Tag Archives: positive thinking

November Hearts

I know it has been a long time since I have blogged (June to be exact), but because it isn’t my “job” it usually gets thrown to the wayside as other priorities pop up and need to be handled first, but it is overdue–a post about things I am currently hearting (loving/liking).

heart-cinque-terre(this is from one of my fav places in Italy, Cinque Terre)

{I really need some kind of voice to text while I am driving, so that can eliminate the time spent actually sitting and typing and uploading pretty photos, ha}

Being that it’s that time of year–You know, the “giving” time, but also for me–it is a time of reflection and goal planning for next year (personally and professionally). A lot has happened since my last blog post (the one where I blogged all month about being on Whole 30) and I am feeling grateful, in a great place and have a few things to share with you!

Things that have happened in the last 5ish months…a few Summer parties, my co-hosted All White Bday bash, my client appreciation party, a 3 week Europe trip, remodeled my guest bathroom (that is a whole other blog topic I plan to cover) top agent for September (which is crazy) closed 22 houses, rented out my personal home and bought a flip house that was in the middle of construction, somewhere in there I managed to sleep. Whew, I am exhausted, but somehow still have the energy to share with you, something I haven’t done in a while–My Hearts for November.

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(Client appreciation party @ Lustre Pearl East= Success!)

Without further ado…

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(This one is from Budapest-one of my fav Euro cities I visited this Summer)

Here is what I am currently Hearting!!

  1. SOUL CYCLE

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As you may know I try to keep as active as possible. One thing I do know about myself is that I do NOT do well working out on my own. So, I joined a pal and tried out Soul Cycle….LOVE IT. Now, I can’t only do cycling, I do like variety for workouts, but I will say–the music, the energy, being in that dark room and sweating your a$s off, is a nice change up from your workout routine and a possibly a great addition to whatever else you are doing. If you haven’t tried it yet, you should. I am fortunate enough to live close to the Domain location. I have almost tried all the instructors and my advice to you would be to try a 3 class pass, and change up instructors each time. I prefer mornings (shocking I know, as I am not a morning person) but I find parking and less traffic and kicking off my day with the class refreshing. What’s it like? A Dark studio, instructor on stage, rows and rows of bikes facing the stage, and a tight fit-but in a good way. Then each time, different music and you dance on your bike, you pedal to the beat and there’s also some upper body incorporated and dumbbells. Nothing has ever made me feel like I don’t have rhythm like a Soul Cycle class, but practice makes perfect! Last Thursday they had a Rihanna v Drake class. The change up of the music is nice and keeps you motivated. I have had everything from Ellie Golding to John Denver (remixed), Mumford and Sons to Weezer, so again-the instructor’s music choice varies. Check it out.

2. THANKSGIVING

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(please enjoy yourself for Thanksgiving, it’s one day)

Being it is November and I leave for Memphis to visit some family, as I do every year, I have to say THANKSGIVING IS THE BEST HOLIDAY OF THE YEAR!! Here is why–NO presents, only time spent with those you are thankful for (hopefully). That’s right. I think the present giving commercialized Holiday Christmas has become is ridiculous and never ending. There were a few childhood Christmas’ my family and I were in arguments over stupid presents (like the time my mom got me black Dr. Martens and not the brown ones all the cool kids had…I was so ungrateful). Anyway, for me, Thanksgiving is a time to really, really reflect on what I am thankful for. If you had to list what you are thankful for-and you had to take out the following: family, friends, health and a roof over your head–what else would be on your list? Thanksgiving in my family also means GAMES! My competitive nature is practically genetic…our traditions often consist of Michigan Rummy, laser tag (yes, laser tag), a game of Horse in the driveway, and Pictionary (but on a huge dry erase board like that old game show Win Lose or Draw). Last year it was Bean boozled (ps you must watch this video of football players playing this game here) and I have another one up my sleeve for this year that Amazon delivered just in time! Thanksgiving for me also means lounging around in sweatpants, sleeping in, running in the turkey trot, watching football, catching up with family and food. Did I forget to mention food? Mmmm sweet potatoes, turkey, stuffing, and pie. Can’t wait. I hope you feel the same love for Thanksgiving as I do, but I also hope you start a tradition of some sort–whether it be a particular game, or going around and saying what you are thankful for, that you look forward to every holiday. Make it a good one!

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(these are called crack cookies in my family and they have cake mix in em…soo good!)

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(Turkey Trot in the AM!)

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(My sister getting serious during Pictionary)

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(If you haven’t played Michigan Rummy it is the longest game ever…but strategically fun)

 

3. ACCOUNTABILITY GROUPS

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This year (like I mentioned above, I have had a lot of reflection time lately) I was fortunate enough to be in not one, but two accountability groups. One met once a week on Monday mornings, and it was a great way for me to start off my week–in the office, focused and ready to work. For those of you that do HAVE to be somewhere dressed presentable on Monday mornings-you may not be able to relate. But as an independent contractor, sometimes half the battle is showing up…or waking up, ha. I am grateful for an organized co-worker that kept us on track, on topic and on time. The weekly group was from a seminar/training I had attended earlier in the year to keep us focused and practice particular skills, discuss items we are or are not currently implementing into our business. The monthly group was a larger group and we would discuss goals, how to get there, bounce ideas off one another etc. If you are a goal oriented person (like myself) you may want to try and get friends or like-minded individuals together to help you achieve those goals. Did I meet my 3-5 goals every single month when we checked in? No, but often times I exceeded them or took something else away from the group that I executed into my business plan. I will add that I think it is important that whatever group you join–that they be positive people or influences on you. There are times when you get a group of professionals together it can be easy to get off topic and start complaining about this or that, however…it is wonderful to have a group that will tell you “don’t be so hard on yourself” or “it will pick up if you continue to…” and keep you in high spirits–and you them. Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect on all we have and give, but hopefully you have already been doing that year round (and keeping up with your “good things in 2016” jar). I will say I have made a conscious effort of being more grateful this year and it has made all the difference. Happiness is a choice.

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(The happy jar I started last year, in addition to positive journaling this year, I read it on New Year’s Day)

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Have a wonderful holiday and make it a great day. Thanks for reading!

 

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IheartTheATX February Likes

It’s that time again…

Another blog post on things I am currently hearting and want to take the time to share.

Honestly, as a creature of habit these posts can be difficult. I haven’t been going out to eat a lot (so I have no cool restaurant recs currently-but open to suggestions!). I am back in my Snap Kitchen phase (and therefore eating the same fav 4 items)..

but I do have a few things that have been in my life these past few things, and here they are-What I am currently hearting February

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(heart above from Mallorca, Spain)

1. Feng Shui (FUNG SHWAY)

I got a book for Christmas on Feng Shui that I asked for and since reading, have spruced up my home a bit and learned quite a bit on the ancient Chinese subject. Then, last week I hosted a “good fortune gathering” in celebration of the Chinese New year in conjunction with a speaker who is very knowledgeable on the topic of Feng Shui. I invited some great ladies over to my house to hear what Stacy had to say, and learn a few things on the topic.

{Side note, it there has been one thing that has changed over the last few years in my life it is: who I surround myself with. I feel as though it keeps getting better, more Quality, less quantity. As I looked around my “Good Fortune” event, I saw a room filled with positive, open minded, successful, strong, caring, happy women. I am grateful to have them in my life}

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Anyway, I started reading “Move Your Stuff, Change your Life.” It’s not about throwing out a bunch of stuff and having your couch face a specific way, (but warning, it may inspire you to sit down and go through some junk, which was nice) but more about the intentions behind where you place certain items in your home. Many companies (take Hyundai for instance, built and designed their whole building in CA based on feng shui principals). You may not necessarily believe in the unseen energy, but some feel more connected than others, and I figure it can’t necessarily hurt, only help to move a few things around (with the positive thought of what’s to come behind it). It’s as easy as that–from writing your intentions, to placing a mirror in your entrance-yet not facing the front door. Placing specific items of specific colors in corresponding places of the bagua. But, I will let you reach out to me if additional questions, maybe I can help-but I am no expert, or purchase the book here and read more for yourself.

bagua grid

Above is the bagua (place the bagua over a floorplan of your home, with front door being on bottom line and these are the different areas of your home for you to feng shui)

2. 365 Thank Yous: The Year a Simple Act of Daily Gratitude Changed My Life

Last week I was in a training all week. It was sales and real estate related, but it was so much more than that. The speaker instructed us to buy a book called 365 Thank Yous. And I haven’t finished yet, but thought I would share. Here’s the synopsis on the back: “An inspiring, true story about how a simple old-fashioned act-writing thank-you notes–lead a hopeless, angry, middle aged man out of despair and into a wonderful life.”

365 thank yous

A few years back (I want to say the start of 2013, I was at an all time low (for me). I consider myself a fairly happy and positive person, but I was not doing so hot where I want to be in life, not doing so hot in business and I couldn’t see clearly of how to get there, either. I was harder on myself than usual, with low confidence and self esteem, and overall just disappointed in myself for letting it get to that point. I was stressed and overall sad about what my life was comprised of and who I was and wasn’t surrounding myself with). As I started to read this book I resonated with the writer and the point of his life at where he was (and yet I don’t even feel the pressure of providing for a family, so I often have that to be thankful for).

I haven’t finished the book, but I can already tell you I find it a great read and look forward to finishing it up soon. Gratitude doesn’t come easy for most of us (including me) in addition to always thinking positively. Especially this day in age with social media and someone ALWAYS selling something–we often think of what we DON’T have or what we want next, vs looking at all the wonderful things we already have in our life… and I am not even talking about material things (coffee, internet and seat warmers in our car) but much deeper things…such as people, emotions, our health, etc.

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As most of you know I started a “happy jar” last year, and practicing gratitude only coincides. If you don’t have a stationary set (especially you fellas) I recommend you pick one up next time you are out…and either write down good things as they come to you, or write thank you notes when you are really feeling thankful for someone.

{Fun fact: Thank you notes from men are MUCH better well received than from women, because we (women) have been writing them much longer than males to where it is sometimes expected. So set yourself apart fellas, and make someone feel appreciated today-write them a note!}

thank you on beach

3. Walnut Creek Metropolitain Park

If you have been in Austin long enough, you know that the greenbelt trails are South and West. Actually, it seems like all the good hiking trails, hidden waterfall gems, off leash parks are all well, South.

I wanted to share some info on Walnut Creek! I have been dog sitting my Dad’s (ok and what was once mine-Jack) labs this past week as he is working and felt bad about boarding them. We have been having some amazing weather lately, and while my yard is nice (in fact, as I write this in my office  I hear Molly and Riley playing in the yard, with the window open, she growls so loud you wouldn’t know she was a Maltipoo) it is no huge off leash park with watering hole and trails.

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(the pups post park on Saturday-patiently awaiting me to throw a ball).

When I first moved to Austin I took Jack (my black lab) to Sculpture Falls, Red Bud, running on Lady Bird lake and to socialize with other dogs at Audi Shores, but alas…I am a Northie now. And if you haven’t been to Walnut Creek (this is also where I play kickball sometimes) I have to say–it is pretty great! Tons of trails dedicated to bikers, hikers and off leash dogs as well. I took the dogs Saturday and they had a blast, and best of all (what all dog owners want upon return) they were exhausted! The water was up, the dogs splashed and swam and fetched, then walked uphill, downhill and all about, excited to come home and lay in the Air conditioning (after I hosed them down in the yard of course). So regardless if you are a dog owner/lover or not. If you enjoy checking out new trails (and even getting a bit lost) or taking out your mountain bike–(or the kids to a playground), Walnut Creek is worth checking out!

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Click the link above for a video of Riley fetching rocks at Walnut Creek…yes, rocks.

Anyway, as always, thanks for reading and in honor of the month of February–Molly hopes you had a fantastic Valentine’s Day…

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