March 18th, 2010

Day 3 of the Joy Diet

Well I’ve made it half way through the first week. I’ll admit that this is the easiest diet I’ve been on physically, but the most challenging mentally.

The difference between a joy diet and a food one? I’m not depriving myself of anything, except maybe 15 min of my time.

The hard part? Convincing myself I get to feel joy by doing nothing.

So yesterday, I didn’t make my 10:00 pm appointment with me, myself and I. At this point, I’m laughing at how crazy it is that I can’t fit in a mere 15 minutes of doing nothing into my day. Anyway, I finally found it at 11:45 pm last night.

The honest truth? Even though I’ve had an impressive experience so far, the whole day I was actually dreading it. Now that the novelty of nothing was wearing off, would I still enjoy it or would it be pure silent torture?

The reality. I was working on an article about my dog, talking to my mom to get more information. After I got off the phone with her, I was consumed with guilt. The guilt for not being there when my dog passed. It was a horrible feeling and then worse I thought, “Now I have to go sit in a corner for 15 min and think about nothing!” (Add dramatic sigh here.)

The outcome. Doing nothing couldn’t have came at a better time actually. Sitting in silence, thoughts came flooding to me (as I expected). What I didn’t expect were that the thoughts would be comforting ones. Things like, “You couldn’t have done anything if you were there. She knew you loved her. Things happen for a reason and everything is the way it should be” starting flowing into my mind. Then a peace settled on me. It was a soothing balm that my wounded heart needed. Afterwards I fell into a sea of nothingness where I was neither awake nor asleep.

The bottom line: I might not have felt joy, but I definitely felt peace. Looking forward to trying it again tonight.

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March 17th, 2010

Happy St. Patrick's Day + Green Reveal

What a great day for a green day! I promised I’d share the surprise and I’m just about ready to burst. But first…

A few days ago I declared a diet-a joyful one. (a.k.a. The Joy Diet: 10 Daily Practices for a Happier Life)
I’ve been doing it and let me tell you how it’s been going so far.

I started on Monday and boy was I in need of the first tip:

Do Nothing!

I wasn’t too worried because I thought, “How hard is it to do nothing, really?”

It was pretty hard. In fact, I had to squeeze in time to do it, in between going to the gym and watching my 4 year old rabbit. Not a good idea, by the way. It was a struggle to do nothing when you’ve got a bunny pushing you with his little nose. I sat their for 15 min trying hard to do nothing, but in fact, watching him (I admit) was actually doing something.

Yesterday, I tried it again. Morning came and went. Then early evening came as went too. I’m a horrible dieter, but this was ridiculous! I knew I needed just 15 minutes so I simply had to get nothing done.

I’m happy to say that at 10 pm I finally shut the door and sat in my room for 15 minutes doing nothing. At first, the sound of nothingness felt like it was seeping into my brain. I thought I would crazy by the white noise around me. Then, every single sound (e.g. cars, the sound of the bunny walking in his cage) seemed heightened. I heard things I never heard before.

After that faded, I started thinking, like the monkey brain often does. Thinking about what I would write about this situation, what tomorrow would be like, etc. Then came worrying-worrying about how long this was, should I be doing something else, was the timer working?

After my brain thoughts tired me out, I began wondering how long I was sitting there in nothingness. It felt like an eternity. I thought I knew 15 minutes. I knew it like the back of my hand. The way it felt while I was killing time to go to an appointment or go to the gym. That 15 minutes was like one breath and it was gone. This 15 minutes felt like forever.

Then it dawned on me!

Maybe this is the secret of life, I’ve been searching for. A way to press pause on time. Instead of rushing around, trying to make use of my time, what if I just sat there and did nothing? I’d always thought doing so was wasting it, but what if I’d been doing it wrong all along?

Doing nothing! What a concept! I’m going to try again tonight and the rest of the week. We’ll see what a few more days will do. But I got to say, I’m pretty impressed with just these past two days. Maybe you should try it to.

Okay back to the something BIG I promised in 1 week!

Ever heard of those dummy books? You know those how-to do something books which are pretty much _______ fill in the blank and there’s a dummy book for it?

Well there’s one that just happened to come out recently and I just happened to have a chance to meet the inspiring author.

The book?

Green Careers For Dummies

The author?

Carol McClelland, PhD. She’s also the founder and executive director of Green Career Central.

The reveal?

She’ll be joining us here on 2inspired on Wednesday, March 24th so mark your calendars. And get ready to post questions and comments for her on that date. For all of you searching for your dream career, ask away and tune in to find out if this book might lead you to the green dream career you’re looking for.

The bonus?

She’s also giving away one of her Green Careers for Dummies books! Pretty exciting, eh? A perfect reveal for a green themed day.

How’s that for a Happy St. Patty’s Day?!

CategoryFollowing your dreams, job | Comment2 Comments »

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March 15th, 2010

A Joyful Diet

A joyful diet sounds like an oxymoron doesn’t it? But as spring approaches, I’m dieting to find out.

First of all, I have to say I’m not a dieting girl. Every time I attempt to go on a diet, it lasts all of 6 hours and then I’m spent. I think the problem is that most diets are all about deprivation. And frankly, I don’t have the time and energy for that.

But JOY?! That I could get into. Especially since the person who wrote it is one of my favorite authors: life coach, O magazine contributor and best-selling author Ms. Martha Beck.

After reading two of her books, I was craving more. More importantly joy is actually something I wouldn’t mind going on a diet for.

So here’s the deal:

There’s 10 tips for Martha Beck’s Joy Diet. I’m going to try it, one a week for the next 10 weeks and see if it brings me more joy.

Are you in?

You can follow along here or get your own book (The Joy Diet: 10 Daily Practices for a Happier Life) and try it with me.

*Haven’t forgot about my BIG surprise yet? Have you? Well stick around because I’m unveiling the green treat this Wednesday, March 17th.

CategoryBook Reviews, Happiness, How to | Comment1 Comment »

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March 11th, 2010

TGIG?

It’s Friday! Aren’t you glad we made it to the end of the week? With my surprise drawing near (March 24th), I’m getting more and more excited for the big reveal. I hope you are too!  You should because those of you tuning in that day will be in for something good. Trust me.

But back to the hint. The title of this post is TGIG. Thank Goodness It’s Green! Wednesday, March 24th will be something eco-friendly so those interested in everything green or know someone who is, please share the news and keep coming back for more info. You won’t regret it!

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March 8th, 2010

First Hint of the Week…


Are you struggling to find “the one?”

The career that combines your passion for making a difference in the world?

Well, then you’ll definitely want to stay tuned and join us here at 2inspired on March 24th! I’ve been talking with the best in the biz and wanted to give you an early head’s up on something that’s going on that day. I’ll be giving you hints every week until then, but I hope you’ll stay tuned to read about a few inspiring stories along the way. First up, my story.

I started 2inspired over a year ago in October 2008. In all honesty, I was feeling uninspired. I was working at various jobs, floundering around without any direction.

I was lost. The way, I’m thinking you might be right now.

I had a dream, but it wasn’t a possibility at that time. I was still in the mindset of working to make money, kind of like the phrase, “eat to live,” not “live to eat.”

Fear drove my life.

Yet, I was slowly being pulled to do something more. I saw it in my attraction to reality shows and the Oprah show. I read it in books and magazines. And I felt it every time I met someone and heard their inspiring story.

Gradually, my outer life began to reflect my inner one. And I wanted a way to help motivate others to live greater than they had been living. That’s the story behind 2inspired.

I’ve been on this journey with you and will continue to provide stories that will uplift my spirit as well as yours. If you’re out there, leave a note and tell me where you are on this journey and where you want to go from here. I’m also open to hearing any feedback you have on 2inspired so far.

And remember to return every week for more hints and then on the 24th for the big surprise!

CategoryFollowing your dreams, Inspirational Stories | CommentNo Comments »

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March 4th, 2010

Surprising Things are Coming to 2inspired

Hi all! I just wanted to give you a head’s up that I’ve got something cooking over here at 2inspired. It’s been a long time since we’ve had something this BIG and I’m all jittery about it. Can’t wait to share it with you all. I’ll be giving a few hints along the way so keep tuning it to see if you can solve the mystery.

Categoryjob, Life, work | CommentNo Comments »

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March 2nd, 2010

An Inspiring Letter

I got a surprise in my inbox yesterday. No it wasn’t, “You’ve won a million dollars” letter. Although I do get those too. Instead it was information on an upcoming movie based on a true story called, “Letters to God.”

Not one to watch trailers, curiosity took hold and I sat and watched. Here’s a short synopsis of the movie and if you’re curious like me, check out the trailer down below.

A heartfelt tale of inspiration, hope and redemption, Letters to God is the story of what happens when one boy’s walk of faith crosses paths with one man’s search for meaning—the resulting transformational journey touches the lives of everyone around them.

Inspired by a true story, Letters to God is an intimate, moving and often funny story about the galvanizing effect one child’s belief can have on his family, friends and community.



[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bYaYvcqFk8&hl=en_US&fs=1&]

CategoryInspirational Stories | Comment1 Comment »

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February 24th, 2010

2010 Cloudy With a Chance of Sunshine?

This year was beginning to feel like a flop. The kind that reminds me of my little bunny and how he runs and jumps and then in pure animal fatigue, flops down as if saying, “I’m tired. Now leave me alone!”

That’s how I was feeling too. With being unable to say good-bye to my 14 year old sheltie before she was put to sleep, moving and with a few disappointments, upsets and struggles here and there, I was starting to wonder if the belief that God gives you only as much as you could handle was wrong.

It’s only February and I was already starting to think, “Okay. I had enough!”

Yet, the sun poked through, finally finding it’s way back home. New clients, better opportunities and finally settling in has gradually made 2010’s outlook not so bad after all.

I realized, however, that while those external circumstances have helped me a great deal in seeing the silver lining, staying positive and hopeful are what got me through the worst of it.

Everyone goes through hard times. Yet, there are some that can transform the most challenging situations into opportunities to grow and strengthen one’s faith.

It’s not easy.

Sometimes I think it’s easier to stay in the dark shadows and complain about our situation than it is to step out into the sunlight. Because if we take that risk and take responsibility for our life, there’s no one left to blame but ourselves.

Stepping out of my situation, while painful, is the only real solution to walking an inspired life. I can sit and wait for life to be good to me or I can stand up and risk everything to feel truly alive.

I think I’ll choose the latter. How about you?


CategoryInspirational Stories | Comment2 Comments »

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February 18th, 2010

The Most Extraordinary Things in Life Are Most Ordinary

I apologize for being MIA as of late. My dad’s been in town from Hawaii and we’ve been hopping from Yosemite to Sonoma to San Francisco, giving “Amazing Race” a run for it’s money.

I did get oodles and oodles of photos and material for my blog. But more on that later.

One of the gifts of my dad’s trip was something I already knew, but had the opportunity to re-learn: Sometimes the most extraordinary moments in life are the most ordinary.

I can honestly say that the memories that give me goosebumps were surprisingly not the snowcapped mountaintops or the view of the bay during sunset. Although both in retrospect could easily bring tears to my eyes.

What actually sticks out in my mind are two rather ordinary moments that happened when we weren’t visiting the sights. Sorry Half Dome and Fisherman’s Wharf. Looks like sitting at home and walking around Trader Joe’s wins this race!

When I think back to the whirlwind of my dad’s visit, I smile when I think of the times we were sitting still instead of racing on. One moment occurred even when I wasn’t in the room.

I was taking a shower and through the running water, heard a simple sound that made me think we could have spent the whole time sitting around. It was the sound of my dad and husband’s laughter. Honestly, that sound was worth more than the 4 hour trip to Yosemite or the museum we waited 2 hours and a mound of kids for.

They were talking over their love of the guitar. My dad sitting on our only guest bed-an air bed from Target and my husband cross-legged on the ground. And the two laughing about simple things like strumming. It was a moment worth its weight in gold. A moment to be treasured.

The second moment was surprisingly even more ordinary than the first one. Walking around Trader Joe’s picking out trail mix and pointing out my favorite chips. There was just something so safe, familiar and touching about the moment. The cashier even offered us a sample of the chocolate chip cookies I was eyeing. Not a scene that would make it to a movie because of its ordinariness, but one I will store away for a rainy day.

Maybe it’s a reminder for all of us to put as much love, attention, focus and energy on celebrating every day not just the so-called big ones.

CategoryInspirational Stories | CommentNo Comments »

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February 11th, 2010

How to Spend Valentine's Day Without Spending Lots of Dough

Valentine’s Day…It’s a coming! How are you spending the holiday?

I have to say with our move and the recent death of my 14 year old dog, 2010 has been anything, but easy. Actually, it’s kicked me in the butt a few times. All the more reason to really take the opportunity to do something BIG for this heart holiday.

For you, big might mean a bouquet of flowers, a box of candy or dinner to a fancy restaurant. But for me this year, I think I’m going to work hard at celebrating the person I love the most…myself!

Valentine’s Gifts for Yourself

  1. Keep a journal. I’ve been reading Julia Cameron’s Finding Water: The Art of Perseverance (Artist’s Way). In it, she talks about weekly dates and morning journals. Both ideas have inspired my ideal Valentine’s day.
  2. Making a weekly date with moi. Whether you go for a walk or have lunch/coffee on your own, celebrate a special date with your favorite person…you. It’s a great way to reconnect with yourself. I did it a few days ago and found surprising peace by focusing on the moment and the meal in front of me, instead of external sources.
  3. Give to others. After you’ve done enough to fill your own tank, it’s wonderful if you can share the love with others. Do it with time or money. Donate to a favorite charity/organization or volunteer your time to help others. The rewards you get back will feel like a gift greater than the gift you gave.
  4. Show gratitude. Whether you’re in singledom or coupledom, I’m sure there are tons of people in your life that you couldn’t live without. Make V-day the day that you show your appreciation to them for the big and small things they do all year. If money is tight, a card or even a hug is enough to say, “Thank you!”

How about you? Any ideas for Valentine’s Day you’d like to share?


CategoryHolidays | Comment1 Comment »

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