When most people think of a line, they think of a straight one.  But lines can and often zig and zag and do not follow a direct point to point.  Aligning your time and energy is essential for optimizing your total well-being, but often don’t follow a consistent pattern and may not need to, for us to feel good.  Consider one or any of the following to better align your intentions and your actions:
 
Move- One need not attend a dedicated class or lesson for it to count as “exercise”.  Think about all the natural movement you could get in your day by taking the stairs, walking to do an errand, carrying loads of laundry, doing some yard work or dancing to a great song.
 
Eat-You should eat…paleo, clean, vegan, keto or better yet, you shouldn’t listen to any of it.  Pay attention to your hunger cues, your cravings and how each are satisfied.  It’s your body, trust it and fuel it accordingly.
 
Connections – recent reports have confirmed the obvious, that connecting with others is a key component to our health and longevity.  Connect in a way that suits you, not others.  Go for a hike with a friend, grab a beverage with others, watch a game or movie at home with a fellow fan, prepare a feast with family and be sure to save some time to recharge and connect with yourself.
 
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When we align with what we want, need, crave, and deserve we can follow our heart and a path that will absolutely turn and twist, but will lead us to lining up our hopes, happiness and health.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

​Most of us are not magicians, yet we all have a lot of healthy tricks up our sleeves.  When it comes to our well-being, we don’t need an audience or a stage to practice a little everyday magic.  Consider one or all of the following:
 
-Flap your arms like a dove, hop like a rabbit or just go for a walk. Move in any way that keeps you entertained.
 
-Wear colors and clothing that makes you feel good, cape and or top hat are optional
 
-Drink water from a festive cup or bottle and make it disappear, refill and repeat
 
-Reveal your gratitude for those that support you
 
-Give yourself a daily round of applause for one good thing that you have done
 
No tricks needed to live a healthier life day by day.  Bring some feel good magic into your daily routine and the awe and amazement may soon follow.

It’s often in February, that we find ourselves wanting or needing a do over.  Maybe it’s Groundhog Day that helps spur that on, along with the hope that Spring will come that much sooner or it’s just the seasons impact on us, our routines and or reality settling in.  Consider any or all of the following:
 

• Moving – stop forcing yourself or trying to convince yourself that you must______ (fill in the blank) for exercise.  Do what feels good for you and try to do it at least 3 times a week.

 

• Eating – eat more color, plants and less stuff from a box, while continuing to enjoy the cuisines and protein that satisfy you.

 

• Sleeping – set a realistic bedtime (that’s  it, that’s the do over)

 

• Resting – take a look at your calendar (work and personal) and block some time (even 300 seconds can make a difference)for rest, re-setting and or relaxing. 

 

• Drinking – drink a few more sips of water everyday, or brew some green tea, stash it in your fridge and take a shot or two of it every time you open the fridge.

 

• Laughing – stop taking everything so seriously and instead, stop and see the humor in a situation.

 
Give yourself the opportunity to not overdo it and do the things you want, need and deserve, you may be  overdue for a do over.

A new year is born, and we all may have such hope for the days, weeks, and months ahead.  The optimism of a fresh start is contagious.  You can create opportunities this year to have more meaningful, impactful moments and outcomes.  Consider tapping into your unique strengths and skills by leaning into any or all of the following:

-Gut – Listen to, pause and consider what your gut is telling you and then follow it.
-Gratitude – No formal process needed to up your appreciation. Acknowledge the positives and more than likely, more good stuff may come your way.
-Grit – Stick with something, but only something that is positive for you and your life.
-Giggle – We all need to laugh more – at ourselves, with others and in the moment.
-Grow – Stretch outside of your comfort zone and learn and or try something new.
-Gift – Be generous with yourself.  Protect and plan for me time on a very regular basis.
 
You don’t need a test to tell you what is most important to and for you.  You don’t need to test yourself either, simply be you and 2023 can be a great year by and for you.

During this month we might want or need to determine how to close out the year in a healthy way.  No doubt it can be a challenge, but it can be in your control.  Consider any or all of the following to determine what is best for you and your well-being now and throughout the holiday season:
 
DElight – Take time to truly enjoy the activities and traditions that make you feel some of that holiday magic.
 
DEcide – Take control of your time and energy and decide what is best for you
 
DElegate – Take some of the stress out of this time of year and delegate to others to help lighten your load
 
DEvour – Take a bite or two or three of the foods that are unique to this season.
 
DEactivate – Take a few minutes to unsubscribe from email offers that no longer serve you and give yourself a  gift and break  away from social media for a day or so
 
DEcline – Take yourself into consideration and decline any invitations or requests for your money, time, energy or presence that you know you really are not interested in.
 
It’s DEcember and it’s no time like the present to DEtermine what you want, need and DEserve.
 

 
Let’s make it official and make this month the month that we say NO to those things that truly don’t serve us.  Consider saying NO to any or all of the following:
 
Food – if it really doesn’t interest you or your hunger, say NO
Beverage – sipping socially and had enough, when asked if you want another, say NO
Social  - when your calendar is full, and another invite comes your way,, R.S.V.P, NO
Time – take control of your time by getting more comfortable saying  NO
Energy – the next time an energy vampire preys on you, say NO
Technology – turn it off, when the social media rabbit hole sucks you in, say NO
Work – don’t quiet quit, learn to say NO
 
There is NO doubt, that this NOvember it’s time to say NO, so you can say yes more often to those things you want, need, crave and deserve. 
 

When was the last time you treated yourself to something ?  What was it?  When was it?  How did it make you feel?  What do you think about when you reflect on it now?  It’s time to treat yourself again, remembering that treats don’t have to be,( but certainly can be), big events, purchases or adventures.  Consider any or all of the treats below:
 
Drink- treat yourself to a beverage that satisfies not only your thirst, but your tastebuds too
Dedicate- treat yourself to a few minutes dedicated just to you
Delight-treat yourself to spend a few minutes talking to a friend or scrolling through photos
Devour-treat yourself to something delicious
Delegate- treat yourself to getting something off your desk/plate/mind
 
It’s not a trick, treating yourself daily can be one of the healthiest things you can do.

​In years past, when September rolled around you may have been prompted to write a paragraph or more describing “What I did this Summer”.  Let’s take a page from the old school playbook and ask yourself what were my highlights in the 100 days of Summer? Consider framing your inquiry around any or all of the following:
 
-Food – what did you try, cook, or consider? 
-Frosty beverages – what did you sip and cool down with when the mercury rose?
-Fun – what did you experience that you hadn’t before?
-Festivals – what did you return to or venture out for?
-Festivities – what and or who did you celebrate?
-Family – what kept you connected?
-Fulfillment – what was meaningful to and for you?
 
When you reflect on the Summer of 2022, acknowledge, without judgement, what quickly and clearly comes to mind or heart.  No need to capture it in writing (although feel free to), simply be mindful of the moments and give yourself an “A” for this personal exercise.

It’s that time of the year when many of us are getting the same daily forecast of hazy, hot and humid.  When we read or hear those words, it may trigger a sluggish response or possibly motivate you to run through a sprinkler.  Consider creating your own forecast this month by trying any or all of the following.
 
Clear – Find clarity as things get fuzzy.  Take a timeout and don’t talk, scroll, or text with anyone Simply take time to truthfully answer the question, “what do I want and or need?”.
 
Cool – Stay cool when things heat up.  Find a place to go to cool down and collect your thoughts.  Don’t overlook bathrooms, kitchens, closets or sitting under a tree.
 
Chill – Dedicate time and space to re-energize.  Wherever and whatever that may mean for you….a hammock with a book, a patio with a refreshing beverage, a walk with a true friend or a couch shared with your favorite form of entertainment.
 
No weather predictions are needed - you are in control of creating your personal forecast every day.

We’ve made it ½ way through this year.  How does that make you feel?  Satisfied? Mystified? Fried?  Be it positive, neutral, or trending in a direction that you aren’t thrilled with, now is a great time to pause, ponder and plan for a second half that brings out the better in and for you and your world. Consider any or all of the following:
 
Goals- Reflect on any goals you may have set during this year so far.  Are they realistic?  Do they even fit you and your lifestyle?  Recalibrate the goals that are keepers and let go of those that no longer serve you.
 
Gifts – We all have gifts.  What are yours?  Have you been using them lately? Who have you shared yours with?  It’s often said that our gifts are what we all need in the present.
 
Gems – What or who stands out to you?  Take the time to acknowledge the gems in your life.  It, and or they can and will set a terrific tone going forward.
 
Glee – What brings you a moment of appreciation and or as some might call it -j oy?  How often do those micro moments occur in your day? Lean into not only being aware of them, but also acknowledging them. 
 
Guide – Trust your gut, follow your heart and your path and be your own guide going forward.
 
We are ½ way.  The way you want, need, crave and deserve to go is in your control.  Go the rest of the way with confidence, conviction, clarity and hopefully contentment.