Tag: positiveoutlook

Progress, Not Perfection

Progress, not Perfection. I just heard this phrase after listening to a workshop on Zoom held by my local library on nutrition. Although I knew most of the information that was shared, I think it’s helpful to remind myself of the basics of nutrition and healthy eating. Since beginning this new journey, I find myself more interested in how I can be healthier, not only with my weight, but the actual nutrition I consume.

Habits are certainly challenging. I honestly had some doubts whether I could kick some of my poor eating habits. I believe I have gotten over the first 21 days of establishing new habits I can incorporate into my life and not feel deprived or sad, or whatever negative feeling I thought I would.

Progress, Not Perfection.

It’s all about moderation, balance and consistency. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Without over analyzing this, it actually is. No need to over complicate this. Perhaps being home and not working at the moment has helped, too. I have the time now to plan and prepare. I don’t feel the need to eat out as much. Or when I do, I am mindful of the choices I make. The small modifications I have made so far in my eating habits have made a difference. I am currently down 10.2 pounds total and that’s in a seven week time frame. And even though I have a long road ahead to reaching my ultimate goal, I am more confident then ever that I will achieve it.

Again, it’s Progress, Not Perfection.

A positive mindset and attitude are really important. As with any life altering change, believing in yourself and being confident you can achieve success helps maintain the momentum. Sure, you’ll feel down and out at times, but that’s when you have to remain steadfast and not stay in that space too long. You may not realize the small changes are the building blocks to the end goal. Keeping those positive thoughts a constant will help you navigate the days when you feel discouraged.

Remember….Progress, Not Perfection.

I enjoy researching topics and since my health has become my number one priority, I like finding new websites and resources that educate me in the world of health; specifically how nutrition plays a vital role in a successful journey of weight loss. In addition, I have become more interested in my direct relationship with the environment and how I can incorporate my health goals and the environment. My son has been taking an AP Environmental Science class in high school and he brought home the book, “Cool Cuisine. Taking the Bite Out of Global Warming” by Laura Stec. It has sparked an interest in learning more how I can make a difference while eating healthy.

Progress, Not Perfection.

Slowly I am establishing a set of tools to help me continue on my trek to lose weight and be healthy. These tools and resources are now in my back pocket and I can turn to them when I might feel stuck or in a rut. Websites, blogs, YouTube videos, Instagram and the library are a few ways I can keep learning and growing.

It’s all about Progress, Not Perfection.

Before I end this post, I’d like to share a recipe I enjoyed that I got from The Girl on Bloor from Toronto, Canada. Her blog and YouTube channel have been very helpful and I think you’ll like her easy and manageable approach to eating healthy. I love portobello mushrooms and pizza. This recipe combines both into a healthier and still satisfying alternative to the carb heavy pizza most of us adore!

Easy Pizza Portobello Stuffed Mushrooms {Low-Carb}

What have you done that has been a success for you in your journey to a better you? Please share your comments here. Let’s get the conversation started!

Keep Smiling and Shining

Happy February! We made it to another year and I’m so glad it is 2022! Honestly, I’m happy to be alive any day, but knowing a new year is ahead is enough to make me smile.

Living the last couple years in a pandemic has been quite the ride, hasn’t it? We have learned how to navigate this new world of living with Covid unlike anything else we knew before. From wearing masks in public to being top online communicators, we have certainly taken this way of living to benefit us so we can continue to thrive.

I’ve also learned a lot about myself, too:

  • Lots of self-reflection
  • Discovering who in my life is truly in my circle
  • Finding new hobbies or interests
  • Learning more about my ADHD
  • Meeting new people through social media
  • Appreciating nature more
  • Knowing what matters most

Despite my mental health status constantly going through ups and downs, I can see that the last couple years have not been horrible, but really a blessing! How can I not smile?

Typically during the beginning of a new year, we decide to make resolutions or goals to live a better life. This usually entails losing weight, eating healthier or maybe giving up on bad habits. All these are admirable objectives and not to downplay them, but I think there are even better intentions in order to have a positive effect:

  1. GO OUT OF YOUR WAY TO BE KIND to others and not pass judgment. I know…that’s a biggie, but so important! Plus, kindness is FREE!
  2. ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES and try not to let change in circumstances bring on stress. We all can be little creatures of habit and not deal with change well. However, change can be a good thing and if we focus on the pros, we can see all the possibilities as a result of those changes!
  3. MAINTAINING A POSITIVE ATTITUDE despite our circumstances. Not only is it helpful to keeping ourselves calm, but having a positive attitude can also be an example for others to follow suit.


Through all this self discovery, I recognize that I have gifts I can share with others. I have always had many interests and been a good communicator, which is what I used as the inspiration to start this blog back in 2020. I have always possessed an artistic side and spending more time with art and photography has enabled me to share some of my passions with others. Additionally, being with people, sharing experiences, making new friends is something I’ve always enjoyed.

I have also discovered there are many people that think just like me, too! I know that may sound silly, but when you surround yourself with the same circle all the time, you miss out on so much. I’ve mentioned this a few times, but the community I met through Tik Tok has been unbelievably amazing. Not only are there people who are inspirational, but are also funny, caring, and honest. I have made some special friendships that I wouldn’t change for anything.

Let’s circle back to change for a moment. recently, I have been confronted with some changes that will make a significant impact on me. At first, upon learning of the changes, I absorbed the information and went through a bit of an assimilation process… first came shock/surprise, second was a feeling of sadness/disappointment and then finally came apprehension/anxiety. Now I’m pretty much at the acceptance stage. I cannot change what is not in my control, so once I went through these emotions, I can now feel more at peace of accepting this news.

My logical part of my brain has been outlining all the pros to this change, but my emotional side has been a bit more “vocal” and has made me wonder more about future. I know I can’t predict how things will turn out. I can, however, take a different approach and embrace the unknown. Instead of a bunch of what ifs, how about more WHAT IF???

There’s a quote from Erin Hanson that I have seen with a Winnie the Pooh drawing of him in the air holding onto a balloon that says, “What if I fall? Oh my darling, but what if you fly?” I love this quote because it says so much in a simple way. It addresses our fear of the unknown, but then quickly assures us there are grand possibilities of success if we only allow ourselves to give it a try.

I suppose my goal in life encompasses many things. I need to keep in the forefront of my thinking that with change comes opportunity. And with opportunity, we can learn and grow. That never ends, unless we stop trying. And that isn’t an option for me. I might fall or fail, but at least I am experiencing life with some wonderful rewards.

Doesn’t that just make you want to smile? GOOD! Now pass it on!

Smiling and shining on a sunny day

Hindsight is 2020

Before saying goodbye to 2020, let’s look back at the good things it brought us. Image from web Jan_Blog_2020

There are a lot of negative things that occurred, but this post is not about that because that sentiment has been exhausted. I want to focus on the GOOD, the POSITIVE, and the small HOPES that 2020 brought to our world.

I know everyone cannot wait to kick 2020 to the curb and get on with 2021, but we need to remember that even though 2020 may have been one of the worst years in our contemporary lives, it wasn’t completely awful.

Yes, there were natural disasters, a global pandemic, racial turmoil and political unrest. Yet, here we are, about to ring in the new year and say goodbye to the old one. We prevailed! We didn’t allow the negatives to take over our lives 100%. We ARE SURVIVORS!!!

Despite everything, it was one of the best years, too. You may say to yourself, how is that? The world came together to help out our friends and speak our minds openly and loudly. First it was the wildfires in Australia. Then it was the unity when racial tensions increased. When the pandemic hit us, we did our best to be safe and keep our loved ones healthy. Despite the unknown, many communities pulled together to help one another. The outpour of charitable work was prevalent. Strangers helping other strangers. A true test of our humanity.

In 2020, families got closer. We connected with people online and made new friends. We were forced to slow down. Our busyness practically came to a halt. In the beginning of the pandemic, it seems many relished the reprieve. We were happy to stay home for a change…to not have to run from one place to the next. For some, the stress of our daily lives reduced.

Other things to highlight:

  • Many of us reconnected with nature, taking more walks or hikes with their families.
  • Several of us finally got projects completed in our homes that were otherwise put off.
  • A lot of us picked up new hobbies or interests were rekindled.
  • Others explored alternative ways of keeping their small businesses afloat.
  • Virtual learning became a status quo not only for school systems, but for other instructional opportunities.
  • Churches took advantage of Zoom, Facebook and YouTube to hold their services and continue the fellowship each week. Our spirits were lifted by everyone praying for each other or giving back in simple, yet meaningful ways.

Our definition of normal changed. We started to embrace the “new normal” so that we could live our lives in a positive light. We became resilient. We appreciated life more. We started to recognize what was truly important.

If we reflect on this past year, the best part of 2020 was that we did not give up and we did all we could to remain optimistic. Sure, people look at the negatives first, but the greatest part of our human nature is that we also seek positivity and hope.

As we enter 2021, we must not forget all we conquered. We need to carry those things forward and keep them as reminders that even in the worst of times, we can enjoy the little things in life.

Please take a look at this short video from Time. It summarizes the essence of our humanity among the chaos. https://time.com/5919837/2020-year-in-review/

Sense of Humor

image taken from web

I have always considered myself someone with a good sense of humor. Not only do I make jokes, hoping for a reaction, I also can take jokes from others who may poke fun at situations or even me. However, there are times when making a joke can go too far and be hurtful. I call it the Will Ferrell syndrome. I love Will Ferrell, don’t get me wrong, but there are times in some of his movies that his characters go a bit too far and the funny becomes idiotic or too crass.

I have been the butt of many jokes with my friends and family and I typically have a thick skin and can laugh at myself. Heck, if you can’t laugh at yourself, then someone else will laugh at you anyway, so might as well have 1st crack at it, right? Yet, being the punch line of every joke can cause a person to be self conscientious or dig up memories that are painful. As a young kid and then middle school teen, I experienced a lot of bullying. It caused a lot of hurt for me for a long time, but I kept on trucking and eventually got away from the bullies once I began high school. It was like a clean slate and I was able to be myself again.

This post isn’t about bullying…I will save that for another time. I want to focus on our sense of humor.

This year is probably the perfect year for us to have a good sense of humor and laugh at all the situations we’ve experienced. I am not minimizing the tragedy of the pandemic, but trying to highlight how we have been able to handle the situation without going insane. I saw a quote saying “if we cannot laugh at ourselves, then we will all go insane.” I truly believe if we cannot laugh at ourselves or our situations, then we are lost. 2020 has been a test for us…how resilient we are and how kind we can be to others. Most of all, we can laugh at just about anything now because we have no other choice but to find a light side to this dark time.

I follow a few comedians who really get me laughing out. I love when you laugh so hard that your belly hurts. I find myself having just experienced the same exact situation and can nod my head in agreement and then just laugh! Boy, does it feel good! What is the old adage…laughter is the best medicine? It is certainly an endorphin booster!

Laughing out loud can help you relieve stress, lift your mood, help you forget your troubles and maybe even help you see a different perspective in what would not necessarily be considered a funny situation. For as long as comedians have existed, one thing has remained…making light of a serious situation to help us get through the day. Sure, we can wallow in our self pity and be angry at the world for throwing us another curveball to deal with and crawl back into bed. OR, think about this…we can take the circumstance, look it straight in the eye and LAUGH at it until we don’t even know why we were so angry!

There are serious things that we cannot laugh our way through and there are people out there truly suffering that need our help. I am merely pointing out that without a sense of humor, we can be pretty boring and sad souls. If we weren’t given the gift of laughter, then why do we smile or giggle? We have the ability to feel all kinds of emotions, including humor. And if you are easily offended, try looking at things differently before lashing out to the world. There’s enough negativity out there already. Instead of pointing out what are the downsides of something, let’s showcase the beauty of what brings happiness. Today, start with smiling and laughing. You will feel better that you did!

 #laughter #enjoythelittlemoments #somethingtothinkabout