Staying In the Moment...

I'm taking one of our group member's advice about blogging/journaling "in the moment."  We all talk about how it is always important to stop and be grateful for what life has to offer.  I've spent the last year experiencing more moments than I wished to have where I sometimes forgot those important things.

This week I was reminded of focusing on my gratitude.  I've been feeling very energized and blessed.... physically, mentally, and emotionally.  Although I continue to face challenges with balancing exercise and healthy eating with the rest of my life commitments, I have really started to feel the effects of what healthy living and thinking really are about.  It feels like positivity has become second nature and part of the real me... not something I just need to keep in mind.  Our research has focused on the mental aspects of a healthy lifestyle, and there seems to be a cyclical effect to a healthy mind and healthy body.  To get the mind healthy.... the body must be healthy.  To keep the body healthy, the mind must be healthy.  It seems one cannot exist without the other.

I'm writing this while in the moment of sheer peacefulness.  Today at work, the morning has been chaotic, but there is just something bigger than me keeping my feet and my mind planted firmly, and I know this is the feeling of pure contentment.  I'm still beaming with pride after watching my son play his first tee ball game; I stopped to reflect on his life so far, and am proud of the wonderful child he is growing up to be.  I am still reflecting on the love I gave to my daughter yesterday when I realized that she is becoming more cognizant of the reality of her father's and my divorce... although I cannot take away her pain, I can be my best, and do my best to help lift her up and be her best;  she showered me with kisses today when we parted, just as I always do with her.  What a blessing!  And lastly, I have taken moments of gratitude for the many friendships I have been blessed with, some old, some new, and this week I reconnected with another friend after over 15 years.  Having positive people and support in my life and having the courage to distance myself from those less positive people has really started to show its effects, and this is a wonderful feeling worth embracing AND sharing.

One last Healthy Mind/Healthy Body note... looking forward to my first 8k trail run this weekend, and more training with my girl.... 44 days to our half marathon, and I can honestly say I can't wait!

mrv :)