Listening to a Jim Rohn book as I walked today I was struck by the following thought…

All of us are in like a little sailboat. It’s not the blowing of the wind that determines your destination, it’s the set of the sail.  The same wind blows on us all.

The wind of disaster…

the wind of opportunity…

the wind of change…

when the wind is favorable…

when it’s unfavorable…

the economic wind…

the social wind…

the political wind…

The same wind blows on everybody.

The difference in (where you arrive) is not the blowing of the wind, but

The set of the sail…

Something to think about…how are YOUR sails set? Do you adjust them periodically to keep on track?

YOLO!

Jan

Geez – we sound like your father! Papaw used to love feeding the birds. He fed the birds every day at the store (we owned). It’s one of the many fond memories I have of the time he lived and worked with us.

And please don’t let our adult children hear our conversation…they will laugh and DECLARE us as OLD!!

As I’m sitting in one of my favorite chairs, feet propped up, with a clear view of the bird feeder and bird bath, sipping a cup of hot tea while I “wake up”…I notice a robin taking a rather aggressive bath in the bird bath. I think to myself, “only a couple of days ago, that bath was frozen solid”. It’s amazing how the birds NOTICE when things have changed, the water has thawed and not only can they now drink the water…they can bathe in it too. I wonder how good that must feel to the bird. He really seems to be enjoying it! (I know how dreadful I feel when I haven’t had a shower in just a day!) How incredible that they are so in tune with their surroundings…I mean…how do they find our measly little bath in this big ‘ol world?

Anyway…all this is going on in my head. I again smile and internally tease myself about being…getting…”old”…

Suddenly I realize…I’m not OLD!

I’m living in the moment!

Isn’t this what I’ve been striving to do? Savor each moment of NOW. Notice what is going on around me. Live in THIS moment.

Perhaps “old” people have simply learned to notice THIS moment. Perhaps the stage of life they are in contributes to that ability. When I was in my 20′s, 30′s and even 40′s I was so busy with LIFE pulling me in all different directions that I’m confident I didn’t savor each moment…or even notice the GIFTS of each moment. Looking back, I wish I could change that.

I can however change my perspective from this moment on. I will allow myself, heck…I’ll ENCOURAGE myself to live in THIS moment.

Observe. Listen. Live. Be fully present.

So children…laugh if you will…go ahead and call me old; I know that I am living and loving THIS moment…and enjoying the sound of YOUR laughter…it’s one of the sweetest sounds there is.

My backyard friends are calling…

(image from fungopher.com)

YOLO!

Jan

I did a great mediation this morning via myyogaonline…the intention of the meditation was perfect for me today.

“Meditation on Mindful Living” – by Bernie Clark

Some thoughts I took away:

When a loved one talks…listen…really listen.

To live mindfully means to just live.

The purpose of living is not to get the end of our life.

But if we’re not aware of living we are missing our life.

If we’re not aware of our loved ones, they’re not a part of our life.

If we’re not aware of our joy, we’re missing our joy.

Live and love mindfully!

YOLO!

Jan

My Yoga Online – check it out – join me FREE for 2 weeks

How often do you take time just for yourself?

I’m learning that part of becoming my “healthiest” requires spending time with just me…

Find your special spot. This is mine for this weekend…

Yolo!
Jan

Did you also know that if you aren’t outside for 15 minutes every day – IN the sun – then you are probably deficient in this important vitamin? As humans we are unique because we are able to make our own vitamin D with adequate sun exposure. This vitamin is a critical component for absorbing and retaining calcium and phosphorus…both are necessary for building bone.

As I was reading about Vitamin D and what it does for us today – I noticed the sun was bright and shining. Time for a quick walk!

With Angel on her leash and my timer on my phone set for 15 minutes off we went into the sunshine. When the road turned and I looked ahead at the shady areas I simply turned around to stay in the sun and kept walking. With some uplifting tunes on my iPhone – it was just the break and energizing moment I needed.

Take time for yourself and get out in the sunshine! It’s good for your body and soul!

YOLO!

Jan

http://jan.mybeyondorganic.com

I’ve made a commitment to MYSELF this year to get healthier. I’m convinced that Health = Wealth. Without health we’ve got nothing…make that I’ve got nothing.

While visiting family over the holidays, we celebrated the one year anniversary of sobriety for my brother-in-law, Bryan. We are very proud of him! I am confident the journey to that one year mark was not always an easy one! During one of our gatherings, someone offered me a glass of wine…I hesitated because Bryan was present…I didn’t want to make him feel uncomfortable. His immediate response to me?

MY drinking problem has nothing to do with how much YOU drink.

WOW! What a great statement that is…and I need to apply it to MY drug of choice…FOOD!

For years, I’ve allowed myself to be sabotoged by those around me…and it’s time to STOP! I can go out to eat with my family, I can go to someone’s house for a meal…but I, and I alone am responsible for what goes on my fork! So for now on…my mantra to the food pushers around me is:

MY eating problem has nothing to do with how much YOU eat.

As much as I want those around me to be at their healthiest too – I cannot control the choices they make. I can only control what I put on MY fork and into MY mouth!

Beginning today – I’m focusing on :

• eating REAL, whole, fresh, organic, unprocessed foods
• eating lots of colorful fruits and vegetables
• eating foods with plenty of fiber
• eating foods with healthy omega-3 fats

I am owning the responsibility for what I put on my fork. I challenge you to do the same!

It’s time for us to become the healthiest versions of ourselves possible!

YOLO!

Jan

We are in Virginia visiting with family for the New Year’s holiday. We have much to be thankful for and to look forward to in the new year…

• family
• love and laughter
• relationships
• health
• new beginnings
• radiation treatment “graduation”
• 1st year anniversary of sobriety
• our daughter’s engagement (yay!)
• new babies (yes, plural) on the way
• friends
• did I mention family?

My heart is full and overflowing! May we all be blessed in this new year and embrace the opportunities that lie before us.

Happy New Year!!

Yolo!

Jan

(photo taken from facebook – unknown originator for credit)

It’s a beautiful Christmas day…especially since we are surrounded by family and looking forward to a trip next week to visit our VA families.

Missing is Papaw, Rich’s father. While his chair is empty in our house…his memory lives on. I think of him every time I make the spaghetti sauce he taught me to make. It’s probably the only thing I cook without a recipe…but adjust ingredients based on taste. This has become our traditional Christmas meal.

As you enjoy this Christmas with your families, remember the empty chairs with love & gratitude for their presence in your life.

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis

YOLO!

Jan

I served it with grated raw white cheddar cheese, avocado, roasted jalapeno’s (roasted them whole until blackened on the grill and then sliced) and some organic classic round crackers.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs grass-fed beef
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 3 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 2 – 15 oz cans organic black beans, with liquid
• 2 – 15 oz cans organic tomato sauce
• 1 – 28 oz can organic diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup diced green chilis
• diced jalapeno’s to taste
• 2 tsp cumin powder
• 3 tbsp chili powder
• 1 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 – 12oz beer (I used Yuengling, light lager – you could just substitute water but I like the flavor the beer imparts)

Brown the ground beef; drain off the fat. Saute the onions and celery in the pan drippings just to begin to soften. In a large pot, combine meat and all the remaining ingredients. Bring to a simmer over low heat. Stir every 15 minutes for 2-3 hours. Enjoy!

Great nutrition and warmth for a chilly winter evening!

YOLO!

Jan

The Last Minute Toy Store began today; Rich and I have volunteered for several years. I won’t be able to spend time working there this year; however, I’m cooking chili today to send to help feed the volunteers on Tuesday. I’ve loved putting the chili together and stirring it with love every 15 minutes for 3 hours now. I hope it’s very yummy and warms and nourishes some hardworking volunteers who are serving so that thousands of Nashville children will have Christmas gifts. It’s an incredible experience to serve at this annual event. I encourage you to learn more about this wonderful ministry!

While my Last Minute Toy Store pot of chili (required recipe) simmers on the stove, I’m making another pot of chili for my family. Since we been focusing on eating more organic foods, I’m making my “traditional” black bean, beef chili with a few modifications. I’ll post the recipe separately if you’re interested.

I hope you’re enjoying this week leading up to Christmas. Take some time for yourself. Reflect on the year past. Reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Enjoy time with your family. Love and be loved.

Blessings!

YOLO,

Jan