Mid- Week Motivation 4: The Present

Hello Lovelies,

Happy hump day! Here I am again with yet another {mid-week motivation} post with the purpose of providing a bit of a positive boost to your week.

After a whole lot of brainstorming, I decided to feature one of my favorite inspirational books today. And here you have it:

 The Present

I read this listened to the audio version of this book several years ago. I loved it so much I actually transferred the entire audio in to my "IPod" (remember those?). I recently found my old IPod again and was pleasantly surprise to find the book in my playlist. I've been listening to the chapters every chance I get and is as great as I remember it.

The book has no "ground breaking" realizations. It is actually a very concise reminder of something most of us have probably heard of several times over: Living in the present moment makes us happier people. When we live in the present (focus on the task at hand, one moment at the time) we allow ourselves to ease any anxieties caused by the past or the future. We simply live in the moment that we are planted and we take it a moment at the time.

I've personally tried this strategy in my life several times and I have to admit that it is true and it works. I am not saying that focusing on the present is easy by any means. I think that as humans we have a tendency to replay the past over and over again (specially if its negative, why is that?!) or feel anxious and worried about the future. We all do it! However, if we make a conscious effort to just stay in the moment, its eye-opening how all regrets, worries, or anxieties 'magically' disappear from our minds. However, as I said, it has to be a conscious effort. We have to train our minds to stay in the moment. I promise you, it becomes easier over time.

Although the book focuses on "The Gift of the Present" {meaning, the present moment} it does make reference to the past and the future and provides strategies on how we can use both to make our lives better. One of my favorite chapters focuses around this very concept. Here are some of my favorite highlights:

• Living in the present means tuning out distractions and paying attention to whats important now. You create your own present by what you give your attention to today.

• Its hard to let go of the past if you have not learned from it. As soon as you learn and let go you improve the present.

• Anytime you are unhappy in the present or feeling less successful, it is time to learn from the past or plan for the future.

• Look at what happened in the past, learn something from it, use what you learned to improve the present.

• You may not be able to change the past but you can learn from it. If  the same situation arises you'll do things differently and enjoy a happier and successful present.

• No one can predict or control the future but the more you plan for what you want to see happen, the less anxious you are in the present, and the more the future is known to you.

• Beginning today: Think about what a wonderful future would look like, create a realistic plan to make it happen, put your plan in to action in the present.

I encourage you to check out the book. You can click on the link above (Amazon affiliate link) or simply borrow it from your local library for free! I truly believe this is a book you'll enjoy and may become a bookshelf favorite.

Spencer Johnson is one of my favorite authors when it comes to motivational literature. I've also read "Who moved my cheese" long time ago, another great book.

And that's all folks. Thank you for reading. Have a phenomenal Wednesday.

Tell me, what does living in the present mean to you? Have you read this book?

Love, 

Mabelle

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Mid Week Motivation 3: Vision Boards

Check out Mid Week Motivation 2 if you missed it.

Hello my loves,

Breakfast this morning: GF waffles, eggs, cafe

Good morning and happy hump day.

MWM series continues today with yet another tip to help you accomplish your dreams and make your life fabulous. Today I talk about my obsession with vision boards and I'd like to let you in a little secret: they do work!

Some people may be a little skeptical about sitting down with a bunch of magazine, glue, and white board ready to cut out appealing pictures, with the hope that those images may one day come true. "Vision-Boarding" (I think I just made that up) goes well beyond arts and crafts and is actually a HUGE stress reliever and a great way to lifts your spirits, envision a great life, and create the future.

I made my first vision boards back in 2011 and I still have them to this day. I can tell you that most of the items (symbolizing personal plans and dreams) did come true. 

After going through some tough times last year, I started making vision boards as a hobby. I'd grab my "materials" in the evening after a long day of work and start dreaming away. It became such a "feel good" project that I made several boards and they are all plastered all over my apartment.

I am telling you, one by one, the images I posted are manifesting themselves one way or another. I don't know what it is about envisioning positive things and putting them right in front of you that triggers manifestation.

Still skeptical? You don't have to take my word for it ladies and gents! Try it for yourself. If you are new at this, try making one during a relaxing evening when you are simply watching your favorite shows, listening to music, or just relaxing around the house. Grab some old magazines, glue and some cardboard. This is literally all you need:

• Glue stick (or any glue you have will do)
• Stack of old magazines with inspirational images (ie: Oprah, Health Mag, Shape, Glamour, Fitness)
• White board (you can find them at 99 cent stores usually 2 for $1)

Cut out inspirational images of things you'd like to see happen in your life. Put it up somewhere where you'll get to glance at it often and prepare for greatness.

If you have done this before, I'm sure you'd agree with me that this is quite magical.

...and even if you feel this may be too much work (trust me, it isn't and is so worth it) just putting up things around your place that inspire you and put a smile on your face should be enough. Here are some additional examples from around my apartment:

As always, would love to hear from you: feel free to share your vision board experiences below. Or, if you've never made one before, tell me why.

Love,

Mabelle 

Mid-Week Motivation 2: The power of writing things down!

Hi Lovelies,

Welcome to post #2 of my "mid week motivation" series. If you missed post #1 check it out here. I am working structuring my blog in a way that when you visit me, you find tons of motivation and inspiration to lead a better life. As a self-proclaimed 'health and fitness lifestyle blogger' I do enjoy sharing tips and idea on healthy living including yummy meals and workout ideas. However, I also want to take it a step further and share life advise. I am constantly learning and exploring (its an ongoing process!). What better way to make sure I am absorbing and applying what I learn than to share with others. We can all get better together.

So here we go...

Ever since I can remember I've always been a goal-oriented person. One of the things that keeps me the most motivated and excited about life and progression is to set goals for myself as well as set a plan to accomplish said goals. I used to be very 'general' with my goals but with time I have 'perfected my craft' by being more specific in regards to the things I want and how I will get there. One thing that I have noticed has worked tremendously for me is writing down the things I want out of life. And I dont mean typing things down on your computer screen. I mean the old school way of grabbing a pen and a journal.

I truly believe there is something 'magical' about putting pen to paper and letting the 'universe' know about your goals and dreams. I was going through a journal I had back in 2008 and was reading a list of goals I had written down in that journal. From getting my own apartment to finishing my MBA by the age of 30 and several things in between. Guess what-- about 99% of the goals I wrote down came to reality. I almost cried when I saw that. Then, I remembered that pretty much every single thing I have outlined in my life and have put pen to paper to has come true and continues to come true which is quite the magical and eye-opening realization. Is a habit I will continue to implement in my life for as long as I am in this wonderful earth.

Today i encourage you to take 10-15 minutes of your time, put pen to paper and map out your dreams. It doesn't matter how 'crazy' they may seem or how 'ridiculous' they may sound to you. As the sayings go: "Is not your job to figure out HOW things will happen. Your job is to know what you want and that it WILL happen".

Believe in that higher power, the universe, anything. Just Believe.

Thank you for reading.

Tell me, what is your 'goal-achieving' tool? Are you a fan of writing things down?

Love,
Mabelle