Joy

I love that feeling of joy deep in my heart.  The feeling that it will burst, but instead it overflows up to my mouth, turning the corners up, and continues to my eyes, shining out.  I don't know of anything that feels more satisfying.

Heartmath recently did a study on segments of DNA & joy.  A person's DNA stretches when they think of things that make them happy.  When the DNA is stretched, it strengthens the immune system.  The study continued by taking the DNA out of the body to see if it would still stretch while the person was thinking pleasing thoughts.  The DNA stretched. The study went on to experiment with varying distances from the body, and still, the DNA stretched.  I find this incredibly fascinating, but the point I wanted to make was - not only does Joy feel good, but it does wonder's for the immune system too.  It's also a strong, positive force that has yet to be fully understood.

The Buddhists seemed to understand it's benefits better than anyone else.  Some practice a loving, kindness meditation with a smile on their face to cultivate joy from the outside, in.

This week I've cultivated joy by an impromptu picnic, having & enjoying my afternoon tea, meeting with friends for lunch, an invigorating run, playing with my dog, and enjoying my sunny afternoon drives.

How have you cultivated joy this past week?  If you haven't, challenge yourself to enjoy your weekend! It's good for you!

Lots of people=Me

This past week I was challenged to take 15 minutes to write down as many people as I could think of that have personally made me who I am today.  I broke it up into 3 specific areas.

So without further ado, Here is the list: (In no particular order)

People Who Have Taught Me:

-Wil Alexander, Jennifer St. Clair, Paige Shaughnessy, Jean Lowry, Roseanne Stacey, Dr. Ward, Karen McCulloch, Jim McCulloch, Karen Mainess, Susan Whitley, Brad Martin, Jackie Bishop, Rob Mohr, Tim Gillespie, Doug Mace, Randy Roberts, Bernard Taylor, Tyler McCulloch, Grayson Brody-Goodrich, Angelo Alvarico, Jose Medrano, Victoria Ico, Savannah Weaver, Darren Wilkins, Tiffany Dos Santos, Eliki Ravia...

People Who Have Challenged Me:

Wil Alexander, Karen McCulloch, Tim Gillespie, Michelle Adams, Paige Shaughnessy, Pam Dietrich, Craig Hadley, Dr. Ward, Nicole Palacio-Bhojwani, Carli Ashlock, Katelyn Cortes, Eric Jett, Bethany Rubino, Enrique Rodriguez, Katie Nichols, Sergio Romero, Eliki Ravia, Samuel Henderson, Beth Konrath, Mark Pacini, Laura Romero, Jim McCulloch, Jose Medrano, Angelo Alvarico, Tyler McCulloch...

People Who Have Loved Me:

-Karen McCulloch, Jim McCulloch, Tyler McCulloch, Mary-Louise Savage, Lin Flores, Danny Flores, Mackinsie Flores, Hayden Flores, Becca Headley, Jim Headley, Tommy Headley, Tim Headley, Darla Johnson, Carli Ashlock, Michelle Adams, Nicole Palacio-Bhojwani, Jenn Han, Jason Han, Wesley Arnold, Parker Arnold, Bill Arnold, Pam Arnold, Eric Jett, Tiffany Dos Santos, Savannah Weaver, Grant Benson, Wendy Lane, Gina Vogel, Kaytie Knight, Ruthie Reyes, Roseanne Stacey, Dawn Ferrarini, Pete Ferrarini, Sandra Alvarado, Leslie Scofield, Ashley Reynolds, Monika Bliss, Merrilee Scofield, Ken Scofield, Ridley Sendow...

If your name is on this list, I thank you!  If your name should be on this list, I thank you!

On the flip side.

If we believe that we, ourselves, can have second chances every second of the day - then we need to extend that kindness to others.

weheartit.com

A New Day.

 I have recently been striving to rid my thoughts and actions of negativity, but my weariness got the better of me, and I was quite rude to a classmate on Thursday night.  Later that evening, the ugly scene replayed in my head over & over.  I was embarrassed and disappointed in myself.

Friday morning, I read something that I had heard before, but this time it had greater meaning.  "God's love and mercies renew each morning."  As I pondered that thought, it made complete sense to me...Of course they do - I'm a new person every morning...forever changed from the experiences of the previous day, therefore God's love would be different and for that I'm thankful.

Later on in the day, I came across this beautiful quote:

"You decide every moment of every day who you are and what you believe in.  You get a second chance every second."

How perfect is that?!?  Every day we can make the decision of who we are & what we stand for 86,400 times...

 I feel liberated by this concept of self-forgiveness & compassion.  If I don't get it right one minute, it's ok, I can try the next.  I don't have to dwell on my mistakes, but learn from them and change. And in that change, In the power of recognizing that we get to choose who we are going to be every second, I think that's how the world is going to change.

(sorry for the "ramblyness", it's late!)

Friday :)

I am oh, so very happy it is Friday!  What a weeeeeeek. No big plans for the weekend, and that's just the way I want it :)

In this moment, I Am:

Feeling: a food coma coming on! eyelids need to stay open for just a few more hours...please

Tasting: Ice cold water

Seeing: messy piles on my work desk...indeed, it's Friday.

Smelling: Nothing in particular...

Hearing: "Stop This Train" - John Mayer...appropriate as I take a moment to stop to be present!

Have a rejuvenating weekend!

Caiti

Fan Mail

My dad used to write fan mail ALL the time.  Not only was he a gifted writer, but he felt it was important to let someone know if you appreciated them.  Thus, fan letters to sports broadcasters, novelists, baseball players, you name it.  Occasionally, he would get replies.

Tonight, I wrote my first "fan letter".  As stated before, I am a pretty big fan of Tristan Prettyman.  And as I was reading one of her blog posts this evening, I thought about how much she would enjoy "I Am"...so I wrote her an email telling her she should see it, as well as thanking her for her years of "support" in my life ;)

Who knows, it may end up in an inbox with a bazillion other fan emails...OR...We could become best friends forever and ever....

Nonetheless...energy spent on the positive ;)

Too Cute!

I love this video...I especially love the message at the end...relates to every, single relationship/friendship!