosen, you move closer to your Destiny. You come out on the other side as a Victor.

One example we all have, is our challenge stories from 2020 that taught us more about ourselves and this life.

Those days were akin to being in a routine that was working. And then one day didn’t. Or the opportunities changed or dried up.

Somehow situations and seasons always come to a halt.

And when they do, in those times, you’re then facing not a fork in the road… nooo, you’re at the end of the cliff.

You’re at the end of the road, and the only choice is to find another way entirely. That helps you find your better ways.

And that’s when you’re nudgingly forced to do what Destiny shows you in its whispers and signs.

So like a treasure hunt, the next step forward is made easy as you look for your next clue. That’s all you can do. Keep going.

But it’s hard because it’s not what you would’ve done or where you would’ve gone before… and you don’t have the tools to navigate in front of you (like future uncertainty).

You don’t know what it is you’re looking for.

You just trust it’ll work out. Because Life is rigged in your favor and you’re hopeful because there’s organization in the chaos.

And Destiny is trying to teach you in a new way so you make the right step.

…In your One life.

Initially it feels like you’re starting over as an adult, a lot like when you were a child that was helpless and small but got local help.

But Destiny’s calling is not the type of school where you get grades to prove your worth.

Your past accolades don’t matter or help your inner growth.

And how smart and attractive you are doesn’t help you progress.

As long as you try, you succeed to the next level. And you don’t have to prove yourself because we’re all worthy.

You move onto the next season with flying colors as long as you don’t give up.

And you can speed up your progress and grow in peace if you don’t resist.

In between, you’re pressed to dig deep inside for new answers. And you’re invisibly guided, so it’s a given if you pay attention.

Imagine that it’s like being shuffled into a solo detour hiking path where you see no one on the path, but you do see random rock writing clues meant for you. Just look for the breadcrumbs that may or may not be there.

You’re no longer in control with anything you’re doing… and as a metaphor to life, I mean anything, such as concentrating like you could before and remembering what you ate or watched.

…It’s like you’re in a funk that you know is what life is leading you to by no fault or doing of your own.

And Life around you gets super quiet and no one in your sphere is reaching out to you or even replying when they used to.

You know something is up.

And it’s not that your devices aren’t working.

You know it’s a higher calling from the wiser Universe above whispering that it’s time.

Time for what? 

You slowly learn as the days go by.

And if you stay sober, you’ll discover some profound wisdom about your life that’s shared from within you. Like it was hidden and now in clear view.

This is how you learn life’s meaning: why you’re here (that’s not what you thought earlier on in life and that no one taught).

And you also learn a little more about what you need to learn about yourself while you’re here.

It’s like a movie titled Your Life. Where you’re the star.

And if you haven’t crossed this bridge in your life yet, then it’s not your time.

But it’ll come looking for you someday.

And that day and time is different for everyone.

Could be at 40 or 80 years old. Only the Destiny higher ups know (the source that isn’t earthly).

But when it does, you’ll not regret that you leaned in.

In the meanwhile and for all of us today, an easy exercise to live more meaningful by choice is to think of 3 good things that happened to you last week. And do this weekly (like your yoga).

A gratitude exercise like this makes you feel good about yourself. It also puts your mind in the healthy growth mindset.

All you do is intentionally recall 3 specific things you’re thankful for that are not generic, and are unique items to last week.

That takes some conscious thinking. And when a gratitude memory pops up, immediately you shift to appreciation and smiling in your mind.

…Even if it’s just a coffee shop encounter you had, a small lucky win, or a gesture toward your progress.

You’ll find teeny things to be thankful for as a week is not much time and usually flies by. Things you probably never thought about before.

By keeping short stretch time spans to record your gratitude helps you find contentment: a life calming way that helps activate Destiny.

I started my gratitude practice around 2011 when I was starting over (like I described) in most life buckets. My life had already been uprooted.

Everything had changed from the two years prior from the life I was used to in relationship, work, and state where I lived.

I was abruptly sent back to where I grew up when I had no plans to do so. Without any work.

I had just been laid off from a job of 6 years and I gave up my blooming and successful blog at the time because of my move.

Destiny found me a small room that I rented in the house of a past friend that showed up like an angel.

My friend disappeared in my 20s, helpfully re-appeared in my 30s, and then poof… disappeared from view again as I moved away again.

In my soul, I knew I was being taught to surrender my life.

And in all these life clues, 6 moves and 10 or more jobs later, I learned to do so for inner alignment.

And not live the previous prescribed life I had in the past.

It was death and birth at the same time.

And bittersweet with some good and some tough things.

Since I crossed that bridge years ago, walls inside me have come down.

…I’m more whole and polished (or less rough around the inner edges). I developed deeper sides that I didn’t have before.

And if I were a diamond, I’d have more facets that make me more sparkly. 💖

Today I don’t have the same wants and desires as the y0unger adult-me version.

But I’m also still the same planner and life balance-seeking person I was in my younger years. And I still strive to enjoy life every day and have future goals.

And I still research everything…

For personal travel and hiking, it’s not so much that I need to know where I’m going because it’s always an exploratory adventure.

…But about not missing anything I would want to see while I’m there.

Or end up wasting valuable time on event day deciding what to do.

I never have regrets spending extra minutes days before planning and researching. You find time for what’s important to you.

And on event day’s life-in-play, I’m more calm and enjoy myself more from the surprising elements that unfold on the journey. That’s what’s important to me.

Where I appreciate the waterfall and trees I come across even more.

I learned in my catering work days that something always changes along the way. It’s a given you can count on too in life. So no need to worry you’ll be bored if you’ve plotted your steps.

Seeing new places is bound to be exciting. And people watching along the way is the spice of life. You never know what characters you’ll meet. It’s sometimes more fun than going to the mall.

It’s a welcomed interruption to get to talk to strangers. Some on the path may be angels, I believe.

And you never know when and how Destiny will show up.

Welcome to your new way of life. ✨

You can start a new season with just your breathing. When you breathe in fresh oxygen, you reset. Your thoughts change with new O2 energy permeating inside you. And thoughts change feelings that bring new life.

That’s empowering… and all creatures are empowered to do what they were created to do. Like butterflies with the purpose to pollinate flowers. 💐

So it’s only natural for you and me to find out what we’re made for.

Taking a breathing reset and pause is where you can take in a moment of reflection. And that brings in new ideas.

Changing of the leaves fall season is such a great time to do this… if you’re a dominant Vata especially because this is YOUR season! 🍂

In an instant, you can change your mindset old ways with fresh ways…

You don’t need new circumstances to change on you for something new.

You create the change that naturally creates a change in you (of what you see, think, and feel).

And this snack-bite blog post is a quick reminder of how you can support and encourage your positive changes through your breathing habits.

…Especially if the season you’re in is tired (stale) or you’re transitioning and feeling uncertain.

Just 5 minutes a day of focused breathing can create positive changes for you.

(But more minutes is better).

And there’s no reason to say no as you only reap benefits. It’s like when you’re taking care of your teeth… is spending extra minutes ever a bad thing?… no.  You never regret that.

And as you relax knowing you’re doing yourself a world of good, getting away from your busy schedule to breathe… you gain more benefits.

And less stress that means more ideas coming to and flowing through you.

On your yoga mat or wherever you’re seated, you can decide to let go of what isn’t working well this season with a few breaths.

Exhale out old ideas.

And breathe in new ideas and ways.

You can also do this laying down, standing, or a pose that’s comfortable to you. It’s function over form.

And you can choose from a variety of breathing techniques.

4-7-8, Ujjayi, and Lion’s Breath are 3 effective breathing resets.

4-7-8 is a balanced breathing way that you can do well while you’re standing or walking. It’s a good practice when you’re out enjoying nature and soaking in awareness.

Ujjayi is good for relaxing, clarity, and energy like a matcha drink.

And lion’s breath is good for forcefully expelling out anxiety or a bad mood. It’s an adult way of sticking out your tongue and telling the day and world who’s boss. 😊

Any of these breathing techniques can also carry you through your day so you can stop worrying.

…Because most everything will change around you anyway. It’s better to stay calm and not let situations get the better of you… as those too will pass.

Breathing in new oxygen and energy brings new flowing opportunities from the change of your perspectives. It’s even better than a warming cup of tea.

With energy, you get the oomph to sit optimally and taller. You stretch further and higher, and that spills over into your life where you do and try a few more things that can make all the difference in your life.

You end up giving yourself more space. And love. You go into places you didn’t go or imagine before. It’s like when you get new ideas or feedback from others, except you don’t have to rely on circumstances to fall in your favor. It’s a given.

And best of all, you can breathe intentionally and deeply in your body just where you are. Your body is the only equipment you don’t have to pay for. That you can never forget at home.

Oh, the places you’ll go… remember Dr. Seuss?

Those were the inspiring days when you had dreams and visions of how the future plans could go.

…And they still can go. All is possible.

As long as you’re breathing, anything and everything is possible.

And you have your life as proof.

Breathing deeply into your breathing space today, dreams come alive tomorrow when you enthusiastically believe again.

Today, all you need is to carve out that time. 5 minutes if that’s all you’ve got. And find a ritual that will help you get in your breathing mood. It can be as simple as music, a candle, or opening your front door.

And then let nature do the rest.