Tell yourself that you have a good life, count your blessings, and learn to stay positive no matter what.

TGIF!!! Whew, what a week! I hope it was a great one for you.  Because it's Friday, I'm borrowing work to share with you, again!  I don't know how to personally give credit, but this was borrowed from http://positive-thoughts.typepad.com.  There's some really great stuff on this blog - you should go check it out.  I hope you all enjoy your weekend.

xoxo,
ryann 

Count your blessings at the end of every day – don’t focus on the problems you’ve faced that day; rather, think of all the good things that happened and the happiness they gave you.

Think of others rather than yourself – when you do things, even the smallest favors, for other people who mean something to you, you feel good about yourself.

Be proactive rather than reactive – instead of fretting over a problem and letting it stress you out, focus on how to resolve quickly and effectively. When your mind is busy trying to find a solution, you stop feeling sorry for yourself and start thinking positively.

Don’t allow your mind to remain idle – it may be clichéd, but it’s also true that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. So stay busy and keep doing something or the other to prevent negative thoughts from creeping in.

Stop negative thoughts before they form completely – if you find yourself becoming depressed because your mind is taking a negative bent, stop those thoughts in their tracks and start consciously thinking of positive things.

Spend time with people who love you and make you feel good about yourself – quality relationships make life worth living.

Anytime you feel that the weight of your burden is hard to bear, talk to a friend or someone with a sympathetic ear – even if they cannot do anything to help you out, just the fact that you have someone on your side is uplifting enough.
 
And finally, look around you before you start to feel sorry for yourself – there are people in situations that are a hundred times worse than yours, yet they manage to get through each day.

If you're bored, you're boring...

My mom used to tell me this when I was a kid and would whine that I was boreddddd and there was nothing to do.  Her response was..."If you're bored, you're boring..."  For some reason, that has stuck with me.  And believe me, my life has never been close to boring!

But with no race to train for, no school to study for, no kiddos to prep for Nationals....I honestly don't know what to do with myself.  It's quite strange having "free time" and I really don't know what to do with it.  I mean, I certainly manage to fill my time with workouts, volleyball, and hanging out with friends.  But, it's still weird on a Tuesday night to go grab dinner with a girlfriend.  Or not have to grocery shop on my lunch hour, because that's the only time I have to get it done.

And for some strange reason, I have this weird guilty feeling when I choose to sit on the couch and read a book or watch endless episodes of Law and Order or NCIS.  I constantly feeling that there is something I NEED to be doing.  But in actuality, there is not.  My question is, I suppose, will this go away?  Will the strange feeling or not HAVING to be somewhere go away?  Or will I somehow manage to find SOMETHING to do to fill up the time?

Have a good day, friends.

xoxo,
ryann

10 Year High School Reunion

This past weekend was my 10 Year High School Reunion.  I didn't go.  A lot of people seem very surprised by this.  I mean, come on, it's been 10 years!!!  But, in my opinion, between Facebook and technology, I keep in touch with the people I want to keep in touch with.  The reason one goes to a reunion (in my opinion) is to find out where everyone wound up, how they're doing, and what they're up to these days.  With Facebook, we already know!  OR, we're not Facebook friends with the people we truly DON'T CARE what they're up to.

I understand, this may sound harsh or mean.  It's not meant that way.  Truth be told, people are so busy with their own jobs/live/families/kids/spouses/projects that reconnecting with old friends is pretty low on the list of things to do when it comes to priorities.  I mean, I hardly have time to keep in touch with the people that are active members of my life....much less those that I haven't spoken to in 10 years.  Or better yet, wasn't even friends with in high school.

And to be quite honest, high school wasn't high on my list of 'memorable years.'  I hated high school.  Yes, I said it.  I wasn't well liked.  I didn't like a lot of people.  I was opinionated and bossy (I know, some things never change!) and spending 2 hours with the people I haven't seen since then - won't change their opinion of me.  And better yet, I don't care to. 

What about you, friends?  Did you attend your big reunions?  What was your experience?  Or, do you plan on attending the next one?

xoxo,
ryann

Summer Mornings....

In my opinion, there is nothing better than a summer morning.  It's warm and comfortable, usually long before the obnoxious heat and humidity take over.  It's quiet and peaceful and if you're up early enough, you can only hear the sounds of birds and nature...and I live in the middle of the city. 

But one of my favorite ways to spend a summer morning is a nice, comfortable run.  Though it's not quite the same experience as sitting on your deck drinking coffee and enjoying the perfection, there is a feeling of accomplishment that only a morning workout will help you achieve.  And not to mention the beautiful weather and scenery.  And the camaraderie of the other runners on the trail.  It's almost enough to make you lose track of time and what you're doing.

This morning, I ran about 3 miles on the Trolley Trail in Kansas City from Waldo to Brookside and back.  And though my time wasn't great (apparently 3 weeks is too long to take off post-race) it was still just the best feeling in the world.  A little slice of happiness and Heaven....right here in KC :).

Enjoy your day friends.  And set your alarm a few minutes earlier tomorrow and go outside and enjoy the peaceful perfection of a summer morning.

xoxo,
ryann

In Search of...Happiness

Happy Monday, friends!

I receive a daily email from Jessica Northey and Finger Candy Media (www.fingercandymedia.com).  Primarily it's about Social Media and how to use these tools to help propel your business and brand.  I started receiving the email to gather tips about growing this blog and my soon to come website.

But, one of her emails over the weekend were about her personal life.  Or rather, about who she really is behind the "avatar" as she refers to it. Her message was that happiness comes from within.  It's not about what you do or don't have.  It's not about your perception of what other people have or how easy they have it.  It's about you and what makes you happy and what you're grateful for. 

She even goes as far as to make a list of what makes her happy!  Really, you should just check out the blog...
http://fingercandymedia.com/5209-in-search-of%E2%80%A6-happiness

But, she did inspire me, on this Monday morning, to share with you all of the wonderful things in my life that make me happy!  And to encourage you to make a list as well.  Trust me, it will make you smile!

A few things that make me truly happy...

Pepper
My family
Jason
Volleyball
Running
Spending time with my friends
Writing
Traveling to see my friends all over the country

These are just the first things that come to mind that make me smile, regardless of what's happening around me....stopping to think about ANY of these things can bring a smile to my face.  Seriously, try it.  Make a list of the things that make you smile everyday.  And to go one step further, read it every morning - so you can start your day with a smile.

xoxo,
Ryann

I believe....

My friend Matt pointed me in the direction of this website: http://positive-thoughts.typepad.com/. His point was to share another blog with me, but this one grabbed me immediately. So yes, it's stolen material, but I'm giving credit where credit is due. Check out the website, there are some really great points to explore. This particular message is the work of Hugh Prather.

I believe-
That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I believe-
That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I believe-
That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I believe-
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I believe-
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done,
regardless of the consequences.

I believe-
That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time!

I believe-
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I believe-
That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I believe-
That just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

I believe-
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've
learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I believe-
That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others.
Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I believe-
That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I believe-
That our background and circumstances may have influenced
who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I believe-
That two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I believe-
That the people you care about most in life are the essence of life.
Tell them today how much you love them and what they mean to you.

Our beliefs are so powerful that they color our entire world.
We literally see what we believe, but we can--and most of us
do--fail to take responsibility for what we see, especially what we see within.

Hugh Prather

Audiobooks

As an outside sales person, I've always been encouraged to listen to audiobooks. With all of the 'downtime' spent driving from one meeting to the next, the easiest way to make the best use of your time is to listen to something that's good for you!
So, over the last six years, I've tried and tried to get into them. I've purchased audio books, rented from the library, and borrowed them from friends and colleagues. But, for the girl who doesn't even like Talk Radio, audiobooks have been a challenge.

However, I came across a book by Mike Dooley called "Manifesting Change" that my library didn't have in regular book format. The reviews on Amazon were great and I love Dooley's Daily Notes from the Universe (check them out at www.tut.com)so I figured I would TRY the audiobook. Somehow, I flew through the 8 hours of material in a week. And somehow, I actually paid attention and was able to follow the entire book.

Since then I've made it through "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" (I had heard it's better on audiobook then in print)and am halfway through "Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting: The Astonishing Power of Feelings" and really enjoying it.

I suppose the reason I'm sharing this is twofold. First, because I feel much more accomplished at the end of a day knowing that not only did I run around and make my sales calls but I was able to listen to some really profound material and ideas. And of course, I feel much better about my choice of sitting on the couch watching bad TV, rather than picking up an actual book! :)

And two, because it's always worth giving something a second or third chance. I hear people say all the time "I don't like to read," "I don't have time," "I can never get through a book," and I think it's a matter of the finding something you LIKE reading and something that makes sense and appeals to you. Before you shut down an idea, give it a shot. You never know what great opportunities may present itself.