Family time – Dancing in the rain!

Have you ever felt really busy but you are not sure why?

For me, my mind is often so busy thinking of all the things I need to do that it tires me out. The biggest problem is that in always looking ahead at what needs to be done I often forget to enjoy the present.

Have you ever poured a glass of wine (or juice, scotch, milk…whatever your pleasure) and your intention was to really enjoy it but the glass is empty and you don’t even recall drinking it?

I want to be that really annoying person that sits back in their chair with wild abandon and notes the hints of cherry and vanilla in the cheap Merlot and compliments the smooth finish. I don’t care if I am drinking a $10 or a $40 bottle, I want that experience every time.

The present is all we really have, the past is gone, the future is uncertain so I think to learn to live in and fully appreciate the moment would be a great gift to myself.

One of my biggest problems is that I spend a great deal of time thinking about what needs done around the house and it takes away from my enjoyment of my life. It’s hard to even sit back and enjoy a glass of wine when I am worried about picking up dirty socks and cleaning out the fridge. I think it can also lead to over-drinking. If one glass of wine doesn’t make me forget, 7 likely will and I’m always up for a good challenge!

That is why I kicked off my W.I.S.E project by organizing my space. For me a De-cluttering my home helped declutter my mind. I want to rule my mind and not have it rule me.

I got some wonderful feedback last night and thank you to everyone who reached out to me. For that reason I wanted to share some of my journal notes from this month so far.

I jotted down and circled the word intentional. It’s just a word but to me it has opened up my eyes. 40% of happiness is intentional. By focusing on my monthly principles of W.I.S.E. (January being Wonder, Imagination, Smile and Energize) I am being intentional in trying to be happier.

Getting more rest, eating well, drinking lots of water, organizing my home, spending more quality time with my girls…all intentional.

There is so much of our lives beyond our control, knowing we can be intentional and contribute to our own happiness is a great thing.

For those of you who like the reassurance that you are doing well you will find that in yourself. I was wondering last night if my family notices that I am happy and more engaged. That was important to me till I realized that my focus was to be happier and more engaged and I am feeling that so their applause of my efforts is not really necessary.

I am enjoying the Sunday morning quiet at my house over a cup of black coffee. I hope you will join me.

Michelle xo

I am sitting here on this frigid and snowy winter night thinking how quickly the moments of your life sail by and all the things you wished away that now you would give anything to have back. When you are five you want to be ten and at ten you just want to be a teenager and when you become a teen you can’t wait to become an adult. Then it happens, you legally become an adult and you just want to be a kid, you want to have the freedom to make your own choices but none of the adult responsibilities that come along with that.

Your parents inevitably told you to be careful what you wish for, they told you how quick it would pass by and how you would long to have the time back. What did they know? Old fogies! THEY KNEW EVERYTHING!

I remember how on Holidays and Sunday dinners at my grandmothers they always had a kid table set up. I sat with my brothers and cousins eating my turkey dinner all young ladylike while Mike played hide the boogie in Gerry’s mashed potatoes and Gerry fell for every tall tale and dare my cousin Billy laid out on the table and then some. In the blink of eye and without any fanfare we graduated to the adult table. Apparently you get to be an adult at a certain age even if you are still putting peas up your nose and engaging in eating contests.

Over the years we thought of those missing from the dinner table, those we had lost to life’s cruel fate and those who were enjoying their own family dinners miles and miles away. Some of us had our own young families now, taking their place at the kids table where we once sat.

As the world turns and it continually does, life as we know it changes so quickly but one thing will always remain the same. The moments that at the time may seem like nothing special or out of the ordinary are the moments that we would do anything to have back.

Christmas at my Grandmothers house is the one thing that will always come to mind during the holidays. My mother comes from such a close-knit and special family. The thing I like the most is that they never save their affection for the holidays. It is there all year-long and they make a constant effort to be together, even now. The Holidays always felt extra special because we were dressed in our good clothes and we were told to be on our best behavior (some of us must have been deaf) and there was even more food then usual!

Christmas can be a stressful time of year for people, mostly because people have long ago forgotten why we have Christmas and it has become so commercialized that we break the bank trying to give everyone the perfect gift when the very best thing we can give to the people we love is our time. It is the one thing we always wish we had more of, time with our loved ones. So I say that this Christmas though I cannot see my family know that the most precious thing that I have ever gotten from you is the time we spent together, the laughs we shared and the memories we made. Know that a simple phone call, letter (or text if you are so inclined) means more to me then any gift possibly could.

Merry Christmas and enjoy this special time with your loved ones and if they are far away or not with you any longer give thanks for the time you shared.

Love Michelle xo