Tag Archives: Inspiration

Inspiration by Gandhi – Free Printable

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These past few months I’ve been sharing inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi and thought I’d wrap up the series with a free printable I created to remind me of some of his most inspirational words.

If you missed any of the series,  here are links to the posts I wrote…

  1. Be the Change
  2. What You Think You Become
  3. Where There is Love There is Life
  4. Learn as if You’ll Live Forever
  5. Your Health is Your Real Wealth
  6. Have a Sense of Humor
  7. Your Life is your Message
  8. Action Expresses Priorities
  9. Our Greatness is Being Able to Remake Ourselves
  10. Find Yourself in the Service of Others

Click here to open the free printable.

I printed, framed and sat mine on my desk. Enjoy! xo Amy

Inspiration by Gandhi: Action Expresses Priorities

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I love to-do lists… they make me feel good. There’s no doubt that if you take time to write down all the things you need to do… all those large and small things that are cluttering up your busy little mind, you will almost instantly feel better. Unfortunately, that good feeling doesn’t last for long because the truth is, a to-do list is only as strong as the action that follows it.

I’ve added two new dimension to my to-do lists lately and I find that I am really liking them. Every Sunday night or Monday morning, I try to sit down and do this…

  1. Write a short term to-do list of what I need/want to accomplish for the week.
  2. Create a priority list of what needs to be focused on above everything else.
  3. Develop a plan of action backed with a commitment to get it done.

To-Do Lists

I currently have a number of them. The topics can change each year and some include long and short term goals. My current lists are work, personal, home and wedding.

Priority List

This recently added list has really helped step up my productivity. Each week I review my current to-do lists and create a master priority list naming with projects I need to tackle and complete ASAP. This list has no regard for what I prefer to do, rather it focuses on what must be done… now.

Action List

My action list takes everything a step further. I develop a plan of action for the week penciling in what needs to be done and when. It includes the specific day(s) that I will tackle a work or personal project, when I’ll workout and when I aim to complete a project. I may have to re-evaluate half-way through the week to allow for unexpected things that come up, but I’m finding this is really working for me.

The bottom line here is writing to-do lists will make you feel good, but they are really nothing more than fluff. The real fun begins when you can start checking off those lists because you’ve defined priorities and taken action.

xo Amy

 

 

 

 

Inspiration by Gandhi: My Life is My Message

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My life is my message. Take a sip of that one, swirl it around in your mouth and take in the full impact of that sentence. What message are you sending? Here’s a few questions I’m asking myself today…

  1. Do I like the message of my life to date?
  2. Do I live by example?
  3. Do I practice what I preach?
  4. Do I walk my talk?

The answer is sometimes. Let’s face it. We’re not perfect. I’m not and you’re not… those that pretend to be aren’t either and that’s okay. The truth is no one is perfect and our chase for perfection can often be our demise. That’s a topic for another day though.

We can’t actively plan what our message will be at the end of day, but we can help sculpt it by doing the following:

  1. Making choices that are true to ourselves and our hearts.
  2. Taking action when we need to change something about ourself or situations we are in.
  3. Choosing how we react to challenges each and every day along the way.
This isn’t about living a perfect life or talking about what we need to do – it’s about taking action to live a life with thought and intention; being mindful of what we are doing so we actively walk our talk. xo Amy

 

Inspiration by Gandhi: Have a Sense of Humor

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There’s no getting around it, life is going to throw us a few curve balls now and then.  We can’t always control where they land, but we can control how we react to them.

I heard a story today from someone who has a baby learning to walk.  His chiropractor told him that he taught his baby daughter to laugh instead of cry when she falls. Michael and his wife are teaching their daughter to do the same. I love that. Obviously, if she falls hard she’s going to cry, but when it’s a just a matter of a tiny bump or injured pride… laughter really is the best medicine.

Life is too short to waste crying over spilled milk… I for one, would rather find the humor in it, wouldn’t you? xo Amy

 

Breast Friends

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I totally stole that title from someone named Jill on Facebook. I didn’t know Jill until the other night when I stumbled upon a stranger’s blog who promptly introduced me to her. I can’t stop thinking about her. She is beautiful,  a warrior and she rocks. She is one of those people that will reach out and touch you… through her words, her smile… her spirit. Grab a box of tissues and  watch her story by clicking here. You’ll see what I’m talking about.

Jill says “if I could change one woman’s life I would die the happiest woman”. With over  300,000 views to date, I’m pretty sure she’s accomplished that. I think it’s safe to say that because of her, women are stopping to examining their breasts today. She’s given us a glimpse into what breast cancer “looks” like and a refreshing reminder of what beauty really means. 

If Victoria Secret had any sense at all they would make her an honorary model this year.

Excuse me while I go check my breasts right now. Please check yours too. And for you men reading this… that means you too. Two men that I know were diagnosed with breast cancer. Here’s the story about one of them. Breast cancer is not exclusive to women.  xo Amy

 

Inspiration by Gandhi: Learn As If You’ll Live Forever

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Do you remember counting the days till you graduated from high school or college and thinking you couldn’t wait till you were done? The thought of no more papers to write, projects to finish or tests to study for was pretty darn exciting, wasn’t it? In a few days we would be free…

Yea right.

Soon we’re learning a new job, how to stretch a paycheck, to be a good parent, use a new smart phone.

The world becomes our classroom and we are students of life.

Some where along the line we begin to appreciate that learning is an adventure and the ability to learn is a gift. One that keeps us forever busy, entertained and alive.

I hope you learn something fun today. xo Amy

 

Inspiration by Gandhi: Be the Change

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Complaining is easy, but comes with zero reward. Action on the other hand can reap an abundance of rewards and really can change the world. Changing the world isn’t impossible or even unimaginable if you start with the world around you.

Change begins with baby steps… want to help the world become greener? Start recycling, composting or using reusable items rather than disposable. Want better relationships? Start respecting yourself and setting boundaries. People only treat you how you allow them to. Want to lose weight? Find a plan that works for you and get to it. Want an organized home? Start with one drawer or closet at a time. Want the world to be a nicer place? Start by paying it forward… pay for a strangers breakfast, open a door for someone, offer a smile to everyone who crosses your path.

Of course there’s no time for complaining when you’re busy changing your attitude, your habits or the world around you… what are you going to change in 2013? xo Amy

 

Ringing in the Year with Juicing and Eat To Live

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On Tuesday, I’m planning on ringing in the New Year with a combination of Juicing and the Eat To LIve (ETL) Six Week Plan. I originally saw Dr. Furhman on Dr. Oz and since then, I have been intrigued. I am not looking at it as a diet. I’m considering a life change. Once I get this last 45+ lbs off, I think I can be happy juicing and following ETL for the rest of my life. That is the ultimate goal here – lose weight and get healthy. Once I achieve it, I need to have a plan to maintain it. I think this is it.

“You can’t live on processed foods and factory-made foods and expect to have normal health.” ~ Dr. Fuhrman

Today, tomorrow and Monday I’m weaning myself off of caffeine (again) and eliminating white flour and sugar (again). Why? So I don’t have a terrible withdraw headache on Tuesday! Additionally, today is my last day of eating meat for a while, although I’m not  a big meat eater lately, so this is not a big deal. 

From the book Eat to Live: The Amazing Nutrient-Rich Program for Fast and Sustained Weight Loss, Revised Edition, Dr. Joel Fuhrman The premise of the ETL plan is this…

UNLIMITED (eat as much as you want):

  • all raw vegetables, including raw carrots (goal: 1 lb. daily)
  • cooked green vegetables (goal 1 lb. daily)
  • beans, legumes, bean sprouts, or *tofu (minimum 1 cup daily in total of these)
  • fresh fruit (at least 4 daily).
  • eggplant, mushrooms, peppers, onions, tomato and other non-starchy vegetables, cooked and raw (unlimited)

*Beans should be eaten daily; tofu should be eaten less frequently.

LIMITED (not more than one serving):

  • cooked starchy vegetables OR whole grains–Maximum 1 cup per day (butternut or acorn squash, corn, sweet potato, brown rice, cooked carrots, whole grain breads*, whole grain cereals*)
  • raw nuts and seeds (1 oz. or 28.5 grams a day) or 2 ounces avocado
  • ground flaxseed (1 tablespoon a day)

*avoid breads and cereals as much as possible

OFF-LIMITS:

  • dairy products
  • animal products
  • between meal snacks
  • fruit juice, dried fruits
  • salt, sugar

You should read the book to fully understand the plan. I am working my way through it right now!

If anyone wants to join in and follow along, I’d love to do this with you! Some of you may want to explore juicing as well. I’m thinking about doing another juice fast sometime in February. Here’s a link to everything I know about Juicing if you are interested in learning more!

Gandhi: Top Ten Words of Wisdom

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As January 1st and the start of a New Year approaches, I always try to reflect. Was it a good year or tough year? What did I accomplish the previous year and were there goals I didn’t reach? What are my goals for the new year?

I think about events and things I am grateful for… family and blessings, losses and heartache, hardships and friendships. Some years, I have been happy to have just gotten through to the end of it in one piece. Other years I have felt so full of joy – I had to pinch myself to make sure it was real. Well, not really – why would you pinch yourself? Anyway, I digress…

Many times, the things that made a year either good or tough were things that were out of my control.  Other things were totally within my control and for me those are the most important to reflect upon. 

Internally, over the years, I’ve done a lot of work to become emotionally stronger and more confident. I try to live a purposeful life. I am grateful, I choose joy and try to be present in today. Who I am today is so different from who I was 10  or 20 years ago and who I will be next year will be different as well. I LOVE that.

I have big plans for me this year! Specifically, they involve my health, my business and my spirit. I’ll share more on that over the next month, but today I saw a photo on Facebook quoting the Top Ten Words of Wisdom by Gandhi – they really struck a chord with me. Here they are…

  1. Be the Change
  2. What you think you become
  3. Where there is love there is life
  4. Learn as if you’ll live forever
  5. Your health is your real wealth
  6. Have a sense of humor
  7. Your life is your message
  8. Action expresses priorities
  9. Our greatness is being able to remake ourselves
  10. Find yourself in the service of others

I. LOVE. THIS.

I love it so much that I’m to reflect on each one each week starting in January and will  make sure to incorporate each one of these into my 2013 goals. Have you thought about your 2013 goals? I think know it’s going to be great year! xo Amy

 

31 Days to Decorate Confidently. Day 10: Walls

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For the next few days we’re going to explore the different surfaces of rooms starting with walls…

Think outside the box and explore the unlimited possibilities for your walls. Paint is a beautiful option, but make sure to discover and consider all that is out there!

Wall finishes include paint, wall covering, faux finishes, bead board, wood, murals, fabric, wall quotes and so much more.

Research the durability of the finish you are considering. How do you clean it? Is it washable or scrubbable? Will it hold up well in high traffic areas?

Assignment: Keep your inspiration photo close for reference and explore magazines and internet sites such as pinterest, houzz, decorating blogs and other internet sites for ideas you may not have considered. Add any new ideas to your inspiration folder.

Enjoy! Amy xo

Want to start at the beginning of the series? Click here!