28!

For most of you it's no secret that I LOVE birthdays....particularly my own.  It's always fun to have at least one day out of the year that's all about YOU.  I hope that you get to plan your special day and do what you want to do with the people you love.

I've already decided the 28 will be my best year yet.  Being surrounded by some of the best people I've ever met and knowing that my friends afar are only a phone call/email/facebook message/text away allows me to be absolutely certain that it can only get better from here.

Some of my favorite things about the actual DAY of my birthday are:
1 - Calories don't count.  It just doesn't seem right to diet on your bday.
2 - Your Facebook page rivals most celebrities in regards to comments and posts.
3 - Your phone rings off the hook from the people that LOVE you.  It's always so fun to catch up with people you haven't chatted with in awhile.
4 - It's technically against the rules to pay for a meal on your birthday.  My momma's taking me out today :)
5 - Intense positive energy.  It is damn near impossible to have a bad day on your birthday.  With all of the love flowing your way, it's a great day to dream big. 

Thank you all for your love and support.  My life wouldn't be the same without you.

And I believe that all of you should have the BEST day....on MY bday.

xoxoxo,
ryann

Recipes for Self-Love

So I don't typically 'borrow' someone else's work this early in the week, but this blog completely confirmed that I was listening to on my way into work this morning ("Harmonic Wealth" by James Arthur Ray).  I couldn't help but share it with you.  This one is from http://positive-thoughts.typepad.com. 

Have a great day.  

xoxo,

ryann

Take full responsibility for your life.
Stop blaming others.
See yourself as the cause of what happens to you.

Do things you like to do.
Don't stay in a job you don't like.
Participate in life at the highest level you can.

Stop terrorising yourself with your thoughts.
Be gentle and kind and patient with yourself.

Give yourself the simple pleasures of life abundantly.
Wear clothes you feel good in, get a massage etc.

Watch what you say. Avoid self put-downs.
Stop being critical of yourself and others.

Take care of your body.
Give it exercise and good food.

Be willing to create a life-style that generates and nourishes self-esteem.
Associate with others with high esteem.

Acknowledge yourself frequently.
Keep a diary of your successes and accomplishments.

Avoid comparing yourself with others.
Remember that it's who we are, not what we do, that's important

Give yourself permission to do nothing periodically.
Schedule time by yourself.

Frequently take deep breaths.
Discover the benefit and pleasure of breathing fully.

Eat first class frequently.
Don't look at the right side of the menu.

Stop trying to change others.
Focus your attention on being the way you want others to be.

Look into a mirror regularly
and say "I love you, I really love you".

Stop feeling guilty and saying "I'm sorry".
See mistakes as valuable lessons and avoid judging yourself.

Consciously generate positive thoughts and feelings of self-love
in place of old thoughts of inadequacy.

Be willing to laugh at yourself and at life.
Stop taking yourself so seriously.

Accept compliments from others without embarrassment.
Don't invalidate their positive thoughts and feelings about you.

Be kind to your mind.
Don't hate yourself for having negative thoughts.
Gently change your thoughts.

Keep your awareness and your thoughts focussed in present time
instead of living in the past or future.

Acknowledge others frequently.
Tell them what you like and appreciate in them.

Invest money in yourself.
Go to seminars, workshops and courses that develop your talents.

Make a list of 10 things
you love doing and do them frequently.

Treat yourself as you would treat someone you really loved.
Praise yourself. 

Pre-Birthday weekend!!!!!

Happy Monday, friends.  Though it's not nearly exciting as a Friday, it the beginning of my 'birthday week' and I'm super excited about it.

My FABULOUS friends allowed me to start the bday celebration a little early this year, and it's been fabulous.  But, before my bday celebration started, I started the weekend at a friend's house celebrating one of her friend's upcoming wedding.  What's the BEST way to celebrate (outside of a ridiculous bachelorette party?!)....a PASSION party!!!! This laughable party where a brave woman stands in front of a group of people and discusses things that aren't normal 'dinner table' conversation was actually a TON of fun.  I hadn't been to one in years and wasn't sure to what to expect....considering I wasn't super close with a lot of the attendees.  But Angela, of Passion Party By Angela (www.quitfakingit.com) did an awesome job and I believe the party was a success for everyone, including the Bride-to-be!

Saturday morning started early with a 3 mile run, which Jason begrudgingly joining me.  He's actually doing pretty awesome with his running, though he's definitely a beginner and certainly doesn't love it.  But his time and confidence are improving - and that's great news.  I continued to work off the previous evening's wine and Taco Bell with a great workout with my trainers at F3 Fitness (www.f3-fitness.com).  Jada and Andre are a great husband and wife team the training is SUPER affordable if you live in KC and are interested. 

After that I spent a few hours laying out on my deck and reading a book while my fabulous sister made sure Pepper got her exercise in for the day :).  I also treated myself to a little bday gift and headed to P31 Studios to get my hair done!  (David is FABULOUS!) 

From there, the troops rallied at our house and had few cocktails and ice cream cake (thank you, Jason!!!).  We took the trolley from Waldo to Martini Corner (awesome, super easy way to get around KC, btw).  The actual festivities were at Velvet Dog where my AMAZING friends proceeded to buy me shot after shot!  It was SUCH a good time and I'm so, so grateful for my wonderful friends.  You all are truly  great and I had SUCH a great time. 

And to top it all off, my pain in the ASS boyfriend dragged me at bed at 8:30 on Sunday morning to play coed doubles.  Needless to say, it was a great weekend.  I know this week will only get better.

Love to you all!

xoxo,
ryann

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