Oh Christmas Tree

Have you ever cut down your own Christmas tree! What a way to feel the joy of the season?! In my state of Utah, it is only $10 for a pass, and so worth it! My goodness, the smell is incredible, and how wonderful to have a real tree, from the real mountains, that we cut down with our own hands.

Feel...for reals

So often in life, it is so easy to feel like we have to feel or be a certain way, we mold ourselves into a type of "normal" or expectation. Who started this?! I would like to invite all readers and non readers to feel...for reals. I had an experience tonight, that seriously was not fun. I tried to keep myself together, but once I realized that it just hurt and allowed myself to just cry. Then SOB, oh it felt so much healthier. Don't bottle it up, feel, for reals so you can properly heal and then pull yourself together in order to help others along the way.

Healthy Lifestyle Checklist

1.exercise
2.sleep
3.deep breathing
4.avoid negative speech
5.water
6.spiritual activity
7.classical music
8.sunlight

Try it out, everyday you need ALL of these things. You will be amazed at what a difference you feel as you implement some or all of these practices each day.
From Dr. Neil Nedley

Check it out!

I have felt prompted over the last few weeks the idea to start a new blog to share with others ideas, quotes, practices, and experiences that promote wellness and true joy in living. It is my goal that these ideas will benefit others, as well as hold me accountable to my beliefs of living.

The new blog is definitely still under construction, but while I get it up and rolling, please check it out!

"The Art of Abundant Living"

www.theartofabundantliving.blogspot.com

This isn't a replacement of this blog, think of it as my small and large plates :)

Be Grateful

What is the secret to life? I have wondered this at various lulls of my life. If I could just focus on one simple thing, or one goal, what would lead to the abundant life?

Well, my friends, with Thanksgiving, I would like to share one of the greatest secrets of life: GRATITUDE!

Next time you feel absolutely lousy, or even if you are feeling just fine, begin counting your blessings. It is amazing to witness the physical, emotional, and literal change that happens in your mind, body and heart.

Just start small, think of 5 things, the sunshine, the snow, your toothbrush, the smile of a child, great deal on black Friday, a hug from a dear friend, whatever it be, take mental note and feel how it adds to the abundant life.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dance

I have felt inspired to dedicate this post to the wonderful world of dance. With quitting my job, I have found myself with a surplus amount of time. I have also felt prompted, inclined, and a desire to dedicate more of my time and efforts to the world of dance. It has been amazing to see the hand of the Lord as I have pursed this route. Dance can be such a good thing, but in today's world it can be incredibly crude and degrading. My approach to dance is that of a purely spiritual nature,

"We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul- We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things" (AofF 1:13)

If you find me MIA, chances are I am dancing away in some studio teaching, choreographing, and sweating my brains out trying to do some good in this world and hoping I can make some sort of living while doing so. :)

Live true to your heart

This is hard to do. There are so many outside influences and distractions, it is often hard to know exactly what our true selves desires. I feel like I have been in quite a transitional stage trying to find exactly where I should be and what to commit to. I have been wandering looking for a good job, and have moved residential locations approx 6 or more times already this year (is it sad that I have lost track?!) Well I have been trying to take my own advice and start taking control of my life and commit to the things that truly make me happy. I have always felt that true joy comes in simply living.

So finally I have made a little bit of progress to make my life as simply wonderful and wonderfully simple as I believe it can and should be.

I committed to moving to Salt Lake and found a job. I signed a FULL year contract (this is huge for me) it is simple and perfect and I am living with my bestest bud ever, Breckann. She is such a dear friend and it is such a blessing to have her still single to be my roomey!

I committed to dance, I tried doing some Physical Therapy and Nutrition things over the last few months, but I feel like the dance jobs are what will make me feel like I am actually contributing to society.

I committed am ever committed to the gospel, with all of my transitions, what a blessing a gospel foundation has been!

I committed to living each day. Since I quit my job last week, I have had the best days ever! I have been able to serve and uplift others in the ward and area. I have been able to enjoy my surroundings. I have been able to enjoy people. Now, I am not saying everyone should go out and quit their job on a whim, there is stress that comes with the insecurity. But there is so much value in taking time to reevaluate your life. I am trying spend my time doing thing that matter. Time seems to multiply what we cherish it and treat it well. I am striving to enjoy the outdoors more, friends, family, cooking, and peaceful moments to listen to the spirit and feel God's love. This has allowed me to spend more time sitting by rivers, actually feeling the breeze, actually listen to and BE with friends when we are together or conversing. I was able to make real pumpkin from pumpkin. You know like how a pumpkin actually comes before the days of open a can of libby's and add sweetened condensed milk and I even roasted the seeds! mmm, so good. Purely rewarding. I can sit on my porch and watch the sun set. Or run for miles and miles with no idea of what time it is, just run because my body wants to. Read a book, a book I choose and read for pure pleasure. Go to the temple and just saturate myself with the spirit until I am filled, not rushing off to the next activity of the day. Serve, serve because I truly care, not just to report to someone or check it off a list. I know that my life can't always realistically be this way, someday I will have a more work, a family, and stress is just a given. But why not enjoy it for now as it is my reality now.

Take a breathe, give a smile, and count your many blessings.