So God Made a Dog

    This short video is sweet, funny, touching and wonderful. My eyes might have even become a little misty after watching it. 

    So here's to our best friends, who love us without complaint. 

    And wear silly hats without being too put out or upset with us.
    Now go throw a ball for your little pup, and as always, keep smiling.

No Sugar Check-in- Following Thru with Goals

    I just wanted to check-in with everyone and let you know of my progress. I believe that to be successful with any goal, it's a good idea to have someone or somewhere that you report your accountability to. Now I want to let you all know that even though there have been some times when I have been tempted to slip-up, I have remained true to my goal. Knowing that eventually I'd be checking-in publicly with my success or failure actually made me really think about my resolve in my times of weakness. So this has pretty much been my internal motto:

  We all have times of weakness with things that we struggle with, but I have found that if I take a step back and think for just a moment, all of the sudden, the choice becomes much easier. I've also noticed that the times when I wanted to depart from my goal were the times when I was overly emotional. But instead of drowning my sorrows in a stack of blueberry pancakes, I listened to myself and tried to understand more fully why I was feeling that way and how I could feel better. For some tough days it meant just making it through to the next day, but for others, it meant slowing down or actually making and tackling a long to-do list. 

    Any goal that we are striving for is possible, even when life is a little rough. And when you're done and you've made it to the end, you can sing, hum or yell this song:

Keep going and keep smiling!

Bagpiper Performs AC/DC with Shooting Flames

    It's been a long week. LONG. And to be honest, I've had a hard time finding things to write about, so sorry for the lack of posts. BUT , we've made it to Friday, so things are looking up. 
    So, here for your enjoyment, a Bagpiper performing AC/DC with flames shooting out of his bagpipe. 

    A little ridiculous? Perhaps. But after a week like this one... Anyway, have a great weekend and keep smiling!

Schedule Time to Relax- 10 easy ways

Life can get so busy and distracting sometimes that we could probably all use a little more time to relax and rejuvenate. I'm a big 7 Habits fan and I have to say that my favorite habit was always the last- "Sharpening the Saw." When I worked for FranklinCovey, the parent company for all things 7 Habits, I noticed that most of the people that I worked with struggled with taking time for themselves and their families. I can't remember how many times I used the car analogy; cars need maintenance and fuel or they will stop working and our bodies and minds are no different. We may not think that we have time for relaxation but when you're busy driving around, do you still make time to go and get gas when you're on E? All drivers know that if you don't eventually you'll lose more time walking to a gas station with a gas can than if you had simply taken a few minutes to fuel up. 

    Here are a few ways that I "fuel up" when I feel personally on E.

1.Light a candle and close my eyes and breathe for 5 minutes. Sometimes I even set a timer to make sure I do it for a whole 5 minutes.

2.Take an epsom salt bath. Whenever I do this, my body just feels more loose and clean.

3.Hit the pool for half an hour

4.Go for a walk

5.Write a letter of gratitude to someone I love

6. Say a prayer from the heart

7. Snuggle my pet or someone I love

8. Read a chapter from a book

9. Do a relaxing yoga video

10. Hit up Youtube for some relaxing music

I did a little work for you and found this video which is over an hour or relaxing music. Take a listen

Today, let's take a moment to relax and keep smiling!

Life's Soundtrack for a Beautiful Afternoon

I love music. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I wish life had a soundtrack. It could make the happiest moments more joyful and even the average day-to-day moments seem especially purposeful. Music has an ability to bring our emotions to the forefront of our mind; with music we not only feel our emotions but we embrace the act of feeling them. 

There is plenty of scientific data that supports music's ability to change or alter even our most basic autonomic functions like heart rate and breathing. Music is like magic, basically. Like magic mixed with scientific support. 
    I'm not sure that there is a composer out there who created more magical or beautiful pieces than Claude Debussy. His music truly is what feelings sound like. I'd like to think that if my soul had a song, it would closely resemble Reverie. His piece Clair de Lune was also recently voted the most beautiful song so I've put both videos up for you to enjoy!

Reverie

Clair de Lune

I love Debussy! If you're dying for more of his work, Youtube has quite a few of his songs. Have a beautiful day and keep smiling!

A Few Random Giveaways Around the Blogosphere

Who doesn't like free stuff? Exactly. Here are a few places around the web that are hosting giveaways!

-$50 Gift Card to Anthro, J Crew or Zara Here

-$500 Gift Card to Ily Couture Here

-Free Pair of Ray Ban Sunglasses Here

-Free Home Design/Decor Book Here

-Free Gorgeous Area Rug Here


Good Luck and keep smiling!!!

New Disney Princess Movie!

Is anyone else feeling a little gleeful about another Disney Princess movie where the princess is plays the part of the savior instead of a damsel in distress? I sure am. This movie looks to be good. I love that the villan is not cast as merely evil either, similar to Tangled but hopefully more complex. Did I mention that the villan is also set to be her older sister? Exciting! I cannot wait to see how it all plays out! Oh and don't forget to watch the funny trailer at the end of the post. It's truly charming.

Can't wait till Thanksgiving! Keep smiling!