The first quarter of 2013 is gone. What have I learned? I made a list of the things that I've learned so far.
(Although some
of these things on my list I already knew and lived by, in the amazing journey
of life we need constant reminders/refreshers of the thing we think "we
know.")
1. Wake up with a smile. Be
grateful for life, your loved ones and your health.
2. Seek to always improve. I just
want to be more loving and kinder, eat healthier, get fitter, be more
eco-conscious.
3. You are what you eat. My
baby will be created from what I put into my body. Prioritize eating healthy,
no one will do it for you!
4. Move your body, exercise.
Exercise is so important for overall health. Challenge your body. Have a buddy to
remind you, push you and keep you accountable to being/staying fit.
5. Be a public health advocate. If you don’t speak up or give your public
health opinion, who will?
6. Stay in the loop on public health news
and research. Learn and inform others, using social media
and blogging are great outlets to spread the word. I get daily emails and
weekly newsletter from the American Public Health Association and other
credible public health sources.
7. Email mentors, keep in touch and give a
brief update. A simple e-hello brightens anyone’s day—just as much as a genuine thank you does.
8. Notice and appreciate people in your
life who will give you their time and affection. Don’t
take anyone for granted. Remember
those who have made a difference in your life one way or another. Stay in
touch; send an email, mail a card, a text or FB message. Ask them out to lunch
or tea.
9. Take commitments seriously and keep
promises. Before committing, take a minute or 2 or five or more
and think about it before saying yes. This builds character and trust among
others. Do what you said you would do.
10. Read a lot! Get
curious about everything, and read! Making time for reading is a great mental
and spiritual exercise. Visit
libraries, book sales, book stores and just browse around borrow or buy.
11. Create a score board to track your
goals.
a. Reading
- I’ve also created a “Books I’ve Read/ Want to Read” list to help me keep
track. I’s fun adding to it. B-)
b. Writing
– To track my writing and remind me strengthen my writing muscle, I have an
Excel worksheet with the date, day, project, writing goal and notes columns
that I fill in as much as possible.
c. Words
– I write down “the word of the day” I get each day in my email inbox every
day.
d. New
Year’s Resolutions – I am just coming up with a system that works for me to
help me keep track of my 13 Big Goals for 2013!
12. Notice your body language. Smile
at everyone, give compliments, be genuine. Smile to random people in the street.
Don’t be scared about what they think of you, you might just bright en someone’s
day! It feels wonderful to see a grin on someone s face turn into an honest
smile!
13. Don’t complain, be proactive. If
you I don’t like it, do something about it and if there is nothing I can do, I
have to accept it. When I complain about others, I have come to realize that I
am being judgmental. I then ask myself, what am I unhappy about myself? My
complaining about other people is a reflection of my feeling toward myself.
Understand that what people do is a reflection of them; instead of resentment,
feel compassion for them. Be proactive in the sense that I shouldn’t waste time
worrying about what others do, but do my own best.
14. Notice and be honest with yourself that
you have prejudices and biases. Address them and correct
them. Be less judgmental of other people, including women. Treat people the
same, be just. Ask yourself, “Would I
treat this person the same/differently if they looked differently, were a
certain race, gender, age, had a certain condition or disability?”
15. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Teach
what you are good at and give people your best. If you’re weak in an area and
want to improve it, don’t expect to become an expert over night. Always seek to
improve!
16. Practice thinking outside the box. Think
beyond what you think you know. Often ask why?
17. Train your brain, be challenged.
The more you learn the more connections your brain makes with other cells.
Train your brain to laser focus on important tasks.
18. Focus on the work you’re doing right
here right now. Write down concrete steps that will move
your forward. Set your alarm to go off in 15 minutes and focus on what you need
to do for that time. If you have more momentum after the alarm rings, silence
it and work 5, 10 or 15 more minutes-- don’t stop.
19. There is no such thing as multi-tasking.
The brain can only do 1 thing efficiently at a time.
20. Write it down, write everything down. Don’t
rely on memory- we are all human and we forget. Review your notes often.
21. Don’t take things personally. Before
you respond, pause and think. What someone said or did to you is not about you,
but a reflection of themselves, their reality. Still, be kind, smile and carry
on.
22. Write your story, write with a purpose. I
write my blog to share my story. I write to inspire other to make positive
changes for their own health, their families, and their community. All these
changes can change the world. “Be the
change you want to see in the world.” ~Gandhi
23. Let children bring your inner child out.
I
love children! Looking into their innocent eyes and seeing how happy and
peaceful they are instantly makes me feel happy and peaceful, too. Smile at
children often; often times they smile back and it’s an exchange of beautiful
feelings!
24. Get organized, finally! Commit
to having a place for everything. Think about getting rid of clutter and
unnecessary stuff. Donate to the Goodwill (and you even get a discount to shop
there). Reduce, recycle, reuse and do with less! (I’ve read somewhere that it was free, don’t take it.)
25. Be in the moment, live in the present.
Look, smell, feel, hear, touch. Tell your loved ones you love them. Look them
in the eye. Snuggle, hug, kiss, caress, be gentle.
26. Sleep as much as you can NOW!
Once you lose sleep, you never gain it back. Sleep helps rejuvenate the body
and recharge it for the next day. Treasure it, it’s a blessing. Sleep now
because when I have a bay I will not sleep!
27. Don’t assume anything.
Ask, confirm. Don’t be afraid. It will save you time, energy, reduce stress and
irritability.
28. Do things right away!
Take meds when my alarm goes off. Clean spills. Wash the dishes right away and
make my bed as soon as I wake up (I’m working on these 2!) Return calls, text
messages and emails as soon as possible.
29. Activism is any form of speaking up and
being an advocate for causes you’re passionate about. Even
if it’s trough the internet, cyber activism is still activism. Sign petitions,
write emails, make phone calls, leave messages, etc. Spread the word!
30. Find inspiration in others. I
feel inspired every day by so many people.
My husband, my best friend inspires me to be the best I can me. My parents’
history and life journey inspire me and they continue to do so today. My
siblings’ love, talents, work ethic and dependability inspires me. I also find
inspiration through the community of ordinary people I work with. My amigas, mentors, and other women inspire
me.
31. Take care of your teeth TODAY! Brush
twice a day for 2 minutes! Try brushing with baking soda every other day. Floss
every day. Use mouthwash whenever possible. Oral health is deeply neglected by
most people.
.
Everyday is an opportunity to start over and make it better than yesterday. I encourage you to rediscover yourself. Be true to yourself, be confident, be persistent, be happy, be silly and enjoy the process! Be relentlessly
positive and have an “I can do it!” attitude.
Love, Joy, Peace and Health,
Bea
