Say Cheese!

While watching a TED talk recently, I learned the following statistics about smiling.  

• Less than 33% of adults smile more than 20 times a day, while 14% smile less than five times a day.  

The simple interpretation……the majority of us are smiling between 5-20 times a day.  That may not be all that surprising until you learn that children smile on average over 400 times daily. Being a grown up doesn’t sound all that much fun in comparison.  Have we forgotten how to smile as adults?  Are we too busy to remember to do so?   Truth be told we are busy, have mounting stress and are thinking about the many other things we need to do (or Guests we may need to deal with).  However this one expression can increase our attitude throughout the day and we will handle our “To Do” lists with much more ease and efficiency.  The act of smiling has been proven to reduce stress hormones and increase the feel good hormones such as serotonin and endorphins, that we all know and love.  Smiling also reduces blood pressure and is linked to a healthier and increased lifespan.  

Another fact - our brain doesn’t differentiate between a sincere or a real smile, it just knows that we are.  Even when we don’t feel like smiling we should create the habit of doing so.   When you smile, others will smile back. The more people that smile back at you, the more your smile will form naturally and your mood will change for the better.  This simple act of smiling can change our entire outlook for the day, even in stressful situations.   Smiling brings happiness to ourselves and to others and ultimately makes us more comfortable with each other.    

My advice for the day is to google the TED talk by Ron Gutman.  There is an interesting fact about chocolate bars that made me smile.  I’m hoping it will do the same for you.   Enjoy!

"Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” –Thich Nhat Hanh

Never stop pursuing your dreams!

Sometimes Monday mornings are hard.  Especially after an eventful fun weekend that you never want to end.
This is a story about a family that has overcome more than just a Monday morning and what some may think of as an insurmountable obstacle.  I am not a current apple user but want to support this man's creed that he has no limitations in continuing his dream.  Something that I need to be reminded of daily.

Please watch and share if you feel inclined.

Bad nights make for horrible looking mornings

It's definitely not the way you want to start a Monday morning, the new week, or even the carpool to the elementary school.  Is there anything worse than waking up and seeing puffy eyes?  It's the inescapable feeling that you have aged 7 years in one night.  This morning I look like I drink like a fish!  But I don't drink and can't blame the calming effects of red wine from the previous nights evening. However I can blame it on a bad night.  One filled with sorrow, a tad bit of anger, a rekindled friendship, and salty tears that diffuse straight back into my dehydrated body when they flow.

Fortunately the beauty of life is that we do have the opportunity to change the day.  It may be hard but finding the wind for our sails takes looking for it as diligently as possible.  With less energy than planned and looking like an extra on a horror flick, here is what I found helped me this morning.

• Laughter - Isn't this always the best medicine?  A sincere chuckle and the stress releasing hormones that the brain releases really lightens your mood.  Even if it requires laughing at yourself.  I found myself laughing at a somewhat stupid reference to the old TV show My three sons during an episode of This American Life on my morning run walk mosey.  I immediately felt better and clarity reigned for a whole two seconds.  
• Load up -  On a great breakfast.  One resulting in brain power and energy. Whole grains or peanut butter or a awesome protein shake would be totally appropriate.  It will help balance what you may be missing......and if that doesn't work than caffeinate or sugar load.  It will at least get you through the morning feeling better albeit temporarily.  
• Fight on! (that's in honor of my niece who was just accepted her full ride scholarship to USC.) Keep with your schedule, exercise despite what you feel, conquer the world and don't forget to take a hot shower.  Singing loud to a Carpenters song never hurt either.   Don't let this rainy day or Monday get you down.  

As simple as these are, they really do help and the energy expended is very little to accomplish what could change the day 100%.  It's still Monday and I have a lot on my plate but I'm crossing yesterday off my list and moving forward.  Let the hallelujah chorus begin.  It's Monday, a  new day with new beginnings and every opportunity for change.

......and if those don't work than go purchase these Kate Spade oversized sunglasses to hide a little bit of the bad morning that you may be having.  They are my new item I'm coveting.  After all, the beauty of life is the opportunity for change and these rose colored glasses may be just what is needed to improve your outlook.  

5 resolutions you can keep

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

yes I'm yelling 

It's that time of year that we hold ourselves accountable for new goals and set expectations of the coming year.  However, how often do we resolve to do the same things year after year.  Do we even stop to write them down  or do we have the list memorized from years prior.  Resolutions become moot after a few weeks or even days.  However, this year can be different.  Commit to 5 items that will surely make a difference across the year to improve relationships and increase energy, allowing you to conquer the world.   Simple and easy principles of betterment.  

1.  Smile More
No extra time required!  You can accomplish it whenever and wherever you are.  Is it easy?  Maybe not, but the fact is we will be happier if we do.  It may be responsible for mending bridges, opening doors and stabilizing relationships.  Just like my mother told me - fake it, until you make it.  Your world will be brighter and you may bring joy to those who need it.

2.  Keep in Contact
Friendship is eternal and is more valuable than we may even be aware of.  How many of us have lost contact with treasured friends, co-workers and even family members. Reach out to an individuals and build relationships.  Even if it's once a year.  Even if its facebook poke.  Keeping in contact may require some additional effort but its overall purpose is to let people know you care and bring us closer together as human beings.  One minute of our time may improve the 24 hours of our day.  You never know when you may be the needed friend or when you may need that friend.

3.  Drink more water
It can't hurt, it saves money and it increases our energy over time.  Is there anything debatable about this?  It even decreases wrinkles if I've read reputable sources. You CAN definitely do this.  Push away the soda, drive past Starbucks and reach for a water bottle.  Dehydration even mildly, causes mood swings, headaches and fatigue.  And the list goes on. Even if it's one more glass a day than we are drinking currently.  It is estimated that 50% of the world population is dehydrated with the US nearing 75% dehydration.  Why isn't it we didn't have the energy to do anything?  This might just solve the problem.

4. Eat Less sugar
I am guilty of eating way to much sugar.  My love affair with finding the next carb filled, gluttonous item, to fulfill the relationship with my sweet tooth  has controlled me far to many years.  I am not alone.  A radical change may be fruitless as we bound back to our old ways in the face of temptation. However, one less cookie is beneficial.  Eating fruit as a replacement improves our fiber intake.  Having power over this addictive relationship will be unleashing our true potential. That might be an small exaggeration. Increased energy, smaller waste line, less dental problems and decreased heart disease, are just a few factual benefits. The quality of our long term health would be greatly improved.

5. Increase Motion
Notice that I didn't say exercise. Commit to demonstrate the physics of energy.  Convert potential energy to kinetic energy. Don't stay sedentary.  Movement throughout the day is better for our overall health.  Take the stairs vs. the elevator.  Park further away from the door at a store or office building. Wash your car by hand.  Any activity that keeps you moving by burning energy will benefit you. Even in little doses from what you may be currently doing. Our circulation will increase, our blood will flow and move oxygen will reach our brain, allowing us to think more clearly.

Little effort = Huge outcome. Five resolutions you CAN keep.

Dare Dream Do

Two words you need to know.

Disruptive Innovation

....and if you want to sound smart you should use them in a sentence together.  Because it's a theory, a business model, or even an approach to life.  Confused?  So was I, however I'm really excited about what I now know, and am learning, and am thinking about.  So excited that I forked out money for a book.....to learn....to understand....and to be inspired.  Hence the reason I'm sharing with you!

As much as I'd never heard these words together I had also not heard of Whitney Johnson. She was one of INC magazine's top 12 people to follow on twitter in 2012.  She also writes for the Harvard Business Review, is a speaker for TEDx, and co-founded and investment firm with Clay Christensen who is the foremost expert in disruptive innovation (I told you you'd sound smart if you used them in a sentence...or maybe it was her resume that made me sound more intelligent than I am!).

She also wrote a book.  Which you need to read.  Even buy I might add.  Because it will inspire you.  To do what you need to do, or what you maybe have been thinking of doing.  I know it has for me and I feel better about daring and dreaming and doing than I have in a long time.  It has been the kick starter to motivation.

Dare Dream Do

I'll even send you my copy if you want.....After I'm done reading it a second time (I follow the Stephen Covey approach to book reading). Because I share her dream......in helping you achieve yours.

You can also watch this video to learn more about her.  It's what inspired me on my information quest last Friday and prompted the 'stop everything and drive to Barnes and Nobel'.  Your life might just change because of it.  I know mine has.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td8MvK1Dy_0&feature=youtu.be

How wise is this wisdom

Yes this sign was taken at the world famous Crab Cooker in Newport Beach.  I have since adopted it as my motto...and I have also adopted the Crab Cooker as my new favorite 'must stop'.  My love of seafood must be growing because one shrimp skewer was just not enough.

A quick trip to the market

It's 6:42 am and my little boy comes to find and tell me that's he's hungry. A new constant in his vocabulary and he's not even a teenager yet.  With swimsuit season approaching and the mounting desire to get back in shape, I realize that french toast, sausage and eggs are way too tempting to be cooking him for breakfast.  Thank goodness he LOVES cheerios! 

With the realization that there is no milk in the house, I grab my keys and take off for the store.  It's raining out and as I hop in the car I realize my ankles are cold and wet.  The sudden understanding that I'm in my strawberry fields cropped pajama bottoms makes me ponder I need to be more self aware of time and place, style and fashion, and how I'll never be Audrey Hepburn with grace and style oozing out of my character. Comfort is comfort folks and there is no turning back.  I rush into the store, grab the milk and dodge all customers and employees stalking the shelves.  Of course with my luck it happens to be the pastry aisle I choose to scurry down until I get a marvelous idea.  How great of a mother would I be if I bring my son home a luscious something stacked with carbs and sugar?  Apple turners or cream cheese filled danishes! We don'tt have these very often so it's no big deal.  Of course they are cheaper wrapped in four packs......and my dad would appreciate this act of morning kindness too....and did I mention they are cheaper in eight packs?

Do I need to tell you the rest of the story or can you piece together the diet dilemma I just experienced?  My motivational Monday might start on Tuesday this week.  But since my record is already tainted..........I might just wait another week.  A tragic beginning to the same old story.  Spring is coming and I need to be reminded before these types of events occur.